Following Love (21 page)

“After pizza,” Julian said.

“Hot dogs, yea,” Dillon called, clapping his hands again.

“Uh, after hot dogs,” Julian stammered slowly.

“Fish sticks, yea,” he cheered again while clapping his hands.

Dena began laughing. The conversation between the two of them had become comical. Julian shot a quick glance at her. She shrugged, shaking her head innocently. “Okay, I'll tell you what, how about hamburgers and fries?” he said, finally relenting.

“Hamburgers and fries, yea,” Dillon cheered again and clapped his hands as Julian opened the picnic basket beside him and pulled out a clear plastic container with a hamburger and fries inside. “Hamburgers and fries, yea.” He applauded again.

Julian opened the container and placed the burger and fries on Dillon's plate. He offered to cut it up for him to make it easier to handle but Dillon declined. They bowed their heads briefly then he dug in, taking a huge bite while using his thin fries as building sticks.

“He's easy to please, hope his mom is.”

“You know she is,” she said sexy and low.

Julian looked at her in a way that made her blood instantly boil. He licked his lips and a flash of excitement shuddered through him as thoughts of his kisses on her body swirled in her mind. Forgetting to breathe she exhaled slowly.

“Is that a seduction?” he asked quietly.

“Let's say it's an open invitation.”

“I will be taking you up on that.”

“I'll look forward to it.”

He nodded and reached down to get two more plastic containers, each containing hamburgers and fries. He opened a small container of chocolate milk and gave it to Dillon then opened a liter of ginger ale and poured Dena and himself a glass. “Cheers.” They clinked plastic cups and a small party of three on the twenty-second floor of the Kellerman Building downtown began.

An hour later they gathered the trash and picnic basket and headed back down to the ground level. They took a short tour of the site-planning trailer then Julian followed Dena back to her aunt's house. She parked her car as Julian got out and said goodbye.

“Thank you, Julian, for everything, it was a wonderful day, we really enjoyed ourselves.”

“Thank you,” Dillon chimed.

“So maybe we can do this again?”

“Yes, I'd like that a lot, I think we both would.”

A
week of madding mornings and hectic afternoons blurred by in a rapid succession of activity. It wasn't until the evenings that Dena truly appreciated the blessing of her life. She and Julian went out, stayed in or joined with Dillon or sometimes not; they reveled in the delight of being together. Movies in front of the television or on the big screen, dinners out, dinners in, dancing beneath the stars in the park or in the yard or playground, the three of them were inseparable.

Dena's desk was piled high with paperwork, invoices and requisition forms. She needed to assign duties, verify materials, order supplies and check the job sites. She spent most of the morning on the phone and was delighted when Julian stopped by midafternoon to say hi. He literally made her day.

“What are you doing this evening?” he asked, poking his head in her office.

“Nothing, why?” she asked.

He walked in and closed the door behind him. “I have three tickets to the local minor-league baseball game this evening.”

“Wow, really.” He nodded, pulling the tickets from his pocket and fanning them out. “Are you asking us out?”

“Yes I am, interested?” He came around to sit, then leaned back against her desk.

“Yes,” she said happily. “What time?”

“Wait,” he said. “Didn't you tell me that your aunt was out of town this week? Who's watching Dillon while you're here at work?”

“The same person who has been watching him since we got here a few months ago,” she said. “There's a nice-size day-care center around the corner from Aunt Ellen's house. We were passing one day and Dillon saw the kids out and wanted to stop and play. I arranged for him to go in the mornings for a few hours. So when I got this job, I simply extended his time there. He loves it and he needs to be with other kids socially.”

“Not bad,” he said, nodding.

“Glad you approve. So what time?”

“Right after work, around five-thirty or so,” he said. “We'll get to the ballpark early, let Dillon meet some of the players then grab something to eat before the game starts.”

“Sounds like fun, I'm looking forward to it.”

He reached out, grabbed her hand and pulled her up to his body. He wrapped his arms around her and held her securely against the desk. The kiss was expected but the instant passion was a surprise to both of them. When the kiss finally ended, they looked at each as if they were about to rip clothes off. “Probably not a good idea, huh,” he said, rasping after the wild embrace.

“Exciting, yes, definitely, but no, probably not,” she answered breathlessly.

