Page 20 of Covert Affair

“You’re not going to get much work done with my baby on your hip,” he immediately stands and reaches out his hands to take her from me.

Funny how he doesn’t worry about that when it’s his wife out front trying to do her job and wrangle this baby girl. “Neither is your wife, you know, our receptionist. But, looks to me like this little munchkin wants to spend some time with her favorite human today,” I reply, tickling Heidi’s stomach.

She giggles and blows bubbles then smacks both of my cheeks. “Unk Co-eeeee.”

Oh, but I get the last laugh this time when Heidi buries face in my shoulder and hides from him.

“No. Dada.”

Fuck yeah. Uncle Cody at your service, kiddo.

Cole laughs out loud and sits back down. “Whatever. If you’re going to keep an eye on Heidi, then I may just have to excuse you so I can call Molly in here and lock that door behind her.”

I make a gagging sound and cover Heidi’s ears. “Enough of that. There’s little ears in here. Jeez.”

“Grow up,” Cole smirks.

“Did you want something or are we just shooting the sh—ips, this morning?”

“I think it’s time we talk about expanding the business, Little Bro,” he replies very matter of factly.

My brows furrow. “Expand the business?” This is new.

“We’re gaining more and more clients in Nashville since we saved Stacey Mae from that stalker and with all the positive word of mouth from Grady. What are your thoughts on opening a secondary location up north in Davidson County?”

I groan. “My thoughts? I mean, we’ve got several clients in that area now. I’m not the numbers guy though so I couldn’t tell you if it’s enough to justify opening another office. Most of the guys working up that way have relocated and just come back here to check-in or catch briefings on zoom meetings. Is that not working anymore?” I question out loud while silently wondering why he’s asking me.

Sure, I’ve filled in for him a few times since he opened the doors on Cole Security but this business is his baby. Well his and Molly’s now. I’ve always been one of the more hands on guys, taking jobs and doing a lot more techy stuff lately. So this whole conversation is out of my wheelhouse.

“It’s working. I just think it might be time to promote some people around here and perhaps make this place more of a partnership. Think about the possibilities available in a town like Nashville.”

Oh, I’ve thought about the possibilities. A lot. And they all seem to lead back to the one woman I can’t get out of my head.

The same woman who’s seeing someone else and tearing up the charts with her latest album. And headlining her own tour. A tour that just so happens to be stopping in at the civic center this week.

So, yeah. Every single one of those possibilities ends with a, fuck no. But… “I’ll bite. You’ve clearly been thinking about this. What’s your plan?”

Cole smirks and shakes his head. “For a dude that’s so fucking smart, you really are fucking dumb sometimes, Cody.”

“Fluff you too,” I flip him off behind Heidi’s back.

“I’m asking you to become my official business partner and oversee the Tennessee location.”

This time I cough and sputter in complete shock. “You’re bullshitting me.”

“But he’s not,” Molly interrupts, making her way into Cole’s office and circling his desk to sit right in his lap like I’m not even in the room.

“You two are nauseating,” I joke, because at this point I’m becoming numb to their public displays of affection.

Molly rolls her eyes, “You’re avoiding the subject.”

“And now you two are ganging up on me. I’m taking my niece and going to do some work. I’m sure I’ve got client call backs to handle or something.”

“See! Perfect example of why you’d be perfect for the job,” Cole says, knocking on his desk like it’s a done deal. “Always focused and putting clients first.”

“Alright. So, let me get this straight. You want me to become your business partner and spearhead a brand new location. In another state.”

Cole nods. “Ah, now you’ve got it.”

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