Page 47 of Who’s Your Daddy (Dadcoms #1)
Lola
I pop in the tab for Exhibit Q and add the group of text messages. Although I rarely agree with a word from Amy’s mouth, I’ll admit that putting together Exhibits is the worst.
With a couple of taps, I even out the stack, then sigh in relief. I miss our paper juggers but at least it’s finally done.
Any time now, Sloane will be here. She picked the boys up from school, and when Cal finishes up in court, we’re all headed upstairs for a round-robin Ping-Pong tournament before dinner.
I never could have imagined looking forward to something as ordinary as cooking dinner and hanging out with my bosses in the world’s shittiest apartment, but here I am.
Sitting around the Ping-Pong table laughing with the guys has become my favorite pastime.
Helping with homework is a privilege, reading a book with Murphy the best way to wind down.
There’s no shortage of entertainment in the presence of all these men—big or small.
Sully’s grumbles and Brian’s huffs when Cal attempts to get them to smile—which he does constantly—are amusing.
Even doing dishes with one of the guys has become a cherished activity.
“Are you humming?”
Sloane’s sharp accusation startles me and I drop the pile of papers. Half land on the table, while the rest flutter to the floor, covering the hideous gold carpet in a blanket of white.
“Fuck.” I crouch and snatch up one paper after another.
“That’s more like it,” Sloane teases, dropping down next to me.
Head bowed as I scramble to pick up the pages, I chuckle. “I’m supposed to be using fuck less.”
Papers in hand, she narrows her eyes on me.
“What? I figured you’d appreciate it?” I snatch the last three papers from the floor and stand. “Better example for your son too.”
“Yeah, less cursing would be great.” She hands her stack to me. “But I want to know why you look like that?”
“Like what?” I roll my lips together trying to fight the perma grin Brian has accused me of wearing so much lately.
“All smiley and dopey—” Her eyes widen and she sucks in a hard breath. “Oh my God, tell me you didn’t,” she hisses.
I set the motion exhibits down and turn to face her fully.“Didn’t what?”
Her blue eyes are assessing, full of knowing, as they skate over my face once and then again. “No, no.” She sighs. “You fell in love with the manchild!”
“I… stop ,” I whisper-shout, glancing around to make sure no one hears her.
There are definitely a myriad of big feelings trying to burst out of my chest at any given moment, sure, but Cal and I haven’t said those words yet.And the first time I say them will be to his face.
“You totally did.” Her expression goes stony.
“Shhhh.” I swat at her. “Keep your voice down.”
She grasps my wrist, her long French manicured nails biting into my skin as she drags me out of the conference room.
As we leave, I assume she’s taking me out front but before we get to the door she makes a sharp left and forces me into the supply closet. She follows me in with a huff, and when she slams the door, we’re shrouded in a depressing semi-darkness.
Instantly, I flash back to being trapped in here with Cal. It’s a good thing I took charge of having the knob replaced instead of leaving it up to Cal like I did with the exterminator.
“Tell me everything,” she demands, finally releasing me.
I scan the dusty shelves. “Why are we in here?”
“So the guys can’t hear us. We have a problem to address.”
I prop myself up against the counter. “It's so weird how all the big conversations keep happening in here.”
Sloane crosses her arms. “What are you talking about?”
“Never mind.” I shake my head and mimic her stance. “So, what did you drag me in here to talk about?”
“You and Cal.”
That gets my hackles up. I’m sick of defending my relationship to people who are supposed to be my friends.
“Why is my happiness such a problem for you?” I snap.
With a sigh, she backs up, leaning against the shelving unit. “I can see that you’re in the happy stage, but Lo, come on. You’re smart and driven.”
“And?” If she tells me Cal isn’t serious enough for me, or that we aren’t compatible, I might lose it on her.
“You can’t date a man you work with. Yes, the two of you are disgustingly cute, but we both know how easily work relationships can go bad.”
Her response takes the wind out of my sails.
She isn’t wrong, per se. Office relationships can be hard to manage.
And I’m not prepared to battle this out.
I was gearing up to shut her down when I thought she’d tell me Cal wasn’t right for me, and that has left me unprepared for this unexpected argument.
Her lips twitch, like she knows she’s made her point. “You know I’m right. And I have a solution.” She straightens. “Come work with me.Will would take you in a heartbeat.”
I swallow, still putting together a response she’ll accept.
“Lo, let’s be real. I’m not moving in. The firm is going under. It’s time for you to think about your job, your future.”
I sigh. For years, my career was the single most important thing in my life. I worked hours that left little time for friendships or relationships. Hell, it’s why I have few friends other than Sloane. If she and I hadn’t worked together for years, I can’t imagine we’d be as close as we are.
She cocks a brow, zeroing in on me. “Don’t tank your career for a man. I did it and I’m telling you, it’s not worth it.”