Page 8 of Conveniently Yours

"Hi, I'm Scarlett Moore, I have a job interview with Simon Crimmings. I'm really sorry, I wasn't able to get a sitter for my son."

She doesn't bat an eye as she keeps her smile firmly on her face. "Don't worry, we understand that sometimes not everything can work out as planned, and the interview was very last minute."

That's an understatement. I applied for the job two days ago and received a call late yesterday afternoon asking me to come in today. I called everyone I know, asking if they could watchBrandon, but there wasn't anyone available. Bringing him here was my last resort.

"Mr. Crimmings isn't here today, but the COO will be interviewing you," she tells me as she hands me a visitor badge. "If you take the elevator to the seventh floor, your interview will begin shortly."

I give her a warm smile. "Thank you so very much. Have a wonderful day."

"You too, Ms. Moore. I hope your interview goes well."

I hold out my hand, and Brandon takes it instantly, we walk toward the elevator, and I see him bouncing a little. "Go on," I encourage him, knowing that he wants to press the call button for the elevator. "Are you okay?" I ask once he's done it.

He nods slightly, and I know he’s a little scared, he's not used to being around people he doesn't know, and I hate that I'm going to have to leave him alone while I have the interview. "Mama, are we going swimming tomorrow?"

"Of course," I assure him. Whether it means we're going early in the morning or later in the day, I'll be taking him. "You know I love our swimming dates."

He looks up at me with a smile. "Yay," he cries, and there's nothing better than seeing him smiling and happy. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my boy.

The doors to the elevator open, and we step out, my gaze firmly on my little boy. "Be good for me, okay?"

He nods. "I will," he assures me. "I'll sit over there," he points to a sofa in the corner. "I'll be good mama."

I smile at him. "I know, baby," I whisper as I run my hand through his hair.

A low cough draws my attention, I turn my gaze from Brandon to the newcomer. My heart stutters as I stare with wide eyes at the man. He's watching Brandon and I with suspicious eyes. Ones that I know so well.

Fuck. It's Axel Beckett. What the hell is he doing here?

FIVE

AXEL

I stare at the file on my desk, the one I've had our investigator compile when I discovered who I was interviewing today. Crimmings is usually the one that does the hiring, he's one of the trusted employees that we have, last night I got the call that his wife had gone into labor, and he wouldn't be able to do the interview. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the woman, I would be interviewing is Scarlett Moore, the woman I hurt and haven't seen since. It doesn't matter that five years have passed, she's still the one I think about.

Over the past five years, I've contemplated searching for her, wanting to see her, talk to her, try to make amends for what happened that fateful day had her leaving town, and never looking back. I've come close a few times to calling my investigator, knowing I could have the information in a matter of hours, but I knew she left for a reason, and it's my own fault for not being man enough to protect her, to stand up against Noah, and claim what I wanted—her. So, I let it be. Until last night when her name came across my desk, and I needed to know everything.

The rage bubbles inside of me as I continue to stare at the pictures Micah included in his report. I'm beyond pissed as I stare at the picture of the boy, the one that looks like me. He's four, and I know he’s mine, I don't need a DNA test to prove it, especially when it's like looking in the mirror when I was a kid.

How could she keep my kid from me?

The phone in my office rings, and I answer it. "Mr. Beck," Ally greets me. "Ms. Moore is on her way up for the interview."

"Thank you," I say, trying to keep calm but fuck, the anger is growing with every second that passes. I end the call and stare at the picture once again.

What the fuck happens now? She's not keeping my son away from me any longer. Four years is long enough. I've missed every major milestone. Had she told me, I'd have been there every step of the way, instead, she kept me in the dark.

I get to my feet and move toward the door, it's been years since I've seen her, since I've held her. But, fuck, I'm angry, so fucking angry at her for keeping my son from me. She's still the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. She's older, she's got curvier with age, her hair lighter and longer, she's so beautiful it makes my heart stutter.

Fuck, I still want her.

I watch as she speaks with my son, the smile he has for her is blinding, and my heart clenches. She runs a hand through his hair, and I release a low cough, letting them know that I'm here. I smirk when Scarlett raises her head, the blood drains from her face, and her eyes grow wide when she sees me.

"Ms. Moore," I say cooly, and she flinches at my tone.

"Axel," she whispers, her lip trembling. "I had no idea."

"I suppose you didn't, what with running away and never looking back."

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