“Nothing bad. People are always going to talk. You know that. If Ethan is happy with your performance, that is all that matters.”
“That’s what he said.”
They got through that topic and returned to the reason for the email, finished up ten minutes later and she was back to work when there was a knock on her door.
“Hi, Mitchell. Is there something I can help you with? Ethan’s on a call right now.”
“I know. I’m joining him in a few minutes. Thought I’d see how things were going.”
“Good.” She didn’t know what she was supposed to say. This was more awkward than she’d imagined it’d be.
Mitchell moved in and shut her door. Oh boy. It was coming.
She just didn’t know whatitwas. Other than Mitchell hadn’t been exactly thrilled with the knowledge of her dating Ethan.
“I’ve needed a few days to process the news.”
She nodded her head. “I understand. I don’t want to cause any problems here or with your relationship.”
He held his hand up to stop her. “As my wife pointed out, if you weren’t Ethan’s employee, I’d be over the moon.”
Her jaw dropped. “You would?”
“I can see why Ethan has some concerns,” Mitchell said, frowning.
That was only worse. “Concerns about what?”
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. Or should have stayed in my mouth. Concerns that you doubt him and his intentions. Maybe even doubting yourself. I guess what I should say is that he’d never tell us about you two if he wasn’t taking this seriously. And I worried that me taking a day to come to you might give you the impression we aren’t happy with the relationship.”
“Are you? Unhappy?” Might as well put it out there. She boasted that she was confident and she wanted to know. Waiting and guessing served no purpose.
“My wife is thrilled. Ethan hasn’t spoken to us about a woman in longer than we can remember. None of our boys did unless they felt there was a reason. It’s just the way they are.”
“Could be the reason is I work here.”
“That is part of it,” Mitchell said. Her heart just sank to the ground and went splat on her shoes. “But that was just a small part of it.”
“He told me he was going to you as his father, not his boss.”
“Which put another twist on it for sure. I want my boys to feel as if they can come to me for anything. That doesn’t meanI won’t be truthful back. I was. I’m not sure what he relayed to you.”
“Nothing worrisome. He said he told you both and that your wife wants me to come to dinner this weekend.” She kept out the part that Mitchell was cautious. She was positive it was more than that and Ethan was sugarcoating it.
Though when Mitchell smiled, she thought maybe she was working herself up over nothing. “She would. We haven’t decided if we are going to be on the island or not but will let Ethan know.”
“I don’t want anyone to be uncomfortable. Not for me, but not for you either.”
“And that is one thing I like about you. You’re nothing like your father, but there are parts of you that are.” She tried to keep the snarl from her face, but might not have accomplished it when he laughed. “You should see your expression. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“How am I like my father?”
“You’re not afraid to be honest. You’re not blunt with it, but you’re to the point. It’s softened where Norris isn’t, but that’s his personality. You know what you’re getting with him.”
“I always thought people knew what they were getting with me. At least I want them to.”
“My son sees the good. The honest. The genuine parts of you. It’s hard for him to do that.”
She frowned. “I don’t know much about his past relationships and won’t ask you,” she rushed out.
