“Happy as a clam,” he said. “How about you?”
Brock nodded. “It’s going as well as it could.”
Flynn rocked back on his heels and studied him. “Could be better?”
“I didn’t expect to feel this much for her. I don’t know how to handle it. Every time I try to guard my feelings, she finds a different way in.”
Flynn’s lips lifted in a half grin. “I like this. The woman has knocked my rock-solid brother off balance.”
Brock swore at him.
Flynn chuckled, then his smile fell and he shook his head. “You’re not sure about her because of her grandfather, right?”
“Wouldn’t you wonder the same?” Brock asked, pacing to the other side of his office. His doubts made him feel like a caged animal.
“Now, with Renee?” Flynn asked. “No. It sounds corny, but love is rare. You shouldn’t fight it, or you could miss your chance forever.”
Brock felt a lump of emotion in his throat. “How did you let go?”
“After I lost Renee the first time, I knew I had to do everything I could to keep her when I got her back. But you don’t always get a second chance. And it’s not easy. If you need proof, look at Renee and me. Even though Mother has done her best to keep us apart, we’ve managed to overcome her this time.”
“You’re right about Mother,” Brock said. “She tried to poison Elle against me. I decided she needed to live somewhere else. I paid for a new place for her.”
Flynn whistled. “I’m sure that wasn’t cheap.”
“It was necessary,” Brock said. “She’s a bored and unhappy woman. I just wish she would find a wealthy husband who would take her away and occupy her.”
“You and me both,” Flynn said. “You and me both.”
When Brock was forced to work through the weekend on a project for Prentice, Elle decided to take action. Picnic basket in hand, she walked into Maddox Communications and smiled at the security guard. “Elle Maddox. I’m going up to see my husband,” she said, pointing to her basket. “I want it to be a surprise.”
“May I see your ID?” the man at the desk asked.
His request gave her pause, but she pulled out her driver’s license. “Here it is,” she said and smiled.
The man checked a list. “Wait just a second please,” he said, picking up his phone as he stepped away.
Curious, she watched as he spoke on the phone. What was this about?
The security man returned and nodded to her. “If you’ll wait just a couple moments,” he said.
Her stomach tightened. “Isn’t my name on the approved list?” she asked.
“Just a moment,” he said, clearly hedging his response.
The elevator doors opened and Logan Emerson entered the foyer. He met Elle’s gaze as he walked toward her. “Mrs. Maddox,” he said with a nod. “How are you tonight?”
“I’m fine,” Elle said, recognizing the man who had caught her in the worst deception of her life. She couldn’t blame him, and yet at the same she couldn’t stop the heat of humiliation. “How are you?”
“Fine,” he said, glancing at the basket she held in her hand. “Dinner?”
“A surprise for my husband,” she said.
He nodded again. “Mind if I look?” he asked. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal.”
She didn’t believe him for a second but she opened the basket. “Roast beef sandwiches with cheese and just a hint of horseradish on whole wheat of course, so we can pretend it’s healthy. Whole wheat pasta with sundried tomatoes and pesto. And chocolate pie with whipped cream.”
Logan winced. “Ouch. When was the last time I had homemade chocolate pie with whipped cream?”
“Do you want mine?”
“Is that a bribe?”
She narrowed her eyes in anger and lifted her chin. “You son of a bitch,” she said. “If you haven’t changed every computer code and key in that office, then you’re not worth your fee. And I will tell Brock the same thing. I’m just here to see my husband for dinner,” she said in a low voice, more desperate than she’d intended.
Logan held her gaze for a long moment. “I guess this means I’m not getting any of that chocolate pie,” he said.
“You guess correctly.”
“It’s my job to protect Maddox and Brock,” Logan said.
“You keep doing that,” Elle said. “And it’s my job to look after Brock and our marriage. Frankly,” she said, lowering her voice, “I’m glad you caught me.”