“Yeah, I can’t get over how friendly she was to me. I don’t know why kids are like that with me. Missy’s kids love me, too. I’m like a magnet.”
“You’re a nice guy, and she even told me she liked you.”
“Well, I’m glad to have her approval. It means a lot to me.”
“I still approve of you, too, if it means anything.” I laughed. “And thanks again for the job.”
He reached across the table and took my hand. “No problem. I’m excited to have you working for me.”
His hand left mine, and I realized it had just been a friendly gesture. I knew better than to make anything out of it, even though my heart was pounding.
“I guess I should get back to work,” I said. “Break time is over. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, we said our goodbyes, and I walked to the back, retying my apron.
As I passed Katrina, she leaned in and whispered. “He’s still looking at you.”
I turned and gave him a little wave, and then went through the doors with her behind me. “He just came in to give me the job. We’re just friends. He talked more about Sierra than me.” I wasn’t going to let things go to my head, no matter how much I wanted to.
Chapter 9
David
Ignoring my morning wood and waking up an hour early had brought me into work before anyone else, but I was so excited about Allison coming to work for me that I could barely contain myself.
Greyson walked into my office with a look of shock and awe.
“Damn. Mark this day on the calendar. You’re actually here before me? You’ve never managed that. Hell, you’ve been on time maybe once since your father died, and that was when you were interested in that lady on the fifth floor.”
With narrowed eyes, he walked around my desk and leaned in, sniffing the air around me and eyeing my suit. “That’s your ‘fuck me’ suit.”
“You’re crazy,” I said with a laugh. “I don’t have a ‘fuck me’ suit.”
“That’s your best-tailored suit, and your blue tie. Tell me you’re not trying to accentuate those blue eyes.”
I had deliberately chosen the tie for that reason, but I wasn’t admitting to anything.
I curled my lips into a smile. “You’re starting to worry me with the whole, flair for fashion thing.”
“It comes from dating models and having a gay tailor. So, sorry to disappoint you, David, but I won’t fuck you.”
“I ought to punch you in the fucking throat for saying that shit.”
“I could say something, but it’s too far, for even me.” I let loose a breath and gave him a look. “But I know I’m right. You’re all spiffed up for someone.”
“Allison’s coming in. I saw her yesterday and gave her the job.”
“What job? There was no job. Oh, that’s right. You mean the job you created for her.”
“Yesterday, you seemed to think it was a good idea.”
“I still do, but if I can’t fuck with you about it, what fun would it be?” He grabbed a cup of coffee from my Keurig and was on his way. He did the same thing every morning and usually hung out behind my desk.
I had work to do, but with Allison on her way, I was too distracted. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was so beautiful, and I made a mental checklist of all the women I’d met. None compared. She was the hottest, the prettiest, and the sexiest by far. I was so pissed at myself for letting her marry that asshole, but I knew without that asshole, she wouldn’t have her wonderful daughter. Perhaps everything had happened for a reason, and we were all supposed to be together. I pushed the thoughts out of my head. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I couldn’t just step in and assume anything. Sure, she was divorced, but it didn’t mean she’d want me for anything more than a friend.
Just when I’d finally gotten her off my mind, she showed up with a little knock on my door. “Knock, Knock.”
I smiled at her greeting because as kids, it had been the way we entered each other’s homes.
“Come on in. I was wondering when you’d show up. Did you get lost on the way?”
“No, sorry. I didn’t want to show up too early, and you didn’t specify a time. It’s only eight-thirty. Was I supposed to be here at eight?”
“Oh, sorry. Longest morning ever.”
“Yeah, it’s flown by. I hoped I wouldn’t be too late.”
“No, you’re perfect.” I’d gotten to work so damned early, I’d thought it was already close to noon. I had been so anxious and in my head about seeing her, that the hours had dragged out forever. I offered her a seat across from me.
“I was hoping we’d discuss job duties and of course, pay.” She lowered herself into the chair and crossed her legs.
“Yes, of course. I want to make sure you’re well-compensated for the job you’ll be performing.” I hadn’t really written anything out because there weren’t any forms for her job description, so I scratched my head and then folded my hands on the table in front of me. “Let’s see.”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, sorry. It’s just no one’s ever done this job for me before. What I really need is someone to schedule my appointments, make reservations, handle some of my personal chores, like my dry-cleaning, make and take calls. And of course, you’d handle my PR.” I cleared my throat and jotted down a number on a piece of paper and folded it in half. “Does that sound like something you’re interested in?”
“Yes, I think I can handle that.”
“Good.” I slid the paper across the desk. “Do you find this acceptable?”
She picked up the paper and opened it, her eyes widening. “This is per month?”
“Yes, is it enough? I mean, really, if you don’t think it’s fair—”
“No, it’s very generous, thank you.” She placed her hand on her chest, and it was then I noticed its rise and fall.
“Well, it’s a very big job, putting up with me.” I chuckled and gave her a wink. I had no idea what the going rate for PA’s was, but she seemed pleased. I could afford it, and that was all that mattered. She seemed preoccupied by the view behind my desk.
“Excellent view, isn’t it?”