“Pity, I'd like to try that with you one day,” he said as he leisurely ran his forefinger down the front of her blouse, ending right between the crevice of her breasts.

“An afternoon tryst, why, Mr. Hamilton, that would compromise my genteel sensibilities.”

“Mmm.” Deep and low, he moaned in her ear then whispered, “I like that, and I'd like to compromise a few other genteel senses, as well.” She giggled as he leaned in, bending her back onto the desk and lying on top of her. “Right here, right now,” he added, nibbling her earlobe.

She melted, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him tight. A sudden flow of adrenaline surged through her body.

The offer was more than tempting self-indulgence. The risk, the thrill, the danger, the idea of a forbidden rendezvous behind closed doors excited her. But knowing, of course, that neither one would dare compromise the office, they laughed heartily as he helped her up from the desk.

“What am I going to do with you?” she questioned.

“Fall in love with me of course,” he said poetically.

“Too late, I'm already there,” she said offhandedly, then froze realizing what she'd just confessed. They looked at each other as the fun exciting moment passed and the seriousness of her words penetrated deep. “Julian…” she started, shaking her head from side to side.

“No,” he said, shaking his head, “don't say anything.”

She closed her eyes, miserably knowing that what she'd said was in fact what she was feeling. She was in love with Julian, that much was undeniably true. But she didn't want to be. Her life was shattered and out of control. How could she possibly have time for love?

“Dena…”

“Julian, wait before you say anything…” she began as her phone started ringing. They both looked at the annoyance then back at each other.

“We'll talk tonight,” he said, then kissed her tenderly and let her go.

As soon as he left the office Dena sat down in slow motion. The phone had stopped ringing, denoting that her automatic answering machine had picked up.

Was she nuts? She'd just confessed to being in love with her boss. It was bad enough that they had a physical relationship and now a relationship that included her son, but now she tells him that she loves him.

But it was the truth. She did love him.

She sat pondering the reality of her feelings when her phone rang again. She picked up. “Dena Graham.”

“Dena, there's someone here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment but she says that you might be expecting her. Her name is Lynn Brice.”

“Lynn. Sure, I'll be right down.”

Dena cleared her desk and immediately took the escalator to the front lobby. Lynn stood talking intently on her cell phone. The flash of anger in her eyes gave Dena a chill. She nodded but kept talking on the cell. Dena motioned for her to follow, she did. By the time they got to Dena's office, Lynn was off the phone.

“I know trouble when I see it,” Dena said.

“We have trouble,” Lynn said.

“What happened?” Dena asked.

“Can we go someplace to talk privately?”

“Lynn, just tell me.”

“In a nutshell—” she pulled out a legal document and handed it to Dena but summed up its contents “—on behalf of Adel Graham, Graham, Whitman & Morris has filed for protective custody of the minor Dillon Graham.”

“What?” Dena said, unfolding the papers.

“I'm sorry, Dena. Adel has petitioned the court for temporary custody of Dillon. But don't worry, I got this.”

“What? How can she do that?” Dena said as a swell of air left her body. She staggered, stepped back then stopped breathing.

“We have a hearing in a few days.”

Dena put her hand to her chest, trying desperately to hear the words coming out of Lynn's mouth. “No, wait a minute, she can't do that. How, on what grounds?” she asked.

“Dena, breathe, calm down, this is just another one of her games. We'll beat this, okay,” Lynn said, standing and moving to her side.

“She's gone too far this time. She had Forester and Kirkland and Nelson, and now she wants my son. No, not this time,” she said.

“Good, that's what I want to hear. Get pissed, we can use it. We're going to need that determination. And we're gonna win this once and for all. So stay focused, you know I've got your back. Do nothing until you hear from me. I have a few ideas I'm working through.”

Dena nodded. Lynn was the perfect person. She was just as angry. As Dillon's godmother there was no way she would let anything happen to him.

“Now I need to do some planning. As I said, I already have somethings lined up. I can come by your aunt's house this evening. We can talk then.”

“Okay,” Dena said, nodding.

“Besides, I haven't seen my little fellow in weeks. How is the little Dill-weed doing?”

“He's still on cloud nine after spending the day with Julian at the construction site last weekend, then hanging out all week…”

“Whoa, whoa, back up. You and Julian? Mr. You-know-what?”

