Chapter 30

Autumn

I had longed for the day that Emmett would be able to start at LOC, and today was the day. After taking Penelope to school, we headed off to the office where I had everything lined up for him to start. Our first stop was by personnel, where Lila was on the phone until she saw Emmett. She ended her call just as quick as she could.

“Hello, Ms. Cooke. Is this our new employee?”

I wanted to tell her that she was an employee and Emmett was an associate, but instead, I smiled and took his arm. “In the flesh. Do you have those papers I requested?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She reached in her desk and got them. Then she turned her smile on for Emmett as she leaned her cleavage over her desk. “All you have to do is fill these out, and if you need someone to help you look them over, let me know. I am more than willing to help.”

“Thank you,” Emmett said. He turned to me as if he wasn’t sure what to think about Lila, and I smiled, knowing he wasn’t the only one.

I took his hand and led him down to my office where I got him a pen and put him at my desk to fill out his paperwork.

“I like this desk,” he said.

“Do you? It’s mahogany. My father had it sent in as a gift.”

He gave a little chuckle. “It looks sturdy and very roomie. Even beneath it.” He flashed me a wink.

“I’m sure you’d fit.” I smiled and leaned over it before taking a seat on the other side.

“You’d fit better than me.” He didn’t bother looking up from his papers.

“But it’s my desk, and I’m the boss, so it’s you who’d be down there on your knees, baby.” I crossed my legs, and he slowly looked up with a wide smile.

“I’d be honored.” He signed his name on the paperwork. “I’m all done.”

I got up and walked around my desk to gather the papers, even though I could have done it from the other side. I just liked being as close to him as possible, especially after the argument the other night. We’d had a good makeup session, and things were strong again.

“I’ll have to show you around a little more, I suppose. If you’re ready.” No sooner had the words left my mouth than my father walked into my office, and I was glad that I hadn’t kissed him like I had wanted to.

“There’s my newest superstar. How’s your first morning been?”

“He just finished his paperwork, Daddy. I was going to show him around and introduce him to a few people.”

“Well, I could do that if he wouldn’t mind the old man introducing him to some of the top players here at our company first?”

“That would be great,” Emmett said.

“I’ve already told them all about you, and everyone is excited to have a war hero in our midst.”

“Speaking of which, I wanted to extend an invitation to you for this weekend. I’ll be receiving my medals at a small ceremony on base. My sergeant wanted me to invite those closest to me, and well, since my own father can’t be there, I thought I’d ask.” Emmett didn’t seem to think anything of asking my father, but I had to wonder if he really expected him to agree. He knew what a no-show he’d been all those years, and Emmett had filled in for him on more than one occasion when it came to me.

“You know what? I’d love to.” My father took Emmett’s hand and gave it a sturdy shake. “Come on, and I’ll show you around. The boys won’t believe that you’re getting medals, too. What are they giving you, son?”

“The Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.” Emmett’s back straightened as he rose to join my father, and then the two of them gave me a hug and then left my office.

Just like that, I was alone. I went to sit at my desk and look over the reports for the day. When I was finished, an hour had already passed. I wasn’t sure if he’d gotten Emmett introduced to everyone and started on his project or not, but I didn’t want to go searching for them just yet.

I’d been battling with a decision since Emmett and I had made up the other night, and now it was time to deal with the problem that started it. I picked up my phone and dialed Jason’s number.

“I had a feeling I’d hear from you over the weekend. It sure took you long enough to come to your senses.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t call you the other night, Jason. I wouldn’t have been half as pleasant if I had.”

“Don’t tell me you’re still seeing that loser, Emmett Burke. The guy was shaking in his boots the other day.”

I gritted my teeth to keep from saying something that would turn the conversation nasty. “I’m still with him, and you’re not going to change that. You and I are done, and I’ve said it time and time again. Pen really likes Emmett, too, so I’d appreciate it if you could stop acting like a jealous boyfriend and be a father to your daughter. She wants the two of you to get along and take her fishing.”

“She’s got to learn that I have a life too, Princess. I mean, I know she wants to see me, but how am I supposed to have a life of my own if every other weekend is going to my kid? I can’t take her along, and my girls don’t like it if I bring a kid along.”

“Are you serious? I’m asking you to be more responsible, and this is your excuse why you can’t?”

“I’ve just been thinking. If you and her want Emmett in your life, then go for it. But don’t expect me to be around to watch it happen. If I miss her, I’ll see her, but—”

My patience snapped. “You asshole! You’re telling me that if you miss her, you’ll see her? Like hell, you will. One minute you’re pissed off and making problems with Emmett over me, and the next you want to act like you’re only concerned about your feelings? What about all the times that Penelope wants to see you? Those don’t count?”

