Chapter 4
Chapter Four
“ I am stuffed,” Claudia moaned, rubbing her flat belly.
“Same. I shouldn’t have eaten all that food, but it was so good,” Audra said.
They had just returned from lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant. Bad idea. The rich sauces and heavy pasta made her want to curl up in a ball and take a nap instead of going back to work.
Both women were administrative assistants at Santana International, Audra’s stepfather’s company. Audra worked for one of the teams that provided marketing services for several of her stepfather’s businesses and hoped to advance to join the team one day.
Claudia worked on the opposite side of the floor for a different team. She groaned as they strolled past the cubicles—some empty, others occupied with employees who had already returned from lunch.
“I should have never listened to you. You’re such a bad influence,” she muttered.
“Me? You insisted on going to lunch there. Next time you make a bad suggestion, I’m going to remind you of this day—” Audra pulled up short.
A huge bouquet of beautiful spring flowers sat on her desk.
“Wow,” Claudia said. She shot Audra a look.
Audra frowned. Who in the world would send her flowers? She approached the arrangement as if it was a hissing snake. An older female employee walked up, her eyes alight with curiosity. “What’s the occasion?”
“There’s no occasion,” Audra replied, staring at the flowers. It wasn’t her birthday, and there was nothing special about the date.
“Client, maybe?” the woman suggested.
“I doubt it. I guess there’s only one way to find out.” Audra read the card.
I hope these flowers bring a smile to your face. - Flash
Her heart skipped through her chest at a faster rate.
“That smile says it all. Who is he?” Claudia tried to peer at the card, but Audra hugged it to her chest.
“I was smiling?” she asked.
“Yes,” the other employee said.
“Are you going to tell us who the flowers are from or not?” Claudia demanded.
Audra looked at the older woman, and she looked at Audra. There was a moment of awkward staring before the woman shrugged and walked away.
Audra lowered her voice. “They’re from the baseball player at the party we went to over the weekend.” She handed the card to Claudia. “We didn’t exchange numbers. How did he find me?”
“Um… I might have had something to do with that.” Claudia returned the card.
“Excuse me?” Audra said.
“Don’t get mad. Jacob and I talked on Sunday, and he asked me questions about you that Damon wanted to know. Finally, I gave in. I told him you were single, but I couldn’t give him your number. I did explain that we work at the same place.” She grimaced, as if bracing for impact.
“Claudia…”
“I know, I know, but this is nice, isn’t it? Not only did he try to get your attention at the party, he used one of his friends to get more information. Now the flowers. Audra, you must have made quite an impression.”
“It’s very flattering, but…”
“Give him a chance. Kent doesn’t do anything like this. If he did, I would be all over him.”
“Yeah, well, I’d love to find a good man to date, but I’m not sure this man is the right choice.” Audra tucked her purse in her drawer.
“What could it possibly hurt?” Claudia asked.
If only she knew, getting involved could hurt quite a bit. Kerilyn’s father had taught her a valuable lesson. Plus, Damon wasn’t exactly her type. Too GQ. Too handsome. Too put together.
Her ex had dreadlocks and an untamed beard, and while he was taller than Damon, Damon was muscular where he was lanky. She suspected Kerilyn would end up tall like her father instead of staying short like Audra.
“He has plenty of women to keep him busy. He doesn’t need me in the mix,” Audra said.
“You could be the woman who makes him change his ways. You should go out with him.”
“Thank you for the advice, but I know how to handle this,” Audra said.
“Women like you make me sick!” Claudia hissed. “You have men falling all over you, and you’re so blasé about it. Teach me your ways.” She pressed her hands together in fake prayer.
Audra brushed her away with a laugh and a wave of her hand. “I do not have men falling all over me. Stop being silly. You’re the one who has men eating out of your hand.”
“If I did, my man would behave and treat me better.” Claudia spoke lightly, but Audra saw the shadow of disappointment nestled in her eyes.
She squeezed her friend’s arm. “He loves you.”
Claudia sighed. “I know, but I want him to act like it.” She sighed again and then perked up, straightening her spine. “I’m sure you have work to do, so I’ll leave you alone now. I certainly have work to do. See ya later.”
Audra sat in her chair and turned on her computer, except she couldn’t concentrate. The scent of the flowers filled the small space of her cubicle and posed a fragrant distraction. Unable to resist, she pressed her nose to the bouquet and inhaled their scent.
She looked at the card again. Should she send a message through Claudia?
No. Shaking her head, she tucked the card into a pocket of her purse.
From what she had seen online, Damon could have any woman he wanted, and she’d noticed how they panted after him at the party, their attention palpable. Women came effortlessly to him.
She still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do but decided not to give in so easily. Damon Foster was going to have to work for her attention, and that would let her know how serious he was.
The flowers didn’t stop coming.
Two to three times a week, Audra received a surprise at work—flowers or some little gift. The flower arrangements were always different, and the gifts weren’t extravagant but thoughtful. He sent gourmet treats, like artisan chocolates and rich, delicious cheesecake, which she shared with Claudia. He also sent a plant that she placed on her desk. Her absolute favorite present was a puzzle with a picture of him. She thought that was hilarious.
The man was hot, rich, and had a great sense of humor. He was definitely dangerous. She understood why women flocked to him.
She began to look forward to the deliveries and idly wondered, How long did he plan to keep sending her gifts?