The Co-Parent (The Relationship Quo Series Book 3)

by Nicole Strycharz

  “Fuck!” I fixed the shoulder strap on my messenger bag and ran back inside. “Danny! Danny! Danny!”

  She came running from the living room with a duster and spray polish. “Yes, Mr. Gilmore?” She pushed her glasses up her petite nose.

  “Danny,” I panted. “Bloody hell,” I said trying to catch my breath, “don’t ever smoke Danny.”

  She smiled, “thanks for the random health advice.”

  “I need your car, Love.”

  She frowned. “I don’t think it’s your style, Sir. You own like five, can’t I just call-.”

  “No,” I straightened a little as I caught my wind. “No time. Jaguar is at friend’s place, mustang is in the shop. The other three aren’t here.”

  She hurried out of the room and came back with a key ring laden with a fake rabbit’s foot, a Harry Potter lightning bolt, a tiny framed photo of her with a friend, an ‘I heart mom’ dangly and a tiny pepper spray bottle.

  I raised a brow at her, “looks more like a bloody charm bracelet.”

  “Beggars can’t be choosers, Mr. Gilmore. It’s a 2000 Honda Accord. She needs an alignment and her brakes are a little worn down so she makes a beastly noise when she moves but she’s reliable.”

  I grimaced, “she’s a death trap.”

  Danielle turned me around and gave my back a little push, “you gotta book sir.”

  I dashed for the door again and found her pitiful looking car. I sped to the meeting. I had just enough time to stop for coffee and after I was safely in the car again, I turned it to an Irish coffee. Something had to kill the horrible pounding in my head.

  I made it there fourteen minutes early. I got to the top floor of the seventy story building and ran past the receptionist to the conference room. I slapped down my bag and started unloading. By the time I heard the voices of the partners in the hall I was sitting back at the head of the table and organized as hell while sipping my whiskey infused coffee.

  They looked taken aback that I was there and that I beat them for that matter. Father was right. They all took their seats and pretended to smile but I wasn’t leaving this building without this deal solidified. Anything to correctly represent Dad.

  BRIANNA

  “Some big shots are in the conference room today.” My friend Pat said as she refilled the printer at the desk.

  I sipped my hot chocolate and hummed the word ‘hmmm’.

  She stopped and stood beside my wheeled chair. “Are you really that mad at me?”

  I put down my cocoa and crossed my arms, “how many times have I told you to tell the guy you set me up with about my blindness?”

  She groaned, “okay, okay, I’m sorry! It just slipped my mind. Fred is usually so sweet. Great qualities like humor.”

  “He’s a fast runner too,” I grumbled.

  “Next one will be way better.”

  I shook my head, “no ‘next ones,’ I’m all set.”

  She sat in her chair near mine with a plop, “don’t give up hon, you’re so young and so pretty. You don’t want to waste this time of your life single.”

  I thought about the stranger from last night and my chest tickled. His kisses were still making my lips feel hot to the touch and his voice…the accent was musical to me and I felt a wobble in my knees just thinking about him.

  “Think I’ll just wait,” I told her. “I want a guy that makes me feel…” hmm, how do I feel right now thinking of my stranger? “You know…exhilarated.”

  She patted my knee, “honey, that’s what dildos are for.”

  We laughed. Ah yes…the dildo. Before losing my sight I really self-educated about sex. My young teen self, looked up pictures of penises of all shapes and sizes, gone into sex shops, checked out plenty of plastic male phalluses and probably seen an inappropriate amount of porn and love making scenes in movies.

  I decided that if I’d never really see sex for myself I ought to know what’s coming so when the day or night comes I’d be ready.

  However, none of them put thoughts in my head like Gavin had. I’d been kissed, but still not like that.

  “New topic!” I announced as I woke up my computer. “How long is this meeting the investors are having?”

  Pat grumbled about my avoidance. “They’ll be out in about ten minutes. A lot of new guys this time. Three of the men with the Hanover Inc. are interns and get this…Gabe Gilmore is heading it.”

  “Which one is that?”

