Chapter 17 - Soaring high #2
“If, Dex. Not when.” She yells back, completely unbothered. And fuck if it doesn’t make me hope a little bit more.
I’m still soaring high as 9am comes around and the monsters start prowling.
By monsters, I mean clients, specifically Mrs. Chatman gearing towards her daily call.
I swear this woman has no other business than calling all of her “employees” every single day.
She’s unemployed as far as I know, since she swims in buckets of old money from her family and husband.
Apart from the occasional luncheon, her main job is ruining my goddamn day.
To top it all off, she always complains she has to do our jobs for us and doesn’t understand what she pays us for.
Lady, I will gladly send you on your merry way with a thank you for your business and a swift kick to the ass.
I don’t know how Richard put up with this woman all those years, but if this is the biggest test of my fucking life, I’m going to ace it.
Like clockwork, I see her name pop up on the phone. Normally, I would pass her off to Preston and his excellent Southern manners, but today nothing can bring me down. Not even a rude wasp.
“Mrs. Chatman, what a pleasure to speak to you. How can I help on this lovely day?” I tell her quickly, before she has a chance to spew her venom. I must shock her, since I don’t get an immediate barb. While I’m never rude to clients, I’m normally cold and straight to the point.
“Well, Dexter, I’m not happy.” She tells me, like it’s mind-blowing news.
“I’m so, so sorry to hear, Mrs. Chatman. Please tell me if there’s anything I can do to put your mind at ease. There’s nothing I want to do more than make you happy.” I’m on fire, despite hearing Charlize laugh out loud at the obvious sarcasm. Even Preston, ever the gentleman, is giggling quietly.
“I expect excellent service from the firm. I haven’t stuck with Richard all these years to get my monthly report late.” She says, but it doesn’t have any bite.
“Of course, Mrs Chatman. As you know, the reports are submitted at the end of the day on the last Monday of the month, however I’ll personally manually issue it to you by 10am.” I tell her to appease, because why not? Not like I have a hundred other clients.
“Good. That’s what I’m paying you for.” She finishes with and I can only imagine the victory she’s feeling about getting a report eight hours early. Some people, I swear.
“You have a nice day, Mrs. Chatman.” I tell her with a bright tone. Of course, the only thing I’m rewarded with is the dial tone as she puts down the phone without any form of goodbye.
I sigh to myself, but am met with two wide expressions on either side.
“What?” I ask my team after a few seconds.
“You just seem so… happy.” Charlize says, as if the word leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.
“We’re happy for you, boss.” Preston quickly follows, manners at the forefront.
“What can I say, I had a very relaxing weekend. Not even the shrew can bring me down.” I give both my most dazzling smile.
“I’m happy to speak to her whenever!” Preston pipes up and I give him a small nod of thanks. Looks like I already lost Charlize to whatever report she’s working on.
I get things ready for chatterbox and get up for my daily break at 10am, which used to be a moment to breathe and grab a tasty coffee, but has now become a stolen moment with Leon. Just thinking about seeing him in a few minutes makes my body buzz with excitement.
“Right, I’m off.” I tell the guys. “The usuals?” I ask and watch Charlize nod.
“Boss, I can really get them. You don’t have to.” Preston starts to get up, but I hold out my hand to stop him.
“It’s fine, really. I enjoy getting some air.
And please, for the love of Christ, just call me Dex.
” I tell him for the hundredth time, knowing nothing will change.
He thankfully sits back down and I rush to leave the office, knowing any minute I linger is a minute lost with Leon.
I can see one of the other team managers walking towards me, so in a moment of panic I jump to the staircase instead.
I really don’t need anyone else taking up my time now, it’s almost ten already.
What’s thirty-odd floors to go down? Just kidding, I jump on the elevator one floor below and make my way quickly to the coffee shop.
I’m practically running to make it. I know Leon would wait, but I don’t want to cause him issues with his job.
His work is almost as demanding as mine and he’s an assistant.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I like that he’s successful and loves his job, but I wish that we had more time together.
Not that I’m one to talk, seeing I basically coined the term workaholic.
