It goes smoother than I expect. I manage not to trip over my words or spiral into the same kind of panic that sent me racing out the doors with Mariah in my arms last time. By the time the meeting is over I’m feeling… Calm.
Maybe not comfortable, but there’s no panic gnawing a hole in my gut, so a definite improvement from where I was before.
As my team disbands, returning to their cubicles and offices, Trevor pats me on the back. “Good job, big brother. Now maybe everyone will talk about what a great meeting you run instead of the way you carried Mariah out of here last time.”
My eyes dart from Mariah to the staff filtering back to their desks. “If they think it was unprofessional of me, they can all kiss my?—”
“Unprofessional isn’t the word they’ve been throwing around.” Trevor grimaces. “The descriptor I’ve heard used most isswoony.” He looks like he ate something bitter. “Whatever the fuck that means.”
“Swoony?” I’m sort of at a loss myself. “Is that even a word?”
“Who the fuck knows?” Trevor looks me over, irritation pinching his brow. “All I know is every fucking woman in here looks at me like I’m a fucking slab of beef they can’t wait to sink their teeth into.” He points a finger at my face. “And it’s your goddamn fault.”
“I find that real hard to believe.” I might not have worked in the office, but that doesn’t mean I’m not familiar with my brother's reputation. “I’d say it’s more likely all the women around here look at you like they want to put you on a slab.”
“That’s how it used to be.” Trevor rakes a hand through his dark hair. “But now, you went and made them think you’re some sort of fucking Prince Charming and they’re under the impression it runs in the family.”
That has my brows lifting and my mind moving back over the past hour. I thought the whispers and stares aimed at me were for the same reason they always are. But now that I’m armed with thisnew information, it did seem kind of weird how smiley all the women on my team were.
“I guess you’ll just have to run off a few more assistants so they understand you're definitely not ever going to be anyone’s Prince Charming.” I give my brother a grin, probably enjoying his suffering a little too much. “Until then, you’re just going to have to deal with people not hating you as much as normal.”
“I don’t give a shit if people hate me. I just need them to do what I tell them to.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “And I’d fucking prefer it if they did it without looking at me like I’m about to make all their dreams come true.”
That makes me laugh, a chuckle reverberating through my chest as I try to stifle it. “I don’t think any woman looks at you like you’re about to makeallher dreams come true.” I tip my head, considering. “Just the expensive ones.”
Trevor is the flashiest of my brothers. Where the rest of us are happy in jeans and T-shirts or flannels, he has always appreciated a well-cut suit and shiny shoes. He drives a sleek sports car and owns more watches than one man should. No one has to question his financial situation, and that sort of security can make even someone as pissy as him appealing.
“I’m not making those come true either.” Trevor glances at where Mariah sits, scrolling through her phone. “I’ll leave the dream fulfilling to you.”
It would be easiest to blow him off. Act like he’s reading the situation wrong. Try to make him think there’s nothing happening between me and Mariah. But I think that ship sailed when I scooped her up and carried her out of here in front of half the company, so I just shrug. “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”
It’s been so long since I’ve been in any sort of a relationship. I’m also a much different person now than I was when Kara and I were together. I’ve never doubted my ability to engage in intellectual conversation and provide financial support. But I did harbor doubts that I’d be capable of providing emotional support and connection.
It turns out providing isn’t ever going to be something I struggle with. In any capacity. I want to give Mariah everything. If she needs it, I’ll make it happen. If she wants it, it’s hers. Whether it's pots and pans or someone to sit with on the couch while she watches television in the evening. Half the grocery store or a hand to hold during a doctor’s visit, there is no limit to what I will offer her. Or the baby.
I want to take care of them both. I want to keep them safe. I want to make them feel protected and appreciated.
I want them to be mine.
“I don’t have time to be somebody’s fairy fucking godmother.” Trevor sounds annoyed at the thought of someone relying on him. It makes me a little sad that he might never know how good it can feel to give to the people you care about.
“I guess that’s good. You would look dumb as hell covered in sparkles, carrying a wand.” I turn to Mariah, reaching out a hand. “You ready to go?”
She gives me a bright smile, the warmth of it lighting up the whole fucking world. “Yup.”
When her hand tucks into mine, everything feels better. Easier. Right.
I give my brother a wink as I lead her out. “See you next week, Prince Charming.”
“Don’t make me kick your ass in front of everybody to prove I’m a fucking villain,” Trevor grumbles as he follows us out.
“Pretty sure everybody already knows.” I grin. “But some women love a villain.”
“I sure fucking hope not.” Trevor gives me a little shove as he turns down the hall toward his office. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
As we walk out into the parking lot, Mariah angles a brow at me. “He is really against being in a relationship, isn’t he?”
“Trevor’s against a lot of things.” Days off. PTO. Vacations. Lunch breaks. Running shoes outside of the gym. Pets. Cheap skin care. “Caramel cake is definitely one of them.”
