Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Alexander
Olivia Hull.
That’s her standing next to Trey Hale in a picture he posted to his Instagram account last year.
The caption says it all: Best Cousin Ever!
The photo was liked more than a half million times and the comments number in the thousands.
They’re both dressed in jeans, matching baseball jerseys and Yankees ball caps.
Olivia’s cap is skewed to the side to reveal her entire face.
It’s beautiful. Her smile is infectious.
Dammit. She’s a gorgeous woman.
She’s also compassionate.
I’m grateful that she went to her cousin so that I wouldn’t walk into Alvin’s birthday party empty-handed.
I’m slightly pissed that she didn’t return my call yesterday.
After I discovered her connection to Trey on his Instagram account, I pulled up the Liore Lingerie corporate site and zeroed in on her bio page.
Another breathtaking image of her greeted me. In that one, she was dressed in a white blouse and blue blazer. The fuck-me red lipstick she had on piqued my interest.
It gave her an edgy look that stirred my cock.
I don’t know if my driving desire to talk to the woman is born from my thankfulness over what she did for my nephew or my attraction to her.
“That’s a cute picture of Olivia you have there.”
I look up from my phone and into the face of Olivia’s assistant, Sheryl. The woman is efficient. When she left me standing here, in front of her desk, I expected her to be gone for more than two minutes.
“Did you find Olivia?” I ask abruptly as I slide my phone into the pocket of my suit jacket. “Did you tell her that I’m waiting to speak to her?”
“That would be a no and a no, Mr. Donato.” She sighs heavily. “Ms. Hull’s meeting ended more than an hour ago. She must have left the building for lunch.”
I drop my gaze to the flowers in my hand. I want to show my gratitude for what she did for Alvin. I didn’t bother with a card when I stopped by the florist to pick up the large bouquet. I assumed I’d be handing the flowers to Olivia in person, along with my words of appreciation.
“Are those for her?” Sheryl reaches for the bouquet.
I pull them closer to me. “Can you call her and find out when she’ll be back?”
“I guess I can if that’s what you want.” She tosses me a puzzled look before she rounds her desk and picks up a cell phone. “I’m glad to see she’s dating someone like you. The last man she was with wasn’t her type at all.”
“We’re not…” I begin before I’m stopped by the rise of her hand in the air.
“Olivia?” She asks into the phone before she pauses. “Your boyfriend is here at the office to see you.”
She sighs and lets out a small chuckle. “Alexander Donato.”
Sheryl’s eyes rake me over as she listens intently. “He’s not? Oh. I’m sorry. I just assumed. It’s been a long time since you…”
I clear my throat as she stops again to listen.
“He wants to speak with you.” Her gaze drops to the top of her desk. “All right. I’ll tell him.”
She lowers the phone from her ear and studies the screen. It fades to black under her gaze.
I wait for her to say something, anything, but she continues to stare at her phone silently.
I clear my throat. “When will she be back?”
That prompts a slow raise of her chin until her eyes meet mine. “She won’t be back in the office today. She was called into one of our retail locations to handle a problem that popped up.”
“Which location?” I ask. “I’ll head over there to speak to her.”
She looks at the flowers again. “She’s very busy today. She said that you could expect a call from her tomorrow once she’s back in her office.”
“I’d like to talk to her today,” I press. “It’s an urgent matter, Sheryl.”
“She didn’t mention that,” she mutters under her breath. “Is this business or personal? Olivia didn’t get into any detail on the phone.”
I see the unmistakable glint of curiosity in her eyes. The woman is dying to know what my connection to Olivia is and what the flowers symbolize.
I use her nosiness to my advantage. “It’s a personal matter. The flowers are a surprise. Thank you for not mentioning them to her during the call. I can’t wait to see the expression on her face when she sees them.”
She reaches out to touch my arm. “Olivia didn’t specifically say that I couldn’t tell you where she is. You won’t take up too much of her time, will you?”
I place my hand over hers. “Five minutes, Sheryl. I just want five minutes to hand her the flowers and see the smile on her face.”
She heaves a breathy sigh. “She’s at the Liore boutique in Tribeca.”
“I’ll make my way over there now.” I take a few steps before I turn back. “Let’s keep this between us. I want Olivia to be shocked when I walk in.”
“I won’t say a word.” She shakes her head. “ Ms. Hull doesn’t have enough romance in her life. I’m not going to ruin this for her.”