Mid Life Love (Mid Life Love #1)(93)

I couldn’t believe she was trying to pull this emotional bullshit with me. I remained stoic; I needed to choose my next words very carefully.

“I’m not like Audrey...” She reached up and ran her hands across my chest, making my skin crawl. “I’m not trying to use you or push you over the edge to get your money. I’m your friend and you can’t deny that we have undeniable chemistry...I’ve looked out for you ever since my father invested in your company. I even sat with Hayley through some of her skin grafting surgeries when you couldn’t be there...I’m not a dimwitted bimbo, a gold-digger, or a divorcée with kids whose trying to live out her cougar dreams and get you to marry her so she can run off with all your money after she divorces you. I’m not like —”

“Excuse me?”

She bit her lip and traced her fingertips along my mouth. “I’m just saying that I wouldn’t take advantage of you like some of the women you’ve been interested in. And even though I’m dating someone else now, whenever you come to your senses, I’ll—”

“Okay.” I grabbed her hand and moved it away. “Since you clearly don’t understand what the word ‘no’ means, let me help you with the exact definition: I am not interested in you. I will never be interested in you. I don’t give a damn what you think about whoever you assume I’m dating, but if she happens to be a divorcée with kids, she’s ten times better than you would ever be for me. I’m aware that me canceling the employee fraternization policy left you feeling confused about your imaginary status of “us,” but sexual harassment goes both ways and that policy is still in effect. Are we clear?”

I took her stunned silence and dropped jaw to be a yes.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” I turned away from her and walked out.

I headed to my office and took a deep breath. I was going to have to limit my interactions with Vanessa to business only until she got a grip on herself—maybe even avoid her completely.

I walked inside and pulled Claire to her feet. “I’m so sorry about that. What was I saying before?”

“Dinner...”

“Right. There’s a new restaurant down at Fisherman’s Wharf and I’d love to—”

“Rain check? I promised the girls I would make pasta tonight. Maybe we can—”

“I like pasta.”

“Oh. Well, I’ll bring the leftovers to work tomorrow. Do you want me to pack parmesan cheese with—”

“I can’t come over and have dinner with you and your family?”

“Um...”

“Um?” I narrowed my eyes at her. “What type of answer is that?”

“You want to meet my daughters?”

“Do they know I exist?”

She nodded.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Nothing...” She looked surprised. “Dinner is at seven.”

I pulled up to her house ten minutes early. I’d bought three custom bouquets of spring roses—one for Claire, one for Ashley and Caroline, and a large bottle of sparkling apple cider to share over dinner.

I walked up the steps and pressed the doorbell, smiling at the memory of the first time I’d done that in January.

Within seconds, one of her daughters opened the door. She tilted her head to the side, causing her wavy red hair to fall with her, and she blinked several times. She was the spitting image of Claire, only she had more dominant freckles on her cheeks and her eyes were a much paler green.

“Mom! It’s that guy you told us about!” She called behind her shoulder. Then she stared at me.

“Are you going to let me in, Ashley?” I smiled.

“Whoa. How do you know my name already?”

“Your mom told me a while ago, but you’re still wearing your name tag from work.”

“Oh yeah...” She stepped back and let me in.

Her other daughter—Caroline, came down the steps and stood next to Ashley. Then they both stared at me, blinking in unison.

They were dressed in the same work uniform—white collared shirts with khakis, and all their freckles were in the exact same places. I wasn’t sure how anyone could ever tell them apart.

I handed them the rose bouquets, hoping they would lead me to Claire, but they simply said “Awwww” at the flowers and continued staring at me.

“I guess he’s hot after all. Mom did a really good job.” Ashley nodded. “I like his tie.”

“I like his shoes.” Caroline tapped her lip. “Do you think he dresses like this every day or he’s dressing like this to impress her?”

“Probably just to impress her. He can’t afford to dress like that every day...I bet he got these flowers at the discount stand down the street.”

“Or maybe he works at the discount stand down the street.”

“Yeah...He’s probably a salesman—a hot salesman though.”

Do they not realize that I can HEAR them?

“What’s his name again?”

“Jonathan, ladies.” I smiled. “Where’s your mother?”

“Dining room,” they uttered in unison.

Okay...

I realized that they were never going to lead me in the right direction, so I walked around them. I saw Claire setting the table and handed her the last bouquet.