“You’re the one replacing me, and it’s not like she misses me much, not with Emmett around.”

“You’re doing this,” I said. “This is your call, not his. Not mine or Pen’s either. I hope you do move on, and one of these little flings of yours sticks, and maybe then, just maybe, I’ll believe you’re finally going to be the hell out of my life. Until then, I’m not letting you slow me down. Emmett is around to stay. Get used to it.”

“Stop acting like you’re the one to tell me how it is, Princess. I’ve already told you, I’m out. I’m not standing around watching you and my daughter move on. You can do it without me.”

“We already have.” I hung my phone up and took a deep breath. I couldn’t stand the man and hoped that I would never have to lay eyes on him again.

Then, I thought of Pen. She was going to be devastated when he didn’t come around. If he didn’t come around. There was still a chance he might show, but I thought maybe it was best not to let her go on for days thinking she’d see him Wednesday. I’d have to tell her that something came up. It was all I could do. I had done it a million times before, telling her that her father was busy with work the way my mother had always told me.

It was better than letting her think horrible things about him. But I knew when she got older, she would make up her own mind like I had. If she had a man in her life like Emmett, perhaps she’d be okay. Perhaps she wouldn’t have bitterness taking over her heart when it came to her old man like I had mine.

Thinking of my father only made me think of Emmett’s invitation. I sure hoped he wouldn’t be a no-show after making such a big deal about going. I glanced at the clock again. Knowing that Emmett was somewhere in the building only made me want to see him more. I could already tell that having him around was going to be a huge distraction, but one I welcomed.

I made a few calls and tried to put the one with Jason out of mind. I made a coffee run, hoping to see Emmett in the halls with my father. When I came back, I decided to take Emmett’s paperwork down to Lila’s office. When I walked up, she put the phone down.

“Hey, Ms. Cooke. Is that the new guy’s paperwork? I was going to see if he’s single or not.” She wagged her brows and gave a sly smile.

“He’s taken, Lila.” I had already imagined that Lila would be interested. She had a new boyfriend each week, it seemed, and someone was always sending her bouquets of flowers. Her office on Valentine’s Day had looked like a damned florist’s shop.

She looked a little miffed but then ran her hand through her long hair. “Wife or girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend.” I kept my voice at an even tone. I wasn’t going to announce our relationship to the world, and I didn’t want anyone to think he was getting special treatment.

“Oh, that’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ve taken lots of boyfriends before.” She cracked a smile as I leaned over the counter. “I heard he’s a war hero. Let’s hope he’s not too honorable.” She giggled as ice water went through my veins.

“Cool it, Lila. He’s my boyfriend.”

Her eyes widened. “I was just fooling around, Ms. Cooke. I hope you don’t think I was serious.”

“I’m sure you’re not.” I turned and walked away, not looking back to see her reaction.

Once I rounded the corner near the elevator, I ran into Emmett who was making his way back to my office with two cups of coffee in hand. “Hey, gorgeous. I was thinking we should have our break together before you show me to my boss.”

“You’re looking at her.”

He grinned. “You’re my superior? Are you out of your mind? We’ll never get anything done.”

“Sure, you will. I will demand it. But the Helix project is my baby, and the job I’m putting you on is an extension of that.”

“Your baby for your baby, huh? I am honored.” He offered me my coffee, and when I had it, he offered me his arm. “Do you think it’s inappropriate if I escort you properly?” He hesitated a little, but I took his arm and shook my head.

“No, sir. I think it will send a clear message to the young ladies around here, and it might keep me from not acting very lady-like.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, I’ve already had to tell Lila that you’re off-limits. She likes men who are taken, though, so I give you fair warning.” I laughed it off, but I wondered if he even found the bubble-head attractive.

“Thanks. Now I won’t be able to look her in the eyes.” He laughed as we made it to my office.

“I need to tell you that I called Jason.” His eyes darkened a bit. “Before you say anything, I just want you to know that he’s changed his tune and is now claiming that he doesn’t want me or Penelope in his life.”

“What? He was so ready to put up a fight. What happened?”

“He probably got back with his girlfriend, Emmett. I don’t know. This is how he is. He always goes back and forth. I’ve found the best thing for me to do is to take Pen and move forward, which I’m happy to be doing with you.”

“I’m happy, too, with you and Penelope, and with this job. Your father had me all over the place, introducing me to everyone. He told them how he’d known me my whole life, too, and he seemed to be really pleased that I’m on board.”

“I’m glad.” I sat behind my desk, and he pulled up a chair to be closer. “Things are going to be better from now on, aren’t they?”

“The best.” He held out his coffee cup, and we toasted to better times ahead together.