Chapter 13
ELODIE
Beans is buzzing as everyone arrives at work for the day, so we opt to find a spot outside the entrance in the main lobby, halfway to the elevators. We are out of the way and have a wall to lean against.
“Thanks for the quick coffee,” I tell Savannah and hold up my to-go cup in cheers.
“No problem. It’s sometimes nice to return to my old stomping ground from my assistant days.” She smiles as she straightens the lid on her coffee.
I got in early, which gives me a few extra minutes to get a listening ear. It only took thirty seconds for me to burst out my news, and she instantly stated she needed coffee for this. An extra shot, too.
I didn’t sleep last night. I kept thinking about Hayes and what we did. On one hand, it feels good to be spontaneous again, and it feels safe because I’ve only ever been spontaneous with him. But now I’m not 100% sure the next play, if any.
“So, you haven’t seen him yet this morning?”
I finish my sip of coffee. “No. That isn’t unusual, though.
He hasn’t had Lola spend the night yet, and he gets daycare updates.
He normally tries to see her during a break or lunch, just not too often so he doesn’t disrupt the routine.
But he also has many morning and lunchtime meetings.
I’m not sure his fridge at home even has anything other than yogurt cups with animals printed on them and a few protein shakes. ”
“You do have a glow. Good for you. You satisfied your curiosity, too. Right?” She wants to beam a smile but is keeping it in check so it doesn't come off as teasing me. I think she might have been shipping Hayes and me since she put two and two together about Lola.
I tilt my head to the side, trying to hide a blushing smile. It comes far too naturally. “The attraction is still there, that’s clear. He seems to be on a path of pursuit, too. He’s great with Lola.” I list everything, and it's all positive.
Savannah takes another drink and asks, “What’s the problem then?”
Pressing my lips together, I stare at my best friend before admitting a simple fact. “It’s not him. It’s me.”
Savannah nearly sputters her coffee as she breaks out in laughter. “Really? That’s the explanation you are going to use? That cliché? In your case, it’s also a lie.”
“Not exactly,” I sigh. “I just choose not to articulate the reasons why it’s me.
Which is that it feels like it could all be too good to be true.
I also haven’t dated in, like, years. I keep reminding myself to be cautious.
I’m not 100% sure who is driving this ship, you know?
One second, I think he’s letting me go at my own pace.
Other times, he is frustratingly on a chase with his rules and actions, and if it wasn’t for my head spinning, then it is hot as hell, to be honest.”
“Listen, I don’t know him so well. Julian does. From what I’ve heard, Hayes is a good guy.”
“Yeah, I keep hearing that…” I reflect and glance into the new swarm of people arriving through the revolving doors.
“Now I have the issue of what the hell to say or do now that we were intimate. Do I pretend nothing happened? Do I address it and set new boundaries? Or just say fuck it. Either of those options involves a bucket of nerves.”
“Hmm,” she ponders.
Both of our eyes drift to the side as Hayes approaches us. Cologne strong, charcoal suit finely pressed, his eyes landing right on me. My heart quickens because he’s near, and flashbacks of last night hit me. A question of the future, him, it all morphs together in a single second.
“Morning, ladies.” His grin is a crime.
“Hey there,” Savannah greets him, the best actress in the world, showing no signs that she is privy to the last 24 hours of my life.
“Morning,” I say and avert his gaze.
“My afternoon has been reshuffled. I would like to pick up Lola early, and I’ll bring her back before her bedtime.” I’m still not used to puzzling schedules, and it must read on my face. “Concessions. Co-parenting,” he reminds me.
I put all events between us aside, because this is about Lola.
That’s maybe a good sign that I can compartmentalize.
“Sure. She’ll like that.” I make the mistake of slipping my gaze back to him, where his eyes with a glint arrow straight into me.
The flicker inside me doesn’t dampen, it’s even almost as exhilarating as last night.
In my peripheral view, I notice Savannah looking between us, a sly smile curving on her mouth.
“Well, I’ll leave you both. I have places to be, and I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.” His face remains neutral, but the subtle tick of his cheek is there. “Have a good morning, ladies.” He turns and struts away with such confidence that the crowd parts.
The feeling of a hand on my arm brings my attention back to Savannah, who is grinning.
