Page 14 of Nothing to This

His abrupt tone startled her.“The furniture,” she said, confused by his scowl.“What are you talking about?”

“The boyfriend.Are you serious with him?”

“Oh, uh, I don’t know.”How was this his business?“Maybe.”

In time.If they were together that long.The relationship was still in its infancy.They hadn’t even discussed exclusivity.It seemed only fair that Baxter should live his life between their hook ups without her constraining him.The kids were her focus; she didn’t need the complications men brought.JD didn’t need to know any of that.

“Does he know you have kids?”

“Yes,” she said, starting toward his desk opposite the door.

“Has he met them?”She shook her head and he exhaled.“Good.”

“Good?What business is it of yours?”

“How long have you been seeing him?”

“A few months,” she said and put her purse on the desk.“What’s with the interrogation?”

“When do you see him?”

“JD, my life is not your business.Is this why you called me up here?”

“No, I called you up here to talk about work.”

“Good, because that’s why I came,” she said and gestured to the chair behind him.“Let’s sit and talk about work.”

He sat, as did she, roles reversed.The office was his, yet she’d sort of taken the lead.

“I hear good things about you.”

“Please tell me you’re not asking about me,” she said on a semi-groan.“No one knows the identity of my children’s father and I intend to keep it that way.”

His instant expression of offence was almost laughable.

“What?”

“Before the twins were born—you probably won’t remember this—a squad of your lawyers descended upon me.You weren’t present, ever, for the zillion meetings I attended.Suffice to say, I had to sign a contract.Yes, it was for child support and visitation, but it had other clauses too.”

“Other clauses?”

“I was never to breathe a word of their paternity to anyone.”She took a breath.“It worked for me.The kids have my name, I have my job.Your mother moved close, which was the concession I got for granting weekend visitation and child support… and paternity… without going through a court.Or going to the press probably.Marjorie has built her life here, been an excellent grandmother, and a friend to me.She manages to do both without ever encroaching on my life in any way that might compromise the situation.”

“What are you saying?”

“You buying the company I work for, moving into my life, it compromises me.My children go to daycare here.Our lives work.Until now I didn’t have to worry about answering questions on who their father was or how much money he had… I don’t know why you chose to do this, if you have some underlying motive or if it’s just coincidence, but you have to abide by the rules.”

Resting his forearms on the arms of his chair, he leaned back.“Which are?”

“First and foremost, you can’t reveal to anyone that you’re the father of my children.”

“You said they go to daycare here.”She nodded.“Inside Spotlight Solutions?”

“Yes.”

“Our children are in this building and you’re telling me I have to deny them?”

“I’m telling you it’s in the contract,” she said.“You don’t have to deny it.No one will ask you; they’ll have no reason to ask.Just avoid daycare in the lobby.”