Are You Okay?
Dahlia
I should have just called in sick again today. Maybe if I hid until Monday, everyone would have forgotten that I took the day off.
People around here are busybodies. They’re all probably talking about me taking the day off and spending it with a rude man.
A man like Vex probably doesn’t bother with social niceties that often. He does what he wants regardless of what other people think.
And I worry too much about what others think.
You can do this. The people inside are adults. They aren’t going to call you names or shame you for having a man at your house alone.
Adults don’t call each other names.
You’re safe.
Everything is just fine .
Why can’t Vex come to work with me? No one would say anything to me with my own personal Bone Crusher around.
Part of moving out and getting a job was being ready for anything that might happen.
You’ve hidden at home from the world far too long.
But what if they do call me names?
I couldn’t handle that. Not again. Not ever again.
What would I do? My body locks up.
Home. I want to be home with my parents again. The overwhelming need mixes with the terror dancing in my stomach.
This isn’t normal.
Adults don’t act like stupid, cruel kids.
“Hey.” Mindy’s cheerful voice barely breaks through the haze. “Are you okay? Maybe you should have taken another day off of work. You look a little pale. Do you need an ambulance?”
What? No. Is everyone staring at me now? “No. I’m okay.” At least as far as an ambulance goes. They can’t do anything to help with my panic attacks that my therapist hasn’t already done.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, but thank you.”
“No problem. It’s my job.” She grins at me, then opens the front door for me to walk through.
I have a friend. Mindy won’t laugh at me. She won’t make fun of me. And she certainly won’t think less of me… She didn’t judge Diane for making out with Tac in front of the whole world.
This is no big deal. Adults are different. People in the city are different. “And you do it well.”
“So do you. I’ve never seen someone take to it so well. It’s as if you’ve been doing it your entire life.”
It feels that way sometimes. “I really like doing it. Working here feels good. It’s more than just giving back. It’s making an immediate difference.” Not to mention I never actually see these people so it’s a judgment-free zone. To them, I’m a voice on the phone there to help.
“With Adonis as a boss, I will be here for the rest of my life. Don’t you love his chicken noodle soup?”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you get some soup? He always drops some off during his lunch when someone is sick.”
Wow. Not only is he beautiful, but he’s kind and generous. Adonis really meant what he said. “No. There was a miscommunication.” Or a grumpy, rude man. However you look at it, I missed out on good soup.
“Oh, that stinks. Adonis literally found the best soup in all of Urbium. People have tried to figure out where he gets it, but no one has. There is a rumor going around that it’s some hole-in-the-wall place. But if anyone ever figures it out, they’ll be a hero around here.”
I’d prefer to disappear. The brownies have made that a little hard, but it’s good. I need to push myself out of my comfort zone. That’s what this is all about.
Our conversation made the ride up the elevator go by quickly.
My therapist was right. I can do this.
It’s also nice to know Adonis isn’t a gossip. If he was, Mindy would have known all about Vex and be grilling me right now.
Not that I would tell her anything.
There isn’t much to tell other than the fact that Vex is a really nice guy who hates chicken noodle soup. Nice isn’t the right word. Thoughtful maybe.
Considerate.
Sexy—
“Prue, could I have a moment of your time?”
Where did Adonis come from? Um… “Sure.” This isn’t good. Is he going to fire me because Vex slammed the door in his face?
“Have a seat,” Adonis says as he closes the door behind me.
Uh oh. This isn’t good.
“I know we haven’t known each other long, but I’d like to talk to you as a friend, not your boss.”
Huh? Friends? That’s why you’re doing this, to make friends. But I thought it would be Mindy or some other woman around here that I made friends with first.
Beggars can’t be choosers. “Of course, I’d like that.”
Adonis smiles down at me from his perch on the corner of his desk.
Though I can’t mention this to my mother, or she’ll have us engaged in her mind within the week. She might drive down to try to decide if I should marry Max or Adonis.
“This job exposes us to lots of things. One being cases of domestic violence. In my time here there have been far too many cases of domestic abuse.”
He isn’t wrong. I’ve gotten several calls about it already.
“Prue, I’m concerned about you.”
About me? “Why?” I live alone.
“That man that answered your door isn’t a good man.”
“Vex? You’re worried about Vex?” My mouth drops open.
“Even that name doesn’t inspire trust. A woman alone in the city can’t be too careful about who she trusts.”
He’s right, but it’s Vex he’s talking about.
“Now I know sometimes it might seem in the beginning all perfect and easy.”
Perfect? Nothing about my life is perfect. Except maybe my craft room.
“But things can deteriorate quickly. Most people are so in love they can’t hear the warnings, but I want you to know if at any time you feel uncomfortable, we’re here for you. You don’t ever have to be afraid or embarrassed. It’s not wrong for you to trust a person.”
Is Adonis even real? That has to be the sweetest thing. “Thank you. I really appreciate the offer.”
His shoulders sag. “But you trust him.”
With my life. “Yes. If it were any other man, I wouldn’t trust as freely. But Vex is different. ”
“How is he different?”
Can I even explain it? My heart just knows. “Vex saved my life. He protected me when another person might have viewed it as an opportunity to take advantage of me. I know he seems like a person who could crush bones with his bare hands, but he’s really a very gentle man.”
“There’s nothing about that man that’s gentle. He wanted to kill me for bringing you soup. If you hadn’t been there, he might have tried.”
Vex seemed angry, but not violent. “He doesn’t like surprises. And somehow he’s got it stuck in his head that you have a thing for me. Vex thinks you’re trying to take advantage of your power as my boss.” I probably shouldn’t have said all that, but Adonis needs to understand that Vex is just looking out for me. “He’s very protective. And he seems to think I can’t take care of myself.”
Adonis looks skeptical, but there isn’t anything else I can say except I know that Vex will never lay a hand on me. “You two should meet. I could invite him to one of those Friday dinner things you guys do. Then you can see who he truly is.” Did I just say that? We haven’t even gone on a date and I’m making plans for him to meet the people I work with.
“That’s a wonderful idea. We occasionally have spouses show up, so no one will think a thing about it.”
Yay. What have I just done?
This isn’t going to go well.
What do I do now? If it was anyone else, I’d ask Mom for help. But there’s no way I’m telling her about Vex… ever.
Why don’t I have a single girlfriend that I can ask about things like this?
The only friend I sort of have is Max. We’ve talked about some very odd things. He seems pretty comfortable nosing into my business. Should I ask him?
He’s going to think I’m a nut.
Maybe I should make some brownies… or caramel pecan clusters. Those will sweeten him up. If I soak the nuts in bourbon, he might not even remember the conversation.
Oh, that’s a very good idea.