Always Been Mine: A Single Mom Office Romance Read online

  Allison crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “And I’ve asked you to please try and handle these situations by sending a note home, but you insist on dragging me down here and sending her home, which, quite frankly is not doing her any good, either. She’s missing out on class time.”

  “I can’t have her disturbing the other students with that kind of talk.”

  “I agree, so tell her to shut up and write me a note.”

  The teacher gasped. “We don’t use that phrase in class, Ms. Simon. It’s a sad face phrase. We try to teach the children that there are certain words and phrases which are frowned upon, and ‘shut up’ is one of them. We did send a list home at the beginning of the year.”

  “Seriously?” Allison stepped forward, and I saw her expression change to that of the little girl who used to throw dirt clods at me. I grabbed her arm.

  The teacher drew herself up to her full height. “I’m going to have to insist that you arrange counseling sessions. It’s obvious—”

  I had heard enough from the snooty woman. “Excuse me, but she’s already told you she’s not sending the girl to a counselor.” I looked up and waved the girl over. “Come on, Sierra. We’re going home.”

  “And who are you again?”

  Sierra joined her mother, and I stepped to their side. “Who I am is none of your concern. And as for the counseling, she’s not going. Her mother will decide what’s right for her. She’s a single mother doing the best she can, and you’re disrupting her livelihood with these nonsensical problems that you yourself are escalating. How about you do your job on this end, and she’ll do hers at home? Are you teaching school or pampering the next generation of snowflakes?”

  The woman’s face was ghostly white, and she was sputtering to find her words as we headed out into the hall.

  I ripped the stupid Visitor sticker off my shirt and slapped it against the front desk as we headed out.

  When we got in the car, I realized I might have overstepped my bounds. “I’m sorry. I just can’t see how you put up with that for so long. I had to say something.”

  She smiled. “Are you kidding? That was awesome. I’ve been wanting to give them a piece of my mind for weeks but being her mom, I think it’s best I keep my composure.”

  “You’re probably right about that,” I said.

  Allison turned to look at Sierra. “And you, young lady. We’re going to have a long talk when we get home.”

  She let out a sigh. “Yes, Mama. But Mr. David, will you take me to Career Day?”

  The question tugged at my heart, and I glanced in the rearview of Allison’s SUV and could see Sierra behind me.

  “Sierra, that’s not—”

  “That’s not a bad idea.” I looked at Allison with pleading eyes. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

  “Please, Mama, please.” Sierra’s eyes were pleading.

  “Yeah, please Mama?” My expression softened, and she let out a sound of frustration.

  “You two together are a force of nature.” She shook her head. “Fine.”

  Sierra cheered in the backseat until Allison turned around. “You’re still in trouble, little miss.” Her eyes turned to me. “And you, too if you don’t watch it.”

  I glanced at the little one again, who gave me a wink. I was not only falling in love with Allison all over again but Sierra, too.

  Chapter 14

  Allison

  We got back to the office, and Sierra stole a few hearts on the way up to the office, including Greyson’s. He’d stopped us outside of the elevator in the lobby, and I didn’t miss the looks he was giving David as the guy held onto Sierra’s hand.

  Katrina would have been making all sorts of comments, but Greyson wasn’t quite as crazy as she was. Or maybe he knew better than to say anything in front of Sierra.

  When we got back to David’s office, Sierra took my phone and settled down on one of the sofas to play a game while the two of us talked and went over the rest of my duties. I caught him staring at me quite a bit, and Sierra, too, but I figured it was because we looked so much alike.

  Finally, at the end of the day, he walked me out to the car and helped get Sierra buckled in. “You be ready for Friday, girlie. I’m going to blow those kids’ fathers out of the water.”

  He gave her a fist bump, and I rolled my eyes. “Don’t encourage her.”

  “You be good for your mama from now on. No more causing problems at school, okay? Or making up stories.”

  “Okay, David.” She giggled at him, and as usual, it was the silliest little giggle she could muster, all for him.

  “Good deal.” He shut the door and walked me around to my door.

  “Thanks again,” I said. “It’s not many bosses who would take the time to do what you did in the middle of a workday, and before you say it’s nothing, it really meant something to me.”

  I’d had a hard time with my own temper lately, and being verbally abused made me more aware of the way I talked to others. I wanted to say and do what he had, but I was always afraid of being too confrontational. I didn’t need anyone to think Sierra had a crazy mother.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.” He stepped up to the door and leaned in a moment as I buckled myself in, and it seemed like he wanted to say or do something, his eyes boring into mine with a look like there was too much weighing on his mind.

  “Be safe,” he said as he shut the door.

  In the rearview, I noticed him watching me drive away, and it felt good to have someone in our lives who cared so much, even if there wasn’t anything romantic about it.

  He’d stepped up and protected me at that school, just like he’d stepped in and brought me to prom all those years ago. He’d known I wanted to go so badly, but since Doug and I had broken up weeks before—because I wouldn’t sleep with him, oddly enough, I didn’t have a date.

