Harlequin Superromance February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: His Forever Girl\Moonlight in Paris\Wife by Design (25 page)

“Is this about Graham?”

Tess jolted at the thought of Monique seeing so easily through her. “A little, but mostly it's about me. This past month I've had to take a hard look at myself. I left my father's company because of arrogance. I took this job because I wanted to punish him. None of those were good enough reasons. From the beginning I knew I'd made a mistake, but I was too stubborn, too prideful to admit it.”

“Nothing wrong with being tenacious or having self-respect.”

“Maybe not,” Tess said, looking around Monique's office, seeing nothing of a personal nature. Not even a drawing by Emily or a photo of Josh. Nothing. Empty. “Can I say something to you that might be a little out of line?”

Monique snorted before rolling her eyes. “I know what you're going to say. I'm a bitch. I'm underhanded, merciless, sneaky. Go ahead. I've heard it all before.”

“That's not what I was going to say,” Tess said, with a small smile. “I wanted to tell you how talented you are, and how much I admire your determination to make it in this business.”

“But...?”

“I think you're scared.”

Monique flinched. “I'm not scared.”

“You conduct business like you're scared. Like you're afraid someone won't think you're good enough. That's what that whole sketch thing was about—control and ego.”

“That's ridiculous.”

Tess shrugged. “Maybe, but you're only as good as the people around you. My father taught me that. I hadn't even realized it. And it's not just your employees, it's Josh. It's that wonderful, funny little girl who draws you pictures every day.” Tess looked around the austere office again and arched an eyebrow at Monique.

Monique pulled out a plastic container of drawings from a drawer. She took the top one, a picture of what looked to be a person playing soccer. “This one is of you, I think.” She passed it over.

Tess took the drawing and smiled at the little girl's interpretation of the soccer field and the overly long prongs on the soccer cleats.

“Whatever anyone may think about me, I love my daughter.” Her tone wasn't defensive. It was sad.

Tess nodded. “I know you do.”

“I'm good at running this place. I'm just not good at being a mom.” Not knowing what to say, Tess handed the drawing back.

“It was easier when she was a baby. Feed her, change her, rock her. I didn't worry about messing up, but as she grew, I felt more and more helpless. Josh is actually better with her than I am.” Monique snapped the lid closed and placed the box back in her drawer. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have even gone there. I guess I didn't want you to think I'm some unfeeling monster.”

“I don't think that, Monique.”

“Well, I feel that way sometimes,” she said with a sigh.

“My dad built Ullo from nothing, just like you, but it's easier for a man. He had my mother at home taking care of carpool, homework, snacks—the stuff all parents have to deal with. He worked hard to build Ullo but he never put his business before his family. Never. I think that's a good policy.”

Monique twisted her mouth and shifted her gaze, seemingly thinking about what Tess said. “Maybe so.”

“My father's dying, and in these final months, he's let Ullo go...but he's gathered the people he loves to him. It's not about contracts—” Tess tapped the paper “—or specifications. It's about people.”

Tugging the contract from beneath Tess's finger, Monique tossed it in the trash. “Okay. There. I'll start with you.”

Tess gave her a puzzled look.

“I'm not going to read over the fine print, talk badly about you for changing your mind or pitch a fit over the Oedipus bid. I'm going to let it go so I can go home early and watch Josh and Emily kick balls into the net Graham bought her. The thing takes up our whole backyard.” Monique gave her a shrug and a slight smile. “I don't want to lose you, Tess, but I'm not going to stop you. Hell, I can't stop you anyway. I agreed to that damn waiting period.”

“Thank you,” Tess said, standing and extending a hand. “And I'm sorry if I got preachy on you.”

“Maybe I needed a little preaching. Maybe I need to quit trying so damn hard. Miles actually said something like that to me, too.” Monique took her hand.

Miles and Oedipus. The conversation between her and Monique had taken a turn off course, and Tess hadn't addressed the contract clause Miles had placed in the agreement with Upstart. “You need to talk to Miles and renegotiate the contract. I'm not staying, but my Oedipus designs belong to you.”

Monique released her hand. “I'll call him.”

Tess turned and started for the door.

“Hey, Tess,” Monique said.