  She gasped, “Brianna! Gabe Gilmore! He’s literally the hottest bachelor in the game! He’s a sexy Brit with enough bank to buy a city or two.”

  I thought of Gavin again, and how intrigued I was by his accent. “Cool.”

  “It’s more than cool! I got here ten minutes early and I’m dressed for success. I wish you could see me. I want him to sign my picture of him.”

  “You have his picture?”

  “He won Hottest Hunk Abroad. I cut out his pic on the cover of Wild Woman Magazine.” She groaned, “How do your unseeing eyes still manage to feel so judgey?”

  I laughed as the phone rang. I felt around and picked up, “Vicars Interactive Incorporated, this is Brianna, how may I direct your call?”

  “I need Gabriel Gilmore.”

  I listened then nodded, “Mr. Gilmore is in a meeting. Would you like to hold? It will be let out in five minutes or so.”

  The older man on the line was British and sounded instantly irritated. “No,” he sighed. “What time exactly? It should be wrapped up by now.”

  I smiled like he could see me, “I would say no less than five minutes Sir, but I can take down a message for you.”

  He hung up on me and I raised my brows. “Someone is a little grumpy…” I said as I placed the phone on the receiver.

  Pat popped some gum in her mouth and I rolled my eyes. Pat and gum are a bad combination, she chews like a cow. “Well,” she said around the smacking, “he’s probably the father.”

  “Who?”

  “Gabe Gilmore and his dad are like really close business wise but he’s known to be a real dick. One time they said his dad fired a single mom at Christmas. He’s weirdly disliking of women. Not an equality sorta guy but richer than God.”

  I felt the special keys on my board and started typing up schedules for Mr. Vicars. “You can’t trust tabloids, Pat. These people probably get mean because they’re sick of everyone in their personal life.”

  She started typing on her own computer, “I wanna be all up in Gabe’s personal life girl. That’s my dream husband.”

  I laughed and made a mistake, “I don’t think millionaires date secretaries.”

  She sighed. “He’s been caught dating anything with boobs. Well…not so much dating as…leaving their house at ungodly hours.”

  I shook my head and kept typing. “He sounds like an ass.” I put on my headphones and listened to what I’d typed up so far. I also put them on to block her out for a bit.

  Our desk is made of glass on top and polished cedar wood. We have all the latest technology at our disposal and almost every person working on this floor is our work. It’s our job to keep them organized, type their inquiries, their proposals, their schedules.

  I actually love my job, and everyone up here treats me normally. They expect my best and I give it, but they are willing to work with me too.

  As the time ticked by the meeting let out and first only two of the ten men in there came out. Pat said they looked pissed.

  “Pat!” Mr. Vicars our lead boss and the owner of this company came skidding our way. “Pat, get ready to leave in two minutes. Brianna, get K. Meyers on the phone and put her through to my office. Pat, bring the Gilmore files.”

  Pat loaded up her satchel and spoke in a whine after Vicars left, “guess I won’t get to see Gabe. Damn it!”

  I laughed as I picked up the phone to call Meyers. “If I catch him I’ll have him sign…something for you.”

  She hugged me tight, “thanks! Here,” she put the picture in my hands, “Oh my G
od, thank you!” Then our boss barked her name and she skedaddled.

  I took off my headphones, “Hello, Mrs. Meyers, this is Vicars Interactive Incorporated. I’m calling for Mr. Vicars.” I waited and she gave me a long speech about how spineless he was. I smiled but kept my voice professional. “I’ll send you through, please hold.” I switched her over then picked up the second line as more voices came from the conference room, “Mr. Vicars, I have Meyers on line one.” I told him over the intercom.

  I no sooner hung up when I felt a presence. It’s funny how loud a person’s body can be. The air gets still when someone is close by. I counted six papers from a file to the right of my computer and felt around for my stapler. Whoever it was kept staring at me and it was unnerving and rude.

  I stapled the papers then wrote the word updated in the upper corner before putting my headphones up around my neck. “Staring is impolite.” I finally expressed. It was okay for a minute but whoever this was, needs to grow some manners.

