Chapter 11
Three weeks later, Lexie knew she’d never find another man like Midas.
They’d talked every day, and he’d started coming over and picking her up from work each evening and taking her back to his place for dinner.
She loved spending time with him. He always made her feel valued.
He listened to her as she talked about her day and the people she worked with.
She’d never felt as close to anyone as she did Midas.
They’d hung out with his team the previous two weekends as well. Lexie was starting to get to know the other guys better, and wasn’t surprised they were as wonderful as Midas. He wouldn’t want to hang out with them if they were assholes.
And she’d found a fast friend in Elodie.
She’d called to ask her a question about salvaging a cake she was making because she didn’t have oil and was feeling too lazy to go to the store.
Elodie had suggested applesauce and, amazingly, Lexie had some on hand.
Then they’d talked for another hour as Lexie baked.
Moving to Hawaii had been the best decision she’d ever made, and Lexie couldn’t be happier.
It was Friday, and she had a few more hours to get through but was already looking forward to the weekend and spending it with Midas. She was content with how their relationship was progressing, although she wouldn’t complain if he invited her to spend the night.
Thinking about having sex with Midas made her shift a little self-consciously.
The man was impossible to resist, not that she wanted to.
She was aching to sleep with him, in fact.
But he was being chivalrous. He’d said he didn’t want to rush her because she was important to him, wanted to make sure she knew he wasn’t with her simply to get off.
Which was very sweet and all, but it had been a long time since Lexie had been with a man, and she was more than ready. If making out with Midas got her all hot and bothered, she couldn’t imagine what actually seeing him naked and having him touch her all over would do.
Lexie was packing boxes in the back pantry at Food For All when her phone vibrated. Looking down, she saw it was an incoming phone call from an unknown number. Frowning, she answered.
“Hello?”
“Is this Lexie Greene?” the man on the other end asked.
“Yes, who is this?”
“This is Magnus Brander.”
For a second, Lexie had no idea who that was. Then it clicked. “Oh! Hi. Is something wrong?”
“No, no, no. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to concern you,” Magnus said. “Is this a bad time?”
Lexie had no idea why Dagmar’s brother was calling her, though she wasn’t sure she believed him when he said nothing was wrong.
They’d exchanged several emails over the last few weeks.
They had started out formal, with Lexie expressing her condolences, and had evolved to become more friendly and chatty.
It was a surprise, actually. Lexie hadn’t expected to make friends with Magnus, but with every email, she let down her guard a bit more.
“No, this is fine. I’m just packing some lunches for the team to take to the streets tomorrow.”
“Ah, yes, the mobile food pantry. It is a good idea. It was yours, yes?”
Lexie shrugged. “Yeah. How are you doing? Are you okay?” she asked, still trying to figure out the reason for Magnus’s call.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk to him, it was just unusual, and she wanted to make sure he was all right.
He’d asked her for details of his brother’s last moments alive, and every time he emailed, he’d pressed for more and more information about what happened in the desert, and specifically, what she and Dagmar had talked about.
Lexie had done her best to tell him what she could remember, even though she worried about him.
Obsessing over his twin’s death wasn’t healthy…
but she tried to remind herself that everyone mourned differently, and the fact that the men were twins was a whole ’nother level of pain she’d never understand.
“I am fine,” Magnus said. “I’m sure you are wondering why I am calling.”
“Well, yes. I mean, I don’t mind, not at all, but…” Her voice trailed off. She’d given Magnus her number a few emails ago, when he’d seemed especially down about Dagmar’s death.
“You know that Dagmar was very involved with Food For All,” Magnus said.
Lexie nodded even though he couldn’t see her.
“Yeah, he was one of only a handful of auditors who traveled around to the various outposts and reported back to the board.” She’d been intimidated by the fact she was responsible for showing Dagmar around Galkayo, explaining the programs they’d put in place to help the less fortunate residents.
She’d been honest about the shortcomings of their programs and how they were working to improve them.
Then, of course, they’d been kidnapped, and they were no longer employee and boss.
“Yes. I have thought about it a lot, and decided I want to honor my brother by stepping into his place,” Magnus said.
“I think that’s great,” she told him.
“Yes. I am pleased. And because of the special circumstances, I asked if I could come to Hawaii as my first assignment.”
Lexie smiled. “You’re coming here?” she asked.
