6. Elodie
ELODIE
The last thing I ever wanted was to end up in the head of HR’s office due to my personal relationships, yet here I am.
But I'm smart, and it is important to do things by the book, especially with Hayes’s high-profile role. HR also has a policy of confidentiality, so I'm not too worried about office gossip.
For a second, I admire Olivia's nude pump heels with her light brown pantsuit.
She has fashion sense, and it offers a brief distraction from my nerves.
And even though Olivia is from Everhope and we are familiar with one another out of the office, who loves waking up to an email from HR? Not me. Even though it was expected.
“This doesn’t need to be a long meeting,” Olivia says as she sits in her chair, while Hayes and I sit on opposite ends of the sofa in her office meeting area.
“Short and to the point is the best way to do this.” Hayes doesn’t seem too concerned. He’s already fixed his suit as though he will stand to leave any second, as though he can control the time and narrative of this meeting.
Me? I’m not the one who is only one step down from the CEO.
I have a long way to go. Even though Haven Crossroads is family-friendly, it doesn’t slip my mind that there must be people in the office who judge me for being a single mom.
I’ve had to prove my worth more than others, sometimes.
Now poof. Hayes enters the picture, and I'm sure they will form theories of favoritism as to how I've excelled in my role.
"Standard procedure," she says, sensing Hayes’s lack of interest. Olivia’s eyes fix on me. She shifts in her seat with a small smile. “I understand the… dynamics of your lives.” Olivia is trying to be tactful.
“I believe we are disclosing our…” How do I label this? I’m mirroring her communication style now. “Relationship as co-parents.”
Hayes clears his throat and gives me a strong glare through side-eye before he turns his attention to Olivia and offers her a more neutral smile. “We have a personal relationship for obvious reasons.”
Really? That’s his label for us? Just ring a bell, let everyone guess what we are.
“We’re here because of formality. Technically, as long as you both disclose your… connection,” her voice is a little uneven, “then you have done what is needed.”
“We are disclosing it to ensure there are no issues. Foster is my manager. Hayes and I are in different departments. I will barely cross paths with Hayes, and we will avoid being seen together in the office,” I assure her.
“Well, that might be a step too far. Being seen together in the office will be happening.” Hayes smirks. “On a professional level, of course.”
Olivia’s eyes travel between us. “Professional it will be,” she reiterates and gawks at him. “Obviously, it would be hypocritical for Julian to ban office relationships. But let’s not use Julian and Savannah as the standard.”
“Oh, I will.” Hayes grins, probably because he can only guess they lacked professionalism at times when she was Julian's assistant.
“No.” I shake my head. “No, he won’t. Savannah left after they got together. I’m staying. I’m happy here, it has great benefits for Lola, and I enjoy working with numbers in finance.”
She gives me a soft smile. “I know. Your employee reviews sing your praises.” She spreads her hands up as she lifts her shoulders.
“All I can say is you’ve disclosed, and Hayes will never be able to sign off on any project that you are involved in.
And discretion is key for you two.” She lowers her arms. “It helps ensure colleagues are put in a comfortable position.”
He raises his brows, and Olivia grimaces at her choice of words. We all let it slide. Hayes stands, brushing his hands down the front of his suit jacket before buttoning it.
“It’s been a pleasure. Formality is now complete.”
“Sure. I’ll send you both a document to sign to confirm we discussed the topic.” She gets up and walks back to her desk.
I release a breath I’ve been holding. Relief. Finally, it’s over.
“There is one more thing since I have you both here.”
“Sure,” I reply.
“Also for consideration down the line, you might need to chat with payroll. For tax reasons and such, it is necessary to ensure that Lola is a dependent on the correct parental health insurance and that family leave coordination is in place for both of you. Those kinds of things.” She says it so easily, but my body tightens, and I bite my lip.
Olivia notices my tension. “Just standard when both legal guardians or parents work here… something to think about.”
“Perfect. Have payroll reach out.” Hayes is eager.
Swallowing back my mixed emotions, I’m not sure what I’m feeling.
I’m in limbo because he is Lola’s father, yet he isn’t legally her father.
He’s assuming, even though the papers haven't been signed yet. But he is very correct; he will have to be. It’s his right.
