Nineteen

Morgan

I hadn’t made it to see Patrick at lunch. In fact, I hadn’t even eaten lunch. I’d been slaving away at my computer until my eyes became blurry and a headache began to morph into a migraine. And, still, I pushed through the pain.

I had to. I had four meetings, three conference calls, and at least a week’s worth of backed up emails and messages that needed to be sorted. There was never a shortage in work.

When David came by to say he was going to get dinner and would be back in a half hour, I was half-delirious and stuck on another conference call. I waved him off when he offered to get me something. I couldn’t even tell if I was hungry anymore. There was just too much to do and a headache to ignore.

My call finally ended, and I hung up with a sigh. I was rubbing my temples therapeutically when I heard a knock at my door.

Great. Another meeting.

“Come in,” I said.

“Good to see you, too,” Patrick said with a crooked smile.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, jumping to my feet. Then, immediately, I regretted it as a wave of dizziness hit me. I had to clutch the desk to steady myself.

“Are you all right?”

He stepped up to the desk, as if he wanted to help me stand. I straightened and backed away from the help. I didn’t need help. I didn’t need anyone’s help. I never needed anyone’s help.

“I’m fine.”

He frowned and furrowed his brows at me. As if he couldn’t possibly understand why I was acting like this.

“You seem upset. Did something happen? Have you eaten anything today?”

“I said, I’m fine,” I repeated with more venom than I’d intended.

He stepped backward at my force. Then, he seemed to shake it off and smiled again. “Maybe I should get you out of here. You seem like you need a break. I could cook you dinner and tell you about my first day.”

“I said, I’m fine!” I yelled this time. “God, don’t you get it? I don’t want to leave. I have too much to do. I’m the CEO of this company. I can’t just flit after you whenever you want to be together. Work has to come first. Okay?”

Patrick’s eyes rounded in shock. “Morgan, I’m not trying to interfere with work. I was simply offering to make you dinner.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Help me understand. I feel like I’m missing something here. This weekend, we were together, and now, you’re yelling at me.”

I let out a frustrated sigh and released the tension I’d had in my shoulders all day. “I know. It’s not you. Not really.”

“Can I be clued in on what’s really going on around here?”

Patrick walked around my desk and pulled me into his arms. I went with little resistance, closing my eyes and listening to the beat of his heart. It soothed my aching head and brought back some clarity.

“I’m sorry. Jensen was here this morning. The board is worried about having me here as the CEO because I was gone this weekend.”

Patrick reeled back. “That’s outrageous.”

“I know.”

“You were still working this weekend. You answered emails and everything. I saw you.”

“I know.”

“Plus, Jensen used to leave all the time, and no one said he wasn’t fit to be CEO.”

“I know.”

“And you’re the most dedicated person I know. You are Wright Construction.”

“I know all of that. But that doesn’t seem to matter. It only matters what lies are being spread about me and how my new position is perceived. I feel like, when I’m with you…I forget about work. I let it slip away, and I just…am.”

“Morgan, I hate to break this to you, but that’s how life is supposed to be. Your entire life isn’t work. You should relax at home and remember to eat and live a little.”

I chewed on my lip. “I want all of those things, and I want them all with you. It just seems like whatever balance there is in my life needs to be tipped toward my job right now.”

“Okay. I understand that. But I don’t think that means at the expense of your health and sanity.”

“I could maybe compromise on that. But it’s harder with my uncle snooping around here right now.”

“What’s going on with your uncle? I saw him on campus today.”

“You did?” I asked in surprise. “What was he doing there?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I went to get a snack at the Union, and he was talking to some administrators. He said hi to me when he recognized me and asked about my new job, and that was it.”

“Hmm,” I said. “Weird.”

“It’s not that weird. He’s an alumnus. I’m sure he’s a big donor.”

“I’m sure he is. But, right now, everything about him gets on my nerves. He was talking to the board and telling them that I wasn’t working, trying to sabotage me. I don’t even know why.”

“Have you asked him about it? I mean…maybe he actually thinks he’s being helpful.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right. He might have everyone else fooled, but he has never said a kind word to me in private. He acts like I should be the hot little secretary.”

“Wait,” Patrick said, raising his hand, “can you be my hot little secretary?”

“You can’t afford me,” I deadpanned.

“I was thinking something a little more sexual.”

“Chauvinist.”

He grinned. “I’ll let you into the good ole boys’ club.”

I gagged. “Hard pass.”

“It was a euphemism,” he said with a wink.

“Now, who is ridiculous?” I asked with a grin.

“Aha! There it is!”

“What?”

“Your smile.” His hands cupped my jaw and pulled me in for a slow kiss. “I was waiting for that.”

“I can’t believe you won this.”

“I can’t believe I won you.”

The next kiss was like nothing before. He didn’t just taste me. He devoured me. I forgot where I was and explored his body, channeling all my frustrations from the day into that kiss. It was hot and heavy and made me think about throwing him down on my new desk and taking advantage of him.

A throat cleared behind us, and we launched apart. Our chests were pounding as the realization of what we had been doing and where hit us.

“Sorry to have, uh…interrupted,” David said from the doorway. There was a small blush on his cheeks.

“Patrick was just leaving,” I said quickly.

David held up a bag. “I got you dinner. I knew you hadn’t eaten today.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m going to, uh, you know, leave this here.” He dropped it onto a chair by the door and then disappeared.

I sank back into my own chair and put my head into my hands. “Well, that went well.”

“David is fine,” Patrick said. “He’ll be fine.”

“I know. He’s not going to say anything, but I just…I don’t know. I’m so stressed. I should take this week to get caught up.”

