Chapter 4
Claudia slept entirely too late even for a Saturday. Working a double shift the day before had taken its toll on her and her feet. Her doctor said once she was through the first trimester, the nausea and the tiredness should subside a bit. She hoped that was true.
She got up, did some laundry, ate a big breakfast, and showered. She didn’t do much, but now she was ready for a little nap. She plopped down on the couch and flipped through the newest baby catalog. There were so many things she wanted to get for her little one, but everything was so expensive. No amount of extra hours was going to pay for all the things she needed.
She tried not to think about it too much, but eventually she’d have to decide what she wanted do. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep her job at the Callahans. She’d managed to avoid Gavin, or maybe he was going out of his way to avoid her, but either way their paths were going to cross at some point. She shuddered to think what would happen if Angela found out about the baby. It wouldn’t be pretty.
A soft knock at her front door pulled her from her thoughts. She wasn’t expecting anyone and it startled her. She shoved the magazine under a stack of others on the coffee table and went to answer the door. She never expected to see Brody Callahan standing on the other side.
“Mr.—” She stopped herself when she remembered what he’d asked her the night before. “Brody.”
“You said I would know where to find you.”
The bright smile he sported made her think he was happy to see her. She didn’t think any man had ever looked at her with such admiration and genuine excitement. It was intriguing.
“I meant at the house,” she said. “I didn’t think you knew where I lived.”
“I realize it’s rude of me to show up here unannounced and uninvited, but I was thinking about you all morning.”
“You were?” The thought of him thinking about her piqued her curiosity. Until a few days ago, he didn’t even know she existed.
“Why does that shock you?”
“We’ve come in contact many times throughout the years, but we’ve never really spoken or noticed one another.” She wasn’t sure why she told him any of that, but she was unnerved by his timing. She wondered if Gavin could’ve put him up to this.
“So, because we weren’t friends before means we can’t get to know one another now?”
He leaned against the railing and waited for her to answer. He looked casual in his navy polo shirt and khaki shorts. She didn’t think she’d ever seen him look so relaxed and young. He was in his early thirties, but he always appeared mature for his age. He was sophisticated and busy. Always so busy.
“No, of course not.” She realized she was being rude. His presence threw her off, but there was something soothing about him. “Would you like to come inside?”
“If I’m not intruding on any plans.”
“No, I was just napping.”
“You do that a lot.” He grinned, showing off his perfect teeth. “That’s how I found you.”
The burning in her cheeks intensified. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that.”
“I’m joking,” he said. “You don’t need to be embarrassed.”
“Thanks again for not telling the Evil Queen.”
“I vow to protect you from her, Sleeping Beauty. I promise.”
Something in Claudia’s stomach jolted. It wasn’t harsh, just a faint flutter. She hadn’t felt the baby move yet, but it was strange she’d feel something in her belly when Brody joked about protecting her from Angela. She shook it off. It was probably indigestion.
She widened the door, allowing him to come into her tiny apartment.
“It’s very cozy.” He looked around. “I like it.”
“You’re very polite.” She motioned for him to sit down. “This is nothing compared to what you’re used to.”
“That’s probably why I like it.” He took a seat on the couch. “Everything is so warm and inviting. This place suits you.”
She smiled but she wasn’t sure what he’d meant by the apartment suiting her. “What brings you to my neighborhood?”
“I thought we could continue our conversation.”
“I don’t think there is much left to discuss.” She sat down on the recliner across from him.
“Sure there is,” he said. “I was wondering if you’d like to come to the office and have a look around. You could see what Callahan Industries has in the works for a few new structures we’ve been contracted to build.”
“I’d love to,” she said. “Your dad was going to set something up for me, but then he got sick.”
He looked down at his hands. She remembered how close he’d been to his father. Mr. Callahan was always going on about all the wonderful things Brody accomplished. He was proud of his son.
“Sorry,” she said. “You probably miss him.”
“Very much.” He nodded. “He was a special man.”
“I enjoyed his company. He helped me write my entrance essay for college when I was a senior in high school.”
“Did he?”
“I didn’t work for your family back then, but I’d come to pick up my grandmother and he insisted on having a glass of iced tea with me while I waited.” She smiled at the memory. “I showed him some of my drawings and he said I should do something with them.”
