Forever, Please (Please #4)

by Willow Summers

  Hunter gave me a sideways glance. His body against me tensed. “I’m going into business with Livy.”

  “Wait…what?” I stepped away from him so I could look him full in the face.

  “That gaming thing?” Jonathan smirked. Hunter had devalued himself in Jonathan’s eyes, it seemed. He’d certainly lost his usefulness. “Huh.”

  “Excuse us,” Hunter said to Jonathan before steering me away to a quiet corner. “I was going to tell you differently. I hadn’t realized the news had leaked already.”

  “What news?”

  “I’m a partner in your business with Bruce. I’ve been planning the various releases, the business setup, our long-term goals…I’ll be stepping into the CEO role after I get it off the ground. I want to build our own company, Livy. I want to do it with you.”

  I’d thought over all the little bits of knowledge Hunter always seemed to have about how the game was doing. Then the confidence Bruce had. He’d been positive the marketing approach would be a success. I’d thought it’d just been ego, but it hadn’t been. He’d known Hunter was planning it, and he thought Hunter’s approach would be a sure bet.

  He’d been right. The game was becoming a phenomenon. The next Candy Crush. Money was pouring in, reviews were great, and avid fans were clamoring for more.

  I’d already suspected Hunter had a toe in the waters, but I’d largely thought it was being nosy. Nope. He was running the show. He was planning our future.

  “When did you decide this?” I asked in a slow, deep tone. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this yet.

  “I fell into the decision, more than anything. I knew I’d have to change things in order to be the father I want to be. Then I saw your passion, and Mike made that comment at my mother’s dinner—I’ve been looking for something where I can build from the ground up. That’s about when Bruce asked me for advice. He had such faith in his and your design concepts. He knew the business would take off like his last one did. And he knew he couldn’t handle it when it did. I just helped at first, but then…I fell into it. I found the passion I saw in you. Everything just kind of…unfolded.”

  “Why didn’t you mention it?”

  Hunter ran his thumb along my chin before kissing my lips softly. “I wanted you to choose that job over working for me. I wanted you to make the first move. You took much longer than I anticipated, though, so I got nervous you’d be…less than thrilled I was running the company without telling you. I’ve been trying to find the words.”

  “You were a coward.”

  A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “You have the authority to fire me. I didn’t want to push you to it.”

  I ran my hand up his chest. I wasn’t mad. Not at all. In fact, I was relieved. “I get to work for you again.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “No! That’s why I took so long to leave. It was you.”

  He kissed me again. “That’s what I was hoping. I’ve organized the company in such a way that I shouldn’t have to put in a full week for a while. Not for a couple years, at least. I’ve delegated a lot between the three of us, and various assistants. If the company grows, though, which I’m certain it will, I can easily step down to a less demanding role while still holding the reins.”

  “We have a hit now, but we might not in the future. How can you possibly know it will work out?”

  “Because it has to. You are the key to my happiness. For you, I'll do anything. I knew that this company was your future, so I needed to make it mine as well. This is the life I’ve always wanted, Livy.” He ran his lips across mine again. “Are you sure you’re not angry?”

  I laughed and snuggled into him. “No. When do you officially start?”

  “The board has decided on my replacement, so I’ll be making the transition over the next couple months, and then I’m all yours.”

  “I’m not going to be your admin, though…”

  He laughed and took my hand. “Brenda is coming with me. She’ll continue to be my assistant. I have no need for a second.”

  “That little—” I made a fist and shook it. “She knew about all this and didn’t mention it.”

  “I asked her not to.”

  “I don’t care. She’s going to get a knuckle sandwich for keeping this big a secret from me. Chicks before dicks!”

  Hunter led me back to the others. I said, “Just so you know, I don’t require the wearing of pants in my office.”

  “Will you enforce a personal contract?”

  “Maybe.” I smiled as my chest warmed. Then my smile wilted as we fell into the company of the businessmen.

  Thank God we could leave guys like that behind!

