Chapter 9 Steven
STEVEN
“Damn, she fills that skirt out nice …” Cam comments as he stands in my office, staring out the glass windows at Becca.
She holds her clipboard, checking off items on the list she creates every morning.
Today, she’s wearing a knee-length pencil skirt that hugs her curves perfectly, paired with a light-blue button-down shirt that is tucked into her skirt, and plain black flats.
Her curly, brown hair is tied up in a loose bun, with a few flyaways falling by her face.
She looks beautiful, but I hate that my brother keeps making his little comments about her while staring at her.
In all honesty, it’s creepy and rubs me the wrong way, whether it’s Becca he’s talking about or another woman.
Picking up my empty to-go coffee cup, I chuck it at him. As it smacks off the back of his head, he turns and glares at me.
“What the hell, man?” he exclaims with his arms raised in the air.
“I’m serious,” I reply with a stern voice. “You need to behave at work. Don’t speak like that about any female …”
Rolling his eyes, Cam turns away from the window and walks over to my desk. “Whatever, dude. Oh, that meeting I had with Tire Gurus … nailed it, of course. I’ll add them to the list when they receive our invoice.”
Nodding, I stare at my computer screen.
That is one thing I can admit.
My brother is not good at many things, but he could sell ice to a damn penguin. “Perfect. Let’s set up a meeting with Karl and Shawn to figure out advertising ideas.”
Cam agrees and walks toward the door as my eyes wander back up to Becca.
I can’t help but watch her.
She’s beautiful.
“That’s why you are so uppity about my comments,” Cam says accusingly as he turns around, catching me staring. “You like her.”
“What? No, I don’t. I’m her boss … That’d be wrong.” It is wrong, but I don’t want to be right. “Don’t you have meetings to set up?”
Cam raises a knowing brow. “Sure. Whatever you say.” He leaves the office, chuckling at me, but I don’t care. I don’t like Becca … I love her.
I can’t help but stare at her.
I’m completely mesmerized by her presence.
She illuminates an entire room the moment she enters.
How lucky am I that I get to be with her?
Having her spend the night last night definitely rekindled that spark we were both missing.
With her wrapped in my arms all night, I got the best sleep I’ve had in years.
Unfortunately, the bed is going to feel empty if she isn’t there. I could get used to being in my home more often.
I just wish we could skip all the bullshit and just be honest for once.
Yes, it’s going to cause some fights with her family, but I’m here and willing to help her through it and stick up for her.
It’s not all her fault.
It was a mutual thing that we both wanted.
And damn … I still want it. I want her.
I love her, but I hope that Russell sees that eventually. I never wanted to hurt him.
As Cam walks through the lobby, he passes by Becca, leaning into her and whispering something before he steps into the elevator.
I want to know what he said—something awful, I’m sure—but judging by the grimace on her face, it was something dirty and not work-appropriate.
Becca then leans toward Rosalie and whispers in her ear, causing them both to laugh hysterically.
It amazes me that someone can make me feel like a lovestruck kid again.
Watching her, being around her, can turn any bad day right around.
My sigh echoes through my office as I begin scrolling through my emails, sorting and forwarding a few of them to Cam and the others down the hall.
They are the ones who set up meetings with new clients or existing clients who want to renegotiate their contracts.
Once the emails have been gone through, I attempt to move on to the numbers chart that keeps track of money earned versus money output for the company, but a small commotion out in the lobby grabs my attention almost immediately.
I’m taken aback as I see Russell and Camilla—Becca’s parents—step off the elevator, holding the hands of a little boy between them.
The kid can’t be older than five.
Who is he?
Curiosity takes over, and I close my computer to watch through the glass.
My eyes lock with the child’s, and he smiles, his eyes seeming to sparkle at me.
Russell never told me about adopting a kid or any family members who were pregnant.
So, seeing them with a little boy throws me off a little.
It has been a hot minute since I had time to stop in and see my old friend, but I think I would’ve remembered something like this.
Is he … is he Becca’s?
My eyes switch to Becca, whose face is now twisted with frustration and panic as she takes the boy’s hand.
She then turns and looks right at me, seeing that I’ve watched the whole encounter, and her face drops into disappointment.
My desire to know what the hell is going on builds, and before I know it, I’m walking out into the lobby to hear for myself.
“Hey, there he is!” Russell exclaims, excited to see me.
He reaches his hand out for me to shake, and I do happily.
“What brings you by? It’s been a while, I miss you guys,” I reply with a wide smile.
“It’s really nice to see you, Steven,” Camilla says, hugging me quickly before stepping back. “You really need to come by for dinner or drinks one of these nights.”
“Will do!” As I answer her, I shoot my eyes to Becca. “What’s going on?”
Russell steps forward, putting his hands up in front of his chest. “It’s my fault, bud. Something went south with Blue Balance, and we have to leave town for a few days to clear it all up.”
Blue Balance is the charity that Camilla started up many years ago.
It’s a company that cleans the water in the Great Lakes and protects wildlife.
It’s been a success, but sometimes, there are hiccups.
I can fully understand that frustration.
“Well,” Russell continues. “Hopefully, having her son here with her won’t cost her the job or anything, but we have no other choice right now. That cool?”
W-what? Becca’s son … She has a kid?
Standing completely still, I feel frozen in place, far too stunned to speak. I nod, silently telling him it’s okay.
“Great. Okay, we’ll be back in a few days. Love you!” Camilla calls out as they wave from the elevator. The doors close, and my eyes remain on the boy.
“Steven …” Becca says in a low tone, and I look back at her. Her eyes are wide, but she isn’t saying anything.
If she had a son, why didn’t she just tell me? I’m a very adaptable guy, but the fact that she didn’t tell me scares me a little bit. Why lie?
My mouth opens, unsure what I’m even going to say, but I stop as I feel tugging on my pant leg.
Looking down, I see the brown-haired, green-eyed little boy smiling back at me.
My face softens as a smile forms. “Well, hello there.”