Monday morning Myles took Oren to school as I headed into work early. Stepping into my office and hanging my jacket on a hanger in the corner, I take my seat. The tumbler of sweet tea Myles handed me as I walked out this morning is on the side of my desk, and I’m ready for the day to start.
Annabelle steps into the office and closes the door behind her. “Morning, Maylee.”
“Morning, Annabelle. Take a seat and tell me what is going on?”
Annabelle is nervous. It’s in the set of her shoulders, and I notice her hands are shaking slightly.
“I have been having issues with Fabian since you promoted me to assistant. He is supposed to be the office tech guy, but if I go to him for any reason, he gives me attitude. I’m good at ignoring stuff like that Maylee, but to be honest I shouldn’t have to put up with it.”
“Okay, he’s a little shit and I’ll deal with him, but give me specifics,” I ask, keeping my voice professional, although I’d like to smack the asshole.
“When you asked me to change the setup for your appointment system on the computer I had a problem with it. For some reason, it kept including Saturdays in the working week, although I had ticked it to exclude it along with Sunday. Fabian called me stupid and said I was thick as a brick and shouldn’t even be working here.”
I lean forward over my desk and reach out to grab Annabelle’s hand, which she had laid on the desk while holding a pen. I squeeze her hand and tell her to leave it with me, and not speak to the little shit again. I know she is shocked at my attitude, but this is bullying, and I’ve just sorted out that issue with Oren’s school.
“Leave it with me. I’ll deal with him. I want you to close your office door when you are not in your office. I know that set-up was right because I used it, Annabelle. I think he messed with it so he could bully you. Not happening, not on my watch. You are not leaving because he’s a piece of bullying shit so get that out of your head right now!”
“Okay. Thank you. I’ll wait and see what happens, but know if it continues I will leave. I have loved working here, but for the last two weeks I haven’t wanted to come to work, and that is not how I want my working life to be.”
“I understand that, Annabelle. Leave it with me and I’ll sort it out.”
I watch Annabelle leave my office, and she seems better for telling me, and knowing I’ll do something. Now, my plan!
Chapter 21
Myles
Whitney walks into the house and gives me a smile that I’m not sure I’ve seen before! Clem is smirking as he enters behind her, and I know something is coming, but I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.
“Myles, Lee, I want to take Oren with me on Friday while I visit my old boss. We’ll leave the night before and stay at the Welcome Inn near the town I used to live,” she’s looking at me as she speaks, so I know Maylee knows where she’s talking about. “After Friday I aim to take Oren to some places that I want to revisit, and know he’ll enjoy. He is my nephew, and I have aunt rights…”
Running out of steam, I side-eye Maylee, who is smiling at Whitney, and it’s easy for all of us to see she’s enjoying Whitney squirming.
“Well…” I begin, but Maylee cuts me off from saying more.
“Where do you want to take him? When are you coming back? Are you flying, or going on a road trip? You are not going near your ex, are you?” Maylee sounds like a drill instructor, and I watch as Clem places his hand over his mouth to hide the smile he has going on.
“Geez, Lee, you know me better than anyone before Clem. I’m not answering all those questions. You trust me with him, or you don’t?” Whitney gives Maylee a frown, sticks her tongue out and then shouts, “OREN! We’re going on vacation.”
“You little shit…” Maylee murmurs right before she launches herself at Whitney and wrestles her into the living room.
Both Clem and I stand and watch because we know they are not going to hurt each other. Oren appears from upstairs and runs over to the fighting pair then jumps onto Whitney’s back. All the fun turns to Oren, and it’s not long before he’s on the floor being tickled to death by his two favorite people.
Standing next to Clem, I nod with satisfaction. “Looks good, Clem.”
“Yeah, it does. I’m more than happy with the bi-fold doors. They look smart, and they are solid, with plenty of locks, keeping security as a priority. That’ll help the insurance on the place, too,” Clem responds.
“It looks up-to-date and cared about. I didn’t think just having the front done would make such a difference…but it has.”
Clem chuckles, “Yeah, it has. We never wanted to take the time to do this before, but with Cassian, Dan and his boys renovating the inside it’s coming together quickly.”
“Are you going with Whitney?”
“No, she’s taking Oren on a mini-vacation. Just the two of them. She loves that boy so much. I can’t wait for us to have our own kids,” Clem says with want in his voice. “I want four…”
Laughing at that, I shake my head. “Does Whitney know you want a brood of kids?”
“She knows I want a minimum of two, and I don’t give a care what they are. As long as Whitney and they are okay, then I’ll be okay.”
