Even the Score(30)

“Looking forward to it.” I nodded sincerely.

She left my new office, closing the door behind her as she went.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep, cleansing breath, completely content with my new surroundings. I had no furniture, no computer, no shelves of any kind, but I didn’t care one bit. I was already in love with my new home.





CHAPTER 11

Andy

A four a.m. flight was never a good way to start the workweek. I’d run to the office like a zombie to grab a few files I forgot to bring home Friday, left a couple things on Ellie’s desk, and was off to the Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, for a meeting about a possible shoe deal with running back Marcus Johnson. The meeting went well, and I had a feeling I’d be getting some details on an offer in the next couple of days, but by six p.m., when my flight landed back in Minnesota, I felt like I’d run a marathon. I was wiped out.

Totally wiped out.

Not only had it been a long, exhausting day, it was made worse by the fact that I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye to the kids in the morning when I left. Plus, they’d been gone at Blaire’s all weekend, so I really hadn’t seen or talked to them much in a few days, and that always made me feel more off-kilter. As soon as the plane landed and I got to my car, I called home.

“Hello?” Logan’s voice said.

“Hey, buddy! How are ya?”

“Dad! Good. Are you on your way home yet?”

“I am. My plane just landed. I have to swing by the office to grab a few things so I can work later”—Logan sighed dramatically, but I ignored him and continued—“after you’re in bed. Don’t worry, when I get there, no work until you’re sleeping.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. Did you guys eat already?”

“Yep, Gloria made enchiladas.”

“Sounds good. Did you save me some?”

“Yeah.” Logan paused for a second, then whispered, “But be careful, Dad. She made them a little spicy this time.”

“But you like spicy food.”

“Yeah, not like this. I’ve been in the bathroom twice already. Even I can’t stand the way I smell, and normally I like my own farts.”

I laughed so hard that my shoulders shook. “That’s my boy. All right, buddy. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

We hung up just as I was pulling into the parking garage at my office.

“Six thirty,” I said out loud to myself, glancing quickly at my watch. “If I do this fast, I can be out of here and home by a little after seven.”

Just as I expected, all the lights were off in the office, and it was quiet when I stepped out of the elevator. I made a mad dash for my office, grabbed the files I needed, and was on my way back to the elevator when I noticed a light glowing under Danicka’s new office door.

What the hell is she still doing here?

I walked over slowly, leaning my ear close to the door. Taylor Swift music was blasting, and Danicka was singing right along . . . loudly. Smiling to myself, I shook my head and knocked on the door. Instantly the singing stopped, and the music turned down. The door opened slowly, revealing a red-faced Danicka.

“Sorry,” she apologized, trying to hide an embarrassed grin. “I didn’t know anyone else was here.”

“Don’t apologize, I just want to know when you’re going on tour so I can get tickets,” I teased, smiling down at her.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny,” she said playfully, rolling her eyes and stepping back. She had on a pair of tight black workout shorts and a Dave Matthews Band T-shirt that had slipped down, exposing her tank top strap and a tanned, sexy shoulder. I forced myself not to stare at that shoulder as I walked past her into the office.

Shock registered on my face as I spun around the room. “Whoa! What the hell happened in here?”

Not only was there a brand-new white desk, chair, and file cabinet, there was also a computer and bookshelves, even curtains and other girlie decorations.

Danicka shrugged. “I’m getting all set up. I didn’t want to waste a whole week waiting on new furniture, so Ellie and I ran to Staples and picked out something they had in stock. Then we flirted with a couple of the guys until they agreed to come over and set it up for us right away. Sooo, voilà.” She beamed proudly and waved her arm toward her new office.

“This is amazing,” I said incredulously as I planted my hands on my hips, taking another look around. “The furniture, the computer, the curtains . . . wow! I can’t believe you got all this done in one day.”

“Well, I’m not completely done, but I’m hoping I will be in just a couple hours. I have a few more files to organize, and I want to hang my degree on the wall, but it’s definitely a good start.” A tiny, satisfied sigh left her lips as her dark eyes sparkled. Happiness radiated off of her, and I could actually see how relieved she was to be away from her other job.