Chapter Twenty-Nine
Pepper
“I think we actually have a shot at this funding,” Ravi says as we head for his car Wednesday afternoon after pitching our migraine device and the hands-free mouse alternative to MS Enterprises.
“I got that feeling, too. They also seemed interested in hearing about our other ideas.”
He opens the passenger door for me and goes around to his side of the car. I pull out my phone as he settles behind the wheel.
“Sending Dr. Bowry a thank-you?”
“No, but I will. I’m texting Clay. He was so excited for us this morning. I want to let him know how it went.”
“Look at you, excited about texting a man, and hardly working overtime anymore. I guess you’re enjoying having him around after all.”
I lower my phone to my lap and look at him. “What do you mean after all ? You know I love being with him. You saw us at dinner the other night. There was no shortage of PDA.” We met Ravi, Chris, and Min for pizza and wings at a pub Monday night. We played pool and darts, which I hadn’t done since college, and we had a wonderful time. We’re getting together with them Sunday to watch the Super Bowl, and I’m even excited about that.
“I also know you fought it tooth and nail for a long time, Little Miss If Anyone Asks, I Had a Work Emergency This Weekend.”
“I didn’t know who he was for all that time. I thought he was just a self-centered jock. Now I know he’s someone who loves his family and cares deeply about other people, and he sees all of me, Ravi. Like you do.”
“I assure you, Clay sees more of you than I have in a very long time.” He flashes me a teasing grin. “I’m happy for you. It’s good to see you smiling and not so stressed all the time. How long is he staying?”
“I have no idea, but I’ll miss him when he leaves. I miss him when he’s gone for a few hours. We have so much fun when we’re together. Do you know what he got me to do the other morning after watching the sunrise?”
“Knowing you two, you had wild sex.”
“Well, yes , but that was after he convinced me to go running with him. Running , Ravi. I don’t run , and that wasn’t the worst part. We did a polar plunge in the lake.” I whisper, “ Naked! ”
He barks out a laugh. “Are you kidding? In the park?”
“Yes! Can you believe it? Me . Naked in the park! He makes me so reckless, and I don’t even regret it.”
He laughs. “I knew I liked him for you.”
“It’s crazy . Running? Skinny-dipping? I swear, when we’re together, I don’t recognize myself.” I debate not saying more, but it comes out in a hushed voice. “But I kind of do , you know?”
“Of course you do. It’s the old you. The one you tried to bury after the accident. I told you when you got back from Paris and I saw how you’d changed in a weekend, I knew he was someone who could make a difference in your life. Hell, who could breathe your love of life back into you. I’m so glad you didn’t shut him out when he showed up at the office that first time.”
“Me too. We’re going to Oak Falls for the Valentine’s Day Festival next weekend. I’m a little nervous about it.”
“Why? Everyone knows about you and Clay, and he already knows your family.”
“ That’s why. You know how my sisters are. Now that everyone knows, nothing is off-limits. Brindle is going to ask embarrassing questions, and Sable is going to be overprotective. I haven’t been with a guy in front of my family since… you ,” I say with surprise.
“Well, don’t expect them to like him as much as they like me. I mean, I’m me .”
“You’ve been hanging around Clay too much,” I tease. “I’m not worried about them liking him. They already like him. What if they go overboard and scare him off?”
He gives me a serious once-over. “I’ll be there if you need backup, but you must really be falling for him to worry about that.”
“ Shh ,” I say softly. “We’re not talking about that.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s scary,” I whisper.
“You survived being called his flavor of the week very publicly. Nothing is scarier than that.”
That’s what I tell myself, but when I think about not being with Clay, my chest hurts.
We make good time on the way back to Charlottesville, and when we get up to the office, there are two men on ladders hanging up a gorgeous black and gold SynTech sign on the wall behind the reception desk. “Excuse me.”
The men look over their shoulders at me with questions in their eyes.
“Hi. Can you tell me who ordered that sign?”
The older of the two men says, “Um…Dr. Montgomery, I believe.” He looks at the other man, who nods in confirmation and adds, “A guy named Chris signed off on it when we got here.”
“Okay, thank you.” As they go back to hanging the sign, I look at Ravi, and he’s grinning like the cat who ate the canary. “Did you know about this?”
He stifles a grin.
“Oh my God. You did . This was Clay’s doing, wasn’t it?”
He shrugs, splaying his hands.
“ Ravi ,” I say with amusement. “Now you’re loyal to him before me?”
“When it comes to surprising you, I am.”
I cross my arms, but I can’t hide my smile. “I don’t know if I like you two in cahoots behind my back.”
“Yes, you do.” He chuckles. “I’ll be in my office. Let me know if you want me to meet with Clare or the other candidate after you’re done interviewing them.”
