Page 19 of Yours to Conquer

“Yes, I think I may be. Why is it you didn’t attend your prom?”

“I was working. I had a job that night, and I needed the money more than I needed to go to prom. You have to remember I was getting evicted from my house. My aunt told me I was getting the boot at eighteen. I could’ve stayed with Kat, but it was time to start my own life.”

“It pisses me off that your dad was so callous toward his daughter. I have the investigator looking into things, but so far, he hasn’t turned up anything. Why didn’t your grandparents step in to help?”

“I never met them. My dad’s parents were deceased, and my mom’s parents were absent. The aunt that stayed during the week was my dad’s sister. She got paid to stay with me. You have no idea how lucky you are to have your parents.”

“I know how lucky I am. By the way, my mom loves you. She thought you were stunningly beautiful and can’t stop talking about how cute her grandchildren are going to be,” he says with a roll of his eyes.

I burst into laughter. “Did you know the first thing she told me was that in her day, you didn’t get to ‘try it before you buy it’?” I give him a goofy look and watch his eyes bulge.

“Did she really? That is too freaking funny. Almost as funny as when she asked if you were a prostitute.”

“Yes, that was a real charming moment. Why is it you threw me to the wolves at your parents’ house?”

“I knew they would love you if I loved you. I loved the way you interacted with them. I found it humorous to throw you and my parents off-kilter at the same time.” Lowering his feet, he leans across the table and holds my hands. “I knew my mom liked you when she cut her prized roses and gave them to you.”

“Her Julia Child rose if I remember correctly.” I can’t stop shaking my head. He thinks he’s a real comedian.

“She planted that rose bush the day I opened my first restaurant. That was ten years ago.”

“She is very proud of you, and rightly so. You would be everyone’s fantasy son.”

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t as good as everyone makes me out to be, but I turned out okay. I can pay my bills, and I’m not living in her basement at thirty-four.”

“I could only hope to have children as unruly, unmotivated, and uninspired as you.” I roll my eyes. “Enough about our virtual children. Tell me about this prom night.”

“It’s your night, baby, so make it what you want. Let Damon and me know what your fantasy prom night would include, and we’ll try to make it happen. We can’t change the band because those schedules are set well in advance, but whatever else you want is fine.”

“How long do I have to plan and promote this night?”

“Not long. We are squeezing it in next month.”

“Perfect. Now I have to find a dress and a date in less than a month.” I knew he would react if I said I had to find a date.

“Emma Lloyd, will you accompany me to prom?” He is still holding my hands and grinning at me like a sixteen-year-old boy.

“I’ll think about it. Can I give you my answer tomorrow? I’m holding out for that one special boy.”

It doesn’t take him but a second to round the desk and pull meinto his arms. “You’re holding out for the highest bidder, huh? What do I have to do to get you to say yes?”

“You’ll have to get your Chucks to match my dress,” I tease.

“Done. Now get to work, or I’ll dock your pay for slacking off in the boss’s office.”

“I don’t even know where I work anymore. You had me transferred.” After yesterday, I’m a bit confused.

“You are free to work wherever you want. You said you missed Kat, so I thought you wanted to work at Ahz. Where do you want to work? I can set you up a desk here if you want to share my office. You can have your own office, or you can work at Ahz. The world is your oyster, babe.”

“Wow, sleeping with the boss has its perks, doesn’t it?” I push my lips into his and wiggle my body into him.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Emma,” he warns. I can feel his arousal twitch against my stomach.

“Office sex; I’ve never done it, but Kat tells me it’s amazing. We’ll have to try it once my monthly friend leaves.” I push away from him and dash to his door. “See you tonight, baby. I’m going to work at Ahz today.”

I find Kat in the VIP lounge. Her head is bent over a notebook. Her cell is glued to her ear, and she is having a very animated conversation. She sees me walk in and waves me over. I point to her soda to see where she got it, and she points toward the bar. When you know someone as well as we know each other, no words are needed.

“Okay, so lemon drops and chocolate-covered bacon. Is there anything else?” There is silence on Kat’s end, but I can hear the soft sound of a voice on the other. “No, sorry, I can’t obtain anything that would send me to jail. I look forward to meeting the band. See you Friday.” Kat hangs up the phone and exhales. “You’d think I was a pimp or a dealer with the requests I get. I can get chocolate-covered bacon, but I draw the line at prostitutes and cocaine.”

---