Never Be Her Hero

by Donna McDonald

  “Isn’t that over three weeks away?” Mariah asked.

  “The time is going to fly by,” Della said.

  “Sure, it will—for you,” Mariah teased, and then left the interview room laughing.

  Della was grateful her mentor didn’t read minds. It would have been embarrassing to have to admit how hard it had been to sleep alone in her own bed last night without her hot geek smiling at her from the other pillow.

  Two weeks later, Della gripped the phone hard as she argued with the person on the other end of the line. She was sorry now that she’d given in and actually called her mother back. This quick trip to the gym had been a treat she’d been promising herself all week.

  “Dellaphina, she’s your sister. You help family in times of need.”

  Della rolled her eyes at her given name. Her mother had started all the naming nonsense with her, and yet her sisters had always blamed her for it—like a baby had any say in its stupid name. It was hell being the oldest child and the only person in her family who seemed to use their freaking brain for something other than gossip and drama making.

  “I’m not in the wedding mother. It’s the maid of honor’s job to host the bridal shower. We talked about this yesterday. My dissertation committee meets for the final time two days before Irena’s wedding. I’m still not sure I’m even going to make it yet. That’s why my promise was to try and come.”

  “Stop talking nonsense. Of course, you’re going to make it to the wedding. You need to show off your new beau to the town. I know you said it wasn’t serious between you two yet, but it would look just awful if the oldest girl in our family didn’t at least have a boyfriend at her baby sister’s wedding.”

  Della thought of Elliston. In her imagination, he was standing beside her wearing a sleeveless undershirt showing off his tats. He also had green hair, which she knew came in a spray can for easy application. She’d love to dye his hair for the wedding.

  “I’m doing my best. In case you’ve forgotten, it was Irena who changed the dates, not me. My calendar is completely clear from February to July of next year when she was supposed to get married.”

  “You know the original date was impossible to keep, so why do you keep bringing it up? I have never understood how you always manage to get yourself into these time pickles, Dellaphina.”

  “This is not my time pickle, Mom. Irena’s the one who’s pregnant and almost showing, not me.”

  “It’s her first and you can barely tell—bless her heart. Why do you have to finish your teaching degree in the middle of October anyway? Did you get a job for the Spring semester? Martina—the poor girl—had to wait nearly two years for a position to open up here in Outback. She had to settle for substituting over at Parker’s Mill when she started out. If I recall correctly, she was on baby number two before she ever had a real job.”

  “God… for the millionth time, Mom... I’m not getting my education to become a teacher. I’m a researcher. The Ph.D. I’m about to get will establish my credibility as an expert in my field of study.”

  “Well, who’s going to pay you for being some fancy expert? Dellaphina, if you’re not going to get married, you need to at least find a decent paying job to support yourself. There’s nothing wrong with being a teacher.”

  “No, I really can’t do this today,” Della muttered to herself, holding the phone away to glare at it. She pulled it back to her ear immediately. “Are you sure you’re my mother?”

  “Don’t get sassy with me, young lady…”

  A white lie rolled off her tongue. They were required when she had to talk to her mother. “Mom, I’ve got to go. The office phone is ringing. Give dad a hug for me.”

  Della disconnected and moved the ringer to silent. She thought briefly about going completely offline in airplane mode, but she couldn't afford to miss a call from her dissertation director about the latest submitted change. It was a critical time in her life. Right now, they told her to “Jump” every couple of days and she answered “How high?” every time.

  She tossed her phone into her tote and closed the locker. Normally, she used the workout app on it to guide her exercise routine. Today she’d settle for thirty minutes on the rowing machine and a brisk walk on the circle track upstairs. Cardio might help her burn off the tension in her body that had been there ever since a certain geek she refused to think about had kissed her goodbye.

  She’d just gotten herself hooked up to row when hunky Brad located her. She smiled but on the inside she was fuming at yet another unwanted interruption. “Hey, Brad. How’s it going?”

