25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter twenty-five
F ox’s office was massive and boasted two desks. One dead center where he could hold a meeting. The desk was clean and organized with a single screen, a high-tech phone system with multiple lines and an intercom, a white marble pen holder, and a beautiful wood file holder, stacked with color coded folders. Very minimal and organized.
The desk on the left was a tech geek’s paradise. A comfortable place he could spend hours coding. Three monitors, a light-up keyboard, a mouse and keypad that looked like it did a hell of a lot more than point and click, and of course a bunch of toys. The cars and trinkets Melody had given him when they were kids, plus a bunch of other stuff from games she didn’t really know, but the characters looked fun or ruthless depending on which game they came from, were scattered across the front of the desk.
Maybe she should ask Fox to teach her how to play, so they could do something he liked together.
On the opposite side of the office was a large seating area with a black leather sofa, four additional leather chairs that looked decently comfortable, and a coffee table, all atop a rug that was black and white and looked like a starry night. She loved it.
The second his assistant, Dara, got back to her desk, the phone calls started rolling in. One after another. Then people started lining up outside the office. They filled the small seating area out there, others standing around chatting with each other. And while the doors remained open, no one got past his assistant.
But the longer Melody lingered, watching Fox do his thing, the more she realized she was distracting him. He kept looking at her like he hoped she wasn’t bored. Then he’d end one call or meeting and ask if she wanted something to drink or eat. Could he get her anything?
She assured him she was fine. She loved seeing him in action. Talking about one project then another, two very different things the clients wanted, but he could define the parameters, come up with potential solutions and problems, and assure the client they had everything covered.
She didn’t understand all the technical jargon or why something couldn’t be done the way the client wanted, but it sure did come through that Fox was brilliant at what he did.
The person in front of him was working on a project and had gotten stuck. Something wasn’t working. He handed over his laptop to Fox after he’d had two other people look over the code.
As Fox studied it, Jeremy kept sneaking glances at her, seemingly intrigued by her presence in the office and what she meant to Fox.
He’d introduced her to everyone who came in. She tried to stay out of the way by hanging out on the sofa, where Fox could look up and see her but she wasn’t intruding on his business.
After two hours, she’d had enough and wanted to get out into the city and explore. Fox didn’t need her here. He wanted her here. And for her to find her place, she needed to get comfortable with her surroundings and check out what the city had to offer.
She rose and went to Fox, coming up at his side, taking a quick peek at the screen and all those lines of code that meant nothing to her, but apparently made some system run.
Fox turned from the code to look at her. “What’s up?”
“I’m heading out for a little while, so you can concentrate and focus.”
“I like having you here.”
“I know, but you’ve got stuff to do and I’m going bar crawling.”
He frowned up at her. “I wanted to take you to lunch.”
“If lunch is at noon, you’re an hour late. I’m going to ask your assistant to get something sent up to you, while I scope out what’s around here.”
“I’ll go with you.”
She shook her head, just as Jeremy groaned under his breath. His project was due in three days and without figuring out the issue he was having in his code, he’d miss his deadline. “I’ll be fine on my own. I just want to see what’s out there. Maybe I’ll find someplace I’d like to work.”
He held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”
“I know how to use the map thing.”
He rolled his eyes. “The map thing will help, but if you need a ride, you’ll need a rideshare app.” Fox took her phone, then briefly looked at Jeremy. “Give me a few minutes to get my girl set up.”
“Not a problem.” Jeremy glanced at her again. “You should check out O’Leary’s and the Bend. Lunchtime is okay, but those places are really hopping at happy hour and late into the night.”
“Do they have live music?”
“On weekends.”
“Thanks.”
Fox pulled out his wallet and a credit card.
“What are you doing?”
“Rideshare needs a card. You pay for the ride through the app.”
“I have my own card.”
“My city. My invite to bring you here. You want to go out and do stuff, it’s on me.”
“Fox, you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. I need to know you’re safe and have a way home.”
“So you’re asking me to get into a car with a stranger?
He glared at her. “Be careful. Verify the license plate and face match the app.” He held up the phone and showed her how to order a car and pay. The instructions seemed simple enough.
“I plan on sticking close to here for now, so I’ll probably just walk.”
“That’s fine, but if you need a ride, you’re all set. So please, I know it’s new and not what you’re used to, but use it.” Worry lines creased his forehead.
“Okay. I’ll see you in a few hours. Please eat whatever your assistant gets you.”
“Will you meet me back here by six?”
She eyed him. “Will you be done by six?”
“I want to take you to dinner.”
She brushed her hand over his head. “I’ll be here then.”
Fox stood, took her in his arms, and kissed her softly, sweetly. They had an audience. “Have fun.”
“I have your number if I get lost.”
“That’s what the map app is for.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just because it shows my location on the map doesn’t mean I know where I am.”
Worry lines creased his forehead. “I can have Dean go with you.”
She headed for the door. “That’s not necessary. I don’t need or want a babysitter. I’ll be fine. And if not, I’ll order a stranger to drive me back here.”
“You’re not inspiring a ton of confidence,” he called after her.
She turned at the door and looked back at him. “If you can figure out that code, I can find my way back to you.”
“You better,” he called after her as she headed to his assistant’s desk.
“Dara, can you please order some food for Fox. I’ll be back later.”
Dara nodded. “Absolutely.”
