All of Me (All Series Book 2) (21 page)

Getting There

“So what do you think of your niece’s and nephew’s names?” Sophia asked Phil later that night while they were lying in bed. The party had been a blast, like every get-together Phil and his family and friends had.

Once all the women made their way to Lucas’ for the Fourth of July party, the food was spread out and there was plenty to drink and lots of laughs. Even more good times.

All the grandparents or soon-to-be grandparents were beaming with pride about the babies on the way. Not to mention the wedding plans that were slowly forming for Ben and Presley.

Sophia had looked around at everyone and realized that this big family and group of friends had what it took to make it last. Phil’s parents and Kaitlin’s in-laws had both been married for more years than Sophia had thought imaginable. And everyone else looked to have what it took, also.

She hoped that she and Phil did too. Because that was what she wanted. She knew if she found the right guy, the guy who would love her through everything, the good and the bad, the pretty and the ugly, they could make it all work in the end. When she decided to marry, it was going to be forever. She wasn’t going to set herself up to follow in her parents’ footsteps. No way.

“I think Ryan did a good job.”

“He keeps Kaitlin happy,” Sophia said, placing a kiss on Phil’s chest as her fingers roamed over the light sprinkling of hair. She enjoyed this time they had together when they stayed at each other’s houses. Lying in bed and talking. They talked about anything from serious topics to frivolous, to their jobs, and everything in between.

“I never doubted it.”

“Really?” she said leaning up and looking in his eyes. “I thought you boys were dead set against Ryan in the beginning.”

“Not really. I told you before that we were protective of Kaitlin. But Ryan’s a good guy. I knew if he ever decided to take the plunge it would be with everything he had. That’s how he’s made.”

“I see that,” she said warmly. “He’s completely devoted to her.”

“He is, isn’t he? I’m happy for Kaitlin. She deserves the best. It’s what she’s wanted for so long.” He laid his hand over hers. “How about you?”

“How about me, what?” She entwined their fingers together, loving the gentle squeeze he gave her first.

“Are you happy? Is this what you wanted?”

She smiled and gave him a light kiss on the lips. “Yes.”

“To which question?”

“To both.”

“So,” he said, pausing for a minute, almost hesitating, then continuing on. “You’re getting there?”

She knew what he was asking. For someone who moved so slowly for years, he seemed to be moving faster than she was. “I am. Are you?”

“I’m waiting for you to catch up.”

***

Monday morning Phil walked into his office and was stopped by Sean before he could even put his keys down. “Is Alec coming in today?”

“If he hasn’t been here by now, then I would guess he’s going straight to the site.”

“Do you have a minute then? I’ll send him a message, but since you’re here I’ll run it by you first.”

“Sure, come on in,” Phil said and walked over to boot up his computers.

“When I got in this morning I had an email from Brynn.”

Phil turned sharply. “Tell me she isn’t backing out.”

Laughing, Sean assured him. “No, not at all. Matter of fact, she is here already, a week early. She was able to finish out her job before the two weeks since she didn’t have anything lined up. Once she closed on her last two houses she packed her bags and arrived this week. She asked if it was possible to run over to the site at some point and look around. She wants to get a feel for some things before she starts next week.”

“She can start today for all I care. The earlier the better. I’m sure Alec will feel the same way.”

“I thought so, but I needed to run it by you first. I’ll give her a call and have her come in today and get her paperwork all squared away. I know we talked about her working out of the model home and she was agreeable, but that is for the short term and after hours for the most part. She still needs a place here and you two haven’t been around enough for me to talk about it.”

“Put her wherever you want. I don’t care, and neither will Alec.”

“That’s the problem. I don’t really have any free space available. You two are going to have to decide soon what you want to do here. Right now, we are busting out of the seams with all the staff I’ve had to hire. I know it doesn’t seem it to you guys, but the more work you do, the more staff behind the scenes we need, too. The only available spaces are up front, setting up some cubicles by Mary, and that isn’t very private. Unless you and Alec have time to throw up some walls for offices up front?”

