“I’ll explain later.” Steph followed Lucy into her own office and got her a bottle of water from her small fridge.
“Nice photo,” said Lucy as she replaced Steph’s photo of her and Jon on the desk.
“Thanks,” replied Steph a little nervously now.
Lucy smiled at her warmly. “Jon told me what a prat he’d been about your misunderstanding on our relationship and if this is awkward I apologise, but I have eyes for one Brooker man and it isn’t yours.” She sat on the sofa at the far end of the room.
“Sorry if I am acting weird, but I’ve had this person in my mind who was you, but she’s not.” Steph’s inarticulate statement made Lucy laugh.
“So what was I? That cow?” Lucy’s mischievousness made Steph laugh.
“Of course not. I went with bitch.”
“I’m touched, but I am not that person, so we should probably wipe the slate clean,” said Lucy firmly.
“I would like that, thank you.”
“Before we go all business I just want to say that I’m glad you came back, firstly because it’s obvious that you and Jon belong together, but also if you hadn’t returned I don’t know what he would have done. He was half crazy without you and I have known him long enough to say I have never seen him this happy with someone and totally bereft without them, so welcome back and please don’t ever leave him again because I can’t cope with him when he can’t cope without you.”
Steph was unsure what to say but suddenly realised that the man she’d woke up to see leaving for work this morning was back to himself, the worry and frown lines appeared to have magically disappeared after a night sharing a bed with her.
“When are you meeting with SuLyn?” Lucy’s question brought Steph back to earth.
“Half nine tomorrow.”
“Right I should be able to do that. Now that we have that booked in, and assuming you haven’t given Jon his marching orders and having seen him this morning I know you haven’t, you will be coming to ours for dinner tonight, so I will see you then.” She was already on her feet, preparing to kiss Steph before leaving her alone.
Steph gave it a minute and then found a perplexed looking Rosie staring up at her.
“I should probably explain that while I was Mr Brooker’s secret I was never a dirty one,” said Steph relieving none of Rosie’s confusion. “Lucy isn’t his wife. She is married to his dad. His wife is not what she seems.” She wondered if she should divulge details of Penny’s existence or predicament. “I jumped to some very wrong conclusions,” explained Steph more clearly now.
“Then congratulations and I can finally stop running from the cafe when the other admin staff insist on speculating on whether the two of you are shagging,” laughed Rosie, laughter Steph joined in with.
“Good morning, ladies,” came Jon’s voice behind them.
“Mr Brooker,” they said in stereo making Jon’s current smile broaden into a wolfish grin.
“Steph, a moment.” He gestured towards her office beyond the door he was already walking through.
Following him, Steph found him sitting on the sofa loosening his navy tie and undoing the top button on his crisp white shirt. “Make yourself at home.” She smiled as he threw off the navy blue suit jacket he was wearing.
“I am,” he replied. Then more seriously asked, “How did your meeting with Lucy go? I was going to tip you off that she wascoming to see you, but an urgent call came through and by the time I called Rosie, she was already in with you.”
“It was fine, she is meeting with me and SuLyn in the morning and is under the impression that I am having dinner with her tonight.” Steph moved towards him slowly.
“I meant to tell you about that. You are free aren’t you?” he asked seriously.
“I was visiting my dad tonight and tonight’s not one of our nights, is it?”
“We no longer have set nights, darling, and you could visit your dad this afternoon if you want to or pop in on the way,” he said matter of factly.
“I suppose,” she conceded.
“Sorted then and you will get to meet my dad properly and my brother and sister.” Jon smiled. “Now are you going to stand there looking gorgeous in your sexy red dress or are you going to sit down?” He pulled her to sit next to him before she had chance to reply.
“I am sure there must be rules against this type of harassment in my own office.”
“If there are I will change them, now tell me when you and I are meeting to discuss the latest details on the Richards deal and then can we please decide where we’re staying tonight and if you have decided whether your sex ban has been lifted yet?”
