Alone. Finally.
I hover near the conference table until the last board member exits, leaving Janie and me alone. Well, almost. Andrea from Accounting lingers at the doorway, chatting with Janie about weekend plans, their laughter echoing off the glass walls.
My fingers tighten around my portfolio. Wait or walk? This shouldn't be so complicated.
Andrea finally drifts away with a wave, and Janie turns, stepping closer. The faint scent of her citrusy perfume hits me before her words do.
I lean in, my voice dropping low enough that no one passing in the hallway could catch it. "You looked good up there. I know this was a big meeting with Pope in town, and I just wanted to let you know you killed it."
Her smile flickers. I can tell she's surprised, pleased, even. A softness spreads across her features before she pulls herself back. Her shoulders straighten as she shifts into business mode.
"Thank you." She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "Warren, I actually wanted to ask—" She glances at her watch. "I have this foundation dinner meeting tonight with Pope and a couple of potential donors. It's lastminute, and I was wondering if you could—" Her words tumble faster.
"Ahh, tonight," I quickly run through my day. Do I have any late meetings? Anything I need to finish for a deadline?
"I can call my mom if you're busy, or there's a sitter Beckett likes from his school, so don't feel obligated?—"
"I'll do it." The words leave my mouth before I can overthink them. If I have something, I'll have Kaley reschedule.
She blinks, mouth parting slightly. For a heartbeat, she looks at me with something unguarded. I'm relieved. I want to be someone she can count on. The weight of that look settles in my chest.
"Really?" Her voice softens.
"Of course." I nod once, decisive. "Text me the details."
"I was thinking y'all could hang out at my house. I have a casserole in the fridge, you could do your kicking, eat, and then put him to bed." She clutches her iPad tighter, like she's stopping herself from reaching out. "He'll be excited. He hasn't stopped talking about the festival."
My throat tightens. "Me neither. Your house works if you don't mind."
"Of course I don't. Thank you."
The moment stretches, fragile and charged with everything that's lying dormant between us. She breaks it first, glancing at her buzzing phone.
"I have to run. I'll text you everything."
I watch her walk away, heels clicking confidently down the hallway, and wonder what the hell I'm doing.
I shift anxiouslyon Janie's couch, eyes trained on the clock above the mantel. She said the foundation dinner would run until nine, and it's barely six-thirty. Why do I have so much nervous energy?
Beckett's footsteps thunder down the hallway before he skids into the living room, clutching a Lego box.
"Warren! Mom said we can build the castle tonight!"
His small hands clutch the box with reverence, eyes bright with excitement. He's wearing dinosaur pajama pants and a blue t-shirt, his hair still damp from his bath.
I clear my throat. "Did you put away our soccer stuff?"
Beckett's shoulders slump dramatically. "I will later."
"Tell you what." I lean forward, elbows on my knees. "Go pick up the balls and put them in the shed. I'll get the net."
His face brightens instantly. "Okay. And then you promise we can do the Legos, then?"
"Cross my heart." I make the gesture, and he mirrors it with solemn importance.
We finish putting things away outside just as the final remnants of the short fall evening fade. We head back inside, and Beckett rips into the Lego box on the dining room table.
"Easy. You don't want the pieces to go everywhere."