Page 28 of Matthias’s Protective Embrace (Cardinal Falls #3)

Chapter Eighteen

MATTHIAS

“You wanted to see me?” I stick my head in my dad’s office.

His assistant left a message that he wanted to talk to me at some point today.

It always feels a little weird going to his office to see him.

He likes to keep our work and home lives separate—which I appreciate—but it’s weird making an appointment to see my own father.

“Come in. Shut the door behind you.” That sounds ominous. “Sit.” And that’s even worse.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. Just a few things I want to make you aware of.”

I pull out one of the chairs facing his desk.

This position always makes me feel like a teenager, staring ominously across the oversized wood surface, waiting to be told exactly how I screwed up this time.

Except, unlike when I was a teenager, I’m not guilty of sneaking out of the house after curfew or swiping a bottle of vodka from the liquor cabinet.

“We’re getting ready to promote Bruno to a vice president position.” I saw that one coming. Bruno’s been working his ass off for years trying to advance out of the senior associate role. Except at a place like this, there’s only so much upward mobility within the company.

“Good for him. We’re lucky he’s stayed.” Though I highly doubt he’s ever considered leaving.

He was one of the first people hired when the company expanded beyond the founders.

Employees here work hard, but that comes with significant compensation and benefits.

Plus, people are treated well. It’s hard to find that combination at similar places.

My father nods. “Indeed. That means there’ll be an opening for a senior associate.”

Oh. That’s why I’m here. “Are you going to post the job?” I figure they’ll bring in some new blood. Someone who’s climbed the ladder at another firm and can bring a list of new clients over with them.

“No, the partners met a couple of days ago, and we’ve decided to promote from within and then hire a new junior associate to backfill the position.”

I sit up straight, waiting for the other shoe to drop. There’s always something. Be patient, Matthias. Give it time, Matthias. Your shot will come, Matthias.

“That means that the decision is really between the three of you. Logan, Nolan, and, obviously, you.” It certainly wasn’t obvious to me that I would be in the running.

There’s always a bit of concern about perception with my father.

If he gives me something, it’s always because I’m his son, never because I earned it.

At least in the eyes of the other employees.

Even if I’m here from sunup to sundown. Well, not so much sunup since I started my morning Firecracker watch.

“You’ve all put in your years with the company and shown your worth. ”

“So, how are you going to make the decision?”

“We’ll ask each of you to apply, assuming you’re interested, of course.

After a review of your applications, we’ll do a formal round of interviews.

” That sounds like… a lot. But at least a reasonable process.

I run through what I know about Logan and Nolan and the clients they manage.

I don’t know enough to make a full comparison, but I’m pretty sure I stand a chance.

“This is going to be one hundred percent fair and above board. There won’t be any special treatment because you’re my son.”

“I wouldn’t ask for any.” If anything, I work twice as hard as everyone else to prove I belong here. I’m meticulous in checking my work, in part, because I know the minute I screw up, they’ll all be out there with pitchforks demanding my father be held accountable for my actions. No, thank you.

“Good. You’ll get an email with the information later this week to complete your application. It’ll go out to all of you at once. In the meantime, it’s worth updating your resume and starting to run your numbers for the last couple of years.”

I nod, unsure what else to say. I’ve been dreaming about this forever.

“In the interest of fairness, we’re telling all of you the same thing today. That way, everyone has equal time and opportunity to prepare for their interviews.”

“Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity.” It’s one step closer to becoming a vice president myself and, maybe one day, a partner of the firm. Between Frank and the office, I can finally see everything slowly coming together in my life.

“Oh, and son,” he calls as I make my way toward the door. “Make sure to call and tell your mother. She’ll want to hear it directly from you.”

There he goes, effortlessly switching between work and home mode.

Even though he works his ass off here, always has, he somehow strikes that balance that allows him to be casual when he needs to be and completely focused when the job requires it.

If someday I manage to build a family, I sure hope I can find that same balance.

I might have a good role model, but so far, history shows I’m crap at doing it.

And I hate being bad at things. I hate that Frank might be subject to that version of me even more.

