Page 25 of Knight

I laugh. “Okay. Bye, Will.”

“Bye, dick.”

As soon as I hang up the phone, Donna comes flying in. “You met someone? I knew that smile this morning meant something.”

“You need to stop listening to my calls. I run a large business, Donna. I’m not going to sit here and gossip with you about my love life.” She waves me away with her hand as if I’m speaking nonsense.

Just then, Payton walks into my office.

Donna turns to him. “Did you know your father met someone?” Shit. Here we go.

He looks back and forth between me and Donna. “For real? Who? What? When? Where? How?”

I ignore him. “Have you spoken with Abelson? I’m a week behind on everything, having been in New York last week, hatching out the Pfeiffer deal.”

“Nice deflection. We have lunch today with Trevor and Hayden. We’ll get it out of you then. Yes, I spoke with Abelson early last week. He’s good with our counterproposal. He’d agree to just about anything to get our money. Once I sniffed that out, I threw in a couple of more favorable clauses for us. I just want to make sure we’re completely protected and have as much control as possible. The lawyers have already drafted everything. It’s sitting on your desk for your final review and sign-off.”

“Good. I’m not going to review it. This is your baby, Payton. I want you steering the ship on this project. If you’re happy with the contract, it’s a done deal. I don’t need to review it.” He has a big grin on his face. This is the first time I’ve given him this type of control, with zero input or interference from me.

“Whoever she is, I like what she’s done to your mood.” He chuckles and leaves my office.

She does do good things to my mood. I take out my phone to text her.

Me: Hope you had a great dinner with your girls. Now it’s time for a dinner with your boy.

She responds right away.

Darian: You’re very presumptuous to assume you’re my boy. I’d rather call you my man anyway. You, Mr. Knight, are all man.

And just like that, I’m adjusting my pants. She really has quite the effect on me.

Me: Thanks to that comment, my manhood just grew. In the middle of my office. Thank you for that.

Darian: Quite a sight, no doubt. I can’t walk properly thanks to that manhood.

She’s killing me. I need to see her.

Me: When can I see you?

Darian: Didn’t we make plans for Friday night?

Me: That’s a lot of days away. I’m already suffering from Darian withdrawal.

Darian: Don’t be such a girl. ;) How about I make you dinner tomorrow night?

Me: Deal. Have a good day. Be sure to ice to prepare for Tuesday.

Darian: On it.

* * *

I have a pretty normal,busy morning. I’m looking forward to lunch with all of my boys. It doesn’t happen more than twice a month now that school is back in session.

We meet at a local sushi bar on campus, in between classes for Trevor and Hayden. We all man hug hello. It’s always so good to see my boys. They’ve grown up so much in the past few years. The twins look like men now.

Trevor is the only one that looks like me, with dark hair and green eyes. Payton and Hayden look more like their mother, with blonde hair and blue eyes. They’re all tall and handsome. I’m so proud of them and the incredible men they’ve become.

“So, how’s school going for you both?”

---