Page 40 of Discretion

“It shouldn’t,” Sloan said. “Jasper has a few trips planned since we knew I’d be unavailable. And if something else comes up, we can always see if Graham could handle it.”

“Who would do my job?” I asked, my wheels spinning.

“We could temporarily promote someone from within the company, or we could hire a temp.”

I scrunched up my face. “I’m not sure I’d want a temp, based on Jasper’s experience.”

She laughed. “Oh, please. Jasper selects them based on attractiveness not competence.”

It was an offhand comment, and she probably meant it in jest. But my stomach churned, my lunch threatening to reemerge. That wasn’t really true, was it?

Based on the fact that he wanted to rehire Darla, I had my doubts. She might be an attractive woman in her sixties, but I knew Jasper had no romantic interest in her. Maybe I was just believing what I wanted to believe. Or maybe Jasper’s family didn’t know him as well as they thought they did.

“We will find someone.” Sloan patted my hand, perhaps misinterpreting my horrified expression. “I don’t expect you to manage your job plus mine all on your own. That wouldn’t be good for you or the company.”

Or Kai.

That said, I wasn’t really in a position to turn it down. The extra income could help offset the cost of my dad’s care but also give me more wiggle room with our finances. More options when it came to buying a home.

I nodded. “I appreciate your faith in me, but I also have to consider what’s best for Kai.”

I wanted to give her offer careful consideration. I wanted to make sure it was something I could actually commit to. Something I could manage to the level of excellence Sloan expected. The level I expected of myself.

“Of course.” Sloan placed a hand over her stomach. “I getthat. Think it over. We still have a little time before my maternity leave.”

“Thank you,” I said, though I didn’t want to leave her hanging.

If I wasn’t going to take the role, she’d need to find someone else—and fast. But I knew Sloan, and she wouldn’t have offered it to me unless she thought I could handle it.

Could I handle it?

I had reservations. Not just about the responsibility but about what it would mean for Kai and me. My life was already hectic. I worried that accepting the position would mean time with my son would be even more limited.

Perhaps most concerning of all, though, was the fact that the role would require me to work even more closely with Jasper. I was already struggling to keep our relationship professional, and the last thing I wanted was to spend more time with him.

Liar.

Okay. Rephrase that. The last thing Ishouldbe doing was spending more time with Jasper.

CHAPTER NINE

“You ready, Kai?” I called out as I finished cleaning up the dishes.

“Ready for what?” he asked.

“To go to Jasper’s.”

“Really?” he practically squealed down the hall from his bedroom. “We get to see Jasper? Are we going to play video games? Will we get to swim in his pool or ride in his helicopter?”

“He has some artwork arriving, and I need to be there to help the delivery team install it.”

“Can Jasper and I go for a ride in his helicopter while you do that?”

I tried not to laugh. “Probably not. But maybe he’ll let you play video games.”

“Okay.”

“Is your bed made?” I asked. “We need to finish bedtime chores before we go to Jasper’s since I’m not sure how late it will be when we get back.”