The Relationship Clause

Chapter 14

It’s official.I’ve completely lost control of my life.

I’ve got a beautiful and totally off-limits woman living feet away from me, my mom thinks she’s my secretary, my dad thinks she’s my girlfriend, and, to make matters worse, she’s officially taking up space in my brain when I should be thinking of more important things. Like saving my company from the damages this mole is doing.

I spent a whole ten minutes of company time researching how much it would cost to have all the windows in Junie’s house replaced. One, because those things are old and are probably costing her a fortune in heating and cooling costs, and two, because I can’t stand the thought of her living in a home that anybody with half a brain cell could break into whenever they want.

Yeah, I know. It’s bad.

What’s also bad is the fact that Shane installed the code on our computers nearly a week ago to notify us if certain files have been opened, and so far, nothing. No alarms have been tripped, no discoveries have been made. Part of me hoped this would be the answer to all our problems. He’d add the code and, boom, the next day, we’d have our culprit.

But that’s not how these things go, apparently. Our mole is either being extra careful, or they know a lot more code than we assumed they would. At least Junie, Shane, and I were able to narrow our suspect pool down to six people. Four of them work upstairs with us, two work downstairs with Shane. I hate to think of any of them being the one leaking sensitive information. Shane and I vetted each and every one. We know and like these people. It’s hard not to take it personally.

To make matters worse, another article came out online yesterday that made it even more clear our tech was out there. After that, it was difficult to keep Shane from rampaging through the office, shaking down every single suspect until he forced a confession out of someone. Heck, it was difficult to keep myself from joining him.

But Junie reminded us we need to do this the right way in order for the law to be on our side.

“Okay, everyone, you know what time it is!”

I glance up from my desk to see Junie standing from hers. She’s holding her phone aloft, and I can already see the smiles start to creep up on my other employees’ faces.

Every Friday, I let my employees leave an hour early. I’m usually a stickler when it comes to work and a curmudgeon when it comes to anything fun, so I know it isn’t much, but it’s good for morale. And, to be honest, I could use a little morale boost.

Every Friday since Junie’s gotten here, at three o’clock, she jogs around the office, holding her phone over her head while “The Final Countdown” blares. Usually the last hour of Fridays are sluggish and drag on, but ever since she started doing this, it’s been different. It’s one of the most productive hours of the day.

She starts jogging, and the familiar tune breaks out. Kiera whoops and spins around in her seat. Anna’s head starts bobbing, all of the usual desperate guys are watching and nodding along with the music. It’s a good distraction, and I find myself smiling and doing the same.

Until Kiera catches me.

I wipe the smile off my face and duck down behind my computer, but it isn’t long before I get a text from my sister.

Kiera:Soooooo, how is the new neighbor situation going?

Owen:If by “new neighbor situation” you mean your best friend temporarily staying in my extra apartment until her place gets fixed up, then fine. That situation is going fine.

Kiera:Uh-huh.

Kiera:And how long is this going to continue?

Owen: Until she can get her furnace repaired, her floors and windows replaced, and her kitchen in working order again. Her place should be condemned. I’m hoping we can get her back in there in three weeks or less when it’s actually livable.

Kiera:That’s not what I meant.

I go back and reread our conversation.

Owen:Fine. What did you mean?

Kiera:I meant how long are you going to be in complete and total denial that you two are absolutely perfect for each other?

I stare at her words, knowing she’s probably watching me from her desk. Why did I put her so close to me? I mean, originally, it was to keep an eye on her. Some ill-conceived notion of brotherly protection. Part of me wants to turn the opacity of my windows up, but to her, that would only be a confirmation of something. Never mind the fact that another part of me wants to ask her to clarify exactly how Junie and I would be perfect for each other.

Owen:I’m going to pretend you never said that.

Kiera:Oh, come on! You don’t see it?

Owen:What I see or don’t see is irrelevant. I am her employer. Any relationship between myself and any of my employees beyond that of a working relationship would be unscrupulous.

Not to mention the contract we both signed.

Kiera:You’re no fun.

Owen:And you’re crazy. Oh, look! We can both point out the obvious.

Kiera:Har har. You know what else you are? I’ll give you a hint: it shares a name with a river in Egypt.

