"Oh, is he in? I've not seen him in far too long." Mom peeks into Zane's office. "Come over here and give me a hug, you," she tells him.
I breathe a sigh of relief that he's not with Berklee.
Mom and Dad are in Zane's office catching up, and since they see him as a second son, I know I have some time. I walk down to her door and peek in. She's sitting at her desk, fingers flying over the keys of her laptop. Her lips are still red and a little swollen. My heart beats a little harder in my chest knowing I did that. "You good?" I ask her.
She stops and looks up, her eyes softening when they land on me. "Yeah, just making a few changes to the employee manual before you review it."
I fight the urge to step inside. If I do I'll want to kiss her, and my parents are just down the hall with Zane. I have to keep myself in employee/boss mode.
"Is this your office?" Mom says from behind me.
I turn to face her. She and Dad are standing behind me, and Zane's behind them grinning like a fool. "No." My voice is gruffer that it should be, so I clear my throat before saying, "This is Berklee's office. She's our club administrator or manager, however you want to look at it."
"Well, is she here? Introduce us," Mom says.
For a second I wonder if Zane put her up to it, but then I remember this is my mom we're talking about. Looking over my shoulder, Berklee smiles, and that has an oddly calming effect on me. Stepping aside, I motion for them to enter her office. "Mom, Dad, this is Berklee. Berklee, these are my parents, Dan and Sarah Ledger."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Berklee stands and walks to my parents, shaking their hands.
"You too, dear. If you need help keeping these two in line, you just give me a call," Mom tells her. Dad throws his head back in laughter.
Berklee grins. "I might just take you up on that. Although, Crew is my boss."
Mom waves her hand in the air. "Behind every man is a good woman."
"That there is," Dad says, placing his arm around Mom's shoulders and pulling her to him.
I chance a look at Berklee and see she's watching them with a soft smile.
"So, how long has it been?" Zane whispers so only I can hear him.
Berklee and my parents are now looking at the view of the club below. "What are you talking about?" I ask him, my voice low.
"Since you've introduced your girl to your parents?" he asks.
"She's not mine," I growl.
"Really? Then why are you all growly and shit?" Zane counters.
Fuck me. "Drop it."
He chuckles under his breath. "I'm not blind, man. You've been a mess since the day you walked in and saw her here."
"I said to fucking drop it."
"Where's your office?" Mom asks, ending our private conversation.
"This way," I say, calmer than what I feel inside. I shoulder past Zane, who has a shit-eating grin on his face, and lead my parents down the hall and into my office. Mom gives me suggestions for where to hang my gift and I happen to agree with her. We sit and talk, Mom catching me up on what's been going on in their lives. Dad's just listening to her yammer on. A knock at the door interrupts us.
"Sorry to intrude, but I'm going to order some lunch. Do you all want anything?" Berklee asks.
"Oh no, dear, we need to get going. Thank you." Mom stands and walks to where Berklee is standing, then wraps her in a hug. "I'm so glad you're here to take care of them."
Berklee doesn't seem bothered. She just hugs her back.
"Son, I'm proud of you," Dad says, standing. "You've done well."
I round the desk and give him a hug, Mom waiting for hers when we pull away. "Drive safe," I tell them. "I'll walk you out."
Dad waves me off. "No need, we can manage."
Another quick goodbye to Berklee and they're out the door. I quirk my finger and motion for Berklee to come closer. She stops just a few inches away from me, her blue eyes sparkling.
We're both quiet, staring into each other's eyes as we listen to Mom and Dad say goodbye to Zane. "I'll walk down with you," I hear him say loudly, I'm sure for our benefit.
As their voices grow softer, I reach out and place my hands on her hips, bringing her closer, her body aligned with mine.
"One taste and I'm addicted," I say before leaning in and kissing her.
"Crew," she murmurs against my lips.
"Hmm?" I say, continuing to kiss her.
"Food." She laughs.
Pulling back, I rest my forehead against hers. "Right. Let's get you fed," I say once my breathing returns to normal. I can't remember a time I was breathless after a kiss.
"Incoming!" Zane yells.
Berklee takes three big steps away from me and I want to scold her for it. Instead, I bite my tongue.