Hired To Love By Jordan Lynde Epilogue

Henley

Mr. Calloway is ready to see you now.

I blinked at the sign taped on the door to Mrs. Calloway’s office. What was this? Frowning, I pushed the doors open, unable to avoid the uncomfortable settling in my stomach. Sure, Mrs. Calloway was gone, but I wasn’t used to the idea yet. The idea this became Bennett’s new office. Bennett, the CEO. The president. This was his office at his company.

“What are you doing?” I sighed when fully entered and saw him standing on the mahogany desk in the center of the room, waving his arms.

His cheeks tinged pink and he clumsily climbed down from the desk onto the rolling chair, almost falling on his face as it slid out from underneath him. “Well, this is embarrassing.”

I raised my eyebrows.

Clearing his throat, he straightened out his tie, walked over to me, and stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Linden. I’m Bennett Calloway. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

I laughed and took his hand in mine. “You too, sir.”

“No need to be so formal. You may call me Mr. Calloway sir.”

“That’s a mouthful. How about Bennett?”

“Well, I suppose I could make an exception for you.”

He smiled widely at me and I couldn’t help but smile back. Bennett looked better than ever. His skin glowed, there were no bags under his eyes, his worry lines were all but nonexistent anymore. All that stress his mother put on him was now gone and it showed. He was positively radiant.

Unable to help myself, I moved forward, lifting myself up on my toes to kiss him. Before our lips met, he stopped me, placing his hand against my forehead. “No, no. No relations in the workplace.”

I fell back to the flats of my feet. “What? Lame.”

Bennett glanced behind me pointedly. “At least while the door is open.”

“Eh. We can leave it open.”

He deflated like a puppy. “Oh, alright.”

When did he get so cute? Had he always been this cute? I always thought he was handsome, but now it was different. I just wanted to grab his cheeks. Was this what it was like to be carefree and in love? “So, what am I going to be doing on my first day?”

“Oh, the person training you will be here any second.”

Someone else was training me? It made sense since Bennett had to be excessively busy, especially with the commotion of suddenly changing presidents. And because Bennett didn’t do any secretarial jobs, I was sure. Maybe he didn’t even know how to? But who would be training me? Some random person?

“Could you do me a favor while we wait?” Bennett asked.

“Sure. That’s what my job is going to be anyway, isn’t it?”

“Can you come stand on the desk?”

I eyed him. “Why? Why were you on it in the first place?”

“Checking for cameras. I’m sure they would blink if they caught motion, wouldn’t they?”

“You know Sebastian already went through the entire room, right? With an infrared camera? He debugged the entire floor.”

Bennett squinted at me. “I didn’t know that.”

“How long have you been doing this?”

“Umm, not for long,” he said, casting his gaze to the side.

“Uh-huh…”

He cleared his throat and adjusted the singular photo frame on his desk— a picture of Lee and himself, both many years younger. I teased Bennett, but I couldn’t blame him for being cautious. His mother had eyes everywhere. It would be naïve to think she still wouldn’t try to control his life even still. Sebastian had hired people to go through not only the office, but Bennett’s home, both Bennett and Lee’s cars and both their cell phones.

“So how is your brother?” Bennett asked.

A clear topic changed, but I went along with it, rubbing my hand over my forehead. “Ugh. Don’t even talk about him.”

Bennett tilted his head to the side.

“The federal government paid him fifty thousand for being exonerated, so he’s living it up. Sebastian told me they did that because he gave up his right to sue the government. It’s kind of high, but I think he got more since it was your family took part in it. He could still sue your mother though.”

Setting his jaw, Bennett glowered at the tacky portrait of his mother still hanging on the wall. “He should.”

I shook my head. “I think he just wants to put it all behind him. That and the fact that one day that woman will be my future mother-in-law. Surprisingly, Brandon wants to be the bigger person.”

In an instant, Bennett’s hard features melted. Wide-eyed, he turned back to me. “Future mother-in-law?”

“Er, well, yeah, that’s probably going to happen isn’t it—?”

“I didn’t expect you to propose to me,” Bennett said, closing the distance and pulling me into his arms. He cradled me close, smashing my face into his chest. “You know I say yes.”

