I know exactly where she’s talking about, and over my dead body will she go there. Not only do I know the founder, but he ran off to Austin after stealing information from another one of our competitors. He shopped their proprietary information to me, and I refused it.
“I thought if you made the introduction, he might make room for me on their team,” she adds.
I turn to Gabby. “Why don’t you like the idea?”
“To start with, we went to school in Austin. It’s only two and a half hours from Houston and still within her father’s reach.” I can tell she’s making her case more for Corrine than me.
“Even if I’m close, I won’t be living in his house. If I have a job, I can be free of him and his influence.”
Gabby offers her a give-me-a-break look. Then she turns to me. “What do you think?”
I take a deep breath because I don’t want this to sound like I’ll hate every idea she has—but anything away from me, I’m going to try my hardest to prevent from happening. “I know the founder. He used to work for Blue Energy, and he took some information with him when he was fired and offered it to several companies in the energy sector. I have no doubt he’d hire you without my recommendation—”
“See? I told you. A good job will keep my dad away,” Corrine proudly tells Gabby.
“But given that he took some information from Blue, I’d have to consider the noncompete you’ve signed for the energy sector.”
Corrine’s shoulders fall.
“I have an idea, and Jim has some ideas. He’s invited us over for lunch today.” I turn to Gabby. “You’re welcome to join us.”
“Thanks, but Damien needs some of my love and attention.” She stands. “Let me know what you come up with.”
“Are you leaving?” Corrine’s eyes grow large, and panic distorts her face.
“Yup.” Gabby gathers her purse and heads for the door.
Corrine follows her, and I can hear them whispering on the way to the elevator. I smile. It’s about me and my shirtless chest. I suddenly feel hot, so I take my shirt back off. I have no shame. I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get her back. I help myself to a plate of eggs and bacon and a cup of coffee.
Corrine comes back into my kitchen and stops short. “Where’d your shirt go?’
“I was hot.”
“You don’t play fair.” She makes herself a plate of food and sits down at the bar, one stool away from me. “You could put your shirt on.”
I look at her and know I’ve made my point, so I pull my shirt over my head. I want to hold her and assure her we’re going to get through this, but I know she needs to figure this out on her own. The harder I push, the harder she’ll resist.
“I’ll check with Jim about what time they want to see us.” I type a text and send it off.
She nods, and we eat in silence.
Jim: How about 12:30? Can you both eat clams? Kate’s signature dish is linguine and clams. If that doesn’t sound appealing, we have lots of other options.
I let Corrine know what he said.
“Linguine and clams sounds great. Ask Kate what we can bring.”
I text Jim, and he quickly replies. “Jim says we don’t need to bring anything, just be at his place at twelve thirty.”
She begins to clean up after breakfast. “We can’t show up empty-handed. We can stop for flowers and wine.”
I’m not about to argue with her. “Okay, I’ll alert Ben to pick us up at eleven thirty.”
“I’ll be ready.” She finishes cleaning up and leaves me in the living room. This shouldn’t be so hard. I swear that woman is going to break me.
My phone rings and brings me out of my haze of lust. It’s my mother. There goes my erection.
“Hi, Mom.”
“You don’t call or write…”
I love mom guilt. “Sorry, it’s been beyond hectic. I was in Hawaii last week dealing with a new property.”
“Ohhhh. Maybe that’s where I should do my birthday party. We can all fly in on your jet and spend a week enjoying Kauai.”
I’m sure I told her about it. “The property is on Maui.”
“Well, that works, too.”
“Probably not this year—it’s in the middle of renovations.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. What are we going to do for my birthday?”
My mom is great, and as an only child, I don’t spend nearly enough time with her. “What do you want to do?”
“Actually, I’d like to spend time with you.”
That makes me smile. My mom gave me the best years of her life and never complained. “Well, that’s a given. What about with your girlfriends?”
“Let them come up with something. I’m fine with that.”
“Well, have them send me the bill.”
“We’ll see. I did want to find out if I could set you up with my friend Susan’s daughter. She’s probably a bit young and most likely too brunette for you, but she went to Yale, and I understand she’s a total delight.”
Mom’s so not subtle when it comes to her desire to have grandbabies.
“I’m seeing someone, Mom. I think she may be the one.” I smile, knowing I’ve just made Mom’s day, week, month, and year. Now to get Corrine on this same train.
“What? When do I get to meet this woman?”
“Soon. Right now, we’re dealing with some crazy stuff at work. But I promise soon.”
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll call the office on Monday and let Corrine know to schedule dinner with you for my birthday.”
“Sounds good. And Mom, I know I don’t say it enough, but
