Shaking my head, I take a bite of my food, chewing it as I attempt to explain Helen Bradley and how she’s the polar opposite of Susan Astor. I tell him a little, about how Helen married young and wrong for her, how she raised Tennessee on her own.
“So she’s young and poor? Be careful, it’s obvious you already harbor a soft spot for her,” he warns.
He’s right, but he has no fucking idea how hard I am for her at the same time. Clearing my throat, I attempt to change the subject, but Lawrence won’t have it. He is determined to ask me a million questions about Tennessee and why I’ve given her the job that I have.
He can probably sense that I’m not doing this solely out of the goodness of my heart, but he isn’t going to get anything from me, because nothing more than a single kiss has happened between us.
“Mother will have a field day,” he warns.
“Your mother asked me to hire her, what are you insinuating she would have a field day over?” I ask, arching a brow.
He snorts, his eyes widening before he shakes his head. “I am looking directly at you, Dad. I know without a doubt that you are attracted to her.”
“How?”
His lips twitch into a smirk. “I can hear it in your voice when you speak about her. I can see it in your eyes when you think of her and answer a question. This is my job, noticing peoples tells. Yours are easy. You’ll have to do better than that when you go to the meeting with Mother and her attorney.”
“Nothing’s happened. There’s no need to assume anything.”
He clears his throat, leaning forward. “Yet. Nothing has happened yet. But it will and you want it too, which makes it that much worse. My advice is to just stay away until the divorce is final, afterward if you want to have a fling with a sweet young thing, then be my guest, after the past few years, I can’t help but think that you deserve it.”
“You know I’m still your father and you are still my son, right?”
Lawrence throws his head back, letting out a laugh. “You are and I am. But I’m also a man, so I get it.”
After leaving lunch, I head back to my office, only to have my phone ring when I’m standing right outside the main door. Glancing down at my watch, I blink at the name that’s displayed on the screen.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my device and slide my thumb across the screen before I turn and continue to walk down the sidewalk. I don’t want to take this call anywhere near my building, anywhere near where it can be overheard.
“Talk,” I state.
There’s a moment of silence, then I hear my private detective clear his throat. “She appeared to be a completely normal American teenager. She was a latchkey kid, her mom worked two jobs always to make ends meet. She worked hard in school to get decent grades so that she could get grants and scholarships to college. She was accepted to Arkansas.”
There is a moment of silence and I hold my breath as I wait for him to tell me the rest, because I know without a doubt something happened while she was in Arkansas. Whatever it was, it resulted in her child and her moving back to Tulsa.
“What I can piece together was that her child was conceived, but she wasn’t seeing anyone at the time, and as soon as she found out she was pregnant, she left and never had contact with anyone else in Arkansas again.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
He clears his throat. “Some people suspected rape, but I haven’t seen or heard of anything formally stating that.”
“So nothing was ever filed?”
“No, Landry, it wasn’t.”
“But?” I ask, feeling that but in his voice.
He pauses for a long moment, I don’t know what he’s going to say, what he’s going to suggest, but what he ends up telling me is interesting, to say the least.
“She partied a little in Arkansas, but after she moved back to her mother’s, she never so much as went out to a bar. She went to classes and then home. She took care of her son and studied. That was her life, that boy.”
“What are you trying to tell me?”
“She seems like a sweet girl. Take that for what it’s worth. She seems like a good girl and if it were me? I would not play with her as a rebound thing.”
I laugh dryly, finding zero humor in his words and showing it. “Do you really think that any relationship I get into would be a rebound? You know my history with my estranged wife. I have dealt with my shit when it comes to her, to us, and I am fully capable of making a sound decision about myself and anyone else I involve.”
There is a moment of silence. It lasts for so long that I assume he’s ended the call, but then he finally speaks.
“I’ve seen her pictures. She’s beautiful. I understand the allure. After spending so much time getting to know her the way that I have, just don’t hurt her. I won’t say anything else.”
He ends the call and I’m grateful, not only for him, but for our relationship too, because I was about to say some shit that I couldn’t rectify with a simple apology.
Turning around, I shove my phone in my pocket as I make my way back to work, the new knowledge about Tennessee spinning in my head. Lifting my hand, I run my palm down my beard, smoothing it down as I think.
Do I believe the theory? I’m not sure that I do, but at the same time, it would make sense. Her abrupt departure from college, the way she has devoted herself to her son, how mature and focused she is on work.
I remember Lucinda a few years ago, and even now, she’s not mature, not by a long shot. I could be wrong, he could be wrong. But what if it’s true? Does that change my attraction to her? Definitely not. But it could change a lot about us, about the way that our relationship could or could not go.
I have a lot of thinking to do. A lot.
TENNESSEE
Friday.
Landry never came back from his lunch with Lawrence yesterday, but he made sure to check in with a text message. It was a bit abrupt, but that’s honestly fine. It’s good. I need to see him as my boss and nothing more.
The kiss was just that, a kiss—comforting that went a simple step too far. Nothing will become of it, nothing can. He’s married and I’m… not available.
Guilt swims in my belly at the thought of kissing a married man. What kind of person does that? What kind of person leans in when she knows the man is married? What kind of horrible fucking person does that?