Tess turned around. “Yeah?”

“I never said I was sorry, but I am. I shouldn't have allowed Cecily to tell me my stuff was better when it obviously wasn't. You're right about my issue with control and wanting affirmation. I need to deal better with that. I don't want you to leave Upstart, but I understand about belonging.”

“Thank you for the apology. I learned a lot about myself working here.”

“Like what not to do?” Monique lifted one corner of her mouth.

“I learned it's okay to fail, to be wrong and to accept who I am.” Tess gave Monique a smile and then walked out of Upstart. When she got to her car, she dialed the number she hadn't dialed in almost two months.

“Hey, Billie, it's Tess. I'm wondering if Mr. Naquin has filled my old position yet.”

She listened for several seconds, covering the mouthpiece to keep from laughing in relief.

“In that case, I'd like to make an appointment for next week.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

T
HE
FOLLOWING
M
ONDAY
came with little relief from the now summerlike heat or the ache in Graham's heart. He had seen Tess Thursday at Ladybug soccer practice, where she treated him with polite professionalism.

Hell, he'd rather she rubbed in the fact she'd scored the Oedipus floats for 2016 than treat him as if he were just another parent. He'd gotten the message last Monday when they'd parted—they'd had one more night of magic together and then it was business as usual. He didn't like it at all.

The entire time he watched her work with the little girls on the soccer team, he kept thinking, “She's mine.”

But she wasn't and likely never would be.

She'd never responded to his call or text, and now he knew how she'd felt months ago. Made him feel used and not worth bothering with.

Pair all that with the fact he'd lost the Oedipus account and the shipment of industrial foam was on back order and today was about as shitty as they came. The only upside was that Emily had stopped bugging him about a kitten. Of course, she'd replaced it with wanting him to get married and get her a baby brother, so it really was lose-lose.

“Hey,” Billie said, knocking then immediately popping her head in. “Your first applicant for the art director position is here. Where are you planning to hold the meeting?”

Graham closed his eyes for a moment and rubbed a hand across his face. A dull headache pounded behind his eyes. Cracking open an eye, he saw the clock read 10:00 a.m. Still had a long way to go to finish the day, which would end with a meeting at Frank's house.

“Uh, I suppose we can do it here.”

“Okay. I put the applicant in Frank's office, but I can—”

“Nah, that's fine. His office is nicer. Now which one is this? The one from Mobile?”

“Oh, I don't think I gave you the file on this one. I'll grab it and bring it to you,” Billie said.

Graham waited for ten minutes, buzzing Billie intermittently, but she didn't answer or return with the folder.

Damn it.

He didn't like to keep people waiting. He'd certainly never appreciated such tactics when he was being interviewed, so he didn't like to do the same with others.

Rising, he peered out into the recesses of the outer office. Billie wasn't at her desk and Dave's door was closed.

“Hell,” he breathed under his breath, walking toward Frank's office. He'd have to wing it. No other recourse.

Opening the door, he donned a polite smile. “Hi, I'm sorry to keep you waiting.” As he shut the door all he could see of the person waiting for him was the top of her bun.

Rounding the desk, he focused on the blotter to see if perhaps Billie had left the applicant's file for him before she disappeared. “I'm sorry I'm a bit late. I'm afraid I don't—”

“That's okay,” the applicant said.

Graham snapped his head up. “Tess?”

She smiled politely, humor tipping the corners of her mouth as she extended her hand. “I'm Therese Ullo.”

If the door had blown down and he'd found himself surrounded by a legion of gladiators he wouldn't have been more shocked than he was now.

What in the hell was she doing there?

“What in the hell are you doing here?”

She arched an eyebrow. “We have a ten o'clock appointment. An interview for the Head of Operations position.”

“An interview? Head of Operations? I don't think—”

“Yes. I saw the ad on the NOLA artist forum. It said you were looking for an assistant art director, but when I called I was told it had changed to Head of Operations with art direction being only part of the tasks involved. Don't worry. I'm qualified for both.” She folded her hands in her lap and looked at him expectantly.

Graham sat in her father's chair a little too hard. For several seconds he stared at her, trying to figure out if this was for real.

