“Daniel is coming over at some point this afternoon. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this meeting,” I told her.
“Very well. I can leave when he arrives.”
“No. You’re staying. I’d like for you to also hear what he has to say.” I wanted Taylor to get into the mindset that she was just as important to my business as Sawyer was. Therefore, she had every right to these meetings.
“Okay, thank you.”
“Sawyer is occupied with his family today.”
“Everything’s okay, I hope.”
“Yes. Nothing bad at all. It’s his father’s birthday, and he invited his family to his place for an afternoon gathering.”
“He has such a lovely family,” she said.
Had she met them?I was trying to think back to some of the other functions I’d hosted for Sawyer’s family. I supposed she’d met them or saw them at one of those events. Or maybe she was just basing that off what she’d read about them or seen on the news.
“They’re amazing people. Every one of them, even Sawyer.” I leaned forward to shift our discussion to the event. I had hoped to get some of this in while we waited for Daniel. “We can fill Sawyer in tomorrow about the meeting with Daniel.”
I set my coffee cup on the coffee table and brought up the layout of the ballroom on the iPad. This would be Taylor’s first time heading up the security at an event, but it would be the perfect opportunity for her to get her feet wet. I had nothing but confidence in her. She was more than capable and ready. As I sipped my coffee, I studied her for a moment. There was something different about her… And maybe it was nothing more than her having more confidence in herself with having earned the promotion.
No, that wasn’t it.
“So how are things going?” I asked her. Taylor had always been very private, but I was usually a pretty good judge of when there was a shift with her. I could tell when the stress of nightmare-ridden nights bogged her down. But that didn’t seem to be what was going on, which I was happy about.
“Everything has been really good. Calm.”
“I know you like calm.” I took another sip from my cup. “How are things going between you and the other team members?”
“Good. Everyone has been professional, and all of the guys congratulated me. They all offered their hand in case I ever needed it.”
“They better.” I laughed.They fucking better.“Sawyer’s being helpful?”
“Most helpful, yes.”
The moment Sawyer recommended her for the promotion, he was on board to fully support her. He knew he’d be working alongside her, and he wouldn’t recommend someone who he was going to have trouble working with. I wondered if the two came together and were seeing what I saw in them and why they were so important to me.
Something positive was definitely going on with her. Maybe she was dating a new woman and the sex was good. I hadn’t seen her this calm, relaxed, and happy before. Taylor had always been exceptionally focused, and she was now too, but she was also happy. She radiated happiness.
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my leg over my knee and smiled at her. Taylor looked up at me, waiting for me to continue.
“You look relaxed and happy,” I said.
Her cheeks blushed as she laughed, and her bright smile spread across her face. Her eyes showed little or no stress.
“It’s probably that I’m caught up on my sleep now.”
I didn’t really believe that she looked this radiant because she wasn’t tired, but I’d let it slide because it was Taylor.
“It was a long trip, and I’m sure all of the time zone jumping over the course of a few days did a number on you.”
“I’m glad to be home.” Taylor took a sip of coffee and asked, “How are Aria’s siblings doing?”
“Good. I took Anna, Jensen, and Alek out this morning to look at possible new homes. They’ll all start to feel better once they’re under their own roof.”
“It’s a lot for them to take in, I’m sure. I don’t think any of the kids had beds in Solsidan.”
“They won’t do without anymore. I’ll see to it.”
