Shit. I remember my little encounter with Matthew on Monday night.
“And he’s been hinting that I’m not up to the job. Which is so weird because only day before yesterday he said, I was a natural. To top it all off, I’ve never worked so hard in my life. It’s so frustrating.” I sigh. “I think he’s going to recommend to Mr. Montfort to ask for someone else to lead the team. Which will be a blow for me, but there’s not a damned thing I can do about it.”
“No!” I say. “That’s not fair. You’re great at your job. And that project is your baby.”
“Yeah,” she says with a heavy sigh, “but if Mr. Montfort gets involved, I could even be kept out of the project. It’s as simple as that.”
I hesitate. I’m going to have to sort this out. Should I tell her? I can’t believe I might have jeopardized her career. What an idiot I am. Fuck, instead of punching him I should punch myself.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks me, looking confused.
I stand and put the kettle on to boil, then I sit down next to her on the sofa. “I did something really stupid and I’m really sorry,” I tell her, watching with dismay as the confusion on her face grows. “I saw Matthew on the street. I can’t remember exactly what I said now, because I was so angry, but basically, I warned him to stay away from you. I’m so sorry.”
“What?” she says, her mouth dropping open. “You did what?”
I take her hands in mine.
She pulls away. “Here I was thinking I’d done something wrong or I was shit at my job!” she cries out, glaring at me.
“Lauren, I’m sorry. I was going to walk past, I swear, but then he stopped me and asked me something and he had this stupid gloating smile on him. When I saw it, I just saw red. How dare he take my girl out for dinner? I was going to take you to that nice Italian place in the Marina.”
Her eyes soften a little. “You can still take me there,” she says quietly. “But you’ll have to apologize to Matthew first.”
“I’m not apologizing to that little jerk. I know his kind. He can lie to you all he wants I know he wants to fuck you,” I say, feeling the blood rise to my head. There was no way I was saying sorry to him.
She’s looking at me, waiting, defiance in her eyes. “I could lose my job over this. And all you care about is your ego.” She shakes her head in disgust and she gets up in a huff. “I think I’ll sleep at my place tonight.”
I don’t try to stop her. I’m too angry with him and myself.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Lauren
I’m up early after a night of not much sleep, sitting on the sofa with Draco and a cup of coffee.
“Aw, Draco, why is everything so complicated?” I ask him, looking into his wise old eyes. I swear if he could talk, he’d give me the best advice ever.
Danny walks in and stops in his tracks. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you up this early,” he jokes.
“I couldn’t sleep.” I give Draco a tummy rub.
“Weren’t you at Jackson’s last night?”
“Nah… We had a bit of an argument.” I tell him what happened and how Matthew had been behaving so differently towards me. “Do you think it’s because of what Jackson said to him?”
“What Jackson did is not cool,” he replies frowning. “Whether it’s got anything to do with Matthew’s attitude towards you or not. Do you think it could be because he’s interested in you?” he adds.
“I doubt it. I really don’t think he’s in love with me or anything like that. He was completely cool with it until Jackson put his oar in it.”
“I think you just need to talk to him. Why don’t you go in early and see if you can catch him alone?”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking,” I say, “I’m really pissed that Jackson won’t apologize though.”
“Male ego,” Danny says immediately. “And you can’t blame him for wanting to mark his property, either.”
“Ew, don’t say that,” I say, frowning at him. “I’m not his property. You make him sound like a dog peeing on me.”
We both burst out laughing but inside, I’m still miffed about Jackson’s behavior. I’m tempted to go and see him before work, but I want to get things with Matthew sorted first.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lauren
Dreading having the conversation with him, I gingerly walk into the office and glance around. I’m the first one in, even before Mathew and no one gets in before him. I dump my bag and coat at my desk and go to the kitchenette to put on some coffee.
“Oh, hey! Good morning!” I say, extra cheerfully, when he walks into the kitchen a few minutes later. I’m so jittery I almost spill the coffee. “Would you like some?”
“Um, yes, sure,” he says, obviously surprised to see me. “You’re in extra early.”
“Yeah, I wanted to catch you actually. Before anyone else got in. I hoped we could clear the air.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I was really disappointed when you told me I haven’t been pulling my weight around here. I’ve been trying so hard.” I quickly blink back the tears that are threatening to escape and take a deep breath, waiting for his reply.
I’m surprised when he touches me kindly on the shoulder. “Lauren, I’m so sorry.” His voice is quiet and sincere. “I know I’ve been in a bad mood this week and I apologize for letting my personal affairs affect me professionally.”
I look at him and notice the tiredness and angst in his eyes. “Personal affairs?” I ask quietly, not knowing whether I should or not.
He stares at the floor for a moment.
“It’s ok if you’d rather not tell me,” I add. “I don’t want to pry.”
“No, it’s fine,” he says, shaking his head and making eye contact with me again. His normally clean-shaven jaw is covered with blonde stubble. “It’s my ex. When I got home Monday night, I found the custody papers she sent me. She wants full custody of our son. She wants to take him away from me.”