“Umm, Bennett, that wasn’t me proposing to you,” I responded, my voice muffled.

He stopped rocking me.

“I was just saying,” I continued. “You know. One day. Sorry if I got your hopes up.”

His arms slackened and I slid out of his hold, peering at his face. He stared blankly ahead, wooden. I grimaced. Poor guy. I had to be more careful about the things I said to him.

A knock came from the door and I turned to see Henry poking his head in. “Am I interrupting?”

“No,” I answered. “Bennett’s just experiencing a minor crisis. It was my fault.”

Unfazed, Henry nodded, entering the room. “Sorry I’m late.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Bennett asked me to train you.”

“What? You did?” I asked, turning to Bennett. “Why? Henry already quit, didn’t he?”

Bennett snapped out of his funk, still looking a little miffed, but mainly recovered. “Henry handed in his resignation, but he must remain for a month. Besides, he offered to do it.”

“Really?” I said, turning back to the shorter man. “Are you sure?”

Henry smiled. “I don’t mind, Henley.”

“What about Lee?”

“He’s seeing Mrs. Calloway off and then coming in later.”

Bennett frowned at the mention of his mother’s name. “He should have let her go alone.”

“You know he’s not like that. Even after everything, he loves her. I don’t know how he can still look for the good in her after everything she has put both him and you through,” Henry responded. “I can only hope that this causes her to change her ways. Six months in a private prison is hardly enough of a sentence.”

I scoffed. “Well, that’s what happens when you’re white and wealthy. I’m surprised she went to prison at all. People have gotten off for worse.”

“And when the other party involved is from a family not only full of lawyers but well-respected ones as well,” Bennett added. “Even so, once she is released, she won’t be coming back to the company. That is one less worry.”

“She should pick up a hobby.”

“Like sewing,” Henry agreed.

I made a face. “No, something more aggressive. Like. I don’t know. White water rafting?”

Henry tapped his chin. “Rugby?”

“Bull riding?” Bennett offered.

An image of Mrs. Calloway riding on a bull with her manicured fingers and impeccable makeup popped into my brain and I choked on a laugh. “I bet even a bull would be afraid of her, to be honest.”

A knock came from the door and a familiar face popped in. Cara greeted us with a wide smile and a wave. “Wow, everyone is here!”

“You’re here early,” Bennett commented.

“Always better to be fifteen minutes early and not fifteen minutes late!”

“Bennett doesn’t believe in that saying,” Henry told her.

Bennett shot him a look. “That’s not true.”

“I have proof. Dozens of texts. Getting Bennett to be on time is the hardest part of the job,” Henry said, now turning to me. “Honestly it’d be easier if you just lived with him so you could prompt him to get to his schedule on time.”

“Live with me…” Bennett echoed. His pupils began to dilate.

“I’m not moving in,” I said quickly.

“Hmph.”

“I’ll help him change that habit. He’s the president now. No more slacking.”

Bennett’s mouth fell open. “I’ve never slacked!”

Henry crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“I just work at a leisurely pace!”

“Oh my gosh, will he be able to handle this?” Cara whispered to me and Henry.

“I heard that!”

“Lee will be back to help him,” Henry assured her.

“Lee is coming back?” I asked. It was the first time I’d heard of it.

Henry smiled. “Yes. It wasn’t hard to convince anyone. Lee is a true leader. Everyone loves him here. A mistake shouldn’t hold anyone back. And so, he will be resuming his position.”

“Are you not going to come back to be his secretary?” I questioned.

“Ah, no. I’m actually going to be writing full time now. I’ve always wanted to.”

“Oh really? That’s awesome! So, you make money off your writing? You must make a lot,” Cara said.

Henry blushed. “Er, well, no. I haven’t made any money off it.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “How will you afford your bills?”

“I’m moving,” he muttered.

“What? Where are you going? You can move in with me if you can’t afford it,” I offered, feeling my heart drop. Was this place so bad for Henry that he’d be willing to be homeless?

Bennett threw an arm around Henry’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Henley. He’s not going to be alone. I knew it as soon as Lee said he wouldn’t be moving back in with me. Henry here has himself a sugar daddy—”

Henry elbowed Bennett in the side and stepped away from him, his face completely red now. “It’s not like that!”

