Two Men and a Baby - Isla Olsen Page 0,27

the expense of Cox’s team. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Cox narrows his eyes at me. “Are you a lunatic like your brother? I don’t need crazy people working for me.”

“Whoa, that’s a bit harsh.” True, but harsh. “How about we both act like adults and not let your grudge with my brother get in the way of our professional relationship?”

“Connor,” Esther hisses at me from under her breath.

Cox’s mouth twitches in a soft smile, though, and he gives a short nod. “I can do that.”

“So, is that a yes, then? Will you be using our firm’s design?” I press, completely losing my head for a minute and forgetting this is only a status meeting and not a pitch.

I can feel the waves of frustration radiating off Esther. I’m sure there’s a strict protocol for dealing with important clients like Spencer Cox and no doubt I’m crashing right through it.

Cox taps the rolled-up design against his palm, as he switches his gaze back and forth between Esther and me. “Yes,” he finally says. “I’d like your firm on this.”

“Wonderful,” Esther says with a beaming smile, and I can sense her tangible relief. “We’re looking forward to working with CPG.”

“I want him on the lead for this one,” Cox says with a nod to me as we’re about to rise from the sofa.

Both Esther and I sit there for a moment, and if the wide-eyed expression on her face is anything to go by, she’s as stunned as I am.

“Connor’s not a senior architect,” she tells Cox. “He’s only recently joined the firm.”

Cox merely shrugs. “So promote him.”

Esther’s brow furrows in confusion. “May I ask why exactly you’d like Connor to lead this project, Mr. Cox? Is it because of what I said earlier about his suggestion to focus on the interior?”

“Sure, let’s go with that,” Cox says with a shrug. “But mostly it’s because I’ve seen him play rugby and I trust him to do a good job.”

Esther looks at me as if I could possibly explain what’s happening right now; I merely shrug, shaking my head. She lets out a slow breath, clearly resigned. “Okay, then. I guess Connor’s taking the lead.”

“Great!” Cox exclaims, beaming.

Still baffled, Esther and I make our exit. We’re silent as we stroll through the offices of Cox Property Group, and I’m so distracted I don’t even remember to say goodbye to Sunny, who’s doing her yoga again.

Once we’re in the elevator, I turn to Esther. “What are we going to do? I don’t have time for any extra projects right now. You know I don’t.”

“Well, you’re going to have to make time,” she says irritably. “When someone like Spencer Cox says jump, you don’t even ask how high, you just do it.”

Jesus, no wonder Shay can’t stand the guy.

12

Josh

“Uh, what is…” I reach over toward Connor, picking out the little clump of orange goop I spotted in his beard. Studying it, I ask. “Is that pumpkin? Or sweet potato?”

Connor frowns in confusion at the clump of food in my hand. “He had broccoli today.”

I chuckle. “Well, this is orange.”

Connor’s face screws up. “Oh my god. Are you kidding me? I had orange goop in my beard for over a day and you just let me walk around like that? Please tell me it is actually food and not something else!”

From across the table I see Laura trying to rein in a fit of silent giggles.

“I’m hoping it’s food. Otherwise there’s a problem if it’s coming out this color,” I muse, getting to my feet and rounding the kitchen counter so I can wash my hands. Glancing up at Connor, I say, “How is it even still in there? Don’t you wash your beard.”

“I don’t wash it every day.”

“Maybe you should,” Laura suggests, earning an annoyed glance from Connor.

“Washing a beard like this every day dries it out and makes it all gross,” he explains in a gruff tone.

Coming back to the table, I fix Connor with a sympathetic look. “Okay, I think maybe it might be time to think practically. The beard is starting to be a hindrance.”

“Hell, no. Don’t even say it, man. I’m just going to have to take some extra precautions. Like one of those face shields welders use. Or maybe a Darth Vader mask.”

“Yeah, ‘cause that won’t scare the kid at all,” Laura says with an eye roll, and I can’t help chuckling at the comment. I decided pretty much the moment I met her that I like Laura, and I’m glad to