Page 4 of Fierce-Michael

“That’s not an easy conversation to have, but if it’s about Ty it has to be done,” Alex said.

“Exactly. I’m not in the mood for tears or excuses. I’m not sure how much easier I can make things for her. Ty has a right to know his mother and spend time with her even though Electra cancels half the time or hands him off to her parents.”

“Her parents love their grandson,” Alex said.

“They do.” Electra’s parents weren’t in much of a better financial situation, but they cared for their only grandchild. They bought him gifts for birthdays and holidays and his son never said he was hungry when he came home from a weekend there.

“You’ll do the right thing,” Alex said. “You always do.”

“My parents would kick my butt if I didn’t,” he said.

“That’s right,” Alex said. She turned her head when she saw a movement in the glass offices. He turned too when Alex waved. “There is Kelly. She’s later than I thought and I know Cade is on his way. Crap.”

“I’ll deal with it,” he said. “What is she getting?”

“Samples that are in my office. Plus there are a few other items we just got in I need her to take back and figure out too. She’s working on designs for them and we are trying to get it right.”

“Got it,” he said. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Alex walked toward the offices to talk with one of Cade’s employees and he went over to tell his supervisor a few things and would meet them soon.

When he was walking back to the offices, he saw Kelly running her hand over Alex’s belly and laughing.

He found her attractive. Bubbly and fun.

He had fun and bubbly once and it ended up with him being a single father.

He’d sworn that off but found the more serious women he dated bored the shit out of him.

“Hi, Michael,” Kelly said. “Alex said you’re going to show me a few things?”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind dealing with me.”

“I can handle anyone,” Kelly said, waving her hand. “I might be able to get you to smile today too. I just told Alex that is my goal.”

He held back a snort. “I’ve been known to smile once in a while.”

“Today is going to be one of those days then,” Kelly said. She put her hand out. “Should we bet on it?”

He reached his hand for hers, felt the heat smack him in the chest, and realized they’d never touched before. What the hell?!

“What’s the bet?” he asked. “I’ve got a lot of control.”

She pursed her lips adorably. A move that normally turned him off, but with her hand still in his he didn’t feel that.

“So do I,” she said. “I work for Cade. I need it.”

Alex laughed and turned to leave. “She’s got a point. Have fun, you two, playing with products.”

“I always have fun at work,” Kelly said. “What’s the use of a job if you don’t?”

“A paycheck,” he said. “Putting food on the table?”

“Boring,” she said, rolling her eyes. She released his hand and he almost wished she hadn’t.

“That’s me, the boring stable one.”

She squinted one eye at him. “Stable isn’t always a bad thing. I used to think it and now I don’t.”

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