Part 18:
She is extraordinary. Yeah, she is. Just like her mom. Ryan opened the passenger door for Clara. Sarah also believed that life was too short to waste on fear, that we owe it to ourselves and the people we love to be brave. So, yeah, I think she’d approve. They drove back to Ryan’s house, and Clara found herself volunteering to help with Emma’s science fair project, something involving plant growth and different types of soil.
They spent the afternoon in Ryan’s backyard. Emma carefully measuring soil samples while Clara took notes and Ryan built a frame to hold the experiment. It was domestic and ordinary, and Clara loved every second of it. Around 5:00 p.m., Ryan’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and frowned. It’s my brother. I should take this.
He stepped inside while Clara and Emma continued working. Emma was chattering about hypothesis and variables when Clara’s own phone, which she’d turned back on, started ringing. Unknown number. She almost ignored it, but something made her answer. Miss Hail. An unfamiliar voice. This is David Chen from the Chicago Tribune.
I’m working on a story about your relationship with Ryan Cooper, and I was hoping to get a comment from you. Clara’s stomach sank. No comment. Please don’t call this number again. Just a few questions. How long have you been seeing Mr. Cooper? Is Hail Industries planning to update its fraternization policy? Are there concerns about Clara? Hung up.
2 seconds later, her phone rang again. Different number. She didn’t answer, but the voicemail notification popped up immediately. Then another call and another. Ryan came back outside looking grim. That was Mike. Apparently, reporters have been calling him, calling my neighbors, even going to Emma’s school, asking questions about us.
Clara felt sick. Ryan, I’m so sorry. This is exactly what I was afraid of. They’re invading your privacy. Emma’s privacy. Hey. Ryan took her hands. We knew this might happen. We talked about this. Talking about it and living it are different things. Clara looked at Emma, who was still happily measuring soil, oblivious to the storm gathering around them.
What if they approach her? What if they scare her? Then we deal with it together. Ryan’s voice was firm. I talked to the school. They’re aware of the situation and won’t let anyone near Emma who isn’t authorized. Mike screening his calls. We’re taking precautions. This is insane. We’ve been dating for less than 2 weeks and it’s already a circus.
Welcome to dating someone famous, Ryan said with a ry smile. Though I have to say this is not how I imagined my love life going in my 30s. How did you imagine it? Honestly, I didn’t. After Sarah died, I kind of figured that was it for me. One great love per lifetime. You know, I’d focus on Emma and work and that would be enough. He squeezed her hands.
But then this terrifying CEO got stuck in my elevator and turned out to be human underneath all that ice. And suddenly, I could imagine a future that wasn’t just survival. an actual future with possibility in it. Clara felt tears sting her eyes. I don’t want to ruin that future before it even starts. I don’t want Emma to be hurt because of me. Clara.
Emma’s voice made them both turn. The little girl was standing there, dirt on her hands and concern in her eyes. Are you crying? What’s wrong? Clara wiped her eyes quickly. Nothing, sweetheart. I’m fine. You’re not fine. You’re sad. Emma walked over and put her small, dirty hands on Clare’s cheeks. Did someone say mean things to you? Like Sophia’s mom? Sort of.
Some people don’t understand why your dad and I like each other. They’re asking a lot of questions and it’s making things complicated. Emma frowned, thinking hard. Daddy says complicated is just another word for things that take more effort. And he says anything worth having is worth effort. Are you worth effort, Clara? The question asked with such innocent directness made Clara laugh through her tears. I hope so.
Are you? Obviously, I’m awesome. Emma said it without a trace of arrogance, just stating a fact. So, if we’re both worth effort, then the complicated stuff doesn’t matter. We just keep trying. Right, Daddy? Ryan picked Emma up, dirt and all, and hugged her. Right. When did you get so smart? I’ve always been smart.
You just don’t always notice because you’re busy being a grown-up. That evening, after Emma had been fed and bathed and read to and tucked in, a process that took nearly 2 hours and involved three more books, four glasses of water, and six different reasons why she couldn’t possibly go to sleep yet.
Clara and Ryan finally collapsed on the couch together. “Is bedtime always that complicated?” Clara asked. “That was actually pretty smooth. Wait, wait until she’s over tired. Then it’s like negotiating with a tiny terrorist who controls nothing but refuses to surrender. Clara laughed and leaned into Ryan’s side, feeling his arm come around her shoulders.
On the TV, some mindless sitcom played on mute. Clara’s phone sat on the coffee table face down, still buzzing periodically with calls and texts she was ignoring. “I need to deal with the board,” Clara said quietly. They’re going to call an emergency meeting, demand explanations, possibly try to force me out.
Can they do that? Force you out? They can try. I own controlling shares, but there are ways to make my life difficult if they want to. Shareholders, lawsuits, votes of no confidence, pressure from investors, Clara. Corporate politics is its own kind of warfare. What will you tell them? Clara thought about it, about all the ways she could spin this to minimize damage.
But Emma’s words echoed in her head. Anything worth having is worth effort. The truth that my personal life is my personal life. That I’m not breaking any laws or policies. That they can accept it or deal with the consequences. That’s pretty badass. I learned from watching you stand up to Michelle this morning. Ryan laughed.
I didn’t do anything. Exactly. You didn’t flinch, didn’t apologize, didn’t act like you had anything to be ashamed of. You just existed as yourself and let her be uncomfortable with it. That’s power or stubbornness. My family would say stubbornness. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, and Clara felt some of the day’s tension begin to drain away.
This was what she’d been missing in her perfect controlled life. These quiet moments of simply being with another person. No performance, no agenda, just presence, Clara. Ryan’s voice was soft. Are you sure about this? About us? Because once we really commit to this, once you go in front of that board and defend us, there’s no going back. You’ll have taken a public stand.
Your reputation will be tied to mine, and I’m just, he stopped, struggling with words. You’re just what? I’m just a guy who fixes elevators and makes spaghetti and reads bedtime stories. I’m not sophisticated or connected or any of the things someone like you usually dates. What if you wake up in 6 months and realize you could do better? Clara shifted to face him fully.