I thumb out a message to Clay as I head for my office.
Me: I see the sign fairy has struck again.
Clay: I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Me: Too bad. I had some sexy thank-yous in mind for him.
Me: I guess I’ll have to give them to the guys who are putting up the sign for me instead.
An angry emoji pops up.
Me: Is that an admission?
An angel emoji pops up, followed by a gift emoji and a red heart.
Me: You are too much! I love the sign! It’s beautiful. Thank you! I add a smiling emoji surrounded by hearts.
Clay: I’m glad you like it. Good luck with the interviews today.
Me: Thanks! Have fun with Ben and his friends. I’m going to stay late to catch up from this morning.
Clay: Sounds good. There are about a dozen guys meeting us at the field. Take your time and text when you’re done. We’ll celebrate your pitch.
It makes him so happy working with those boys, I can only imagine how good a father he’ll be one day. I sit down behind my desk and dive into my work, counting down the minutes until I’ll see him again.
After a not-so-great interview with an applicant from the ad who asked if she would have opportunities to meet “Mr. Perfect,” Clare shows up ten minutes early for our interview. Dressed in gray slacks, a cream sweater, and heels, she looks professional and nervous.
“Hi, Clare. It’s nice to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you, too. It’s always a little strange seeing customers outside the café. I feel like I should have brought you a latte.”
“There’s no need for that.” I smile. “Let’s go to my office and chat.”
In my office, I hang up her coat, and in an effort to make her more comfortable, we sit at the table instead of across from each other at my desk.
“I brought you a résumé.” She opens her purse and pulls out an envelope, which she hands to me. “I haven’t applied for a job in a long time. I hope that looks okay.”
“This is perfect.” I scan the details of her work history. “You have a lot of office experience. Can you tell me about it?”
“Sure. I started working for Mr. Park, the owner of the café, as a waitress seven years ago. He also owns a convenience store and a night club, and he has an office in each establishment. From the beginning, when he needed help with any of the business offices, I would fill in answering phones and handling general office duties. His wife handled the bookkeeping, payroll, and inventory, but she trained me to do them a few months before she left him. That was three years ago.”
“Sounds like it was a sticky situation.”
“That’s putting it mildly. Their divorce was messy, and that’s when things started going downhill. Mr. Park has never been very organized. He had four people running the offices, and now he only has me and one other person. Unfortunately, he doesn’t pay enough to keep waitstaff at the café, either, which is why I’m there a lot, as you know.”
“Almost daily, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes, but some of that is for extra hours. I also work in the evenings in the offices sometimes to catch up.” She tells me about the software she uses, the hours she works, and how much she enjoys the work she does, both in the café and in the offices. And then she tells me how much she earns, which isn’t much above minimum wage. “I get tips, too, at the café, but they’re never much.”
I’m in awe of her resilience and her loyalty. “That’s a lot to handle while raising your family.”
“It is, but I’d do anything for my kids.”
“From what I know, it sounds like at least Ben would do anything for you, too.”
Her expression warms. “Benny is an amazing person. I hate needing to rely on him to help make ends meet, but we haven’t had much of a choice. I had big plans when I was young. I wanted to become a nurse, but then I got pregnant with Ben and followed his father here. I had Ben when I was eighteen. His father left town with another girl six months later. In many ways, Ben and I grew up together. We had a lot of tough years, but we made it, and then I met Sammy and Trina’s dad and thought things were going to get easier. But after Sammy was born, their father started drinking and never stopped. I had to ask him to leave.”
“I’m sorry. Does he still see the kids?”
“No. Things got ugly before he left. I have no idea where he is, and I don’t want to know. But the kids and I got through it, and we’re stronger because of it.”
“That says a lot about you. You seem very resilient.”
“I had to be. Thank goodness for Ben. He loves the little ones so much, and he’s always there to help with them. When he was sixteen, he started working to help with the bills. I didn’t ask him to. He just did it, and thank goodness he did. With kids, there’s always something that costs more than you anticipate. Do you have children?”
“No, but I come from a big family. I know how expensive kids can be.”
“It’s the unexpected things that take a toll, some that are optional, like my boys loving football. Let me tell you, that is not a cheap sport, even when they’re little. I know those expenses must seem frivolous, but I’m determined to make sure their lives are the best they can be.”
“I don’t think supporting your child’s love of anything is frivolous, and it’s paying off, at least for Ben.”
“Yes, it is, and he deserves it. He is the first person in our family to go to college, and I am so very proud of him.” That pride radiates in her brown eyes. “Then there are the expenses that aren’t optional, like a medical diagnosis that sucks the wind right out of you.”
