That entire Wednesday, not one Helenism entered her mind. She did some fall cleanup in the flowerbeds of her condo’s mini backyard and felt somewhat productive. That night she downloaded the movie Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Obviously, her imagination had taken liberties with regard to the restaurant where they’d met the Markovs. Although it wasn’t that far off…
Then she went to her solitary bed and let a few tears leak into her pillow. She missed Isaac. The warmth of his body. The power of his presence. The safety of his arms.
She didn’t look up what her astrologer said about the likelihood of their compatibility. She based her emotions solely on how much she missed him, how great they were together, and the passion they’d shared. In the deepest, most sacred part of her heart, she doubted any man would ever compare to Isaac. He was the one she wanted, would always want to be with, for one day or a thousand.
Thursday she returned to work, gave Cade an update favorable to both her and Isaac’s careers, and then began to dread running into her one-time lover. Although she tried to maintain her upbeat personality, several coworkers asked if something was wrong. “No,” she said, “just tired from my trip.”
Meanwhile her heart clenched and her stomach refused to let her eat anything. God, was she that hopelessly in love with him?
Finally, mid afternoon the phone call came from Trey Soren. “I’d like to meet with you and Isaac in my office.”
When Trey made a request he meant now.
With shaky legs, she got up from her desk and decided to walk the three floors to her CEO’s office. As she pushed through the door and stepped into the hallway, the elevator doors at the other end parted. Her stomach dropped.
Out strolled Isaac looking impossibly handsome, completely put together, fresh and un-sleep-deprived. The complete package. And so opposite her, she thought, the familiar ache of disappointment returning to her chest.
The second he saw her, he broke into a run. She stopped dead in the middle of the hall, frozen, not sure what to do.
When he reached her, he grabbed her and twirled her around, while her arms remained stiff at her sides. “Mindy, I’ve been looking all over for you. Didn’t you get my message the past two days?
Honestly, when she returned today she hadn’t gone through all her messages, fielding calls from inside the office and requests for Cade to address the media about this, that, and the other. “I didn’t,” she admitted.
“Jesus.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I couldn’t find you in the office. I thought you were avoiding me.”
Me, avoiding him? The thought was ludicrous.
“I hoped that wasn’t the case, but why—?”
The door beside them swung open, and Trey stepped into the frame. “If you don’t mind, I’ll ask the questions for the next thirty minutes.”
Contrite, they both took a seat in the leather chairs opposite Trey’s desk. Trey closed the door, approached, and smoothed a hand down his tie as he sat down facing them.
Trey looked so official in his three-piece suit, and Isaac looked devastatingly handsome as always. Nervous, she crossed her legs. She noticed Isaac’s glance flicker her way as if he couldn’t help himself. A thread of hope wound around her heart.
Unexpectedly, Trey started laughing. A soft, intelligent laugh that made her retreat in her chair further away from Isaac. “I see.” Trey steepled his fingers. “You two are going to sit across from me and pretend you’re not in love with each other.”
She sucked in a breath. “Sir—”
“Now hold on a minute,” Isaac said, sitting forward in a defensive posture.
“Relax.” Trey held up his hands. “My wife informed me the day you two left together that you’d come back as a couple.”
As if on cue, Devon Leigh Soren burst into the room. “There you are.” She rushed toward Mindy. “I couldn’t wait until you got back so I could show you the pictures of our kids.” With proud joy, Devon thrust three photos into Mindy’s hands. “Aren’t they beautiful? The oldest at five is Kristin, the boy Benjamin is four, and Bethany’s the baby.”
Completely caught off guard, Mindy blinked. “You’re getting three children? At once?”
“They’re a sibling group we’re adopting from the Philippines. Aren’t they precious?”
The excitement in Devon’s eyes was so genuine and loving, Mindy’s own eyes teared up. She glanced at Trey, then back at Devon. “I’m so happy for you.”
Regarding his wife with affection and frustration, Trey coughed into his hand. “Honey, we’re in the middle of a serious work matter.”