Handing this to her once my mother is taken care of will be the mega jackpot. I’ll need to ride out Dorothy’s anger for a day or two, but everything will fall into place once she’s back behind her desk.
Knowing I’m going to be seeing her has my hearthammering. I can’t stop picturing the day when I can be with her again.
My son could present an issue, but I’m hoping she’ll notice that I need help with him and offer to take on some of that with me.
Putting a baby in her hands should calm all her apprehensions about being a stepparent, and everything will return to how it was. The time can’t come soon enough.
Aiden brings me back to our call. “Don’t fuck this up, Hunter. If my sister gets hurt at any point, I’m holding you responsible.”
“I won’t let anything happen to her. Not only does she have the team of bodyguards Jamison hired for her, but I also have a surveillance team for her. She’s safe.”
“She better be.” He growls. “Not speaking to her is killing me, but this is for her own good.”
“You have nothing to worry about. One thing I know about your sister is she forgives everyone, even when she shouldn’t.”
“Yeah, she’s always been like that. I’ve got to run, but I’ll speak to you on Friday. Call me before you leave to take Dori to the airport.”
I glance at the door to my office, waiting for her to get here. “Done. Just make sure everything is perfect before we get there.”
“Hunter, my sister is as important to me as she is to you. The only way she gets hurt is if you fuck this up somehow.”
There’s a knock on my door.
“I’ve got to let you go. Someone is here.” I hang up without waiting for him to say goodbye. “Come in.”
The door opens and Hailey steps in. “Dori’s here to see you.”
“Send her in.” I stand, getting lightheaded. I haven’t seen her in two weeks, but it feels like a year.
She steps into my office, and the air gets sucked from mylungs. She’s wearing a formfitting cream-colored dress with opaque stockings, looking like the most beautiful angel ever created.
“Hi, Hunter. Thanks for seeing me.”
“Beauty, it’s so good to have you here.” I rush to her and encircle her in my arms. Her perfume rises in my nose, and I about pass out.
She gives me a quick hug but steps back. “Please don’t call me that.”
I shake my head, not knowing what she means. “What?”
“You just called me beauty. Please don’t.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I had. Please forgive me.” I show her to the couch. “Take a seat and tell me what’s on your mind.”
She sways over and sits. “I’m here to tell you I’m going to speak to HR after I leave your office.”
I sit beside her, facing her direction. “Why?”
“You won’t give me the company’s routing numbers, and I don’t know how else to return the money. It seems the bank won’t accept a check.”
I laugh. “Did you try?”
“You know I didn’t. I was being facetious.” She rolls her eyes.
“I know. I’m playing with you.” My neck muscles loosen with just her presence. “It’s good to see you.”
Her face softens into a warm smile. “It’s nice to see you too. Sucks to be here in your office with everyone staring at me, but meeting with you makes it worthwhile.”
Those words tell me I still have a chance. I take the opportunity to put things into motion.
