For The Love of Easton : A Single Parent Romance and Sequel to For The Love of English

by A. M. Hargrove

  A smirk appeared on his face, and damn him, it was sexy. “A time or two.”

  “Make it three.” With that I walked away and ran smack into my dad.

  “Whoa, what’s got you in such a rush?”

  “You don’t want to know. Your new boy is in the kitchen. Good luck.”

  “English, what’s going on?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  That man was the biggest jerk I’d ever met. I had to change my initial thoughts of working with him. I’d figured it would be difficult because he was so handsome. That part would be easy. It was going to be impossible because he was a douche.

  Chapter Five

  Tristian

  This job was much more important than some spoiled girl whose daddy doted on her. I’d grown up with that, so I knew the signs. My dad had done the same with my sister and now she wasn’t worth a damn.

  During the interview, it had been easy to see how Mr. Bridges allowed her to basically run his business. I needed this job, his expertise, to teach me things I’d yet to learn. Beckley Bridges was the best in this business and landing this position could make or break me. His daughter couldn’t get in the way of my success. It was best to begin our work relationship with her thinking I was a rude asshole. That would chase away any ideas she might entertain of us being together. Her hatred was worth the price and right now, she thought the worst of me.

  A small chuckle came out of me when I thought of our exchange. She was a spitfire and hadn’t taken my acting like a dick lying down.

  I’d started out without a nickel to my name. Pawn shops had been my friends for photography equipment. Working two full-time jobs while attending school hadn’t been easy, but determination would get you places nothing else would.

  Sure, my family had money, but when I’d refused to go into the family business, it had been a downhill race from there. At first my father had threatened me, and later he’d disowned me, leaving me on my own financially. Making my own way was fine. My backbone was steel, along with my ability to persevere. I’d never feared hard work, unlike some in my family. Let them take the business over. Shady business arrangements weren’t to my liking anyway.

  After I’d earned my degree, I’d slowly made a name for myself. While I was in school, with the aid of some instructors, I’d done weddings and events. That had escalated into magazine shoots and eventually I’d opened a small studio. There had always been something missing. My heart wasn’t in that area of work. I’d yearned for something bigger and brighter. Moving to Manhattan had been a boon, as it had leveled up my career. Some of the bigger names in the industry had hired me, but still I hadn’t reached my full potential.

  Beckley Bridges was my idol. I had magazines piled up from over the years of his shoots. He traveled the world and had taken the most spectacular pictures of creatures I only dreamed of seeing. That was what I wanted to do, where I eventually wanted to land with my career. Working with him could give me that push. I would do anything for him in order to get there.

  When I heard he was searching, I’d packed things up and moved to Atlanta. It wasn’t my fantasy place to live, because it put me back in my family’s neck of the woods, but I didn’t give a damn. It had landed me the job of my wildest dreams—until I’d met his daughter. She was stunning. Long blonde hair that fell down her back in waves begged my fingers to run through it. And her eyes were a startling shade of blue-green that I could lose myself in if I allowed it. But neither of those came close to her luscious curves. Tall like her father, yet shapely with a chest on her that made me ache. What was I saying? I wanted to bury my cock in her, yet I didn’t have room in my life for an obstacle such as Daddy’s girl.

  I was musing over this when the knock came. Looking up, I saw him. “Good morning, Mr. Bridges.”

  “It’s Beck, and good morning. Come with me.”

  We sat in his office. “I meant to tell you yesterday, the photos you have hanging everywhere in here are pure genius,” I said.

  He leaned back and said, “I appreciate that. I understand you and English had a misunderstanding?”

  Yeah, hadn’t been expecting him to jump right in with that. “A bit of one, yes, sir.”

  “Care to tell me what happened?”

  “I suppose I was a bit, um, demanding.”

  “She’s like her mother. Don’t demand, ask instead.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “One other thing, Tristian. English knows this business inside and out. She was practically raised in here. If I were you, I’d defer to her on anything relating to it.”

  “Understood, sir.”

  “And those pictures you admired?”

  “What about them, sir?”

  “English should get some of the credit. She did every bit of the editing on them.”

  I swallowed. Maybe I’d been too hasty in my opinion of her.

  He smiled smugly as though he knew he’d hit his mark. “Now we have that cleared up, let’s get to work, shall we? I like to have the new photographers work side-by-side with me for a week or so in order to get a feel for how each of us does things. If you have any questions, stop me. Today, we’re inside. Tomorrow, we’re on a shoot, but I think you have that scheduled.”

  “I do, sir.”

  “Good. Then let’s begin.”

  After the morning, when I saw how he worked the dual monitors to his advantage, I hated to admit it, but English had been right. My laptop couldn’t accomplish anything close to what two monitors did. He demonstrated the benefits in so many ways it floored me.

  During lunch, I said, “You’re so talented, my head’s spinning. Can I ask how English helps? I mean no disrespect, but what I’ve seen of your work speaks for itself.”

