I hear his fingers tapping on computer keys. “Looks like he took some time off. Probably found a glitch or bumped into a patent issue.”
“Let’s hope it’s the former. Send him a note. Say I’m still interested if he’d like to talk to me and see if there are any rising projects along the same lines out there. I want to be the go-to guy when it comes to military security.”
“You always were. Until you dropped out of sight.”
“Right. I’ll be doing research on my end, and Stephen, get me an invite to the Empire Investments annual gala.”
If anyone can get me to the capital investors’ Manhattan party of the year, it’s my old Navy buddy.
“Are you saying you’re back?”
“I’m back.”
With Ruby taking care of Lillie, I won’t be fighting with anyone. I can work uninterrupted. I’ll dig in and make the most of my time, not having to check in and intervene every few hours.
Still, Eleanor’s voice is in my head. “Your daughter is only four once. A large inheritance won’t make up for spending time with her father.”
As much as it grates my nerves, she’s right.
I grew up with a dad who chose work over me. He was never around for anything I did. He missed every baseball game, every science fair, and every awards ceremony. Yet, he always showed up to let me know when I was getting off track. He always managed to assert his control without ever showing me his love.
Lillie will not have the same lonely childhood I did.
Pulling out a post-it, I hastily scribble a note across the front: Time for Lillie.
I slap it on the bulletin board and stick a pin in it to be sure it doesn’t fall off.
Every day, no matter what, I’ll make time for her, spend time with her, make sure she knows no matter how important Daddy’s job is, it’s never more important than her.
A close second: No sex with Ruby.
My hand goes to my stomach, and I rub the sting away. Yeah, she’s pretty great. Her smile warms my insides and everything she does feels special. The worst thing I could do is have a casual fling with her.
For starters, what happens when it’s over? How could she continue working here with us seeing each other every day? How could she continue living in the house? It’s too much of a risk to expect things to go back to normal after something like that.
I suppose it could happen, but I can’t take the chance. No matter how strong my feelings are for her, I will not act on them.
I don’t write it down, obviously, but it’s decided.
The rapid thud of footsteps on the stairs draws my attention to my open door just in time to see the woman in question on her way to the third floor.
Her purple skirt swishes around her legs, up to her narrow waist. Her silky hair falls around her shoulders and her small breasts bounce… Damn, I reach down to adjust my fly.
Turning quickly, I swipe the mouse back and forth to bring my oversized Mac to life. A large colorful bar graph is on the screen.
Yes, market analysis is what I need. The perfect boner-killer…
I refocus my thoughts.
I’ve always been good at tests. No reason to think I’ll fail this one.
7
Ruby
“Wait. How long have I been gone?” Drew’s voice is all the comfort I need after my run-in with the elementary school bitches turned preschool mean moms. “You’re a nanny?”
I’m pacing my enormous bedroom on the third floor. “And you’re not going to believe how much he’s paying me.”