Daniel looks up as we walk in. “Hey, Jeni, didn’t know you were coming in today. Great to see you. How are the little angels doing?”
“They’re gorgeous. Just here for today. Might come back once a week for a little while. I want to see how things pan out with the girls, and also if Callie’s okay with babysitting one day a week. I don’t want to burden her too much.”
“Well, it’s good to have you back. Even if it is just for a day,” Daniel says.
I walk Jeni to her desk and kiss her head. She smiles and sits, then I make my way into my office and shut the door behind me. I hear Jeni and Daniel continuing to talk and laugh.
Suddenly, a wave of nerves hits me as I stand against my shut door and just breathe. This feels wrong. I shouldn’t be here. I don’t belong here anymore. I’m not an O’Connell. So, why should I be running the company that Niall left me?
I exhale and make my way to my desk and turn on my computer. I have so many thoughts running through my head, I have no idea how to even start my day.
Should I ask Killian to come over before the Johnson meeting?
Or should I wait until after, so if Brielle wants me out of here, then I can just go?
I decide on the latter and pick up my phone to dial Killian’s number.
“Hey, hey, hey, big bro. What d’ya know?” he asks cheerily.
“Not much, how’s life?”
He chuckles. “You know, same ole, same ole. How are the twins? And my little nephew?”
“They’re all doing great. Mom and Mike are taking care of them today. Jeni’s come in to finish off some work she wasn’t able to complete before the girls brightened our world with their presence.”
“Oh, wow! Jeni really is full of energy. The girls are only a month old, and she’s back at work already? What a trooper,” he says.
I take in a deep breath, preparing myself. “Yeah, she’s incredible. Anyway, so
the reason I rang. I was wondering are you’re free this afternoon? Around two? There’s something I need to discuss with you and Bree, but I want you both here at the same time. And I want to do it today, if possible,” I somehow manage to say through my staggered breaths and racing heart.
“Yeah, sure, no worries. Is everything okay? You sound a little… ah… tense?”
“Yeah, I’m a bit stressed, but what’s new about that? So, I’ll see you at two?”
“Yep, no worries, bro. I’ll bring in some of those chocolate croissants that Jeni loves,” he says, making me smile.
“She’ll love that. See you then,” I announce, and we hang up.
I send an email to Brielle requesting a meeting with her at two. I can’t bring myself to go in and talk with her just yet. I’m having a hard-enough time trying to keep my shit together, to be honest. I feel so out of place, and I know the second I see Brielle, she’ll know something’s up. She can read me so fucking well, it’s ridiculous.
There’s a knock at my door, and then I hear it creep open slightly. “Come in,” I say and Jeni pops her head inside, then walks in. Even just being in the same room as me, she makes me feel calm.
“I brought you an extra strong coffee.” Jeni walks over to my desk and places it on the coaster.
“I love you,” I simply reply.
Jeni giggles as she walks around the desk and sits right in front of me. “Why, Mrs. O’Connell? If I didn’t know better, I’d say that you’re trying to seduce me?”
She spreads her legs, so I have a full view of her black lace panties. She giggles as I swallow a lump in my throat and adjust my tie, loosening it slightly because right now it feels like it’s strangling me.
“Well, Mr. O’Connell, it has been a month. I’m sure your balls are turning a nice shade of blue. You look tense, so let me ease some of your tension,” she says as she rests her black pump on my knee.
Fuck, she’s so hot in heels.
“Is the door locked?” I ask, and she nods with a smirk.
“Wouldn’t you like our first time after giving birth to be a little more… I don’t know… romantic?” I ask.