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‘Larchwood Family Debacle’
THE HEADLINE CAME OUT the next day. After Tom had basically told his father off, Abe decided to leave the company to Michael instead. Only Michael—in typical Michael fashion—charmingly refused.
“I’d love to take it, Father,” he’d said, before gesturing to Rose beside him, “but the thing is, I’ve been dating this beauty for the last couple of months, and I don’t think I’ll have the time to give the company the attention it deserves.”
Abe had flown into a rage, making all sorts of threats, but Michael had answered them all with a steady little grin.
“I got an eagle tattoo on my back to represent freedom. I don’t want to run this company and be tied down like that. That’s just not me and you know it. I live and breathe freedom. Why don’t you just forget the rules and give the company to Tom? We all know he’ll do the best job, and isn’t that what you always taught us, Dad?” He paused with an ironic smile. “To put the company first?”
Tom took over as CEO the next day.
The story in the Times was very thorough, incorporating Rose’s profile on both boys while including a separate excerpt on the two of us—the ‘Larchwood ladies.’ I read it all from my room. My room at Tom’s. You see, after my stint at the hospital, I’d moved in. I was already packed, and since my former apartment was now occupied, it seemed like a logical step.
“Still reading that drivel?” Tom asked as he came in carrying a tray of breakfast.
I dropped the paper on the floor with a smile. “It’s positively scandalous. I’m considering writing a tell-all.”
He grinned. “Well, before you do that, I want to see you finish this plate. The doctors said you need to eat more to get back your strength, and I’m going to need you at peak capacity for everything I have planned.”
“Is that right, Mr. Larchwood?” I giggled. “In that case, I’d better get started.”
“Oh, Miss Harks...” his eyes glowed as he set the tray on the floor and slowly climbed on top of me, “whatever am I going to do with you...”
I winked. “Whatever you want.”
Epilogue
Both Rose and I came clean about our relationships at work. Yeah, we shocked everyone. Tom decided relationships in the office would be okay as long as they were kept strictly professional. He would personally handle any conflicts of interest so everything would be fair. So Tom and I turned over a new leaf and kept everything strictly professional at work. It was best we lead by example, so no more kissing in the copy room. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t get me my Starbucks coffee with the swirling heart I adored so much. But seriously, we saved the hugs and kisses for when we got home. Rose and Michael followed in the same footsteps.
Mr. Larchwood loved retirement. And he loved me and Rose. We actually became good friends with him. Both his sons and their current girlfriends enjoyed having dinner with him every Sunday at his mansion right outside of New York City.
Double dating was fun. The four of us, me and Tom, and Rose and Michael did all kinds of fun stuff in New York City. My life was perfect. I had the perfect job and the perfect boyfriend.
Rose and Michael eloped in Paris shocking us all. Their marriage even stunned the world. Rose was featured in all kinds of magazine articles as the woman who tamed America’s favorite playboy.
Tom proposed to me in Rome with a two-carat diamond ring. He wanted to lavish me with the biggest ring money could buy. But I insisted no bigger than one carat. He didn’t listen, but I was deliriously happy. We planned to get married here in New York City in one year at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I wanted the fairytale wedding, so we needed at least that long to plan.
They say office romances can’t work. Avoid them at all costs. But I’m living proof that they actually can. I was going to marry mine. Tom wrapped his big, strong arms around me and I snuggled up to him in our bed. The sun was streaming in through the windows and shining on my diamond, making it sparkle. I couldn’t get over the gem’s sparkling optics. Tom moved his hand and laced his fingers between mine, bringing my hand up to his lips for a soft kiss.
“We’re going to be late for work,” I said.
He arched a brow. “Actually...I’m thinking about a sick day.”
“But you never take a sick day!”
“How about a personal day?”
I laughed. “Are either of those two words even in your vocabulary?”
He chuckled. “I want my life to be all about my future wife, not just work. I want to spend the entire day with you. No phones. No computers. No work. Just you and me.”
I kissed him ever so softly. “You’re going to be the best husband ever. I think we can create the perfect balance. I’ll gladly take a personal day, too. I better call my boss and let him know. I think he’ll understand. After all, I’ve been busting my ass at work. I put in thirty hours of overtime last week.”
“He will definitely understand,” Tom said.
I grinned as he smiled.
“Oh, I got you an early wedding present,” he said. He reached into the top drawer in the bedside table and handed me a file of papers.
“What’s this?”
“Congratulations. You own the Star Bucks next to the office.”
My jaw dropped. “C’mon now! Don’t tease a girl like this.”
“It’s all yours. You’re the official new owner of a caffeinated mega-chain.”
My heart never pounded so hard. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
My face beamed as I grinned from ear to ear. “Free coffee? Because you know I’m an espresso junky.”
“Anything you want, darling.”
He laughed as I screamed at the top of my lungs.
“Pinch me!” I shouted. “Am I dreaming?”
“Nope.”
I grinned.
Tom cupped my face and gazed lovingly into my eyes. “I love you, Jenna.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “I love you too.”
Diving in for a passionate kiss, he pulled the sheets over our heads...and...well... I’ll leave the rest up to your imagination. Wink. Wink.