Single Dad Accidentally Heard the Boss Whisper It’s Been So Long Since Anyone Taken Care of Like This
Personal Revelations and New Connections
That’s when he’d overheard her on the phone in her office her voice uncharacteristically soft. “no Mom i’m fine just tired the board meeting went well”.
“no I don’t need you to set me up with another of your friend’s sons because I’m not interested”. “i know you worry but I’m not lonely”.
The pause that followed made James hesitate outside her door. “okay maybe a little lonely yesterday one of my employees he has this little girl and he’s raising her alone”.
“you should have seen how worried he was about her”. “and when he texted me updates about her fever about the soup he made her it’s been so long since anyone’s taken care of me like this”.
“not that he was taking care of me but the way he cares about her i just wonder sometimes what that feels like”. James had backed away then feeling like an intruder but those words stayed with him echoing in his mind as he returned to his desk.
Victoria Westbrook the woman who commanded a room with her presence who made million-dollar decisions without blinking was lonely. The realization humanized her in a way that made his heart ache.
Two days later when Lily was back at school and James was catching up on work Victoria stopped by his desk again. “how’s your daughter”.
“much better thank you and thank you again for covering the presentation i can’t tell you how much I appreciate it”. She nodded then hesitated.
“the board was impressed with your projections they’ve approved the expansion into the Asian markets”. “that’s fantastic news”.
“yes we’re celebrating with a team dinner Friday night i expect you to be there”. It wasn’t a request but there was something in her eyes an uncertainty that didn’t match her confident tone.
“i’ll need to find a sitter for Lily” he said. “bring her” Victoria replied surprising him again.
“it’s at Luchos they have excellent mac and cheese if she likes that sort of thing”. Before he could respond she was walking away leaving him staring after her.
Friday night found James and Lily at Luchiano’s surrounded by colleagues. Victoria had arranged for them to sit near her at the long table.
Lily still a bit subdued from her illness but excited about the fancy restaurant was on her best behavior. “is she your boss?” Lily whispered eyeing Victoria with interest.
“yes that’s Ms westbrook she owns the whole company”. Lily’s eyes widened.
“she’s pretty”. James felt his cheeks warm.
“yes she is”. Throughout dinner he caught Victoria watching them a small smile playing at her lips whenever Lily spoke.
When dessert arrived a chocolate cake that made Lily’s eyes light up victoria leaned over. “is it good?” she asked Lily.
Lily nodded enthusiastically. “the best do you want some”.
To James’s amazement Victoria accepted the forkful Lily offered her. “you’re right it is the best”.
As the evening wound down colleagues began to leave. James was preparing to take Lily home when Victoria approached them again.
“there’s a park across the street with a beautiful fountain,” she said to Lily. “would you like to see it before you go home”.
Lily looked to James for permission and he nodded curious about this side of Victoria he’d never seen before. The three of them walked to the park where the fountain was lit with changing colors that reflected off the water.
Lily ran ahead delighted by the display. “she’s wonderful,” Victoria said quietly “you’re doing an amazing job with her”.
“thank you it’s not always easy but she’s worth every minute”. Victoria was silent for a moment watching Lily.
“my father built this company from nothing he worked 18-hour days 7 days a week i barely saw him growing up”. James looked at her surprised by the personal revelation.
“when he died 5 years ago I inherited everything he’d built and the expectation that I would continue his legacy”. She turned to James.
“do you know what he said to me before he died”. James shook his head.
“he said he was proud of me and then he said he wished he’d spent more time with me and less time at the office”. Her voice caught slightly.
“i’ve been trying to figure out the balance he never found watching you with Lily i think you found it”. The vulnerability in her voice reminded him of what he’d overheard.
