Chapter 62

Iwas so ready for the long weekend. Tomorrow was finally moving day. The three of us were going to be under one roof. It was almost a dream come true. Too bad Isadora still wanted to keep our love a secret.

I was willing to be patient for her, but it was one of the most difficult things I had ever had to do.

The last couple of weeks had been crazy as hell. It kept me distracted from worrying about the last big hurdle in our relationship. Isadora had been busy with her job and packing up her apartment. Sloane got her cast off and was able to help a lot.

I tried to help when I could, but by the time I got off work and got over there, it was already late. We'd eat dinner, pack a few boxes, and then they would need to go to bed to get ready for the following day.

Leo, my new assistant came into my office, head down with his eyes on the tablet he favored using. "I've got that client meeting moved from Monday to Tuesday," he said. "That was the last one. Monday is cleared." He finally looked up at me.

"Thanks, Leo. Is Spencer in the office?"

"I just passed him." He nodded.

"Can you send out an urgent email blast to the partners and tell them I need to see them in the conference room in fifteen minutes?"

He looked stunned. Leo was a very efficient employee, but he did not like when I messed up his carefully planned schedule. "Of course," he said in a tight voice. "Anything else?"

"Nope, that's all I need. And then I'll be leaving for an early weekend."

He nodded, his eyes back on his tablet. He tapped with the stylus and walked out. Despite the competent performance of my new executive assistant, the office felt strangely empty without Isadora's presence. She was good at her job, but she was also friendly and I liked looking at her.

Obviously I might have been a little biased in that regard.

Isadora seemed miserable at her new office. She was putting on a brave face, but I could see how much it beat her down, and I was sick of it.

She was sticking it out but I knew she wasn't happy. I also knew she was damn good at her job. Those guys were just too stupid to see it.

But I wasn't. I had a plan to fix that little situation.

"They've all replied," Leo said, popping his head into my office. "They'll be there."

"Thanks."

Fifteen minutes later, my friends and business partners filed into the conference room, their expressions curious at being summoned urgently. We rarely did this, so they knew it was important as I stood at the head of the table, waiting until they were all seated before I began.

"I appreciate you all coming on such short notice," I started, my gaze sweeping across each of their faces. "I wanted to discuss a proposition that I believe could greatly benefit our firm."

Spencer raised an eyebrow, which seemed to say, "What is this lunatic up to now?"

I was surprised he didn't already have an inkling of what I was about to propose. He was the one that suggested I bring Isadora back. I had rejected the idea outright because she wanted to stand on her own two feet. Now she had done that.

She had gotten the job herself and she was doing it well. It was all the proof she needed she could carve her own path and succeed. She just didn't need to do it at that company.

Isadora had confided in me that she missed the camaraderie of our team, the friendly environment, and the chance to collaborate instead of compete. She got none of that support at the new gig. It was time for me to step up and find her a better option.

"I'd like to bring Isadora back onto our team in a new role within the marketing department," I said.

"Gee, what a good idea," Spencer said sarcastically.

I grinned and ignored him. "She was only here a couple of weeks but she managed to save one giant client." I paused. Why do I keep rhyming during serious moments? Shaking my head, I continued. "And she backed me up to keep us from getting dragged through the mud with another company. She has a fresh perspective and a keen eye for detail that could really elevate our campaigns."

They all exchanged looks, with amused expressions on their faces.

"And she's your girlfriend." Derrick laughed. "Let's be real, you're a little biased."

I shook my head. "She won't be working for me directly. So actually, there wouldn't be. And look, I understand this is sudden, but I truly believe that bringing Isadora back into the fold would be a smart move for us as a team."

Spencer leaned back in his chair. "She'll be working with me, and I vote yes," he said.

Jax shrugged. "I don't know why you're asking. We all wondered why you let her get away in the first place."

The rest of them all quickly agreed.

Sebastian shook his head at me. "This could have been an email."

"Really?" I asked with surprise. I kind of expected to have to convince a couple of them. But I suppose most had been in similar situations. Derrick had fallen for his paralegal. Max caught feelings for his intern. And Jax hired his now fiancée. Realistically, I was just sticking to the pattern they'd set.

"Is that it?" Jax asked getting to his feet. "I've got work to do."

"That's it." I nodded. "Thanks, guys."

Sebastian put his hand on my shoulder. "Just remember living together and working together is tricky."

"I know." I nodded. "But I won't be her boss. And we're both adults."

"Good luck," Max said as he filed out of the room.

With their support secured, I headed back to my office and closed the door. "Yes!" I hissed. I couldn't wait to tell her the good news. I knew she was at work, but this was something that would make her day—I hoped. I didn't want her to think it was charity. It was a job she was more than qualified for.

I called her cellphone.

"Hello," she asked, her tone telling me it wasn't going well for her.

"What are you doing right now?"

