You & Me Make Three: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book Three (7 page)

Her hand trembled as she shook Zoey’s hand. “My name is Morgan Pereira.”

“That’s a lovely name.”

You’re killing me. Don’t be so darn nice to me. I’m a horrible person, and you should hate me as much as I hate myself right now.
“Did you have lunch with your . . . husband again today?”

“Husband?” Zoey looked at her with a puzzled expression then the elevator filled with laughter. “Please don’t tell me you thought Shaun and I were married.” Zoey was holding her stomach from laughing so hard. “He’s my kid brother.”

Brother. Your brother.
Relief and joy flooded through her. It took all her self-control not to jump for joy.
Easy. This really doesn’t change anything. Nothing can happen between us. Our paths are too different. I’m all family, and he’s all business.

“I know it was only for a week, but how did you like working for him? He wasn’t too tough on you was he?”

Tough? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But no, I’m not sharing a thing.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Morgan smiled, thinking that gave the right impression. Zoey must know her brother was not an easy man to report to. Anything less than that response would bring suspicion. Besides, Dean was supposed to be back on Monday. She’d no longer need to deal with Shaun.
For business or pleasure.

“I’m glad to hear it because I just left his office, and I get the impression he’ll be hanging around a bit longer.”

“Isn’t Dean returning on Monday?” She hoped the panic within her didn’t come through in her voice.

“Yes he is, but Shaun, for some strange reason, asked Brittany-Lynn to set up an office next to Dean’s. I have no idea what’s going on. They are not partners, but whatever it is, Shaun said he wanted to stay close. Have you noticed anything unusual lately?”

Morgan shrugged. “I’ve only been here a week. It’s all unusual to me. If you know anything more specific, I’d be happy to look into it.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot. Coming in from the outside and dealing with a Henderson is not easy. And this is coming from one. But if you can look past the surface, Morgan, you might like what you see.”

The elevator doors opened, and they both got out on the ground floor. Before Zoey headed for the exit, she added, “Shaun comes across as hard and cold. But if you’re even the slightest bit interested, then give him a chance to show you who he really is.”

Interested? I never said anything. Why would she think I’m interested? Did Shaun tell her about the kiss? Oh, God. How embarrassing. And here I am covering HR, and I don’t even follow the no fraternization policy myself.
“There’s nothing betw—”

“Save it for someone who believes it, Morgan. I’m a woman, and I know what I see. Besides, I know my brother, and it’s not work that has him all tied in knots.”

Morgan stood there, stunned. Zoey not only said it publicly but hadn’t tried toning her voice to be discreet. She looked around and thankfully found the only other person in the lobby was the security guard. Although he was not looking at her, he had a grin on his face that said he heard.
There’s nothing going on. I don’t need my coworkers thinking there is.

She didn’t want to hang around to find out. It was bad enough as it was. Monday she was going to need to face Dean and Tessa. Had Zoey mentioned it to them? Was her new boss going to be giving her a lecture that she very well deserved? Either way, she was going to prepare herself for the worst and hope for the best.

At least, where the job is concerned. Shaun is a totally different matter. What Zoey said doesn’t change anything. He knows nothing about me. Tyler and I won’t fit in his perfect little world. Once his family finds out how we really live, their attitudes will change. I guarantee it.

Her intention was to stay a few minutes in the file room and get to know more of the staff. She was still so flustered after her brief conversation with Zoey that she wanted nothing more than to get back to the safe confines of her office and hide away until it was five o’clock.
This day can’t end fast enough.
Without even meeting anyone’s eyes, she dropped the files on an empty desk and hurried back to the elevator. She pretended not to notice the grin still on the guard’s face.
Tomorrow I start looking for new employment.

S
haun sat outside the two-family home. When Brittany-Lynn gave him Morgan’s address he thought for sure it was an error. No one at the company lived outside of Boston in an area like this. But once there, he saw why someone would love it. It was a rural neighborhood. People were out jogging and walking their dogs. There was even a freestanding basketball hoop on the sidewalk so the kids could play from the road. That was something he never had the opportunity to do growing up. Playing wasn’t allowed.
“It is a waste of time and will only make you weak.”
At least that’s what good old dad told us every day.
There was a lot they missed doing. If there had been anyone playing, he might have been tempted to shoot a few too.

There were no neighborhood games where he grew up. They lived in a very affluent area where kids were not seen or heard.
It
was
all about appearances. Too bad no one ever realized what a fucked-up home we lived in. We had more money than God, but we might’ve been safer growing up on the streets. At least then there was a chance of not catching a beating, and someone might love us.