Kiera:Come on though, seriously. Don’t you see it? You’re not fun, Junie can help you lighten up. Junie can’t put down roots, you’re just the right amount of grounded she needs. See? P E R F E C T.

I stare at the words, keeping my reaction in check, but they still have an effect on me. I shouldn’t ask about it, but…

Owen:Can’t put down roots, huh? Is that why she has a closet full of sweatshirts she’s gotten from ex-boyfriends?

Kiera:WHAT? You know about the sweatshirts!?

Owen:I wish I didn’t.

Owen:She suggested I wear one of them when I was helping her demo her house. She was so flippant about them. As if they were just clothes.

Kiera:Maybe, to her, they are just clothes.

I lean back in my chair, considering her words. Any way I look at it, I don’t like it. How could she date fifteen men, like them enough to accept one of their sweaters, break up with them, and then consider said sweaters just clothes?

And why does that bother me so much?

Owen:She said she struggles with staying in one spot. What does that mean?

Kiera: She shared that with you?

Owen:Yeah, why?

Kiera:She didn’t share that with me until I practically forced her to after she’d already moved out.

Owen:Fine, but what does it mean?

Kiera:I don’t think I can share that with you. She’s opening up to you, which is good. But if she wants you to know her whys, she’ll tell you. Trust the process.

Kiera:And don’t mess anything up in the meantime.

Kiera:Speaking of messing things up, how bad would it be if I skipped out on dinner tonight with you and dad?

I roll my eyes then look out the window to shoot her a scathing glare, but she is wisely not looking in my direction now. Dad canceled the dinner I’d originally planned to cook for him and Kiera last weekend, which was just fine with me, because at the time, I was knee-deep in Junie’s kitchen reno. We rescheduled it for tonight, and I’ve warned Kiera repeatedly that I expect her to be there.

Owen:I will write your number on every public bathroom stall in Greenville.

Kiera:HA HA. Fine. I’ll be there. But you better be cooking something delicious.

Owen:Goat-cheese-stuffed rosemary chicken in prosciutto with asparagus and potatoes as a side. Crème br?lée for dessert.

Kiera:Drooly face emoji.

After work, I say goodbye to Junie as if we don’t literally live across a hallway from each other. I’m tempted to take the elevator up to our floor together, but I hang back, not liking how intriguing that thought is.

At home, I take a few minutes to unwind and shamelessly cuddle Storm, trying to distract myself from my swirling thoughts that always circle back to either the mole or Junie. After a quick workout, I shower and prep for dinner. I’ve got the vegetables ready and I’m starting in on the chicken, Storm weaving between my legs, when I hear voices out in the hallway. I suspect it’s my dad and Kiera coming up from the elevator, but the talking continues and no one ever knocks on my door. Curiosity eventually gets the better of me, so I wipe my hands off, give Storm a scratch where she likes it behind her ear, then head for my door.

Out in the hallway, it’s not just my dad and Kiera. Junie is also here. She’s talking to them as if she does this every day, wearing a set of cozy-looking pajamas with tiny, gray hearts printed all over them and fuzzy, pink slippers. She’s adorable, and I want to wrap her up in a hug.

“Owen!” Junie practically jumps to my side as soon as she sees me. She hugs me close, and it’s so unexpected that she almost knocks me over. “Save me,” she whispers.

“What’s going on here, guys?” I say, forcing calm into my voice.

Junie pulls back, and I can tell the smile on her face is plastic. “I was taking my trash out,” she says, motioning to a lone, forgotten garbage bag lying on the floor beside the elevator, “when your dad and sister caught me and we started talking.”

“Okay…” I glance at Kiera, hoping for a clue as to what’s going on, but she looks as wild and excited as a feral cat. Whatever is happening, she wants it to happen.

Dad gives his patented salesman smile, trying to put everyone at ease. “We were chatting about your new living situation,” he says, giving me a wink, “and the topic of Vail came up.”

Vail, Colorado is where my family has gone every single year for as long as I can remember around Valentine’s Day. The few happy family memories I do have come from those trips to Vail. Our family would rent a hotel room, ski, eat out, sit around fireplaces in the evenings, and talk or play games.

As the years went on, Vail became less enjoyable with the tension building between my parents, but the trips still happened. Until Dad found out about Mom’s affair. Now Mom doesn’t come, but Dad still makes Kiera and me go on the grounds of tradition and to insist it’s a way we can “pay him back” for putting us through school, a decision I regret to this day.

