No Kissing Allowed (No Kissing Allowed #1)(25)

I pictured my mom waiting for my call, angry that I hadn’t talked to her in two days. I mean, seriously, Lauren spoke to her parents once every few weeks, but my mom acted like I’d committed the sin of all sins if I sent her to voicemail, which I never did because then that all-caps text would turn into an all-caps phone call, and my ears had heard enough shrill screams from my mom to last me a lifetime.

I contemplated sending her a quick text now or waiting until after my meeting, when another text came through.

Eric: Have mercy on an old man. Call your mother before she drives me to drink. Again.

I smiled. Eric hadn’t drunk a drop of alcohol since he returned from Desert Storm. He used to tell me stories of his father, a World War II veteran, with horrible PTSD. He drank so much that he was convinced Eric and his brothers and sisters (eight of them in all) were Japanese military. So when Eric came home from his own war, he vowed to never drink. To never be his daddy. It was one of a thousand reasons why Eric was the best man I knew and one of my favorite people. I loved him like a father, even if the thought made me feel guilty inside. He was good to my mom, and he loved her…which wasn’t always the easiest thing to do.

I stood up and peered over my cube to the conference room, where Gayle and creative were already seated. Dang it. I quickly texted to Mom, So sorry. Call you after work today? Then I remembered that I was going out with Lauren and Grace. I’d have to call her before we went out.

When I arrived at the conference room, everyone was already there, including Aidan. I purposefully chose to sit at the exact opposite end of the table from him, sure that I couldn’t trust myself to sit in the only other empty chair—the one directly beside him. Aidan gave me a knowing grin as I sat down, then launched into the meeting. I listened as he went over the final campaign, watched as his full lips moved, and then my thoughts went south. I remembered the feel of them on my cheek, my neck, the sound of him moaning into my mouth. Dear God…

“Cameron?”

I blinked. “Yes?”

Everyone at the table was staring at me, clearly waiting for me to answer some question I hadn’t heard. Shit. I tried to remember what had just been said, who had been speaking, anything, but all I could think about was making out in the stairwell after the meeting. This was a problem. A serious, serious problem. New rule: no unbelievable kisses before work.

“Are you with us?” Aidan asked, his eyes flashing. All devil and sin.

I glared at him, before glancing back at Gayle. “Sorry, can you repeat that? I was—”

“Distracted?” Aidan added, his expression even. He knew exactly what I was thinking about. Damn him.

Gayle gave me a comforting look. I felt sure if she knew the underlying meaning behind this little exchange she wouldn’t be so comforting. “I asked what you thought of the latest mock-up.”

I considered the images on the screen behind Aidan. Beyond font changes, it was virtually the same as the one he’d shown me in his office. Something was still off. My mouth opened to say that it was good, to tuck away my true thoughts until I was more established with the company, but that attitude wouldn’t help me move up. I had to be sharp, and part of being sharp was knowing when to voice your opinion and when to keep your mouth shut. This was definitely a time to speak up.

“It’s very good,” I said, nodding to creative, because I’d learned they liked to have their egos stroked. “But I think something’s missing. Maybe…” I cocked my head as I studied the mock-up. “Maybe the kid shots need to be actual photos of the players as children. That kid looks nothing like the player. I think to really give this that emotional punch we’re looking for they need to at least appear to be the same person.” I waited for Aidan’s reaction. “And we should see them aging. Like a montage from kiddie teams to high school to college.”

He released a slow breath. He was thinking about it, letting it churn around in his mind. Finally he focused on creative. “Let’s add in photos from actual players. If you can’t get them, find stock photos that are closer to the players. I want them so close they’d fool their mothers.” The guys from creative took notes on their iPads, and then Aidan nodded to me. “Good work.”

“Thanks,” I said, a grin spreading across my face that I couldn’t contain. Suddenly, I was reminded how much I loved advertising and how much I loved this job. While Aidan’s no-romance–no-emotions rule cut deep, I knew he was right. My focus was on my career, and I couldn’t allow whatever this was to jeopardize everything I’d worked so hard to obtain.

Aidan ended the meeting, and as we were all walking out, Alexa stopped me. “Lunch?”

I eyed my phone. Sure enough, it was nearly noon. “Sure.” My bank account would hate me for eating out again, and I knew just what Grace would say—why not dip into your dad’s money? Just a little won’t hurt. What are you going to do with it anyway?

I’d heard that very question a thousand times, and it never became easier to answer. The truth was I didn’t feel right buying anything at all with the money. I didn’t want it. I wanted him, alive. So I’d resigned myself that I wouldn’t spend a dollar of the money until I had something important to spend it on. Something life-changing. Something that would make him proud. I’d yet to find such a thing, so the money sat untouched. Besides, there was something rewarding in doing it all on my own.