  “Hey, Gorgeous. Where have you been? This is the first time I’ve seen you in weeks.”

  “Been busy with the final work of my degree,” Della said flatly, pulling back to begin her motion. She really did not want to discuss her doctoral struggles with Brad. “Got to row now. My time is limited today.”

  “Go ahead, babe. Just wanted to say I’ve been meaning to call you,” Brad said. “I thought we might celebrate after you get done with your work crisis. It would be a lot of fun to tell people I’m dating a real doctor.”

  Della tried her best to ignore Brad, who irritated her as badly as her mother had about her degree, but she couldn’t. The guy was staring at her breasts while he talked to her. Grateful for the leggings that completely covered her lower half, she was wishing now she’d pulled on a t-shirt instead of opting for the sports bra and tank. Sweat was building on her shoulders as she rowed faster. With any luck, she’d soon be too winded to talk to anyone.

  “Hey, Della. Sorry, I’m late. Had to handle a few emergency calls. I’m glad you started without me.”

  The rowing machine came to a slow stop as Della’s head whipped sideways to see Elliston dressed in shorts and a tight t-shirt that put his tribal arm sleeve tats on full display. Panting from exertion, she stared at him and his surprisingly well-developed arms. Where in the world had he come from and how had he managed to find her at the gym?

  Elliston waited for the machine to stop its motion, then bent and brushed his lips lightly over Della’s. He wanted more but had to settle for staking a public claim at the moment. “I hope you’re happy, Dr. Livingston. I have dark circles under my eyes because of you.”

  Despite her now tingling lips, Della shook her head and giggled. His statement wasn't a typical brag, but she could tell it was making Brad start asking himself the exact questions Elliston no doubt intended him to. Men were so territorial, especially the ones you were sleeping with, evidently even when no sex was involved.

  Seeing Della’s mouth quirk with humor, Elliston straightened and stuck out a hand, which Brad took automatically. “Hi. Elliston McElroy. I don’t think we’ve met, but I did the programming for the gym and installed a new network here several months ago. You’re head trainer here, right?”

  “Sure am… oh, right,” Brad said, confusion clearing as he pointed. “You’re the head geek guy.”

  “So I’ve been told,” Elliston said, grinning at the man. “Della calls me a geek too.”

  Brad looked down her. Della shrugged. “Elliston and I are…”

  “Dating,” Elliston interjected, smiling at Brad. He wanted to laugh at the consternation on Della’s face and finally did when she stuck her tongue out at him and went back to rowing. “I couldn’t wait until her sister’s wedding to see her again. With her final dissertation hearing coming up, I haven’t seen her in weeks. I figured I’d catch her here eventually though. She likes to stay in shape.”

  “What did you do? Have your Uncle John tag my freaking car?” Della asked between panting breaths.

  Elliston chuckled and looked at Brad. “Della never falls for my tricks. She’s nearly too smart for me.”

  Brad ran a hand over his head. “Well, I guess I’ll get back to the desk. Equipment inventory won’t do itself.”

  Elliston grinned as Brad’s tight glutes and wide shoulders turned and left.

  “Are you proud of yourself now?” Della asked, rowi
ng and panting again.

  Elliston looked down at her and smiled. “Actually, I am. All is fair in love and war, you know. I learned that playing video games.”

  “Video games? You don’t even know the man. How are you at war with Brad?” Della asked, smirking at the instant color that climbed his face. It was hard not to be charmed by his geeky jealousy.

  “I shouldn’t have to explain such basic relationship rules to an expert. If muscle man gives up on you because of me, that’s his short-sighted problem,” Elliston supplied. “In the meantime, I thought I’d see if you wanted to walk the track upstairs when you get done. I really have missed you… and don’t get me started on how hard it’s been to sleep. I wasn’t exaggerating about the dark circles.”

  “Go away and let me row,” Della ordered, shaking her head when he walked away chuckling. Ignoring him as best as she could, she did her thirty minutes. When she finished, she stood and saw he’d been working with free weights nearby. And given the sheen of sweat that covered him, her hot geek didn’t seem to be a stranger to them. It certainly explained how he felt through his clothes.

