“Not at all. I understand,” I say. “But let me tell you something. If he is too stupid to see what he’s missing out on, then it’s him that has something wrong with him. Because if Hayley is even a tiny bit as amazing as you are, then she’s a very special girl indeed.”
Sierra looks down at the table, blushing and smiling. She looks back up. She’s serious again, but her eyes still gaze into mine. “I only wish he saw it that way. But I’ve made my peace with it, and I’m not bothered for myself. I’m happy never to see him again. I love having Hayley with me and I don’t need anything from him. It’s her, I’m bothered for. She’s just getting to that age where she keeps asking me why her friends all have dads and she doesn’t.”
“That must be hard,” I say. “What do you tell her?”
“I tell her I’m awesome enough that she doesn’t need him.” Sierra laughs. “But sooner or later, that’s not going to wash anymore and I’ll have to tell her the truth.”
“It sounds to me like you’re already telling her the truth.” I smile.
She blushes again and picks up her drink. She finishes it in one long swallow.
I know I said one drink, but I really don’t want her to leave. I feel like we’re really connecting. We’re not talking about work and we’re not just having hot sex. We’re connecting as people. I know this is dangerous ground. As much as I like Sierra, and as much as I crave being with her, I can’t start screwing around with my assistant. It would be one thing to ease up off work a little and start dating, but dating someone who works so closely with me is more than easing up a little. It would be taking my eye off the ball completely and I can’t do that.
“Another drink?” I say, even as I convince myself this is a bad idea.
“One more.” Sierra smiles.
I go to the bar and get another round and head back to the table. Even now, I can’t believe I have never seen Sierra as the warm and genuinely funny person she is before this last week. I can’t believe I didn’t see how attractive she is. I really am an idiot.
Sierra raises her glass.
I clink mine against it.
She takes a drink and sets the glass down on the table. “Have you ever wanted children?”
I shrug. “I’ve never really thought about it. I don’t hate children or anything, and I mean never say never and all that, but as I think you know, I’ve always been more focused on work than thinking about starting a family or anything like that.”
She giggles and nods rapidly.
I frown.
“Sorry,” she says. “I just got this vision in my head of you behind your desk with a toddler on your lap, telling him how to run your empire.”
“That’s not funny. It’s exactly how it would go.” I grin.
“That’s why it’s so funny,” she says. “Because I can actually picture it.”
She stops laughing and takes another sip of wine. “Seriously though, do you ever picture yourself taking a step back from work and settling down in the future?”
“Honestly, up until today, no,” I say. “But when I saw Kimberley and Sebastian exchanging their vows and I saw how happy they made each other, I kind of changed my mind. I felt myself wanting that kind of love.”
“Yeah, they really do have something special don’t they?”
I nod and laugh. “Yeah. It’s sickening isn’t it?”
Sierra laughs and gently slaps my arm. “Stop it! They’re cute together.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I say. “Seriously, I’m happy for them, really. Sebastian isn’t so bad and he deserves to be happy.”
“Yeah and if he starts slacking off after baby number two comes along, it gives you more of an excuse to work more,” Sierra adds.
I shudder and shake my head. “God no. Sebastian’s job is too focused on numbers. Bottom lines, profit and loss, taxes. All of that shit bores me to tears. Now, if one of my designers decided to have a baby and start slacking off, well I’d have to sack him.” I laugh at Sierra’s shocked expression. “I’m joking,” I say. “I’d be happy to pick up the extra work in that department is what I meant.”
“Sometimes, I’m surprised you don’t make them all go part time, so you can spend more time at the office.”
“That’s actually a good idea.” I grin.
Sierra laughs. “The worst thing about that is I reckon you mean it.”
“Oh, I do,” I say. “Anyway, we’re breaking Sebastian’s rules again. No more work talk.”
“Deal.” She looks at me with a twinkle in her eye. “We could dance instead.”
I think about it for a moment, the fear of being clumsy grabbing me again. I tell myself to get over it and then I look to my left. Double doors open onto a patio. I stand up and hold my hand out to Sierra.
Her eyes open wide with shock, she clearly was expecting me to say no, but she slips her hand into mine and lets me help her to her feet.
I lead her away from the dance floor, towards the double doors.
“Ummm, I think we’re going the wrong way.” She laughs. “We…” Her words die in her throat when we step out onto the patio.
The furniture has been pushed to one side and fairy lights hang all over the wooden rafters above us. More twirl around the columns that stand on either side of the patio, holding the rafters in place. The music