“Are you referring to yourself? Are you ill?” How much pressure can one woman take?
“I wish it were me. Trina had a seizure in the bath a few months ago. I’ve never been so scared in my life. That’s when we found out she has epilepsy.”
“I’m so sorry. My younger sister Amber has epilepsy. She was eight when she was diagnosed, and it was scary for all of us. How are Trina and your other kids handling it?”
“Trina had a hard time accepting it. No child wants to be different than their friends. But she’s a strong little girl, and she’s doing okay now. Her brothers worry about her, of course, but we try really hard not to treat her differently.”
“My parents taught us to do the same. It wasn’t easy, though. We all wanted to protect Amber, but I’m sure it was even more difficult for our parents.”
“Difficult doesn’t even begin to describe it. I want to wrap Trina up in Bubble Wrap and carry her around with me.” Clare smiles. “But my daughter would never put up with that. You saw her attitude over missing her brother’s sleepover.”
“She seems like a pistol. Are they able to control her seizures with medicine?”
“We thought they were, but she’s had two seizures while she’s been on it, and they’re making adjustments.”
“That’s not uncommon. They’re called breakthrough seizures.”
“Yes, that’s what they called them. We’re hoping that’s all it is. The doctor said there is a type of epilepsy that’s drug resistant, which scares me even more. Life is hard enough. I don’t want my baby to have to deal with that.”
“Hopefully the medication will work. Do you know what we do here?”
“A little bit. I read that you do research and development for medical devices.”
“That’s exactly what we do, and one of our current projects is a device to help people with drug-resistant epilepsy. It’ll take time before it’s ready for trials and to be put on the market, but there are other options if it comes to that. I’m sure her doctor will go over them with you.”
“Yes, he mentioned that. But…if this isn’t fate, I don’t know what is.”
Before Clay and I came together, I might have rolled my eyes at that comment, but so much has changed over the past month, I’m starting to believe in fate. “It sure seems that way, doesn’t it?”
She presses her hand to her chest and takes a shaky breath. “I’m sorry. I was so nervous about coming here, and I just realized I’ve rambled on about my family’s problems. I’m sure that makes me the last person you want to hire, but please know that I have accepted that I have terrible taste in men, and I will not be going there again.”
“You are not the last person I’d want to hire, and don’t be too hard on yourself. We’ve all made mistakes and chosen the wrong partners.”
“It seems like you have a great guy.”
“Clay is wonderful,” I say honestly. “But I had to kiss my fair share of frogs, too.”
“Well, I’m done kissing frogs.” She emphasizes her proclamation with a swipe of her hand. “I am happily single, and I have more than enough on my plate to keep me busy and happy.”
I thought I did, too. “I understand where you’re coming from, but you never know when someone remarkable will walk through your door. Like you walked through mine.” The smile that earns warms my heart. “What are you looking for in a job? What’s important to you?”
“Stability and working with honest people who appreciate the work I do. It would be nice to use my brain and maybe learn a little something along the way. I don’t mind some overtime, but I’d really like to be home with my kids at night and earn enough money so Ben can focus on his life and not ours. I know that’s asking a lot, but if you give me a chance, I promise I will be a dedicated, hard worker. I’m a good problem solver, too, and if I can help it, I’ll never leave you hanging.”
“With all you’ve been keeping up with, I have no doubt you’d be a dedicated employee. Let me tell you about the job, and then we can see if you’re still interested.” I explain what we’re looking for, and we talk about the areas in which she could take on more responsibility as time goes on. Clare asks intelligent questions, and we get along well. I explain the benefits, and the salary, which far exceeds what she’s currently earning. “Does that sound like something you would be interested in?”
“Absolutely. It sounds like a dream job. I love the office work I do for Mr. Park, and I’m good at it. I’m very detail oriented, and I never let anything fall through the cracks. You can call the references I have listed on my résumé. Melanie Park is his ex-wife. I spoke to her and to the others on the list. They’re the other employees who left the company, and they said they’d be happy to talk with you.”
“That’s wonderful. I will call them. Do you have time to meet the rest of the staff?”
“Yes, I’d like that.”
Clay
The sun is going down as Ben and his friends get into position for another play. These guys work together like a well-oiled machine. They’re hungry for training and hungrier for success. I’ve been pushing each of them over the last week, and I love their energy and enthusiasm.
Kent, the UVA quarterback, catches the snap, and the small crowd cheers from the sidelines as Ben bolts down the field with two defenders on his heels.
“That’s it, Jeremiah! Stay on him!” I holler as Kent throws the ball.
“Get it, Ben!” a group of girls yells from the sidelines.
