The publisher

Chapter 4

The woman in Scott’s office told me she is his wife, and now I’m not sure what to feel. I can’t believe I fell for this bullshit. I look at Scott with fury. “YOU’RE MARRIED?!” I shout, not giving him time to explain I charge for the door. But before I can reach it, Scott grabs my hand, pulling me to his body so close that I let out a slight gasp at his touch, and I almost forgot she was even there.

“Clara, it’s not what it looks like Natalie is my ex-wife; she is only here to give me papers for our upcoming custody hearing.” He tells me.

I glare at her. “Why did you pretend to be his wife still?” I ask her, giving her a stern look.

“Oh, I live to make Scott’s life hell since he did the same to me, I would be careful with him,” She says, opening the door she laughs, looking at us both then walks out.

After Natalie walks out, we turn to look at each other again. “What was the kiss for?” Scott asks, looking at me like he is smitten.

“I came to tell you, thank you for doing what you did for Phil,” I told him, smiling.

“Oh, so the kiss was from Phil,” Scott says, Laughing. I burst out laughing.

"No, silly that was from me,” I rolled my eyes, smiling.Scott pulls me closer to him, and my body trembles. “I will have to do more things like that to get the reaction you gave me,” Scott smiles.

“Maybe Mr. Lawson,” I say shyly. “I better get to work before I get in trouble with the boss,” I say, smirking, then walking to the door.

“Clara, I’ll see you after work at the park,” He says, leaning against his desk. I smile then walk out.

I make it to my new office and start working on Elaine’s manuscript. There is a knock at my door. “It’s open, come in,” I say. The door opens to an older woman in her 50′s. She looks at me confused.

“Hello, I must have the wrong office,” The woman says, looking around.

“Who are you looking for? I can help you,” I say bubbly.

“I’m looking for Megan, I’m Elaine, and she hasn’t gotten back to me about my book,” Elaine says, annoyed.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry about this Elaine, Megan is no longer with us i’ll be taking over your book. My name is Clara. I’ve spoken with you on the phone a few times,” I said, holding my hand out to shake hers.

Elaine accepts my hand and smiles. “Thank god they got someone new, Megan was horrible” she states with a laugh.

I giggle a little “I promise I will be much better. Here is my number so you can get a hold of me any time okay I have your manuscript right here I will have it finished by the end of the week, and we can set up a meeting with Mr. Lawson about getting it published.” I hand her my business card.

“Thank you, Clara,” Elaine says, shaking my hand again, then opens the door and leaves.

A few hours later...

I finished with some of Elaine’s book when there was another knock on my door but more faint this time. I stand to open it, finding Grace standing there patiently. “Clara!!” She yells Excitedly.

“Hi, Grace! Are you ready for the park?” I say with a big smile.“YES!!” I picked her up walking to Scott’s office knocking this time.

“Come in,” He answers.

I open the door, still holding Grace. “Can we go to the park now, daddy?” Grace asks sweetly.

“Of course, Sweetie let me put these papers away,” Scott says cheerfully opening the metal file cabinet. Once he has put the papers away, he walks to Grace and me, grabbing her.

“No, daddy, I want to stay with Clara,” Grace insists.

Scott looks at me, and I shrug. “Okay, sweetie,” He says. “I think you have stolen my daughter’s heart,” Scott whispers.

I give him a grin. “Are you sure I’ve only stolen her heart?” I laugh. Scott looks at me c*****g an eyebrow, then laughs softly.

We walked to the park. Grace talks about how her friend Sara is mean to her sometimes. I stop letting her down. I kneel to speak with her. “Grace if she is mean to you then she may have something at home that is causing her to act out, all you can do is be there for her if Sara continues to be mean then Sara is only a bully and not a true friend, and you need to know that you deserve better, always okay.”

She hugs me tightly. “Clara, you would make a perfect mom,” Grace says, still cuddling me.

I’m taken back by her words, and I look at Scott. He only grins. We continue to walk, making it to the park. I let  Grace down. She runs for the playground equipment leaving Scott and me alone.

“Scott, I think you need to tell Grace that we are just talking right now” I look at him with seriousness.

“Clara, I like you, and so does Grace. If I tell her there is no chance of you ever being her mom, it will break her heart,” Scott says with a gentle expression. I stare at Scott, unsure what to say to that. “I’m sorry for being so straightforward, but you see I don’t have time to play games. I know what I want, and I go for it.” He adds calmly.

“What are you asking me, Scott?” I say curiously.

“I’m asking you to give me a chance to show you that you are something special to me,” He says.

“Scott, I’ve been with the company for a while now, and you have only chosen to talk to me a few days ago. How am I supposed to believe you are that interested in me?” I wonder what game this man is trying to pull.

“I’ve noticed you for a long time Clara, it's just been so complicated with the divorce and the custody battles with Natalie I didn’t want to bring you into the middle of it all,” Scott explains.

I bring my hand to Scott’s Clean shaven face caressing his cheek then bring my lips only inches away from his when Grace lets out a scream from the playground.