I returned to work and checked in with Scott to see if he needed anything, but he had his door closed. That was odd. I settled into my desk and got to work. Then Craig brought in a big stack of papers, "Mr. Stevens asks for you to complete this. He wants it by the end of the day."

I looked at it, "That's a week's worth of work."

"He said if you have to work through lunch and stay late, so be it. He wants it done today," Craig told me. He left my office, and I composed a text that I had to work through lunch and sent Ben a book to pick up Kami.

I got to work. I worked through lunch and even stayed as I watched everyone leave one by one. I heard Scott's door open and saw him walk past my office. He didn't look at me, and I sighed as I kept working.

I finally finished around nine and placed the paperwork on Scott's desk. I turned off everything and locked up. I went home, and Ben had food waiting for me. I checked on Kami then ate. I had a feeling the rest of the week would be the same.

*******
Sure enough, it was. As I worked, I heard Tabitha and Scott talking. It sounded like flirting. My blood boiled, and I could feel the anger rising. I guess it was a matter of time before Scott demoted me and she replaced me.

I decided to cut it off before I was slapped in the face with it.

On Friday, I decided to let Scott know where I stood in the company and accept defeat.

I knocked on his door, "Yes?"

I stood at the door and didn't enter. Why bother? It would be more comfortable this way.

"I'm just letting you know if you decided to switch me and Tabitha that's fine. I'll make sure I pack my office up Monday morning, and I can take it to my new workstation," I stated a matter of fact.

He looked up from his screen at me.

"I will stay and finish the rest of my work, then take care of everything. Have a good night, Mr. Stevens." With that, I left. As I walked back to my soon to be the former office, I pulled off the name tag. There was no reason to keep it there.

I went back to work and finished everything. Then I grabbed a box and packed up everything. I figure it would save me time on Monday and I could go to my new work station. Scott made himself clear. It was nice while it lasted.

Once I had everything packed, I set the box next to the door. I would grab it Monday morning. All I wanted to do was go home and see Kami.

I turned off the light and walked out. Scott came out of his office and over to mine. He found the nameplate gone and saw the box. Scott ran his hand through his hair and proceeded to pick it up. He turned the light back on and unpacked everything. Then he put my nameplate back in its place.

Once he finished, he turned off the light and left.

********
The next day was Tara's dinner party. I was so not in the mood for socializing. I would rather sit home and bond with Ben and Jerry, but I did it after Ben and Mel persuaded me to. Plus, Kami was excited to see her friends. I couldn't disappoint her because I wanted to wallow in self-pity.

We got ready, and I got her into the car, then drove over to Tara's. We pulled up in front, and I saw everyone's car along with Scott's. Great, he's probably showing off Tabitha to everyone. I just reminded myself that I was here to see my friends and Kami was coming to see hers. Just ignore him. That's all I needed to remind myself.

We walked in, and Tara and the others greeted us. I saw Kami's friends run over including Georgia; odd.

"Hey, Miss Lina," Georgia greeted me.

I crouched down to her level, "Hi Georgia. How are you?"

"I'm good. I'm spending the weekend with daddy," she smiled.

"That's good to hear. That's a beautiful dress you have on," I smiled at Georgia.

"Thank you! My daddy bought it for me. He said I was his princess and should dress like one and if I want to play in the mud, I should do that. He's cool like that. Don't tell him, but I want to be like Batman. He's awesome!"

She made me laugh.

"Well, if you want to be Batman, then you should be the best Batman," I told her.

"Yay!" She gave me a hugged, then ran over to Scott, "See daddy Miss Lina said I could be Batman!"

I stood up as he looked down at her, "You can be anything you want Princess." She smiled as Kami yelled, "Georgia! Let's see Zoe and Avie. Zara promised to do our hair!"

"Awesome!" Georgia squealed as they ran off.

I looked at him as he looked at me. Then Ben walked over, "Hey, you."

"Hey."

Rob came over and handed Ben a glass of wine.

"So, where is everyone?" I asked them.

"In the family room," Ben said.

"Great," I said as I turned and walked into the family room. This evening should be fun.

I spent time talking to the girls while Kelly was in the kitchen with the guys getting dinner ready. Ben walked into the kitchen with Rob as Kelly introduced them to Scott, "Ben and Rob, this is Scott. Scott this is Ben, Lina's ex and his partner Rob."

"Partner?" Scott asked a bit confused.

"Yeah, partner," Ben answered. "You're the guy that showed up at her door the other day?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah, Lina has been coming home late and missing time with Kami. Dare I ask why?"

"Work has been hectic," Scott shrugged.

"Uh-huh, well, see Kami is important to us. Lina loves our daughter very much and even missed work because she was sick, which she never does. When I showed up, she was exhausted from lack of sleep because she had been up all night with her, but you already know that because being a father, you know what it's like to take care of a sick child, right?" Ben said, giving him a look.

Scott looked at him as the others looked at both of them.

"I'm going to make myself clear. Do not under any circumstances take whatever issue you have out on Lina which will affect our daughter. We've worked very hard to make her happy, and we get along for her sake because that's what you do when you love and respect someone. Understand?"

"Yeah."

Things got a bit tense, and Kelly finally said, "Okay, no tension. We came here to eat and have a good time. Now everyone chills out and mingle."

Ben nodded at him and then left the room with Rob.

"He was a bit intense," Scott commented.

"Dude, Ben is highly protective of Lina and Kami. They may be divorced, but there's nothing he wouldn't do for them," Wyatt said.

Scott looked at them as Kelly went back to dinner. I talked to everyone except Scott. I had nothing to say to him.

Kelly announced dinner, and I got Kami situated between Ben and me, while Scott sat next to Georgia and the other girls sat with their parents. Kelly said grace; then we started eating.

"So, Kami how are you feeling," Scott asked her.

"Better," she said softly.

"That's good to hear."

"Aren't you that weird guy that showed up at my house," she asked him.

"Excuse me?"

We all ate, not knowing where this was going.

"You show up a lot. Are you weird or something?"

"Well, I don't think I'm weird. I just came to check up on your mommy," he answered her.

"Do you do it because you want to be like daddy and Rob?"

"What now?"

"Well, Rob used to come to see daddy at night, and they would kiss and hug. Are you going to kiss mommy?"

We all sat there, stunned.

"Well, I'm not sure yet. I'm trying to get to know your mommy," he explained.

"Do you not like my mommy? Because mommy is awesome. She watches Sponge Bob. Do you like Sponge Bob?"

I sat there, trying not to laugh. Kami was a brilliant five years old.

"Well, I like Sponge Bob very much."

"Good, because if you didn't, you and mommy can't be friends. Even Rob likes Sponge Bob."

We were all trying to contain our laughter with this conversation. What popped out of Kami's mouth next was pure gold.

"I heard you talk to a girl named Tabitha," she said to him.

"Tabitha is an employee like mommy. I talk to her and everyone else."

We all ate as Kami said, "Why?"

"Why not?"

"Because Miss Mel says she sucks dick. Does she suck dick?" We all spat out our drink and started coughing as Scott's jaw dropped.

Ben coughed, "Kami, where did you hear that?"

She looked at him, "That's what Miss Mel said when she stopped by when I was sick. What is a dick daddy?"

Oh god, I just wanted to hide under the table.

"Well, sweetheart, that word is a bad word, and Miss Mel should remember you're five," he said as he shot Mel a look. She looked away. "Second, I will explain it to you later, okay?"

"Okay daddy," she shrugged as she ate.

In Kami's defense, I couldn't be mad at her. She is five. Five-year-olds don't understand adult things although I wanted to hurt Mel at the moment.

"This is quite an excellent meal babe," Tara said to Kelly changing the subject. Thank god. I wanted to hide right now.

Everyone continued to talk, and I caught Scott looking at me. I just sighed.

Later on, after our exciting dinner, Scott caught me in the kitchen alone. He got me cornered, "What was that about?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Why didn't you tell me the guy that was at your house was your ex who happens to be gay?"

I looked at him, "Because you didn't ask, and why should I tell you anything."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Shouldn't you be concerned with Tabitha? I mean you were flirting with her this week at work. A bit unprofessional, don't you think?"

"First, I wanted to find out if the rumors were true about Tabitha and they were. I have plans for her. Second, that's not the point. Why didn't you tell me?" He looked at me.

"You didn't ask," I said. Scott looked at me. "You showed up at my house unexpectedly. Saw my ex and assumed things that weren't true. Now, who looks like a lunatic?"

He gave me a look as I gave one back. I wasn't going to be accused of something by someone who wasn't even with me. I refuse to let that happen.

"So put that in your pipe and smoke it," I said, pushing him away. I didn't need this right now. I had other things to worry about at the moment.

Kelly walked in and over to Scott, "Give her time. Lina has a temper."

"Yeah, I noticed," Scott sighed.

"Want a piece of advice?" Scott looked at him. "If you want Lina then be straight with her. Don't play games. Don't do any of that. She's been through enough. Mel said she was a mess when she and Ben divorced."

"But they are friends," he said.

"Yeah, but doesn't hurt any less when someone you have loved for years comes and asks for a divorce. Ben's the only guy Lina had been within her life. After they divorced, he met Rob and well, she met Ben and Jerry. She didn't want to open herself up to someone that would hurt her again. But when I see her around you, it's like something comes alive. Don't screw this up."

"She drives me insane," he sighed.

"All women do. It's their job. Mine adores chocolate. Her obsession isn't healthy, but I love her anyway," he chuckled.

"So, what do you suggest?"

"Show her you're the guy she wants and pursue her. Then when you get Lina, keep pursuing her. Never stop chasing them. When you do, that's when it ends," he explained. "Think about it."

Scott gave him a look, and then an idea clicked. He knew what he was going to do.