She hasn’t turned her ringer back on after the meeting.
I could go in search of her, or I could head down to the daycare.
For a second, I stand contemplating, and then I start for the elevator.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Gigi
The soundof the copier covers our voices as I make an unnecessary number of copies. Honestly, I didn’t really need to make any.
But it’s the perfect excuse for me and Erika to spend a few minutes talking. And the fact that I got to come down to her floor, because the copiers were all full, is even better.
I can dally for a bit longer, and justify being gone…
“So, tell me about your date,” I whisper, glancing toward the door.
She wrinkles her nose. “It was going so well and then he turned into an octopus.”
My brows lift. “Octopus?”
“His hands were…everywhere.”
I wince in sympathy. “I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to ask this weekend. Big Bad was in my apartment both Saturday and Sunday, getting ready for that meeting with legal.”
“How’s it going with…Big Bad?”
I sigh. “It’s complicated.” I haven’t even told her about the chemistry between us. It’s so intimate.
“Complicated like you want to jump his bones?”
“Erika,” I hiss, stepping closer. “You can’t say that and…maybe.”
She grins, turning her chin away for a moment. “Can’t say I blame you.”
“But it’s more than that. He’s demanding, and grumpy, the job is so much more than I ever imagined, but when I go to bed at night, I sleep better than I have in years. I feel safe here.”
Erika touches my arm. “I get that.”
“On Saturday, he made this frustrated grunt. It scared Emma and she started to cry so he brought her M&Ms. By dinnertime, she climbed in his lap to eat his chicken. She never even did that with?—”
I don’t want to say his name. Not here.
The copier stops as I nip at my lip. “Whatever I feel for him, I can’t mess this job up, you know what I mean? I can’t imagine a better place for me and Emma to be.”
“I know.”
That’s when my phone lights up. It’s on silent, but the screen still flashes, Rush’s name on it.
And that’s when I realize, this is his third call, in addition to texts. “Shit.” I pick up the phone, expecting an angry boss, knowing he’s likely pissed I’ve been gone so long and didn’t respond.
But what I hear is…crying. Emma’s. I’d know that sound anywhere. “Rush?”
“I need your safe word.”
“My what?” I ask, my heart hammering in my chest, my brain buzzing.
“Your safe word. So I can bring Emma up to your apartment.” He says, sounding unusually calm. “For the daycare, so they know I have your permission.”
