“Oh.” For a moment, she looked more like a petulant child who hadn’t gotten her way than she did an adult. Then, she smiled, a gleam coming into her eyes. “But you have a little time before then, right?”
I regarded her warily as she walked toward me. She moved slowly, putting an extra swing into her step. She came around my desk, trailing her fingers over the edge. I had a suspicion as to what she was thinking, but I didn’t want to assume and embarrass her if I was mistaken.
“If we can’t have dinner together, maybe we can still have a…snack.” She stopped when her knees touched mine, and then she reached for my pants.
I caught her wrist. “I’m at work.”
She rolled her eyes. “Come on, it’s not like there’s anyone else here. We could fuck with the door open, and no one would see us.”
“That’s not the point.” I released her and stood. “This is my place of business.”
“Yeah, and you’re the boss,” she countered. She folded her arms, a sullen expression settling on her face.
“All the more reason to maintain professionalism,” I said, keeping my voice even. I’d never responded well to this sort of debate. “How can I expect my employees to refrain from bringing their personal lives into the workplace if I don’t do it myself?”
“Bullshit.” She practically stomped as she moved away from me. “You’re just like every other man. When you want to get off, then it’s any time, any place, but when you aren’t thinking with your dick, it’s all about appearances.”
I raised an eyebrow. This was a side of her I hadn’t seen before. “I don’t mix business with pleasure. Period.”
“You’re full of it,” she snapped. “You act like you’re some big deal because of your job and your money, but you’re not. You’re just a frat boy playing at being a man.”
If I hadn’t wanted this relationship to be over, I might’ve been upset by her behavior, but if anything, I was more convinced than ever that she and I were not a good match. I waited for the inevitable “we’re through” – except it didn’t come.
“You know what? Consider my dinner invitation taken back. I don’t want to be around you, and I definitely don’t want to have to look at you while I’m eating.”
I hoped my expression didn’t reveal just how relieved I was that she wasn’t going to keep after me about it. I’d never had a problem with confrontations in business, but in my personal life, I’d always tried to avoid them whenever possible. Never had that particular character trait of mine been more obvious than it had been over the last couple months.
“Let me have my driver take you back to your dorm,” I offered. “It’s the least I can do.”
“You’re right, Alec. It is theleastyou can do.” She went to the door, and I braced myself for a slam. “In case you’re wondering, that’s afuck youto your guilty conscience. I can get home on my own.”
Unsurprisingly, she slammed the door behind her, vibrating the jamb.
I sank back into my chair, my head spinning. That had been an unpleasant experience. Two positive notes, however. She’d clearly had enough of my busy schedule, and the outburst had occurred when no one else had been around to hear it.
The last thing I needed was to have gossip undermining my position, especially since the offices here were so new. The impression I made on the people here came without any of my father’s influence. The only person who had transferred here with me from the San Ramon office was my assistant, and we’d already established a good rapport.
When my phone rang, and I saw Da’s number, I added another positive item. He’d never have to hear about what had just happened. He wouldn’t have lectured me, or even expressed his disapproval, but I would have known that I’d disappointed him. Now, I could answer the call and not dread what he had to say.
“Hi, Da.”
“Workin’ yerself to death, are ya?” The amusement in his voice kept the question from coming across too harsh.
“How’d ya ken I was at work?”
“Because I ken ye well, lad.”
I loved my father, but I sometimes wondered about the truth of that statement. Now wasn’t a time for introspection, though. “Are you well?”
“Aye, I am.” He laughed. “I spoke to Brody today about your gift to Aspen.”
I’d almost forgotten about that. “Is something wrong with it?”
“Not at all. I gave him a suggestion and wanted to give it to you as well. I think you should speak to Eoin about also going in on it. Get her the best hotel, rent a car, that sort of thing. He cannae be home for her birthday, and this is somethin’ to which he can contribute, even from overseas.”
The idea was a good one, and I was more than happy to shift my thoughts in a happier direction. Hopefully, this was simply the start of my return to normal life.
Fifteen
