Page 47 of Fierce-Gabe

She turned to see Royce standing in the doorway. “Nothing.”

“I could hear your raised voice with my door shut and then the loud shout.”

“I was talking to Mom,” she said and tossed her phone on her desk. “What are you still doing here?”

It was past five and she’d been positive that everyone had gone home. She would have never taken the call if she thought her father or brother were in the building.

“I was finishing some paperwork,” Royce said. “Chloe is going back to work next week so I’m trying to do what I can here and then I’ll start getting out to be home for dinner and help there. I’ll catch up on work after Willow is in bed.”

“You’re a good father, Royce.”

“We had a great example.”

“I think so. Mom doesn’t.”

“Mom’s opinion doesn’t count. I only care what Chloe says and she’s good with it. She’s ready to dive back into work. I know it’s going to be hard having Willow at daycare all day, but it’s normal. It’s good for her too. We’ve got offices at home and can do what we need to once we have dinner and the baby is settled.”

“Do you think Dad didn’t help Mom enough?” she asked.

She didn’t know those things and had never asked. Hearing them from her mother’s point of view meant nothing.

“I think the marriage they had was a result of demands made of Dad. I think he tried to please everyone and had to prioritize. He was one man and couldn’t do it all. Mom made her decisions in life.”

“I know.”

“What was it she wanted just now?”

“I might as well give you a heads up, but it probably won’t come about after that call. Mom wanted me to come to dinner next Sunday and she was going to ask you guys too.”

He snorted. “She can’t have just one of us?”

“I think she figures it’s a two for one and her obligation is done for a while.”

Royce laughed. “That sounds about right. I’m not sure it’s good timing for us with Chloe going back to work on Monday. We will be trying to get in a routine and will be exhausted.”

“She wouldn’t understand. She had house cleaners and didn’t even work.”

Her brother rolled his eyes. “She had everything she wanted. She says she didn’t. You can’t make people change. I heard for years that I’d never find anyone.”

“You only had to knock Chloe up,” she said, grinning.

“Whatever works. Now it’s your turn. You better find someone before the Fierces do it for you.”

She snorted. “Not happening,” she said.

“I think everyone says that,” Royce said.

“Not Megan,” she said. “Chloe said Megan asked them for help.”

“Megan is the exception to the rule.”

Elise watched her brother walk out of her office and she decided to leave for the day, calling out to him when she left.

She got in her SUV and rather than drive home, she texted Gabe to see what he was doing.

She was two blocks away when his text came in that he just got home and was going to shower and find something to eat.

Rather than reply back, she turned and made her way to his house.

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