Harlequin Superromance February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: His Forever GirlMoonlight in ParisWife by Design

by Liz Talley

  Hell, he’d rather she rubbed in the fact she’d scored the Oedipus floats for 2016 than treat him as if he were just another parent. He’d gotten the message last Monday when they’d parted—they’d had one more night of magic together and then it was business as usual. He didn’t like it at all.

  The entire time he watched her work with the little girls on the soccer team, he kept thinking, “She’s mine.”

  But she wasn’t and likely never would be.

  She’d never responded to his call or text, and now he knew how she’d felt months ago. Made him feel used and not worth bothering with.

  Pair all that with the fact he’d lost the Oedipus account and the shipment of industrial foam was on back order and today was about as shitty as they came. The only upside was that Emily had stopped bugging him about a kitten. Of course, she’d replaced it with wanting him to get married and get her a baby brother, so it really was lose-lose.

  “Hey,” Billie said, knocking then immediately popping her head in. “Your first applicant for the art director position is here. Where are you planning to hold the meeting?”

  Graham closed his eyes for a moment and rubbed a hand across his face. A dull headache pounded behind his eyes. Cracking open an eye, he saw the clock read 10:00 a.m. Still had a long way to go to finish the day, which would end with a meeting at Frank’s house.

  “Uh, I suppose we can do it here.”

  “Okay. I put the applicant in Frank’s office, but I can—”

  “Nah, that’s fine. His office is nicer. Now which one is this? The one from Mobile?”

  “Oh, I don’t think I gave you the file on this one. I’ll grab it and bring it to you,” Billie said.

  Graham waited for ten minutes, buzzing Billie intermittently, but she didn’t answer or return with the folder.

  Damn it.

  He didn’t like to keep people waiting. He’d certainly never appreciated such tactics when he was being interviewed, so he didn’t like to do the same with others.

  Rising, he peered out into the recesses of the outer office. Billie wasn’t at her desk and Dave’s door was closed.

  “Hell,” he breathed under his breath, walking toward Frank’s office. He’d have to wing it. No other recourse.

  Opening the door, he donned a polite smile. “Hi, I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” As he shut the door all he could see of the person waiting for him was the top of her bun.

  Rounding the desk, he focused on the blotter to see if perhaps Billie had left the applicant’s file for him before she disappeared. “I’m sorry I’m a bit late. I’m afraid I don’t—”

  “That’s okay,” the applicant said.

  Graham snapped his head up. “Tess?”

  She smiled politely, humor tipping the corners of her mouth as she extended her hand. “I’m Therese Ullo.”

  If the door had blown down and he’d found himself surrounded by a legion of gladiators he wouldn’t have been more shocked than he was now.

  What in the hell was she doing there?

  “What in the hell are you doing here?”

  She arched an eyebrow. “We have a ten o’clock appointment. An interview for the Head of Operations position.”

  “An interview? Head of Operations? I don’t think—”

  “Yes. I saw the ad on the NOLA artist forum. It said you were looking for an assistant art director, but when I called I was told it had changed to Head of Operations with art direction being only part of the tasks involved. Don’t worry. I’m qualified for both.” She folded her hands in her lap and looked at him expectantly.

  Graham sat in her father’s chair a little too hard. For several seconds he stared at her, trying to figure out if this was for real.

  She looked the part of interviewee in a crisp white blouse, knotted at the neck with a huge bow and a tight black skirt that went to midcalf. Her shoes were low-heeled and conservative, as was the honey-brown hair she’d pulled into a knot.

  “You’re here to interview for a job?” he asked again.

  “Yes,” she said with an emphatic nod.

  “Because you don’t have one?”

  “Right.”

  Graham stared at the historical float plans which Frank had hung on his walls, trying to figure out what was happening. “Okay then, let’s get started. So, tell me a little about yourself, Miss Ullo. Wait, it is Miss, correct?”

  “Yes, I’m unmarried. In other words, I’m single.”

  “Good,” he said.

  “I’m twenty-seven years old, turning twenty-eight in August, and I have worked in the float building industry all my life. I have a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from Carnegie-Mellon and almost ten years’ experience working in the field, starting with my first job in high school. I’m a former employee of this company and most recently Upstart.”

  “Former employee of Upstart?”

  “Yes, former. Unfortunately, I found I wasn’t a good fit there.”

  “May I ask why you chose to leave your former position?”

  Tess shifted her gaze from his and studied the same stapler he’d studied a week ago. “Creative differences were part of it, but also, in the course of working for that company, I learned enough about myself to figure out where I belong.”

  “And that is...?”

  “The reason I’m interviewing for this job.” She smoothed her hair and rubbed her delicious lips together. “I find I’m more suitable for a company that emphasizes teamwork.”

  Graham wanted to laugh. He wanted to round the desk, clasp her to him and spin her around. But it was a job interview so he had to be professional. “I see. So tell me why I should hire you, Miss Ullo.”

  “I’m punctual—” she raised her eyebrows as if to point out his tardiness for the interview “—and I play well with others.”

  “Do you, now?”