No matter how bad it had been growing up, the one and only thing he was grateful for was his siblings. It wasn’t a happy home, but they at least were together through the bad times.
Maybe it’s time we find some good times to share.
He knew Brice and Dean had moved in that direction. He could see Zoey following their footsteps. Logan was so damn deep into his research with Jon Vinchi on whatever the next neurological surgical tool would be that he didn’t think the man even took time to sleep, never mind date. That only left Alex, who took nothing seriously, not work or women.

Shaun never put himself into the equation. He dated frequently, but on a very casual/mutual understanding kind of way.
No future. No commitment.

It didn’t take long before people began to stare at the limo. It definitely wasn’t an everyday occurrence. He should’ve thought of that earlier. Before he could have the driver pull away, a gray Honda Accord pulled into the driveway. A woman, who looked like an older version of Morgan, got out and walked to the back of the car and opened the trunk. He saw her trying to pick up a case of water.

Before he knew it, he was out of the limo and by her side. “Would you like some help with that?”

She turned and smiled at him as though she’d expected him.
How? We’ve never met before so why are you looking at me as though you know exactly who I am?

“I would love it. Thank you. My husband usually carries in all the heavy items, but he was called into work for a water main break across town. I have no idea when he’ll be home.”

And you’re telling a perfect stranger that you are home alone? Not wise. I could be some lunatic and hurt you.
As he carried the two cases of water toward the house, he saw the limo out of the corner of his eye. The driver was leaning against the car, watching him.
Yeah, he probably thinks I’m nuts right now too.

She opened the door without even using a key and entered.
No lock. What the hell? Did I enter a parallel universe where crime and dysfunctional families don’t exist?

“The kitchen is straight ahead. If you could put them on the counter by the sink, that would be wonderful.”

As he walked down the hall in the direction she pointed, he noticed the wall was covered with photos. He was getting to know them as each step brought him to more current ones. He quickly went to the kitchen, placed the water where she said, and headed right back to the hall. Something had caught his eye, and he wanted a closer look.

Morgan.
She was there with a ballet costume on and looked like she was in grade school.
Cute.
Then another with her in a cheerleader outfit probably in high school.
Curvy even back then. Bet all the boys were chasing after her.
There was her high school grad picture with her parents, then one from college. He knew the building well.
Boston University. Nice. And surprising. I thought Bennett said she worked in a coffee house. Why?

One more question on his growing list of things to ask her. As he came to the final row of pictures, Morgan was no longer alone. She held a baby, then a toddler, and finally a child who looked school age.
She has a child. A son.
He looked back through them and didn’t see any male figure in the pictures with her.

“That’s Morgan and her son, Tyler. He’s a handsome young man isn’t he?”

“Yes.” He didn’t turn from the picture. Her eyes were so full of life, of happiness. He could stand there all day looking at her.
And where is that smile when she’s with me?
Maybe I haven’t given her a reason to smile.

He thought back to the past week. He honestly didn’t treat her worse than anyone else, but that didn’t mean he treated her nicely either.
What can I say? I’m an asshole. I admit it.

“Where’s his father?” Shaun didn’t even realize he voiced the question out loud, but he didn’t regret doing so.

“He’s a very . . . selfish person. He’s not been in their life since Tyler turned three.”

He turned from the picture and asked, “At all?”

She shook her head. “Morgan has done it all on her own. She’s an amazing woman. When Walter, Tyler’s father, walked out of their lives, she could’ve given up, but she didn’t. Instead she worked even harder to give her son everything he needed and more.”

What a fucking jerk. He has a son and a beautiful wife, and he abandoned them for what? Was it another woman? The responsibility of being a father? Oh, I don’t know him, but I would love to knock him on his weak, cowardly ass.

“Why don’t you come and sit in the living room and have some lemonade while waiting for them to get back. She has a little apartment upstairs for her and Tyler, but they will stop here before going up. They always do.”

Ah. She’s not home. That explains why she hasn’t burst in asking what the hell I’m doing here.
“That would be nice.”

“My name is Elisabeth, by the way.”

“Shaun.”

Once again there was that look in her eye that said,
I know.
Had Morgan talked about him? Judging how forthcoming Elisabeth was being, she must have.
Ah, so I wasn’t just some stranger. But did she tell you what a jerk I’ve been? No. If she had, I probably wouldn’t have even been allowed on the stoop, never mind sipping on lemonade in your home.

As he sat listening to family stories of Morgan’s youth, he knew he’d been so wrong about her. She was, as her mother said, amazing. He went to all the best schools, but she earned full scholarships and graduated with a 4.0.
Morgan, you are a mystery that I’m looking forward to getting to know better.