“Tennessee,” a deep voice rumbles.
My entire body jerks and I turn my head as I tilt it back to look up into his eyes. Landry is standing there, his thick beard covering those soft lips that I felt two days ago. The little bit of gray at his temples, doing nothing to detract from his handsome face. His amber eyes pointed and focused directly on me.
“Landry,” I whisper, after I know I’ve gawked for far too long.
He clears his throat, his eyes searching my face. “You’re okay?” he asks.
Nodding, I lick my bottom lip before I sink my teeth into it. His eyes flick down, watching my mouth, and I can’t control the way my heart starts to race at the way he’s watching me. I want him to cup my cheek, to kiss me, to slide his tongue between my lips again.
I’m shameless and wrong, because I want it all from him and I can’t have it. I shouldn’t want it either. It is so freaking wrong, but it felt so damn right at the same time.
“I’m fine,” I rasp.
He flicks his gaze back to meet my own. “Yeah,” he breathes. “I have some things that I need to do today. I’ll be in and out of meetings. I won’t be around too much. If you finish all the filing, then you can go home early.”
“I couldn’t,” I quickly say.
He smiles, finally showing me his white teeth. “You can and you’ll be paid for the day. Don’t worry about it.”
“Landry, it’s not right,” I exhale.
My breath hitches when he lifts his hand, cupping my cheek. His thumb slides across my bottom lip and he winks. “It is.” His hand drops away and he takes a step back. “My attorney will be in thi
s afternoon. We have to go over a few bullet points before my mediation first thing Monday morning.”
I almost don’t ask, but my mouth speaks before I can press my lips together to keep it closed. “Mediation?”
“For my divorce. I figured it’d gotten around the water cooler by now, especially since Laurent can’t keep his mouth shut, ever,” he murmurs.
Shaking my head, I stand to my feet, unsure of where I’m going to go. I take a step forward but stop myself. Tilting my head back, I look up into his eyes. “I didn’t know,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry, Landry.”
He lifts his hand, cupping my cheek again, his eyes focused on mine and nowhere else. “There is absolutely nothing to feel sorry about. It was a long time coming, like a decade or two. I’ve been sitting on the papers for six months. I should have done it fifteen years ago.”
“Still, it’s awful and I’m so sorry,” I sigh.
Landry chuckles, shaking his head once as if he thinks I’m cute. His hand doesn’t fall away like I expect it to. Instead, he keeps it right there against my cheek. “It’s a relief, Tennessee. Trust me when I tell you that it is sweet relief, or at least it will be when it’s completely final.”
We stare at one another for a long moment, that is until we hear the ding of the elevator door. His hand falls from my cheek to his side and he takes a step back, but he doesn’t break eye contact with me.
I expect him to say something to me, but he doesn’t. Instead, he turns and walks away, leaving me standing next to my desk, watching him walk into his office.
“Oh no,” Julie rasps. “I knew it.”
My head whips to the side, and I look over at her. She’s frowning, her gaze focused on mine and her lip curled slightly. She shakes her head, obviously in a disapproving manner. I open my mouth to ask her what’s wrong, but she doesn’t give me the chance to ask, she just starts to speak.
“Stay away. Just stay away. You’re younger than his youngest child. He’s going through a divorce. You’re a single mother. It will never work, it will be a few romps and then he’ll move on. Just don’t.”
Licking my lips, my gaze flicks to my feet and I feel my face heat with embarrassment. “I haven’t done anything. Nothing at all,” I say, half lying. I have kissed him and I really, really, enjoyed that kiss, too. “But even if I had, it’s not your business,” I say, keeping my voice soft.
“He’s old enough to be your father,” she sneers. “You have a child to think about.”
Nodding, I press my lips together as I inhale a calming breath through my nostrils and let it out the same way. “I appreciate your concern, but you have no reason to be concerned.”
Without saying another word, I turn my back to her and head over to my desk. Landry has sent me a few tasks he would like me to do, responses to emails and setting up meetings with realtors. I understand now why he wanted that, I thought he was just looking for a new house, I didn’t realize it was because he was going to be leaving his wife.
I can feel Julie’s glare on me, but I do my best to ignore her. I’m not sure how well I do, but I try my hardest. Eventually, her attention shifts to her work and she stops staring at me. Only then do I let out a sigh of relief. Only then do I wonder if she sees something that I don’t, between me and Landry.
I’m attracted to him, we’ve kissed, but nothing else has happened. I don’t expect him to sweep me into his arms and carry me away to make me his new bride. I don’t expect anything at all. Nothing.
Chapter Eleven
TENNESSEE
Saturday morning. My first morning off, my first weekend alone in the city, just me and Holden. He crawls into bed with me, like he did every Saturday and Sunday morning when we lived in Tulsa.
Reaching for the remote, I flip on the television, searching for PBS, knowing they’ll have some kind of kid-friendly program on this early, since I don’t have cable, this will have to do.