  Her smile was pure siren. “Oh, yes. I have a particular skill set. Never had complaints before. I’m highly imaginative in the office...and out. I’m confident, but I’ve also learned over the past few months, I’m not always right. Hmm...guess that means I’m flexible. In the office... and out.”

  Graham grew aroused thinking about her flexibility and particular skill set. Thank goodness he was behind the desk. “You sound like an interesting candidate, especially the flexible part.”

  Tess lifted one shoulder in a sexy shrug. “I’d be happy to prove it to you, um, that is, if I get the opportunity.”

  Graham swallowed and looked at his hands. “How soon would you be able to start?”

  “When do you want me?”

  Morning, night and day. He cleared his throat. “As soon as you’re ready.”

  Tess’s eyes deepened. “I’m ready now.”

  His heart literally started beating faster. Was this merely about working for Ullo, or was this about something more? With him? God, please let it be about more than a job.

  “Good,” he said, rising slightly and offering his hand.

  She rose and placed her hand in his. Perfect fit. “So does this mean I have a future here?”

  “I believe it does.”

  She rubbed her glossy lips together again. “Do you have an office policy on employees dating?”

  “You’ll need to fill out a disclosure statement. We like to be aboveboard here.” His thumb stroked the curve of her finger.

  Tess jerked her hand away. “Good to know.” Then she turned, shouldered her attaché case and walked to the door.

  Graham dropped his hand. “I’m guessing you think the interview is over?”

  She spun around. “I was simply locking the door.”

  Graham laughed.

  Tess shook her head. “I’m kidding, of course. Another one of my good qualities—a good sense of
humor.”

  “You were kidding?” Graham didn’t want to look so confused, but he knew he must have.

  “This is a job interview. Business only.” Tess looked at him like he was stupid.

  Something in his stomach sank. “Right.”

  “But I was hoping you could recommend a place for drinks. I’m thinking I want something local...and close by,” she said with a Tess-like twinkle in her eye.

  Graham couldn’t stop the bubble of happiness that sprang to life inside of him. “Well, there’s this place called Two-Legged Pete’s—”

  “Two-Legged?” she cracked.

  “Yeah, the guy who owns it has a sense of humor, I guess. It’s not far from here and I hear they have great stuffed mushrooms and will turn the TV to baseball if you ask nicely.”

  She tilted her head. “I love baseball. Think I’ll stop by there around—” she looked at her wrist where her Cookie Monster watch popped out from beneath her blouse “—five-thirty?”

  “That’s a great time to go to Two-Legged Pete’s. I met the woman of my dreams there once.”

  “You don’t say,” she said, a smile creeping over her face. “Well, then I’m definitely going so I can meet the man of my dreams.”

  Graham grinned like a goober, but he didn’t care. “He’ll be there.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

  * * *

  AFTER LUNCH WITH GIGI—where Tess bought all the drinks—and an afternoon of finding the perfect black dress and killer pumps covered in black lace, Tess walked into Two-Legged Pete’s. She looked about as good as she ever had. The dress was tight, classy and made her legs look awesome. Or maybe it was the shoes that did that. She’d sprung for a manicure and the technician had even applied her makeup after suggesting a few things to do with her eyes.

  As a result, Tess knew she didn’t look like the girl Graham had met at Two-Legged Pete’s that Monday night months ago.

  “Hot damn, you look good, girl,” Ron declared from behind the bar where a string of customers lined up. The place was busier than usual, but Tess found Graham immediately. He’d turned and watched her as she entered the bar, a beautiful smile on his gorgeous face.

  “I try sometimes,” Tess said, with a flirty smile. As usual Ron ate it up as he reached for the gin. “How’s that little one?”

  Ron set down the Hendrick’s and reached into his back pocket. Tess pointed toward where Graham sat and Ron raised his eyebrows. “Okay, then. I’ll show you later.”

  Tess made her way down to the very end of the bar where sitting right next to the trivia machine was her new boss.

  And, God willing and the creek didn’t rise, her new man.

  Graham hooked his foot around a stool against the wall and pulled it over close. “Would the lady like a seat?”

  “She would,” Tess said, sitting.

  Graham smiled at her and she remembered the last time they’d sat in this very bar. There had been an aura of mystery, of excitement, of crazy attraction. All of that was still there, but joining those feelings was a certainty she’d found the right man for her.

  Finally.

  Ron set the drink in front of her and slid Graham another of what he was having. “I suppose you two want to watch baseball,” he said with disgust.

  Graham hadn’t taken his eyes off her. “Nah, man. We’re good.”

  “So I see. What started months ago seems to have ended,” Ron joked, and swaggered off to wait on more customers and drive up the tips for him and his new family.

  “He’s wrong,” Graham said softly.

  “Oh?” Tess asked.

  “It’s a new beginning. The one we should have had after that night.”

  “Well, I’m wearing my black dress.”

  “Very well, too, I might add,” Graham said, his eyes sliding down her body. “Very, very well.”

  She wanted to say so much to him, and yet at the same time she wanted to say nothing at all. She was so tired of all the drama. Complicated was so overrated. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry, too.”

