My sister had one thing correct—this project is important to me. Not only is it part of my father’s plans, but it’s also something I took and made my own, not to mention it’s at Lauren’s school. A chance to also do something important to her.
There is a knock on the conference room door, and we both look up to see Chase standing in the doorway with Liam in his arms.
“Sorry, I hope I’m not interrupting anything, but we were hoping we could steal you away for lunch.”
Is it lunchtime already?
“Aww, thanks, Chase, I’d love to go to lunch, but don’t you think you should ask your wife instead?” I joke, earning me a slap to the back of the head. Kelsey laughs, shaking her head as she rises from her chair and walks over to join them.
As soon as Liam sees his mom, he reaches out for her, and my sister’s face lights up.
“So, can we take you to lunch?” Chase asks after kissing her briefly.
“I don’t know. We’re kind of swamped.” I can see the internal battle in Kelsey’s mind, wanting to spend time with her family but also keep working. It’s written all over her face as she brings her bottom lip between her teeth.
I stand to adjust my sleeves. “Kels, go to lunch with your family. I’ll clean all this up here, and we can meet up in a little bit.” My father built this business as a family man. He managed to not only run a successful business but also was there for Kels
ey and me whenever we needed him. He didn’t miss football games or dance recitals and was there for every dinner. We need to uphold that same standard.
“Are you sure?” she asks, tilting her head to the side and pulling her necklace from Liam’s grasp.
“Yeah, go. Remember, as you always remind me, I’m the boss, and that’s an order.”
She walks over and presses up to kiss my cheek before looking down at my nephew. In her baby-talk voice, she coos, “Isn’t Uncle Finn the best?”
Chase wraps his arm around his wife’s lower back. “You want anything, man?” he asks over his shoulder.
I look up as I shuffle papers around. “Yeah, sure. Surprise me.”
With that, they are out the door, and I am left alone surrounded by work. I make my way back to my office and check my phone. Still nothing from Lauren.
My fingers itch to text her, but it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. I said I would give her time. If she hasn’t worked through whatever it is and I push her, I might undo any progress we have made and push her in the wrong direction. But after last night, with a glimpse of what we could be, I’m not sure how much time I can last.
I busy myself in my work, going through budgets and schedules.
An hour and a half later, I’m standing in my sister’s office doorway, keeping quiet as I watch Kelsey and Chase sit on the floor playing with Liam. I observe the smile on her face, and I know what I need to do. Dad left this company to me, and Kelsey’s words ring loud and clear in my ear. We need help! She has a family, and when Lauren comes to her senses, I am going to want to spend as much time with her as I can.
Kelsey finally looks up and helps Liam wave to me. “Look, it’s Uncle Finn!” She laughs as he gets excited, clapping his hands together. This kid is growing up way too fast.
I walk into her office and crouch down next to where they sit. “Hey, munchkin.” He smiles at me. While everyone’s attention is focused on Liam, I look between my sister and brother-in-law.
“I want to bring someone else on as my right-hand man. Someone I trust.”
My sister looks up in shock. “So, it sounds like you already have someone in mind.”
I nod. “I do, I’m also going to need you to cover things for a day or two here.”
“Why, where are you going?”
“Seattle.”
There is only one man I can think of that I trust enough to bring this on, who could see my vision for not only this project but all other ones and could execute it just as I would—Jax.
I kiss her on the top of her head and then my nephews. I rise to my feet and slap Chase on the back.
I give one last glance to my family, and the corners of my mouth curve upward as I imagine not only working side by side with my sister and my best friend, but Lauren sitting on my office floor with our future kids.
When I lost Lauren and then my dad, I lost my way. But the hope that that vision brings gives me a sense of peace and happiness. I think I could like that life.