“She is great. Worried about you though.” There is concern in his eyes, and the shame is back and wrapping itself even tighter in my chest as I take a deep breath.
“I’m so sorry I never called to thank her for all the food and flowers she was leaving on my doorstep.” I look down at my fingers in my lap to avoid Bill’s eyes.
“Brooke, look at me.” My sad eyes meet Bill’s sincere ones. “Don’t be sorry. After you didn’t answer the door the first few times Veronica knew you didn’t want to see anyone, but she still wanted to help without bothering you.”
“I’ll call her later today, I promise.”
“Don’t worry about it today. I’ll make sure I tell her I saw you and how great you look. Call her whenever you’re ready. I know she’d be happy to hear from you and would love to see you.”
I nod, giving him a small smile. I didn’t realise how much I would miss these people, the people who I didn’t think were a big a part of my life, but they are. All together they make up one huge support system, which I should’ve surrounded myself with over the past three months, not avoided.
“Saxon mentioned he came to see you on Friday. He said he didn’t expect to see you any time soon.”
Wow, so Saxon does talk to someone. It doesn’t surprise me that it’s Bill; I know he’s been just as important to Saxon as he is to Nate and me.
“No. He probably didn’t get the reaction he was hoping for, but he did plant some seeds, which played on my mind after he left. I decided enough was enough.”
“Well, good for you. Does he know you’re here? I bet he’ll be excited to see you. He has been worried about you. I think he’ll secretly enjoy having you here, where he can keep an eye on you.” Bill chuckles.
“I don’t know about that.” I laugh.
“I’m proud of you, sweetheart, and I know Nate is proud of you, too. He would love that you are here. Especially since he hounded you for years to come and work at Argo. He’d laugh that this is what it took to make it happen.”
I laugh because he’s right. Nate would be giving me shit that it’s taken his death to get me here. I place my hand over his large one that’s resting on his knee and smile. “I’m really happy to be here, Bill. I have a good feeling about this.”
“Me too, sweetie, me too.” He pats my hand as he stands from the couch. “I have a conference call in five minutes, but come back and have lunch with me in an hour or so. I’ll get Harper to order from the coffee shop down the street.”
“Perfect, I’ll be back then.”
Stepping out of Bill’s office I feel someone step into line next to me. I glance quickly to see who it is, but the face is unfamiliar, although it has a large, knowing smile. I take a step to the side, feeling a little too close. “Hi,” I say cautiously.
“Brooke,” he says as he holds his hand out for me to shake.
“Yes, and you are?” I lightly place my hand in his pale and freckly one and give it a quick shake. His hand is clammy, and I quickly pull my own back.
“Paul Lucas.”
Smiling, I give him a small nod. The name sounds vaguely familiar. I wonder if this is the same guy Nate hired right before the accident. If so, I guess he lasted his three months’ probation.
As we reach the staff room door he moves aside to let me enter. I walk through the doorway and his hand lands on my lower back, ushering me in. My back automatically arches out of his touch as I step away from the door. That was weird.
I’m normally a touchy-feely person and have no problems with friendly contact, but that was a little too friendly for someone I just met.
Brushing it off, I make my way over to the coffee machine, keeping my back to Paul, feeling a little uncomfortable being alone with him. Maybe I’m just imagining things. He is probably just friendly and not sure how to act around the dead boss’s wife.
“Would you care for a coffee?” I offer, trying to do the polite thing.
“I would love one.”
“Milk?”
“Please.”
After pouring two cups of coffee, I turn to get the milk out of the fridge. I notice Paul’s eyes are glued to me, and it’s not to my face. My movement must disturb his gaze and his eyes shoot up to mine. A slow smile spreads across his face and a shiver runs down my body, and not in a good way.
Pouring the milk into the coffees, I act like I didn’t notice the blatant stare. I place his coffee on the table centred in the staff room so I can avoid passing it to him directly.
“Thanks,” he says as he reaches for the coffee and leans back against the kitchen counter. Well, this is awkward. Is he not going to take it to his office? He drinks his coffee as we stare at each other. I want to make a run for it but would have to pass him to reach the door. Great.