Chapter 18
As he sat at his desk, Julian could hear the renovations work in the library and the kids talking in their chirpy voices. That was so different from being at his of office at Upton Investments.
If only it wasn't such a struggle to keep his mind on work. Already he had been tempted to call Rob in to help him with something. Did he really need him? Yes, was the immediate answer that popped into his head, but he didn't need his help with work. He just wanted to have him there.
"Be professional," he told himself. He might be at home, but this office was a place of business. The only reason to call Rob in here was to help him with his work. Too bad he didn't need him for that right now.
Julian had never been particularly attracted to anyone he worked with. And all the men he slept with before Rob came along were fleeting, not part of his life in the least, and he didn't want them to be. He didn't ache for them to stay. He didn't mind if he never saw them again.
Rob was so different, so much more real, but he would leave as well. Julian wasn't enough to keep him here. He might give notice at any time, look for something better, move on to a more exciting place with more exciting people, leave Julian behind and forget him.
While Julian was forcing his mind to focus on a set of graphs, Rico barged into his office.
"I was just bitching out Rob," Rico started to say.
Julian cut in. "Rico..."
Rico dismissed the warning in his voice. "Don't worry. I figured out that I was bitching out the wrong guy. That's why I'm here."
"Lucky me," Julian said, leaning back in his chair and giving up on getting any work done. But if he had to neglect work, he would rather have Rob bothering him.
"You are lucky," Rico said. "Not everyone has someone to kick their ass when they're about to make a big mistake."
"What are you talking about?" Julian asked halfheartedly since he didn't really want to know.
"You're letting Rob get away and after I put you in matching costumes for Halloween."
Julian couldn't believe he wanted credit for that. "Just admit you're a sadist. You put Rob in a pink costume with antlers."
"Those were not antlers. You were guaranteed to disappoint that child. That's why I took matters into my own hands," Rico said.
To make it easier to forgive him, once again Julian reminded himself of how Rob said that doing silly things was good for him. Julian had internalized his grandfather's attitude that a Brenner man should never allow himself to look ridiculous. And there he was on Halloween looking ridiculous and not minding that much all because Rob was in the same boat.
"So how long are you going to have the blond hottie working for you?" Rico asked, not that it was any of his business.
Julian didn't know the answer himself. He had guaranteed Rob three months, but Julian didn't expect him to want to stay in Peach Tree that long.
Since Rico was staring at him quizzically, Julian told him the simple truth. "I don't know."
From that Rico concluded, "So indefinitely. OK." When Julian frowned at that, Rico challenged him. "What? Does that sound too much like forever?"
"No one said anything about forever," Julian said a little too sharply. It was wonderful to have Rob here, and it hurt to admit how much he wanted him to stay. "Rob has a job here for as long as he wants. But I don't think he'll want to stay here much longer."
"Well, Rob thinks you're going to get rid of him. He thinks you don't need him," Rico informed him, and Julian wondered if Rob really said that.
"That's crazy."
"Tell him that," Rico urged him while leaning on his desk. "He thinks you'll send him packing any day now."
"I'm not the problem," Julian told him. "Whether I need him or not, do you really see Rob wanting to stay here?"
"Not if you don't tell him you want him to. Don't wait till his stuff is all packed to beg him to stick around," Rico said.
Julian couldn't see himself doing something like that. "This isn't personal."
"You're so clueless," Rico said, getting frustrated. He then changed his approach. "Fine. If you want to keep it all business, then Rob deserves to know how long he'll be employed. Let him know where you stand as employer and employee. Does that work for you?" he said archly.
Thinking about it, Julian had to admit, "That is actually good advice."