As she rounded the corner on the bicycle built for two, Tyler shouted, “Home Mommy. Home.”

“Yes, Tyler. We’re almost there.” The house was just around the next bend, and he knew it. He loved to go for a ride, but she knew he couldn’t be trusted to ride alone. He became easily distracted and had no concept of oncoming traffic. Never mind that he could wander away and easily get lost. So every weekend they went for a ride, which meant she did most of the pedaling, but she loved it. They both did, and it gave them an opportunity to get some fresh air, and her a little exercise. It had been a long winter, but they were going to enjoy spring to its fullest.

Before she saw the house, she noticed what was parked in the street in front of it. The limo looked as out of place as an elephant in a pet shop. There was a very slim chance it was Walter or his father. Neither of them would come to see her. And if they wanted to see Tyler, they wouldn’t do it here.
A place below their class. Not that either of them have any.
That left only one person.
Shaun. What does he want that can’t wait till I’m back at the office?
Morgan almost slammed on the brakes, but that would’ve startled Tyler. There was no choice but to keep going and pull into the driveway.
I don’t know what he’s doing here, but whatever it is, please don’t do it in front of my son.

They parked the bike, and Tyler didn’t even wait for her. He ran to the house, opened the door, and went in. Morgan saw a man leaning against the limo. She didn’t follow Tyler. Instead, she went to confront him while they were alone.

“Where is he?” she asked the driver, who pointed to the house. Morgan was shocked at her abruptness, especially to someone who knew nothing of what was going on. She wanted to apologize, but that might require an explanation, which wasn’t going to happen.

“He helped a woman carry in groceries about thirty minutes ago and hasn’t come back out.”

Shit. Not good. Not good at all.
That meant Tyler was inside with Shaun. Whenever he was around someone new he became very nervous and started wildly shaking his hands in front of himself until he became comfortable. Sometimes he never calmed down, and they would need to leave. Unless her mother had told Shaun about Tyler, he would have no clue what was going on.

As she half ran toward the house, the memories of Walter flooded her mind. His hurtful words and how he’d treated Tyler. Even before they’d had the diagnosis, Walter laughed at their son’s behavior.
If his own father could mock and laugh at him, what was Shaun going to do? Please don’t laugh. He’s just an innocent child who has feelings.

Fear and anger filled her as she opened the door and began searching the house. Then she heard her mother say, “Tyler this is Mommy’s friend, Shaun. Say hi to Shaun.”

“Hi, Shaun,” Tyler repeated.

Morgan stopped in her tracks, holding her breath, waiting to hear Shaun’s reaction.

“Hello, Tyler,” Shaun’s voice echoed calmly from the living room.

Only then did she exhale and gain the courage to enter the room. Tyler was flapping his hands as expected. Morgan turned to meet Shaun’s eyes and prepared herself for the worst. She couldn’t read his thoughts, but she saw that he was watching Tyler closely.
What are you thinking, Shaun?
His expression was serious, as though studying him, yet not like Walter or others had done. No matter what, she was uncomfortable with the entire situation. She had no time to prepare and her emotions were all over the place.

He only stopped looking at Tyler when Elisabeth made her presence known.

“How was your bike ride, Morgan?” Elisabeth asked.

“Great.” She turned back to Shaun whose face was riddled with questions. Was he regretting coming here?
No one invited you. You can leave now. Nothing is stopping you. Make it quick. Just get it over with.
“Mom, I think Tyler might want a snack after that long ride. Would you mind taking him into the kitchen?” She wanted to make sure Tyler wasn’t in earshot of whatever was going to be said between her and Shaun.

She saw the hesitation in her mother’s eyes, but it was too late as Tyler heard the word snack and was already on the move to the kitchen.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Shaun. I hope to see you again soon.”

Don’t count on it, Mom. He shouldn’t be here now, never mind again.

“Thank you for the drink.” Shaun handed her the empty glass before she left the room.

Once alone Morgan turned her full attention back to Shaun. Still standing, now with her hands on her hips, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

Only then did he make eye contact with her. “Looking for you; there were a few questions I needed answers to.”

I’m not buying it. Why are you really here?
“Okay. What are they?”

She watched a grin appear. “Your mother answered them for me.”

Oh, shit! Now I’m scared. What did you do, Mom? This is not the type of man you think he is. He’s not here because he cares about me and Tyler. He’s here because . . . hell I don’t know why, but I know it’s not good, whatever it is.

“And those questions were what exactly?”

He got up from the seat and walked over to her. “Don’t worry. I have more than what I came for.”

And that is what worries me. If you’re not going to tell me, then I’ll get it out of my mother. Obviously she has loose lips.