Page 34 of Collin: Episodes 4-6
Mr. Reevesworth plucked the small item from Collin’s hands. “It’s a thumb drive. He likes ones that don’t look like what they are. It’s his preferred way of giving me reports. Considering what he finds sometimes, I prefer it.”
At her office, Linda greeted Collin with a warm smile. “Collin, I haven’t seen you in ages. You look so good.”
Collin smiled back. “Thank you. Mr. Reevesworth and Mr. Moreau have been awesome to me.”
“They should be. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let them have you.” She gave her brother a fond smile but then turned to business. “I’m going to leave Collin with Ellisandre so they can wrap up and catch up. You said we needed to talk.”
Ellisandre was not at their desk, so Collin waited for them. They came in, laden down with shopping bags, wearing a dress suit ensemble, inspired by an army uniform, in dusky green with black and gold embellishments. Their waist beneath the tightly fitted jacket was tiny.
Collin looked them up and down. “I can never tell what era you’re getting your inspiration from.”
“Oh, this?” Ellisandre smoothed a hand down their waist and the front of their hip to their thigh. “This is a take on a woman’s dress uniform in World War Two. The pants are from more recently. But of course, boots are new.” They extended their leg to reveal knee-high brown boots with a solid three-inch heel.
“I like.”
Ellisandre smirked. “So do I. Now, let’s get your project wrapped up. Mr. Reevesworth is selfishly keeping you all to himself, at least for a while, so I’m going to be assigning this to someone else.”
The walk home was quiet. Mr. Reevesworth seemed deep in thought for most of the way. He let Collin open doors and operate elevators the entire time without instruction. The Residency was dark when they reached it. Collin vaguely remembered Mr. Moreau had said he was meeting a friend for dinner. Mr. Reevesworth went into his office. Collin changed out of his work clothes and into a pair of lounge pants—linen, like Mr. Moreau preferred. The door to Mr. Reevesworth’s office was still open so he went in. Mr. Reevesworth was staring off into space.
Taking courage in both of his hands, Collin dropped to his knees and crawled across the floor until he was under Mr. Reevesworth’s desk. Then, slowly, he inserted himself between Mr. Reevesworth’s knees and put his head in the older man’s lap.
Mr. Reevesworth’s hand went to Collin’s hair, and he stroked Collin’s head.
“I’m sorry, Collin, if I made you worry.”
“I think lunch today made me worry.”
Mr. Reevesworth sighed. “It’s a lot to think about. But it wouldn’t be the first time Linda and I were sued for Reevesworth Industries. Believe me, we are prepared. If we have to, we will defend it. But even if Reevesworth Industries ends, that doesn’t change the relationship between you and I.” He looked down and met Collin’s eyes. “Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, about dinner.”
“I could cook, or we could order in.”
“Order in and have it delivered for eight o’clock. Then come help me change.”
Collin blushed, smiled, and then crawled out from under the desk.
Changing meant getting ready for the gym, which was in the same building. Collin followed Mr. Reevesworth down to the workout area. They had to swipe in with their building cards and then use the passcode. Once inside, it was quiet even with several people on treadmills and two girls lifting weights together on the other side.
Mr. Reevesworth put in one of his earbuds. “Today, just watch. You’re not cleared for physical training for two more weeks until your blood work comes back with higher iron levels. You can bring me water and wipe down the machines as I finish with them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. Reevesworth put in a good five miles on the treadmill before pausing. Collin glanced at his speed. Mr. Reevesworth was running a mile every seven minutes. Collin internally gulped. He’d never done a seven-minute mile even in high school. Mr. Reevesworth moved on to the weight machines after that, and Collin followed.
While waiting for Mr. Reevesworth to finish his reps on the thigh trainer, one of the girls who had been lifting weights stopped next to Collin.
“So, you’re with Richard?”
Collin blinked. “I mean, I work for him, yes.”
She grinned. “Oh, don’t worry, honey, that’s my girlfriend, and her husband is my boyfriend, and my wife is her girlfriend. I’m not going to judge.”
“Um, I mean, he really is my boss. I’m not making that up.”
She smiled and took a drink from her water bottle. “Oh, darling, you look at him like he walks on water. I know that look. But I’m happy for you. Couldn’t happen to a nicer couple. Richard and Émeric are perfect.”