“Do what you have to do,” he said. “Just come over to my place, or I can meet you at yours whenever you finish. I don’t care what time it is.”

“Are you sure?” I asked with hopeful eyes.

He dropped to his knees in front of me and forced me to look at him. “Of course I’m sure. We’re together, right?”

I nodded.

“I might be new to being in a relationship, but I’m pretty sure I already knew what I signed up for with you.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“A slightly neurotic workaholic with a heart of gold.”

“That sounds like me,” I said with a short laugh.

“I like you just the way you are. So, come see me when you’re finished here.”

“All right. I’ll do that.”

He kissed me again and then left. As soon as he was out of the office, my headache returned. I sighed and got back to work.

It was Thursday before I finally left the office on time. I’d made plans to hang out with Sutton and her best friend, Annie, while David watched Jason. I knew it was important to spend time with my sister right now. She was only five months without her husband and still fragile.

I changed quickly at my apartment and made it over to Sutton’s house right on time. She trotted out of the house in an all black ensemble that would make Emery and Julia proud. Annie followed close behind in forest green pants and a black sweater. Her red hair swayed behind her. They both hopped in the car.

“Thanks for coming out with me,” Sutton said by way of greeting.

“Sut, of course! I’m glad we get to spend some time together.” I grinned at Annie in the rearview mirror. “Hey Annie.”

“Sup, Morgan.

“So what’s the plan?”

She sighed, and I suddenly noticed that she looked like she’d aged beyond her twenty-three years. I felt bad for noticing.

“Can we just go to a movie? I’d really like to be somewhere quiet without any responsibilities.”

“Sure.”

I pulled away from her house and started to drive to the local Alamo Drafthouse. I didn’t know what was playing, but it really didn’t matter.

We bought tickets for some obscure indie film that none of us had ever heard of. The theater was empty, and we picked seats in the very back.

As soon as we sat down, Annie’s phone started ringing. She groaned. “It’s Todd. I’ll be right back.

She disappeared back down the stairs. I arched an eyebrow at Sutton.

She waved her hand. “New guy. I don’t like him.”

“I see.”

“So, what’s been going on with you?” Sutton asked.

“Just work stuff.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think so. You seem off.”

“I’m here for you, and you’re the one interrogating me?” I asked a little defensively.

“What’s there for you to ask me? My husband is dead. I have an eighteen-month-old son who will grow up without his father. I’m pretty much the same.”

I winced at her harsh words and wished that I hadn’t. This anger, I knew, was part of her grieving. I couldn’t be upset that she was taking some of it out on me. For a while there, she’d hated the entire world. The fact that she was leaving the house, even for something as mundane as seeing a movie, was major progress.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me,” she said. “Just talk to me. I’m tired of being treated like I’m made of porcelain. Everyone tiptoes around me. I won’t break.”

“We don’t think that.”

She shot me a classic Wright look of indignation. It was so perfect, I actually laughed.

“What?” she gasped.

“You just…remind me of Jensen.”

She sighed and sat back heavily. “I don’t mean to act like this. I can’t control how angry I get at everything.”

“It’s okay. You can be mad at me. I’m used to that from you.” I laughed, and Sutton rolled her eyes. “I guess there is one thing I could ask.”

“Oh, great, here it goes,” Sutton said.

“What’s up with David?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s great with Jason. He seems really interested in helping.”

“He is,” Sutton agreed. “I don’t know what’s up with him, but I appreciate his help. It sucks, being a single mom.”

“You’re a great mom though.”

“Thank you. But there’s nothing between David and me, if that’s what you’re asking. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to start dating again. Let alone right now when, most days, the only reason I get out of bed is because of my son.”

“I wasn’t suggesting—”

Sutton held up her hand. “It’s fine, Mor. Now, tell me why you’re acting so weird.”

I took a deep breath and decided it was time. I couldn’t hold everything in, and I figured a test run on Sutton would be smart.

“I’ve…kind of started seeing someone.”

“Really?” she asked, brightening. “Who?”

I paused uncomfortably before saying, “Patrick.”

Sutton squealed. She actually squealed. I stared at her in utter shock. My little sister was back for that one moment of pure joy. And it was all for me.

“Finally! I’m so happy for you! Oh my God! When did this happen? How did this happen? Why aren’t we celebrating with everyone?”

“Because…other than you, only four other people know, and they all found out on accident.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but we have three scary older brothers, and one of them is Patrick’s best friend, who just got out of rehab.”

“So?”

“Austin slept with Steph when she was in high school. Patrick blew a gasket, and he doesn’t want to lose his friendship with Austin.”

“Okay. So, he thinks it’ll either be you or Austin, and he can’t have both?”

I shrugged. “I think he’s just nervous, and he doesn’t know what to expect. When we first started, I was all for it. You know our brothers are nosy and get in our business and are all judgmental. This is so new and fresh. I just want to experience it without anyone else’s thoughts about it.”

“But now?”

“But, now…I don’t like hiding.”

“Then, don’t hide.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It is that simple. If you love someone, then there are no obstacles too great.”

“I mean…love,” I whispered, choking on the word. “I’ve liked Patrick for years, but love? Love is something that takes time and dedication. It takes reciprocation. It takes, you know, actually saying the words and meaning it and having the other person say it and mean it back.”

“You two have been circling each other for years. Love is not too strong a word to use when you’ve crashed into each other’s orbit.”

I blushed and looked down. “When did you get so wise?”

“Trust me, you don’t want the life experience it takes,” Sutton said. “Just appreciate what you have when you have it. And tell Patrick how you feel. You don’t want to wake up one day and remember all the things you never said.”