Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1)

by Teresa Michaels

  I extend my hand. “The doctor. Good to meet you.”

  A young girl pulls on Gabriella’s skirt and leaps into her arms when she bends down. “And this little monkey is Francesca.”

  I nod. “Pleased to meet you.”

  She giggles and tosses her head forward sending an abundance of tiny dark curls to cascade over her face. “What’s so funny?” Gabriella asks tickling Francesca’s belly.

  The little girl cups her hand over Gabriella’s ear and all but shouts, “He talks funny.”

  “Moppet,” her father warns. “It’s not polite to pick on someone.”

  “Well its true,” she loudly whispers and I can’t help but laugh.

  “You’re right, I do talk funny,” I agree. “I’m not from here.”

  “New York City. I know. Does everyone from there sound like you?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Gabriella steps in. “Lucas was born in a far away place called Ireland. “

  “Ooooh.” Francesca’s eyes get a mystical twinkle. “Where’s that?”

  “Across the ocean.”

  “Do they have castles there?”

  “As a matter of fact they do,” I inform her.

  “Show me, show me!” she demands, practically jumping out of her father’s arms with excitement.

  “Maybe later, Francesca. We’re about to sit for dinner.”

  She sags. “No fair Daddy.” She squirms till he sets her down and scampers off.

  “Cute,” I tell Gabriella’s brother.

  He releases an exaggerated sigh. “Most of the time.”

  Gabriella snakes her arm in mine, ushering me through the room for introductions to her family, half of who’s names I can’t recall by the time we’re done.

  “Lucas, would you like to say grace?” Gabriella’s father asks when everyone’s seated.

  “Uh—”

  “He’s kidding,” Gabriella reassures me, taking my hand in hers.

  Everyone closes their eyes and listens as her father leads grace; everyone that is but me. I’m too mesmerized by Gabriella’s small hand resting in mine. It feels right. I shake that thought off and look up, sensing I have someone’s attention, to find Gabriella’s mother smiling at me with gentleness.

  Confused, I smile back and close my eyes just in time to hear, “Amen.”

  Toward the tail end of dinner I excuse myself. I don’t really need the restroom, more like breathing room. Gabriella’s family is nice but the sheer amount of them is overwhelming.

  Inside the bathroom I lean against the counter, giving myself a hard look in the mirror. I’ve spent weeks ignoring her, believing that I wasn’t myself around her, when in reality I’m starting to feel like who I used to be before. It’s terrifying.

  On my way back to the dining area I note all the pictures on the walls, black and white framed photos that are family rather than generic, as I recognize several people in the pictures. One picture in particular catches my eye. A young Gabriella holding up a rock and grinning from ear to ear.

  “Now that’s a funny story,” Gabriella says, joining me. “When I was five years old I wanted a pet so bad, I must have begged my parents on a daily basis. My brothers got so sick of it they came up with a plan, said I had to prove I was ready to care for a living creature, and to practice they gave me a pet rock. I took that thing everywhere and would report back to them with details of its day. I ate it up.” She sighs dramatically. “I never got the damn dog but I vowed to myself that if I did I would name it Rock.”

  Gabriella links her arm through mine and leads me back into the dining room. Halfway to the table Gabriella’s grandmother intercepts me.

  “Hello,” I say, wondering if I should reintroduce myself or what the protocol is.

  “Don’t play coy with me young man. You promised me a dance and I’m here to collect.”

  “Oh, Grandma. This is Lucas.” Gabriella gives me an apologetic look. I mouth to her that it’s fine.

  “About time,” I tell her grandmother. “Lead the way.”

  Chapter 10

  Lucas

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  Lucas follows my grandmother to the center of the room, dodging tables until they find a spot with slightly more than three feet of room. I swoon at the gentleness he holds her with as she drops her cheek to his chest, yammering away about who knows what. Witnessing the nostalgic awe my grandmother watches him with makes it feel like I’m snooping on a private moment, and I wonder what place in time her mind has brought her to. Wherever it is, she’s happy.

  My mother comes to stand beside me in the doorframe to the private room where we’ve finished eating and pulls me into a sideways hug. “That’s sweet.”

  “She kind of ambushed him.”

  “Tell me about him. All your text said was that you were bringing a new co-worker to dinner.”

  “That kind of sums it up. I’ve been supporting him for about a month. We didn’t have the best start but we’re good now. This weekend we pulled together a few deliverables and today’s his birthday. He doesn’t have anyone local,” I explain.

  She’s silent a moment but knowing my mother this conversation is far from over. “During grace I caught him watching you.”

  “Mom,” I warn, my hormones going haywire at the possibility.

  “He’s very handsome; good manners.”

  “We work together mom. We’re…friends, new ones at that.”

  “I may be your mother but I’m still a woman, and I’m not blind.” She gives me a knowing look and walks away.

  The song ends and Lucas returns my grandmother to the table where he serves her a piece of his birthday cake. In return she forks a small piece, and I kid you not, holds it up to his mouth and winks when he lets her feed him. I watch wide-eyed as he kisses her cheek before excusing himself.

