"You're firing me?" she said, horrified.
I shook my head. "Not at all, although I find how you've spoken to Vanessa very unprofessional and it does give me concerns as to how you interact with potential clients. What if I'd have been taking clients to the meeting room? And you must be aware that actually, Vanessa's firm is now a client of this company."
She started to glow red, although I wasn't sure if it was with embarrassment or anger. Then the tears began to drop. Neither I nor Vanessa moved. "I'm sorry. Things are difficult at the moment: family stuff, you know. The thing is, I like working here. I'm sorry for what I said, I think you're a great boss and it's an honor to work for you. I am trying to learn what I can from Vanessa as well as at the same time organizing the client lunches and the Tuesday breakfast socials..."
My expression didn't change, staying impassive. "We'll speak more about it later. Vanessa, can I speak with you? Maybe get a coffee?"
She stood up, wearing a fitted blue dress with a V-neck and heels high enough for me to want her to leave them on later. "Sure," she said. "Alice from my office will be here this afternoon as she's going to take over from me with the ads and general logistics for the next couple of weeks. I hope you'll make her welcome, Kirsty." There was a slight undertone to her voice that I hadn't heard before.
"Sure." Kirsty started to repin the poster to the wall. "Enjoy your coffee." She beamed at me and I made a mental note to speak to HR again in the afternoon.
As soon as we left the building I put my hand on the small of her back, guiding her in the direction of Amelie's, trying to put Kirsty out of my mind. I'd spoken with her the week before about the ideas she'd sent me, praising her for her efforts and explaining that quite a bit of what she had suggested was already being incorporated into the rebrand. I also suggested that she started a monthly networking event with other companies local to the area as a social event but also as a way to pass on services. She'd looked into similar setups and started the process with the first one being arranged for two weeks' time. I'd been receiving very regular emails from her since and had been asked to discuss it with her further during drinks after work. Max was mildly amused at my 'stalker' as he billed her.
"That was well timed," Vanessa said, sitting down in what had become our usual table when it was free. "She's been telling me horror stories about you, you know."
I chuckled. "I knew she would. Max thinks she's after me."
"I think he's right. But she's young and very, very immature. I wouldn't be too worried. She is doing a good job of the networking breakfasts to be fair to her," Vanessa said. "Once I'm out of the way I think she'll calm down and probably up her game. She has picked things up."
"I've no doubt. Is that why Alice's coming over here?"
"Partly," she said, giving Amelie a nod, confirming that she was having her usual coffee. "We took on two big new clients on Friday and I need to oversee the start of those projects." She had met with Alice, Josh, and Sally last week to define their roles and look at the possibility of bringing in new people, expanding the workforce to meet the demand. "Alice will be able to coordinate everything here on in. We're ahead of schedule too and everything is arranged for the ball."
"Seph spoke to you about the valuations?"
She looked relaxed, more so than I thought she would be. "I need to speak with the other three about it. To keep things straightforward, I'm going to offer him what Seph has suggested he thinks he'll be advised to accept by his counsel. It's more than I wanted to put in on my own, but with the others buying in, I'll end up with a decent cushion in my own account in case anything goes wrong or one of the others does pull out."
"It's coming together."
"I need to start looking for an apartment too. We've agreed on a price this morning. You want to help me look?"
No, I didn't. I wanted her to move in with me, although I also knew it was far too fast. "You don't have to rush. Maybe let everything settle with the business first and then start looking to move." I hoped I didn't sound too much of a creeper.
"You're right. I have a tendency to move too quickly sometimes. I just feel I've taken up enough of Sophie's space already," she said, folding her legs under her. We were sitting facing each other, tucked away in a booth for privacy and I ached to lean across the table and tuck her hair behind her ear; that lose tendril that drove me wild.
"Speaking of moving quickly, or maybe not," I paused, watching her eyes. "Dad and Marie are back home and are having a mad family drink and eat all you can the weekend after next. Do you want to come with me?" I could've added more: you don't have to if you don't want; don't feel obligated; I'd really like you to or any number of pointless words. A straightforward closed question seemed the best way to be honest.
Vanessa looked thoughtful, her brown frowning as it did when she lost herself in something. "Yes," she said, looking up at me. "I would. I know you wouldn't have asked me unless you wanted me there. Is this what you wanted to speak about?"
"Yes," I said. Amelie brought the coffees over, including a couple of pieces of cake which Vanessa eagerly grabbed. "My step-mum, Marie, is great. She's also completely insane and she's not used to us, any of us, bringing girlfriends or boyfriends back – although Payts did bring a girlfriend back once, but that was to shock my dad more than anything. She's going to be really excited to meet you. I don't want you to be overwhelmed."
Vanessa ran her fingers up and down the glass coffee cup, the corners of her mouth turning up as she kept her eyes away from mine. Thinking again. "Will you be overwhelmed?"
I looked away. "Possibly a bit, but not in a bad way. I want you to go with me; I want my parents to meet you and it's usually a good weekend when we all get together so I think you'd enjoy it. But I know for Marie it will be a big deal and, yeah, I suppose for me too. And I don't know if it's too soon, when should you meet my family? How long is the going rate?" I took a slice of cake. I was nervous and needed something to do with my hands that didn't involve stroking my beard or retying my hair.
"I don't think there is a set amount of time, Jackson. If we're both comfortable with it then I think it's fine. Who am I to you when people ask?"
I laughed and looked sheepish. "Who do you want to be?"
She held my look, raising one brow. I wasn't being let off this one.
"You're mine," I said, wondering how I was going to dig myself out of this one if she didn't like it. "I know that sounds possessive, but I want you to be mine."
"If that's how I label it, some people are going to think we have a serious case of kink going on."
I thought of the previous night and how I'd had her tied up and blindfolded, taking her to the edge of orgasm and not allowing her over. Eventually, I had, and she'd come so hard she'd cried. Nowhere near as kinky as it could be, but certainly not vanilla. "Girlfriend then. I think that covers it."
"I'll take that," she said, moving her feet down and running one shoe up and down my leg. "And I'll take the rest of your cake too."
