What are you doing, Aiden?
Removing the key from the ignition, he got out and went back inside, burying himself in more work.
When he looked at the time, he saw that he’d wasted most of the workday chickening out. Parker’s Cleaning would be closing in an hour, and that had Aiden moving because today was Friday and the office wasn’t open on weekends.
Aiden left the house and got in his car, then pulled out of his driveway. As he made his way out of his neighborhood, he kept telling himself he was ready to talk to Quinn Parker even though he had no idea what he would say to the man.
Fifteen minutes later, he was turning into an almost-empty parking lot. There were only a couple of cars out front and a minivan parked alongside the building. When he stepped past it to get to the entrance, he saw the wrap on it said, ‘Parker’s Cleaning.’
Okay, so maybe the man was actually still here.
It was almost five o’clock, and thankfully, when he tried the door, it opened.Cutting it close there, Cross.Aiden walked inside and headed straight for a receptionist.
She looked up and smiled. “How may I help you today?”
“I was wondering if Quinn Parker happens to be in,” Aiden stated.
The woman looked down at her computer. “He’s in his office, but may I ask what I can help you with? Quinn doesn’t really do client bookings.” She looked up at him expectantly.
Aiden quickly thought of an excuse. “I’m in need of a housekeeper, preferably someone to take care of my house throughout the week, perhaps some weekends. I was told that he was the best and that’s what I am in need of.”
She smiled. “No doubt. Parker’s Cleaning comes highly recommended, and I can vouch for that since I’ve worked with Quinn since he first started, but he isn’t the one you’d need to see. You have to fill out an application first, and then I will handle starting services from there.”
She lifted one from a tray and pushed the application toward him. Aiden looked down at it. This wasnotgoing quite as he’d hoped.
“With all due respect, ma’am,” he began as he pushed the application back to her. “I was informed that I should speak directly to Quinn Parker.”
She frowned. “Who told you that? Mr. Parker doesn’t—”
“Is there a problem, Nat?” A voice had Aiden looking up, and the woman, Nat, turned in her swivel chair.
Aiden’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes took in the man standing behind her, and in turn, the man’s eyes were laser-focused on Aiden, studying him.
“No problem, Quinn. I was just telling this potential client that you don’t handle client set up and that he needs to complete an application.”
Clearly the man wasn’t one for formalities if his staff called him Quinn.
Aiden plastered his most charming smile on his face. “Are you Quinn Parker?” Aiden asked.
Quinn nodded. “I am indeed, and you are…”
Aiden walked around the desk and held out his hand. “Aiden Cross. You come highly recommended.”
“We always like to hear about happy clients,” Quinn said, taking Aiden’s hand in a firm grip causing a tingling sensation to race up Aiden’s arm. “My receptionist is right, though. Typically, I don’t handle the client interviews.” He studied Aiden, then looked down at their joined hands. “I guess I could make an exception.”
Aiden grinned. “That’d be fantastic.”
Quinn nodded and shot a glance at the woman behind the desk. “You can close up the front and take off, Nat. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Thank you, Quinn,” she said, then looked in Aiden’s direction, her eyes narrowing showing her suspicions, but Aiden flashed one of his signature smiles.
He hadn’t anticipated that he would have to deal with an overly protective receptionist, but he was glad that he’d at least got in the door. Now, he just needed to figure out Quinn Parker, and, hopefully, that would make it possible to meet his kids soon.
Aiden shut the voice in his head down that pointed out just how attractive Mr. Parker was and commented on what had happened when their hands touched. He even ignored the voice that pointed out this man had carried his children.
Aiden wasn’t sure what any of it meant, but he knew it would turn out to be important. To himself at least.
3
