One More Taste (One and Only Texas #2)(69)
He paused at her desk when she didn’t acknowledge his arrival, the same as she’d done every day that week. “Bright and early, I see. I appreciate that.”
“There’s a lot to do,” she said without tearing her eyes away from the computer screen.
“Right. Too true. But if you would be so kind as to join me in my office, there’s a matter we need to discuss.” And there he went again, in full stodgy butler mode. What a ridiculous affectation. “What I’m trying to say is that we need to talk about what happened on Saturday at Emily’s house.”
“Oh, that’s okay. Really.”
“I know, but I need to. Would it make you more comfortable if we talked cousin-to-cousin instead of boss-to-employee?”
Then she did look at him, her eyebrows pursed. Then she sighed. “Actually, I think boss-to-employee would probably be better in this case.”
He tapped the edge of her desk with his knuckle. “Good. Come on into my office. Shut the door behind you.”
He gestured to the chair across from his desk and waited while she assumed a seat, her back rigid and her expression wary.
“I just want to say right off the bat that I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry you saw what you did, I’m sorry I’ve put you in an awkward position.”
She seemed to relax a little. “That’s what I was going to say, word for word. But I mean, like, seriously, you and Emily? I had no idea.”
“Yeah. It came as a surprise to me, too.”
She tilted her head and eyed him quizzically. “Although … now that I’m thinking about it, your whole there’s nothing seductive about her line makes sense now. You were trying to throw your sister off the scent.”
Knox was unsuccessful at stifling a cringe. “I forgot I’d said that. If you could forget about it, too, that would be great. Because obviously, you’re right about why I said it. In fact, if you could just keep it to yourself that Emily and I were … that we are…” Whatever the hell they were at the moment. Knox had no idea, and even if he did, he wasn’t about to go sharing it with Haylie.
She waved her hands. “I won’t say anything. You have my word. As long as you don’t tell anyone you saw me at Emily’s apartment, either. I really need that to stay a secret.”
Her request conjured Knox’s frustrated anger all over again. Goddamn that animal, Wendell, for whatever he was doing to Haylie that made her need a secret, safe haven from him. “Understood. You have my word, too.”
“Thank you. I know I said I wanted us to talk boss-to-employee, but I can’t help it. I hope you don’t mind me saying that I like you for Emily. I hope you’re not just using her because she needs someone who appreciates her unconventional style.”
There was that refrain again, that Emily and Knox’s relationship was mercenary. Someday soon, people would get it that Emily and Knox weren’t just using each other for material gain. “I do appreciate it, and her, very much. And, no, I’m not using her. But until she and I decide to make something public, I’d rather it not get spread around.”
Haylie pretended to zip her lips closed.
Knox tapped a pen on his desk as a new idea occurred to him. “You know, your dad and I will be leaving for Dallas around noon to meet with our investors. We chartered a private jet. I know it’s last minute, but is there any chance you’d like to tag along and shadow Shayla in the office for the afternoon? It might be fun to get out of town for a few hours, and maybe you can pick up some tips.”
Haylie pulled her face back, clearly taken off guard by the invitation. “Oh, wow. That would be cool, but I’d have to check with Wendell. He likes me to have dinner on the table by six. Would we be back in time?”
Knox ground his molars together and took great pains to school his features and his tone before answering. “Probably not, but I’ll make sure you get overtime pay. He wouldn’t have a problem with a little extra money, would he?”
Her eyes rolled to the ceiling and her mouth bunched up as she considered. Finally, she nodded. “You’re right. He wouldn’t. Sure, I’ll go. That would be fun.”
Knox clapped his hands. “Great. Then if you’ll excuse me, I’d better get on with my workday.”
Haylie sprang up, full of energy, but she lingered at the door, her hand on the handle and her back to him. “And Knox? Thank you. Thank you for giving me so many chances.”
“You’re welcome. But really, it’s self-serving. You’re a terrific secretary. I’d love to steal you away from this place for my Dallas office someday, if you ever wanted a change of scenery. We always need more qualified help at Briscoe Equity. Shayla, in particular. She’s been looking for an assistant office manager for ages. And I have an empty condo just sitting there. I’d be happy to give you a good deal on rent.”
He pressed his lips together, annoyed with himself for taking the offer too far, too fast.
Haylie’s head dropped. “I don’t know what Emily told you about me and why I was using her apartment, but she’s wrong. I’m fine. I’m happy. Thanks for the offer, but my life and my family are here.”
Damn it. Him and his big mouth. “Understood. Just … there’s no time limit on the offer, so if you ever change your mind, just say the word.”