  “I’m sorry?” he asked.

  “It’s not polite to stare at someone, even if that someone can’t see you.”

  He was silent a minute as I pulled up documents. Then, “well, that’s another label of mine I suppose and I was ADD as a kid. Another label.”

  My hands froze over my keyboard. That voice was as etched in my memory as my own. “G-Gavin?”

  Chapter Three

  BRIANNA

  His rich laughter made me smile.

  He sounded close, like he was leaning over the desk, “you are in serious trouble, Love. What part of ‘don’t leave’ didn’t you comprehend?” He asked.

  I hung my head a little. “Right. I guess that was pretty bad. I chickened out I think.”

  “I expect you to make it up to me.”

  I narrowed my eyes, “how so?”

  “Lunch. Today. Twelve-thirty.”

  I thought about it, “what are you even doing here?”

  He took a little too long to answer, “I have…a sort of investment in the company.”

  “Did you come with Gabe Gilmore?”

  He went silent again. “Why?”

  “I heard he’s British. I just assumed.”

  “I…did…yes. He’s my boss actually.”

  I nodded and felt around for the picture Pat gave me. “Can you have your boss sign this?” I asked.

  “Didn’t know you were a fan,” he took the picture.

  “You sound annoyed.” I guessed.

  I heard him take a pen from my cup. “Sometimes I think he gets tired of it is all.”

  “I imagine he does. I’m no fan, though. He sounds like a typical snob.”

  He laughed, “most girls swoon. He’s considered a heartthrob.”

  I shrugged, “when you can’t see, looks aren’t what win the race if you know what I mean. Playing the field gets old.”

  He sounded like he was moving closer. “He just doesn’t trust women. He’s been taught to be wary of them. Your kind tends to trap us easily.”

  It was my turn to laugh.

  “Gabe!” Someone called from the conference room.

  I waved my pen at the room, “your boss is being looked for.”

  He smacked his lips. “Yeah…I’ll see you in a couple hours then?”

  “Sure.”

  “Won’t disappear on me now, will you?”

  I shook my head. “I’ll be here.”

  “Should I staple your skirt to the chair just case?”

  “Gabriel!” The man yelled.

  I waved goodbye in response to his question and he withdrew. Once he was gone the doubt kicked in. The self-proclaimed player is asking me to lunch and I just said, yes. The guy that probably thinks I’m easy because I let him kiss me ten minutes after meeting him at a party in the Hills. A guy that works for a famous millionaire…

  By the time ten o’clock came I broke down all the cons to indulging his flirtations. I have to be smart and when he talks I’m not smart so I need to think while he’s gone. I don’t want to call Chloe because I’m not so sure I want to be encouraged.

  My watch made a chime to let me know time had flown and now it was twelve. I felt my pencil skirt riding up and tugged it down before crossing my legs.

  Pat returned moments ago and poked my back with her pen, “why you so fidgety today?” She questioned.

  I stilled on the keys to my second computer. “I have a lot to do after work…I’m anxious…”

  She poked me again, “if you need help you can ask you know. You do so well I don’t want you to feel like I expect you to have it all under control all the time.”

  I smiled and reached my hand out in her direction. When she took it I gave it a squeeze, “thanks, beautiful. I’m okay, though. The technology they set me up with is awesome. Makes my job a cake walk. For real.”

  “Oookay,” she sang. I heard her chair swivel back around and I felt my way back to face mine.

  There was a sudden drumming across from me on the desk and I frowned and faced upward, “may I help you?”

  “Hey, Bri.”

  I didn’t recognize the voice right away. “Um…”

  “It’s me cutie.”

  I relaxed, “hey, Jacob.”

  He laughed, “I came to see Vicars.”

  Pat loomed over my shoulder. “Jacob honey, you aren’t due to see him until twelve-thirty. You’re ten minutes early. You know how he is.”

  My whole body went hot and I felt a tingle in my hands. I’d lost track of time again!

  “Oh, Pat…” I interrupted. “Mind if I take lunch early?”

