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She smiled. “It’s your office, Derek.”
“I don’t know where anything is, so I disagree.”
She chuckled before she poured a bit of hot sauce over her burrito. “I made you a master list and put it in your top drawer.”
I leaned back and took a bite while I kept my eyes focused on her face, watching her stare at her burrito before she put it in her mouth and took a bite. A bit of sauce stuck in the corner of her mouth, the same spot where she always caught food. Her sweater dress was tight on her waist, and her knee-high boots were sexy. I wondered how the velvet material would feel against my hips.
“You’re getting a lot of requests for interviews and appearances.”
“Then maybe we should take down that email.”
She took a bite and smiled slightly as she chewed. “Come on, Derek.”
“I’m really not interested.”
“I was hoping you would feel differently after your sessions with Dr. Collins.”
I shrugged. “I do. I just… I’m not a big talker.”
“You don’t have to be a big talker. The TED Talk invite is really interesting because they want Dr. Salazar to interview you about your work. I read about him, and he sounds like the world’s most respected expert on black holes and other breakthroughs in space…”
I knew exactly who he was.
“Something you’d be interested in?”
I shrugged. “I’ve met him before.”
“And?”
“I respect his work.”
“Then he’s the perfect person to interview you.”
I took another bite.
She watched me, hoping for more.
“You know, you don’t always have to push me out of my comfort zone.”
“It’s not my job to push you out of your comfort zone. It’s my job to make you the best version of yourself. You say you’re pressed for time, that you’re afraid you won’t be able to accomplish everything in your lifespan. Doesn’t that mean you should inspire the next generation as much as possible?”
That was sound logic, and I couldn’t argue with it.
“Just a thought…” She picked up her phone and scrolled through it as she held her burrito in one hand.
It was dangerous when she looked away because it gave me ample opportunity to stare at her all I wanted. All the details of her face were intriguing to me, so stimulating that I was like a child looking at a screen for the first time. Her body was perfect, an hourglass figure with gorgeous legs. And her mind…was fascinating to me. It reminded me of what my father had said, that a man like me needed a woman who could satisfy my biggest organ—my brain. She wasn’t a rocket scientist, but she was smart, deep, complex. I couldn’t believe I’d finally gotten to this place in my life…and there was something in the way. “Her name is Lizzie, you said?”
She turned back to me at the question. “Yes.” She set down her phone, her eyes a little guarded at the question.
“What’s she like?” I didn’t know anything about kids. Had never been around kids. I didn’t even have any nieces or nephews, and that wouldn’t happen anytime soon since my siblings were busy developing their careers.
Emerson immediately lit up at the question, showing her pride in just her expression. “She’s smart, kind, affectionate…a bit feisty, and has an attitude that could demolish a building. She plays soccer and softball. I can tell she’s going to be a remarkable woman someday.”
“Because you are.” I didn’t need to interact with Emerson and her daughter to know that Emerson was an incredible mother. She was so good at taking care of everyone else, anticipating their needs without thinking twice about it, and that would make her an exceptional nurturer. In some ways, she reminded me of my mother…who was the best mother on the planet.
She gave me a smile, her eyes shining. “She’s a lot smarter than I was at her age. She’s also got a better head on her shoulders. I was a bit immature when I was twelve. She possesses more wisdom, probably because she’s learned from all my mistakes.”
“She’s twelve?” I asked, slightly surprised.
The light faded, and she looked slightly embarrassed. “I was really young when I had her…”
I didn’t think less of her. “And you raised her on your own?”
“Not really. My parents have always been around. It’s because of their help that I was still able to go to college and get my master’s degree. They wanted me to have a better life, regardless of my stupid mistake. They didn’t believe I should sacrifice my future for it.”
Now I understood why she took care of her parents so selflessly. “The father?”
She hesitated, peeling back more of the foil from her burrito.
I realized my question was probably intrusive. “You don’t have to answer that…I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re fine,” she said quickly. “I just haven’t thought about him in a long time. His parents basically said they didn’t want anything to do with the baby, that their son shouldn’t have his life ruined. They told me to get an abortion…and I said no. So, they walked away.”
