Page 19 of Georgia Guy
Giving Alex a serious look, he says, “It’s easy to get so caught up with working that we stop truly living and having fun. I fell into that trap and forgot that my employees are real people with families, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. Joe’s dad worked too much, as well, and all it got him was fired. I feel terrible for my role in that. Please ensure that you don’t make the same mistakes we have, sweetness. There is more to life than just toiling away to build an impressive legacy.”
Alex nods her agreement, but I can tell by the practically visible waves of anger rolling off her back that she hasn’t yet forgiven me.
Evidently sensing her lingering hostility as well, her grandfather says, “Joe is a good man, and he cares very deeply for you.”
At the undignified scoffing sound that emerges from Alex’s throat, the distinguished man says, “If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t be here, honey. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I can be a bit of an intimidating ass.”
We both chuckle at that understatement before he continues, “He barged in here to admit what he’d done to start this firestorm. He was ready to do whatever it took to help me contain it. Looking me in the eye and admitting that was the epitome of bravery. It could have gone very wrong for him, but he took that chance for you, Alexandra. That sounds to me like a man who is falling in love with you.”
Deciding it’s high-time for me to take over, I step forward and say to the woman of my dreams, “I’m not just falling in love. Iamin love with you, Alex.”
She shakes her head, which makes the breath leave my lungs in a rush. “It’s so fast.”
“I know, but it’s true. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I just want to be with you and do anything in my power to make you happy. I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to love me, too.”
The admissions come out in a flurry. I’m breathless as I wait to hear her reaction.
Alex takes her time, gazing into my eyes and thinking over her response. Her expression softens and her lips tip upward just before she says, “I love you, too, Joe Scott.”
The magnificent woman rushes into my arms, and I engulf her in my embrace. Her grandfather claps his approval as I cup Alex’s cheeks, and we seal our proclamation of love with a tender kiss.
14
ALEXANDRA
The paparazzi outside my grandfather’s estate spiral into a frenzy when Joe and I walk outside hand in hand. They are a good distance away, but that doesn’t stop them from snapping photos and barking questions at us through the metal gate.
I smile and wave at them, no longer concerned in the slightest about what they might post about our family. My protective streak has been appeased, since my grandfather was behind the release of the story. He’s right… It’s much better to face the scandal head-on and as a tight-knit, cohesive group, than to worry about how it might tear us apart later.
Suddenly remembering the detail that has been niggling just beneath the surface of my mind, I turn to look up at Joe. “What about the thumb drive? Did you steal it, but then change your mind about releasing the information yourself?”
He freezes and stares down at me. His face twists in confusion. In a sincere tone, he says, “Alex, I didn’t take the thumb drive. I didn’t even consider it. Now that I know and love you, I would never do something like that to you or your family.”
“Well, who did take it then?” I wonder aloud. The only other person who could have had access to it is Brinkley, but my assistant has proven his unwavering loyalty over the years.
“Maybe it fell out in the limo?” Joe suggests.
It’s doubtful, but I climb into the back seat of the car, hoping to find an explanation for what happened to the missing memory stick. Joe circles the car, opens the back door on the driver’s side, and joins the search.
We check under the floor mats and run our fingers along the crack at the back of the seat, but come up empty-handed.
I let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that this mystery will drive me crazy until we figure out what happened.
Brightening with an idea, Joe asks, “Where is your laptop bag? Maybe it fell out inside it.”
I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. I’d purposely left my computer at the office tonight because I knew there would be too much family drama for me to get any real work done.
Brinkley picks up my call before I even hear the tone to indicate it’s ringing. I’m not surprised to discover that he’s still at the office. The man is as much of a workaholic as I am. After resolving to make sure we both change that bad habit going forward, I ask him to check the bottom of my laptop bag.
Within moments, he comes back on the line and says that he found the missing memory stick.
I breathe out a deep sigh of relief. After thanking my assistant, I say, “You need to go home right now.”
“What? Why?” Brinkley sounds completely perplexed by my out-of-character demand.
Smiling at Joe, I say into the phone’s speaker, “There is so much more to life than work. You and I are going to start having fun and living life to the fullest. Those will be our top priorities––with work somewhere far down the list.”
“What have you done with my overachieving boss? Your voice sounds like hers, but you’re saying words that would never fall from her luscious lips,” Brinkley jokes.
