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Luna steps forward, wraps her arms around my neck, and hugs me, taking me by surprise. I quickly hug her back and place a kiss on her cheek affectionately.
“Thank you for not shouting at me,” she whispers as she steps back and smiles.
“I would never shout at you, princess. If I ever do, you have my permission to punch me in the face,” I wink, and a small laugh escapes her.
“Thank you,” she whispers before pressing a kiss to my cheek and rushing off. I close my eyes for a moment and let out a deep sigh before climbing back to my feet.
That little girl is a sweetheart who won this old man’s heart.
“Thank you for being so good with her.”
I open my eyes to see Chelsea leaning against the doorframe. Her hair’s up in a messy bun, her feet and the bottom of her trousers are wet, and she looks exhausted.
“She’s a good kid,” I reply, turning around and climbing back onto the chair to continue checking the ceiling.
“Yeah, she is. I must have something right, at least, to deserve her.” I can feel her sadness as I sigh, climb off the chair, and approach Chelsea. She looks up at me as I look around to check for Luna.
“I know why your shoulder bothers you. She told me about a few things in the park.” I can see the panic on her face, and shake my head.
“I’ve not said anything to the others, but you need to at some point. They know something is going on, and from the number of locks I’ve noticed on doors, I know it’s more than just a precaution.”
Chelsea looks around and sighs. I can see she is conflicted between telling me more and running away, so I make the option for her.
“Pippin has phoned a guy he knows and trusts to come out and check the electrics. If they aren’t safe, I want you to call your insurance and stay in a hotel until they are.” I step back and give her half a smile.
“If you need anything, call one of the guys. They can be here in minutes. If you can get a babysitter for Tuesday night, I would appreciate it if you could come with me for the meal.” I watch as Chelsea nods again, and I make my way to the front door.
“You never said why you came round?” she calls out behind me.
“I brought over some heat gel for your shoulder. It’s on the side in the kitchen. Pippin swears by it in the winter, so I thought it might help,” I reply before walking out of the door and closing it behind me, not giving her a chance to respond or persuade me to stay. There is a reason I’m keeping her at arm's length, and today just proved I was right. Chelsea Hughes and I would make a terrible pair. My temper is too short-fused for someone as delicate as her. I would ruin things for the guys and the company.
24
Chelsea
“Mummy, how much longer are you going to be?”
I look up from my computer and see a bored-looking Luna.
“I’m sorry, honey. I’ll be as quick as I can, I promise. I will make it up to you when we leave here.”
Luna sighs and heads back into the conference room, where all her things are set up. Looking back at my work computer, I let out a sigh. Of all the days for the school to have a teacher training day, today is not a good day for me.
Why do schools even have to have teacher training days? Can’t they do their training during the school holidays when we are already forking out a small fortune in childcare? No, they have to have it when all the childminders are full, and I have no choice but to bring Luna to work with me. I know it’s not her fault, but she’s bored silly, so she’s bugging me every five minutes, slowing down how much work I’m getting through.
I hear the elevator ping just before the door opens, and I don’t miss the butterflies that explode in my stomach as Calvin walks out, looking sexy as hell in dark jeans and a shirt.
“Good afternoon, Chels,” Calvin calls, walking straight to my large desk, his eyes primed on me.
“Hi. What are you doing here?” I ask, flicking through the planner on my computer. I didn’t see Calvin's name on Mr Young's schedule.
“I’m just here to drop off this invoice for the new cameras Logan has ordered.” He places a piece of paper on my desk and smiles.
“You know you could have emailed it over or just left it at reception for me,” I point out. Calvin grins at me as he leans on the desk.
“But where would the fun be in that?” he winks playfully.
“Mummy, my pencil broke.”
