Unraveling
Page 20
Immediately, Wolf’s face flushed hot. He muttered, “Sorry,” to Jen, then turned to Mr. Garrett, hoping he hadn’t just witnessed it.
The old man just grinned. Of course he had. Mr. Garrett took Jen’s hand in both of his and watched her but spoke to Wolf.
“So, my boy, I see you finally took that last talk we had to heart.”
Wolf swallowed hard.
He had to give it to her. Jen had swallowed her bite, recovered, and smiled at Mr. Garrett, shaking his hand.
“Mr. Garrett, this is Jennifer Cox Harper. She and I—”
The old man interrupted, “I may be old Wolf, but I know exactly what you two are doing.” He grinned big and released Jen’s hand.
To her credit, she never faltered or even looked sideways at Wolf.
“And I’m here early to have a burger with your Dad, but as usual, he’s late.” Mr. Garrett looked around the cafeteria and then settled back on Jen’s face. He motioned for the two of them to sit and then nodded graciously when Jen scooted over so he could sit with them for a moment.
“Miss Harper, please indulge an old romantic and tell me how you two met?”
Jen glanced at Wolf, raised one eyebrow and began, “Well, I was a sophomore at West where Wolf was a Junior. And I always got incredibly nervous around boys. So in Biology 1, I got paired up with this guy.” She pointed at Wolf. He bit his lip.
Not that story. He’d been such an awkward ass. He’d liked her but had hesitated a moment too long to help her because his buddies would’ve ribbed him about it. When he finally decided it was the right thing to do, it was too late. If he could go back and smack that stupid kid on the head, he would.
Then again. He couldn’t have made her a mom. Maybe things happen for a reason.
Jen continued, “Well, as I said, I got nervous around boys I liked, so I dropped a beaker full of solution on the floor. It busted and went all over his shoes. So I cleaned it up and moved to another table.”
Mr. Garrett eyeballed Wolf. “I remember that kid when he was in high school. Pretty scared of what everyone thought of him. Son, I expect to introduce this beautiful young lady to Mrs. Garrett at our dinner party Saturday night.”
Before Wolf could defend himself or even answer, his dad sidled up to the table next to him. Wolf glanced up to see his father’s eyes rake Jen up and down. And for some damn reason it flew all over him.
“Hello, Father,” Wolf said through gritted teeth, although the word “Father” sounded, even in his own ears, like a bad word. Wolf’s dad’s gaze snapped from Jen to him with a question in his eyes. Wolf glared up and met his father’s stare.
As if he realized his error, his dad shook his head, then stared at the ground as he reached out and introduced himself.
Jen smiled at him, shook his hand kindly and studied Wolf. Great. He was sure she’d heard the rumors growing up about his dad’s inability to keep his pants on with his own secretaries. He sure hoped Jen didn’t think he’d follow in those footsteps.
Then again, he had with Ellis.
Mr. Garrett stood, brushed himself off and turned toward Jen.
Her eyes sparkled up at him. He reached down, took her hand, and kissed it, speaking at first to Wolf.
“Don’t let her get away this time. Nice to meet you, Jen Cox Harper.”
Jen grinned back, “Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Garrett and you, Mr. Wolfenbarger.”
As the two men walked away and jabbered, Wolf watched her. She pondered on what was said for a beat, then bit back into her burger, raising her eyebrows as he had earlier.
She’d held her own with a man who owned most of their city. And he’d loved her. And she was polite even when his father faltered. She had confidence and was well spoken, even amidst the awkward conditions.
She’d do fine at CCC reining Ellis and the others in.
But something niggled at the back of his mind. Something that said, you can’t date another assistant. Can’t turn into your father. But he shoved it away.
She was perfect for this job and he’d be an idiot to ignore her twice.
The End