“You didn’t think to call to warn me? Or to at least talk to your son?” She started gnashing her teeth in annoyance.
“Babe, you’re always so hung up on rules,” he said. “You’ve got to live a little. Stop taking everything so seriously. Finnley’s okay, isn’t he?”
“No, he’s not okay,” she snapped and then closed her eyes, rubbing her temple. She lowered her voice. “Our breakup has really hurt him, Gary. I’m trying to make this transition as smooth as possible. I need Finn to know that both his parents still love him and will be there for him no matter what. What am I supposed to tell him when you won’t even call to let me know you won’t be coming?”
Gary sighed loudly. “Oh, Heather. Always so overdramatic. I’m sure Finn’s okay. He’s a boy, for shit’s sake.”
Her ex was always so dismissive of her and her concerns. Always made her feel like she was too serious. Too tightly wound. She fought against the insecurity he often managed to pull out of her, and she sat up straighter in her swivel chair. “You can make things okay by picking him up this afternoon,” she said.
“Can’t,” he replied. “That’s why I called. I’m going to be with Tiffani all day and—”
“So, what am I supposed to tell our son?” she demanded, hating that she was getting angry again.
“You’ll figure it out like you always do. Later, babe.” Gary hung up before she could get another word out.
Resting the urge to call him back and let him have it, Heather forced out a loud sigh. There was no use getting into it with Gary on the phone. If she wanted to protect her son, she was going to have to hash things out face to face with her ex and their respective lawyers. Right now, she had primary custody, while Gary had visitation. But with the way things were going, Gary wasn’t even trying to see Finn. That had to change.
Before she could compose herself, Simon stuck his head into her office.
Despite her swirling emotions, her heart fluttered at the sight of him. Just seeing his handsome face made her suddenly giddy.
Simon stared at her gravely, making her heart sink like a stone. “I’ve just been on the phone with Linda. And she’s told me your big secret.”
Chapter 5
Heather looked white as a sheet.
“Secret?” Her voice wavered. “She told you about that?”
“Heather, I was exaggerating about the secret thing.” Simon raised an eyebrow, surprised by her reaction. “I didn’t know you had a kid.”
“Oh. Is that what Linda told you? That I have a son?”
He nodded. “Yes. She called me to say she forgot to tell you about the company-provided childcare we have here at headquarters.”
“I see,” she said.
Simon couldn’t be certain, but it sounded like Heather was letting out a sigh of relief. Odd. He had only spent one week with his new assistant, but she seemed to be in control of her emotions always. Maybe even too much in control, truth be told. For some reason, that control intrigued him.
Heather seemed just as committed to hard work as he was, though she had a habit of saying exactly what was on her mind. That kept him on his toes more than anything. Heather Hall might look like a withdrawn wallflower, but she was no pushover.
That was why he was starting wonder if he was going crazy. Heather Hall looked so much like the Heather he had grown up with, but her personality wasn’t the same. This Heather was more assertive despite her prim, bespectacled appearance.
He stepped into the office, now even more fascinated by her flustered reaction. “What secret did you think she told me?”
“Nothing,” she said with a shrug. “I’m an open book. No secrets here.”
“Anyway, if you need help with childcare, let me know,” he went on. “We’ve got a great program.”
“Well, Finnley’s in school now, so I don’t have to worry too much about that,” she said. “Is the program open during the summer? I might need more help then.”
“Absolutely,” he replied. “Holidays are the busiest time, and everyone brings their kids in since school is out.”