For his sake, I need to figure out the right balance.

I make my way back to my office. The surprise and excitement must show on my face because my assistant, Beau, gives me a knowing look.

I won’t say anything about the possible promotion to him.

Not yet. While I trust him completely, office gossip is rampant.

I prefer to hold my cards close to my chest. Especially when there’s a competition.

And make no mistake, this is a competition.

At my computer, I pull up my calendar and go through my appointments for the afternoon.

It’s a busy day, unsurprisingly. Wednesdays always are for some reason.

It’s also a good night to stay a little late.

The office tends to clear out, which will give me uninterrupted silence to do some extra work and try to get everything done before I head home to see Frank.

I pause, enjoying that last thought. Two months ago, I’d go home to an empty house, order take-out, and spend the rest of the evening at my computer.

Now I have a person I look forward to seeing at home, a reason to leave the office at a reasonable hour.

Someone to share things with. Frank brings so much joy into my life, but also so much purpose beyond my career.

“Alright, tell us everything.” Aaron sits on the edge of his seat, bent over the table, looking at me like I have the juiciest gossip of all time.

Maybe I do.

“What’s he talking about?” Nathan asks. “Did they give you the promotion?” He’s so excited it’s hard to bring him back to reality.

“No, it’ll be a while before they make any decisions on that one.

” As soon as I finished talking to my father, I texted my friends to let them know.

Other than Frank, they’re the first people I thought of.

Frank was excited for me, of course, but these guys have seen me through all the ups and downs.

They’ve heard every office story, every complaint, over the years.

They’re the ones I’ve celebrated with and commiserated with.

Mostly in this same booth at The Flaming Unicorn.

“Then what’s the big news?” I give Aaron my best angry face, even if I know it doesn’t work on him. He’s been bugging me for a few weeks now with knowing expressions and text messages. He can tell that there’s something different, and I don’t doubt he’s guessed that I’m dating.

“What Aaron is so kindly trying to get me to tell all of you is…” Shit, how do I say this? “I’m seeing someone.”

“Like a ghost?” Tyler asks.

“No, not like a fucking ghost. Like a boyfriend.” Three sets of eyes land on me, forcing me to shift uncomfortably in my chair a few times.

Is it okay to call him my boyfriend? We had the exclusivity talk.

Or rather the I don’t share talk. We haven’t had a labels talk, though.

I need to add it to my running list of conversations.

The problem is that as soon as Frank’s in front of me, the last thing I want to do is spend time talking.

Not when I can be in the bedroom listening to him moan my name. Not the best Daddy behavior.

“Who’s the lucky man?” Nathan asks. He pours me a beer from the pitcher and slides the glass over to me. “Anyone we know?”

“One of the guys who’s been working on my yard.” I take a long swallow. “His name’s Frank.”

“Wait! It’s not Sam?” Aaron asks.

My eyes go wide at the suggestion. “Fuck no.” Not because Sam isn’t good-looking. He’s gorgeous, but the two of us would kill each other fighting for dominance in a relationship. It’s hard to say that without violating Sam’s privacy and personal preferences.

“Sorry. I knew you were overly interested in the construction, and Sam…” Aaron trails off. I’m curious what he thinks he knows, but that’s a discussion for another time. Perhaps once there aren’t so many people listening in on our conversation.

“Is it serious?” Tyler’s change of subject is perfect timing.

“Yeah, it’s serious.” That look Nathan had on his face when he used to talk about Colt? The dreamy, far-off look I made fun of him for? I’m pretty sure that’s what I look like right now.

“Then we need to meet him.” Tyler’s the one who says it, but Nathan and Aaron are quick to agree.

“I think the backyard’s going to be a mess for a while.” As much as I want to have everyone over to hang out and meet Frank, right now, the space is only one step below being a disaster. It’s improved, but not enough to have eight people over.

“No problem. I’ll host.” I stare at Aaron. The last time he volunteered to have us all over was… I can’t remember. That’s how long ago it took place.

“Really? You’d let this whole group invade your space?” Tyler asks. “The whole rowdy bunch of us.”