Page 136 of Temporary Vows

“Good. Things also change when people get married. I will always respect that. Please know you have a job here for as long as you want, which I hope will be forever.”

“Yes.” A soft laugh falls from my lips.

“And the moment babies start coming along, we will accommodate for that too.”

Babies… Oh God, I just can’t seem to get away from things that remind me of Dorian.

I hold the smile, keeping up appearances that I’m fine. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“No need. Anyway. I must run. See you later for the staff meeting. I’ll make the announcement then.”

I clap my hands, savoring the joy of the accomplishment. “See you later.”

She gives me one last smile then leaves.

Well… that was great news. At least something was going well more in my life. And that was abigsomething.

Maybe I should just take that as my something good. Can’t have it all, right?

I had the career.

Love might just be one of those things that’s not meant for me.

I have to be okay with that.

* * *

I finish the day with Skylar. She took me to dinner at our favorite pizzeria to celebrate my news. We both ate so much we could hardly walk out of the building without waddling.

It was fun. We haven’t gone out like that in a while, so we’re overdue some girl time.

Now I’m home.

I open the door and head inside. The peacefulness greets me, along with the aroma of pumpkin pie. Meaning Vanessa should still be here.

I head into the kitchen to see her but stop short in the doorway when I find Parker inside, leaning against the table talking to a very uncomfortable Vanessa.

She looks relieved to see me. And Parker… He reminds me of a shark in a tailored suit. The toothy smile he gives me certainly looks the part.

I’m not entirely sure about the situation, but know he and Dorian have their differences. From Dorian’s behavior around his cousin, and warnings, I highly, highly doubt he’d be happy to know Parker was in his home.

I’m guessing Vanessa would have known that, but I can’t imagine her throwing out a member of the Vale family.

“Elodie, darling,” Parker greets me in his rich English accent. Come to think of it, while I love an English accent, he doesn’t sound as great as I previously thought. There’s a… sly undertone to his voice that makes my nerves tingle with warning.

“Hi Parker.” I paste on a pleasant smile, then glance at Vanessa. “Hey Vanessa.”

“Hey there, I was just hanging around until you got home. There’s a pie in the oven.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll be of if you don’t need me to do anything else.” Her eyes tell me she wants to get the hell out of here. That makes me more concerned about Parker.

Although I would love Vanessa to stay until he leaves, it wouldn’t be fair. Her shift is over and I don’t know how long she’s had to entertain him.

He looks like the kind of person who knows he’s not welcome somewhere and insist on staying even if his presence makes everyone feel awkward. Like now.

“Go home. It’s been a long day,” I tell her.