Page 42 of No Love Lost

Inside, the open floor plan let her see a receptionist desk to one side and several desks behind it. Each desk was unique and held a computer with several monitors. There were photos of Boston on all the walls. The atmosphere was homey and comfortable.

No one sat at the desk for reception, but everyone at the individual desks looked up as they entered. A diverse group of five people who all smiled at them.

“Hey, boss. You look like you’re having a good day. Thought you were still in Vermont.”

No one jumped to attention. Their demeanours showed her immediately that they liked their jobs and they liked Heath. No surprise. How could this good man ever think he was like his father?

Heath took her hand and led her to the side of the room where he patted the top of a desk for her to sit on. Once she was settled, he rested against the desk.

He smiled at the group. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Addy Syrette. She’s the reason I’m moving to Phail.”

One woman dropped her head back in a groan while a man lifted a fist in the air. “Awesome. I win the pool.”

Heath laughed. “You guys will bet on anything. What do you win, Yoshiko?”

The man waggled his eyebrows. “My choice for dessert Fridays for three weeks in a row.”

The woman who’d groaned rolled her eyes. “You know that means no chocolate for three weeks. What kind of monster doesn’t like chocolate?”

Addy laughed along with the rest of the group. No chocolate for three weeks would be rough.

Heath put his arm around her shoulder. “Addy, please meet Yoshiko, Patty, Marlena, Eric, and Shambhavi with the chocolate addiction.”

Everyone came and shook her hand. She knew her skin was flushed, but she forced herself to make eye contact with everyone. Their friendliness and interest made it easy.

They spent an hour chatting with the group. Heath explained they had a daughter together. He didn’t gloss over what his parents had done to him—to them—and his friends were properly horrified.

Then the group worked together to make a plan for how the office routines would change. Shambhavi had laughed at that, and explained to Addy. “It’s not like we have regular hours. With the startups we work with, we might put in our hours in the evenings or on weekends. We often work on site with the companies as well. We make it a point to be in the office together at least three times a week. That way we can brainstorm and help each other out. Heath can join in with video calls, but he’s not getting out of dessert Fridays.”

Heath laughed. “No problem. I might even make sure there’s something chocolate for you.”

While Heath packed up his desk with all the things he wanted to take, the others kept Addy entertained with some of their bigger successes and tales of how they’d become such a tight team.

“It’s fun to work with a group with similar goals. We like to find the little businesses who have great ideas, but who need a boost of capital and confidence. Best job in the world.”

Eric’s words had Addy’s heart swelling with pride for Heath and what he was accomplishing. She didn’t say it, but it would be a terrifying job for her. They all interacted with so many people. They also dealt with huge amounts of money. Her monthly budget was more than enough for her. She’d happily stick with being a writer.

Back on the street, she carried a messenger bag, while Heath toted a large box. “I like your friends. They’re a great team.”

He nodded. “They are. And they liked you as well. No one bitched even a little bit about me pulling my weight from another state.”

“You’ve built something amazing here. The building is wonderful and the people are even better. You’ve done so much good with this business. I’m so proud of you.”

“You’re making me want to ditch the surprise I planned and head right back to the condo so I can show you what your words mean to me.”

Addy laughed. “We can do that all night. I want to see this surprise.”

Heath opened the trunk and they put the box and bag inside. Then he yanked her into his arms for a kiss. When her knees wobbled, he pulled back, and they both sucked in some air.

“Okay, that should hold us. Surprise it is.”

Heath wondered if he’d ever experienced this many powerful emotions in one day.

Trepidation about seeing his parents. Anger and disgust at finding out their deceptions. Despair at the genetic history living within him.

Lust, like, and love. All for Addy.

Relief over meeting with his team and finding they all supported him. Happiness at their quick acceptance of Addy. Marlena had let him know the entire team approved of her. They would do anything to help him out and keep the business going strong.

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