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“M-Ms. Keller?” The heavy glass door swings open presenting a nerve-wracked Elliot and a cocky manny.
In his Henley and jeans, Remi sticks out like a gorgeous thumb amidst the stuffy suits in the room. He rolls Isabel’s stroller in, popping a wheelie like they are motocross racing. They look like best friends, making faces and laughing at each other.
I stand frozen in place because if I allow myself to move, I’ll break down. What does he think he’s doing?
“Mama!” Isabel screeches with all the enthusiasm of a kid high on ice cream.
Robert’s creased face turns smug, and all of my aggravation has just found its target.
“Mr. Arison.” My bark is sharper than I mean it to be, but I’m freaking out because everyone is watching. “I’ll speak to you outside.”
Concern etches his features, but he gives me a slight nod before heading back out the door.
Brushing invisible lint off my shoulder, I address the situation. “We’re done here. Be on standby when that proposal goes through.” I raise my eyebrow at numbnuts Pingman. “Because it will happen at any moment.”
Strutting out of the room, I keep my back and head straight. I will not break.
“Mi niña pequeña!” Jay picks up Isabel in a full swing.
She screams in delight.
The conference room is a giant fish bowl with glass on three sides, clear enough that I catch everyone’s eyes whipping to the door I just exited. This is getting out of hand.
“Jay, bring her to your office.” Remington starts to follow, but I stop him. “Not you.” Freezing, he turns back to me. “She’s in good hands with them.” I flick my finger between us. “We need to get a few things straight first.”
Jay’s too busy giving Isabel belly raspberries to notice my ire. They never take it seriously anyway, and that’s okay. Remi, however, needs to know his place. And it’s not here.
“Is Isabel sick?” It’s evident in my tone that the question is rhetorical.
He cups the back of his neck and twists. “No.”
“Is she too much for you to handle?”
Squaring his shoulders, he clenches his jaw. The first sign of irritation he’s ever shown. “Not at all. She’s amazing.”
I almost soften at the warmth in his eyes, but I remember who’s watching, so I keep up my steely resolve. “Then why are you here, interrupting a very important meeting?” I rest my fists on my hips.
“I didn’t realize bringing your child to see you at work would be an issue.”
“That’s the problem. You can’t just insert your overzealous personality everywhere you go. Especially here.” Pointing to the window of the meeting room, I ask, “How many women do you see in there?”
His brow furrows, but he answers anyway. “None.” He shrugs. “One, if including you.”
“How many men?”
Remi mouths numbers to himself. “Ten.”
“Wonderful, you know how to count. So as you can see, I’m outnumbered there. Ten dominant assholes that will cut me off mid-sentence. That do not have a care or responsibility outside of their occupation.” My voice goes deadly low. “That will use my motherhood as a strike against me.” I walk right up to him and burn him with a scathing stare. “I need them to be confident in my leadership. In my dedication to this company.” I point a finger right in his face. “I won’t allow anyone to undermine my position. Do you understand my role in this company, Remington?”
He rears back as if I slapped him. “I—”
“I’m not finished. Do you think their nannies bring their children to see them at the office?”
His pretty mouth stays shut. Good boy.
“I suppose not. But because I’m a female, you thought it would be a great idea to bring my child here. Go as far as interrupt a conference I’m leading.”
He heaves a breath and starts. “Elliot—”