“My father had a good eye and a keen sense for success. I’m sure he was right about your drawings.”
“He’d be a little disappointed in me now.” Jason Callahan had a way of making her feel as if she could be successful at just about anything. Her parents died when she was very young, and she didn’t have a male influence in her life. The direction he gave her during her last year of high school helped her more than he probably knew. She was grateful for the time she spent with him.
“Nonsense.” Brody shook his head. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-two.”
“You still have time to finish school and do all the things you’ve dreamed of. I know working for the Evil Queen isn’t in your plans for much longer.”
She tried to push back the lump forming in her throat, but the familiar sting in her eyes alerted her that it was too late. She lost the grip on the thin hold she had on her emotions. Before her pregnancy, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried. She’d more than made up for that since peeing on that stick.
Don’t cry…don’t cry…
She wanted to accomplish all the things she’d dreamed of, but how was she ever going to go back to school and become an architect now? Her baby was her priority. Before she realized it, Brody was kneeling by her feet and taking her hand in his.
“Hey,” he whispered. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“What?” She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “It’s not you. I’m just going through some stuff right now.” She looked down at their joined hands. “I’m sorry. I’m a little emotional today.”
“You want to talk about it?” He gently squeezed her hand. “I could listen.”
“You’re so sweet.” She continued to stare at the connection he’d created between them. His hands were big and strong, but there was a tenderness about him that made it easy for her to trust him. She liked his touch. “I’m fine.”
“I’m here if you want to talk.” He ran his thumb over the top of her hand. “About anything.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I’d like to get to know you,” he said. “You’re smart and funny and my father liked you. That’s good enough for me.”
“I liked your dad too. You remind me of him. You have the same eyes.” Claudia studied his face. “When you talk I feel like I’m speaking to him. I never noticed how much you favored him.”
“Yes, my mother often jokes that I’m all Callahan through and through.”
“I’ve never met your mother.”
“She moved to Paris a few years ago. I went to visit her last month, but with my schedule I don’t get there as often as I’d like.”
“My grandmother speaks fondly of her.”
“My parents divorced when I was five. Once my father married the Queen.” He stopped and smirked at her. “My mom didn’t come around the house anymore. I lived with Mom while I was growing up, but I spent weekends and summers with my father.”
“With the Wicked Stepmom?”
He nodded.
“Was that hard?”
“My father wouldn’t allow her to treat me any differently than she did Gavin. She was busy spending my dad’s money, so she didn’t bother me.”
“Are you close to Gavin?” Claudia wasn’t sure why she asked him about Gavin. It just seemed to tumble out of her mouth. She knew she was moving into dangerous territory by befriending the uncle of her baby.
“We used to be. I was the devoted older brother, so I looked out for him. I still do, but he doesn’t see it that way.” He increased the pressure on her hand. “He’s not real fond of me this week.”
She sensed his displeasure. “You didn’t want to date his girlfriend’s sister?” Claudia didn’t care what Gavin was up to, but she had this sick obsession to ask.
“Um, no,” he said. “They both look like Malibu Barbie.”
“Some men are into that.” It figured Gavin’s girlfriend would look like a Barbie doll.
“I prefer my women a bit more realistic.” He stared into her eyes with his intense gaze, and her stomach did that fluttering thing again.
Strange.
“Why is Gavin upset with you?” She tried to ignore the commotion in her belly.
“I’m sending him to Boston. He needs some training.”
“For how long?” A sudden sense of relief came over her. If Gavin left New York for a bit, maybe she could continue to work for the Callahans. It would be easier with him out of the picture, and she could save a little more money.
“A few months, tops,” he said. “But he’s pissed. He thinks it’s a punishment. It isn’t. I want him to run this company with me. I need him to help me, but I can’t trust him yet. He has some growing up to do.”
“I’ll say.” She bit her lip. “I mean, he seems immature for his age.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“I’m sure he’ll realize you’re trying to help him.”
“I hope so.”
She looked down at their hands again. “You’re still holding my hand.”
“I’m sorry.” He let go. “I didn’t even realize.”
“It was kind of nice.”
He smiled, and then softly stroked her arm. “I’ll remember that for next time.”
Will there be a next time?