“It’s breathtaking, actually. I didn’t realize how high up I’d gone.”
“Yeah, it’s deceiving. It’s hard to think my father made all of this while we were busy growing up in the suburbs.”
“The middle-class suburbs,” she corrected. “You never acted like you had a lot of money.”
“That’s because I didn’t.” I couldn’t help but blurt out a laugh. “The old man was the one with the money, and you want to hear the truth of it?” She nodded. “We had no idea how much he was worth until the day they read the will.”
“Really? He kept it a secret?”
“There’s a reason I scribbled down that figure and passed it to you. My old man never discussed money, and you won’t hear that happening here in these walls, either. That salary of yours should stay to yourself, not that I’m saying you’d tell anyone, but in case you’re asked. It’s no one’s business. My father used to say he had cash in every pocket and change in his socks.”
“Sounds painful.”
I laughed. “Painful depends on your perspective, I suppose.” She leaned forward in her seat as if hanging on my every word. “What he meant was, you keep your money tucked in many pockets, and the little money, the change, is what you stand on. That’s why my father kept his three kids in middle-class suburbia while running a billion-dollar company.”
“And so painful is perspective.” She shook her head. “You had a good childhood, didn’t you? I mean, you had a nice home. We didn’t live in the slums by any means, and if I’m not mistaken, you had all you needed, right?”
“Of course, we did. From my perspective, it wasn’t so painful at all. But take Blaine, for instance. He’s been pissed off at my father since the reading of the will. He felt slighted having to grow up without the glamorous things in life. He felt his art might
have gotten more attention, that he’d have been happier. Missy had to cook and clean and take care of us boys once our mother died, and she struggled the most, through it all. Missed out on a good education, had the most sacrifices. We could have had cooks and maids. Instead, she did it all. Cleaned, washed clothes, and fed us.”
“Well, I’m glad you lived across the street. I wouldn’t have wanted to throw dirt at anyone else.” Her eyes sparkled.
“And I wouldn’t have tolerated it from anyone else. You had my attention, Ms. Beall. Why do you think I went back and forth so many times?”
“Actually, now it’s Ms. Simon. I never changed my name back after the divorce.”
“Sorry that didn’t work out for you.” I wasn’t really, but I had nothing else to say. I couldn’t tell her I despised the father of her child.
“Oh, I’m much better off. It’s hard at times, being a single mom, but most of my burden has been financial. Doug doesn’t make a lot, so he doesn’t pay a lot in support. But with this job, now I don’t have to worry about that.”
“Good. And if you need anything you let me know. I’d love to help.”
“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. You’re helping so much more than you know. I can save up for her college now and afford insurance finally.”
I felt a pang in my gut. She’d been going without insurance for her child. “Well, it’s your lucky day. We provide insurance to our employees. It comes with the job.”
Her eyes lit with shock, and she leaned forward across my desk and took my hand.
“Thank you.” She wiped her eyes. “That’s a huge burden lifted.”
“We also have scholarships, if you’d like to apply in about twelve years.” I was totally making shit up at this point, but I was a total sucker for her, and if her kid needed to go to college, I’d pay for any school she wanted.
“I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”
“Awesome, you can start on Monday if you want. I know you wanted to give your friends at the diner a little notice, and I respect the hell out of you for that. Some people would just leave them hanging.” I stood from my desk. “Let me walk you out.”
She saw my Cobra as she walked past it in the garage. “Wow, what a pretty car.”
“Thank you, I love it, too.”
She tilted her head. “I thought you have a Jeep?”
“A Jeep and a motorcycle, too, but the weather hasn’t been too agreeable for those lately. So, I usually drive this in. She’s my baby.”
“Nice baby.”
I walked her to a practical SUV and wondered if there was any way I could manage to get her a new car without being too obvious. I was handing out insurance and scholarships, so what the hell.
“Call me, and let me know if you need anything. I’ll see you soon.” I stood there for an awkward moment, wanting to kiss her goodbye, but knowing it wasn’t appropriate. I shut her door and watched as she drove away. I returned to the building where I found Greyson waiting outside the elevator.
He flashed me a wink. “Great white buffalo.”
“Oh hey, does the company have any kind of scholarship program for high school students applying to college? You know, for our associates’ families?”
He made a face. “Nope. Your old man was too much of a tight wad.”
I folded my arms. “He paid for your college, Greyson.”
“Yeah, but I’m like family; the son he’d never had, remember?” He wasn’t going to stop busting my balls over that one.
“Yeah, golden child, make it happen and name it after my father. I want at least one kid a year being rewarded, and I get the final say.”
With that, I left him standing in the lobby with his mouth hanging open.
Chapter 10
Allison
I should have known better than to let my guard down, but with all the bliss of a new job and bigger pay, and all the plans I’d already begun to make for me and my daughter, I couldn’t help it. Take that and multiply it by David DeVant, and it was too much joy for one person. Reality was waiting to knock me down a peg.
I walked into the front office of my daughter’s school, and as I approached the secretary, she smiled and pushed out a clipboard. “Please sign in, Mrs. Simon.” I wanted to correct her about my name. I wasn’t a Mrs. anymore, but a Ms., not that they’d care. I signed my name.
