I led our company meetings with all of the VPs and above to get an update on what everyone was doing. My job was to give them an overview from an upper-management perspective on our projections and upcoming projects we had planned.
My fingers tapped on my knee, then on my untouched coffee, and then tip-tapped on the long mahogany table that took up the room. Problem was, I liked her, and I didn’t know what I was going to do about it.
Like the CEO I was, I started listing all the pros and cons of dating her in my head.
The major con was that if we didn’t work out, it wouldn’t be the same in the household, and I’d have to terminate her employment. Because how could we possibly go from seriously dating to her just going back to her regular job as the nanny? We couldn’t.
I wasn’t going to pretend that was even an option.
Also, the kids. I’d never even thought I’d be contemplating this—dating again.
How will I break it to them? How will they take it?
And will she want to date me? Am I even her type?
A knock sounded from the door, and I lifted my head from my daze.
“Hey, are you okay?” It was Mason. His eyebrows scrunched together before he walked in.
“Yeah. Why?” My voice croaked out like a teenage boy going through puberty.
“Well, you’ve been sort of out of it lately. I mean, I’ve read that, sometimes, there can be delirium because of the flu, but that’s because of the high fevers. I don’t think that usually lingers.”
I rubbed at my brow, feeling guilt wash over me. “Yeah. About that meeting … I’m sorry about that. I …” I tilted my head from side to side, feeling tension rise to my shoulders.
“Hey.” Brad walked in. “Are we going to lunch?”
He took it upon himself to make an already-awkward situation more intense. Of course, this was his MO.
“Serious conversation?” He plopped down and reached for my coffee, taking a sip.
I glared at him. This guy.
Mason took the seat next to him, his face filling with concern. “Yeah. I was just going to say that I think you should see a doctor. You never get sick, and I think there might be lingering effects from your flu.”
Brad laughed beside him.
Mason threw Brad one of his annoyed looks but continued, “I’m serious, Charles. You haven’t been yourself lately, and I’m concerned.”
Brad interlocked his fingers behind his head and leaned back. “I know exactly what the problem is. It’s too much water.” He winked at me like the devilish bastard that he was.
I rubbed at my temple, an ongoing migraine about to start.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? I’m being serious, and like always, you’re fucking around,” Mason snapped.
Brad tsked beside him. “It’s true. Tell him, big bro,” he said, shooting me a conspiratorial grin.
I let out a long sigh. Where Mason looked at the analytical aspects of things to come to a conclusion, Brad called things out exactly how he saw them.
But I wasn’t ready to expand yet when I hadn’t figured out what I was going to do about my current situation.
We shared a knowing look, one Mason wasn’t a part of.
Mason stood, crossing his arms over his chest, visibly agitated. His gaze ping-ponged from Brad to me and back again. “Listen, can someone fill me in on what’s going on?”
“Getting water”—Brad cleared his throat in an exaggerated effect—“means banging the nanny.”
Mason reeled back. “What?”
“I’m not banging the nanny,” I insisted.
Brad pointed his hand like a gun. “But you want to, don’t you?”
I groaned.
“Don’t deny it, Charles. I’ve seen how you are with her, and I caught you … in Mary’s bed.”
“You had sex on Mary’s bed?” Mason jerked back, and his face scrunched up, disgusted. His voice hitched up, hitting a high soprano note. “Mary’s bed?”
“No, Mason,” I grumbled. “And I have not had sex with Becky.”
Brad leaned in, getting in my face, his words firm, sure. “But you want to.”
We were locked in this staring contest. I was never one to give in. Even when we had been younger, I had been the stronger one of the three of them, born bigger, born first, more reserved but the one with the most restraint.
But I was at a loss this time, so I dropped my gaze to the table and let out a long sigh. “I like her. Yes.” It wasn’t a direct answer to his question, but if I had my way, hopefully,