  “No honey, go ahead. I’m not taking mine till I’m done with those speeches. I’ll see you in an hour.”

  I started feeling around for my purse and shoving my shit in before she even finished. No time to lose. Even though the disorder would fuck me up later.

  Jacob finally stopped drumming. “What’s your hurry, sweet cheeks?” he asked.

  I tried to slow up to look less eager, “my girlfriends and I are supposed to catch up…”

  Pat made tapping sounds on her iPad, “Jacob, let me go knock and see if Vicars can take you early…”

  “Thanks,” he said.

  When I heard her leave I heard more voices at my back coming from the other offices and my paranoia went full bloom.

  I stood too quick and my walking stick fell. I had to bend as lady like as possible to feel around on the floor.

  Jacob leaned over to see me by the sounds of it, “you sure you’re okay? You look like a jitterbug.”

  “I’m-,” I pushed up too quick again and banged the back of my head on the desk. “Fuck me!” I snapped.

  Jacob laughed, “I’d love to but I don’t mix business and pleasure.”

  I sighed, “ha, ha very funny.” I stood and slowed up to feel my way around the desk to his side. “I’m just trying to avoid Vicars; he doesn’t like us taking lunch early.” LIE. Vicars is actually really lenient about breaks but then I saw an opportunity in my lie. “He’s not behind me is he?”

  Jacob took a step to my right. “Nope, just Laura Neils, Kenya Jea, and…Gabe Gilmore. Looks like they’re discussing the merge.”

  Merge? I’ll pick that over later.

  I breathed easier, “no one else? Like um…their assistants aren’t around?”

  “Nah, just them. They aren’t even looking.”

  “Okay- bye now.” I speed walked with my cane checking my path but I know this office well. Still asking for trouble to move this fast. I went down the super narrow hall then took a left through the glass bridge. It’s the kind where seeing people can look out and see the city and the traffic under their feet. A tubular tunnel so to speak that I dislike the feel of. Then I got out and cut right to where the elevators are.

  I tapped the button a million times while touching the doors so I could feel them open. “Come the fuck on!” I said under my breath.

  The doors opened and I stepped in just as someone else jogged up behind me. The
y leaped in and stood at the back though so I felt around for the ground floor and hit it a good ten times. I didn’t even ask where this other person wanted to go.

  When the doors closed I took a breath and relaxed. I did it. I avoided Mr. Player and I’m pretty proud. I smiled to myself.

  “So where are we going for lunch then? I fancy the Sushi place a block down,” said Gavin.

  Plot Twist!

  I bugged my eyes and turned my head. Still a habit. “Gavin?”

  “Hello, Love.”

  “Fucking, fuck! Fuuuck!” I whisper snapped.

  His rumbling laughter filled up the space. “Were you attempting to avoid me, Miss Brianna?”

  I sank against the back wall. “I wasn’t avoiding you; I was leaving without saying anything and trying not to run into you. There’s a big difference.”

  “I must say I’ve never had to chase a woman before. Never seen a blind one run for a lift, either. This is all very new to me.”

  I looked the opposite way because I don’t want him to see me smile, “well, there’s a first time for everything.”

  “May I know why?”

  I turned to face him with an all business look on my face. “You…are trouble, wrapped in extra trouble, rolled in trouble sprinkles, that’s why. From the accent to the body to the flirting to the…” I pointed up and down his body. “I don’t know just trouble everywhere, it’s like Satan and Mr. Darcy had a baby and made you.”

  He laughed again. “So you do want me, you just don’t know how to handle me.”

  I sighed, “no…look.” I slipped the loop from my cane around my wrist. “I’ve met up with two kinds of guys my whole life. The ones that think dating me means adopting a handicapped toddler or the ones that think they can toy with me because there will be no consequences. I can’t figure out which of those you are but until I’m sure…no to all the things.”

  He didn’t talk until we hit the lobby. We walked out and I kept going thinking he got the picture and maybe went his own way. It didn’t sound like he followed me so I think he realized he was jerking the wrong chain.