Page 143 of The One

I adjusted the bag on my arm. “No need. I’d love to see them too.”

She placed the receiver back down. “Great. Then, I’ll take you to his office. Please follow me.”

Trista approached a large glass door that was behind her desk, hitting several buttons beside it and swiping a card before it opened. I followed her through and into the hallway. There were doors every several feet—some ajar, some fully closed, name plaques next to each one, most that I recognized from conversations I’d had with Rhett.

“He’s going to be so happy to see you,” Trista said.

“He’s usually the one surprising me.” I hesitated before I continued, “You know, like the time he showed up at the track at our old high school.” I laughed and put my hand on her arm. “Rhett mentioned you helped him find me.”

She slowed her pace. “I had a feeling he would tell you.” Her face was turning red. “I’m so embarrassed?—”

“Please don’t be. You were doing what your boss asked of you. And look what it did—you brought us together.”

She gave me a soft grin. “Lainey, I can’t even say I’ve never seen him happier because I’ve never seen that man happy untilyou came back into his life. He’s an entirely different person than who I’ve known for all these years.”

“We’re both different people now. That’s the power we have over each other.”

She stopped outside a door, Rhett’s name on the side of it. “It’s been quite an honor to watch. Have a wonderful lunch. Please let me know if you need anything.”

I thanked her and gently knocked on the thick wood, waiting a few seconds before I opened it just enough to peek my face in.

Rhett’s expression went from confusion to a smile once he realized it was me. “Baby,” he said from behind his desk. “Come in, come in. What are you doing here?”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d have time to eat with all your meetings, so I wanted to bring you lunch. Trista helped coordinate it.”

I gave him a grin and looked at Rowan and Ridge, who sat in front of Rhett’s desk. Rhett had shown me pictures of both, but nothing could have prepared me for what it felt like to see them in person, all dressed up in their corporate attire, looking like true executives.

“Lainey,” Rowan said softly, pressing her hands together and holding them at her chest. “I can’t believe it—it’s you.”

I held open my arms. “Girl, you were around fourteen years old the last time I saw you. Look at you now. You’re gorgeous.”

“No, you’re gorgeous,” she said as she got up and hugged me. “Aw, Lainey, it’s so, so good to have you back.”

I squeezed her tightly. “You have no idea how good it feels to be back.”

“You’ve made him the happiest man alive,” she whispered before we released each other, our hands clasping at the end of our hug.

“Get over here,” Ridge said as he reached for me. “Lainey fucking Taylor. My God, I never thought I’d see the day.”

I slipped my hands out of Rowan’s grip and walked into Ridge’s grasp. “Honestly, I didn’t either, but I can’t believe I stayed away for so long. I wish I hadn’t.”

He rocked me and pulled back. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

I laughed. “Well, you two have. I know the age difference between us isn’t massive, but I feel like you went from babies to corporate badasses. And parents! Rhett has told me all about Rayner and Daisy. I cannot wait to meet them. They’re both so beautiful, you guys. Congratulations.”

“We’ll have to plan a family dinner soon so we can all spend some time together,” Rowan suggested.

“Yes,” I replied. “It’s a must.”

She looked at Ridge and said, “Let’s leave these two so they can enjoy their lunch.” Before she headed for the door, she gave me a small hug again. “Let’s catch up. Maybe we can grab dinner.”

“I would love that, yes.”

She smiled. “Me too.”

Ridge patted my shoulder on his way to the door and said, “You’re the best thing that’s happened to this family in a long time.”

I watched them leave, and when the door closed, I turned toward Rhett. “They’re just as wonderful as they used to be. Maybe even more so.”