“Ooh, this is fun. Let me think… You two probably need an icebreaker to get you both over the hurdle of morning-after conversations. Might need to be an external force.”
“That would be a miracle,” I deadpan. I’m good with confrontation. I’ve done it many times since Hayes entered the picture. But when it comes to him and me on a romantic level, my talent goes out the door.
“Like, other than the leadership team, nobody at the office realizes you two are together… I mean, that he’s Lola’s father?”
“Well, daycare and HR know. But they can’t say anything. The company is strict about NDAs and privacy, especially when it comes to kids. We mostly avoid each other. Or at least, I asked for that boundary. I don’t think anyone notices.”
She continues to think. Sometimes, when your best friend knows your thoughts and fears inside out and they appear to be conspiring, you should be worried.
But I have bigger fish to fry right now.
Blair continues to inspect me even as I just closed my tablet after our one-on-one meeting that has now wrapped up.
Throughout the whole meeting, she seemed to lose focus on our discussion.
She has talent and is a team player but needs a bit more attention to detail.
I always give compliments, then suggestions, then more compliments. The perfect sandwich method.
But right now? The roles seemed reversed.
“Elodie, can I be honest? Off the record?”
These meetings are for open conversation. I’m her superior who wants to listen, and compared to others, I feel I’m more approachable and easy to talk to. “Absolutely.” I smile.
Blair hesitates. “How do I say this?” She seems to be struggling.
“Just say it. No need to overthink it.”
She shrugs. “Okay. Well, Alexis saw you at Jupiter last night.”
A bolt hits me with slight fear. I do my best not to appear like a deer in headlights. I maintain my polite smile with a struggle. “And?”
“You were with Hayes.”
My smile is still strained, but I’m going to keep pushing forward. I still have half a day at the office to get through. “A few people from work were there. We had a meeting.”
Blair asks, “Alone?” in a doubtful tone.
“Well, some had to leave early, and I was late.”
“I hope I’m not overstepping, but there is a rumor.”
My brows raise as more fear flows through me. “Oh?”
“She said you were quite close together. Is there something going on?”
Maybe my nose flares as I grip my chair, a bit tired. “Nah. It was just work.”
She nods softly. “Yeah, I thought so.” She doesn’t sound completely convinced but seems to let it go when her smile reappears. “Well, thanks for the feedback. I'd better get back to data input. I am not looking forward to an internal audit.” She blows out a big breath theatrically.
“Who does?”
She stands and leaves, giving me a few seconds to collect myself. Exiting the meeting room, I begin to feel relief trickle inside me. Everybody is busy at their desks. When I turn the corner to my office, I can’t help but instantly smile. There are white roses.
I should be angry. This is the last thing I need right now. With rumors, my mind struggling with life decisions, and blurring lines on the professional front.
I walk to my desk and lift the card, chuckling. I should have known.
Savannah and I have always had a funny game. Betting on things in the office or things happening in Everhope. We would send things back and forth to whoever won. Cakes or flowers. I just didn’t realize we had an ongoing bet.
The card reads: These could be from someone else if you choose.
I snort a laugh to myself. Of course. Her interference would help me focus.
There’s a knock on my open door, and I peer up to see Blair. “Sorry, I forgot to ask one thing about the paid tariff for Europe.” I notice quickly how her eyes draw a line straight to the flowers. “Ooh, someone has an admirer.”
“Nah, it’s only—”
I’m interrupted by a masculine voice behind Blair. “Who the hell is sending you flowers?” Hayes stands in the doorway, fury filling his eyes.
Blair’s eyes widen as she steps aside. Hayes, his face stone, seems too tense to step farther into my office.
“It’s none of your business,” I say defensively. Shit. That is not going to help this situation. Not when I have a man completely possessed in front of me and probably half of the office listening right now. Riling him up is my mistake.
“It is my business. You’re the mother of my daughter.”
In that moment, it feels like the world stops. Blair’s jaw drops, and the office is so quiet I can hear the sound of the coffee machine a distance away.
I drop the card onto my desk, bring my hand to my hip, and my face hardens with anger. “Blair, can you give us a minute. And by all means, fuel that gossip train as Hayes is Lola’s father,” I tell her flippantly.
