The CEO’s mother noticed the look between them.
Even ill, she was still a mother.
Interesting.
She smiled faintly.
The CEO caught it.
“Mom.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Exactly.”
The Single Dad laughed.
Five minutes became twenty.
Then a nurse finally expelled them.
The CEO walked into the hallway.
The Single Dad followed.
She leaned against the wall.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then:
“You changed my life before we met.”
The Single Dad shook his head.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Your mother changed your life.”
“She said the rent money kept us from moving.”
“You would’ve recovered.”
“You don’t know that.”
He looked at her.
“Neither do you.”
The CEO smiled through tears.
“You’re impossible to thank.”
“I’ve been told worse.”
She stepped closer.
Very close.
The hospital corridor was quiet.
Her dramatic black-and-ivory skirt brushed his trousers.
The Single Dad became aware of every inch between them.
The CEO looked up.
“Then let me say something else.”
“What?”
“I’m glad the Captain embarrassed you.”
He laughed.
“That makes one of us.”
“If he hadn’t…”
“You still would’ve survived turbulence.”
“That isn’t what I mean.”
He knew.
The moment held.
Then his phone rang.
His son.
Of course.
The Single Dad answered.
“Hey.”
A small furious voice exploded through the speaker.
“You said before dinner!”
The CEO laughed.
The son heard.
“Who is that?”
The Single Dad closed his eyes.
“Nobody.”
The CEO looked offended.
She took the phone gently from his hand.
“Hello.”
The Single Dad stared.
His son went silent.
The CEO continued:
“Your father was delayed because he helped me with something.”
The boy asked:
“Are you a doctor?”
“No.”
“Pilot?”
“No.”
“What do you do?”
The CEO smiled.
“I run a technology company.”
Pause.
Then:
“Do you build robots?”
The CEO laughed.
“Sometimes.”
The boy immediately liked her.
Of course.
She looked at the Single Dad.
“Your father says you’re attending a science program.”
“Yes.”
“Do you like engineering?”
“Yes.”
“Then you and I have something to discuss.”
The Single Dad reached for the phone.
“That’s enough recruitment.”
She moved it away.
The son laughed.
The CEO continued:
“We’ll bring him home.”
The boy said:
“Okay.”
Then:
“Who are you?”
The CEO told him her first name.
The Single Dad looked at her.
First name.
Not title.
Not company.
Just her.
The son said:
“Okay.”
Then: