Page 13 of I Choose You

I’d never forget Brooke though. She’d stolen my attention enough that I’d gone out of my way to try to make things right for her. Except that hadn’t worked out.

The memory of her tears hit me. She’d tried to hold them back, and I’d been so impressed at her stubbornness to stay strong. And the way she’d glared at me after was defiant.

Hell, she probably hated me after that. She still might.

Even though our history began so long ago, I wondered how long the drama had clung to her after we’d graduated. It seemed like forever ago, but really, it wasn’t that long.

“Thank you again for waiting. I apologize again,” Mr. Ellis said as he returned.

I held up my hand. “No problem at all.”

He smiled as he sat, happier than he had been when he left to take that call. “I appreciate it.”

And brownie points awarded to me, thank you very much. It wasn’t a lie, though. Kody and I gave each other crap at work every day, but it was all fun and games. We fostered a family-first policy all throughout Wagner Industries, and I hoped every employee truly understood that. From CEO to janitor, their happiness mattered.

“I’ll admit I was thrilled when Brooke told me about the details of this partnership she’d approached you with. But now?” He sighed again. “With Joey’s orthopedic appointment this week and other details to arrange with the sitter, I don’t know what my schedule is going to look like.” I felt sorry for him when he rubbed his hand over his face. “Being a single parent is never easy.”

“I hear you.”

He raised his brows. “Oh? You have young children as well?”

I shook my head. “No. No.” I added a chuckle to make it sound less harsh of a denial. “But my father raised me and my brother on his own after my mom died, and yeah, I know he’s made a lot of sacrifices and tough choices.”

Saying that out loud had me curious if Dad had given up too much of himself all that time. He hadn’t dated much, sometimes single for years after we lost Mom. While he’d never voiced any hint of sadness or loneliness, I wondered. He’d put all his effort into work, into the company. Looking back now, though, I considered the possibility he might have done that as a crutch. That he couldn’t be lonely if he was married to his work. In the same way, he’d used his work as a co-partner. Kody and I had started under Dad’s tutelage as soon as we were out of high school. Using our careers as a way to keep us close and in line didn’t sound so farfetched.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

I lifted my hand to dismiss him with a wave. Oh, it was a long time ago never felt like the right words to say in reply to condolences. It hardly mattered if she’d passed away thirteen years ago or thirteen minutes ago. That pain remained the same and never fully left me.

“My wife simply left.” He furrowed his brow as he scooted his chair in closer. “Different story. And boy, did we get steered off course.” His smile was quick and polite, a trait I’d recognized in go-getters. “Now. This partnership.”

For the next half hour, we discussed the details of what Brooke had first emailed me about. She was pointed and clear with what she proposed on behalf of Mr. Ellis—call me Todd—here at their company. It didn’t feel like I was fishing for information when I asked more about Brooke, but I kept my questions brief and within the realm of business.

She’d just been promoted to a Head Administrator position, and Todd admitted he didn’t know what he’d do without her.

We covered all the basics. I’d come prepared with notes on my phone, and after I shared them with him, we collaborated on a document we could both share and work off of. At first, I thought he was joking when he said he’d print out a copy for us both to have.

“You can email it to me.”

He shrugged. “Sorry, I’m old-fashioned. I like having the paper copy on hand for some things.”

It wasn’t a deal-breaker by any means, and I liked that he wouldn’t change his ways for a client. He challenged me on a couple of details about timelines, and I pushed for a clearer explanation of some of their policies about shipment. Wrapping up the meeting, I felt confident we’d mutually impressed each other. He wasn’t just a bumbling single dad, but a sharp businessman who wasn’t afraid to drive a hard bargain. Likewise, he’d commented several times that he wouldn’t have considered something quite the way I had. This was far from my first time negotiating a deal and arranging a partnership. I wasn’t looking for validation or compliments, but he had a genuine way of wording himself that struck me.

“It’s a deal,” I finally said as we both stood.

He shook my hand and smiled, offering to see me out with a promise of getting in touch with me soon.

“Oh, no. You don’t have to,” I replied, seeing that his phone screen was lighting up from where he’d left it on his desk. According to the ID, Home was calling him, and I bet it was the miserable kid who couldn’t use his dominant arm to play a game. “And good luck with getting that cast. I’m wishing him a speedy recovery.”

I strolled down the hall where Brooke had led me to Todd’s office. I didn’t want to admit how much I was hoping to run into her, but even with my slowest pace and taking my time, I didn’t see her anywhere.

“Excuse me,” I asked the older woman at the front. The bubbly young woman who’d tried and failed with her joke was no longer there.

She smiled, peering up at me. “Hi! How can I help you?”

I leaned my forearm on the high counter and smiled at her. A glance at her nameplate told me her name. “Hello, Sandra. I was ponder—” I caught myself, smiling. “I was wondering if you might be able to direct me to Brooke Ponder.”

“I’m afraid she’s out. I would gladly take a message for you, Mr.…?”