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She stops at the archway that connects the spaces. “And Ivy?”
“Yes?”
“Make sure your birth control is up to date. You should know Marino men create strong sperm, and condoms can break,” she says without turning around. “Be careful. Or not. I wouldn’t mind a great-grandchild.”
A pure wave of embarrassment washes over me and I want to deny it, to challenge her because there’s no way she can know for sure. But I don’t. “I will check on that right away.”
She disappears, and I’m left alone with my paperwork.
Chapter Nineteen
It’s around noon when there’s a knock on the door and I push the chair back. “I’ll get it. It’s probably the courier.”
I don’t want Lydia to have to get up. She’s been relaxing in her parlor, a mug of tea Heath made at her side as she reads a book.
Heath gets there first. He grins my way. “Oh, I know why you’re rushing to the door. Do you think I haven’t picked up on CeCe’s tricks? Behind that door is some superhot guy with a bunch of paperwork. Two of your favorite things.”
Nope. I don’t love paperwork, and I’ve learned that if the superhot guy isn’t also a charming nerd who gives great hugs, I’m not truly that interested.
Now if he’s holding a couple of tacos, a really nice burger, then maybe…
“Superhot guy?” Ria joins us, her eyes on the door. “I would like to see that, too. I’m surrounded by nerds.”
“Says the nerd herself.” Ye Joon frowns her way. “I saw you at the anime show this weekend. Don’t pretend. You cosplayed and everything.”
Ria and Ye Joon have a lovely rivalry going. I’m waiting for them to get a room. I glance over and Lydia is smiling their way like she’s waiting, too. She’d been the one to tell us those two would be great hires and would get along brilliantly. Now I wonder if she really meant they would start some epic mild annoyances-to-lovers story.
“I just want to get the paperwork so I can add it to my never-ending pile. I’m perfectly happy with the hot guy I’m hanging with now.”
Heath’s lips curl up. “I thought we were keeping that quiet.”
“She knows,” I say with a sigh. In the last hour or so I’ve come to the conclusion I don’t like hiding, and I really hate not being able to touch him during the day. I’ve decided if I can handle Lydia knowing, I can handle the new hires knowing, too.
“Told you,” Ye Joon whispers Ria’s way.
So everyone knew. I gesture to the door because if Heath wants to deal with the hottie, then more power to him.
He opens it, and then I’d bet everything I own that he wishes he’d been less alpha-male, knuckle-dragging possessive.
“Hello, Ivy’s Side Piece.” CeCe stands there looking elegant in all black, from the pencil straight slacks to the silk blouse and Chanel jacket. There’s a broach on her lapel that could likely feed a small city. She’s also wearing a hat and sunglasses, as though she’s trying to hide from the paparazzi. And she’s not alone. Lady Buttercup peers out of her handbag. It’s a massive Louis Vuitton CeCe only uses as a dog carrier.
“Uh, not a side piece, Ms. Foust,” Heath says with a strained smile. “Not in any meaning of the phrase. I need to get you on Urban Dictionary.”
God, no. That would make everything so much worse.
“No, I think he’s the main piece,” Ria adds helpfully. “Wow, you’re CeCe Foust.”
“I am indeed, and you must be one of the coders Ivy hired.” She stares my way. Or at least I think she’s staring my way because I feel like a laser is focused on me. She’s still wearing her sunglasses, but I can tell.
“I heard you speak at Brooklyn Tech when I was a freshman. You’re why I went into tech,” Ria says.
CeCe’s expression softens. “I’m glad to hear that, dear. I might not have the technical skills of someone like Ivy or yourself, but I do know what our business needs and that’s more intelligent young women. How is the project going in your estimation?”
Ria seems to realize a spotlight has been turned her way, and she straightens up. “It’s great. I’m working on debugging a couple of problems we have with integration, but I think Emma’s ready to learn even more.”
“Ye Joon is writing most of the new code.” I don’t want to leave him out. “He and Heath have been working on the learning system. I’ve been filing all the paperwork your lawyers sent over. Thanks for that.”
An elegant brow rises over her sunglasses. “For the ridiculously expensive intellectual property attorney who you couldn’t even get an appointment with, much less afford?”
She does have a way of putting things. “Yep. That very one. Thanks.”
Her head shakes slightly. “You’re welcome. Now, I need to speak with Ivy. Ivy’s Ill-Advised Boyfriend, take Lady Buttercup. For some reason she can’t stand the waitstaff at Bergdorf, and they’re whiny babies who can’t even take a little love nip. She didn’t even break the skin. Come along, Ivy. We’re having lunch with Benjamin and going over a few things.”