That means there are many implications for our dynamic. Thanks, tax man.
"Thanks, Olivia," I say as I leave.
I’m hoping he’ll wait for me to leave first, but halfway down the hall, I know Hayes has already ditched his promise to keep his distance in the office—confirmed when he treads close behind me toward the elevator.
I sigh in frustration when I step inside the elevator, and he follows. When the door closes, I don't look at him.
“She’s right, you know.”
“About the distance in the office? Yeah. Well done for not following that rule ten seconds in,” I reply dryly and look forward at the elevator buttons.
He grabs my arm softly and encourages me to look in his direction. He pins his gaze on me, persistence tinged with a shade of sensitivity. “The other part. The legal parent and dependent factor. Lola's birth certificate?”
“It makes sense to add your name to it.”
“Something is bothering you.” I don’t think I’ve heard his voice this way. It’s softer, more concerned.
My heart pounds—tears threaten, but why?
Everything is hitting at once. “Nothing. I’m just processing.
” It’s the safest thing I can say. But it bothers me too much, and I turn to him and huff a breath.
“Please take it seriously at the office. The professional factor. I’m not you.
I’m still building a career under unusual circumstances at my age.
I have years to go. Respect that, because the idea of being pushed away or judged all because of you won’t help us. ”
He goes mute, and his eyes draw a line up and down my body, although he is pondering my words.
It must register with him. I’m being logical.
He steps forward and touches my elbow, merely a feathering touch.
But it’s enough to make my heart race even faster.
My eyes land on his chest because I don’t dare peer up.
Having him close makes my brain go haywire.
“Okay, Elodie.” He’s resolute in tone, pure sincerity glinting in his eyes.
“Thank you.” I’m uncomfortable under the weight of his stare. I feel heavy and too rooted to the floor, unable to leave his orbit.
“We’ll keep work and our parenting separate. Anything else bothering you?”
I shake my head, even if it is a lie.
He doesn’t seem to believe me but is reluctant to pursue. “Okay. Well, we’ll get the fine print sorted.”
My eyes drift back to the door as the elevator slows at my floor.
“Sure.” Because either way, that step is coming, so we might as well get it out of the way.
I'm a responsible person when it comes to Lola, and I owe it to her to ensure she has the best opportunities, and Hayes is part of that equation.
Relief floods me the instant the doors slide open. I can't get out fast enough.
“Never? Really?” Savannah doubts me as she stirs her coffee.
We’re sitting at Beans, the coffee shop with decent coffee at the bottom of the building, where anybody from the public can go.
I’ve been catching her up to speed and have calmed down.
In the end, nobody said anything wrong during the HR meeting yesterday.
It was simply fact and procedure. It was bound to happen, and now it is out of the way.
Savannah, although supportive, has now broached the topic I was hoping to avoid.
I set my chicken salad sandwich down on the plate. “I’m not just going to slide back into his bed,” I remind her. If I didn’t have Lola to think about, then the answer would be quite different if I’m honest.
“Whoa there, tiger. I wasn’t talking about that.
Good to know someone’s mind is in the gutter, though.
” She smiles and brings her mug to her lips for a quick sip.
“I was actually talking about exploring the option of a romance. That sometimes involves other things, in case you need a refresher. Maybe dinner or flowers. A kiss, then the good stuff that your mind is clearly thinking about.”
It’s only natural—chemistry doesn’t always just switch off because a relationship changes. Especially when his cologne still lingers at my place as a reminder. But we share a daughter; nothing is simple.
“Hmm. Okay.”
Lines form on my forehead. “What do you mean, okay?”
She lifts a shoulder. “I think when it cools between you two about how to navigate Lola, then you both most definitely are going to be investigating something else. If Hayes is like Julian, and from what I know, he is, you have a persistent man in your life now, so congratulations.”
Grumbling to myself, I pray inside that she’s wrong. Can’t I have it easy for once? Must my life be complicated?
“I can’t get twisted into…” I twirl my hands in the air, “whatever it could be. My priority is Lola.”
“Who deserves to be happy, including her parents being together if the option presents itself?” Savannah preambles the suggestion and smiles contritely.
Rolling my eyes, I rake my fingers through my hair. “Why must you drag me into this conversation, my dear best friend?”