  Francesca intercepts him. “My turn Lucas!”

  He crouches down in front of her. “Your great grandma wore me out. Rain check?”

  “Pinky promise?”

  He holds out his pinky and nods. She wraps her tiny finger around his, gives it a hard yank and then skips off.

  “Wow, you’re a big hit tonight.”

  “Ladies of all generations love me. What can I say?” He leans against the wall next to me. “I’ll spare you the details, but your grandmother has a naughty side,” he whispers.

  “I can only imagine. That was really sweet of you, probably feels like her birthday.” I smile at him warmly. “I’m going to help my mom clean up the kitchen. Feel free to escape while you can.”

  Lucas grabs a stack of dirty plates off a nearby tray. “I’ll help.”

  “You’re my guest, that’s not necessary.”

  Ignoring me, he strides into the kitchen, carrying the dishes. He proceeds to dry while I wash, working side by side with me as if we’ve done it for years.

  “Your mother and I need to get your grandmother home.” My father comes up behind me and kisses my cheek. “Uncle will lock up once you’re done. Don’t stay too long.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Lucas, it was a pleasure meeting you. See that Gabby gets home safe.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  My dad exits through the swinging door that leads back into the restaurant. “You don’t have to drive me home. I can take an Uber.”

  “Why would you take an Uber when I have a car?” I ask. “I can’t piss your dad off. I’ve seen the Godfather. I don’t need any trouble with the Italian mafia.”

  I laugh off his ridiculous comment, giving him a hip check and falling into a comfortable silence until
the dishes are done.

  We wave goodbye to the rest of my family as we pull out into traffic. Lucas’s phone rings immediately. He checks the caller ID and silences it. Tension rolls of him in waves as it continues to ring. He doesn’t address it but judging by how his grip tightens on the steering wheel I decide it must be his father.

  “He really wants to get ahold of you. Are you sure you shouldn’t answer?”

  “Positive. My father and I have a strained relationship at best. I have nothing to say to him.”

  “What about your mother?”

  “I’m not doing this, Gabriella.”

  We pull up along the curb in front of my apartment, the mood suddenly dark. Lucas comes around to get my door and walks me to the front of my apartment building.

  “This truce of ours. Will it be in effect next week or does it expire tonight at midnight?” I ask, trying to recover from my prying.

  “I think we’re past that, don’t you?”

  I bob my head in agreement. “Thanks for the ride. And, happy birthday, Lucas.”

  Stepping forward I place my arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug tighter than intended and causing my chest to press flush against his. Every inch of my body comes to life and I wonder if it’s the same for him.

  Lucas hesitates only a second before returning my embraces, spreading one large hand across the top of my back and the other low on my hip. I swear if he wasn’t holding on to me I’d fall from how my limbs suddenly feel like jelly.

  His head dips, coming to a rest in the crook of my neck and even though it’s over seventy degrees, I shiver with a chill that has nothing to do with being cold.

  I don’t want to move…ever.

  His face turns into mine as he drags his nose along my jawline up to my ear and I can’t help the small moan that escapes. Ever so slowly Lucas straightens and his hands drop to my hips, gripping me firmly.

  Get ahold of yourself, Gabriella.

  Needing to ground myself, I glance up at him and attempt to steady my breath. It doesn’t work. The hammering of my heart inside my chest threatens to burst when his blue eyes darken and drift to my lips.

  This soooo violates policy but there’s no doubt in my mind that if he kisses me I’ll return it.

  Without averting in his gaze he leans forward, seeming to be just as affected as me but lifts his chin at the last second. I don’t know whether I should be grateful or disappointed.

  “Goodnight,” he says, ghosting a kiss at the center of my forehead.

  I watch dumbfounded as he walks to his car without looking back and speeds down the road.

  “Skipping out on Sunday dinner? Or was that dessert?”

  Summer stands over the threshold of our apartment building, propping the door open with her hip and watching the aftermath of our interaction with an accusatory yet amused expression. I hadn’t even heard her.

  “I have no idea what that was.” I grumble.

  “I thought he was the enemy.”

  I flip on the lights inside the apartment. Summer and I both hang up our purses and head to the kitchen. She grabs two waters from the fridge and slides one across the counter. “Seriously, what’s going on? Did we or did we not just curse his name the other day?”

  “We did,” I agree, calling how I’d vented to her and Kyra over takeout late the other night.

  “And?”

  “And I don’t know. I went into the office yesterday to straighten out the mess I created and it ended up being really productive. He thanked me by getting me dinner and since we weren’t done I went in again today.”

  “How did that result in him attending Sunday dinner and a near make-out session on the sidewalk?”

  “We didn’t kiss.”

  “Close enough. Don’t think I missed the eye fucking because it was loud and clear.”

  “Whatever.” I dismiss her comment as asinine and get her up to speed on everything that’s transpired over the last few days. “I felt like I owed him.”

  “Because you threw him under the bus?”

