I realize what I’ve done only after Mae raises her head from the table and Trenton doesn’t look sickened by the idea. The silence that follows urges me to share more details. “It wouldn’t be hard, just two or three other guys. I don’t need to take a pay raise or anything like that. It could be a trial basis.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Mae says, the tiredness in her eyes doing her in. “I’ll pay you more. Raleigh and I can be a handful.” Compared to Trenton, I seriously doubt it.
The same stuffy executive that completely dismissed Raleigh’s absence speaks up. “It’s up to you, Trenton.”
I have no idea why any of this should be up to him, but the usually icy country star has been caught on a good day. “I’m good with it,” he says with a nod. “Only until we can find Mae her own team.”
“Well that settles that,” another man at the head of the table says. He stacks his papers and is the first one out the door, completely unbothered.
Trenton leaves Mae with a kiss on the head before coming over to me. “I hate letting you go, but I suppose what’s done is done.” He sticks out his hand, and I shake it. “You can still report to me, though.” He winks, insinuating that I’ll be a little spy for him. He’s never been more wrong. I forgot that I won’t just be protecting the girls from strangers, I might also have to keep my eye on him.
The rest of the room empties; Mitch pats my shoulder in passing. “I wish I’d have thought about that. I can’t believe you’re leaving me alone with that toddler.”
“Not alone,” I laugh. Mitch and I are good friends, but there are still plenty of others he could vent to about Trenton.
I have to rub my forehead when the realization of what I’ve done hits me. Setting up a new team, running a detail, it’s going to be ridiculously hard work. Hard work but easily the right thing to do. Not to mention I spared everyone from having to bein that boardroom for a few more hours while the people with money argued about nothing.
Finally pushing myself to my feet, I round the corner into the hallway. Meaning to go find some peace and quiet to plan, I’m stopped in my tracks when a flash of red catches my eye through an open door. I don’t want to eavesdrop as she’s speaking at a lower tone, but the door is cracked. She has her phone up to her ear and is speaking to…another man?
The conversation is muffled but I can still hear it all. “I saw it on the news,” the voice from the phone chokes out.
“I wasn’t the target,” Raleigh grumbles.
“You could have been. Raleigh, it was really scary to find this out, not having heard from you.” Raleigh looks to the sky as if someone being worried over her is nothing but an annoyance. She’s going to love the news I have for her.
“Tell my parents it’s alright. I’m sure I’ll be pretty busy today cleaning all this up.”
Raleigh moves further away so I only partially overhear what the mystery man says next. “Hey, love you.”
She hesitates, “Love…love you too.”
She hangs up, and I feel like a total douche bag for listening to what was clearly meant to be a private conversation. Knocking softly, I enter without permission. Raleigh is unfazed by my appearance, I suppose she’s used to people barging in on her personal space. I make a note to not make it a common thing.
“Hey,” I begin, making sure to keep my hands clasped in front of me. No movement is necessary, even though I really want to hug her. Mae has Trenton in all of this, but who does she have?
“How did the good ole boys club meeting go?” she asks, tossing her phone onto her desk with a clatter.
I duck my head for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. I was no better than all of them, making plans for her and herclient without her input. “I’m volunteering to head a team for you and M—”
“I don’t need one,” she says firmly.
I shift, suddenly uncomfortable under her gaze. “Maybe not, but I’ve heard that you and Mae are a package deal, non negotiable.”
She scrunches up her nose as if she’s disgusted by the whole idea.
“Well, jeez, Raleigh. I’m not that bad.” I don’t want my demeanor to turn cold, but she’s not budging an inch. “I’m doing you a favor, I came here to talk details because I wanted your opinion, but clearly I should talk to Mae. I’m sure she’ll be more appreciative.”
Her face falls, and I instantly regret getting harsh. Her timidity lasts only seconds. Her fire returns. She straightens and looks me dead in the eye. “Well forgive me for not being particularly kind to men today.”
Her comment leaves me frozen. This is not how I wanted this conversation to go.
“Is there anything else, Mr. Cosgrove?”
I can’t seem to form a sentence.
“No? I’ll have an assistant get your information for me.” When I still can’t move, she looks up from the work she’d already set to. “You can leave now.”
Dumbfounded, I back out of her office and tear through the building. I’ve had enough of prickly white collar folks for a lifetime.
