Piper and the Paparazzi King

8

The restaurant was dimly lit and candles were flickering on the table, but Ford had no interest in fine dining tonight. He was too upset over everything that had been going on in his life to care about any of this. Work was the least of his worries and he just wanted to go home. One of the more upscale steakhouses in the town was where he met his mentor, discussing business and the future of Dangerous Games.

The ambiance and light music made it a good place for this chat, and Wyatt was hoping for the best. Even having his wife at his side, wasn’t going to be a cakewalk. But the best didn’t come easy. It had already been a few days since he requested this dinner meeting and Ford was avoiding this conversation at all costs.

“Absolutely not, Wyatt! Why can’t we find a guy for this? This is exactly why I didn’t meet you for dinner a few days ago. I don’t need some women hitting on me while I’m trying to work. Ever since Naomi and I split, it’s like every single woman in the area, and at all the shows, has come on to me. It’s like the single wives’ club has some black book for dads who are back on the market.” Ford grumbled as he swirled his iced tea in his glass, clenching his jaw.

“First of all, she is single, but never married and has no children. Miss Rose isn’t trying to find a new baby daddy here, nor is she planning to flirt with you. Maybe check your ego at the door with that.”

Ford rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his drink. “My ego is just fine.”

“Listen, she’s very career-driven. I don’t believe she’s here to try to hook up with you or anyone else. I just want you to show her the ropes. In the meantime, she can help take some stress off you at home and work. Put her to good use and keep her busy,” Wyatt said convincingly.

Wyatt’s wife, Beverly, touched Ford’s arm with a light sigh. She knew of all he had been through and hated that her daughter was the cause of it all. “Honey, we know it’s been hard. You and Naomi have been holding your marriage together for the kids for years. That is not a healthy relationship, dear. Do you think you will ever be open to finding someone else?”

Brooding over the discussion he didn’t want to have with his ex-in-laws, he blurted out, “No offense, Bev, but women are nothing but trouble.”

The well-mannered, classy woman to his left was like a second mother to him, but he wasn’t buying what she was trying to sell. He didn’t need anyone’s help, or so he thought.

“Ford, you know the girls want to see you happy again. Their daddy needs a life of his own, and you can’t just shut out the world. Anyway, that is not what this is about. Rusty and Wyatt have been trying to find the right person for weeks to help you, and honestly, I’ve looked over her work experience and she is the best fit. The men who applied for this job were just not qualified, and you have already fired three people this past month. We are running out of qualified people who’ve already applied. You have a lot in common with this woman, and it would be good for you to have someone around who shares your interests outside of work. We’re not asking you to date her. We’re doing this for your own good. Honestly, I think it’s for the best.”

“I know you’re right. I do need help, but...” he sighed, “I just don’t want to get too familiar with anyone.”

Staring at his tea glass as the ice swirled around, his heart was in a knot. The fact he was talking to his ex-wife’s parents about these matters wasn’t easy. He trusted their opinions, but this wasn’t their place to butt in.

Tired of this conversion, he let out a breath of defeat. “I just want someone to help me at home with errands and the girls when they’re home. I guess it would be good to have someone that can help with work, too. It’s been a lot, and I need some relief before I have a mental breakdown. All this stress is why Titus got the jump on me. I’m not on my game and I know it. It’s embracing, to be honest. I’m supposed to be the man in charge and I can’t even keep my family together. I failed everyone.”

Patting his shoulder, Wyatt gave him the fatherly comfort that his successor greatly needed. “Son, you have nothing to be embraced about. My daughter did this. Not you.”

“I just don’t feel good about the assistant being a woman. If she is as pretty as you say, I don’t need a distraction.”

He had spoken honestly, hoping they would realize his true concerns. He wasn’t ready to open his life up again, not after everything he had been through. He did need help—but a woman? Why were they torturing him? He knew she had to be attractive, or Wyatt wouldn’t be so pushy about the whole ordeal.

“Give it a chance, Ford. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll be the first to say I was wrong.” Wyatt smirked, tipping his wine glass to his lips, knowing darn well he wouldn’t. “But I rarely am.”

“That would be a first, wouldn’t it? You never admit when you’re wrong. I think that’s where Naomi gets it.” Ford nudged his former father-in-law’s shoulder with a chuckle. “I want to meet this woman. I don’t want just anyone around my daughters. And if they don’t like her, she’s out.”

Wyatt and Beverly agreed that the girl's best interests came first, no matter what. As they settled into dinner, Ford’s mind was racing. He didn’t know if this was a good thing, or a setup for something much worse to come. In his world, women were the enemy, which led to broken hearts.