“Well, let’s see. Someone moved your computer back to where it was before I changed things around.”
He shrugged. “That would be the cleaning staff. They came in and did a mass dusting and cleaning.” He’d arrived the next morning to discover nothing was where he’d left it. “I fired them right after.”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Well, you’re all fixed now.”
“I can see that.” His desk was back to its neat form, piles of color-coordinated files sat on the corner, all his pens in the holder. He’d kind of missed Lexie’s organization. “Mind if I ask why you’re here?” he asked, afraid to wish she was here for him.
“About that.” She twisted her hands together nervously. “Have you hired a new assistant?”
“One I’ve kept? No.”
Another small smile edged that too sexy mouth. “Okay, then I’ll assume the position is open. And now I’m back, so consider it filled.”
This time it was his turn to grin, but the smile slowly faded. “Is it business only?” He asked their familiar refrain, unsure if he could handle her as his personal assistant and nothing more.
They’d been too close. He’d shared too much with her. He’d let himself open up and be himself. And he loved her. So he couldn’t just be her boss.
“That depends on you.” Before she could elaborate, someone knocked on his office door.
“Shit. I’ll get rid of whoever it is,” he promised, needing this conversation more than his next breath.
Her eyes opened wide. “No. Umm, you can’t. Give us a minute!” she called out before turning back to Kade. “Listen. I did something and I don’t want you to be mad or upset with me.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Tell me.”
“Well, I know how much you like things orderly and expected. Maybe I didn’t think this through as well as I thought, but it’s done now, right?”
“You’re rambling,” he said. “What’s going on?”
A loud banging sounded outside his door again. “What?” Kade shouted.
“Your brother is waiting to meet you,” Lexie said, ducking around him.
“My brother?” he asked, his chest suddenly hurting and painful. “Brother, as in…”
“Jeffrey, from England,” Lexie said, cheeks stained pink. “Just know I did this because I love you. And because I knew it was something that, deep down, you needed.” As she spoke, she walked backwards, edging her way to the door and grasping the handle. “And I only invited him after I made sure he felt exactly the same way. He misses you, Kade.”
All the moisture drained from his mouth, and words failed him, which was a good thing, because he really didn’t want to yell at Lexie for trying to do something nice. Even if that something turned into a disaster. But maybe it wouldn’t. And there was that damned hope again.
She unlocked the door … and the brother Kade hadn’t seen in twenty-three years walked into his office. Kade stared at an older version of the boy he’d known, whose picture he looked at often, despite hiding it behind other photos on his shelf.
“Jeffrey.”
“Kade.” He extended his hand, Kade shook it, and before he knew it, he was hugging his long-lost sibling. Thanks to Lexie.
* * *
An hour later, Jeffrey, who Lexie had met at the airport yesterday, left Kade’s office, giving her a wink as he strode to the elevator.
She let out a sigh of relief … for the brothers. She still didn’t know if Kade was angry with her for meddling. Even if she had his best interest at heart. Not to mention, they’d been mid-serious conversation when Jeffrey had arrived, so things between Lexie and Kade were still up in the air.
When the buzzer rang, she jumped. She picked up the phone. “Yes?”
“In here. Now,” Kade said, his voice stern.
Her stomach was doing flips and turns as she entered his office, waiting on the threshold.
“Come in and shut the door.” His voice and expression gave no inkling as to his feelings.