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This was what I’d missed while I was off in New York trying to find my place in a corporate, fast-paced, moving-up-the-ladder job. Why I ever thought I wanted to be in that tight-knit, over-populated, knife-in-your-back kind of environment? It was a great opportunity given to me, granted, but not something I’d wanted to continue with. My dad put his life into this publishing house. Into making this place flourish, thrive, and get bigger, one publicist at a time.
Unlike the corporate world that was more cut-throat than I’d imagined, this was not only a business; it was a family. A few of these employees had been here since the beginning. Moving and shaking alongside my grandfather and dad as Whitman Publishing grew and expanded.
My grandpa was gone and had been for many years. I knew he was happy watching the company he’d started with a manuscript and a prayer—his words—grow to what it is today.
The building sat on the corner of the historic district and had been renovated multiple times now to make sure it was a functional piece of history. The outside had a little grassy yard, planter boxes, and of course, a gigantic palm tree. Trees, flowers, the breeze blowing up from the ocean—it was home. The park up the street, the Battery, had open space to sit and lounge, for watching people or the boats as they came in and out. It was just nice.
My thoughts were pulled from my nostalgia when I heard a child call out. I followed her running toddle across the open floor and watched as she was scooped up. My smile grew as I took in the sweet scene. Then my heart stopped. I knew that woman. My mind suddenly spiraled. The beautiful woman looking at me from across the open space was someone I’d gotten to know, biblically but briefly. Her long auburn hair, curvy hips, and stunning green eyes wrapped me in a bubble that I couldn’t escape. I couldn’t believe she was here.
The last time I’d seen her, she’d sleepily told me goodnight and passed out with me. When I woke up, she was gone, my alarm clock was blaring, and I’d had to race to get to the airport on time. I never thought I’d see her again. Yet, here she was standing before me in a black pantsuit that showed off her curves. Damn, she looked good enough to eat.
“There you are. Come with me.” My dad led me to where the woman stood, her daughter on her hip. “I’d like to introduce you all. James, this is Shaylee McKnight. She is the best at what she does. This is Thomas Lane. Everyone, this is my son; he’ll be running things while we are away on our vacation.”
I watched her face pale at the introduction. She—my one-night stand who’s never left my thoughts—was my dad’s best employee? Shaking myself, I nodded in her direction. There was no way I’d let her think that I didn’t remember her or that night.
“Very nice to see you again, Shaylee, it’s been too long.” Her name fell off my tongue like water. Her shocked gaze drew me in closer. I’d replayed that night so many times while I was away, hoping that one day, if I were lucky enough, I’d meet her again. And here we were. I drew my attention to the other man my father had introduced. “Mr. Thomas, I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Yes, thanks to Lee here. I couldn’t have done it without her. She’s been my biggest cheerleader from day one.”
“Stop it.” I felt like a stalker as my attention once again went to review the beautiful woman standing before me. She shifted, her movements those of someone ready to run. Was it seeing me? The praise they were loading her down with? Both? Or just having her daughter in the office? It could be any of that and then none of it. I couldn’t just come out and ask. That would raise too many flags.
“Let me take her,” an older woman who looked just like Lee said. It had to be her mother. The little girl started to whine. “Come on, sweetheart, Mommy has to work; we just came to say hi.”
“She’s fine, Mama.”
“Lee, she gets prettier every time I see her.”
“Thank you, she’s definitely growing up too fast. I don’t like it.”
“I remember those days,” Dad joked, patting my shoulder. “If you’ll excuse us for a moment, I need to find Jessica before your mother and I head out.”
I waited until he’d stepped away, off to find my sister, before I met her gaze once again. She hadn’t moved from where she was, frozen with indecision.
“How have you been? I mean, other than…” I waved an open hand around, encompassing the office.
“Good. I didn’t know—excuse me, will you?”
Before I could reply, she was heading toward the elevator with the older woman at her side. Okay, that went stellar. Scrubbing a hand over the back of my neck, I walked back toward the publicist offices. I needed to make myself known to everyone. I stopped outside of Shaylee’s office and smiled at the woman sitting at her receptionist’s desk.
“Hello, may I help you?”
“Just stopping in to introduce myself. James Whitman.”
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you.” She stood, her hand out to take mine. “Danni Albertson.”
“You’re Shaylee’s receptionist?” I asked, taking in her bright eyes and smile. It was always better to confirm than to make a misjudgment. I hadn’t been here in over two years now. Things changed quickly in this kind of business.
She was familiar…but how?
“Yes, among other things. Did you meet her yet? She was with one of her clients on the way to the elevators. It’s been a busy day.” A moment later, I saw recognition cross her face, and it clicked. The club. She had been with Shaylee that night.
“Oh. My. God.” Her loud guffaw had me stepping back, my brows arched. “This is—excuse me. If you would like, you can wait in her office.” She motioned to the door on the way by. She was gone in a flash. What was happening to my life? When I’d come in here, I was nervous about handling my father’s business, and now, that was in the back of my mind. My entire focus was on the woman I thought had gotten away. She was here, but she had a child. Did that mean she was involved with someone? Married even? Guess I would find out soon enough.
Sighing, I looked around the office. It was neat, yet messy in areas. Manuscripts sat in a neat stack next to her desk; the shelves behind her desk were full of framed certificates, pictures of her little girl, and an array of crystals, decorative plates, and sea shells. It was nice. This office was more than a workspace for her. I liked that.
Moving closer to her desk, I lifted the small silver frame that held a picture of her and her daughter. The little girl’s slightly curled, reddish brown hair and bright green eyes drew my attention. She looked so much like her mother, but that wasn’t all. The longer I stared at the picture…
I suddenly had a feeling that Shaylee had left my apartment with more than just a good memory on that night nearly two years ago. Could I be projecting? Could that little girl be mine?