Grimacing, Bennett held his hip. “What? There’s nothing to be ashamed of. That’s how I found Henley.”

“Sorry, what?” I said, narrowing my eyes at him. “You were not my sugar daddy.”

“Pretty much— wait!” Bennett cried, holding up his hands as Henry went to jab him again. “It’s just a joke! I’m joking! Geez, Henry. You sure got bold after quitting, didn’t you?”

“I suppose that without the threat of homelessness hanging over my head, it’s easier to do the things I wanted to before.”

“You’ve wanted to beat me up before?”

I bit back a smile. Bennett wasn’t the only one reaping in the benefits of not having the stress of Mrs. Calloway around. It was nice. It was how it should’ve been.

“Uh, I’d hate to interrupt, but there is something I want to discuss before the meeting,” Cara interjected, fiddling with her fingers. “My father wanted me to relay some news to you.”

“Oh, you’re not here just to visit?” I asked her.

“No. I’m here with a few others to discuss a partnership with Calloway Hotels.”

“I just realized I don’t actually know what you do.”

Cara laughed. “We haven’t had a lot of time to just sit and chat, so it makes sense. We own an airline company. Perfect potential partners for a hotel enterprise. Our companies have been in the talks for a while now.”

“Oh, an airline company.” I blinked. “Holy crap.”

“Fun fact though. I’m terrified of flying. I wanted to be a pilot as a child but that changed pretty quick. Anyway, I’d be happy to talk more with you later, but for now, I have to steal Bennett away.”

I held up my hands. “No worries. I’m supposed to be training, anyway.”

Bennett turned to me. “I’ll have lunch with you, okay? The meeting should be over. Don’t stress too much if you don’t understand anything. It’s a lot. Especially for someone with no prior experience.”

That didn’t help me feel better. “Maybe someone else is better for this…”

“I don’t mind taking the time and letting you learn from scratch. Especially if that means I get to spend all day with you.”

“Why if I never pick up on it?”

Bennett took my hand and squeezed them. “I know you will. Besides, you have a whole month with Henry to learn.”

Henry nodded. “I’ll be a diligent teacher. I’ll make sure her work ethic doesn’t fall to your level either.”

“… I will ignore that one.”

I waved. “See you later!”

Once Cara and Bennett had left, Henry faced me. “There’s a lot to teach you, but we can start off easy. For now, I will give you a tour of the hotel. The top floors are what we usually stick to since the lower ones are for guests. Not all of the hotels are like this, but there are two headquarters. One here and one in Los Angeles.”

“I didn’t know you had one in LA.”

“I’ve never had to go, but seeing as Mrs. Calloway is out of the picture now, you might be taking some trips there. Typically, you’ll go on all business trips with Mr. Calloway.”

“Ugh.”

Henry smirked. “Don’t worry, the pay is good. Can I ask what Bennett is paying you?”

“Aren’t you not supposed to share that information?”

“That is just a company’s way of avoiding paying everyone fairly.”

“That’s true. I’m getting seventy thousand a year,” I told him. “Doesn’t it seem like a lot? I googled it and only high-end secretaries usually make that much.”

Henry thought about it for a moment. “That’s more than I got when I started.”

I gaped. “Is Bennett paying me more because I’m his girlfriend?”

“I think it’s a Calloway thing. Lee gave me a pay raise when I started working under him.”

“Oh, so you’re saying they give more money to the people they looove?” I asked, wagging my eyebrows.

Henry rocked on the balls of his feet. “What a shady corporation.”

“So shady. People are going to think we do extra favors for that money.”

“Do you?”

“Henry!”

Henry feigned innocence and gestured toward the door. “Shall we?”

While I knew the headquarters were quite… spacious, I didn’t realize how much was actually happening here. Henry explained that normally the headquarters and hotel properties were separated, but they had gone for a close consumer approach. Whatever that meant. Did guests really want corporate right upstairs? Was that appealing? The floors were separated though. Any corporate floors had to be accessed by specific elevators that required passes. Henry informed me I’d be getting one as soon as we got my picture taken.

