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9
CHANDLER
It’s been a week since I took the girls to the luncheon, and I am trying to take everything with Tanya and Sophia step by step and not rush them, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to hurry up and get to the point where I could have them with me at all times. I want to take them from their small cabin and move them in with me, preferably with Tanya in my room with me again. The more I’m around her lately, the more I have to work at not reaching out to pull her into my arms.
I was able to talk Tanya into coming up to the city with Sophia this weekend, and I have plans to try and convince her to at least move into the apartment I bought them. I don’t like that I can’t see them when I want to. They are too far away from me living in Willow Creek, and I can’t move my business there, it wouldn’t be a smart business decision.
I’ve glanced at the clock throughout the day today I don’t know how many times, and I’m sure it should have been closer to the end of the day by now, but when I look again, it’s only just lunchtime. Groaning, I stand from my chair and walk out of my office to Jillian’s desk.
“Do you want to grab us some lunch or did you bring yours?”
She doesn’t even look up at me as she says, “I already ordered from the Mexican place down the road. I’m going to pick it up at twelve so you can eat before your meeting.”
She is typing away at whatever I have her working on as I make my way back to my office. I had hoped to leave after lunch, but I forgot about the meeting I have with another distributor. We are trying to find more people to provide us with environmentally safe materials to use on our buildings. It is important to me that what we build is going to last and enhance the environments around it, not do more harm.
The meeting I have after lunch is with someone who will help us to figure out a gap with some of our materials that we’ve been desperately trying to fill for more than a few months now. No matter how much I want to cancel it, I can’t.
I sit back at my desk and pull up the file that I have on them, going over everything to give myself something to do to pass the time. I get distracted not even five minutes into reading the report and pick up my phone to look at the picture I have as my lock screen. I took it the day I took Sophia and Tanya to the luncheon. Tanya had been sitting at the table after everyone had gotten up to mingle, and Sophia was standing in front of her, leaning in for a kiss. I quickly took out my phone and snapped a picture of the two together.
It still blew my mind every day that Tanya was back and that we have a daughter together. Before she disappeared, I never even thought about us having kids, but when she was gone, I thought about all kinds of possibilities; now, some of them are right in front of me, so close but still so far out of reach.
I don’t know what I can do to convince Tanya that I’m what is best for her and Sophia. I can fully support them in any way that is needed, give them whatever they want, and answer every question Tanya has about her past. I know that woman better than anyone in the world, and I just want her to give me a chance to prove it to her.
My desk phone rings just before Jillian’s voice comes through.
“Mr. Bishop, your appointment is here.”
I hit the intercom button on the phone and lean forward to get up as I speak to Jillian.
“Thank you, show them to the main conference room and I will be there in a minute.”
I know I don’t have to tell her to do anything else, she is a great assistant and will have everything handled before I can get there. I put my phone in my pocket and get myself back in working mode. I need to put all of my concentration into this meeting.
The meeting lasts an hour, and as soon as it’s over, I tell Jillian to finish up what she’s doing and to leave for the day. I pack up all my things and head out. I can’t stay in this office any longer knowing that Tanya and Sophia are going to be with me this weekend. I’m anxious for them to just be here already. I’m worried about how Tanya is going to take the trip. Kayla is driving them up today, and I’ve been told that they are going to take their time and that Tanya has medication to help her with the anxiety.
Once I get home, I try to call Tanya’s cell, but she doesn’t answer. I don’t want to bother her or cause her more stress, so I send her a quick text before throwing my phone on the couch and going to my room to change into some sweats and a tank so I can get a work out in before they get here. Hopefully, it will help me burn off some of this excess energy I have. I have all the top equipment, including a bag for boxing. I wrap my knuckles and set some music up loud to get out of my head and in the zone.
Thirty minutes later, I’m dripping with sweat and breathless. I pause for a second to catch my breath and movement catches my attention from the corner of my eye. I stop and turn to see Tanya standing in the doorway. I’m surprised to see her, and my heart jumps in my chest at the sight of her.
“Hey, I didn’t think you were going to be here so soon.”
I drop my arms and walk in her direction, taking in her expression as I do. My steps slow when her look registers with me. I know that look, I’ve seen that look on her face before. It’s the look she used to give me before she jumped me.
She’s turned on by the way I look.
Heat fills my stomach, and I trail my eyes down her body and back up to her eyes as I slowly make my way to her.
“Penny for your thoughts?” My voice is low and rough.
Her cheeks flush, and I can only imagine what she’s thinking. My lips curls at the corner as I try to hold back a smirk. I stop with only an inch of space between us, and she’s forced to look up at me.
“Are you going to tell me what you’re thinking?”
She shakes her head no and blushes even more. Even without her voicing how she is feeling, this moment means so much to me. This moment lets me know that, at a base level, she’s at least still physically attracted to me.
If she’s still attracted to the way I look, then I have a chance at winning her over again.
Lowering my head closer to hers, I whisper, “Are you enjoying the view?”