He lifts his thumb to his mouth as he watches the cartoon. I’m exhausted, but not too tired to cuddle with him. I go through a mental list of things that I need to do today. I have to go to the grocery store, stop by Target, and then make an afternoon trip to a park that I saw close by. I know without a doubt that after shopping, Holden will want to play.
I don’t lie in bed too much longer, wanting to get the day started so that I can clean in the afternoon during Holden’s naptime. I get up, make some breakfast and then quickly get dressed. I’m gathering my things, including my purse, diaper bag, and stroller when my phone rings from my bedroom.
“Phone,” Holden yells at the top of his lungs.
Smiling at him, I can’t help but laugh. “Yes, Holden. Phone.”
Rushing into the bedroom, I find the device and blink at the name on the screen. It shouldn’t surprise me, seeing as he’s the only person with this number, but it does. I don’t think he’s ever actually called me on it.
“Hello?” I ask after I’ve swiped my thumb across the screen.
“Tennessee, I have those meetings set up with the realtor, but I can’t make it. A few of those houses already have people looking and possibly putting in offers, can you go and look at them this afternoon for me?”
Licking my lips, I look over at Holden. “I um…”
“I’m sending a car to you. The driver has all of the addresses and times of the appointments for each place.”
I think about telling him no, that I can’t do it, but this is my job. This is my duty and I promised that I would be available to him on the weekends. I have tomorrow to get my shopping done. I need to just be flexible with the change of plans.
“Okay. What would you like me to do once I’ve seen a place, is there anything specific I need to look for?” I ask.
There’s a moment of silence. Then I hear him clear his throat. “Look at them as if you were going to live there. What would you want, what would you like, what do you not like? They all tick my mandatory boxes of what I need in a home.”
“Landry, I can’t. Maybe one of your children should…”
He grunts. “Lucinda will ask for something that is not in the price range I am currently in the market to spend. Lawrence will only think of practical things, and miss the beauty or uniqueness of a place. And Laurent will only look at the size of the master bedroom and the pool.”
Pressing my lips together, I can’t help but picture Laurent doing just that. “So, you want an overall unbiased opinion?”
“From a woman, yes.”
“Why a woman?” I ask.
There’s a moment of silence and I don’t know if it’s because he’s gathering his thoughts or what, but I don’t question it. Instead, I wait for him to speak, loving the way his deep husky voice sounds on the phone. I could listen to him talk for hours.
“I just think women have something that’s born inside of them. All women. They can pick out details that men can’t quite see.”
“That sounds pretty sexist,” I whisper.
He chuckles. “I’m sure that it does, but it’s my truth.”
“Okay,” I breathe.
“If you don’t like any of them, that’s fine. If something strikes you, then call me, but I’m in no rush. I’ve been living in the penthouse of my office for the past five years, I don’t have to leave anytime soon.”
I blink, staring at the blank wall of my bedroom. Five years. Five. Years. I can’t believe it. He’s been living away from his wife for five years? He wasn’t kidding when he said that it was over years ago. I want to ask him why he didn’t file back then, but it’s not my business. Instead, I clear my throat.
“I’ll let you know. It’s okay if I bring Holden, right? I don’t have a sitter or anything.”
“Of course, it is. And please, get yourself some lunch and whatever you want on me. Use your company card.”
“Thank you, Landry.”
There’s a moment of silence. I think that he’s hung up, but then I hear his voice. “No, thank you. I really appreciate this, a hell of a lot,
Tennessee.”
The phone goes quiet and I look back at Holden. “Well, it seems like we have a change of plans today,” I whisper.
He smiles, his teeth bright and shiny. “Yay,” he cries.
Shaking my head, I make sure to pack plenty of snacks. I know that there are ten houses to look at today. I didn’t see any pictures of them, but I did send the list of addresses to the realtor just yesterday.
My phone rings again about twenty minutes later. It’s the driver who is ready and waiting downstairs for us. Grabbing Holden’s car seat, I hitch the diaper bag over one shoulder, hook the seat with my arm and take his hand. Together we make our way toward the elevator.
I’m lucky that Holden is such a calm, sweet boy. He never gets upset and is always ready for some kind of adventure. Plus, we should be finished before his naptime, even if we stop for lunch in between, which I know there is a lunch planned into the day, because I planned it all myself.
Once we’re outside, it’s not hard to spot the car waiting for us. There is a man in a suit standing at the back passenger door of a black sedan.
“Tennessee Bradley?” he calls out.
“Yes.” I smile as I continue to walk toward him.
I watch as he tugs the door open, he takes the seat from me and informs me that he’ll put it in on the other side. I wait until it’s secure, then pick Holden up and put him in the car. Sliding in behind him, I wait until he climbs into his seat himself before I buckle him inside.
“Do you have the addresses?” I ask after the driver slips into the front seat.
“I do, ma’am.”
Smiling, I reach over and place my hand, palm up on Holden’s lap. He slips his hand in mine and that’s how we ride until we get to the first house.
LANDRY
Susan sneers as she watches me. Of course, no other day but today would work for me to pick up the few personal belongings that I still have here at the house. It’s not much and if they weren’t family heirlooms, I would have just left them here and told her to throw them in the trash.
Hypocritically Yours: A Standalone Age-Gap Romance Page 8