I finally get to the coffee shop and start looking around, but Leon’s nowhere to be found.
Did I miss him? My whole mood is about to deflate when strong hands encircle my waist from behind.
Even if I didn’t know the feel of his body against mine by now, I’m surrounded by the overwhelming smell of ocean and peaches.
“Hello, boyfriend.” Leon whispers in my ear.
“Boyfriend, huh?” I taunt him, but I’m secretly preening on the inside.
“Yep.” He says, popping the P. “I’ve decided to make it official now that you’re all mine.” He punctuates with kisses all over my temple and jaw.
“Caveman much, Leon?” I keep taunting even though I’m desperately loving this.
“Only for you.” He tells me as he seals his lips to mine. I sigh contentedly, feeling simultaneously completely at peace as well as filled with adrenaline. It’s painful to separate from him, but I have a very important question to ask.
“Can I see you tonight?” I ask, letting some vulnerability leak through as I stare insistently into his eyes. I’m rewarded with a full grin.
“Always, Dex. Tonight, tomorrow, every day if you want. God, is it too early to ask you to move in? You make me feel crazy, but I’m so happy!” He tells me looking overjoyed, which makes me laugh out loud.
“You make me feel crazy too, Leon. But maybe let’s sit on me moving in a bit, at least until a few months have passed.” I tell him, even though I’m actually considering it. The madness!
“Sure, sure.” He nods, thoughtfully. “What would that be, two-three months?”
I’m laughing again at his silliness. “We’ll see babe. Although I’m curious how my stuff will fit with all the plants in your apartment.”
“I’ll make the space.” He answers confidently and I just melt at his determination.
Love shines through his eyes when he looks at me and I so badly want to blurt out the three little words that are fighting to break free, but it’s definitely too soon for that.
All clues point to him feeling the same, but I need to at least be a bit cautious here.
All my walls are coming down way too fast and, if this blows up in my face, I genuinely don’t know how I’ll ever recover.
“Ok.” I tell him. “Let’s see how the trip goes first and then we’ll revisit the subject in a couple of months. Who knows, you might get sick of me by then.”
“Not possible.” He says confidently yet again and then kisses me long and sweet, coffees forgotten. It’s not until a few minutes later that we separate and, even though the kissing wasn’t particularly heavy, I’m still dizzy and feel like I’m coming back to Earth.
“So, about the trip. Are you ok with me just planning and booking everything?” He asks, recovering first.
“Well, I’m normally a bit of a planning geek and it will make me feel a bit uneasy to relinquish all control, but…” I take a breath while he gives me the biggest puppy dog eyes.
“But?” He asks impatiently.
“I guess it would be ok for you to take the lead, since you know the area.” I finally tell him, even though that’s not the whole truth.
Ever since I met Leon, my life has been a rollercoaster of excitement and surprising instances that have both floored and elevated me at every turn.
I’m stunned to figure out that I’m actually looking forward to being surprised by him on this trip.
“Thanks, babe.” He says while giving me another small kiss. “I promise it will be the best trip you’ve ever had. I’ll think about everything!”
“I trust you. Plus, I already know it’s going to be the best trip, since it will be the first one I ever took.
” I let the words escape my mouth without thinking and realize my mistake when I see his confused face.
Fuck. What twenty-seven-year-old has never left the city?
That was such a fucking stupid thing for me to admit.
“What?” He finally asks once he gets his bearings. “You’ve never been on a trip? Not even upstate? What about college?”
“I went to college here at Baruch on a full scholarship, so there wasn’t much need to leave the city.
Plus, you have everything you need in New York.
” A little lie, seeing that while I do really love New York, I would also love to travel.
But between trying to get my degree early, having to work to sustain myself through high school and college and then doing eighty-hour weeks when I first got my internship didn’t leave much time to travel.
“Oh.” Leon says, but he doesn’t sound convinced. “I guess that makes sense. All the more reason to make your first trip even that much more memorable.”
“I’m sure it’ll be great. I’ll be happy as long as I’m with you.” I tell him, truthfully.