“I’ll be there.”
The call ended, and with one hand on the wheel, I pressed the other to my stomach.
“Everything is going to be okay.”
I had no idea what the future held for Wyatt and me, but whether or not we were together, we were partners.
“How’s the head?”Laurent asked from my office doorway.He looked like he was posing for a damn magazine cover in his designer dress pants and button-down.The Grasso genes were something else.Scientists were doing themselves a disservice by not studying them.
“Never better.”I glanced up, trying not to squint as a sharp pain shot through my temple.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
I sighed.“I know.It’s not fair.I’m surrounded by tall, handsome Grasso’s with perfect cheekbones, carved by actual angels, and here I am, just barely six feet and unable to tell a lie.”
Laurent leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, clearly enjoying my rant.“You’re very dramatic today.”
“Blame it on the hangover.”
“So your head…?”
“Hurts like a bitch.”
“Figured as much.”He nodded toward the chair across from my desk.“Is it okay if I sit?”
“Of course.My name might be on the door, but you sign my paycheck.”A nervous laugh slipped out.“Unless you’re here to fire me.Oh God… Are you firing me?”My eyes widened, heart slamming against my chest.I got this job because of Rose.Because I moved to Vine Valley to be with her.I started in the warehouse, learning everything I could, and I moved into my own office, overseeing the entire operation.Other than Rose, this was my entire life.
I loved my job.
My breath heaved in and out.“I think I’m having a panic attack.”
“Jesus Christ.I’m not firing you.Calm down.”Laurent held his hands up and took a deep breath, encouraging me to do the same as if we were in some Lamaze class for over hyped-up lunatics.“You good?”
“Fucking fantastic,” I muttered, pushing my fingers into my temples and massaging.
“I came to check on you, maybe talk, but we can always talk later.”
“No, it’s fine.Sorry.I’m just losing my mind.”
“Perfectly understandable.Your entire life got upended.I’d be more concerned if you weren’t falling off your rocker.”
“Excuse me, this is a top-of-the-line desk chair.”
“That I paid for.”
“Well yes.It was in the budget.”
“I’m kidding.”
“Oh.”While I was enjoying this very productive conversation with a man I thought of as the older brother I never had, I did have actual work to do.“What did you want to talk about?”
“Last night you said some things.”
“I don’t really remember last night, so I apologize if I insulted you or said something inappropriate.”
“You slurred something about not being an honorary Grasso anymore right before busting out a very enthusiastic rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
I groaned.“Ben informed me of my karaoke moment.Sorry I didn’t pick a cooler song.”