  On the way to the diner, where I’d decided we’d grab an order for dinner and visit with Katrina, I talked to Sierra about what she’d said at school. I didn’t want her to wish her father was dead, though I had many times, sadly.

  “I hope you listen to David and behave, Sierra. You can’t keep telling fibs and upsetting the other kids, and it’s not a nice thing to say about your father.”

  “I just thought if I told them that, then they’d feel sorry for me and not make fun of me when he didn’t show up.”

  “You shouldn’t want those kids to feel sorry for you, either. There’s nothing wrong with a mommy filling in for a daddy, and your friends are going to see that, Sierra. Not every single kid there has a father in their life.” I couldn’t be the only single mom in the entire school. Not with today’s statistics.

  “Well, the kids at my table said their dads are coming and that they make a lot of money, too.”

  “It’s not polite to talk about how much money you have or haven’t got. Money talk is for grownups.” I knew better than to tell her that David made more money than any of those kids’ fathers, but it was the truth.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m glad David’s coming. I think he’s nice. Don’t you, Mama?”

  “Yes.” And handsome and sexy and everything else good in the world. He was a good man, and I wished I hadn’t let him get away.

  I pulled into the diner and found a place to park.

  “Can I have waffles for dinner?” Sierra asked.

  “You know I’d rather you eat something else. How about a grilled sandwich and some soup, and we can share a slice of pie for dessert?”

  “Okay, but you eat the crust.”

  “It’s a deal.” I got out and helped her out of her buckle, and then I held her hand as we went inside. Katrina spotted us immediately, and we took a small booth near the side window.

  “You’re a fine one to show up.” She winked at Sierra. “I’ve decided you have to come back to work here with me.”

  I smiled. “It’s been one day.”

  “You’re the only person who gossips with me across the ro
om. Apparently, other people frown on their business being broadcast to other people.”

  “You don’t say?” I laughed.

  “Yeah, and the new girl’s gossip isn’t as family-friendly as yours. Too much drama. We were a great team, you and me.”

  “It’s the end of an era.”

  “How was the first day of work, and why do you have the little rug rat in here so early?” She gave Sierra a coloring page and some crayons she kept in her apron.

  “She told everyone her father was dead and scared the other children. I had to go down there again.”

  “Why didn’t the teacher tell her to knock it off and send a note home?” Katrina asked.

  “Because the other kids are babies,” Sierra said. She had opened up the coloring page and began coloring in a puppy’s ear.

  “That’s enough,” I said. “What did we talk about?” I gave her a scolding look and turned back to Katrina. “Pretty much what she said.”

  “I hope you let that woman have it.”

  “As it turns out, I didn’t have to. David was with me, and he put her in her place.”

  “It was awesome. And he’s going to be my daddy on Friday.” She waggled her brows and then looked back at her coloring sheet.

  Katrina got a stupid grin on her face. “You two tying the knot?”

  “He’s not going to be your daddy.” I let out a sound of frustration. “He’s going to fill in for Doug at the Career Day event.”

  “What a keeper.”

  I nodded. “I know, right? He’s always done stuff like that. He’s always protecting me, and now, he’s helping Sierra out.”

  “So, how was work? Did you get anything done?”

  “Yeah.” I gave her a sidelong look. “It’s the strangest thing, but he didn’t even have an office for me. I’m currently using his sitting area, and he’s going to buy me a computer that I can take home when needed, which is great. But for now, I’ll just be working beside his office.”

  “I can’t help but think he intended that.” She smiled. “He wanted to have you close.”

  “Well, he did say it’s a new position. And there’s plenty to do. He’s not very organized, and I’m going to be a busy girl once I really get started.”

  “That’s always good. You’re better on your toes. Who knew this place was going to pay off for your next adventure?”

  “Mama thinks David’s nice, don’t you, Mama?”

  “I think your mama thinks he’s very nice.” Katrina waggled her brows at Sierra.

  “Don’t encourage her.”

  “Why not? It’s true.” She leaned over the table closer to Sierra. “I bet she thinks he’s handsome, too.”

  Sierra’s eyes lit up. “Oh, he is. He has the very same color eyes like me, and he likes to smile at Mama, too.” She let loose a giggle that had the man behind us looking.

  “The same color, huh?” Katrina asked. “You don’t say?”

  “Okay, lady, you need to get back to work,” I said. “We’ll have two BLTs and the potato soup, two root beers, and we’re splitting a slice of apple pie for dessert.”

  “Two predictable orders coming right up.” She leaned over and whispered to Sierra. “I’ll kick the pie up a notch with a scoop of vanilla.” Then she rushed to the back before I could protest.

  “I like Aunt Kat. And I think she’s right about you.”

  “Right about what?” This I had to hear. I reached over and took a crayon, and she slid her picture closer so we could share.

  “That you like David and think he’s handsome.”

  “I’ve known him a long time, honey. Since before I was your age. He lived just across the street, remember?”

  “Did you like him, then?”

  “We were friends, but yes, I liked him.”

  “I like him too, and I’m glad you do. Cause I want him to be with us.”

