After All - Romancing Manhattan

Nora walks into my office and stops short when she sees I’m on the line. She moves to leave, but I wave her in and give her the signal for I’ll be off in just a minute.

“We won’t be coming for a visit,” I reply to my father, watching Nora as she frowns and sinks into the chair in front of my desk. “Mom and I just went through this on her birthday. Which I remembered, of course. I don’t know why you need Gabby’s birthdate for your estate planning, as she’s a minor.”

“Well, we’re setting up trusts and such. Making sure her college is paid for, of course.”

“I can pay for my daughter’s college.” I rub my fingers deeply into my eye socket, trying to relieve the headache setting up residence there.

“We’re her grandparents,” Dad says. “Of course we want to help with her college expenses. And of course we will set up trusts for her, for both of you, in the event of our death.”

“Do what you want,” I say, ready to get the hell off the phone. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No.” His voice is quiet now. “No, son, there’s nothing else.”

“Good-bye then.”

I hang up and immediately stand to pace behind my chair.

“I take it that was your father?” Nora asks softly.

“The one and only.”

“Did he suggest a visit?” she asks.

“He always does.”

“Well, maybe you should visit. If he’s asking to see you—”

“No.” I turn to her, cutting her off. “No, I won’t be going down there.”

“I just think that since he invited—”

“I said no,” I interrupt, my voice harder than I intended. “And it’s really none of your business if I agree to visit them or not, Nora.”

She looks down at her hands and I immediately feel like a dick, but I’m just so frustrated.

“Of course,” she says and stands. “I was just popping my head in to tell you I’m leaving for the day. Have a great weekend.”

“Wait.”

But she doesn’t stop walking. She marches right out the door, shutting it firmly behind her.

“God, Carter, you’re a son of a bitch.”

I hurry after Nora and see her putting her handbag on her shoulder, her face stoic. But her cheeks are flushed, and I can see the hurt in her gorgeous brown eyes.

“Nora, in my office, please.”

“I was about to leave,” she says, but I shake my head. There are benefits to being the boss.

“This will only take a minute.”

She sighs but does as I ask and walks into my office. I close and lock the door behind her.

“I’m sorry, damn it. I didn’t mean to sound like such a jerk.”

“No, you’re probably right,” she says. “I have no right to make suggestions where your family’s concerned. I’m just the assistant.”

“Fuck that.” I pull her in, wrap my arms around her, and hug her close. “You’re not just anything, and you know it. Damn it, they get me so messed up in the head, I say and do things I regret. I’m sorry, darling.”

“We’re at work,” she whispers, but she clings to me and presses her face to my chest, taking a deep breath. “This is against the rules.”

“You’ve already clocked out,” I remind her and kiss the top of her head. “And I couldn’t bear to let you leave here mad at me.”

“Hurt more than mad,” she says.

“That’s even worse.” I tip her chin up and kiss her lips softly. “Come spend the evening with Gabby and me.”

“I can’t.” She cups my cheek. “I’m going to see Christopher’s show. I promised him weeks ago I’d be there for opening night.”

I don’t like it. Not because of Christopher, but because it’s Friday night and I’d like to spend it with this amazing woman.

“Tomorrow then. We’ll make a full day of it.”

Nora smiles brightly. “I accept. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Why don’t you just come over in the morning? We’ll decide what we want to do from there.”

“Okay.” She pushes up on her tiptoes to brush her lips against mine, and I deepen the kiss, pulling in even closer.

“I’ll miss you tonight.”

“It’s just one night,” she says before pulling away. “I’ll come over as soon as I’m up and about tomorrow.”

“See that you do.”

“Strike!” Gabby yells and then does a silly happy dance right there on the lane. “I’m totally kicking both your butts.”

“I’m totally letting you win,” I say as she walks over and high-fives me. “Just to make you feel better.”

“Whatever. You’d never let me win. You’re too competitive.”

“She’s right,” I say to Nora. “She’s kicking our butts.”

Gabby proudly shoves some lukewarm fries in her mouth and grins. “Can we have pizza?”

“You just had chicken fingers and fries,” I say as Nora reaches for her ball and assumes the position on the lane. She takes four steps and lets go of the ball, which swerves to the left and only knocks down three pins.