Blair still seems in shock, which is fair enough, as she has just witnessed an office secret pop. She nods nervously before fleeing.
Hayes ignores her and steps into the office, carelessly closing the door behind him. “Answer me.”
Shaking my head in disbelief, I’m furious. “First off, they’re from Savannah, so calm it down.” He instantly sighs in relief. I clench my hanging fists in the air, pushing back every ounce of wanting to shout. “Bravo, Hayes. The whole office now knows.”
He thinks for a few ticks, hopefully realizing what his slip-up has just done. Instead, I get, “I don’t care. I have no problem with people knowing that Lola is mine.”
Continuing to struggle, I roll my eyes and now resort to clawing my hair. “Indeed, we were not going to hide our connection forever. We were just waiting for the appropriate time but remaining professional in the office.” I smack my lips together. “Not sure this was the way.”
Hayes winces. “You’re right.” He pinches the bridge of his nose and glances away, then drives his gaze straight back to me. “No. You’re not right. I’m sorry it happened like this. But I’m not going to apologize for not waiting any longer.”
“You said you would respect my work boundaries. I’m not in a position to snap my fingers and demand my team sings my praises.
I don’t get that privilege like you do in your career,” I scold him.
I notice the remorse appearing on his face, and I drop down onto my chair, giving up.
He has every right to be proud and open about Lola.
We do have company parties for bringing your family to meet Santa or the Easter Bunny.
It wouldn't be fair for him to stand back and just watch us. I’ve been holding the big reveal back, so afraid of optics.
Somebody was going to break early. It just happened to be him. Nor is it surprising.
“Would you be thrilled if you saw me with flowers for someone that isn’t you?” he calmly challenges.
Sighing, he just hit the nail on the head.
“No, I wouldn’t be thrilled,” I admit, deflated.
In fact, I hate the mere thought. Is it crazy that I feel a sense of possessiveness all because we have a connection that nobody else could have and I would be jealous if that were to change by being with someone else.
He crosses his arms, tilting his head in several angles as he inspects me.
“We agree on something else again. You’re exactly where you are meant to be, Elodie.
You just don’t say it out loud, even though you know it, too.
It's happening.” He moves to tower over me with both hands planted on my desk.
“You and me, in case you need clarity, but you’re already fully aware. ”
I feel my throat dry, and I’m filled with that sensation of blood running extra fast inside me.
It’s easy for me to say he’s right. But this isn’t the place, nor do I want him to get the impression that I give in so easily to agree to everything.
Instead, I tamp down my anger and resort to humor.
“You know it would be easier if you did send me flowers. Then I could throw these at you right now. But they’re from Savannah, and I won’t ruin them, so you’re saved…
but either way, I don’t think I would. You’re safe. Because your points are valid… very.”
“Good. Now, other than my moment a minute ago, I do have restraint, so getting you on the desk isn’t going to happen,” he replies.
“Oh, the shock and horror,” I reply flatly.
“I’ll see you when I drop Lola off, okay?”
“Yes. I’m still a little rattled, though, from your outburst.”
It only causes him to smirk as he slowly leaves, taking all of the tension and insanity of the scene with him. Now I just have to deal with my team.
Rolling my shoulders back, I decide there is no time like the present to rip this bandage off.
Everybody knows about Lola, and nobody has ever asked about her dad, and I never brought him up.
The office does establish boundaries, unless you’re Hayes, which means people tend not to press about life out of the office if they get the hint not to.
My time has run out, as it’s now public knowledge.
Straightening my blouse, I walk out of my office with my head held high. I already see my team congregating in the corner by the coffee machine. The moment they spot me, they pretend to be unaware.
“It’s fine. I’m sure you heard.” I pause for a second.
“The whole floor, perhaps,” I quip. “So I will get this out once. I’m connected to Hayes, he’s Lola’s dad, and no, I am not working here because of him.
I already worked here before we ever met, and my promotion was long before he even joined the company.
Say whatever you want, but I’m always open with my team.
No further questions?” They look at me blankly, and I paste on a bright smile.
“Good. Now, I heard someone brought chocolate chip cookies today.”
Hayes with Lola. Check. Office knowledge. Check. Attraction. Yep, also check.
I'm taking the next step.
Guess my list is about to be complete.