Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
E ric was knee-deep in expense reports when his assistant knocked.
“Busy,” he called out.
Still, the door cracked open. He frowned as Sandra poked her head into the office. She was a middle-aged woman with a young face but the wisdom only a mother of four could possess. It wasn’t like her to barge in when he was busy, so he knew instantly that the message was important.
“There’s a call for you,” she started.
His eyebrows flickered. Why hadn’t she just put it through?
“Is it an emergency?”
“No.” She bit her lip. “I don’t think so.”
“Then tell them I’m busy.”
Her brows drew together like she was concerned or maybe confused.
He fought for patience and folded his arms on the desk. “It’s not my father or one of the board members, is it?”
He already knew the answer. They’d never try to reach him through the main line. They’d call him directly on his cell.
She shook her head. “No, but he’s very insistent. And it’s odd… That’s why I’m bothering you with it.”
He took a deep breath, trying hard not to snap. But seriously. It was hard enough to concentrate on spreadsheets even without interruptions. “Odd how, Sandra?”
“His voice is…” She made a face and tried again. “He says his name is Luke Skywalker.”
Eric blinked, sure he’d heard her wrong.
Sandra looked pained. “I’d say it was a prank call, but he knew so much about you, and he said you’d want to take it, and?—”
“Put him through.” The words came out sounding far too brusque as Eric tried his best to hold back a laugh.
It couldn’t be.
She wouldn’t.
But yes, of course she would.
Sandra slipped out, and a few moments later, his desk phone rang. He picked it up, his heart already racing even before he heard Willow’s voice. “Mr. Skywalker, I presume?”
“Hello, Mr. Vader.” Her voice was so low and muddy, it made him laugh out loud.
And then Willow broke character and her answering laugh was?—
Well, it stole his breath. Eric found himself staring at his desk, temporarily speechless as a rush of emotions hit him smack in the chest. Not the least of which was relief. And…longing.
Not like heartache, but like…he was homesick.
Which made no sense whatsoever.
He cleared his throat. “I can’t believe you’re calling me.” He waited a beat. “At my office.”
“Why? It’s not like your phone’s bugged.” Willow gasped. “Wait, is it? I mean, I know the dark side can be paranoid, but?—”
“Willow.”
“Yes?”
There were so many things he meant to say. Why are you calling? What do you need? Don’t bother me during business hours.
What he said was a sappy-sounding “Hi.”
“Hello.”
He could picture her grin. Could hear it in her voice. And maybe he ought to have smothered a smile of his own, but honestly, what was the point? Instead, he let his happy expression spread as he leaned back in his seat. “You must really miss me to call me like this.”
She laughed—but she didn’t deny it. “Aren’t you curious why I’d risk the wrath of my family to reach out this way?”
“You mean it’s not just because you miss me?”
Man, he wished he could see her. Was she blushing? He’d bet money she was. She was quick to blush, and even quicker to laugh.
“Eric.” She sounded exasperated, but in a cute way. Like she was smiling as she rolled her eyes.
But it didn’t escape his notice that she still hadn’t denied that she missed him.
“Okay, fine.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “What’s this urgent message you have for me?” There was a pause. A beat long enough to make his eyebrows wrinkle again. “Willow?”
“I found something.” The words came out in a rush of air, and he could practically feel her excitement over the line.
His eyes went wide, his own excitement rising. “Wait. Like…the contract?”
If she was excited about the contract, that meant the Kings won the land argument. It’d mean he’d lost. And yet…
He couldn’t bring himself to feel anything but excited.
If it was over…
If there was no legal battle between their families…
“No, not the contract.” She sounded surprised.
“Then what is it?”
“I can’t tell you over the phone.”
“Willow. You’re killing me here.”
Her laugh was adorable. “I know. But it’s worth the wait. I promise.”
“You want me to come to you?” He didn’t know why the words felt so weighty. Or why his chest felt so freakin’ tight.
“Will you?”
Another silence. Another ache behind his rib cage. Would he go to her if she wanted him? He didn’t have to think. If he had, he would have given a different answer. “Of course.”
He swore he could hear that smile again, even though she stayed quiet for a moment. And when she spoke, she was all business. “Then what are you waiting for? Go grab your running shoes and find an excuse to meet me.”
He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
He went to hang up, all ready to jump out of his seat and rush out the door.
“Eric?”
“Yeah.”
There was that smile in her voice again, soft, small, and so freakin’ sweet. “See you soon.”