“Something like that,” I responded, not meeting her eyes.
“Emmi. I didn’t raise you to be a liar.”
“Fine. He said no.”
“Emmi.”
“I know, I know. But you should have heard him. He was not very nice about it. I’m taking Josie and that’s that.”
I got up to thwart any further argument and packed our bags.
The drive to Denver the next morning was effortless, Josie happy to play with her dolls while listening to the Dr. Seuss CDs that I played on an endless loop. I also came prepared and every time she started getting loud I gave her food. Good parenting? Probably not. But it meant I didn’t have to stop and she was happy munching on her snacks.
Gunner followed me the whole way, but drove off as soon as I entered the parking garage of the apartment. I would walk to the office since it was so close, which meant I could avoid having to get Josie in and out of the car. She didn’t like getting in her seat and I had to negotiate with her every time. Easier to walk the short distance.
I made it to the office twenty minutes late, carrying a giant bag stuffed with toys and food for Josie. It didn’t help that she was dragging her feet, looking at every little crack on the sidewalk with fascination.
I shuffled into the elevator, bumping people along the way while dishing out apologies like they were a Walmart special. I ignored the frosty looks and scoffing, instead focusing on not knocking anyone out. Josie was giddy with excitement, jumping up and down, her little body humming with energy.
We made it to my desk with a myriad of curious stares and raised brows. The office wasn’t exactly known as child friendly, what with Rhett’s reputation of a businessman with a heart made of rock. Okay, I made that last part up, but he wasn’t exactly known for being lenient with his employees. But I wasn’t too concerned. I hoped he was going to fire me for this stunt. Cassandra would understand. Maybe. Hopefully.
Lexie’s eyes went wide when she saw who I had in tow. I stopped at my desk and dropped the heavy bag, a big exhale passing my lips. Lexie spun her chair around and pointed at Josie who grinned at her and waved. “You got a death wish or something?”
“Not at all,” I answered and started unpacking toys. Josie was eager to help and immediately settled on the floor, surrounded by her possessions.
“He is going to blow a fuse,” Lexie declared.
“Probably. But he’ll live.”
“You might not.”
I guess there was the slight possibility this would push him over the edge. Lexie shook her head and went back to furiously typing on her keyboard, her eyes drifting back to Josie.
I booted up my own computer, ready to start my day. Josie hummed a song she’d heard in the car, her little voice echoing through the quiet office.
“Josie,” I said and crawled underneath the desk where she sat, content to brush her doll’s hair. She looked up and showed me her Barbie. “She got new dresses.”
“Very pretty.” I admired the doll. “Remember how we talked about you coming to work with me?”
She nodded her head, eager to please as always.
“Part of that included quiet time, right?”
Another nod.
“That means no humming or talking loudly, okay little bean?”
“But I like humpty dumpty,” she said, not ready to give up. The kid loved singing, telling her to be quiet wasn’t ever going to go down well. Since I didn’t mind her singing, I kissed her chubby little cheek, feeling like an ass to tell her not to hum. She’d be fine. People could still work. She wasn’t very loud. Only the desks close to use would be able to hear.
I shuffled back to get out. “Let me know if you get hungry.”
“Emmi. My office. Now,” Rhett’s voice boomed from above us. I saw his shiny shoes through the gap on the bottom of my desk and wiggled the rest of the way out from under the desk.
My head popped up and I blew a strand of wayward hair out of my face. “Now? But I just got in.”
He looked furious, his fists balled, his mouth tight.
“Fine,” I said and stood up.