  The rest of the night was fabulous because I sat at the table for dinner with Kimberly, Jen, and the guys. We laughed and talked. Even Tera and Jonathan didn’t ruin the mood. Hunter was by my side every second, often touching me, and occasionally rubbing my belly and kissing me. If anyone doubted that he loved me going in, they didn’t by the time the night was over. He doted on me constantly, making the girls at the table sigh in envy.

  A thought struck me toward the end of the night. I remembered how much I owed Kimberly for getting me the interview with Hunter, but also for always helping me when I needed it. I saw the opportunity to reciprocate.

  “Hey, Hunter,” I said quietly as we waited for our coats. “I wondered if you could lean on Robby to propose to Kimberly. I know it’s totally not a guy thing to do, but those guys are all afraid of you. If you mentioned it, maybe he’d finally pop the question.”

  Hunter stared at me for a moment, probably processing that crazy request. His soft snort ruffled my hair. He looked around before a tiny smile wrestled his lips. “Only you would ask for something as awkward as that for me to accomplish. Why couldn’t you be the type to be happy with money?”

  I laughed and leaned into him. “You owe her, too. Without her, we never would’ve met.”

  Seriousness stole his expression. His gaze traveled my face. “You’re right. Consider it done.”

  “I mean…but don’t be obvious about it. Don’t make him think she wanted you to ask.”

  His grin was back. “Anything else?”

  “Well, you know, be cool. Don’t go in hot. Just…like…ease it into the conversation. Somehow.”

  He squeezed me. “I’ll take care of it.”

  I let him put my coat on and steer me toward the exit. The day had been one of bliss. Except for the small hurdle with my mother, everything had been perfect. I was engaged to the best man in the world, in a job I loved, and the life of my dreams. There was just one thing left to do. Hunter had to face his greatest fears and tell his mother.

  Chapter Twelve

  I closed my computer with a click and stretched, working out my tense shoulders. I had another day, at most, before this latest batch of levels would be done. I was working at breakneck speed.

  I regretted telling Hunter that it was fine that he was my boss again. He was way more demanding than Bruce, and now that he could, he was calling the shots. He’d tell me what needed to be done, by when, and then that I shouldn’t stress.

  What?

  “I’m going to grab a sandwich, want anything?” I asked Hunter. He didn’t bother looking away from his computer. After a moment of silence, I said, “Hello?”

  He still didn’t look up.

  Shaking my head, and deciding just to get him something anyway, I made my way out of his office. To Brenda I said, “I’m still not talking to you, but do you want a sandwich?”

  She leaned back in her chair. Her face was lined with fatigue. She was trying to get everything done and ready for Hunter to leave this job, and her with him. She was just as stressed out as he was. “Yeah. Turkey. Everything on it. Are you getting something for Hunter?”

  “Yeah. Although when I asked if he wanted something, he ignored me.”

  “The new guy comes in tomorrow. He has a huge list of things he wants to get drawn up. Strategies or whatever
. The new girl isn’t cutting it.” Brenda looped a thumb in the air, aimed at the empty desk next to her. “Hunter made her cry yesterday. He wasn’t even being demanding.”

  “Yikes. Where was I?”

  Brenda waved me away. “Taking your time coming into work. As usual.”

  “I don’t work here, FYI.”

  “Excuses.” Brenda leaned toward her computer, back to work.

  I smirked and headed out, going to the sandwich shop down the street. Ten dollars for a sandwich was ridiculous, but they were good and it was close. As I was leaving our building, I heard, “Oh, Olivia!”

  Confused, because I didn’t recognize the voice, I stopped and looked around. An older lady was strolling toward me. My stomach dropped when I realized who it was.

  “Oh, hi, Mrs. Carlisle.” I licked my lips and glanced at the doors I’d just come out of. Would it be weird if I darted back inside to hide?

  My next glance went to my pregnant belly. My top was strained and kind of tight. I was a walking secret reveal.

  “It’s so nice to see you,” Hunter’s mom said as she stopped in front of me with a smile. She held a Nordstrom bag.

