“Uh, yeah, right,” Jase murmurs. “Anything I can do?” he asks.
Even though he’s not my biological son, he still is a chip off the old block. Never afraid to work weekends or late nights. Whatever it takes to get the job done.
“I’ll let you know if I…,” I start.
The idea hits me like a thunderbolt.
“Dad?” Jase asks, sounding like he’s cutting out himself.
“Actually, Jase. I think I want you to head west this week. Fly out and go over the plan changes with the Phelps account.”
“Me!?” Jase croaks, and I hear him swallowing hard.
“Sure,” I tell him confidently. “It’s all about the numbers anyway, and you’ll need to do more than just sit at a desk someday. It’s first-class all the way,” I tease him. Knowing he loves anything that feels like money. Even though we live well, it’s never splashed around. I didn’t raise Jase like that.
We get what we earn, and this week coming up is as good a time as any for him to see another side of the business.
“Dad… I dunno what to say. Thanks, I guess,” he mumbles again, embarrassed but showing his genuine feelings.
“I know you’ve always needed something a bit bigger to chew on, so here it is,” I exclaim, feeling good about it in more ways than one.
“But what about Vanessa?” Jase groans. “She’ll start Monday. Yeah? So who’s gonna look after her, show her the ropes?” he adds, sounding like a protective friend should.
I hum thoughtfully but smile as I see my plan coming together.
“Just make sure she knows she definitely has the job, and I expect her here in my office, Monday morning, nine A.M. sharp,” I quip, using my boss voice.
“I will, I will,” Jase says anxiously. “Once I get a hold of her. I’ll try her again now, Dad. It’s just so unlike her not to get back to me right away.”
“I’ll see ya, Jase,” I tell him, dying inside with my own anxiety for Vanessa, but I can’t let Jase suspect anything.
“And pack a bag or three. The plane leaves tomorrow morning,” I inform him before signing off. Suddenly deciding it might not be the smartest move to send Jase as an envoy to our biggest client, but it does get the message to Vanessa that I expect her here.
It does help to get his feet wet with the business. But, it also gets Jase out of the office for a few days. That way, I can start over with Vanessa.
No screw-ups this time, and I’ll be taking it super slow.
No hugs. No laps.
And no fucking hard-on this time…not in the office anyway.
I groan quietly, shifting my eyes down to my still aching crotch.
I need to fucking come so bad…but I know there’s only one place this belongs….
Maybe I can release a little pressure later on, but for now, even though Jase is happy with his new project, I still have to assume that Vanessa’s out there somewhere alone.
I don’t like that. I need to know she’s safe, and I need to know she’ll be coming back.
Vanessa’s resume is bound to have her number and address on it.
I lift her resume folder from the trash. The thing looks an inch thick, and my prediction is right.
Name, address, and phone numbers. All here in black and white.
I know where to look for her, and lifting the handset of my office phone by reflex, I remember what Jase just said about her not picking up.
A bad sign.
It takes an effort of my will, but I know if anyone’s gonna talk to her soon, it’ll be Jase. And he’ll pass on my message about being here Monday.
I have to tell myself that as I put the receiver down.
Monday? That’s like a day and a half away. I need to see her sooner than that. I need to know where she is.
Lifting my leather jacket from the back of my chair, I use it to cover myself, breezing past reception.
Marie is busy with her own tasks, barely looking up as I pass.
I’m heading to that side of town where she lives a few minutes later. Not an area I’m familiar with, but what better reason than to go find out.
I’ll just swing by. Just looking.
No getting out of the car. Just making sure she got home safe.
On the way, I get a call from a nearby site we’re working on. And as per usual, duty calls. Delaying me by a few hours by the time I can get back on the road.
Jase has been texting me, sounding worried but letting me know he’s heading over to Vanessa’s place too.
Like I said, a chip off the old block. So I guess I’ll have to use stealth mode if I’m gonna check up on Vanessa myself.
By the time I find her street, I spot Jase’s car out front and slow down. Hoping he won’t see me.