“Yes. If that is all right.”
“Of course it is,” Lexie assured.
“You have been so kind, so helpful and understanding, I wanted to meet you in person. To thank you for being there for my brother.”
“Oh, Magnus. I’m so looking forward to meeting you in person too. When will you be here?”
“There is more paperwork to be done, but I believe the board said I should be able to leave in a month or so.”
“That’s great!”
“Yes. And while I will be observing the Food For All facility and making notes on the employees, I would like to spend some time with you as well. To talk about my brother, of course.”
“Sure. And maybe you’d like to meet my boyfriend? He was actually in Somalia too. He briefly met Dagmar.”
“Oh?” Magnus said.
“Uh-huh. Although, shoot…maybe I wasn’t supposed to mention that,” she mused, scrunching her nose in contrition.
“It is okay. I won’t tell,” Magnus said.
“Thanks. But anyway, he’s heard a lot about both you and Dagmar, and I’m sure he’d be happy to sit down with us.”
“This is good. I would like to know as much about my brother’s time in Somalia as possible…I miss him.”
Lexie frowned. “I’m sure you do. I really am sorry, Magnus.”
“Yes. Anyway, I didn’t want it to be a surprise when I showed up. Wouldn’t want you to keel over in shock when you saw me. After all, Dagmar and I are…were…twins.”
“I appreciate the head’s up. Do I need to tell Natalie that you’re coming?”
“Natalie?” Magnus asked.
“Oh, I guess you haven’t gotten a list of all the employees yet. She’s the manager of Food For All here.”
“The board is supposed to notify her,” Magnus said.
“They will send out a memo, but you know how sometimes those things fall through the cracks. Then again, it is my understanding that Dagmar sometimes did surprise inspections, so maybe it would be better if you didn’t say anything.
I wouldn’t want my first assignment for Food For All to be compromised, and if the board knew we were talking, it might be considered bad form. ”
“I understand.” She didn’t want to do or say anything that might get Magnus in trouble.
She’d never met or talked to the people on the board of Food For All.
The organization was based out of the United Kingdom, and the men and women in charge had a reputation for being very strict and by the book.
Still, she was grateful that she’d been hired all those years ago, and that they were letting a grieving man step into his brother’s shoes.
“Thank you,” Magnus said. “You are busy, so I will let you get back to work. You’ve been there since early this morning, yes?”
“Yeah,” Lexie confirmed. She’d shared her general schedule in an email a while ago.
He’d been curious as to how she spent her time and what it was she did, and she’d been happy to tell him.
Because she lived near the facility, she had no problem going in early to get the coffee started, and to do whatever else needed to be done before they opened the doors for breakfast.
“I hope you aren’t working too hard,” Magnus said.
Lexie chuckled. “I’m not. I love what I do and helping others isn’t a hardship. And this weekend, Midas is taking me to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. They have a maze, which I’m super excited to try out.”
“Midas is the man who knew Dagmar?”
“Yes.”
“I hope he treats you well.”
“He does,” Lexie reassured Magnus. The more they talked, the more comfortable she became. What happened to Dagmar was tragic and horrific. If she gained a friend in his brother as a result, it would make her feel a little better.
“It sounds as if you are happy,” Magnus said.
“I am.”
“Good. I will let you go now. Do you mind if I call again?”
“Not at all. Call anytime.”
“Thank you. I will be in touch soon and will update you on the progress as to when I will arrive.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“As am I,” Magnus said. “Goodbye.”
“Bye.”
Lexie clicked off the phone and stuck it back in her pocket.
Seconds later, Ashlyn, one of the other full-time employees, entered the pantry and asked, “You okay? I thought I heard you talking.”
“I’m fine,” Lexie said, happy the other woman had bothered to check on her. “I was on the phone.”
“Your man?” Ashlyn asked with a smile.
“No.” Lexie grinned. “A friend,” she said, remembering that she was supposed to keep Magnus’s arrival on the down low.
“Cool. Anyway, Natalie sent me in to see if you could come out and help walk the room with Pika. It’s crazy crowded, as it is on most Friday afternoons, and people seem restless. You’re so good with everyone that she thought it might be best for you to mingle.”
“Oh, of course. I’m happy to. I’m not done here though,” Lexie said.
“No worries. Jack and I will finish packing up the lunches after you leave. You’re leaving early today, right?”