She looked the part of interviewee in a crisp white blouse, knotted at the neck with a huge bow and a tight black skirt that went to midcalf. Her shoes were low-heeled and conservative, as was the honey-brown hair she'd pulled into a knot.

“You're here to interview for a job?” he asked again.

“Yes,” she said with an emphatic nod.

“Because you don't have one?”

“Right.”

Graham stared at the historical float plans which Frank had hung on his walls, trying to figure out what was happening. “Okay then, let's get started. So, tell me a little about yourself, Miss Ullo. Wait, it
is
Miss, correct?”

“Yes, I'm unmarried. In other words, I'm single.”

“Good,” he said.

“I'm twenty-seven years old, turning twenty-eight in August, and I have worked in the float building industry all my life. I have a bachelor's degree in industrial design from Carnegie-Mellon and almost ten years' experience working in the field, starting with my first job in high school. I'm a former employee of this company and most recently Upstart.”

“Former employee of Upstart?”

“Yes, former. Unfortunately, I found I wasn't a good fit there.”

“May I ask why you chose to leave your former position?”

Tess shifted her gaze from his and studied the same stapler he'd studied a week ago. “Creative differences were part of it, but also, in the course of working for that company, I learned enough about myself to figure out where I belong.”

“And that is...?”

“The reason I'm interviewing for this job.” She smoothed her hair and rubbed her delicious lips together. “I find I'm more suitable for a company that emphasizes teamwork.”

Graham wanted to laugh. He wanted to round the desk, clasp her to him and spin her around. But it was a job interview so he had to be professional. “I see. So tell me why I should hire you, Miss Ullo.”

“I'm punctual—” she raised her eyebrows as if to point out his tardiness for the interview “—and I play well with others.”

“Do you, now?”

Her smile was pure siren. “Oh, yes. I have a particular skill set. Never had complaints before. I'm highly imaginative in the office...and out. I'm confident, but I've also learned over the past few months, I'm not always right. Hmm...guess that means I'm flexible. In the office... and out.”

Graham grew aroused thinking about her flexibility and particular skill set. Thank goodness he was behind the desk. “You sound like an interesting candidate, especially the flexible part.”

Tess lifted one shoulder in a sexy shrug. “I'd be happy to prove it to you, um, that is, if I get the opportunity.”

Graham swallowed and looked at his hands. “How soon would you be able to start?”

“When do you want me?”

Morning, night and day.
He cleared his throat. “As soon as you're ready.”

Tess's eyes deepened. “I'm ready now.”

His heart literally started beating faster. Was this merely about working for Ullo, or was this about something more? With him? God, please let it be about more than a job.

“Good,” he said, rising slightly and offering his hand.

She rose and placed her hand in his. Perfect fit. “So does this mean I have a future here?”

“I believe it does.”

She rubbed her glossy lips together again. “Do you have an office policy on employees dating?”

“You'll need to fill out a disclosure statement. We like to be aboveboard here.” His thumb stroked the curve of her finger.

Tess jerked her hand away. “Good to know.” Then she turned, shouldered her attaché case and walked to the door.

Graham dropped his hand. “I'm guessing you think the interview is over?”

She spun around. “I was simply locking the door.”

Graham laughed.

Tess shook her head. “I'm kidding, of course. Another one of my good qualities—a good sense of humor.”

“You were kidding?” Graham didn't want to look so confused, but he knew he must have.

“This is a job interview. Business only.” Tess looked at him like he was stupid.

Something in his stomach sank. “Right.”

“But I was hoping you could recommend a place for drinks. I'm thinking I want something local...and close by,” she said with a Tess-like twinkle in her eye.

Graham couldn't stop the bubble of happiness that sprang to life inside of him. “Well, there's this place called Two-Legged Pete's—”

“Two-Legged?” she cracked.

“Yeah, the guy who owns it has a sense of humor, I guess. It's not far from here and I hear they have great stuffed mushrooms and will turn the TV to baseball if you ask nicely.”

She tilted her head. “I love baseball. Think I'll stop by there around—” she looked at her wrist where her Cookie Monster watch popped out from beneath her blouse “—five-thirty?”

“That's a great time to go to Two-Legged Pete's. I met the woman of my dreams there once.”