  “I want to start over—with a clean slate. No more grudges, blame or wounded pride. No more embarrassment over who we are.” Tess reached out and touched the rugged hand cupping the sweating tumbler.

  Graham turned his hand over and clasped hers. “Agreed. I’m ready to start clean.”

  “And I’d also like to say thank you.”

  He arched a dark eyebrow. “For what? Telling Miles the truth? For hiring you? Everything I did was aboveboard. You’re deserving of all those things.”

  “No, though those things are nice.” She swallowed the anxiety that cropped up. She needed to just say it. Do what she’d said she would do when she told Monique she couldn’t work for Upstart...when she’d strolled into the warehouse she’d vowed never to step into again months ago. “I wanted to thank you for loving me in spite of my being a complete asshole.”

  Graham started laughing.

  Tess gulped. “I mean, I love you. I shouldn’t necessarily presume you—”

  His mouth shut her up.

  Tess swallowed the stupid words and kissed him, her heart breaking apart and knitting back together at the sheer rightness of this man kissing away her fears.

  Pulling away slightly, he smiled at her. “You can shut up now.”

  “Is that all you have to say?”

  “No, I got tons to say, but I’m only going to say two key things. Are you ready?”

  She nodded.

  “First, tonight we are going to have a real date. I’m going to take you out for a nice dinner, we’re going to drink wine, maybe dance beneath the stars then go to your place and make love until the sun comes up.”

  “Sounds good,” Tess said. “But I need to remind you, I have a new job to start tomorrow.”

  “Sleeping with the boss has benefits,” he joked, before becoming serious. “I’m not really your boss, you know.”

  “I know. You’re my partner. My dad ordered you up for me. I just didn’t realize it.”

  Graham kissed her hard and fast.

  “Now, two.” He held up two fingers, making sure she focused on him.

  “I’m listening.”

  “Therese Ullo, I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. I’m not talking about a fling. I’m talking about forever. My partner in every way. I love you.”

  Tess’s heart burst and she tried not to cry because she didn’t want to mess up her makeup. It really looked good for once. Sweeping her bottom lash with a finger, she stopped the tear from falling. “You do?”

  Graham grasped her face between both hands and kissed her before looking deep into her eyes. “You make me crazy, but I love it. This is a forever thing.”

  Tess smiled. “You don’t know how good that sounds.”

  “You don’t know how good it feels.”

  They smiled at one another, laughing as they heard Ron tell someone how he’d brought them together one rainy night months ago. And how he totally knew they were meant to be when he saw them together. And about how he was certain his daughter would be just old enough to be a flower girl when they wed.

  “He’s got plans for us,” Tess said.

  “They sound like good ones,” Graham said.

  And then she kissed her forever guy again.

  EPILOGUE

  Three months later

  GRAHAM PROPPED HIS FOOT on the ottoman holding a stack of Glamour magazines and moved his arm so it wouldn’t go numb. Tess sighed in her sleep and shifted so her head dropped into his lap.

  Her tear-streaked face was slack and peaceful in the late-afternoon sun streaking in the loft windows. Across the room Emily, also asleep, curled in an armchair with her new kitten’s head tucked aga
inst her.

  Frank’s funeral was held earlier and they were all worn out from the grief. Frank had passed peacefully three days ago with the family gathered around him—a family that now included Graham. Tess’s father had been at home and in good spirits, his hospice nurse close by, rolling her eyes at Frank’s bad jokes and monitoring his pain.

  At one point when everyone had gone to the kitchen for tea and cookies or whatever else Maggie had baked, Graham borrowed a moment alone with Frank.

  “Frank, can I talk to you a sec?”

  “Quick. That’s all I got,” Frank cracked, gaunt and pale in his bed, but smiling nevertheless.

  “Bad joke.”

  “I’m full of ’em,” he said. “Is this about business? ’Cause if it is, I want you to know I trust you.”

  “No, it’s about Tess.” Graham swallowed the sudden tears that pricked in his eyes. “I wanted to ask your permission to marry your daughter.”

  Frank smiled. “Oh. My Tess, huh?”

  “I love her.”

  “I know you do. I can see it in your eyes. Just the way I’ve always looked at Mags. It’s precious, you know. Love. So many people let it die, allow their pride to stand in the way. They allow the world to interfere, to tell them what love should or shouldn’t be. Bah. What does the world know?”

  He drifted a bit, wincing and sucking in air.

  “Frank?”

  “Still breathing,” he muttered and opened his eyes again. “I knew there was something about you. Didn’t know this was about my girl. Thought it was just about business, but the good Lord knew. He sent you here for a reason.”

  “Yes,” Graham agreed, easing a hand onto Frank’s shoulder.

  Frank covered Graham’s hand with his own. “Can’t think of a better son to add to this family. Marry her, have babies, name your first son Frank.”

  Graham laughed. “Thank you. I will treasure her always.”

  “I know you will,” Frank said. “You’re a good man.”

  And at that moment, Graham finally believed he was a good man. In that reverent moment, Frank had given him something his own father never had—a sense of belonging.