5. Garrett
GARRETT
“ S ir?” someone says and it’s only then that I notice how silent my office is, despite the three other people sitting around me.
Shit.
This is the third time during this meeting alone that I have completely zoned out. That’s not counting the two calls before this that I struggled to focus on as well. It’s a good thing that I always make sure to have my assistant present to take notes during business calls and meetings. Something I’ve never needed to rely on as heavily as I will today or until I get my head on straight.
Which is something I don’t expect to happen until Paige gives me her answer.
It took all my self-control not to message her over the weekend asking if she’s made up her mind. To give her the space she rightfully deserves while making a life-changing decision.
Part of me had hoped she’d just say yes without hesitating simply because it was me asking. But even with the slight disappointment at not having her answer just yet, I can’t ignore the pride that tugs in my chest. She’s thinking this through, making sure that saying yes is the right choice for her, and I respect that. If anything, it solidifies that she really is made for this job.
Paige doesn’t make decisions based on emotion. That much I’ve known for a long time now. If she says yes, it won’t be because of me.
My stomach twists at the realization. It’s an effort not to dwell on the feeling and instead, focus back on my current meeting.
Straightening in my seat, I clear my throat and take a quick glance around the room, trying to figure out who spoke.
“Since the company and their teams are ready to make this sale final as soon as possible and since their main office is out of New York City, their lawyers asked if you would be willing and able to meet them there for the final signing. They promised to help move things along quicker however possible if you can,” Tyler, one of my team’s lawyers, repeats without an ounce of irritation in his voice. At the same time that my assistant, Gwen, tilts her notepad in my direction.
Gwen has been with me since the beginning of SweetHeart Publishing. Sometimes I wonder how she manages to put up with my busy schedule while also raising two teenage boys of her own. I once offered to bring on a second assistant, in case she needed more time at home. Her response was to scoff and ask me how much I wanted my mom around when I was fourteen.
Even if it wasn’t my biological mom, and for as much as I loved being around Liv Mikelson, I got her point. She needed to keep herself busy because they were no longer dependent on her.
Still, I always try to make sure she’s home for dinner time, that she has the weekends off as much as possible, and that she doesn’t work on holidays.
Though she claimed she didn’t need help before this expansion, I know that will need to change. Or at least, we’ll need to hire a secondary assistant for Paige so that Gwen isn’t pulled in two different directions.
Assuming Paige says yes.
Glancing down at the notepad, I look over the three dates at the beginning of November underlined. I nod, offering her a smile that I hope shows her just how grateful I am.
Mr. Daniels, the current owner of the company I plan to merge with SweetHeart Publishing, mentioned that he wanted this sale to move quickly when we first spoke. His wife had a health scare a few months ago and it made him realize how important prioritizing his family is. It’s sad that it sometimes takes such a terrifying thing for some to come to that realization, but at least he’s acting on it.
It also means that a quick sale is a win-win for both of us.
“Schedule the meeting for the first week of November.” I glance toward Andrea, our HR director. “Can you get a plan in place for what onboarding the team to SweetHeart’s payroll will look like with the holidays? I’ll send over the necessary information I have available.”
Andrea nods, making a note as she answers without looking at me. “I’ll do what I can from this side. Most of it might just be planning and prep while we sort through employee files and who will be staying on.”
“Thank you. Let me know what you need.” Combing a hand through my hair, I lean back in my seat and glance at Tyler. “Is there anything else you or their lawyers need in order to ensure we are set to finalize everything in November?”
I don’t miss the hesitancy that flashes across his face before he swallows thickly and answers.
“Any partners you plan to add will need to be sent to me in the next week or two so we can add them to the contracts before finalization,” he states, raising an eyebrow in a silent question.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I ignore his unsaid inquiry. “I’ll let you know.”
With that, we wrap up our meeting, my list of things to do over the next month not seeming any lighter. I sink back into the couch, letting out a heavy breath now that I’m alone. Before my mind gets a chance to wander, my phone vibrates in my pocket and I can’t even stifle the groan.
Mondays aren’t normally like this. There’s almost always a comforting familiarity to them. Yes, they’re typically the busiest days while everyone catches up from a weekend off. But it’s also the day I spend the most time with Paige, even if it is in meetings.
However, every now and then, there are days like today, where I’m needed elsewhere and don’t get more than a fleeting glimpse of her.
Groaning, I push to my feet and pull my phone from my pocket, frowning at the number on the screen. Having grown up there, the Colorado area code makes me pause and rack my brain for who would be calling me.
Given that Dominik is now here in Tampa, the only people I know from there either don’t know me well enough to have my cell number or are in prison. I have Hank’s, my parents’ case manager, number and the prison where my parents are locked up both memorized and saved in my phone. Shaking it off as a spam caller, I decline the call.
Besides, if it was actually important, they would leave a voicemail.
