Finn nodded, and her father guided him up the driveway and inside the house. Inside the house. She almost groaned. Simon was still inside. Which meant he’d end up talking to her father. And her son would meet him.
Her professional life and her personal life were about to get tangled up in a way she hadn’t foreseen.
Leaving her mother staring after her, Heather rushed back into the house and found Simon shaking her father’s hand.
“I knew I recognized you!” Her father turned to her. “Hey, Heather, it’s your old buddy, Simon.”
She forced herself to keep from rolling her eyes. “I know, Dad. He’s my boss now. I told you all of this last week.”
Her father scratched his graying beard thoughtfully. “Simon Diesel in the flesh. You know, nobody at work ever believes me when I tell them you grew up next door. Granted, we’ve moved now, but we lived at the old place for years. And still, nobody believes me. Ah, well.”
“Dad, could you please take Finn upstairs?” Heather bit back an exasperated sigh. If she hoped to avoid awkwardly introducing Simon to her son, she had to keep the drama to a minimum.
“Sure thing, hon.” Her father grinned at Simon. “Nice to see you again after all these years, Simon. One of these days we ought to talk. Catch up on old times.”
“That would be my pleasure, sir,” Simon said stiffly.
As her father took Finn upstairs and out of sight, her mother wandered in.
“Simon! I knew I recognized your voice.” Her mother’s face lit up. “Goodness, you’re still as handsome as ever.”
Simon gave a faint smile.
“Mother.”
Her mother frowned. “What is it, sweetie?”
“Why didn’t you guys call me when you found out that Finn got hurt?” Heather asked, trying to steer her mother’s attention away from Simon. All it would take to reveal her scandalous behavior with her boss were a few awkward questions Heather couldn’t answer.
“Well, you explained how important today was,” her mother replied. “We assumed that your conference would run late, and since it was so important we didn’t want to call you and worry you. Not to mention, we couldn’t have our cell phones on in the doctor’s office. Your father and I had everything under control. Finn is totally fine, as you can see. It’s just a sprain.”
Heather frowned, knowing all too well that her parents had probably decided not to call because they didn’t think she could handle it. After the divorce, they had taken to treating her like she was made of glass. Keeping bad news from her. Bending over backwards to help all the time. Heather appreciated their efforts, but it was so stifling sometimes.
Thankfully, Finn’s injury was just a sprain. Heather’s thoughts were still racing, but her anxiety was subsiding somewhat. At least Finn wasn’t seriously hurt and her parents were okay.
“How about a cup of tea, Simon?” her mother asked.
“That sounds great, Mrs. Monroe,” he said. “Thank you.”
Her mother slipped off towards the kitchen, leaving them alone together.
“You’re not staying for tea,” Heather said over her shoulder as she marched out of the house.
He walked behind her, the length of his strides so long he was already walking ahead of her by the time she got to his sleek electric car.
“Why not?” he asked.
“You hate social interactions,” she reminded him.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. There was something so oddly endearing about him outside of work, which only made her even more annoyed. “Not if they include you.”
“Stop with the flattery,” she snapped. “I appreciate you helping me, but it’s time for you to leave.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” He paused. “Since you left your car at the office, how about I pick you up tomorrow morning?”
“Why?”
“We can talk. About what we did,” he replied. “Figure out where we stand.”
“With my son in the car?” she asked. “If you’re going to be picking me up tomorrow, you’ll also have to pick up Finn. And I don’t think we need to be having that kind of conversation around my son.”