* * * *
Brody drove away from the spot in front of Claudia’s apartment as a glimmer of hope flashed before him. He regretted leaving, but he’d stayed with her for nearly three hours. He loved the sound of her voice. He could’ve stayed much longer, but she was practically falling asleep right before his eyes. He felt sorry for her. Perhaps she worked too hard? Maybe he could find a way to send her back to school and set her up with a part-time job at the office. He’d have to pitch it to her as an internship. She didn’t look like the kind of girl who would take a handout.
She was such a beautiful, intelligent young woman, but he detected a hint of sadness behind her eyes. They seemed to me missing their spark. He wanted to make her smile. She looked as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. He wondered what made her so unhappy. Maybe there was something he could do to help fix her problems. A promising girl with a bright future shouldn’t be so sad. He’d set up the tour of his office and offer her a job. If her talent was good enough for his dad than it was good enough for him.
He came into the garage of his high-rise, tucking his Mercedes into his reserved spot, and took the elevator up to his penthouse. He wondered when he’d see Claudia again. He didn’t want to come off as a stalker, but there was something about her he wanted to explore. She had no idea how appealing she was to him and that made her all the more attractive.
When he stepped out of the elevator, his perfect mood disappeared. He hadn’t expected to deal with Gavin until Monday morning. His brother was lounging in a chair in the private sitting area just outside Brody’s suite.
“What are you doing here?” Brody walked toward him.
“What? Not happy to see me, big brother?”
“I would be if we didn’t argue all the time.” Brody unlocked his door and walked into the foyer. “I’m not in the mood for a tantrum.”
“I’m not planning to throw one.” Gavin followed him into the penthouse. “I want you to reconsider Boston.”
“Not happening.”
“Come on.” Gavin leaned against the banister of the staircase.”I don’t want to go.”
“It’s only for a couple of months.” Brody should have known when Gavin agreed to go it was much too easy. Gavin never did what was expected of him.
“I’m in a relationship with Mona. I don’t do long distance well.”
“New York is a short plane ride to Boston. You could fly her out on the weekends.”
“I shouldn’t have to do that,” he said. “You shouldn’t be forcing me to go.”
“You’re impossible.” Brody threw his hands in the air. “You’ve had everything handed to you your whole life.”
“Like you haven’t?”
“I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I’m the one who kept this company going when Dad was sick and after he died. The board members fought me at every turn, but I made sure this company remained ours.”
“You never let me forget.” Gavin shook his head.
“I won’t let you forget because you won’t help me!” Why is he so frustrating? “I can’t do this alone forever.”
“You don’t have to. Make me full partner and let me stay here.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Brody had just about had it with his brother. “You’re not ready and you refuse learn from me.”
“I’m not going to Boston. Dad wouldn’t make me.” He pushed up from the banister and stood face to face with Brody. “And neither will you.”
“The hell I won’t.” Brody clenched his fists. “Do you know how lucky you are?”
“Oh, here we go. The ‘I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth’ speech.”
“Yeah, you were, but I’ll cut you off and out of this company.”
Gavin opened his mouth to speak, but Brody stopped him.
“Shut it.” He stepped toward his brother. “Do you know how many people are struggling? How many are out there without a job or even a car?” He thought about Claudia and how troubled she looked. She had more pressure in her life than she deserved, and Gavin stood there and took it all for granted. “Some people can’t feed their kids. You are going to Boston or so help me God, you’ll be on unemployment. Are we clear?”
Gavin looked down at his feet.
“I will freeze the trust fund.” Brody didn’t want to go there with Gavin, but he left him no choice.
“Fine.”
“What do you mean?” Brody said.
“I’ll fuckin’ go to Boston and learn everything Jacob Fuller has to teach me. But when I come back, you will make me partner.”
“You don’t get to issue me ultimatums. You’ll be my partner when I say you’re ready.”
Gavin let out an exasperated breath and shook his head. “We’ll see.” He could be so smug.
“You’re headed in the right direction by going to Boston.” Brody hated to fight with Gavin. They were close once. There wasn’t anything Brody wouldn’t do for his brother. “Shall I have my driver pick you up and you can ride with me to the airport?”
“Yes,” he said. “I’ll see you on Monday morning.”
Brody nodded as he watched Gavin leave. Maybe Gavin would thank him one day. He doubted it, but Brody had no choice other than to send his brother to Boston.