I was seriously considering skipping out on the trip this year due to the situation at work, but Shane helped convince me to take one for the team and go anyway. We’re guessing part of the reason the mole hasn’t made any recent moves is because they’re getting nervous. It’s possible that having me completely away from Em3rge for the weekend will be exactly what we need to get our mole out of hiding.

So, I’m still going, despite my reservations.

Junie grabs my arm. To my dad and Kiera, it probably looks like she’s being touchy-feely, but what she’s actually doing is squeezing my arm so hard, she might as well be tying a tourniquet above my elbow.

“What about Vail?” I ask warily.

“Well,” Kiera says, bringing a folded piece of paper out of her back pocket, “it turns out I can’t go this year. I’ve got jury duty. Darn. When Dad saw your new girlfriend here taking out the trash, I had an awesome idea.”

Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.

I admit, I didn’t tell Kiera that Junie and I were fake dating. I told her she’d moved in across from me, but I didn’t divulge the sticky situation and subsequent misunderstanding we wound up in with Dad. I kind of thought Junie would tell her, but if she didn’t, Kiera didn’t need to know anyway.

I was wrong. I should have told her. Now she’s punishing me for it.

“I told Dad that Junie should go in my place,” Kiera says, grinning.

I grab the paper from her hands and skim the contents, hoping to maybe call her bluff, but there is no bluff. She really has jury duty.

“I was trying to tell them I couldn’t go as you were coming out,” Junie says. “I mean, I don’t think we’ve been dating long enough to—”

“How long have you been dating exactly?” Kiera says, eyes narrowing.

Junie and I turn to each other, stammering. “W-well, we, uh—”

“Because I could have sworn it’s been over six months,” Kiera continues. “I think that’s plenty long to go on an overnight trip together. What do you think, Dad?”

That’s it. I’m writing her name in public bathroom stalls.

“Sounds plenty long to me,” Dad says, looking pleased with the situation.

“B-but my job,” Junie says. “I don’t think I could get away from work on such short notice.”

“Come on,” Kiera says, throwing her hands up. “I happen to know your boss personally. He’s a super cool guy. A little uptight, but he knows family comes first, and this is basically an emergency, right? He’ll approve it with no problem.”

“Kiera,” I say, a warning in my voice. I can’t call her out in front of Dad, and she knows it. “This isn’t up to you.”

Kiera rolls her eyes.

“Owen, Kiera, calm down,” Dad says as if he’s trying to break up a fight. “He’s right about one thing though. The decision is up to Junie and Junie alone.” He turns to her, giving his most disarming smile. “What do you say? It’s only a vacation. An all-expenses-paid vacation, I might add. Have you ever been to Colorado?”

“No,” she admits.

“Oh, it’s lovely. The snow-covered mountains, the sweeping valleys, the air so clean and clear and crisp.” He takes a deep breath in through his nose as if he can smell it. “And wait till you see a sunrise from those mountains. The sunsets are beautiful too, oh, yes, but the sunrises will take your breath away. Not to mention the food and shopping found right in Vail. Come on, what do you say? Will you come?”

“Well…” Junie’s eyes turn to me. “I guess if Owen wants me to come.”

“Of course he wants you to come,” Dad blusters, acting as if it’s the funniest thing he’s heard all week. “What man wouldn’t want his lovely girlfriend joining him on a romantic Valentine’s getaway? You want her to come, don’t you, Son?”

And now I’ve been caught. My foot might as well be clamped in one of those metal bear traps for how trapped I am.

I sigh, admitting defeat. “Yes, of course I want her to come.”

“It’s settled then,” Dad says, clapping Junie and me on our shoulders. “Junie comes to Vail. Now, what’s for dinner, Son? I’m starving. I hope you don’t mind, I brought my own wine.” He picks up a bottle that was on the floor beside the trash and hoists it into the air. Kiera meets my gaze, and I know we’re both thinking the same thing: great.

“You two go inside,” I say, waving them off. “I’m going to help Juniper with her trash, then walk her back to her door.”

“You mean she’s not having dinner with us?” Dad asks, looking incredulous.

“I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion,” Junie says, pointing at her outfit.