Dena half smiled. “I took your advice. All of it.”

“Now that's what I'm talking about. That's the Dena I remember, bold and audacious. You want it, go get it. That's exactly what we're gonna need up against Adel. So listen, I seriously want more details later, but in the meantime, I need to go and check some things.” She stood and headed to the door.

“I'll walk you out.”

 

Julian and Darius walked toward the building just as Lynn and Dena exited. “There she is,” Darius said, seeing Lynn with Dena.

“There who is?” Julian questioned, then looked over to see what drew his brother's attention.

“Ladies,” Darius said smoothly, “good afternoon.”

“Hello,” Lynn said, brightening instantly. Dena half smiled then nodded her greeting to both.

“Nice to see you again, Mrs. Brice,” Darius said.

“That's Ms. Brice, but please call me Lynn.”

“Lynn, it is. This is my brother, Julian. Julian, Lynn Brice.”

Julian, distracted by Dena's morose expression realized he'd been introduced then quickly greeted and shook Lynn's hand. “Nice to meet you, Lynn,” he said.

“A real pleasure,” she responded, smiling, knowing far more about him than he would possibly imagine.

“So, Lynn, what brings you this way? I thought you worked in the city,” Darius said, turning his full attention to her.

“I do. I was in the area and just popped out to see Dena.”

“So you two have known each other for a while?” Darius asked.

“Since college, then we went to law school together.”

“You're a lawyer, too?” Darius questioned, smiling.

“Yes, I am.”

“What a coincidence, I was just telling Julian that I'm looking for a good lawyer,” Darius fabricated. Julian looked at him, having no idea what he was talking about. “May I have your card? I'd like to talk to you later, if you're free.”

She reached into her briefcase and pulled out a business card and handed it to him. “Actually, Darius, I'm working a pretty tight caseload at the moment but I'll be glad to refer you elsewhere if you're in a hurry.”

“No,” Darius said quickly, reading the card, noting her cell phone number. “No hurry at all.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his business card and gave it to her. She read the raised lettering, nodded and smiled at him. “I'll be in touch,” he promised sincerely.

She nodded. “I look forward to hearing from you.”

They smiled knowingly as Julian focused only on Dena who was completely distracted. She stood uncharacteristically silent as the conversation carried on around her.

“I need to get back to the office,” Lynn said. “It was nice meeting you, Julian.”

“Likewise,” he said.

“And very nice seeing you again, Darius.”

“My pleasure,” he said.

Dena nodded silently and walked away. Lynn followed.

Darius watched Lynn and Julian observed Dena as they stood at her car talking. He knew there was something going on. Having just spoken to Dena moments earlier, her demeanor was like night and day. “Are we going in or do you want to make love to her right here in the parking lot?” Julian asked Darius, who was still eyeing Lynn.

“In time,” Darius said, slowly backing up to walk away. Lynn glanced over just before he turned. They smiled in each other's direction, knowing that there would certainly be more to come. “I guess I could ask you the same question. So what'd you do this time?” Darius asked as he and Julian went into the building and took the escalator to the executive level.

“What are you talking about?” Julian questioned.

“To Dena, she looks shell-shocked. What's wrong?”

“I have no idea. I just spoke with her a few minutes ago, she was fine. We're going to a baseball game tonight with her son.”

“Ah, yes, Dillon, I'm looking forward to meeting this little charmer.”

Julian smiled. “He could probably teach you a thing or two about women.”

“What do you mean?” Darius said.

“Could you be any more obvious outside?” Julian asked.

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Yeah, right,” Julian said sarcastically as they entered the office.

“What's up?” Jordan said, looking up from his desk as Darius and Julian entered his office.

“Ask him,” they both said.

“Never mind,” Jordan said, preferring to stay neutral, “let's get started.”

Darius and Julian nodded then took a seat across from Jordan's desk as he handed them each a folder. They opened it to find the preliminary proposal for the next major job. He outlined the basic ideas then turned his large-screen monitor to face them and continued with a shortened PowerPoint presentation. As Jordan continued discussing the details of progression for his intended presentation, Darius nodded, following and agreeing. Julian, on the other hand, only heard every other word he said.