The auction company could not change that.
The Single Dad watched.
After the call ended, he said:
“You’re good at that.”
She looked suspicious.
“At what?”
“Not being terrifying.”
“I am never terrifying.”
He laughed.
She threw a pen at him.
He caught it.
“Violent too.”
“I regret hiring you.”
“You didn’t hire me.”
“Exactly.”
Their attraction grew through work.
That made it worse.
Or better.
Neither knew.
The Female CEO began bringing coffee for both of them without asking.
The Single Dad learned she hated sugar but loved terrible vending-machine pretzels.
She learned he forgot lunch whenever concentrating.
He learned she removed her heels beneath conference tables when meetings ran longer than two hours.
She learned he called his daughter every night at exactly eight thirty.
Once, the daughter asked:
“Is expensive lady there?”
The Single Dad froze.
The Female CEO heard.
“What did she call me?”
“Nothing.”
“Expensive lady?”
His daughter laughed through the phone.
The CEO stole it.
“Hello.”
The daughter went silent.
Then:
“Hi.”
“I hear I’m expensive.”
The child answered:
“Dad said your bag costs more than our car.”
The Single Dad closed his eyes.
The CEO stared at him.
“I said approximately.”
His daughter continued:
“Can I see the race car?”
The CEO smiled.
“Yes.”
The Single Dad interrupted.
“No.”
The daughter protested.
The CEO looked toward him.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s ten.”
“It’s a secured facility.”
“Still no.”
The CEO handed the phone back.
“Your father is authoritarian.”
His daughter whispered:
“I know.”
The CEO laughed.
That night, after the call, the Single Dad looked at her.
“You’re dangerous.”
“You’ve mentioned.”
“You’re winning over my child.”
“I’m charming.”
“No.”
“Clearly I am.”
He smiled.
Then became serious.
“We need boundaries.”
The Female CEO stopped smiling.
“Because of work?”
“Because of everything.”
She folded her arms.
“We haven’t done anything.”
“I know.”
“Have I pressured you?”
“No.”
“Used the contract?”
“No.”
“Then?”
The Single Dad looked at her.
“Then I like you.”
She said nothing.
He continued:
“More than I should.”
“More than is smart.”
“And I’m not mixing that with a multimillion-dollar authentication job.”
The Female CEO held his gaze.
“Good.”
That surprised him.
“Good?”