Bill’s statement stopped the next words Byron had been about to say. Suddenly, the man who had always been there for him seemed so lonely, so much smaller, so frail. Was that really how Byron wanted to end up — alone, sitting behind a desk with nothing to do?
“Bill…” He didn’t know what to say now.
Bill’s shoulders went back as if just realizing what he’d said. “Don’t you even think about offering me comfort, boy. I’m just trying to prove a point.”
“And what point is that?” Byron asked.
“Don’t be a fool,” he said gruffly.
“I won’t be,” Byron said, and he actually meant it.
“Good. Then our meeting is over. Get out of here and don’t keep screwing up. I won’t be so easy on you the next time.”
Bill obviously needed to protect himself now. Byron understood that, and it was okay with him. But he found himself doing something he hadn’t done since he was a small child. When Bill stood up to walk him to the door, Byron went up to him and gave the man a hug, gently slapping his back before he pulled away.
Bill said nothing as Byron released him, and they made it to the door, but when Byron said goodbye and glanced at the old man’s eyes, he could have sworn there was a slight shine there.
Was Byron really such a bastard that just the smallest act of kindness from him inspired tears? If that was the case, didn’t he need to make serious changes in his life?
Maybe. And maybe he would do just that.
Chapter Fifteen
McKenzie gazed helplessly at her computer monitor — it was one of the first times she could remember being unable to make sense of what she was seeing. It might as well have been a jumble of numbers dancing on the screen.
This was so not her day at work.
She hadn’t suddenly lost her ability to read or suffered a stroke. There was only one possible explanation for her sudden ditziness: Byron Knight. He was a menace to society and he should be stopped.
One minute he was demanding and in her face, and then the next he was gracious and kind. She couldn’t keep up with him, and it was throwing her for a loop. It was Tuesday, five days since the kiss on the street. He’d been gone on Friday, and then had come into the offices on Monday as if nothing at all had happened.
She felt as if she were going to start screaming at any minute, and she didn’t like being this crazy, irrational person. She didn’t like at all that she felt as if her feet weren’t firmly planted on the ground anymore. She felt as if she were going to be carried away off into the atmosphere at any minute if her brain didn’t get some density to it.
On top of that, she hadn’t heard another word from Nathan, and though that should bring her joy, it worried her more than anything. Had he given up? She would be thrilled if that were the case, but she highly doubted it. She was just waiting for the ax to fall.
It seemed to be the story of her life these days.
In a perfect world, Nathan would disappear again and Byron would let her bring another of her accountants into his offices while giving her unlimited business and recommending her business to all of his friends.
But McKenzie had learned long ago that she in no way lived in a perfect world. With a sigh, she closed the program she was working on — or rather not working on — and leaned back in her chair. She wasn’t going to get anything done, not anytime soon.
On top of every other emotion she was feeling, the kisses from Byron had awakened something inside her that she hadn’t known she possessed— desire. She was feeling it more and more each day, and every time he walked by her, his subtle cologne drifting out to entice her, she felt that much weaker.
Looking at her watch, she let out a relieved breath to see it had finally hit five o’clock. With Byron not there at the moment she could actually leave at quitting time. Hallelujah. As she began gathering her things, Blake popped into her office, a friendly smile on his face.
“I was hoping I would catch you, McKenzie. If I’d messed up, Jewell would have had my head, but I’ve been on a conference call for the last hour,” he said in greeting.
Seeing Blake cheered her instantly. “I’m on my way out the door, but if Jewell needs me to do something for her, I can try to fit it in, though I will definitely rag her for not calling me personally,” she told him, cringing imperceptibly while thinking about all the work she needed to do tonight for her own business.
“Good,” he said. “I need you to come over for dinner.”
“I can’t tonight, Blake. I have a mountain load of work to do.” How she missed the days of having a work schedule that didn’t remind her of a sweatshop, or a chain gang.
“That’s why Jewell had me stop in instead of calling you. She is assured that my charm will win you over. Besides, everyone needs to eat.” Blake held open her door as she approached.
“I know, but I really shouldn’t.” Still, she hesitated. It would be so nice to visit with Jewell for a while, maybe even get some time to complain to her friend, though she probably wouldn’t do it.
“I refuse to take no for an answer. Jewell specifically told me to stuff you into my car to guarantee you didn’t try to get out of it. She’s worried about you,” Blake said as the two of them began heading toward the elevator.
“Well, I guess if I’m being kidnapped…” Jewell stepped onto the elevator and waited while Blake pushed the down button.
“It’s settled then.”
The two of them chatted on the way down and she followed him to his car, promising herself that she wouldn’t stay too late. She didn’t want to spend the whole time at her friends’ place feeling guilty about the pile of work waiting for her at home. At least she wouldn’t have to clean up a mess after fixing dinner.
Who was she kidding? She would have been lucky to throw a frozen dinner in a microwave. Lately, her dinner of choice — actually, her dinner of necessity — had been frosted flakes or ice cream. She made up for that by having a protein drink in the mornings and a healthy lunch at work. If time permitted, she even made it down to the office gym and used the elliptical for twenty minutes.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived and Blake and Jewell’s house, and Blake called out to his wife. She called back and Blake led her down the hallway into the family room.
When they both entered, McKenzie froze. Sitting on the couch, looking more than comfortable was Byron, with Jewell’s puppy biting at his toes, Justin sitting next to him, seeming to be in uncle idol heaven, and a big smile on Byron’s face. The sight almost made her take a step backward. It was time for a quick retreat. No wonder he hadn’t been at the office.