I look down and see my mom’s picture light up the screen. Instantly, worry consumes me. My mom knows I’m at work. She wouldn’t call unless something was wrong.
“I’m sorry. I have to take this.”
I grab my phone and get up from my chair, rushing out and into the hallway. I answer before the door shuts behind me. “Mom? Is everything okay?”
“Hey, baby. Don’t freak out, but your dad fell and broke his leg. We’re at the hospital, right now.”
“Oh my God, Mom. Is he okay? What happened?” Fear rips through me.
“He’s doing fine. We’re just waiting for the doctor to come back. They took x-rays, but the doctor already said he might need surgery, and… well… they’re asking us for payment. You know we don’t have insurance.” She whispers the last part as if she’s ashamed.
“It’s okay, Mom. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll be there as fast as I can. I’ll bring some money, too.”
“I’m sorry. I hate to ask. You already do so much.” She sniffles into the phone.
“Mom, stop. Don’t apologize. I don’t care about money. I care about you and Dad. Hang in there and I’ll be at the hospital soon.”
“Okay. I love you, honey.”
“I love you too, Mom.” I hang up the phone and lean against the wall, letting my head fall back against it.
In my head, I’m already counting up the money I have in my checking account and savings. It’s not a lot, but it will do. Plus, this project comes with a nice bonus check when the design is complete.
I’ll be fine. I’ll just have to live a little skinny for a few weeks. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve had to go without, but I’d do anything for my parents. Including eating ramen for two weeks.
I’m so caught up in my own thoughts that I forget for a moment where I am. The door next to me opens and two male voices fill the space. I look up to find Mike and John exiting the boardroom.
“See you tomorrow, Riley.”
“Ah, bye!” I yell at them as they walk down the hallway. Shit, now I have to go back in there alone. Alone with Nicholas. I mean, Mr. Brooks. It even sounds weird in my head.
Sucking in a calming breath, I walk back into the boardroom. The space suddenly feels smaller, as if the walls have moved in closer since I walked out. My skin heats and my nipples harden.
“Riley.” My name rolls off his tongue with ease, and the sound vibrates through me as if he physically shocked me. “Sit down. We need to talk.”
“I know I should have stayed yesterday to talk to you. I admit, I ran off because I simply wanted to avoid you, but I really can’t stay this time. My mom just called me and my dad is in the hospital. I need to go.”
“I see,” he grimaces as if I’m inconveniencing him by not staying. Still the same prick from the other day.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Same time.” I grab my bag and coat and head for the door. I don’t give him a backward glance, as my father’s the only thing on my mind. I hope this isn’t bad.
The ride to the hospital goes by in a blur. Worry about my dad is clouding my thoughts. He isn’t the youngest anymore, and my mom has a tendency to downplay things. One time she told me she got into a little fender bender, when in fact she totaled her car. Her old Honda looked like it had been in a head-on collision with a semi-truck.
Mom texts me the room number they are in, and when I finally get there, I go straight up to the room. Knocking gently, I listen and wait for one of my parents to call me in. I’ve learned the hard way the importance of waiting to be invited in. One time I walked in and ended up seeing my dad’s naked mole rat. It was not something I ever wanted to see again.
“Come in,” my mom’s muffled voice comes through the door.
Twisting the knob, I mentally prepare myself for what I am going to find on the other side. Taking a deep breath, I push the door open and step inside.
My father is on the bed, a cast around his leg—his whole damn leg. From his ankle to his thigh. I freaking knew it.
“Hey, honey.” My mom smiles knowingly.
“I thought it was only a broken leg. That looks like more than just a break.”
“Well, he broke it in a few different places.”
Of course he did.
“I’m fine, pumpkin.” My father waves me off like it’s no big deal. “I promise. I’m sorry we had to call you at work.” He frowns.
“It’s okay. I want you to call me anytime you need me. Especially with something like this. Matter of fact, you should have called me on the way to the hospital,” I scold.
“You worry too much, honey. Like your father said, we didn’t want to bother you at work. You’re always so busy, and we’re grown adults. We can manage on our own.”
“Adults or not, you’re my parents and if something happens to one of you, I want to know about it, work or not. I’ll always find time for you.”
“Well, take a seat and tell us all about it.”
Oh, where to start?
6
Nicholas
When I arrive at the office the next morning, I’m anxious to see Riley. I’ve actually been concerned about her father, which is odd since I’ve never met the man. Maybe I’m inevitably concerned about Riley. She seems shaken up, and I need her full attention on this project.
Yeah, I’m going to go with that explanation, because the other heads down a completely different path that I’m not ready to admit to yet. Nicholas Brooks does not care.
I head towards my office early, determined to talk to her before the meeting today. As I walk past my temporary secretary, Paula, the middle-aged woman waves her hand at me.
“Mr. Brooks, Miss Moore called earlier. She had a family emergency and will not be coming in today.”
“Moore?”
“Yes, Riley Moore, the interior designer,” she explains.
“Of course,” I snap, annoyed that I won’t get a chance to talk to her again. I’m about to walk off when I have an idea. “Get me Ms. Moore’s phone number and address.”
Surprise flashes over her face, but she quickly covers it up with a tight smile. “No problem, sir.”
Stomping into my office, I slam the door shut a little harder than necessary. Why is this bothering me so much? I sit behind my desk and loosen my tie, feeling as if it’s constricting my breathing.
She seemed genuine yesterday. I believed her story about her father, but doubt creeps up my spine. Could she have possibly lied about it just to get away? Simply to get out of talking to me? Honestly, I don’t know her well enough to be sure. She’s been so quiet, and avoids my gaze the same way I avoid hers. It’s been hard to get a read on her.
Opening my laptop, I wait for Paula to send me the information I asked for. A moment later my computer chimes and an email flashes across the side of the screen. I open the email and copy Riley’s phone number and address into my phone.
I add her information to my contacts and hit the green dial button immediately after.
Holding the phone to my ear, I let what I’m gonna say to her run through my head, but before I get far, I realize her phone is off and am shot straight to voicemail.