Page 38 of Daddy Christmas

Suravi nodded and made notes on her iPad.

“Why aren’t we just printing the reports at the office?” Wyatt asked.

“Clarke requested higher quality since you’re handing them out to potential clients,” Mr. Williams answered. “Every report is a presentation.”

Wyatt scratched his eyebrow, seemingly not too happy. “Fair enough. God forbid they receive digits on copy paper.”

I felt my mouth twitch. He was thinking about spending money “wisely.” But marketing was good. This multicity conference was an Abrams display. They had something to show, to sell, to promote. Or rather, a million things to showcase.

“By the way—” Wyatt turned to Mr. Williams. “How are you coordinating with the New York office? How many graphic designers are coming?”

“Four from New York, none from us,” Mr. Williams replied. “Our graphic design department is too small.”

I scratched the bottom of the marker against my temple.

Wyatt flicked me a glance, and I… Oh crap, he wasn’t going there, was he?

He cleared his throat and faced Mr. Williams again. “I’d appreciate if you could spare one and convince Parker to join us. I want him on the floor with me during the workshops.”

Holy fuck, he totally went there.

I blinked.

This…was maybe not great—and maybe it could be handled with more finesse? Kim was the official head of our little squad, and she might be giving me a sly smirk right now, but it looked like favoritism to me.

Mr. Williams looked…uncomfortable. “Uh, well, you see—Kim is our head designer. You don’t want me to ask her first?”

Wyatt was completely unfazed. “I’ve already spoken to her.”

Really? I looked at Kim.

“I can’t go,” she explained. “Technically, I asked not to. My flight home is on the twenty-first, and I haven’t seen my family since Easter.” She turned to Mr. Williams. “I recommended Parker, sir.”

Oh my God, so I could go to Europe with Wyatt?

Fuck, I should’ve given him more credit. No matter how open he was, he wouldn’t favor me at work in front of others—or in any way that impacted coworkers.

“I see. In that case…” Mr. Williams glanced over at me. “Do you have your passport, Parker?”

I grinned. “Yes, sir.”

* * *

“He’s expecting you,” Suravi said with a smirk.

I chuckled and walked by. “Thanks.” I opened the door to Wyatt’s office and found him sitting behind his desk, fiddling with his phone.

“Took you long enough.”

“I had to talk to Mr. Williams, because apparently, I’m going to Europe.” I was rounding his desk as he pushed out his chair, and I immediately jumped up to sit on his lap. I threw my legs over the armrest and cupped his smirky mug. “I’m going to Europe?”

“I had to try, at least. I was ready to bring all of you. Or make an attempt.”

He was the best! I’d been prepared to just wallow my way through those days when he was in London and Luxembourg.

I kissed him and slipped my arms around his neck, and he hummed and squeezed me to him.

“But you have to tell me if it’s too much.” He kissed my jaw. “Having you with me will actually be a great benefit work-wise, but I admit it’s for selfish reasons as well.”

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