The image of her on my couch in that black lace lingerie. Fuck. She was perfect in it.
And out of it.
“Hey, man, you still with us?” Mitch asked.
“Uh, yeah.”
I looked his way and realized he was still waiting for my answer. Problem was, I didn’t have one.
CHAPTER 4
Maryellen
The way my stomach dropped when Chase saw me with Garrett outside the bar the other night was…wrong. He shouldn’t still have that effect on me. I hated how his emotional state affected me as much as it did. The way he was yesterday after leaving Gage’s office did more damage to me than it should have.
Now his new office would be within view of my desk.
Not only would I see him all day, every day, but I’d have to witness the constant stream of girls in and out of his office. I didn’t want to see that nor have any reminders of what I was missing.
My phone was ringing as I approached my desk, so I broke out into a sprint to not miss the call.
“Parker Financial, this is Maryellen.”
“Hello, Maryellen.”
The voice on the other end of the line was one I was familiar with. It gave me a sense of comfort mixed with apprehension at the same time, which was hard to describe.
“Hello, sir.”
“Maryellen,” he said sternly. “What have we talked about? I’m not your boss anymore.”
“Hello, Robert,” I said, and then chuckled.
Robert Parker. Gage and Chase’s father, the original CEO of Parker Financial.
The man who gave me my start.
The man who essentially saved my life.
The man who held my secret as well.
“How are you doing, sweetheart? It’s been a while since I’ve been in. I’ve been meaning to check in with you.”
He would usually call monthly to check on me, more of a personal call. Sometimes he would expect an update on the boys and business, but not always. Gage and Chase didn’t have the same relationship with him as I did. He was my savior in more ways than one. I looked up to him; he taught me everything and gave me so much.
I would be on the streets without him.
“I’m well, Robert, thanks for asking. How’s Sara? Have you both done anymore traveling since you were in last?”
Our conversation continued easily, and I spoke freely since neither Gage nor Chase was around. They had no idea I spoke with their dad like this.
There were many things about me and their dad they didn’t know.
Just then, I heard the ding of the elevator and was prepared to hang up on him. That was when I saw Harper Wilson, Gage’s girlfriend, walk into the hall and look around. Her long blonde hair was up in a lofty bun, and I swore she had some flower petals stuck in it from the flower shop she worked in. She looked my way and smiled widely.
“Listen, Robert,” I said into the phone. “I have to get going. It was great catching up. Next month?” He said goodbye as I stood to greet Harper.
“Hi!” I said, coming around my desk.