"Getting coffee for one of the assholes," she muttered. "I'm surprised he doesn't think I should massage his feet."

"Touch another man's feet and we're going to have a problem. I'll buy that whole company and fire everybody."

She sighed. "What are you doing?"

"I'm calling to offer you a job," I said.

She was quiet for a moment. "A job?"

"I've been talking to the team and we all agreed that having you back at the firm would be a great move for all of us. I haven't put together a compensation package, but you know what we pay. You'll be in the marketing department. You won't be working directly for me, so there is no conflict. And you're too good to be my assistant anyway, as much as I loved it."

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line before Isadora's voice came through, filled with disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely serious," I replied, smiling. "We all believe in your talent and what you can bring to the team. You're great with clients."

Isadora let out a squeal. "Oh my god, this is amazing!"

I could practically hear the smile in her voice, and my heart swelled with pride. "You deserve it, Isadora. You're going to do great things here, where you'll be appreciated."

"I can't believe you asked them about that for me," she exclaimed.

"It wasn't exactly a hard sell. I think they like you more than they like me. Besides, I'd do anything for you."

"Hold on a second," she said. "Here's your damn coffee. It'll be the last one I ever get for you. For any of you. I'm done. Finished. You guys have made it clear you don't want me here, and quite frankly, I don't wallow with pigs. No, you won't be getting a notice. And don't worry, I don't need your recommendation. I have a job where I'm going to be treated with the respect I deserve. I hope you all get everything you deserve."

I sat in stunned silence while I listened to her tell them off. "That's my girl," I said.

I could hear her heels clacking. "I'm going to grab my crap and I'll be right over to do the paperwork," she said to me, her voice clear again.

"Damn, you don't mess around." I laughed.

"I'm so done with these assholes."

"I'll see you soon," I said. "I love you. And just so you know, hearing you put them in their place was a total turn-on. I'm a little hard right now."

She burst into laughter. "You're so bad."

"See you soon," I said and hung up the phone.

This was going to be great. I knew it would make her happier as well. We were on the right track. This was just one more thing that would bring us together.

Less than a half hour later, Isadora walked into my office. "It feels like I'm coming home," she told me, looking surprised by the realization. "I spent less time at this company than my father's, and it never felt as welcoming as this. I am so glad to be back."

"Not as glad as I am," I said, getting up to hug her. "The office feels so empty without you here. I'll show you to your office. It might not be cleaned out yet, but we'll get there."

"I don't mind," she said, shrugging. "I'd rather sit in a supply closet than work at that place anymore."

"I'm proud of you," I told her as we walked. "You've come a long way since you first walked into my life."

"I'm always happy to learn something new. Especially from people who want to share."

"Let's go tell everyone you're back," I said.

As we made our way around the office, Isadora greeted each of her colleagues with a warmth and sincerity that was impossible to ignore. It was clear she had left a lasting impression on them during her time here, and they were genuinely eager to have her back as a member of our team.

As the day drew to a close, I was still brimming with excitement. It was a big day. Isadora had finished the paperwork with HR and was back in my office.

"I think we're going to need a vacation after this." She laughed. "I know I've only worked a few hours, but it's been a whirlwind."

"Maybe we'll come down with the flu over the weekend," I joked.

"Are you going to go by your place before you come over?" she asked.

"I already have a bag packed," I told her, smiling. "I'll meet you at your place after you get Sloane."

"Perfect. She'll be thrilled."

I gave her a quick kiss before she left. Tomorrow morning we were leaving first thing to get started with the moving process. When I got to their apartment, nostalgia struck me unexpectedly. It was the last night we would spend here together, and while the movers had already packed up most of their belongings, the space felt strangely familiar yet sad.

The absence of the couch, the one piece of furniture we had decided to keep, also gave us nowhere to sit. As we sat on the floor eating pizza, we all seemed gripped with the finality of things. No more sneaking kisses in her kitchen when Sloane was in her room. No more watching movies here with my daughter. No more floor pizza.

Isadora looked around at the empty walls and sighed. "It's weird to think this is it, you know? This place holds so many memories for us."

"But we're on to bigger and better things now," Sloane said. "Our new place is going to be amazing."

After we ate, I helped pack up the last miscellaneous things in the closets and bathrooms. We were all so tired by the time we made our way to bed, we were barely speaking. Sloane had been in her room for hours, and we tiptoed past her door to Isadora's room.

"Are you sure?" I whispered.

"If she notices, we'll just tell her you couldn't sleep on the living room floor," Isadora said.

I wanted nothing more than to pull her close, to lose myself in the warmth of her embrace, but I knew that we needed to behave ourselves on our last night in this place. It was best to wait until we were in the new house.

I settled for a gentle kiss, savoring the taste of her lips against mine. It was a promise of things to come.

"I want to hold you until we fall asleep," I whispered.

She nodded. "Just for a little bit, but keep one ear open."