“No, we don’t. And cubicles won’t do either. She needs a private space to meet with people,” Phil interrupted.

“I agree. That leaves the conference room—which we use way too much. The kitchen area—which we need—and the two storage rooms—both are filled with either paperwork or materials.”

“Then what is your suggestion? Can’t you have some of your staff sharing offices?”

“They already do. I’ve got six staff, two people to a room. There’s no space to put three in there, not with filing cabinets and desks,” Sean explained.

“We should have figured this out before now.” Phil didn’t understand why no one thought of this. It wasn’t really his domain, or Alec’s for that matter. They left the running of the office between Sean and Mary.

“Mary had a thought,” Sean said, looking sheepish.

“What’s that?”

“She thought maybe since Alec isn’t here very often, maybe you two wouldn’t mind sharing an office. You both have the biggest offices here.”

“I’m not sharing a space with Alec. I didn’t even share a bedroom with him growing up. He’s a slob. No way,” Phil said firmly.

“Then the other choice is Brynn and Alec sharing an office when she is here. Since Alec isn’t here that much, and she can meet with people at the model home, they shouldn’t get in each other’s way often.”

Phil grinned. “That works.”

“So you won’t mind telling Alec that?” Sean suggested.

“Sure.” Phil was looking forward to it.

Phil sat down and typed in his password on the computer, then turned back to Sean. “Was there anything else you needed?”

“Actually,” Sean said, then went and closed the door. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but seeing you type in your password reminded me and I thought I should.” Sean stopped for a minute, looking hesitant.

“Spit it out,” Phil said, never knowing Sean to hedge over anything.

“I’ve seen Linda’s car driving around the office a few times this month. Not everyday, but usually when I leave for lunch. Like she’s on her lunch hour. Or later at night when I leave.”

This couldn’t be happening. It was never going to end. “Has she stopped or said anything to you? Or has any of the other staff said anything?”

“No. Like I said, she’s just driving by. I thought it was strange. I didn’t remember this being on her way to work or anything.”

“It’s not. I’m sure she is curious.” He hoped that was the case. If he found out she was following him or spying on him or harassing his employees, things were not going to end well. He had given her all the patience he had. It was at its end. It was time for her to move on.

“She’s curious, all right,” Sean said sarcastically.

“What does that mean?” Phil was afraid to know.

“I caught her in your office once, when you were dating. Alone. At your computer.”

“What? And you never thought to tell me?” Phil looked around his office and stopped for a minute. There was nothing personal really, just blueprints and plans, emails with customers on his computer, but nothing of a personal nature. She still  hadn’t had any right to be in here alone.

“Hello. Boss’ girlfriend,” Sean said slyly. “I didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news. Besides, she’d been here plenty before. Just never alone. I didn’t even know she was here, and neither did Mary. It’s almost like she snuck in and never told anyone.”

“What happened when you saw her in here?”

“I walked by and saw the door shut. Your office door is never shut, so I opened it. She was sitting behind the computer and I asked her what she was doing.” Sean stopped and shook his head. “She jumped up fast, her face beet red, and she started to babble about wanting to see your work schedule, that she wanted to surprise you with some time away. She didn’t know your password and asked me for it.”

“I hope you didn’t give it to her?” Phil asked, dead serious.

“Don’t be a fool,” Sean said, laughing, knowing that Phil wouldn’t take offense. “I told her to give me the date she had in mind and I would pull the schedule up on my computer to see if you were free. She said she hadn’t picked the exact date out yet, thanked me fast and left.”

“She never surprised me with anything.”

“I figured as much. I told Mary to never let her past the front desk again if you weren’t here.”

“Thanks, Sean. But you could have said something back then. I would have taken care of it.”

“You know, Phil. I’ve never gotten into the middle of your life before. But there was something about her I never liked. I’m glad you aren’t with her anymore. And as much as I would love to have had a chance with Sophia, I’m glad you found her.” Sean turned and walked out the door.

