THATCHER
I make an attempt to clean up my studio a bit before Emma gets here. I know she's supposed to write about me in a positive light no matter what, but I've never had anyone from the press meet me in my space before. I really don't let anyone in here but staff. My work in progress is too important to me, too private. I hope Emma doesn't look too carefully at the things that aren't complete. She seemed to really like the bonsai, though, so that sets my mind at ease a bit.
I start to think about why it matters to me that she likes my art. That's different. I usually don't give a shit what people think of my glass…buy it or move over has always been my motto. I feel bad for hitting on her at the conservatory. I guess I have to re-classify her as someone I know professionally. For some reason I'm always able to rein it in with women in a professional context. I could kill Cody for making me think she was a groupie. This whole thing could have been avoided.
It would be nice if she wants to get wild with me, though. I remember the way her body looked in those slim pants and that breezy top that gave just a hint of her curves. And fuck me, a red head. Even her eyelashes are red. I noticed when I was staring at her in the parking lot, pleading with her to accept my crazy scheme. I wonder what it feels like to wrap that red hair around my fist, yank her head back…suck on her neck. Knock it off, Thatcher. This is going to be a long month.
I've got to not only not hit on Emma, but I can't go out and find anyone else to sleep with, either. If word gets back to my family that I'm cheating on my so-called fiancé, Tim would treat me like worse garbage than he is already. It fucking sucks having perfect brothers.
I hear a knock at the door, and walk over to answer it a little too quickly. I curse under my breath when I see that it's not Emma Cheswick, but my sister in law Alice, blowing on my nephew's cheeks. Fuck. I totally forgot I told them I'd babysit tonight.
"And there's Uncle Thatcher!" Alice coos to Peter, who claps his hand and reaches for my beard. Always with the damn beard. I hope he doesn't have anything sticky on his fingers.
"Come here, squirt." I pull him in and toss him up on my shoulders, where he moves his hands immediately to my hair.
"Thatcher, I really appreciate you watching him for us tonight. It means so much to us to be able to go to Dad's retirement dinner." Her eyes shine. I know she's proud of her dad, and also feeling a little blue that her mom can't be here for this. Alice's mom died of cancer when she was in high school, just a few years after our mom died.
"Dude-time with Petey is my pleasure, Alice." I lean down so she can reach me to kiss my cheek. Her hair is wild and curly as ever, but I notice Petey doesn't yank on it like he does mine.
"My brother isn't with you is he," I ask, not sure what I hope the answer will be.
She shakes her head, though, and I feel some relief. "He's still at the office reviewing notes with Juniper. They're trying to get things squared away before she and Ty leave for their honeymoon. Tim's meeting me at the restaurant."
I nod. "Well, I want you both to have a great time and not worry. Whatever I can't figure out, I'll just Google." She bites her lower lip and creases her brow. "Relax, Alice. I've watched Peter before." I don't tell her that Emma will be here soon helping me out. That's what a fiancé does, right? Helps with the nephews. As Alice pulls away I smile, thinking this month might not be so bad after all.
Peter and I head into my attached apartment and I turn some kids show on the TV. I sit on the floor next to him to watch and he crawls right into my lap. I don't get a lot of one on one time with him. It's nice just chilling with the little dude, even if he does yank on my hair. Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rings. Emma.
I answer the door carrying Petey in a football hold, and he drools and laughs as Emma's face registers shock at seeing me with a baby.
"You have a child?"
"Ha! No way, babe. Petey here is my nephew and I forgot that we are hanging out tonight. Hope it's ok if he sits in on the interview."
Emma looks uncertain, but I step back from the door and Petey starts clapping his hands. He's damn charming, like all the Stag men. She can't help but smile, and we all sit together on the rug. "Fire away, Ms. Cheswick," I say, pulling Petey back from her laptop as she tries to open up all her stuff.
"Maybe I should sit up higher," she says, climbing onto the couch. Peter pulls himself to standing and slaps at her laptop. I like this kid even more. He's pushing Emma's buttons, literally, and she's cute as hell when she's irritated. Her face flushes as red as her hair.
I lie on my back on the carpet and start to play airplane with Peter so he's out of reach of Emma. "Thanks," she says, and I catch her staring at my abs as my t-shirt rides up when I swoop Petey around. "So, um, why don't you tell me how you first got interested in glass."