“You don't say,” she said, a smile creeping over her face. “Well, then I'm definitely going so I can meet the man of my dreams.”

Graham grinned like a goober, but he didn't care. “He'll be there.”

“That's what I'm hoping for.”

* * *

A
FTER
LUNCH
WITH
G
IGI
—where Tess bought all the drinks—and an afternoon of finding the perfect black dress and killer pumps covered in black lace, Tess walked into Two-Legged Pete's. She looked about as good as she ever had. The dress was tight, classy and made her legs look awesome. Or maybe it was the shoes that did that. She'd sprung for a manicure and the technician had even applied her makeup after suggesting a few things to do with her eyes.

As a result, Tess knew she didn't look like the girl Graham had met at Two-Legged Pete's that Monday night months ago.

“Hot damn, you look good, girl,” Ron declared from behind the bar where a string of customers lined up. The place was busier than usual, but Tess found Graham immediately. He'd turned and watched her as she entered the bar, a beautiful smile on his gorgeous face.

“I try sometimes,” Tess said, with a flirty smile. As usual Ron ate it up as he reached for the gin. “How's that little one?”

Ron set down the Hendrick's and reached into his back pocket. Tess pointed toward where Graham sat and Ron raised his eyebrows. “Okay, then. I'll show you later.”

Tess made her way down to the very end of the bar where sitting right next to the trivia machine was her new boss.

And, God willing and the creek didn't rise, her new man.

Graham hooked his foot around a stool against the wall and pulled it over close. “Would the lady like a seat?”

“She would,” Tess said, sitting.

Graham smiled at her and she remembered the last time they'd sat in this very bar. There had been an aura of mystery, of excitement, of crazy attraction. All of that was still there, but joining those feelings was a certainty she'd found the right man for her.

Finally.

Ron set the drink in front of her and slid Graham another of what he was having. “I suppose you two want to watch baseball,” he said with disgust.

Graham hadn't taken his eyes off her. “Nah, man. We're good.”

“So I see. What started months ago seems to have ended,” Ron joked, and swaggered off to wait on more customers and drive up the tips for him and his new family.

“He's wrong,” Graham said softly.

“Oh?” Tess asked.

“It's a new beginning. The one we should have had after that night.”

“Well, I'm wearing my black dress.”

“Very well, too, I might add,” Graham said, his eyes sliding down her body. “Very, very well.”

She wanted to say so much to him, and yet at the same time she wanted to say nothing at all. She was so tired of all the drama. Complicated was so overrated. “I'm sorry.”

“I'm sorry, too.”

“I want to start over—with a clean slate. No more grudges, blame or wounded pride. No more embarrassment over who we are.” Tess reached out and touched the rugged hand cupping the sweating tumbler.

Graham turned his hand over and clasped hers. “Agreed. I'm ready to start clean.”

“And I'd also like to say thank you.”

He arched a dark eyebrow. “For what? Telling Miles the truth? For hiring you? Everything I did was aboveboard. You're deserving of all those things.”

“No, though those things are nice.” She swallowed the anxiety that cropped up. She needed to just say it. Do what she'd said she would do when she told Monique she couldn't work for Upstart...when she'd strolled into the warehouse she'd vowed never to step into again months ago. “I wanted to thank you for loving me in spite of my being a complete asshole.”

Graham started laughing.

Tess gulped. “I mean, I love you. I shouldn't necessarily presume you—”

His mouth shut her up.

Tess swallowed the stupid words and kissed him, her heart breaking apart and knitting back together at the sheer rightness of this man kissing away her fears.

Pulling away slightly, he smiled at her. “You can shut up now.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“No, I got tons to say, but I'm only going to say two key things. Are you ready?”

She nodded.

“First, tonight we are going to have a real date. I'm going to take you out for a nice dinner, we're going to drink wine, maybe dance beneath the stars then go to your place and make love until the sun comes up.”

“Sounds good,” Tess said. “But I need to remind you, I have a new job to start tomorrow.”

“Sleeping with the boss has benefits,” he joked, before becoming serious. “I'm not really your boss, you know.”

“I know. You're my partner. My dad ordered you up for me. I just didn't realize it.”