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"This is a really good idea, Dean. Maybe we could work on this idea together."
He looked at me a little bit like he didn't believe me, but he nodded, and relief spread through me.
During lunch, Dean wasn't sullen as he usually was, which wasn't to say that he had completely forgiven me and let me in. But he joined in on the conversation, particularly if he was responding to Betts. Through the conversation I realized that my kid was fucking smart. He definitely had a mind for business, and for the first time in a long time, I wondered if he'd be interested in taking over when it was time for me to retire.
I felt so much pride for him, but whenever I told him that, he would look away as if he didn't believe me. It was a reminder of how much work I had ahead of me to fix what I had broken between us.
After lunch, I walked with them back to the marketing department where Dean was going to write up his report for school.
Once he was settled at the table, I said, "I’d like to see you in my office if I could, Betts. Maybe you could walk back with me."
She looked at me, arching a brow, but nodded. "I won’t be gone too long,” she said to Dean.
"Okay." Dean’s attention was on the laptop computer screen.
"Is he really working or is he watching social media?" I asked as Betts and I walked to the elevator.
"He's really working." She looked at me, and I could see disapproval in her eyes.
"What?" I asked.
"After everything he shared at lunch, you thought he wasn't working? Besides, with the way the Internet is set up here, he can't play around."
Guilt lanced at my gut again. "You're right. I need to have more faith in him."
We stepped into the elevator.
"I’ll admit that he probably would have been on social media had he had the opportunity," she said. "The first iteration of the webpage was full of immature memes and gifs. But when he finally settled in, he did really good work. He's really smart."
I grinned with pride even though I really had no right to feel it. Dean might have been my son, but I hadn't done very much to help him become the person he was meant to be.
When we arrived at my office, I invited her in, shutting the door behind her. I watched as she walked to the middle of the room and then turned to look at me with a question in her expression.
We were at work, and I needed to behave, but she was so fucking beautiful, and I was so appreciative for all that she'd been doing for Dean. The tether on my restraint began to fray. I wanted to hold her, kiss her, and keep her near me. I wanted more time with her and Dean, enjoying a meal or doing something fun, but I also wanted time alone with her. When she was around me, it was like she was a missing piece that I hadn't even realized was gone. When she was near me, I was complete.
"I want to thank you for taking Dean under your wing. I know I was asking too much of you, but what you're able to do with him... I'm in awe of it."
She smiled, and the warmth of it filled my chest. I took some steps toward her, but I put my hands in my pockets, doing my best to abide by the rules of no touching while at work set at the hotel.
"What is your secret to connecting with teenage boys?" I asked.
She tilted her head to the side. "Mostly, I listen."
I stopped short, wondering what her words meant. "I’d listen to him if he talked to me."
Her expression filled with sympathy. "He’s hurt and angry."
"At me?" After I asked the question, I realized how stupid it was. Of course, he was hurt and angry at me. "How do I fix it?"
She sighed. "I don't know for sure, but maybe start with an apology."
I was asking for her feedback, but all of a sudden, I felt strangely defensive. She was judging me. A judgment I probably deserved, but I still didn't like it. I was trying hard now, dammit.
"Well, I know you have to get to work. Thank you again." Dismissing her, I started making my way to my desk, telling myself what a fool I was for wanting her and wishing that she didn't see me as a horrible father.
26
Betts