“Oh God, I’m so sorry!”
“It’s ok. I spoke to my lawyer last night and she thinks we have a pretty good case so it should be ok. But it really freaked me out, thinking she might be able to take him away from me.”
“I really hope it all works out for you.” I can’t imagine what he must be going through right now. And here I am, wrapped up in my own silly problems, as usual.
He smiles. “Yeah, me too. But I’m really sorry for being grumpy with you.” He pauses. “And I had an awkward encounter with your aggressive boyfriend too, telling me to back off. I’m sorry Lauren. I’ve just had so much going on in my head the last couple of days. I know you’ve been doing a good job.”
“It’s ok, I understand,” I say, smiling, although my blood is boiling thinking about Jackson bullying a man who is under so much stress.
“You have no need to worry about your position in this team. Your work has been excellent. The report you finished yesterday was far more thorough than anyone else usually manages. I was very impressed. I shouldn’t have let anyone else affect my opinion of you.”
“Thanks,” I say, the relief flooding through me.
“So as long as you continue to do so well, as far as I’m concerned you are the leader of this team for as long as you want.”
“Really? That’s fantastic. Thank you so much!” My heart is pounding. I can’t believe the good news.
“I’m really glad you came in early so we could talk about this,” he continues. “I was planning to pull you aside today and have a chat. I felt really bad about snapping at you.”
“And I’m really sorry about Jackson,” I say. “He got funny about seeing us out together the other night, but I had no idea he would accost you like that in the street!”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. Didn’t he tell you? He got in contact with me last night. Found me on our company Facebook page. He apologized. Asked me if I wanted to come along to softball sometime.”
&
nbsp; This is news to me. My heart starts singing. Maybe I’d overreacted when I’d stormed out of his house last night, but maybe that’s what it took to get him to say sorry. Tough love worked this time. “He’s a really nice guy, most of the time,” I assure him. “I’m sure you two will get along. Just a bit protective I guess.”
“I can understand why,” he says, grinning. “And I’m not saying that in a creepy way. Yes, you’re gorgeous, but you’re also a genuine caring person. Not to mention hard-working and intelligent too.”
I can feel my cheeks getting hot and I look away. “Um, thanks. Another cup of coffee?”
He’s laughing. “Although you should really work on accepting compliments better. Look, I know things got a little… flirty, shall we say, that night after our first day working together. But if I’m honest, that was purely the booze talking. You’re not really my type.”
I grin back, incredibly relieved. “I’m just glad we’ve sorted things out,” I say. “It was really worrying me, but to know you think I’m doing a good job is all I wanted to hear.”
“You are.” He grins again. “So keep up the good work.”
“I will, but on another note… what is your type?”
He laughs. “Petite. Long dark hair. Dark eyes. I guess… Why, you have anyone in mind?”
“Maybe,” I reply, raising my eyebrows and smiling.
“I see…” He grins, then holds out his coffee cup for me to top off.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Lauren
“So, no Friday night cocktails tonight, girls? What’s the world coming to?” Danny says to Andrea and I, as we lounge on the couch at my place. “Not that I’m complaining, though,” he adds, “How do you like the kombucha?”
“It’s interesting…” Andrea says, taking a sip.
“I like it. But I’m not sure I’d swap it for cocktails every Friday night.” I give Danny a wink.
“Enjoy me while you can,” Andrea says. “I’m being picked up soon.”
“Oh?” I ask.
She grins. “Yeah, Ricardo. He left his phone in an Uber and then he was travelling for work. Hence the radio silence!”
“I knew there’d be an explanation,” I cry out. “I hope he made it up to you.”
“Yeah… you could say that,” she says with one of cat got the cream expressions.
“Not more hot tub antics?” Danny teases her.
She gives me a look.
“I didn’t think it was a secret!” I protest.
“She’s just jealous.” Danny chuckles. “She’s been having sexy hot tub dreams about her and Jackson ever since you told her that story.”
“Oi!” I say, but Danny and Andrea are laughing their asses off.
“Haven’t you ever had sex in a hot tub before?” Andrea asks me.
I shake my head, feeling like the most innocent person alive. “So, are you going to take Ricardo as your plus one to Pam’s wedding?” I ask her.
“Oh, I don’t know, that’s months away yet. Where’s Nina tonight, anyway?”
“You two are really good at avoiding questions you don’t want to answer,” Danny observes. “But yeah, but where is the lovely Nina?”
“On a date,” I say, mysteriously.
“Surprise, surprise,” Andrea remarks, smiling. “Who’s the unfortunate man tonight who we’re going to hear picked apart tomorrow, then?”
“I hope that won’t be the case,” I say, “It might be a little awkward. She’s on a date with Matthew.”
“Oh, you set them up. How fun!” Danny beams, clapping his hands.
“Well, I’ll look forward to hearing how that goes,” Andrea says. Her phone pings at that moment and I see her eyes light up. “Better go,” she says. “He’s here.”
We wave her off and settle back down on the couch. I pat the empty space she’s left for Draco to come and join us then give him a little help as he struggles to make it up.