  He steepled his fingers. “All my contracts state publications are not allowed to do any touch-ups, effects, anything. English handles all the editing here, before the photos leave. With her skill level, I know what I’m getting and I always love it. She has a feel for me too.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “Any photos you submit to me will also be edited by her. If you’re not okay with that, then we need to revisit your employment here.”

  I held out my hands. “Oh, no, sir. I’m fine with it. I was only curious about the editing part.”

  “Good. I’d like for the two of you to get along. It would make your work here much easier. We’ve never had anyone here who didn’t get along with others.”

  “Yes, sir.” My plan for her was going to shit and in a hurry. I had to rethink things.

  “Tomorrow, I’d like for the two of you to go to lunch. You know, patch things up.”

  “Beck, I’m not sure there’s anything to patch up.”

  “Come on. She thinks you’re an ass. There has to be something you can do to change her mind. English is a very forgiving individual.”

  From the sound of things, he was the one who wanted us together. Maybe I was imagining things.

  “I will be happy to take her to lunch and be on my best behavior.”

  “Good. Glad that’s settled. Now, for work. I’m setting up a shoot in Vietnam. I’m aiming for four weeks from now. How does that sound?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes. We’ll go to the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve to shoot some birds, mainly threatened species. I’m interested in the Japanese paradise flycatcher, among others. They migrate in the spring so that’s why we need to make this in a hurry.”

  This was amazing, much more than I’d expected. “I would love to go. You name the day and I’m ready.”

  “We need visas and I’m assuming you have a valid passport.”

  “Yes on the passport, but I’ve never had a visa.”

  “Then let’s get started on it.”

  This was the chance of a lifetime. I’d actually get to see him at work in the field, something I’d only dreamed of. We talked more about the trip, the cities we’d visit and where we’d stay. This was his fourth trip th
ere and he loved the country.

  “The food is different but good. We’ll take some protein bars just in case you don’t like it. I always find they come in handy when traveling to different countries.”

  “Will your wife go?”

  He chuckled. “Not this time. She’s traveled with me some, and she’s been there twice so she’s not interested. I tried to talk her into it, but nothing doing.”

  “Tell her thank you from me.”

  I was still walking on clouds when we got back to the office. Nothing would take me out of this happy mood.

  Until my phone rang and I saw it was my mom. She never called. My first inclination was to let it go to voicemail, but I answered.

  “Tristian, this is your mother.”

  Duh, like I didn’t know. Before I could respond, she added, “You need to come home. Your father and Stanton were involved in an accident.”

  “An accident?”

  “Isn’t that what I said?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Are they okay?”

  “Tristian, if they were okay, I wouldn’t be calling you. Come home this instant.”

  She hung up. Nothing else. I had no idea if they were even alive.

  “Is everything all right?” Beck’s voice came from over my shoulder.

  “Um, sorry. No, it’s not. I have to go home. My father and brother were in an accident.”

  “That’s terrible. Go. I hope they’re okay. Just keep me informed.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “Yeah.” Then I glanced up and added, “I’ll call as soon as I know something.”

  “By the way, where is home?”

  “It’s here. My family lives up in Sandy Springs.”

  “Good. At least they’re not far.”

  I got into my car and headed north to my family’s home. It wasn’t something I looked forward to.

  Chapter Six

  English

  Looking around, I noticed Tristian was gone. “Did you talk to him? Where is he?”

  “He got a phone call and left. Apparently his father and brother were in some kind of an accident. He’s supposed to call and let me know the situation.”

  My palm pressed against my chest. “Oh, God, that’s horrible. I hope they’re okay.” Now I felt awful for calling him an ass. I didn’t like the guy, but that didn’t mean I wanted bad things to happen to him.

  “Don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  “I know what you’re thinking. You called him out for his rude behavior. Now you’re feeling bad about it.”

  “Dad, stop reading my mind.”

  He chuckled. “If only I had that skillset. It would’ve helped immensely raising you kids. I just know you and that expression you’re wearing explains it all.”

  “Well, I do feel terrible now. He didn’t need that piled on his plate.”

  Dad tipped my chin up. “Will this make you feel better, munchkin? I asked him to go to Vietnam with me.”

  “You did? You must think very highly of him.”

  “I have a good feeling about him. But I did tell him you’re the boss around here.”

  That had my mouth curling into a grin. “You didn’t. I bet he didn’t take it well.”

  “Actually, he was okay with it. I told him to kiss and make up.”

  I punched Dad in the gut. “You better not have or I’ll strangle you.”

  My dad thought he was so funny, but the last thing I wanted was anything to do with that twathead. He might be cool to my dad, but I wasn’t going to risk having another butthole in my life.

  Anndddd… speak of the devil. Dad and I were in the hallway, which opened to the front of the office. We didn’t have a waiting room, per se, because our business didn’t lend itself to that. But the buzzer on the door rang and I glanced up to see Stuart amble in.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Dad mumbled.

  “Hey, is it okay to come in?” Stuart asked from down the hall.

  “A little late to ask that, isn’t it?” Dad countered.

  Stuart glanced around and smiled a bit sheepishly. “Uh, yeah, I suppose so.”

  Being a bit more welcoming, I stepped forward to greet him. “What brings you this way?”

