Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Olivia
I take a tentative sip. A smile of satisfaction blooms on my lips. “You’re right, Steph. This smoothie is amazing.”
“I know. That’s mango pineapple. Mine is strawberry banana.” She places her cup on the corner of my desk. “I thought my roommate was crazy when she told me that she quit her nine-to-five to start selling smoothies from a food cart in Washington Square Park. I’m beginning to think she’s a genius.”
“I’m not one for throwing caution to the wind, but I think she made the right choice.” I eye the logo on the side of the plastic cup. “You’re not here to tell me that you’re jumping ship so you can sell smoothies too, are you?”
Her mouth twists into a wry grin. “If that was the case, would you give me a raise to keep me?”
I would. Since Steph took over as the manager of Liore’s flagship store, employee turnover is down and sales are up. We need her and a raise in pay was already in her near future. I was going to break the good news to her a few weeks from now during her yearly employee evaluation.
“You’re due for a five percent raise next month, but I’m willing to increase that to seven percent if you sign a new two-year contract with us today.”
“Are you serious?” She inches forward on the white leather chair that’s in front of my desk. “Really?”
“Tell me you’ll stay, Steph.”
“I’m staying. I’m not going anywhere,” she says hurriedly. “I’ll sign the contract today.”
I drop my gaze before I lock eyes with her. “You didn’t come here to quit, did you?”
She breathes a sigh. “I didn’t. I hope that doesn’t change your offer. I’m committed one hundred percent to Liore. I love my job.”
“It doesn’t change a thing. The raise is yours.” I take another sip of the smoothie. “Did you stop by just to share the smoothie?”
“No.” She tucks a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. “Something happened at the boutique this morning. I thought you should know about it. I wanted to tell you in person.”
Eighteen months ago, when I first took on this position, I would have felt a jolt of panic at those words, but a lot has changed since then. I’ve learned that every problem has a solution. “What happened, Steph?”
“Alexander Donato happened.” She rolls her blue eyes. “He showed up again demanding more information.”
“What information?” I ask as I feel a tense knot forming deep in my stomach.
I think I already know the answer to that question.
Trey sent me a text early this morning telling me that Buck had met with Alexander yesterday to give him the good news about the jersey and the tickets to a game.
I replied that I was glad and I asked Trey if Buck kept my name out of it.
Trey assured me that he had.
I trust Trey, but I don’t know Buck. Maybe he let something slip to Alexander about me.
“He asked if I was related to Trey Hale.” She shoots me an amused look. “He asked Liza too. Thankfully, she has no idea that you are Trey’s cousin.”
I breathe a heavy sigh of relief. “Thank you for not saying anything.”
“When you first told me that he was your cousin, I promised you that I’d keep that information to myself.” She raises her hand in the air as if she’s taking a vow. “I don’t break promises, Olivia.”
“So he left the store after that?”
Her hand curls around her smoothie cup. “He tried to, but Liza was determined to flirt with him.”
I can’t hide my smile. “She’s crushing hard on him.”
“He wasn’t feeling it.” She grins at me. “He asked about you before he left.”
The knot in my stomach morphs into an annoying flutter in my chest. I try to chase it away with a cough, but it does little good.
“He wanted to know how he could reach you,” she goes on. “I asked if there was a message that I could relay to you and he said he’d deliver it himself.”
“Himself?” I blurt out. “Did you tell him where he could find me?”
She shakes her head. “No, but all he would need to do is look at the Liore corporate website. Your bio page has your office phone number on it and the address of this building.”
She’s right.
If Alexander is determined to talk to me, he’ll have no trouble finding me.
“This is the guy who waltzed into Liore last week with a pair of panties in his hand?” Kate hands my phone back to me. “He’s super hot, Olivia.”
“No.” I shake my head. “He’s not that hot.”
“Get your eyes checked.”
“He called my office today when I was in a meeting.” I sigh as I exit Alexander’s website and drop my phone back into my oversized black leather tote. “He left a message with Sheryl.”
“Oh, poor you.” She smirks. “You returned his call, didn’t you?”
By the time my assistant, Sheryl, gave me the message it was almost six o’clock. I promised Kate that I’d be at her store at six, so I left my office with the intention of calling Alexander back tomorrow.
“I didn’t have time.”
She glances at the silver watch on her wrist. “According to this, you have all the time in the world.”
I playfully pat her hand. “I’ll call him when I get to my office in the morning. I thought we were going for pizza.”
In one swift movement, she’s clutching my hand in hers. “You’re interested in him, aren’t you?”
I almost laugh. “Who?”
“Alexander.” She points a finger at me. “That’s why you’re putting off calling him back. You’re trying to figure out what you’ll say to him.”
I suck in a deep breath. That’s not why I’m putting off calling him back. “I swore off all arrogant and cocky men years ago. He’s attractive, but he’s not my type, Kate.”
“She who protests too much…” Her voice trails.
“I’ll call him tomorrow,” I repeat as I gaze around her store and the potential customers checking out the dresses and accessories. “Are you sure you can pull yourself away for a dinner break?”
“My staff can handle it.” She straightens the collar of the red dress she’s wearing. “I’ve been craving pizza all day. I’m ordering a huge slice of pepperoni. How about you?”
Pizza isn’t my favorite, but spending time with Kate ranks high on my list of things I love to do. “I’m having the same.”
“Let’s go.” She takes off toward the door of the shop. “I’ve only got an hour to spare. Try to keep up.”
I laugh as I fall in step behind her.