  Clearing her throat, she walked over to him. “I guess I’m ready to walk when you are.”

  Nodding as he pushed out air with each lift, Elliston finished his reps before stopping.

  They lapped the jogging track twice in a near run-walk before Della finally spoke to him.

  “How did you know I was here?” she asked.

  She’d asked the question in the business voice she used for Mariah, which only made Elliston laugh. “It wasn’t Uncle John. The way I found you is a heavily guarded geek secret.”

  “Geek secret?” Della snorted. “Not winning points here, Mr. McElroy. Did you put some kind of tracker on my phone?”

  “No. I would never use your technology against you. That would violate the Geek Code of Honor. I’d be excommunicated from the club. My business would fail…”

  “Stop your geek babble. If you can find me so easily here, that means someone else can too. My father raised me to protect myself. So how did you do it, Geek Boy?”

  Elliston shrugged. “Fine. As part of the ongoing network support being done here at this gym, someone on my team checks their computing the same time each evening. I told him if he ever saw your name on the check-in roster here to give me a call. Now I owe him a twenty.”

  “Oh my god… you did actually stalk me,” Della said flatly.

  “Stalk? No. I merely used my magical geek powers to find you. I swear it never occurred to me to ask my Uncle John to put a trace on your car until you mentioned it. However, I will have to remember that next time I decide to stalk someone. My uncle owes me several favors.”

  “And now you admit there’s going to be a next time?” Della demanded, giggling at his idiocy.

  “We’re talking about my sleep here, Della. I’m a ten-hour sleep-in-on Saturday morning type… or I used to be. Now I’m just lonely and pathetic and waking up at all hours every night wishing we were back in freaking Tennessee with Bert. Does that tell you how desperate I am?”

  Della stopped walking and bent to laugh. “You’re being a nutcase about this dating stuff.”

  “Well, with your advanced degree you would know about nutcases, I guess,” Elliston said, grinning at her eye roll. He resumed walking when she straightened and fell into step beside him once more.

  “I’m sorry if I scared you. I just missed you. And that’s no joke, Della. Now… are you holding up okay with your work?” he asked.

  Della nodded as she sobered. “Mostly. I really wish it was over.”

  “It will be soon,” Elliston promised. “How are you sleeping?”

  Della turned and gave him a deadly look. “I shared a small house with four sisters who never stopped talking, a complaining father, and a nagging mother. My sleeping skills are so advanced I slept through a tornado once. Does that answer your question?”

  Elliston nodded. “All too well. It also explains how you could sleep five hours in my car while I listened to an audiobook thriller.”

  “That was pure exhaustion on my part,” Della said.

  “And that would be why I’ve been worried about you. I was afraid to come by the office. I didn’t want Mariah grilling me because I can’t lie to the woman. She and Uncle John are like a second set of parents to me.”

  “Why would you have to lie to Mariah?”

  “Because now I want things that aren’t part of our original deal.”

  “Things?” Della repeated, slowing to a panting stop.

  “Okay, you—I want you,” Elliston said bluntly, not panting at all. He held up a hand. “I know. Bad timing.”

  “Elliston…” In spite of the thrill his determination sent through her, Della shook her head.

  “I know. I promised not to press. You have to focus on your doctorate, and I want you to, but I also want you to know that I’ve been missing you. It would be nice if the idea of me missing you made you smile at least a little bit.”

  Della stared and panted. “Well, it doesn’t make me smile. Thinking of you makes me take cold showers and want to call you in the middle of the night just to hear your voice. I don’t have time for these feelings, Geek Boy. So go away and come back in two weeks.”

  Elliston chuckled. “You could have simply said you missed me too, but thanks. Your cold shower story will probably hold me.”

  “So no more stalking?” Della asked.

  “It was still worth it to get to see you,” he said.

  Giggling, Della stepped close. “Kiss me goodbye, Geek Boy.”