  “Actually, I don’t work far from here. If you recall, the family business is downtown so I thought I’d drop by to see if you’ve given any more thought to my request.” Stuart was from a family of attorneys and they owned a law firm.

  “Did you ever go to law school?” I asked.

  “Sure did, which is another reason I’m back.”

  Dad stood like a sentry, arms crossed, legs spread, with a scowl to ward away any evil spirits that might be lurking nearby. One thing about my father was he had serious protective instincts. Stuart’s intentions had better be on the up and up or he’d have Beckley Bridges to answer to.

  “Why don’t you step into my office so we can discuss this further?”

  I didn’t think it possible, but Dad’s scowl became a death glare. Whoa. He did not like this situation one bit.

  We took seats, me in my big comfy chair and Stuart in the extra one I had in there, which was hardly ever used, except by Easton.

  “So?” Stuart’s brows rose with his question.

  “Supervised visits in a public place for one hour, two at the very most, starting with a couple of times a month. If she is to get to know you, it has to begin slowly. I’d also like to bring my mom along.”

  “I can live with that. English, the ball’s in your court.”

  “I know that. When would you like to start?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  Why did my head throb all of a sudden? I’d been perfectly fine before we began this conversation. Was this an omen? Rubbing my temples, I sighed. “School nights are out. It’s a rush to get everything done and then, before I know it, it’s bedtime. How about this weekend? Saturday?”

  “Name the place and time and I’ll be there.”

  “Buddy’s Pizza. It’s over near the mall.”

  “I’ve seen it.”

  “She loves that place because they have all sorts of games and toys she can win. We’ll let her play some and then eat.”

  “I like that idea. Thanks. What time?”

  “Noon.”

  He rose to his feet. “Thanks, English. I appreciate this.”

  “You’d better. I’m totally going out on a limb. If, at any time, I don’t think this is good for her, I’ll call it quits.”

  “Understood.”

  Dad was still in the hall, scowling, when we both emerged from the office.

  As Stuart walked away, he said, “Thanks again. I’ll see you at noon on Saturday.”

  When he was gone, Dad said, “You’re going to regret this. Mark these words, and I wish I didn’t have to say them.”

  “Dad, please.”

  “That boy can’t be trusted. His eyes are shifty, munchkin. He wouldn’t even look at me.”

  Maybe I was naive, but I’d never seen it. Or maybe I wanted to believe the father of my daughter wasn’t an evil man. Whatever the case, he’d have the opportunity to meet her and if it didn’t work out, then so be it. “Why don’t you join us on Saturday then? Mom is coming.”

  “Have you asked her?”

  I shifted on my feet, because I hadn’t. “Not yet, but I was going to call her.”

  “I see.” His mouth turned down at the corners and his eyes were a bit pinched. When he looked at me like that, guilt usually rained over me.

  “Don’t look at me like that. Easton has a right to know him. She will be supervised and I won’t leave the two of them alone. Come and see for yourself.”

  “I think I will.”

  On Saturday, Easton could barely contain herself. She bounced on her toes as we entered her favorite place. “Where are they?” She was referring to her grandparents.

  “I don’t see them,” I answered.

  “Can we go play a game till they get here? Please, oh, please, Mommy?”

/>   I’d put her hair in a high ponytail and it swung around as though it were swatting flies. She’d insisted on wearing her pink princess dress. It was a bit small and short on her, so her leopard boots peeked out from underneath. I’d begged her not to wear them, but I’d given up the fight. She even wore the rhinestone tiara and carried the wand. Good Lord, she looked a mess.

  “Look, there’s Mimi and Boppy.” She ran straight into my dad’s arms and he swung her high in the air, which he always did because she squealed with delight.

  “Love the outfit, princess.”

  “Me too. Do you like my wand?”

  “I do. Can you work magic with it?”

  “Nah, but it’s cool anyway, isn’t it?”

  Mom said, “I love your hair. Did you do it?”

  “I helped Mommy. Can we go play a game now?”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but Dad said, “Sure,” and carried her off, leaving me standing there.

  Mom shook her head. “He’s not happy with your decision.”

  “Tell me about it. I heard about it all week. But I’m standing firm on this.”

  “If it’s what you believe, then you should.”

  Stuart was late. I checked my watch to see it was three minutes after twelve. Then I glanced at the door to see him walking in.

  “Hey, is she here?” he asked.

  “Yeah. You remember my mom?” It annoyed me he didn’t even say hello to her.

  “Of course. How are you, Mrs. Bridges?”

  “Well, and you?”

  “I’m fantastic.” He craned his neck to get a look around the place. “Where is she?” Impatience coated his tone.

  “Playing a game with Dad.”

  “Oh. I didn’t think he was coming.”

  “Gosh, he wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Mom said.

  Stuart’s brows rose.

  “Let’s get a table and settle in. Then we can join them in their games,” I said.

  Stuart’s phone rang and he excused himself. A few minutes later he came back and said, “I may have to cut my visit short. Something’s come up.”

  Seriously? Before I thought about it, I said, “I guess Easton isn’t as important as whatever that is.”