  We weren’t very close to the shopping area. She’d come to this building specifically.

  “Are you going to duck in to see Hunter?” I asked, playing it cool. That involved brushing back my hair and controlling my shifty eyes. I wasn’t doing a good job with the eye bit.

  “Yes. In part. Are you headed out?”

  “Oh.” I vaguely pointed down the sidewalk. “I was just going to get a sandwich. He’s in there, though. If you want to say hi…”

  “I wouldn’t want to bother him. I could use some lunch.” Only a Carlisle could make inviting herself along when she wasn’t wanted still seem gracious.

  I hesitated, wanting to say no and having no idea how. Then I couldn’t, because she took my arm like we were longtime friends and gently tugged me in the direction I’d been heading.

  Now I knew where Hunter got it.

  “I haven’t seen you in quite some time. I was worried that something might have happened,” Trisha said with a light tone.

  “Oh no. Nope. We’ve just been busy.”

  “Yes, my son always is. He makes time for you, though, I hope?”

  “Yes, he does. Or tries, anyway. He has given his notice and is about to switch jobs.”

  “I know. I heard. Is this the right way?”

  I’d stopped paying attention. “Oh. Uh…” Could I be any less eloquent? “This way.” I turned to the left at the intersection.

  “I was surprised. He’s built his life around that high-powered profession. I figured something big must’ve come up.”

  I couldn’t tell if she thought that was a good thing, or a bad. “He just figured that he didn’t want to keep up the hours,” I stammered.

  “Uh hmm.”

  We walked for a moment in silence, which felt like she was yelling, “I’m onto you!” My muscles were all quivering with nervousness. Beads of perspiration collected on my forehead.

  Why hadn’t she commented on the ring, currently a few inches from her arm wrapped around mine? Or the obvious baby bump announcing her grandchild? Should I have brought it up? Because I wasn’t gonna!

  “I’ve tried to get Hunter and you over for dinner,” Trisha said in that light tone. She pointed at a coffee shop. With barely a nudge, we were walking into it and waiting in line.

  How did she do that?

  “Yeah, we’ve just been so busy.” And he’s afraid to see you. “Hopefully we can come around soon…” When he straps on a pair of balls and faces his fears…

  When we got up to the cashier, Trisha ordered a mocha, and then asked me, “Would you like a herbal tea or something?”

  An herbal tea. Because I wasn’t supposed to have caffeine.

  She knew.

  “I’m fine. Really. I was just going to get some sandwiches…” I smiled at the cashier. Within that smile was a plea for help.

  Trisha paid and steered me toward the area to wait for her beverage. “I was worried. He was so eager to have me meet you, and then he fell off the face of the earth. But I see you two are still going strong…”

  I could hear the light question in her voice. She wanted me to admit my status. Clearly she wasn’t a believer in outing people.

  Her bad. I didn’t care how awkward it got; I wasn’t going to give Hunter away any more than the obvious signs she already saw. And he put those there. It wouldn’t be my fault.

  “Yes, we’re doing well.”

  “Him leaving his job—big changes. How is he coping?”

  She got her coffee and tried to steer me toward a table. Another wave of nervous perspiration broke out. I felt like a trapped animal.

  “Oh. I…need sandwiches…” I stepped toward the door, feeling like the rudest person alive by ignoring that polite tug of hers.

  “Of course.” Her hand looped more securely through my arm. We might’ve been chums who’d known each other forever.

  How the hell could I get out of this? It felt like my skin was crawling with how awkward I felt. Surely this was worse than waterboarding. Where did she train for this social torture, in a prison camp?

  “Did I hear right in that you’ve left his employ?” she asked as we neared the sandwich shop.

  I nearly groaned with the size of the line. “I did, yes.”

  “I saw the game you were working on. It was doing extremely well. And well positioned in the market. Your company seems well set up. Someone experience must have helped, since your other business partner lost control of his first business, correct?”

