“I really wanted this one.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” An idea popped into my mind, and I quickly held up a finger to keep her where she was and ducked out of the room and into my bedroom. “I have something for you.” I snagged the tickets out of my bag and hurried back down the hallway to the dining room.
“What are these?”
I flourished them in front of her. “Floor seats for Kelsey Torrey, next week.”
Her jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. One of the other directors got them as a gift from a vendor and sent them over, knowing you would love them.”
Madeline squealed, grabbing the tickets and flapping them in the air as she danced around me. I pressed a hand over my mouth, laughing at the beauty of her joy.
“Mom, you are the best. Thank you so much.”
“Not me. You owe Sam in Human Resources a thank-you note. Or at least an email.”
“Of course. I can do that.” Madeline squealed, pulling out her phone to take a selfie with the tickets before disappearing back down the hall to her room. “I’ll be ready to go to Adrian’s in just a minute. I have got to tell the girls first!”
And then she was gone, the room slowly quieting until it was just Neal and me. I smiled faintly as I looked over, noting Neal once again watching me.
“What?”
“You’re a good mom,” Neal said simply, his deep voice making the praise even more enjoyable as it settled on my flesh.
“She makes it easy. So does Sam from HR.”
Neal cocked his head sideways, and I could see him thinking things over.
“Did you have any kids?” I asked curiously.
“I did not.” I thought he might leave it at that, but then he continued. “I always wanted a kid or two, maybe more. But my wife, she wasn’t interested after all.”
“That sounds difficult.”
Neal stood, tension reentering the room like a wave. “I’ve survived worse.”
I gave him a half smile, starting to collect the plates and platter from our dinner.
“I’ll get it. Thank you for dinner, Ms. Dougherty.” With quick, efficient movements, he cleared the table, leaving only his plate between us.
I raised a brow at him, pushing back to leave the table. “You’re welcome, and please, call me Penny.”
Neal stepped up, his body only inches from mine. That soft, protective warmth that he carried with him… I breathed it in, my heart rate a scattered mess.
“Good night, Penny.” Bold eyes roamed over me before he set his plate into the sink with a soft clank.
I felt his warmth leave the kitchen, his goodbye a whisper against my skin that made me shiver.
“Good night,” I echoed, taking a deep breath and trying to remember why getting involved with my very large, very mysterious rescuer was a bad idea. Because suddenly it didn’t seem like such a bad idea after all.
The ringing went on and on. I cracked my eyes open as I reached for my nightstand. The clock there glowed back at me. It was barely five in the morning. With a groan, I swiped at the number, answering the call.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry to wake you, boss, but we need to talk.”
I bolted upright at the sound of Tia’s worried voice. My assistant was never concerned. “What? What’s wrong?”