“I’m here to see Ms. Clare.” My daughter’s teacher had called me in for a parent/teacher conference.
“You can go back. Here’s a visitor’s pass.” The woman handed me a sticker which I pressed on my shirt before heading down the hall to my daughter’s classroom.
Ms. Clare met me at the door. “Hello, Ms. Simon.”
“Please, call me Allison. It’s unexpected to see you again.” I wanted to ask her if my daughter had left teeth marks in anyone or worse, but she led me in and had me sit in a child-sized chair in front of her desk.
“I wanted to talk to you about Sierra.” She smiled pleasantly, and I wanted to say no shit. “As you know, she had a bit of trouble last week with the assault on the other student.”
“Assault? I hardly would call a bite an assault; incident, maybe, but please continue.” I placed my handbag on the floor and met her eyes.
“Well, tomato, to-mah-to.” She shrugged. “I’m not here to argue, but I really feel she needs to start seeing the counselor. She’s having some social issues, and I’m not just talking about the assault—”
“Incident,” I corrected, gritting my teeth through a tight smile.
“Ah, yeah. So, I’m not really sure what’s going on at home, but with her behavior, I can’t help but think there might be some form of abuse or possible neglect that the counselor would be better qualified than you or me to determine. Do you happen to know of anything that might be disturbing your child? Causing her to be a bit standoffish?”
I had been numb since she’d used the word abuse, and my hackles were so high, I was ready to stand up and pinch her head off. If she wanted abuse, I could damn well show it to her.
“I’m not sure what’s going on here at school, but I can assure you on our end, things are okay. Now, having said that, she does go to her father’s house every other weekend, so I’m not able to say what goes on there. But I assure you, I’ll get to the bottom of that as soon as I leave here.”
She blinked a few times, looking down her nose at me. I stood up, sick of the child-sized chair, which obviously had this teacher confusing me for a little kid. I leaned against the desk and gripped my purse at my side as I forced a smile.
Ms. Clare frowned. “I see. So, you think there could be a problem on her father’s end?” Her brow rose, and I bit my lip to stop from telling her she’d just earned an A for repeating what I’d said.
“I can’t say there is, but as I said, what happens there is not in my control. But if there is some sort of issue, I’ll make sure it’s dealt with. But I don’t think this is an issue for counseling since this is the first time we’ve discussed the situation, and you yourself have admitted you’re no authority on abuse. I will talk to my daughter and let you know what I find out, but I don’t want to disrupt her daily routine unless absolutely necessary.”
Instead of seeming understanding, she seemed disappointed. “Well, I suppose we’ll see how this works, but if she doesn’t come out of her shell, I’m going to have to recommend she start weekly sessions.”
“Thank you. I’d like to go ahead and take her with me since there’s only an hour of school left.”
“Certainly, Ms. Simon. I’ll have her sent to the office.” I walked down the hall and waited for my daughter, wondering what could be going on. Surely, there wasn’t something that she hadn’t told me. She’d always been so good about communicating with me, and I found it hard to believe that she was being abnormally standoffish when she usually had a sweet personality. My heart was breaking as I saw her walking around the corner. What if there were bullies picking on her?
“Do I get to lea
ve early, Mama?” Her little head turned up with a smile, and she wagged her eyebrows.
“Yes, so you can turn off the charm. We’re going home.”
“Did you go to work today?”
“No, I came in to talk to your teacher.” I held her hand and led her out into the parking lot. I wanted to get her in the car before I asked her any questions.
I opened her door, and she climbed in and strapped herself in. I walked around and got in with her. Before I started the car, I took a deep breath. I couldn’t fathom that her father was low enough to abuse her. Sure, he’d gotten to a point where he was loathsome of me, but he’d never been mean or cruel to her, that I knew of. Even though he’d gotten bitter through the divorce, he’d always kept his cool in front of Sierra. But I had to know.
“Honey, I know you don’t like going to your father’s house, but I need you to be very brave and answer a few questions for me. You can be brave, can’t you?”
She nodded quickly and folded her hands in her lap. “I sleep in my room in the dark all the time, and I’m pretty sure I could handle scary movies if you’d let me watch them.”
“Oh yeah? I’d have to think about that one. But let’s get to these questions first.”
“Sure.” She shrugged her little shoulders and shifted in her seat to face me.
“Does anyone do or say anything that hurts you? Like your dad or Cindy?” She blinked a few times, her face devoid of any emotion, reminding me a lot of her teacher. “You know you can tell me anything, honey.”
She nodded.
“If there’s anything, you should just tell me. I won’t be mad at you, but I want to make sure that whatever is going on stops.”
“There’s nothing.” She turned and looked out the window and didn’t speak for the rest of the drive, but instead of going home, I decided to make a detour.
“Where are we going?” she asked as I took an exit.
“I thought we’d surprise your grandparents.” If I couldn’t get her to talk, then maybe my mother and father could. I’d learned one lesson as a mother; when all else failed, call Grandma and Grandpa.
Mister Big Stuff_A Single Mom Friends to Lovers Novel Page 6