After the hotel tour, he began showing me the basics of organization skills back in Bennett’s old office. Easy, but incredibly boring. Since Bennett had moved into his mother’s old office, we were in charge of moving and reorganizing the files. I wasn’t sure if it was something that actually needed to be done or something that was suggested so I could learn. I didn’t understand why they didn’t just do everything on the computer.

About three hours into the grueling process, the office door opened up. Henry and I turned, both sitting in the middle of a sea of folders, staring blearily at the newcomer. Lee graced us with a blinding smile and held up two paper bags. “Hungry? I brought sushi.”

“Lee!” I exclaimed, scrambling to my feet. This was the first time I’d seen him since everything went down. He looked as handsome as ever— dressed as if he walked straight out of a Calvin Klein ad.

“How’ve you been? How’s the first day on the job going?” he asked, stepping into the room and setting the bags down on the counter.

“Not too bad,” I answered.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Okay. This is a little boring, but for the pay, it’s worth it.”

“A great perspective.”

“You’re back early,” Henry commented. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tonight?”

Lee shifted his attention to him. “Yes, that was the plan. However, I decided I wanted to surprise you guys with lunch. I let my mother go off alone.”

“Are you okay?” Henry asked, now climbing to his feet as well.

Lee nodded. “Yes. Everything is how it should be, isn’t it? I don’t understand why I made it out scot-free though.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I said immediately. “Don’t think like that. You had no control over what happened, okay? Let’s move on. Don’t get caught up in your thoughts.”

“Henley is right. Don’t talk like that. You made a simple mistake and your mother turned it into a crime.”

“What I did was a crime. I got into a car while drunk—”

“And you voluntarily signed up for DUI classes. You know what happens to most people who get ticketed for a DUI? Nothing. You’re already a step above them.”

I nodded. “Yeah, and you’ve already done so much for me and Brandon, too. You gave Brandon a car. You need to stop feeling sorry. Everything is fine now. We know you’ll never make that mistake again.”

Lee gazed at us. “That is very kind of you two to say.”

“Besides soon you’re going to be too busy to throw yourself a pity party,” I said. “I heard you’re coming back to the company!”

“Yes. It’s my pleasure to be working with you.”

“I think you’ll be a better boss than Bennett.”

“He will be,” Henry agreed.

Lee’s lips curved down. “Although it won’t be the same here without you, Henry.”

“I’m sure Henley will make up for my absence.”

“I don’t disagree, but still. I will miss you around the workplace. Now, let’s eat before the sushi goes bad. Henry, I got vegetarian sushi for you since you don’t eat fish. There’s also rice and tempura. Eat up.”

The three of us dragged chairs up to the desk so we could eat the assortment of food Lee had brought. We discussed my job and Henry’s writing and Lee’s plans for the company. I realized how oblivious I’d been to just how much Lee was into Henry. I couldn’t believe I’d missed it before. Lee never stopped looking at him.

My phone vibrated on the table beside me and I picked it up to see a photo from Sebastian. The photo was taken from the backseat of my brother’s car. In front, Brandon sat at the wheel and Ariana in the passenger seat. Which meant that Sebastian was with them. Another text popped up.

If I die, make sure Bennett doesn’t steal my stuff.

“What in the world are those three doing together?” I muttered to myself.

“Who?” Lee asked.

“My brother, Ariana, and Sebastian. They’re hanging out or something.”

“Ah,” Henry said. “They have quite a love triangle. Ariana must love it.”

I glanced at him. “Um, I don’t think she’s doing this for the attention.”

“What? Oh, no. That’s not what I meant at all. I just meant it’s really good inspiration for a book. Ariana is actually struggling about it.”

“I’m not surprised about that, but I am surprised that you guys talk about it. Since when?”

Henry shrugged. “We added each other on social media a while back. It’s not easy to find writer friends.”

I looked back at the photo. I always thought Ariana would just end up with Sebastian, but it looked like nothing would be happening soon. It seemed a great friendship was just growing between the three of them.

“What are you guys doing?”

The three of us jumped at the sound of Bennett’s voice. He stood in the door’s threshold, pursing his lips at us. Lee gestured him over. “Eating lunch. Come join us.”

“I was going to take Henley out,” he said, shoving a chair in between me and Henry.

“Guess I beat you to it,” Lee said with a grin.

