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He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “When I saw him tonight, the things he said—”
He was hurt…lashing out.
“I broke his heart, Patty. Broke my own.” His eyes burned as Robby’s viscous words replayed in his head.
Words he would take with him to his grave.
Even from the man’s own mouth, he couldn’t believe they were true.
He wanted to beg Patty to see Robby through his eyes. To believe Robby was clean. But Parker’s threats were too damn effective. The guy would just trot out his so-called witnesses to destroy any inroads Matt managed to make. And he’d lose his son.
So instead, Matt embraced his misery and let the magnitude of the loss sink in. He wasn’t only losing his lover, but his best friend—at home and on the job.
“How am I going to face him at work? It hurts so much.” Patty’s hair tickled his cheek as he rested it on the top of her head. “I need this job. The bartending thing won’t be enough to make ends meet.”
They sat in silence a moment before she spoke. “Talk to your boss. See if you can get on another crew. It’s a big company, hon. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
True. It already felt like he’d lost everything.
***
I’ve got nothing to lose.
Saying the words in his head didn’t calm his anxiety as he waited in the lobby of the company’s main office the next morning. He’d arrived at the same time as the receptionist, hoping he could get in early for a face-to-face with Mike Cooper. Though he knew the man’s sister better at this point, Amanda would have more questions about Robby and their relationship than he wanted to answer.
Mike probably had no idea they’d even started dating. Maybe. Hopefully.
“Matt, what a surprise to see you here.” Amanda stood over the uncomfortable chair where he waited. Jared Berringer flanked her right side.
Shifting in his seat, he nodded to the developer before answering. “Just waiting to talk to Mike.”
She wrapped her hand around his forearm and pulled him up. “Sorry. My brother is home with a sick baby. Come back to my office. I’m sure I can help.”
He hesitated a moment but then allowed her to pull him toward the back. Explaining why he didn’t want to talk to her would only make things worse. When Jared took the seat beside him, though, he reconsidered once again.
Amanda faced him from behind her glass and chrome desk. “I think I know why you’re here.”
One look at her face ruled that out immediately. If she knew how things had gone down with Robby, she would not be smiling.
“Robby talked to us already.” Jared folded his hands on his lap. “I honestly wasn’t sure about the suggestion at first, but he did make some good points.”
He could only blink in confusion.
Amanda flashed an encouraging smile. “I had no idea you were even interested in architecture, but I thought about it, and it could really serve Cooper in the long run to have a dedicated architect on our team.”
“What did Robby propose…exactly? You know I don’t have my degree yet—”
“He showed us some of your sketches and designs. Impressive,” Jared said briskly. “He said you only have two classes left. If they really are just electives like he told us, you should be able to get the internship applied to those credits.”
“I’m sorry. What internship?”
“Aww.” Amanda exchanged a look with the developer. “Was this all a surprise?” She chuckled. “When Robby showed us some of the plans you’ve been drawing up on the builds, he told us some of your situation. He proposed an internship for you with Berringer. We’ll continue to keep you on payroll here at Cooper, while you intern with Jared’s team over the summer.”
“Once you have your degree in August,” Jared confirmed, “you’ll work with us on your IDP.”
He couldn’t get his license without getting through the Intern Development Program. More than five thousand experience hours to help put what he learned in school to practical use.
“Cooper will pay a portion of your salary, and you’ll also be a liaison between the companies while you’re there.” Amanda dug a small stack of papers from a manila folder on her desk. “Of course, you’ll have to sign a contract. This is a big commitment for all of us. Do you need some time to think about it? Do you have any questions?”
