Chapter 5
Chapter Five
PATRICK
“Hey Grandma!”
A deep booming voice echoes throughout the office.
It startles the crap out of me, making me jump and bang my knee against my tiny desk.
“Oh hey! Sorry dude. I didn’t mean to startle you.
I was lookin’ for Elle. You must be Rick.
” I turn, rubbing my knee and take in the character standing just inside the office.
There isn’t much to take in. He’s tall but most of his body is hidden behind a stack of cardboard boxes.
“That’s me, here let me help.” Standing from the desk, I stride to the man and take the top two boxes from him.
“Thanks. You can drop them on Elle’s desk.
If she’s not here, I’m assuming she’s gone home for the day.
” I freeze, Elle was very clear on not touching any of her stuff, I’m going to assume that included putting stuff on her desk as well.
Identical chuckles snap me out of my indecision.
I know this man was laughing at me but where was that other laugh coming from?
“Here, I’ll put them down. If anything happens to her organization, you can blame me. I’m Paul and this little guy is Henry, my son. We were assigned to deliver the first of your pamphlets for tours.” The biggest pair of chocolate eyes look up at me.
Ah, a child.
I squat down, putting myself onto his level as much as possible.
“Hey little guy. I’m Patrick, or Rick. It’s nice to meet you.
Thank you for helping your dad bring me some of my supplies.
” I stick my hand out and his chubby fingers wrap around my pointer finger.
“Welcome ‘ick.” His voice is tentative but it’s clear he has manners, which impresses me as he seems to only be two or three.
“It’s good to meet you, I know Lola is really excited to get these tours started and from what she tells me, we were really lucky in snatching you up.
” Henry’s father smiles wide and I stand to continue the conversation.
“Thanks, man. I’m excited to be here, it's been awhile since I’ve been able to stay in one place.
” Paul chuckles. “Well, I hope Elle doesn’t scare you off before you get started. She’s a tough one.”
This makes my brow furrow. This man seems to be more candid in his description of Elle but that doesn’t mean I want anyone talking down about her.
“She’s been nothing but kind and professional since I’ve arrived.
” Not completely true but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Oh man, Lola must have offered her something good for your first impression of her to be kind.” He laughs again and shakes his head.
“Hey now—” I’m prepared to rip this guy a new one, she’s technically one of our bosses and I don’t want to work around someone who feels like they can talk about any women like that but I’m cut off by an annoyed voice, a voice that made my blood hum with interest. “What are you doing here, you grease ball?”
“Aun’ EEEEEE!” Henry dashes away from our trio and launches himself at Elle and she scoops him into her arms like it’s nothing. “Hey big guy!” Henry’s back to me so I get to see the purest smile dance across Elle’s face.
My mind is blank, I’m in awe of the beauty that is Elle’s smile. If a frown from Elle was breathtaking, a smile was heart stopping.
I just wished it was pointed at me. I know we were nowhere near January but getting graced with a genuine Elle Warren smile was my new resolution.
“Hey Grandma.”
“Good to see you, Manwhore.”
“Hey, not in front of the boy! Nik would kill me if Henry started repeating any of the stuff that came out of your mouth.”
“Please, Anika wouldn’t even suspect me, not when I have your a-s-s around.”
“You wound me, sister.”
I feel like I’m watching a tennis match, my head bouncing back and forth between the two adults in the room.
Elle is still crouched to the ground with Henry in her arms but there is a glint of something in her eyes.
“Sister?” I can’t help the question, I thought there were only three Warren children, all girls.
Did he mean sister-in-law? But then who was Anika? I’m so confused.
“Oh my hell. Paul, did you not tell him who you are? You think you can just bust into my office, you freak.” Elle is full on glaring now, standing up but keeping little Henry in her arms. “Patrick, this is my idiot brother Paul and his angel baby Henry.” Her gaze flicks to her desk, taking in her now crowded desk.
“What the fu-heck is on my desk?” Elle’s glare flicks between me and Paul, searching for the guilty party.
Crap.
Paul raises his hands in a placating gesture.
“Now Grandma, we just set it down for a minute, all those pamphlets are heavy.” He takes a caution step back, arms still in the air, reminding me of a dinosaur wrangler.
“You better get it off my desk before Henry’s feet touch the ground.
” Sweet giggles fill the air as Elle starts to slowly lower Henry to the ground, thankfully moving at a snail's pace. I quickly scoop up two of the boxes that had originally been placed on the corner of her desk, taking care to make sure I don’t accidentally touch any of hers before moving them to rest on the floor, next to my desk.
With my back still to the rest of the group, I hear a rustle of papers and know that things are going to hit the fan. I’m honestly afraid to turn around. I risk a glance over my shoulder. Elle’s cheeks are scarlet and Paul’s eyes are wider than should be possible on a person.
“Aunt EEEE?” Henry’s little voice pops the bubble of tension.
“Daddy pick up, I help.” Paul and Henry are bent down, collecting papers and attempting to organize them into the original two folders.
“You know what. That green folder is all of your permit paperwork. Save me having to see you again tomorrow and take it now.” Elle’s voice is dripping with disdain as she quickly collects a backpack, phone and keys that were resting on the other side of her desk.
“I can do that, Elle. I’m sorry.” Paul tucks the folder under his armpit before quickly moving the other two boxes of pamphlets and places them extra gently on top of the two boxes I had put down.
She doesn’t spare either of us another glance as she heads toward the door. “Henry, I love you. See you later, big guy.”
With those parting words, she is gone. “Told you.” Paul mutters, slapping a hand on my shoulder as he and Henry follow Elle out the door.
For the second time today, I’m left alone in my shared office. Concerned about my employment.