Page 29 of Love Notes & Lifelines
I advance on him slowly to shield the girls from some harsh truths. “It’s called having your sister die and then getting thrown into the sea of fatherhood without a life vest. If Stella agrees to be that lifeline a few times a week? Then. So. Be. It. Understood?”
Caleb’s ears turn redder than a sunburn, but he nods and walks stoically into my office.
Turning to Stella, I give an apologetic shrug. “I think I packed everything on your list, but…” I fade off because I honestly have no idea what happens in the mornings. My house currently has dishes and diapers and so much pink everywhere that I could have packed the TV remote for all I know.
“I’ve got it,” she says, and there’s that tingle of awareness again. Am I making this all up in my head because I remember how she tastes? I’ve never had to follow up this personally before with a…with a what? We made out—kissed and danced all night. I didn’t even sleep with her so I can’t call her a one-night stand.
Shaking my head, I walk into my office and promise myself I’ll get a full night’s sleep tonight. I have to, otherwise I’ll end up drooling all over Stella. Or worse, embarrassing the fuck out of myself around her. And she’s one person I can’t afford to lose.
“This is an embarrassment,Caleb. Delacroix Farms? You know why I won’t work with them. Did you think I wouldn’t realize that Legacy Inc. was owned by them?” My hands shake as I holdhis proposal in my hands. “Why now? Why is that waste of sperm contacting me now?” I demand, fearing I already know the answer—the girls.
He doesn’t even pretend not to understand who I’m talking about. “Danica’s proposing a very good deal that will make you both a lot of money. It’s good business. Just look at the reports I put together. The numbers make financial sense.”
He’s pushing this too hard. Is this more than a crisis in his private life or does he have one foot out the door and I’ve been too distracted to notice?
Or you didn’t want to admit that you’ve been stupid enough to trust the wrong person—again.
Peals of laughter outside my door have my body relaxing. Maybe if I offer Stella more money she’ll consider nannying.
“Beck,” he snaps. “Are you even listening to me or are you off fantasizing about my assistant again?”
This has me sitting up taller. “Consider your place, Caleb,” I say through clenched teeth. He may have more leeway than most because he and Elijah stuck with me in the beginning, even when I couldn’t pay them much, but he’s dangerously close to crossing a line now, and he knows it.
He backs away from my desk with his palms out. “Fine, I apologize. That was out of line. But I do firmly believe you need to get your shit together before we start losing important deals.”
What is it with people in my life giving me spidey tingles lately? It’s not the same as it is with Stella. No, Caleb is making the hair on my neck stand on end like animals who sense they’re being hunted too late.
Never going to happen. I created this company with my blood, sweat, and tears, and I’ll keep it at the top of its game, even with lovebug and Ruby-rolls in tow.
Ruby-rolls. Huh. I’ve been feeling guilty about giving Emmy a nickname and not the round little terror that’s Ruby. Shecertainly has the market on squishy baby limbs. Ruby-rolls fits, but it’s definitely not PC. Rubella? Wait, is that a disease? The little girl in question laughs and it hits me—Ruby-roo. She’s got the energy of that tiger inWinnie the Poohtoo—always on the go. It’s not perfect, but it fits, and it’s one less guilt weighing on my conscience.
Caleb stands with his hands on his hips, shaking his head. Shit. I zoned out worrying about a freaking nickname for a baby.
He’s wasted enough of my time today though.
With a heavy sigh, I stretch my neck from side to side, pleased with each crackle that releases. “It’s not happening, Caleb. There will never be a day when I work with Danica Delacroix. Not one. In fact, I’m going to bury her and everything marked by the Delacroix name. Is this all you had for me today?”
Anger fills every word that leaves my mouth. My gut riots as each possibility comes to light, and intuition has never steered me wrong before. Something big is coming, and it’s happening right under my nose—I feel it. Maybe Elijah was right to be wary of him, and I was too stupid to open my eyes.
The problem is, I have no idea where Caleb’s head is at. He could be preparing to quit or…
No. Caleb’s a lot of things, but he’s not as diabolical as the Delacroix family. Regardless of what happens next, Caleb’s a professional, of that, I’m sure.
I’ll have Elijah put his sleuthing skills to work and find out why he’s in cahoots with Danica on these deals, but if he’s betrayed me?
“It’s not a deal to dismiss so easily, Beck.” Controlled anger underlines his words.
“I said no. Did you have anything actually worth my time, or is this it?” So much for hiding my suspicions. There’s no masking my pissed-off tone.
Caleb gathers the papers strewn all over my desk. “That’s it,” he bites out. “Perhaps my assistant, or her assistant, can find a better deal for you.”
“Are you—Are you jealous that IneedStella right now? Is that what this is?”
Caleb is the kind of man who has to feel like your right hand, your number one, and if he doesn’t, all hell breaks loose. We found that out after the first six months of working together, but over the years he’s come to terms with the fact that Elijah will always be my right-hand man. Is he feeling displaced—by Stella? Everything about him right now, from his barbed tongue and shitty attitude to his ill-disguised dislike of Stella, says jealousy is his motivation.
His laughter is cold and detached. “Not even a little. However, it’s interesting that she’s Stella now. It takes most people years to be on a first-name basis with you. Be careful there,Daddy. What would your colleagues say?”
Standing, I press my white knuckles to the flat of my desk and lean forward. “I’m not sure what’s gotten into you today, but I seriously encourage you to take a long look at whatever’s ruling your actions. We’ve had a wonderful working relationship for years. Don’t ruin it now.”
