Page 15 of Gray Hair Don't Care
He sucked in what felt like his forty-seventh cleansing breath. “Lela and I were best friends in college, okay? Very close. We grew apart when I married your mom. We ran into each other three years ago and that was the last time I saw her.”
“And? Is there more?”
It wasn’t easy for a dad to divulge his bad behavior to his daughter, especially since he’d actually managed to make amends with Echo. But he was going to have to own up to this. Echo would see through his facade the instant he and Lela were in the same room. “We slept together. Twice. But it was nothing. There was no romance. It won’t interfere with any working relationship we might have.”
“Okay. Well, that’s fine, but I need you to promise me that there will be zero funny business.”
“Don’t worry. Zero funny business.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’ve told you a hundred times. Dating and all of that isn’t for me anymore. I’m done.”
“I’m not entirely sure I believe you, but I’m going to hold you to your word.” She got up and offered her hand. “Come on. Let’s get to reception and grab her for this meeting.”
As they walked down the hall, Donovan sensed he was about to meet a very uncertain future. It was confirmed when they rounded the corner into the reception area, and he saw Lela. Her hair was the most striking difference—it fell in luminescent ribbons around her face, lighting up the features he’d always found so attractive—her big blue eyes and slightly off-kilter smile, framed by what he could admit were very kissable lips. As she stood and their gazes connected, it brought back that moment in Bryant Park three years ago, when they’d both been watching a stranger’s wedding. That had been such a fun day. An amazing day. But like so many things in his life, what had started out great had not ended that way.
“You must be Lela,” Echo said, eagerly shaking her hand.
“Hello.” Lela’s face absolutely lit up. “You must be Echo.”
Donovan hoped to discern Lela’s attitude toward him from the tone in her voice, but unfortunately, a handful of syllables were not going to be enough. “Lela. How funny is this?” He reached for her elbow and went to kiss her cheek but before he got anywhere close to accomplishing either, Lela stuck out her hand, effectively distancing herself from him.
“It’s so funny, isn’t it?” She gave him just enough of a death stare to illustrate that she did not find this situation humorous. Not at all.
“I cannot believe you know my dad,” Echo said. “It’s fate.”
“Something like that,” he mumbled, not acknowledged by either member of his audience.
“Let’s sit down in my office and have a chat about our partnership,” Echo said. “I’m really looking forward to this.”
“Me, too.” Lela glanced at Donovan, then promptly disregarded him, focusing on Echo. The two women quickly became a flurry of conversation.
Suddenly, his golden opportunity to earn a real relationship with his daughter was not so shiny. His past mistakes were catching up with him. Again.
Chapter Nine
Freaking Donovan.Back in Lela’s life. Except this time, it wasn’t going to be for a few hours or a night. He was working for Echo, and for all intents and purposes, so was Lela. Which meant, by some bizarre alignment of the stars, she and Donovan were now co-workers. Life had officially jumped the shark.
Lela settled in at a round glossy white table for four in Echo’s office, while Echo took a call and Donovan was somewhere off in the hall. She stole a chance to admire Echo’s workspace with a mix of black, white, pale pink, and matte gold accents. It was so much more chic than Lela’s office. She’d have to do something about that when she made her move.
Of course, furnishings were simply a distraction. The real task at hand, balancing her distrust of Donovan with her need for the Echo Echo arrangement to succeed, would be a monumental task. Sitting alone and feeling more anxious by the moment was not putting her in a great headspace to accomplish either of those things, so she made a mental list of dos and don’ts to keep herself on track.
Doremain unflappable, professional, and above it all.
Doappreciate that this is ultimately the opportunity of a lifetime.
Dofind a way to establish ground rules with Donovan.
Don’tthink about kissing Donovan.
Don’tlook at his ass in those jeans.
Don’tforget that Donovan broke your heart. Twice.
As if he’d heard the thoughts in her head, Donovan strolled into Echo’s office. He hesitated for a moment, eyeing his daughter, who was standing near the tall window, still talking on the phone. His sights fell on Lela at the table, and she could see the moment when he resigned himself to his fate. There was no obvious choice for him in this situation other than to sit down with her. So he did. Right next to her.
“I need you to not mess this up for me, okay?” Lela asked out of the side of her mouth, smiling like an idiot so Echo would be none the wiser.
