Chapter 20
Twenty
Callie
Data entry is more boring than I remember.
Actually, scratch that, I remember hating it when I first entered the work force.
I’m kicking myself for choosing the easiest degree path after I met Conrad instead of going after what I wanted.
There were so many mistakes made in my youth.
I don’t regret any of them. Without those experiences I wouldn’t have Alexandra even if it hurt going through them.
I just never thought I’d be working at the local accounting firm.
Anything the accountants need I get. I’ve also been answering the phone.
It rings nonstop and it didn’t take me long to realize it’s because we’re in the midst of tax season.
No wonder I was offered a job so quickly.
As much as I don’t like this type of work, I hope they’ll keep me on after the busy season.
The door opens and Angie walks in with a bag in her hand. I guess my boss ordered lunch for himself. In a few minutes I can push the calls to voicemail and take my own lunch. My sandwich seems less appealing after the day I’ve had.
“Hi Angie. What are you doing here?”
She stops at my desk and sets the bag in front of me. “I come bearing gifts. How’s your first day going?”
“It’s going,” I mutter. “I didn’t order anything, though.”
“Peter did.” Angie shrugs but I don’t miss the sly smile she shoots my way. “He wanted to make sure you had a good lunch on your first day.”
My jaw drops. This man surprises me every day. “I can’t accept this. Or, at least let me pay for it.”
“No need. It’s already taken care of.” She grabs a chair from against the wall and pulls it to the desk. “While I’m here, can you schedule me in for an appointment. I need to bring my tax documents before I forget.”
“Sure. I have a few minutes before I clock out for lunch. Is there a certain time of day that works better for you?”
“Nope. I’m wide open. Perks of being the boss. I can do the business things whenever I want and I know the bar is in good hands.”
I put her name in for the first appointment I find.
“Here you go. If you need to change to a different date, just let me know. And thank you for bringing this.” I point at the food after giving her an appointment card.
The firm should look at using digital communications.
Maybe I’ll bring that up after I’ve been here for a while.
“You should thank Peter.” She stands and gives me a hug over the desk. “Plus, he’s a really good tipper.”
That’s not shocking. He seems like the type that would give generous tips. I mean, he’s been letting me stay at his house for over a week.
“I’ll do that.” I give her a quick wave as she leaves the building. Thank him over text seems like the better option. If I do it in person, I’m likely to get flustered and nobody wants to see that happen.
Callie:
Thank you for lunch. I really appreciate it.
He’s probably busy and won’t text me back for a while. I open the bag and pull out the boxes. How much did he order? Before I open the boxes, I get up and knock on my boss’s door.
“Come in,” Mrs. Hernandez calls.
I push the door open and step inside. “Is it okay if I take my lunch now? The phones seem to have stopped ringing for the time being.”
“Absolutely.” She smiles. “You can eat at your desk or in the break room. Whatever is more comfortable for you.”
I completely forgot about the break room. It’s not big at all. There’s a small table with three chairs around it. But if I’m the one in there, I should have room to spread out all the boxes.
“Thank you.” The door closes with a soft snick behind me. I put the food back into the bag, grab my phone and water bottle, and head into the small room. Normally I’d be fine eating at my desk, but the impulse to answer the phone if it rings would be too strong.
After laying all the boxes out, I open the lid to each one.
There are potato wedges, wings, a small salad, fried pickles, and a small container of ranch dressing.
The serving sizes are huge, and I don’ know how he thinks I’m going to eat all this.
Plus, I’m not sure how he knew what to get me. All of these are my favorites.
My phone dings and my heart beats faster. Peter’s name flashes on the screen.
Peter
You’re welcome. Hopefully you enjoy.
Callie
Of course I will. It’s all my faves. How did you know?
Peter
I may have had some help.
There’s only one explanation…Lexi. If I had any doubts about her orchestrating time alone with him, they are gone now.
Callie
My child is resourceful when she wants to be.
Peter
It worked out in my favor. What time do you get off?
Callie
5. Why? What’s up?
Peter
No reason. But try not to avoid coming home.