Phil realized at that moment that he had to come clean with Sophia. She said she was getting there, and he believed she was, but he knew deep down he was going to have to tell her about his relationship with Linda and what actually happened. He couldn’t keep hiding it from everyone, least of all her. If there was one person who needed to know the truth and would understand what he did and why, it was Sophia. He felt he needed her reassurance.

No one knew what went wrong or why. He was sick of beating himself up over things and wondering if his judgment was so bad that it might cost him Sophia.

Maybe if she knew, she would understand more and he could be more open. They talked so much about everything. This shouldn’t be a secret between them. Regardless of how embarrassed he was over it and how he handled the whole thing.

Sorry

Close to noon on Thursday, Sophia’s mind was buried in the cash flow statements in front of her. As much as she tried, and as many times as she played with the numbers, she couldn’t seem to get her client a positive cash flow. They needed to meet and go over other options soon if the business was going to continue.

“Sophia?” she heard over the intercom on her phone.

“Yes.”

“There is someone here to see you?”

Great, now who? She’d already gotten unexpected visits from both her parents. If one of her half-siblings she hadn’t seen in years showed up, she would know her parents were really running their mouths. “Who is it?”

“Linda Clark.” Ashley lowered her voice and whispered, “She said she has an appointment with you, but I don’t see her name on your calendar. Did you forget to write it down?”

Unbelievable. Sophia had ignored the email and thought for sure it would end. She guessed wrong. She could turn Linda away. But ignoring her didn’t seem to be working. Maybe it was time the two of them had a little heart-to-heart once and for all before things got worse. “I’ll be up in a minute. And Ashley, once we are in my office, after five minutes interrupt me with some type of emergency.”

“You’ve got it.”

“Linda,” Sophia said walking into the reception area. “What can I do for you?”

Linda put an obviously fake smile on her face. “It’s so good to see you again, Sophia. I was wondering if we could have some privacy.”

“Sure,” Sophia replied, smiling. She extended her hand for Linda to lead the way, then looked back and stared hard at her receptionist, mouthing, “Five minutes.”

Shutting the door behind Linda, Sophia turned and said, “What is this about?” She wasn’t pulling punches, she wasn’t playing nice, and she wasn’t smiling.

Linda dropped the pretense. “I wanted to warn you about Phil.”

“Oh really?” Sophia said, crossing her arms. “What could you possible warn me about?”

“You don’t know him the way I do,” Linda said passionately.

It hit a little too close to home for Sophia, but she brushed it aside. This was a woman scorned in front of her. That Sophia was even giving her five minutes was generous. She wasn’t about to believe a word she said. “I’m sure you’re right. I probably know him
better
than you do. But go on. Warn away.”

Linda stopped for a moment. Sophia had thrown her off with that statement, she saw. What did Linda think, she was going to be begging for any dirt Linda had on Phil? How stupid was Linda? “He is only using you,” she said.

“Yes. I believe you told me he was only using my services and that he was going back to yours soon. Is that what you came here to say again?” Sophia asked coolly, refusing to show any more emotion at this point. She could adjust to anything around her and she had done it plenty enough, so she could do it again now.

Laughing cruelly, Linda replied, “You have no idea. Phil never told you why we broke up, did he?”

Sophia refused to acknowledge that question. “If you have nothing more to say, then I believe we are finished here.”

“I can tell he didn’t,” Linda continued, smirking triumphantly now. “Phil wants a family. He wants children. I wasn’t ready for them yet. When I found out he decided to try to get me pregnant without my knowledge and force the issue, we fought.”

Try as she might, Sophia felt the color drain from her face. She didn’t want to believe a word of what Linda was saying, but it was hard not to. Not when the first time she and Phil were together the condom leaked. Not when Phil had made comments about imagining her pregnant. And not when just a few days ago he said he was waiting for her to catch up.

“What?” Linda said smugly. “Are you starting to believe me?”

“No,” Sophia said, gathering her wits. Always fast on her feet, she added, “If what you’re saying is so true, then why do you want him back? And why wouldn’t he take you back?”

Linda narrowed her eyes, venom all but leaking out.