  His lips sliding across Della’s felt so right it stunned him. He pulled away quickly feeling awestruck once more. Man, kissing her packed a punch.

  Della patted his cheek. “I’ll see you in a few weeks, okay?”

  A nod was all he could manage before she jogged away.

  Chapter Eight

  “Well?”

  Della yelped loudly at the word and put a hand to her now rapid beating heart. When she saw the owner of the voice grinning at her, she laughed. “Sorry.”

  “Jumpy much?” Mariah asked.

  “I had espresso again this morning. Weaning myself off the enormous amounts of caffeine I’ve been consuming is not going to be easy.”

  “Or quiet,” Mariah added, laughing again. “So? What did they say when you finished?”

  “That my submission looked in order and they would be in contact early next week.”

  Mariah nodded. “And how did your oral defense go?”

  “Pretty sure I aced that. They stopped asking questions after an hour. The four of them looked at each other, nodded, and that was about it. Kind of anti-climactic really.”

  “Believe it or not, that’s a very good sign,” Mariah said. “So how do you feel in general?”

  Della chuckled. “Besides exhausted, you mean?”

  Mariah smiled. “I know you must be, but I’m so proud of you and your hard work. Come out to your desk for a minute. I have a doctoral gift for you.”

  Della grinned. “That’s so thoughtful of you. Have I mentioned you’re the best boss ever?”

  “Yes, and I love hearing it,” Mariah answered back. She walked to Della’s desk and lifted a long silver package from it to hand to Della. “Congratulations.”

  Della giggled as she opened the box. “I just love presents.”

  “Who doesn’t?” Mariah asked.

  Della lifted the shiny engraved nameplate with her full title from the box. Smiling wide, she set it on the desk and admired it. Pride lifted her face into a smile. At long last, she actually felt like she’d gotten over the final hurdle. She laughed when Mariah picked up her old nameplate and tossed it into a trashcan.

  “Thank you for the new one. It’s beautiful.”

  “Oh, that’s just the shiny part of your gift. Come with me,” Mariah ordered, marching off down the hallway.

  Confused Della followed, figuring they were headed to Mariah’s office. Instea
d, Mariah paused in front of a locked door. “I know I said this was going to eventually become a conference room, but I lied to you. I had something else in mind all along. I wanted to keep it as a surprise until you finished your doctorate. Ta da!” she said, unlocking the door and throwing it open.

  Della walked into a barren room with only a plain metal table and barely functional chair. She looked blankly at Mariah. “I think the caffeine withdrawal has affected my cognitive abilities this morning. What are we going to do with this room?”

  Mariah held up a finger and disappeared back out the door. She came back, walked to the table, and slid the new nameplate on it. She looked at Della and smiled.

  “Still clueless,” Della said.

  Mariah rolled her eyes. “You need about a week of sleep.”

  “I know.”

  She stared at her bemused assistant. “After we find a replacement receptionist to sit out front, I thought you could use this room for your office. I don’t know how our new arrangement will work just yet, but we’ll figure it out next week… after you get back from your sister’s wedding. If you come back with a felony charge for killing your family, the deal’s off.”

  Della blinked and looked around. Mariah’s teasing hadn’t even fazed her. She’d only heard one important thing. “This room is my office?”

  Mariah nodded. “Yes. I thought you would want to pick your own furnishings. I do have a small budget set aside for it.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” Della said.

  “You don’t have to say anything. I don’t know about the partner thing still, but I think a raise and new job title are in order. It may not be exactly what you hoped for, but…”

  Della shook her head. “No… it’s perfect. I just want to stay and work with you in whatever capacity you want me. And for the record, you’ve never treated me like I was just a receptionist.”

  “Because you never were one. You’ve always been my assistant. We’re getting busier though and more clients are stopping by. We’re both going to need someone to keep the physical building space going when we’re not around. I just think it’s time, Della. I’m hoping you’ll start the search for someone to sit out front next week. I figure it made more sense for you to find your own replacement.”