“Like I told her. People talk. One of the interns saw you running up and down the stairs, going floor to floor and he asked Nancy why. She told him she’s been sending you to the wrong floors in an attempt to get you fired. To get on my good side, he told me. And as for your work experience, I read your background check. We told the fertility clinic we were considering you as our surrogate and asked them to send over your file. Everything we needed to know about you is in it.”
“Oh,” I say dumbly. I forgot about that file. I’m surprised the vulture lady handed it over so easily.
“Anyways, I’ll be in conference calls all morning. Meet me in my office at noon, and we’ll drive down together.”
“Okay,” I agree before scurrying off to find the file Garfield wanted.
Mr. Garfield wasn’t in his office but his son was, sitting boredly behind his desk, scrolling through his phone. Tyson Garfield, one of the most eligible bachelors in New York was quite easy on the eyes. Hell, the man is fucking gorgeous with thick sandy brown hair and big cerulean blue eyes that would rival the Mediterranean Sea. He’s also a total playboy. He’s never photographed with the same girl twice, leaving a trail of broken hearts long enough to wrap around the world twice. He gives unattainable a whole new meaning. He’s here most of the time because Garfield was grooming him to take over the firm when he finally decides to retire.
“Well, hello, gorgeous. What brings you here?” he asks, giving me a cheshire grin.
“Your father asked me to put this file on his desk,” I answer, setting the file down. I turn to leave, but he jumps from behind the desk and blocks my path.
“Why haven’t I seen you before?”
“I’m Jade, the new front desk receptionist,” I reply, trying to sidestep him but he moves with me.
“Ahh, the one that’s fucking Grayson. Well, I can definitely see why he’d cheat on his wife. You’re quite tempting.”
Fucking Nancy. If she hadn’t got sent back downstairs, I’d wring her scrawny neck. “I’m not fucking Grayson,” I lie.
“Grayson,” he repeats amused. “How informal.”
“I mean Mr. Hastings,” I backtrack. “Look, not that I have to explain anything to you, but I’m the Hastings’ surrogate. That’s why I have familiarity with him.”
“You mean you have his kid inside you?” He asks, shocked, palming my flat belly. I arch my brow wondering what the sexual harassment policy is around here.
“Not yet,” I reply, plucking his hand from my stomach.
“Ahh, in that case, we should go out,” he says suddenly. Did I step into a third dimension? I’ve gotten asked on more dates by people who aren’t deadbeats in these past two weeks than I have my whole life. Who knew being unattainable was the new love potion.
“I don’t date,” I tell him, trying to move past him, but he won’t let me pass.
“Neither do I. Maybe we should make an exception for each other.”
Laughing, I ask, “Do you have an argument for everything?”
“I’m a lawyer; what do you think?” he counters.
“Hmm, then as a lawyer you should understand contracts. I literally signed away my rights to date until I push the Hastings’ kid out.”
“How about I make a deal with you then? If I get Grayson to agree to let me take you out, then you’ll go?”
“If you can pull that off then sure, I’ll reward you, but I have to warn you, I don’t see that happening. His wife was very serious about that clause.”
“I do love challenges and you, sweet Jade, look like quite the challenge.”
“And you look like trouble, but we’ll see.”
Finally, he steps back and lets me pass and I leave him to deal with Grayson. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they have that conversation. If anything, it’s sure to be exciting. Possessive Grayson against the boss’ son. Ding, ding, ding people, let the battle begin.
The rest of the time goes by uneventfully. Without bitchy Nancy around to sabotage me every five seconds, everything ran much more smoothly. It’s quite the contrast from when she was here. Also, more people took it upon themselves to introduce themselves. Apparently, Nancy was the leader of my lynch mob and they didn’t want any part of it. Plus everyone here loves Nichole and was happy to find out I wasn’t the homewrecking hussie Nancy portrayed me out to be. Like Robert, they thought I was a saint to carry the Hastings’ child for them and wanted to kill Nancy for giving me the run around. I thanked them all, letting them know the situation was handled and I could take care of myself. Once they found out Grayson didn’t have dibs, I had a couple junior associates ask me out on dates, to which I kindly declined. Before I knew it, it was noon and McHottie was walking out of his office to meet me.
“I finished my conference call early so I thought I’d meet you at your desk instead.”
“I’m ready to go if you are,” I reply, grabbing my jacket. It was chilly today and I was happy we’d be driving where we had to go. Grayson eyes my leather jacket but doesn’t say anything about it until we get in his car.
“I thought my wife would have bought you another jacket by now.”
“Why?” I ask, offended.
“A motorcycle jacket is not exactly professional.”
“It’s not like I wear it around the office,” I tell him, rolling my eyes. “Besides, your wife has already gone overboard buying me work clothes. I don’t have space for the clothes I have as it is. You should really tell her to rein in the shopping or take her black card away or something. Soon you’ll have to rent another room just to hold my clothes.”
“Are you trying to get me castrated for payback?” He chuckles and I bask in the sound.
“I doubt she’ll cut your dick off; she needs it,” I point out.
“Fair point,” he muses.
This has to be the first time we had a conversation where he wasn’t acting like a dick and I didn’t want to shank him. I could actually see why Nichole fell for him. There is a nice side to him when he’s not being a total douche.
“Garfield’s son asked me out,” I blurt out. Way to kill a moment, Jade.
“And what did you say?” He practically growls.
“I told him I’m under contract, so I can’t date,” I answer.
“And how’d he take it?”
“Yeah, about that. That’s the reason for the heads up. He wants to chat with you about it and get your permission.”
“You can’t be fucking serious.”
“As a heart attack,” I reply, holding my hand over my heart.
“He’s such a spoiled brat,” he grumbles. “He’s only curious about you because you’re the first woman to ever tell him no. I’ll talk to him, but until then, stay away from him.”
“Fine, whatever,” I mutter. He’s such a caveman and not the only one acting like a brat. I feel like the ball on a dog’s tug of war rope. We stay silent until we get to the restaurant. Some swanky place downtown that I could only dream about going to.
The valet holds the door open for me and I walk inside beside Grayson. When we’re seated, Nichole gives me a bright smile after kissing her husband hello.