***

Phil pulled into Sophia’s parking lot intending to convince her to take a quick lunch with him. After he stepped out of his truck and walked a few feet, his eyes landed on Linda’s car.

Not believing it was hers, he walked over and looked in the driver’s window. There on the dashboard was the scratch that she made one day in a fit of rage while they were fighting over some ridiculous thing she was trying to convince him to buy.

Son of a bitch. Rushing toward the front door, he spotted Sophia’s secretary at the front desk. “Is Sophia in with someone?”

“Yes,” Ashley said. “But she told me to interrupt if they weren’t done in five minutes. Should I call her, Phil?”

“No,” he called over his shoulder, as he made his way down the hall to Sophia’s office.

Opening the door without knocking, he took in Sophia’s white complexion and determined expression as well as Linda’s rage-filled eyes. “What did you tell her?” he said to Linda. “What lies are you spewing now?”

Instantaneously, Linda’s eyes filled with tears. Typical. “I came to talk to Sophia. She was the one who was getting nasty with me.”

“Stop telling lies,” he shouted. “I’m sick and tired of this. I don’t know how many more times I have to tell you. Move on with your life. We’re over. It’s over. It’s been over for more than two years, but you kept hanging on. The lying and the scheming never stop.”

“That’s not true,” she cried out. “You loved me the entire time. Don’t say those things,” Linda demanded, anger replacing her tears.

Phil looked at Sophia helplessly. She wasn’t saying a word, and he was mortified this was happening again. More than anything, Sophia looked livid and he couldn’t blame her. But under it all, she looked hurt, and that was the worst.

Turning back to Linda, Phil said, “This is your last warning. I’ve tried to be nice. I’ve tried to give you time to accept things. It isn’t working. You want to play games so bad? You want to tell lies so much? Then maybe we should start telling the truth around here. Maybe everyone should know what really happened.”

Linda snorted. “No one is going to believe you, Phil. Give me a break.”

It was the worst possible thing she could have said to him. Standing in that room was the woman he loved and wanted to marry, along with the woman he wasted over five years with. He couldn’t take another minute of it. “You think so, don’t you? You really believe that. Here’s what I know. I know you want a rich man to marry you so you can live in some fantasy world you’ve had going on in your head for years.”

Her eyes went wide, but he continued on unfazed, not even caring what came out of his mouth anymore. “And I know you will do
anything
to get that man. Cut your losses with me and maybe you will have a chance of finding someone stupid enough to fall for it. Because if you don’t, no one is going to come near you once I start filing restraining orders against you. It won’t just be me. It will be my entire family. And even my employees. Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been around the office lately,” he said, challenging her.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Linda said, losing some of her composure. “You wouldn’t risk the gossip.”

“Just try me. Did you forget who Kaitlin is married to? One phone call, Linda. Just one, and the ball is rolling. Push my hand and let’s see who comes out on top.”

Linda looked at Phil, then turned to Sophia. “You’re welcome to him. If you think you can get him to commit, good luck. No one has been able to yet. And no one probably ever will,” Linda shouted and slammed the door to Sophia’s office.

Phil ran his hands through his hair. This nightmare couldn’t be happening right now. He turned to Sophia who had remained silent so far. Yet another embarrassing moment she’d witnessed with him and Linda. “I’m sorry,” he said, dropping his hand, defeated.

“Sorry for what?” she said, the color rising up her face. “For having a bat-crazy ex that came here to warn me off? For shouting at her in my office? For making a scene in front of all of my employees who most likely heard every word just now?”

He saw she was shaking, so he walked over to her, reaching out, but she took a step back. “Don’t. Not right now. I have work to do and this isn’t the place. I don’t want to air any more dirty laundry here.”

He watched the tears forming in her eyes, knew he would be shedding some of his own soon if he didn’t get out of here. “When can we talk?”

“Tonight. After work. I won’t push you off, or ignore you. I wouldn’t do that. But there are things we need to address, Phil.”

She left those last few words hanging out there, and he heard the unspoken “or else.” “I’ll be over around six.” He turned and walked out of the door, ignoring Sophia’s staff that was standing around out front watching his exit.