Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Right, so instead you’re taking… meetings.”
“Exactly. I’ll give you a list of people to contact. I want my books filled starting tomorrow.”
“Sounds like we’re about to be very busy.”
“Yes, we are.” I push off the desk and lean closer. “Can you handle it?”
She unconsciously spins the engagement ring on her finger. I like the way she fidgets with it.
“Yes, Mr. Whelan.”
I move closer and reach out. She lets out a soft, strangled groan when I touch her cheek and hold her stare. “I want you to call me sir from now on. I like it better.”
Her mouth hangs open. “Is that appropriate for work… sir?”
“No, it’s not, but I find myself struggling to keep my personal desires separate from my professional composure.”
“But you expect that from me?”
“I expect you to do your job, Ms. Brennan.”
“I thought I was Mrs. Whelan.”
“Not yet.” I lean down, cupping her cheek. “But soon.” I kiss her lightly. She sucks a breath in through her nose and looks dazed when I pull back.
“Yes, sir,” she says very quietly.
It makes my heart race in my chest.
I force myself back behind the desk. I need to put space between me and her. This is going to be more difficult than I thought. I’m already crossing lines I shouldn’t get anywhere near.
“One more thing,” I say before dismissing her. “I just wanted to let you know that I will be taking care of Natalie’s funeral expenses. I’ve already reached out to her parents and made them aware of the arrangements.”
Her eyes widen. “You are? Seriously?”
“She was my employee. I feel like I have some responsibility toward her, and after what happened—” I leave that in the air.
Casey covers her face with both hands. Her shoulders shake, and I realize she’s crying. I sit back, slightly startled and at a loss.
Why is she reacting like that? I thought she’d be happy. I’m not paying for this funeral because I actually care about Natalie. She was just some girl who worked for me.
I’m doing it for Casey.
“Thank you,” she says, wiping her face and trying to smile, but she’s still crying. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“You’re upset. Do you need a minute?”
“No. I’m fine.” She takes a shuddering breath. “I’m totally fine. I’m sure her parents really appreciate it. One less burden to carry.”
“That’s the idea. If you need a break—”
“Don’t worry. Email me the list of contacts and I’ll start scheduling meetings.” She pushes to her feet and composes herself. “Anything else, sir?”
“That will be all, Ms. Brennan.”
She nods and hurries out.
I watch her go. The door clicks shut once she’s gone, and I feel strangely alone.
I’ve never had to comfort someone before.
When she broke down just now, I didn’t know what to do.
There was no crisis, no problem to solve, no battle to fight.
Just a girl dealing with her grief.
And I just sat there.
Emotions are difficult for me. I was taught a long time ago that the future boss of the Whelan Clan has to be in control of himself no matter how he feels. I learned to suppress myself, but that also means I have no idea how to deal with them in others.
Now I have a wife.
And she cries.
I’ll have to figure it out.
Chapter 12
Casey
Natalie’s funeral is worse than I could’ve imagined.
“I’m so, so sorry, Barbara.” I hug Natalie’s mom. She’s a small woman, just like her daughter, and she seems tiny now.
“We’re just happy you’re here. I heard you found her… and you were there with her…” Barbara trails off, her face blotchy and her eyes red from crying. “I’m just so glad you two were friends. She loved you.”
“I loved her too.” I hug her dad, Bill, next, a burly guy who sobs like a baby. It breaks me all over again. I speak with them for a few minutes before moving on. I head toward the front pews but stop when I notice a man sitting alone toward the back.
He stares as I approach. It’s like he’s got a bubble around him. The people nearby shy away like they’re afraid to get too close. Not that I can blame them.
Even at a funeral, Declan Whelan is a terror.
“I didn’t know you were coming.” I sit beside him, already emotionally raw and exhausted.
“I felt it was the least I could do.”
“Did you speak to her parents yet?”
He shakes his head. “I offered my condolences over the phone. They don’t need to see me again. I’m a stranger.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
He stares at me like I’m not speaking the same language. “I’m not here for them. I’m not even here for Natalie.” He puts a hand on my knee. “I’m here for you.”
I shiver for a moment. The sincerity of that is striking. It’s obvious that Declan has no clue how to handle my grief, and he mostly just ignores it. Even when we’re at home and I’m crying alone on the couch, it’s like my tears create an invisible barrier. He retreats up to his room like I’m the opposite end of a magnet shoving him away.