Cherry’s Jubilee (Lunchtime Chronicles: Season 7)

Chapter 13

Cherry

I tap his lap, and he puts a slice of kiwi in my mouth. After chewing it, he gives me another piece, and to tease him, I lick his fingers before he can pull them away.

“Stop before I pack up and work from home the rest of the day. And by work from home, I mean work from bed.”

I wiggle my brows at him. “I need a rest. I’ve let you in my sugar way too many times, and now I’m sore.”

“Then stop licking my fingers.”

“I should go. I can’t believe I’m back in this building reliving the trauma that this company introduced to my life.” I put the back of my hand to my forehead and pretend to be put upon. “I still get stressed when I think about it.”

“I’ll fire whoever didn’t hire you and give you their job.”

I stand from the couch, walk to his wall of windows, and look down. “That’s not enough. I need you to dismantle the entire department by the end of the day and install me as head. I’ll hire my own staff. It’s the only way to make things right.”

He walks behind me and wraps his arms around me, and when he pulls me into his chest, I sigh in contentment. His warm lips find the side of my neck, and he plants a wet kiss .

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get that done by end of business today. I’m going to need at least the rest of the week. Do you think you can give me that?”

“No,” I say and sidestep out of his arms. “I thought you had power, but I guess not,” I tease. “I need to talk to the head Jubilee in charge, not some underling.”

“The head Jubilee in charge is my father, and he’s happily married to my mother, so you’ll just have to settle for me. Sorry, not sorry.” He wraps his arms around me again, and I sigh into his broad chest. We stand like that for several minutes, and I let his strong heartbeat lull me.

“I should go and let you work,” I say minutes later.

“Stay,” he insists. “But I have meetings all afternoon starting soon.”

I turn and pout. He leans down and brushes my lips with his.

“First of all, that’s a bad idea. I’m way too diabolical to sit in this office with all my ideas of revenge. Second, I can’t. I have some work I need to do.” My phone starts ringing from across the room, and I know who it is from the ringtone. “Fuck,” I whisper. He’s one of the few people I don’t ignore. I leave Daniel by the window and run to my purse. I grab the phone on the fourth ring. “Hey,” I say as I run a nervous hand through my hair.

“Hey, yourself, Cherry Berry. I’m at work, so I’m gonna get right to the point. Are you listening?”

Jubilee, who was over by the window, now stands before me with his arms crossed. He looks down at me, frowning in disapproval. I frown back, but I exaggerate more than him.

“Are you listening?” my dad says, but louder this time.

“Yes, Dad,” I say. Suddenly, Jubilee’s scowl disappears. He kisses my cheek, goes to his desk, and turns to his computer.

“My birthday is exactly one month from today. I’m going to barbecue at the house. You will show up, and you will make me my favorite cake. We will have dinner together as a family, and you will stop acting like your mother doesn’t exist. That’s all I want for my birthday.” I roll my eyes to the ceiling. Dad never asks for anything from his kids. He says as the father, it’s his job to give to us. “And I’ll be honest with you, Cherry Berry. Not only am I sick of this shit, but I’m too old for it. I’m asking you for a personal favor. Make up with your mother. In fact, that’s what I want for my birthday.”

“Dad, I’m not fighting with her. I’m just not engaging anymore. I’m tired of—”

“I know. And it’s done. I promise you that. Do you trust your old man?”

“Of course I do,” I tell him.

“Then trust me on this. Please. Will you grant this old man his wish?”

I sigh and roll my eyes. “I promise I won’t ignore her on your birthday.”

“It’s a start, but that’s not what I want. I want you to give her another chance.”

“Dad, you’re not being fair. Don’t make me the bad guy.”

“I’m not. Your mother was wrong for what she asked of you, but she’s not a bad guy either. She fucked up. She knows it. We all know it, and I never would have let you give up that building. Give her some grace, Cherry Berry. Can you at least try? Just open the door, baby. Please.”

“I’ll try, Dad.”

“That’s all I ask. I have to get back to my office. I love you, kiddo,” Dad says. “And I’m so damn proud of you.”

“Bye, Dad. I love you too.” I end the call, sigh, and sit on the couch while Jubilee types furiously on his keyboard.

“Whatever you’re typing better be about dismantling the accounting department,” I say. His office phone rings before he can give me a response. He answers, and after briefly speaking with whoever is on the other line, he hangs up and resumes his typing.

“By the way,” he says casually a few seconds later, “my dad’s about to walk in—”

I stand abruptly, unsure if he’s telling the truth, but his door swings open, and a tall man who is a replica of Daniel, if only older, walks in.