I search her features for a moment. She really didn’t pick up on his vibe.
“Uh, yeah, he was,” I observe her pretty face as she takes a moment, and it’s obvious when she realizes I’m correct.
She opens her mouth to reply, but doesn’t get to because clean-shirt James is back.
“Hey, folks. Sorry, but this is going to take me a little longer to look over. How about I drop it off at the office near the end of the day?”
He’s looking at Delaney, not me. I fake a cough to get his attention.
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll send someone for it.” No way do I want this man showing up and getting another chance to talk to Delaney, especially unattended.
James smiles from ear to ear, and those damn dimples make an appearance. I sneak a glimpse at Delaney, and she looks mesmerized.
“It’s really no problem. I’m a runner and training for some races. Tonight’s a long run, so I do it in the national park. It’s got a nice path I can take to clock ten good miles. I’ll be passing right by.”
Big deal. I run, too. Every damn day, I pound my feet on the treadmill or the trails on our property. But neverthereanymore. Not in many years.
Ugh. Whatever. I need to get Delaney out of here.
“Fine. The address is on the application. We’ll see you later.”
I grab Delaney’s hand, and a tiny gasp escapes her. It’s so small that I suspect only I caught it. I lead her away from James, and we’re almost to the exit when she tugs on me enough to stop our forward motion. She plants her feet firmly on the ground, so I can’t move her without some force, shoots me a glare, then looks over her shoulder.
“Bye, Susie. It was nice to meet you. Goodbye, James. I’ll see you soon.”
Not if I can help it.
She turns forward again and allows me to lead her the rest of the way out of the building. I don’t release her hand until I’m opening the passenger door, and I guide her in.
The drive back to the office is tense. She says nothing. Yeah, she’s pissed all right. She maintains the silent treatment even when I stop to pick up smoothies. It’s Thursday, so Ellie would have had an infusion today.
We travel the rest of the way back to work in silence, and Delaney literally races to get out of my vehicle and into the building.
I’m not in such a hurry. I stop at the front desk.
“Hi, Sally. I have a favor.”
“Hey, handsome. Anything for you.”
I grin at her. Sally is also the nanny for my nieces, and I know I’ve always been her favorite of all Henry’s brothers. It makes Holden nuts.
“If a guy named James stops in this afternoon and asks for Delaney, please call me, not her.”
“What’s he look like? You know, just so I spot him right away.” She’s smirking as if she can see right through me.
“He’s not bad looking. But he’ll probably seem excited and eager because he thinks he’s going to see Delaney. That’s where you come in.” I wink at her. “Help me crush his dreams, Sally.”
Her eyes widen, and she smiles with glee.
“You got it, boss man.”
I thank her and take the stairs up to our level. I stop over and leave one of the kale smoothies on Ellie’s desk. She’s not back from her infusion yet, but should be soon. When I get to the executive suite, Delaney’s not at her desk.
I place the pink smoothie there—the exact kind I remember she devoured when Holden brought her one—and walk to my office.
I close my door and then go to my desk and take a seat. Despite the amount of work I have. I don’t dive in. Instead, I lean my head back and rest it on the top of the chair.
It’s probably time I admit that I want my one-night stand to be mine.
