Chapter Twenty
Later that morning,much later than Miranda had planned, she and Lucas rode the elevator to the executive level, holding hands. The doors parted and Cole and Stacia stood on the other side. For a moment, everyone froze like a rabbit scenting a predator, unsure of how to act. Stacia’s gaze dropped to the entwined hands and her brows rose slowly. Cole’s face quickly went blank, not showing any emotion, but his eyes darkened as he looked at Lucas.
Miranda straightened, then tugged Lucas, and they stepped out of the elevator. After a long moment exchanging looks with Lucas, Cole only nodded and got on the elevator. The doors started to close before Stacia shook out of her surprise and slipped inside before they shut.
Miranda let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and looked at Lucas, who was studying her with an unreadable expression. Her hands shook and she stepped into a small alcove off the side of the elevators. Lucas followed her.
“Everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t expect to see anyone,” she replied.
He plunged his hands in his pockets. “Does it matter so much?”
“We hadn’t talked about bringing this into the office. How do you feel about it?”
He shrugged. “I’m not ashamed and I won’t hide from us.” He cast her a sideways glance. “How do you feel about it?”
How did she feel? Obviously she felt comfortable enough to be holding his hand in the elevator, in the office. A part of her must have wanted to get caught.
“Why should it matter? We’re both adults. What we do on our own time doesn’t affect anyone else.”
“What if word gets back to your father?”
Shit. Her father. She bit her lower lip and leaned against the wall, mind racing. “Cole won’t say anything. Stacia has no reason to talk to Dad, so I think we’re good.”
He advanced further into the small space, until she could feel the heat radiating off his body. “Maybe I don’t care what your father thinks. Maybe I want everyone to know. What do you think about that?”
She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “I’d prefer to tell my father in my own way. Not have gossip get back to him.”
He retreated a few steps. “So you want to keep this a secret?”
“No, I want you to come to dinner.”
*
Miranda spent themorning trying to concentrate on status reports, while a part of her whirled away to Lucas and the scene that morning. She hoped he didn’t feel trapped into admitting to the relationship, forced because they were seen. No matter. They were in for it now.
A quick knock at the door was a welcome distraction. She glanced up and saw Stacia in the doorway, an excited look on her face.
She looked behind her then slipped in the door, almost racing to the desk. “So, when did that happen? Opening Day?” Stacia sat in one of the chairs, leaning forward with her elbows on the desk. “I didn’t know you two had gotten so close.”
Miranda face burned, taking her time to choose the right words. Not that she knew what to say. “I’m not really sure how it happened.”
Stacia snorted. “I’ll tell you. Late nights, long hours, traveling. He’s hot and you’re pretty. What else do you need?”
“Respect.” The word came out before she had time to bite it back.
Stacia nodded. “Respect is critical. Do you have it?”
Miranda pursed her lips and gazed out over the empty stadium. “I think so. He listens to me, and offers suggestions, not orders. I didn’t expect that.”
“The brain is the sexiest organ.” Stacia grinned.
Miranda thought for a long moment. It was nice to have someone to talk to. She could trust Stacia. Stacia and Jason rarely spoke with Seamus so her secret would be safe with her. Not only that, since Miranda had taken over the presidency, she had lost several of her friends. Different interests and all that, not to mention time. She and Stacia had known each other for years growing up but had gotten much closer since last fall when Stacia helped, and subsequently fell in love, with Jason Friar. She had had the same struggles and figured it out. Maybe she could help Miranda.
“Is that how it happened with you and Jason?”
Stacia leaned back in the chair and crossed one leg over the other. “I’m not really sure how it happened. Hot sex helped but it was more important that he was there for me, supporting me with my job, my father. It happened slow, over time.”
Miranda shifted forward in her chair and propped her chin in her hand. “You only had a few months.”
“That was the beginning of our relationship. We didn’t decide to marry right away. We work on it every day. You and Lucas are just getting started. You’ll figure it out.” Stacia paused. “What does your father think?”
Miranda laughed. “I haven’t told him yet. But I have to, especially now that it’s in the open.”
Stacia stood up. “Well, stick firm, Miranda. I like Lucas and I think he can be good for you. Don’t let anyone else into your relationship. It’s hard enough with two people, never mind adding in a third person.”
She walked out of the room, leaving Miranda to her thoughts.