“Yes. That’s right.”
“Congrats, Heidi,” Matt said. “I scheduled mine yesterday.”
I nearly turned and glared at Matt. Way to steal my thunder, dude.
“Oh my God, yes. Let’s do this.”
Julia nodded toward her office, and I followed her inside.
She shut the door and whirled on me. “Please tell me that you and Landon are not both late because you were together.”
“We’re not both late because we were together,” I told her.
“It looks bad, Heidi.”
“I know,” I admitted.
“That creep Matt is picking up on things, and I don’t want him to put the pieces together about you two. I thought you were going to be smart about this. Showing up late, missing work at the same time, hanging out in his office, going to lunch together? Heidi, come on.”
I bit my lip. I knew she was right. I knew that we were being reckless. We definitely needed to be more careful if even dummy Matt was starting to see through things.
“I got it. I got it,” I said.
Julia leaned forward, her hair swishing in front of her face. “You are a serious contender for this promotion, Heidi. I shouldn’t even freaking tell you this, but you are.”
I beamed at her, but I understood the underlying sentiment. I wouldn’t get the job if someone found out about me and Landon. I’d get fired. “I got it, Julia.”
“Good. Now that that’s over, let’s pen you in for Thursday morning at nine o’clock with Dennis.”
“Sounds good.”
“Now, what are you doing on Saturday? Because I could desperately use some shopping for the Wright Charity Benefit.”
I opened my mouth and then closed it.
Julia had only been working for Wright Construction for about a year. We had become friends almost immediately, but she knew very little about my past. She definitely didn’t know that Saturday was the anniversary of the day my dad had been thrown into prison.
“Uh…Saturday isn’t good. How about Sunday?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Trevor is dragging me to church with him and his entire family.”
“Oh, you’re meeting the family?”
“Yeah. Should be interesting. Unfortunately, they go to the same church as the Wrights.”
“That means…Austin will be there?” I guessed.
“Yeah. Dick.”
I laughed. “Okay. Not Sunday. We’ll figure it out. Still plenty of time before the Benefit.”
“True. Just let me know if you change your mind about Saturday. I could use some time with my girls!”
I nodded even though I had no intention of doing so, and I waved bye to Julia.
Landon was entering the premises when I left Julia’s office. He looked hot as fuck in crisp khaki pants and a blue blazer. It was the most him I’d seen him dress since he started working here. His khakis and polo—i.e., typical golf attire—suited him better than a suit.
He grinned at me. “Good morning.”
“You’re late, Mr. Wright.”
“Had a busy morning.”
“Me, too. Found out I have an interview for Jim’s job,” I said, falling into step beside him.
“Congratulations,” he said with an even smile.
“And that Matt suspects something is going on,” I quietly told him.
Landon quickly masked his surprise. “Huh. Is that right?”
“Yep. We should be more careful.”
“Duly noted, Miss Martin. Good luck on your interview.”
He nodded at me and then headed for his desk, as if he didn’t care one way or another if I wanted to talk to him. He acted like my boss. And I could feel Matt’s gaze on mine as I walked away from Landon without a backward glance. I despised what we were doing, but I couldn’t stop now. And, frankly, I didn’t want to.
“So, why was he late?” Matt asked me when I sat down.
“Don’t know. He said he had a busy morning,” I said with a shrug.
“Could you imagine if I used that as my excuse?” he huffed.
“Well, he’s the boss.”
Matt nodded his head and turned his attention back to his computer. “Fucking Wrights,” he muttered under his breath. “They could get away with murder.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Twenty-Seven
Heidi
Saturday morning started like any other day.
The world turned. The sun rose. Life went on.
Except it didn’t.
Today was the only day of the year that my life didn’t go on. Today was the day that my dad had been charged and sentenced to prison. In my world, that meant, he’d died. And I mourned his death only on this day.
I woke up with the sun—alone and strangely buoyant. Normally, I pushed away the thought of my dad…the death of my mom. I didn’t think about it. I didn’t let it hurt me. I stayed strong and powerful, despite my circumstances, but today, I’d let myself feel it all.
Landon had wanted to stay the night. After staying as far away from each other as possible at the office, we’d be glued together at night—hot, sweaty, and desperate to be close to each other. But I’d needed last night alone, and he’d promised to come over in the morning.
I changed into jean shorts and a pink T-shirt with tennis shoes. Nothing fancy for my old man. I’d been a daddy’s girl my whole life. His little pink princess. With a sigh, I laced up my shoes and headed out into the living room.
Emery was seated at the counter with a stack of papers in front of her to grade for school. She pushed a cup of coffee toward me.
“Thanks,” I said, adding cream and sugar.
“How are you doing?” Her eyes were wide and wary.
She knew what today was. She knew I was normally messed up all week, anticipating it.
“Ready to face the day.”
Emery placed her hand on mine and squeezed. “You’re an incredible person, you have a brilliant mind, and you are my best friend. You know that, right?”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“Come here.”
I stepped into my best friend’s arms, and we held each other tight.
“I love you, Heidi.”
“Love you, too, Em.”
“Call me if you need me.”
I nodded and then pulled away. I was used to doing this routine alone, so I’d told Landon that I would pick him up. It helped me to be in control of the situation, to have my hands on the wheel and know exactly where I was going.
I drove across town to his apartment, and he was waiting for me in khaki shorts and a blue polo with tennis shoes, Ray-Bans, and a hat. He looked comfortable and laid-back, which was what I’d suggested. It was nice to see him out of his stuffy suit…and in something other than his birthday suit. Though that one was my favorite.
He popped open the passenger door and sank into the seat. “Morning, gorgeous.”
“Hey,” I said with a sad smile. “You ready?”
“As long as you are.”