It took a few minutes to catch the elevator down and walk out of the huge lobby, but by the time she hit the street, she had scoped out a few places she wanted to check out on the map on her phone.
She headed left and thought she’d start at the closest place to Fox’s building. It would be nice to be able to dash over to see him during the day, or for him to come by and see her at night. That’s if she decided to work in a bar or restaurant. It seemed the logical choice to get started here, so that she could find her bearings while she did something familiar.
Plus, it would be a great way to meet people.
The first place she found was a total dive. She kind of liked it. She hadn’t picked any place that had high ratings. She wanted that diamond in the rough that she could help elevate. But the first place had watered-down liquor, no vibe, and customers who looked like they were barely holding on to their last five bucks.
The second place she checked out had a decent menu but a cranky bartender and no TVs for customers to watch a game or the news. There was only one waitress, who did double duty with serving drinks and food. She did an adequate job at both, but customer service and engaging with the customers was not on anyone’s agenda. The place felt like it had no soul.
The third bar was a gem in the making. A husband and wife ran the place with smiles and small talk for customers as well as questions for the regulars they knew. She sat at the bar, ordered a club soda with lime, and watched everyone and everything going on around her.
When she moved here, she’d come back to this place. It felt familiar, even though it was much smaller than the Dark Horse Dive Bar. But they did a good business and the people seemed happy and at ease.
After ten minutes, she dropped some cash on the bar to cover the drink and tip and headed for the door. She liked the place, but it was too small, had no room for entertainment, and was just the kind of place you came with a friend to have a drink and talk.
Melody was used to a rowdier crowd, more going on.
Though, on second thought, she wouldn’t mind a more upscale place where you had the bar vibe, plus a place where you could hang with friends, do business, or meet someone new.
She wanted that place where everyone felt like they belonged. She could see it so clearly in her mind. She just needed to find it here.
Two more bars. Both were nice, doing a brisk business even in that in-between time of lunch and happy hour.
As she left the next bar, she noticed someone who seemed familiar now, though he’d taken off his coat and wore sunglasses in the bright sunshine. He was about twenty paces away when he saw her looking at him. He immediately turned his back to her.
She went up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hi. Why are you following me?”
He turned and tried to look surprised. “Um…I’m not.”
“I’ve spotted you off and on over the last three hours. You can’t possibly say that’s a coincidence given the number of bars I’ve been in and out of and the unpredictable route I’ve taken.” She’d bypassed a couple of places, only to turn around and go back.
“I…” He stared at her with a busted look on his face.
“You work for Fox.”
He didn’t say anything again.
“Dean. He’s head of security. You’re one of his guys.”
He sighed. “Fox wanted someone to keep an eye on you.”
She pulled out her phone and called him.
“Hey, sweetheart, having fun?”
She gave her shadow a big shit-eating grin. “I’m about to since you sent me a drinking buddy.”
“What?” Concern filled his voice.
She dropped the smile. “You didn’t want me to be out here all alone, doing my thing, so you had me followed.”
“Melody, I…”
She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. “You two both lose your ability to speak when you get caught.”
He sighed. “I just need to know you’re safe.”
“You should have simply told me you wanted to send someone with me for security.”
“You said you didn’t need a babysitter.”
“But if you really wanted me to have one and it put you at ease, then yes, I would have allowed it. Not that I think it’s necessary. No one knows who the hell I am.”
“That’s not going to last long. Once people find out you’re my girlfriend, things will get…complicated.”
“Tell me about my new friend.”
“His name is Otis. Ex-marine. He’s very good at his job.”
“Which is?”
“Protection. Assessing threats. Keeping you safe.”
“And what has he reported to you?”
Otis’s eyes went wide for a second before he schooled his features and continued to scan the street around them.
“You’ve been to six bars. You didn’t like any of them. A couple you simply walked through and left. One you ordered lunch, but didn’t finish it. A couple others you ordered drinks but didn’t finish them. You’ve been hit on by no less than five guys. One waitress was really chatty with you because she loved your hair. So do I, by the way.”
Her jaw dropped as she gaped at Otis. “Seriously. You told him all of that.”
Otis shifted on his feet uncomfortably. “It’s my job.”
“If this is going to work,” she told both of them, “I get to tell Fox about my day. You can report any incidents or threats.”
Otis nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Fox agreed with, “I can live with that. So are you coming back to the office now?”
“Not yet. I haven’t found the place.”
“The last bar you went into will probably be out of business in the next week, since no one goes in because the place looks condemned on the outside.”
“Yeah, but the hand-carved wood bar inside is amazing.”
“Yet you didn’t stay.”
“It’s not the right place.”
“What are you looking for?”
“A place for everyone. Booths. Tables. A dance floor. Games. A vibe that says everyone is there for a good time. I’ll know it when I find it.”
“You’re looking for a place where you belong in a city that feels unfamiliar.” He got her.
“Every bar has a vibe and the people who love it. The Dark Horse Dive Bar is home. It’s me. But I need to be a different me, here with you.”
“I don’t want you to be anything but what you are.”
“I want to be me that’s comfortable here.”
“You’re perfect, sweet Dee. You know that.”
“I do. But I wish I could explain to you what I’m looking for and what I want, so that Wyoming Melody fits in Boston.”
He hesitated for a moment. “Come back. There’s something I want to show you.”
“What?”
“Something I think you’ll like. A place where you can be everything you are and more.”
That sounded perfect to her. “I’m on my way.”