“Were you even going to let me know you were here?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe I wanted Henley and Henry all to myself.”

Bennett jutted his chin up. “You can have him, but not her.”

I raised my hand. “I volunteer for staying with Lee.”

Bennett’s head snapped toward me so fast I was worried he’d get whiplash. “What— no.” He schooled his features and patted my back. “I know you’re just fooling around. I won’t be provoked.”

“Am I?”

“You said you wanted to marry me earlier.”

“That’s not what I said— you know what? Never mind. You’re right. I was just trying to be an instigator.”

Bennett beamed at me. “As I thought. So, do you enjoy working here?”

I had a feeling I’d be answering that question a lot. “It’s not bad. I think it’ll be fun to work with everyone. It’s weird though.”

“What is?”

“I don’t know. Eating all together like this at lunch? Having people check in on me? It’s different. I only had Anna before, really. Now. Well. It feels like we’re a family, you know? I like this. I’m happy.”

The three men stared at me. I hunched my shoulders, warmth spreading across my cheeks. ”

“Sheesh,” Bennett said, leaning forward and wrapping his arms around me tightly. “I really love you.”

“H-hey.”

“You are our family, Henley,” Lee told me, his face soft, but serious. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. You have been there for not only Bennett, but myself as well. Now we will always be there for you. Don’t feel embarrassed.”

Easier said than done. My face felt like it was about to burn off.

“He’s correct. No matter what happens between us, I’ll always love you. I’ll always support you, too. I owe you a lot,” Bennett said, brushing my hair out of my face so he could kiss my forehead. “I’m excited about what the future holds.”

I placed my hands on top of his. “Me, too. You’ve changed my life. I owe you a lot, too.”

“Then we’re a perfect match.”

“If you ever need help with grammar, don’t hesitate to reach out to me,” Henry told me. “That’s um, the only thing I’m good at.”

I pulled away from Bennett, laughing. “That’s not true, Henry. You’re good at making people feel comfortable. I’m happy you’re the one training me. I am curious about your writing though. Can I read any of your books?”

“Uh, about that—”

“It’s called Hired to Love,” Lee cut in, a devious look on his face. “About a certain someone falling in love with the CEO.”

I glanced toward Bennett. Bennett furrowed his eyebrows. “Henry… are you in love with me?”

“No!” Henry cried. “You’re really— never mind. Lee stop talking.”

“It’s not about me, is it?” I asked nervously. “That’s um, kind of embarrassing. I don’t want a book about my life.”

Henry’s whole face became scarlet. “No, don’t worry. It’s not. Let’s not talk about it. Got it, Lee?”

Lee leaned back in his seat and simpered. “Very well.”

“I want to read it though!”

“I have other books you can read, Henley.”

“I want to read this one!”

Henry glared at Lee before turning back to me and smiling apologetically. “Haha, maybe one day then.”

Bennett contemplated Henry for a second before humming to himself. “I wouldn’t mind a book about my life.”

“No.”

“You don’t want our amazing love story to be experienced by everyone?”

“What was so amazing about it?”

Bennett looked offended. “Everything! The good, the bad. It’s what shaped our relationship.”

“I think the good stuff will happen from this moment on,” I told him. “This is where our relationship actually begins. No drama. Just me and you.”

Smiling again, Bennett’s hand found mine under the table. “You’re right. We’ll make every moment so memorable Henry will beg to write it into his books.”

“I have my own relationship,” he pointed out.

Bennett waved him off. “Nothing compared to the future Mr. and Mrs. Calloway.”

I cringed. “Here we go again.”

“This is what you signed up for, Henley. Quite literally.”

“I know.”

“Today marks the first official day, then.”

“I can’t promise there will always be sushi though,” Lee admitted.

“And Bennett might get really annoying,” Henry added.

“That’s alright,” I laughed.

Bennett slid back in his chair a little and I turned back to him. He watched me for a moment and I watched him. The way his eyes shined, the warmth of his smile, the smell of his cologne. I already thought of him as home.

He offered me his hand. “Henley Linden, welcome to the Calloway family.”

FIN

Aaaaand there we have it! Thank you so much for reading Hired to Love and I truly hoped you enjoyed it!