“Yeah, and besides, I thought this was a family dinner.” I emphasize the word, hoping he’ll take the hint that I only want it to be a family dinner. But Dad will have no hints. He’s apparently taken it upon himself to make this night as difficult and uncomfortable as possible.

“Nonsense. It doesn’t matter what she’s wearing. She must come. I mean, why wouldn’t she when she literally lives across the hall?”

New panic rises in my throat. Not because I don’t want to cook for Junie and have dinner with her, but because subjecting her to dinner with my dad and Kiera is a step above torture. For both of us.

But it’s clear neither Junie nor I can win tonight. Not against Dad and Kiera. They’ve ganged up on us, and they won’t let us go until we both cry uncle.

“That’s a great idea, Dad,” Kiera says, nodding emphatically. “Junie isn’t much of a cook, so she probably doesn’t have any dinner plans tonight, do you?”

Junie’s eyes go big. “Weeeell…”

“Perfect.” Dad turns to my door. “You two take care of the trash and we’ll see you inside.”

Dad and Kiera disappear, and I grab the forgotten bag off the floor, walking slowly down the hall to the trash chute, Junie at my side.

Dinner with Junie. Not just Junie. Dad, Kiera, and Junie. My brain starts immediately downloading all the worst-case scenarios that could happen tonight. All the embarrassing and awful things Dad could say. His inevitable drunkenness. I can do this. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

I’d better be able to do this because I’m going to be spending way more time with Junie in Vail.

My life is a mess. And now Junie’s caught in it too.

“I’m so sorry,” I groan.

She blinks several times then meets my gaze. “What just happened? I was standing there, right there, saying no. I was saying no, wasn’t I? That wasn’t in my head?”

“No, that wasn’t in your head. You said no. My father didn’t listen. It’s his specialty.”

“B-but, how? He wasn’t even mean or forceful about it like your mom. He was…”

“I believe the phrase you’re looking for is ‘killing you with kindness.’ Again, it’s another one of his specialties. He sells insurance for a living, so he’s had years of practice. Add the fact that Kiera was no help at all, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.”

“Yeah, what was with Kiera? I wasn’t sure how she’d react to us fake dating, but I didn’t expect that.”

“Yeah…” I stop and rub my neck after pushing the garbage down the chute. “I think she was mad we didn’t tell her we were fake dating in the first place. Also, apparently Kiera thinks we’d make a ‘cute couple’ so I think this is her way of trying to force us together.”

Pink tinges Junie’s cheeks, and her eyes go big. “Oh.”

Yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have told her that.

“Look, you shouldn’t be forced into Vail if you don’t want to go. I can make up an excuse for you. You can get sick, or maybe your super-cool-but-uptight boss will send you on a work trip, or maybe you have a family emergency or something.”

“No, it’s okay. I mean, we’re kind of stuck in this now, so we might as well enjoy a free vacation, I guess. Right?” She looks up at me hopefully, and I manage to crack a smile. The fact that she’s trying to joke gives me hope. Like maybe we’ll survive this night and this weird thing we’ve found ourselves in with my dad.

“Right. And trust me, you will enjoy this vacation. I know Dad sounded like a salesman back there, but Vail is beautiful. And fun. There’s so much to do there.” A thrill of something I haven’t felt in a long time pops into my chest. Am I…am I actually excited to share this with Junie?

Without meaning to, I’ve already started envisioning taking Junie skiing, showing her my favorite hot cocoa place, taking her ice skating, maybe holding her hand so she doesn’t fall on the ice…

I blink hard and clench my fists. This is definitely something that needs more inspection. Like, maybe even with the help of my therapist. Maybe.

“Uh, anyway, they’re probably waiting for us.” I point awkwardly back at my door but drop my hand, feeling foolish. Suddenly, I’m not sure what to do with my hands. Put them in my pockets? At my sides? Hips? One hand up, one hand down? I’m a little teapot, short and… What do people do with their hands???

Ugh. What am I doing? This isn’t like me, not knowing how to move or act or be. I’ve got to get over myself. “By the way, don’t feel like you have to change for dinner. You’re fine in what you’ve got on.”

Really fine.

Shut up, brain.

Junie smiles and moves ahead of me. “Good, because I don’t want to change. It’s your house. If you’re comfortable with me, I’m comfortable with me.”

Great. If only she knew how comfortable I was getting with her…