“Aw poor Draco,” Danny says, giving him a rub.
“He’s doing really well, actually. We took him on a nice slow walk this morning before work. He even had a bit of a jog at the end of it.”
Draco turns on his back and Danny rubs his stomach too. “No wonder you’re tired old boy.” He looks up at me. “So, you made up with Jackson, then?”
“Yes,” I say, beaming with relief. “He apologized to Matthew. We hung out last night after he played softball. He said sorry for being an idiot. And look what he sent me at work today!” I reach into my bag and take out the little box of artisan heart-shaped Belgian dark chocolates.
Danny coos at the beautiful little box and then reads the card attached:
My beautiful AP. Pack your toothbrush for tomorrow night ;)
Love JS xx.
Ps. Sorry again for being an idiot!
“I thought you were going to a ball tomorrow?”
“I guess we’re staying somewhere after this ball thing with his folks. I’ll be packing more than just a toothbrush if that’s the case.”
“Oh, how romantic!” Danny says dreamily.
“I suppose it is, but I’m getting more and more nervous about tomorrow night though.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“I guess… well, I think I’m going to get an early night anyway. What time do you want to leave tomorrow morning?
“Around nine?” he says tentatively.
“Oh yeah, that’s fine. I was worried you were going to say six o’clock or something.”
He rubs his hands together. “Nah, we’re nearly there. Not long until the grand opening now.”
“I’m so proud of you,” I tell him, giving him a hug over Draco who’s now snoring softly. “It’s such an achievement and you did it all by yourself!”
“I had a lot of help. A great team of volunteers. And of course, we’ve got Andrea to thank for the final influx of cash.”
“Not such a bad person after all,” I say, winking.
He grins. “Yeah, you’re right. I got her wrong. I just didn’t know her well enough, I guess.”
“Well, I think Ricardo has been a good influence too. Softened her up a bit!”
“Yeah, I want to meet this mystery man!”
“Me too. I hope she brings him to the wedding.”
“Aw, I wish I was going,” he says, pulling a face.
I’m disappointed that Pam didn’t invite him. “She wanted to so much but they’re so tight on numbers and they had to draw the line somewhere,” I say, touching his arm.
“It’s ok. I understand. I do love a good wedding though,” he says, grinning.
“We’re going to get our bridesmaids dresses fitted next week. They’re so pretty. I can’t wait.”
“You girls are going to look amazing. Now stop rubbing it in.”
“Sorry darling. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll meet Ricardo before then. Andrea did say she might bring him out one Friday night with us.”
“I hope so. She’s so elusive about him.”
“I know! But I did get a glimpse of him the other night. He dropped her off when we met for dinner on Wednesday.”
“What did you see?”
“He was wearing a suit and sunglasses so hard to say, but was tall and had a very confident air about him. Sort of a swagger to him, if you know what I mean. And he was driving a really fancy car. Bentley, I think.”
“That figures.” Danny sniggers. “She’s got expensive taste, that one.”
Chapter Fifty
Lauren
We pile back into my house after a busy afternoon of painting at Danny’s project.
“Thanks, everyone,” Danny yells. “You guys are the best! And special thanks to Jackson who did the majority of the work. Those muscles, wow!”
“Hey!” I exclaim. “Andrea and I worked just as hard!”
“But we don’t look as good in a tight T-shirt,” Andrea says, winking and looking over to Jackson.
He had just turned up to help, which made me feel proud, happy and grateful. I
laugh, “Oh, Danny, is it true?” I tease him.
He turns a little pink and says, with a grin. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous!”
“Glad to hear I’m not just a sex object!” Jackson says, putting his hands on his hips and looking exactly like a sex object. He looked exceptionally sexy today, his tight t-shirt and ample biceps splattered with white paint. So deliciously blue collar, working man, delectable.
“Oh, you’re definitely my sex object,” I say, and Andrea groans audibly in the background.
Jackson winks at me then moves forward to shake Danny’s hand. “I’m gonna head back to my place for a bit. I need to wash this paint off me before tonight. Good luck, man.”
“Thanks again, dude,” Danny responds, as he enthusiastically pumps his hand.
Jackson turns to me and brushes his lips against my forehead. “I’ll pick you up at seven, gorgeous.”
I check my phone. “It’s five-thirty already. Shit, I need to get moving.”
“Me too,” Andrea agrees, with a wicked look in her eyes.
“Ricardo?” I ask.
She nods slyly, blows me a kiss and is out of the door before I can ask any more questions.
“Can’t believe what a dark horse she turned out to be,” I say to Danny.
“Yeah, speaking of dark horses,” he says. “I’ve decided to end it with Feather.”
“Oh, no, I’m sorry. How come?”
“When I found out she stole the cupcake with the love potion, at first I thought it was funny. But when I thought about it a bit more, I was shocked.”
“I did think it was a bit… shady,” I say gently.
“A bit shady? She stole from you! Something which was worth four hundred dollars at the least, and possibly love at the most. For selfish reasons, too. I take it she didn’t offer to give you the money back?”
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