Ben leaps into the air, reaching for the ball as Jeremiah jumps up in front of him. Ben catches it just above Jeremiah’s fingertips, lands on his feet, and sprints toward the end zone with Jeremiah and Zack, another defender, on his heels. The people on the sidelines go wild, cheering and whistling.
“Get in there, Ben!” I shout, my heart racing.
Ben dives for the end zone, and Jeremiah and Zack dive for him. They go down in a tangle of limbs, and the crowd gasps. Jeremiah and Zack climb off Ben, and there’s a beat of silence before Ben hollers, “It’s in!” and jumps to his feet as his buddies shout, “Touchdown!”
“Yes!” I holler with the crowd as Ben and the guys throw their arms around each other.
The rest of their buddies run down the field cheering and shouting as Ben, Jeremiah, and Zack run toward them. They crash into each other, building each other up and cheering each other on. I laugh as they head my way, knowing just how invigorating that camaraderie is.
“Great play!” I holler.
“Woo-hoo! Good job!”
I turn as my girl’s voice breaks through the noise and see Pepper, looking like a fucking wet dream wearing my jersey over a hoodie and jeans. She’s with Clare, and they’re each carrying several pizza boxes. Sammy and Trina are running toward us, hollering for Ben.
“Damn, check out the delivery chick,” one of the guys says.
“You can have the pizza. I’ll take her,” Jeremiah says.
“Dude, you better not be talking about my mom,” Ben snaps.
“No, man,” Jeremiah says. “I want the hot chick in the jersey. She is fine .”
I turn around. “Watch yourself, Jeremiah. That’s my girl you’re drooling over.”
All the guys laugh.
“Sorry, man,” Jeremiah says. “But damn . No wonder you’re in Charlottesville.”
I shake my head. “Go help the ladies, would ya?”
Trina throws her arms around Ben, and he lifts her up, swinging her above his head, earning giggles, while Sammy high-fives the guys as they head for Pepper and Clare, relieving them of the pizza boxes.
“Hey, guys,” I say as they start walking away with food. “What do you say?”
A collective “Thank you” rings out.
“Try not to eat like animals,” I say as they throw open the boxes and dive in. “Hi, Clare.” I set my eyes on Pepper, wanting to haul her into my arms, but I hold back, so as not to embarrass her. “ Pepper . What a nice surprise. I thought you were working late.”
“I was, but I’ve learned that some things can wait, and others can’t. Like celebrating the hiring of my amazing new assistant, Clare.”
Clare is absolutely beaming.
“You got the job! Congratulations.” I hug Clare and see Ben heading over.
“I can’t thank you enough for connecting us,” Clare says.
“I’m glad it worked out.”
“Mom, you got the job?” Ben asks excitedly.
“Yes—” Clare barely gets the word out before Ben throws his arms around her and spins her around, shouting, “My mom got the job!”
Ben’s friends converge on them, cheering.
I take Pepper’s hand, pulling her off to the side and into my arms. “Look how happy they are. You have just changed their lives for the better.”
“She’s amazing, Clay, and I think she’s a really good fit for our office. Did you know Trina has epilepsy?”
I glance at Trina, chatting animatedly with everyone, and my heart goes out to her. As I watch Ben’s friends joking with her, something else occurs to me. Trina has a lot of people watching out for her. She has what I didn’t know I was missing. Community. My teammates are my brotherhood, but in Jersey, I don’t have community. I’m finding that here with Pepper, and I’m glad Ben and his family are part of it.
“I didn’t know that. Is she okay?”
“Yeah. They’re figuring things out. I texted Amber and introduced her to Clare, so she could ask her questions and get a sense of what it was like for Amber to grow up with epilepsy.”
“That’s great, sweetheart. I’m sure Clare appreciates it.”
“She appreciates everything. She is ridiculously underpaid. I like knowing that soon she’ll be earning what she’s worth.” Pepper gazes up at me, her eyes brimming with emotion. “But it’s you who changed their lives. I meant what I said last week. I never would’ve thought to talk with her about the job if it weren’t for you. You’re teaching me to get my head out of the office and open my eyes to the people, and the beautiful world, around me.”
“And I never would have met her or Ben if it weren’t for you. We make a good team, Montgomery.”
As I lower my lips to hers, cheers ring out, and Ben hollers, “Get it, Coach!”
“ Benjamin! ” Clare chides.
I gaze into Pepper’s smiling eyes and cock a brow. “I guess we shouldn’t give them an encore and show them just how crazy about you I am.”
“Probably not, but I like hearing it.” She kisses the center of my chest, and in a voice meant just for me, she says, “I’m kind of crazy about you, too.”
“Kind of?” I crush her against me. “Guess I need to up my game.”