  I ground my teeth. She’d done her research, and she knew damn well that Hunter was one of those business partners. God help Hunter. This woman did not like the cold shoulder. And this was just the information she was bringing up! What did she know that she was too polite to mention?

  Hunter hadn’t learned what he knew from his dad; he’d learned it from this woman. And I wasn’t sure that he’d surpassed the teacher yet.

  “I pretty much just deal with the coding and design,” I said with a shaking voice, willing the line to move faster. “Bruce handles everything else. I have my hands full.”

  “Yes. And you’re doing a remarkable job. How is living with my son?”

  I choked on my spit. She was starting to get bolder. “Good. Really good. I had to move in after Blaire ruined my flat. Or…you know, his flat. That I was living in.”

  “Yes. She’s under house arrest—”

  Trisha cut off as I stepped up to give my order. Sandwiches tumbled out of my mouth but I wasn’t really paying attention. Her gaze had dipped to my stomach. A look of pleasure took over her expression. When she glanced back up, her eyes were twinkling in a knowing way.

  Damn it!

  I looked like an alcoholic trying to recover, judging by how badly my hands were shaking. I paid and stepped to the side, about ready just to run. Just sprint out of the store, the sandwiches be damned. Hunter was going to kill me.

  “May I see the ring?” Trisha asked with a slight smile.

  “Oh. Um.” She probably thought I wasn’t educated with my guttural, one-syllable comments. “Yes, sure.”

  I held up my hand for her inspection. She took it and bent over the ring, her smile growing. When she let go, her eyes were slightly glistening. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  “Thanks.” Should I say you’re welcome? What was she thanking me for?

  “I’ll leave you to your sandwiches. Please tell Hunter that I’d love to talk to him soon.”

  I blinked at her back as she strolled away.

  What just happened?

  I got the sandwiches and made my way to the office in a fog. I had no doubt now that she knew everything that was going on in Hunter’s life. Maybe she’d heard about us from the party the night before, or God knew where, and now she’d verified it all.

  So what would she do with the info?

&nbs
p; I put Brenda’s sandwich on her desk.

  “I don’t see any writing saying ‘no mayo’…” She quirked an eyebrow at me.

  “I just ran into Hunter’s mom.”

  Brenda’s eyes widened. She smirked. “How’d that go?”

  “He hasn’t told her the news.” I eyed his door with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  “So I should expect a very messed-up sandwich? Since you clearly ousted him. Why not just wear a shirt that says, ‘Baby in here.’ And that ring is massive. You walk lopsided with that thing weighing down your hand.”

  I scowled at her, unable to help my smile. “The ring isn’t that big.” She scoffed. “But yes, she definitely knows. It’s not like I could’ve hidden it.”

  “You better go tell him before she calls to congratulate him. He doesn’t like those kinds of surprises.”

  “Thank you, Professor Obvious.”

  “You’re welcome. And then you better go home, because when he realizes you messed up his sandwich, he’s going to be pissed.”

  “I’ll have the ability to fire you, you know. Bear that in mind…”

  Brenda laughed and unwrapped her sandwich. Apparently she wasn’t worried.

  I edged into Hunter’s office. I took a moment to marvel at his handsome face and his broad shoulders before I just threw it out there. “I just saw your mom. She knows everything.” His head snapped up. “Like…everything. You switching jobs, organizing the company—I’m pretty sure she knows your daily schedule. She’s kind of terrifying in a really soft sort of way.”

  Hunter entwined his fingers and stared down at his desk. “I’ve ignored her last couple of calls. This was bound to happen.”

  “She was stalking me, wasn’t she? She was waiting for me to come out of the building.”

  Hunter rose from his desk. “Probably. I’m sorry about that.”

  “I didn’t tell her anything, but…” I pointed at my stomach.

  “I know.”

  “And…” I pointed my ring at him. “She came out and asked about living with you. But I didn’t admit you were involved in the business. I tried to keep your secrets, Hunter.”

  He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me close. “Thanks for trying. She’s good at finding out about my life. She doesn’t like me getting too far out of her reach.”