“Actually, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Even when she is fussing, being a father is amazing.”
“Yeah. I can tell by the fact that everyone who had a child, somehow doesn’t show up in the office,” Jordan said.
“It’s not that we’re not there, it’s just we’re not living there any more. It’s nice having a reason to leave the office. A reason to come home.”
“And that’s pretty much what I wanted to talk about tomorrow.”
“You’re getting married?” Charles asked.
“Fuck no! Where the hell did you come up with that?”
Charles replied, “We were talking about families.”
“And I was talking about the need to fill the gap in the office,” he blurted.
“Feeling the pressure?” Charles asked.
“I think we all are. There is only so much we can ignore before things slip through the cracks. But we can talk about it another time.”
“You’re right. We do need to talk about the company. Rosslyn and I had a similar conversation a few days ago. It’s weighing heavy on us running two companies and raising a family. Changes need to be made. Let’s talk about this when I get back in the office.”
“Is she thinking about closing Grayson Corp?” Jordan asked. He still couldn’t understand how Charles married the Lawsons’ major competitor and how it still all seemed to work. Maybe it isn’t.
“Table this conversation for now. I don’t see any reason to rush into making any changes. I better go. Penelope is awake. Call me if anything urgent arises.”
“Will do,” he said. Ending the call he slipped his phone back in his jacket. It seemed everyone was wrapped up in something that wasn’t business related. Jordan hadn’t been ready to present his ideas tomorrow anyway, but now he wasn’t sure if he’d even have time to work on them. Either his brothers had more confidence in him than he thought, or they weren’t as invested in Lawson Steel as they used to be.
He was happy for his brothers, but sometimes he wished things were the way they had been before. They’d bust their ass all week, and all get together for drinks over the weekend where they still talked work. Now the only time they are all together is some occasion planned by their wives and talking business was strictly forbidden. They were lucky that Jordan didn’t have such distractions. Someone needed to be at the helm. Companies crumble quickly when no one was watching.
He at least had enough work to keep his mind off Marvin. But no matter how much was on his plate, nothing was going to stop him from thinking of Gianna. Even as he parked his car in the company garage, he knew no amount of work was going to accomplish that.
Marvin wasn’t the only one who wanted to see Gianna. Jordan had backed off as she’d asked. It’s very possible those feelings had changed over the years. He wasn’t about to call her to find out. Besides, he wanted to see her, not just talk to her. What harm was there if they so happened to bump into each other while she was meeting with Rosslyn at Grayson Corp?
Guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
3
Gianna couldn’t believe how late Bobbi had stayed last night, but it was all worth it. She wasn’t sure there would be much making it to the consignment shop as Bobbi seemed to have fallen in love with just about everything. Even if Bobbi didn’t have any place to wear some of those glamour gowns, at least she’d be ready if an occasion arose.
As long as it is not like how I acquired them.
At first she’d thought it would be just handing off boxes and bags of things to Bobbi to take home and go through. Somewhere along the line, Bobbi decided it would be fun to play dress-up. It was wonderful seeing Bobbi’s eyes light up with each new outfit, but for Gianna, it was taking a trip down memory lane. Granted, most of the memories were good. People, even to this day, were so amazed at how she snapped back and moved on so…quickly. Simple when there wasn’t any real heartbreak. There was just one thing that even today still haunted her…forgiving myself.
Everyone had questioned why she held onto all those outfits. She never parted with them because it reminded her never to be so foolish again. It wasn’t something anyone understood because they were still ignorant to the truth. And as far as she was concerned, they always would be.
But it was time for those things to go. It’d been twelve years and it wasn’t like she had her nineteen-year-old body any longer. Why not give them to someone who really needed them? Now she hoped Bobbi stayed employed long enough to put them to good use. She couldn’t wait to see which outfit Bobbi decided to wear today.
I should have that answer any moment.
Gianna got out of the taxi and rushed into Grayson Corp. It wouldn’t do her any good if Bobbi was doing a great job, and she was the one who showed up late. Pulling the door open, she stopped dead in her tracks. She’d seen plenty of pictures of him over the years. The Lawson family was always making the news in some fashion. He had aged slightly, but in a way that only enhanced his already drop dead gorgeous looks.
Yet, the look in his eyes said he wasn’t as surprised to see her. And why doesn’t that shock me? With a huff she asked, “What are you doing here Jordan?”
He looked down at her. “Leaving a meeting. How about you?” he asked.
She always knew there was a chance of running into him. The Lawson family had their hands in just about everything in New York City. When she’d first taken on Grayson Corp as a client, she knew they were the Lawson’s competition, but had missed the fact they were related. When Rosslyn showed off her wedding picture, Jordan was the first face she saw. Seeing him now only added to the stress she was already feeling. Rosslyn hadn’t given her any hint as to what she wanted to talk about. Although she felt confident in their business relationship, that didn’t mean deep down she wasn’t afraid to hear the words that her contract was coming to an end.
Think positive Gianna. Today’s going to be a good day despite seeing him.
Holding her head up she looked directly in those gorgeous eyes of his and said, “I’m going to one. If you’ll excuse me, I don’t want to be late.” She went to slip by him but he blocked her way. She waited, but he didn’t move. In a firm tone she said, “I’m serious Jordan.”
He ignored her and said, “It’s good to see you again.”
“That’s nice. Now if you don’t mind,” she hinted.
“Have coffee with me,” he said.
She couldn’t believe it. They had nothing to talk about. “Jordan, I don’t have the time. And furthermore, what would we have to discuss anyway?” she asked.
“Marvin. He’s in town,” Jordan said.
She snorted. “So I’ve heard.”
“I take it Mary-Lou called you?” he asked.
“She did. I have no idea why you two were even at that bar. It doesn’t strike me as a place you’d hang out at,” she stated. Why was she even prolonging this conversation by asking questions? She was feeding right into what he wanted. But she wasn’t that foolish young girl any more. She had no issue with turning down his invitation.
“I was there because Marvin asked me to meet him. If you’d like to know more, then have coffee with me,” Jordan said.