After straightening my suit jacket, I head toward my desk. There’s actual work to do, papers that need signing, and emails that need responding to before I call it a day.
However, as I pause in front of my windows and stare out over the city, all I can think about is Paige and what her decision will be.
I’m unsure of how long I stand there, lost in my mind, when a knock on my door finally pulls my attention back. The voice that speaks up makes my damn heart skip as I turn to face it.
“Do you have a second in your busy schedule?” she asks, her diamond eyes shining as she watches me from the doorway.
Everything about her is breathtaking. Her black skirt is practically painted on, hugging her thighs and hips deliciously. A dark red blouse is tucked seamlessly in at her slim waist, complementing her pale complexion. But it’s her midnight hair that hangs freely that makes me pause. She normally favors ponytails, preferring to keep it away from her face while she works.
Yet today it’s different. It frames her beautiful face, tucked to one side, making my fingers flex with the need to run through it.
“For you,” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets and stepping back around my desk, “always.”
Paige finally enters, shuts the door behind her, and slowly crosses to stand in front of me. I keep my eyes on her, studying her as if it will help me read her mind.
She stops just within arm’s reach. If I were to reach out, I could easily find out if her hair is as silky as it looks. The thought has me clenching my hands into fists inside my pockets and leaning back to rest against my desk.
“I have an answer,” Paige states and every inch of my body freezes.
All I can do is stare at her, letting the silence grow while continuing to watch for any hint as to what she’s decided.
“And?” It’s all I can manage as a response while I hold my breath.
Finally, a smile spreads across her lips, her eyes dancing with excitement as she nods. “I accept.”
The tension that had been building all weekend finally snaps, leaving me alongside the air from my lungs as I push off the desk. Before I can think twice about it, Paige is in my arms and I’m pulling her into my chest. Her laugh is muffled, the vibrations rattling through my rib cage as she melts into my embrace. The sweet floral scent from her perfume invades my nostrils, effectively short-wiring my senses and making it so all I can think about is the way she fits perfectly in my arms.
She wraps her arms around me, hugging me back, and rests her cheek on my chest with a contented sigh.
“I don’t know why I was nervous to tell you yes, but I was. A hug was shockingly not how I expected you to react,” she whispers.
I hold her for a few more seconds, which is longer than professional, before I reluctantly step back. Scratching the back of my neck, I duck my head in hopes of hiding the red staining my cheeks as I fumble through what to say.
“Thank you. This is… I’m really happy you said yes.”
This time, Paige is the one blushing.
“You can actually thank two bottles of wine, some colorful gel pens, and a friend who wouldn’t let me be mean to myself.”
I laugh, knowing she’s talking about Lilly. It never occurred to me when I was reminding myself to give her space, that she would need a sounding board. Which was most likely why I didn’t hear from her this weekend. I have Leo to bounce all my ideas off of, so I’m grateful she now has a friend here to do the same with.
But even I won’t deny that I’m jealous she turned to Lilly instead of me. Not because I don’t think she shouldn’t go to her friends for help. No, it’s simply because there’s a deep part of me that wants to be the person she goes to when needing someone.
“I’ll make sure to buy her a ‘thank you’ drink the next time we all go out.”
“Just make sure it’s a margarita and she’ll be happy.” Paige chuckles. She shakes her head and holds up a folder I didn’t notice until now. “So what happens next? I have a bunch of questions and honestly, no idea how I managed to make it through an entire day without barging into your office demanding answers.”
With a grin, I glance at my watch. “Do you have anywhere to be?”
Paige shakes her head.
“What do you say to getting dinner and I’ll answer everything?”
She laughs, smiling so brightly she practically steals my breath once more.
“Only if there’s queso involved.”
“So celebrating with Mexican food. Got it.” I laugh, turning to snatch up my wallet and keys. “I’m sensing a theme between how to make both you and Lilly happy.”
“What can I say, margs and queso are the solution to everything.” Paige shrugs, turning on her heel and leading the way out of my office.
Feeling a hundred times lighter than I did this morning, I follow after the sound of Paige as she acknowledges everyone she passes.
Three hours later, I’ve answered all her questions, taken notes for some of her new ideas to look further into and we’ve long since finished our food. Yet neither of us makes a move to leave the colorful booth.
As Paige tells me a story about her and Lilly’s college dart league, I hang onto every word she says while Leo’s friendly reminder rings through my head.
Since she’s officially accepted the job, she’s no longer just my employee. Paige is my business partner. A little voice in the back of my mind tempts me with the teasing thought of making her my partner in every sense of the word.
There’s no denying that Paige captivates me. Anyone who meets her would be a fool not to fall for her in some way.
But there’s no way I could make a move and mess up this opportunity with the company expansion for both of us.
I’ve shoved my feelings for Paige aside for this long. How hard could it be to keep them tucked away?