Page 81 of What I'm Looking For

I’m whacking myself in the head with a pencil when an unexpected but familiar voice breaks into my funk. “Careful, darling. There’s valuable real estate in there.”

Roland’s in my office doorway, a bit pale but looking well otherwise.

“Oh my gosh, Roland. It’s great to see you back.”

“It’s good to be back. I’ve been going stir-crazy at home.” He looks around my tiny office. With my new responsibilities, I’ve made use of every inch of it. Piles occupy every horizontal surface.

“May I sit?”

I scurry around my desk to remove a stack of industry journals from the nicer chair. “Sorry, yes. Still getting organized here.”

“Thank you.” He eases into the chair with a groan. “Surgery’s a bugger. Recovery’s even worse.”

I keep him in my sights as I return to my side of the desk. “But you’re well? Got a clean bill of health?” He actually doesn’t look so good.

“Yes. That infection knocked me down for a bit. But I’ll be fine.” When he smiles, his cheeks hollow out. “You’ve done quite well in my absence, I’ve been told.”

“Thanks.” I clear my throat. “I do have to go away this weekend, I’m afraid. My cousin’s wedding. Unless you need me?” Maybe he’ll demand that I stay here to help him catch up and I’ll be off the hook for the wedding.

“No, no. Everything slows down around the holiday, anyway.”

I look down, flipping through my calendar. “Okay. I’m leaving tomorrow morning, so?—”

Roland shifts in his chair. “Are you taking that young man?”

“No.” I look up. “Um. How did you know I had a young man?”

He smiles a bit wickedly, which is good to see. “I have eyes and ears everywhere.” He holds my gaze. “So, he’s not going?”

“No, we’re… taking a break.” I press my tongue to the roof of my mouth. An old trick to keep emotions inside. “No big deal.”

“Mm. Probably for the best.” He leans back, tenting his hands in front of his chest. “You’re moving up quickly, Kate. I’d hate to see anything hold you back.” His tone’s casual, but I sense there’s more to it.

“It’s just a cousin’s wedding. Will and I did not have wedding plans.”

He waves that thought away. “No, I know. However, you are at that age when all your friends are likely getting married. I know that it can be very tempting. But Kate, you’re a brilliant girl.” His hands spread wide. “So much potential. Getting caught up in marriage and children? What a waste that would be. We’d hate to lose you like that.” He shudders. As if he isn’t married with kids.

Why is it that these men seem to think they know what’s best for me? And have the right to tell me what I want? I have no idea what I want at the moment, but I sure as hell don’t want someone else making that decision for me. Unlike Will, however, Roland is my boss. I can’t afford to mouth off at him.

“Well, good thing I escaped that fate,” I say, mustering a bright reply. “Um, while you’re here, do you want to go over the latest reports?”

Roland eases himself out of the chair, moving with obvious care. “No, no, send them up, and I’ll go over them later. Keep up the good work.” He waves as he heads out the door.

As busy as I am, and as much as I’m dreading this wedding, it’s probably a good thing to get out of town. I need a break.

“Hey, so, you’re on your own for that wedding now?” Steve’s replaced Roland in my doorway.

“Yeah.” I glance up at him warily. “How do you know about that?”

He plops down in the chair Roland vacated only moments before, settling in for a chat, apparently. “Jessica told me. She was worried about you.”

“What? I thought you weren’t seeing Jessica anymore. And how does she know?” My humiliation is already all over town. Awesome.

He shrugs. “She figured it out when Will said he was available to help with some thing at their theater over the weekend.” He crosses his legs. “And we’re still friends. She’s a cool chick.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Huh.” It doesn’t seem like he’s going to razz me about this. “Yeah, well, you win some, you lose some. Now I get to be the loser without a date at a family wedding again.” I’m trying to keep it light, like I don’t really care.

“If you pay for my plane ticket, I’ll go.”

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