  “Not exactly. He doesn’t have anyone here, isn’t close with his family though he wouldn’t say why…it just felt like the right thing to do. Plus, it was his birthday and he didn’t have any plans.”

  “How was it?”

  I smile. “He was tense at first but ended up getting along really well with everyone. Francesca loves him; almost as much as my grandmother. If the tables were turned and dinner with twenty-some strangers was sprung on me I’m not sure how well I’d handle it. And that was before Grandma cornered him and demanded a dance.”

  “That must have been awkward.”

  I shake my head, unable to hide my grin. “Could have been if he hadn’t taken her up on the offer. It was really sweet.”

  Summer takes a sip of water and points the bottle at my face. “You’ve got that look.”

  “What look?”

  “You know the look.”

  “It’s not like that,” I insist.

  It so is.

  Calling my bluff, Summer crosses her arms and leans against the counter. “I’ve known you for a long time, my friend. You most certainly have the look.”

  “It’s a silly crush. He’s attractive and I’m hard-up, remember? That reminds me, you were supposed to get me a date. Help me out before I do something stupid like mount him at the copy machine.”

  “I’ll text Brad to get on it,” she promises.

  “What are you doing back tonight anyhow? Didn’t Brad have big plans for you two this coming week?”

  “Work emergency,” she says. “Luckily he got vacation insurance. But we probably can’t go for another month or two with all the talk at work about a possible takeover.”

  She shrugs it off though it’s obviously bothering her.

  We spend the next hour catching up about work over ice cream before both of us call it a night.

  Lying in bed I run through the event of the last twenty-four hours, surprised at how I’d come full circle with my feelings toward Lucas. He knew how I took my coffee, made sure I didn’t eat alone when he’d ruined my date, was concerned enough about marks on my arm and an employee shouting at me to drive me home, while respecting me enough not to press for details. He knew I wasn’t the kind of girl who’d appreciate flowers and that I wasn’t the type to sleep around. I hated how satisfied all that made me to the point I almost wished I was the type.

  I wondered how many times he’d been wrongly perceived because of his indifference. He wasn’t the dismissive ass he came off as I wanted to know why. I wanted to know about his father and why they didn’t speak. Was his mother dead?

  Curiosity kept me awake for hours.

  The next morning, I arrive at the office early wanting to wish Lucas luck before his meeting with Jack. I can’t help myself, it’s only been a few hours since I last saw him yet something about that hug and how he left has given me pause. Maybe it’s all in my head. Friends hug each other all the time but I need reassurance that we’re okay because let’s be real. There was nothing friendly about that hug.

  Just before 8:30AM, the phone rings and what I’d hoped would be an easy question turns into a full-blown employee relations emergency, requiring interviews and a huddle with our legal counsel. I don’t emerge from my office until well after 2PM and by then I’m starving and cafeteria has long since closed. I scrounge up enough change to buy a candy bar from the vending machine in the break room and pop my head into Lucas’s office on my way back to my own.

  It’s empty.

  I get a sticky note from my desk and leave a note on his monitor so there’s no chance of him missing it. Stepping into the hallway I run head on into a chiseled chest. Glancing up I lock eyes with Lucas, who’s hands are steadying my arms.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey,” he tersely responds.

  His lips press into a thin line as he uses his hold on my arms to maneuver me slightly back and to the side so that he can get to his desk. Setting his lapto
p on the docking station he plucks my note from his monitor, barely acknowledges it and tosses it in the trash.

  “The meeting went well.”

  “That’s it?”

  “I have to finish a report for Jack. Would you mind shutting the door on your way out?”

  “Are you kidding? I’ve been dying to catch up with you all morning.” I take a few steps toward his desk and place my hands on my hips. “Now spill.”

  “It wasn’t a joke. Shut it when you leave.” It’s not a question or even a suggestion; he’s kicking me out.

  My stomach drops.

  “Please tell me we aren’t back to this again.”

  He picks up his phone and starts barking orders, I assume to his admin, and then slams the phone in the receiver. He hunches over his notebook and scribbles furiously. What crawled up his ass?

  “Have I done something, Lucas?”

  “Besides rubbing your tits on me last night? Nothing.” He delivers his accusation mechanically.

  “Excuse me?”

  He doesn’t respond.

  Here I was appreciating his restraint but did I completely misread the situation? No, I’m not stupid. I saw the way he looked at me.

  “I’ve got shit to do and I don’t have time to spell it out for you.” I can almost picture the harshness his features hold but it’ll have to be left to my imagination because he won’t look at me.

  I’ve given him the benefit of the doubt on more occasions than he deserves, made excuses on his behalf. I am beyond done with his mood swings and his bullshit. Especially after this weekend.

  “How the hell did I ever think you and I could be friends?”

  “Friends? You practically begged me to fuck you on the street outside your apartment with only your eyes. Can’t say that’s a quality I look for in a friend.”

  “And here I was thinking that I’d already seen your worst.” I stalk out of his office and faintly hear him call my name as the door shuts behind me.