  “He’ll come around I’m sure. He’s going to Career Day, and I work for him now.” It still felt like a dream that I wasn’t waiting tables, and it was nice to be a customer and not an employee for a change.

  Sierra went back to coloring which was a relief. I didn’t know if letting her get too close to him was going to be healthy, and I hoped neither of us would be hurt in the end. I had to be careful about her getting too attached to him, no matter how much they got along. Her heart was on the line as much as my own.

  Chapter 15

  David

  I woke up early to a gorgeous sunny day, and although there was a slight chill in the air, it wasn’t quite crisp enough to make me bundle up in a heavy coat. I sipped my coffee and went over my plans. I’d also gotten sketches from our artists, showing some of our bigger campaigns we’d done over the past few years that the kids might actually recognize. Although my nerves were a bit rattled, it was more to do with Sierra and making her happy than actually doing a presentation. I’d never had any problems entertaining a crowd, and in taking over my father’s company, I’d given more than a few speeches and held meetings with people far more intimidating.

  I dialed Allison’s number, hoping Sierra was as excited as me. “How’s my two favorite girls this morning?”

  Allison’s tone told me she was a little less enthused to face the day. “Sierra’s excited, and I’m wishing there were more hours in the day.”

  “Take the day off. Your boss says it’s okay. Trust me.”

  “My boss doesn’t realize that if I don’t get the programs installed on my computer, then our entire next week will be screwed.”

  “It’s that bad?”

  “It’s not good. Next week is going to be busy with the new client from the Anderson Group.”

  “Shit, I guess we have slacked off a bit this week.”

  “Yeah, and since my computer has just arrived, I have like four programs to install, and then I still have to put them to use and coordinate with IT. I guess I could bring them home with me and get IT on it first thing Monday, but that would still put me hours behind next week.”

  This was why I sucked at my job. To me, nothing was this pressing, and yet, I always had Greyson to hold my hand. No wonder he’d wanted me to hire Allison. She’d taken a considerable load off him.

  “No, I don’t want you to work on Saturday. If you really think you need today, why not let me pick Sierra up for school, do my presentation, and I’ll meet back up with you after?”

  “I don’t know. I hate to bother you with having to get her there, and with the kids leaving to spend the rest of the day with their fathers after the presentations, my mother was going to meet us there and take Sierra home with her.”

  I thought of all the other kids, and their fathers taking an entire afternoon together and wished like crazy I had a daughter of my own to do that kind of thing with. “Why can’t I bring her and then take her to your mother’s after? Then your mother won’t have to get out to pick her up. It would work perfectly, and you’d have the entire morning to set up the programs, and you can send it to IT early.”

  She was silent on the other end of the phone. As I opened my mouth to ask if she was still on the line, she let out a long sigh. “Okay, but only if you’re sure you want to do all that. You’re already going above and beyond our friendship, and I don’t want to put you out.”

  “Are you kidding? I’ve wanted to do this kind of thing all my life.”

  Her giggle came through the phone, and it sounded a lot like little Sierra’s. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s been a lifelong dream.”

  She had no idea. I’d wanted a family my whole life, and most of that time, I’d dreamt about her filling the role of mother and wife until I no longer thought that fantasy was possible. Now, strangely, she was going to make it happen.

  “Okay, fine. If we spend any more time discussing it, you’ll both be late.”

  “I’ll be on my way shortly.” I had my best suit laid out, and my presentation was ready to go. I just had one more thing to do before I could get dressed.

  I arrived at Allison
’s house, and as I pulled into the driveway, Sierra opened the door and ran out on the stoop. I could hear her when I killed the engine. “Mama! Mama! David’s here, and he took his Jeep apart!”

  I stepped out of the Jeep and joined her at the door where Allison met me with a horrified look on her face. “What are you doing? You came all the way here in that thing? It’s too chilly.”

  “No, it’s actually very warm. Jeeps are made with awesome heaters for a reason.”

  “There are no doors.”

  “That’s right. I told Sierra I could take it apart.”

  “Well, she’s seen it now, so put it back together. I can’t have her riding in that death trap.”

  I stepped closer and placed my hand on her arm. “Allison, do you think I’d do anything to hurt Sierra or put her in danger? The school is like three blocks from here, and even going to the diner, we’re not going far.”

  “The diner?” Allison asked.

  “Oh, yeah. I was going to ask if I could take her to the diner for a milkshake after the program.”

  “A milkshake! Awesome! Can I, Mama?” She jumped up and down, and Allison gave me a death stare that told me I’d put her on the spot.

  I stroked her wrist with my thumb. “Come on, Mama. I’ll take good care of her.” I gave her my warmest smile and pleading eyes. I’d come too far this morning to let them both down.

  She seemed to deflate in front of me. “I know you will. Just promise me you’ll be safe.”

  Sierra ran into the house leaving us alone. I took the opportunity to lean yet closer and taking her hand, I gazed deep into her eyes. “Of course. I’ve got this.”

  We were a breath away, and I had the aching desire to kiss her, but Sierra ran from the house, taking my hand.

  “I’m ready, David!” She jumped up and down and pulled me toward the Jeep. “Bye, Mama!”