He said home. Not his place…home. As if that’s something that could be considered for me, too. It was probably just a slip of the tongue. My entire body warms at the thought.
Callie
Why?
Peter
You’ll find out when you get here.
Callie
Okay.
Peter
For once, you’re not arguing.
Callie
I can change that.
Peter
No, I’m good with agreement.
Callie
I’ll see you when I get off.
He’s up to something. I want to know, but at the same time, the anticipation of a surprise is enough to keep me going for the rest of the day. All I know is he’s making it difficult for me not to want something more than friendship with him.
Peter’s truck is parked in a spot further away from the house than it has been.
I’m assuming it’s because he wants me to park closer.
I can see the light from the fire through the window, but no glow from the TV.
Whatever he has up his sleeve doesn’t seem to be watching movies.
Now, I’m really curious about what he has planned.
I’m not sure anything can top surprise lunch.
I grab my purse and coat out of the passenger seat before turning off the car.
Putting the coat on before getting out of the car is probably smart, but the distance between me and the house isn’t big.
I turn off the car, open the door before shutting it behind me and sprint to the door. Thank God it’s unlocked.
The mudroom light is on, but it’s dark beyond it. The house smells divine, and I’m guessing he cooked dinner. Which isn’t shocking except when we got here last week, his refrigerator was stocked with frozen meals and lunch meat. Maybe us being here gives him a reason to put his skills to work.
I set my purse and coat on the lone chair of the small dinette in the kitchen before moving to the soft glow in the living room. My mouth drops open.
There are candles on the coffee table and two plates sitting across from each other.
I honestly thought the glow was only from the fireplace.
Peter is placing a large throw pillow on both sides of the table.
I’m assuming so it’s so our butts don’t hurt after sitting on the floor for so long, and the floor is probably cold.
“What’s this?” My voice is barely above a whisper, but the room is so quiet it sounds loud.
Peter turns toward me and grabs something off the table while running a hand through his hair. “Celebrating your first successful day at work?”
It’s adorable seeing him unsure of himself. Even though he never made himself the center of attention like my brother did, he moved with confidence. Besides our reintroduction, this is the first time I’ve seen him waver.
“I thought that’s what lunch was for?” This man truly surprises me at every turn. From allowing us to stay with him while my house is out of commission to everything he’s done today.
“No.” He shakes his head. “That was to make sure you had food. It’s not like I have a lot of options for you to take here.”
“I had a sandwich.” I shrug my shoulders and wait to see what he does next.
He moves closer to me and hands me a bouquet. “I made sure the fridge is stocked with things you like. And these are for you.”
I take the flowers and immediately lift them to smell. I love roses. I love even more that they aren’t yellow. He’s serious about what he said last night.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” It’s hard to see the full arrangement with only the fire lighting the room, but I know he wouldn’t give me anything but the best.
“Come sit down. We should eat before the food gets cold.” He leads me to one of the throw pillows and helps me until I’m situated.
I watch him leave the room toward the kitchen.
Setting the flowers on the recline behind me, I study the rest of the table set up.
Two wine glasses sit on either side of the table.
Tapered candles provide more light in the area.
There’s a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket at the end of the table.
Napkins and silverware are set to the side.
The only thing missing is the food. I’m in awe of the attention to detail Peter has put into dinner.
He comes back in with a plate in each hand. He sets one in front of me and the other where he’ll be sitting. I watch as he uses the sofa to help him sit on the pillow on his side.
“Sorry it’s not at an actual table. I never needed one…until now.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t expect you to do anything differently to appease us. This smells wonderful.” I glance down at the plate. There’s steak, roasted asparagus, and a baked potato. He really went all out.
“Hopefully, you think it tastes just as good.” He picks up a fork and knife before cutting into his steak.
I take that as my cue to do the same. I take a bite and the flavor explodes in my mouth. “This is so freaking good.” A moan escapes my lips and for a split second I’m embarrassed, but I tamp that down. If he’s serious about me, then he’ll take me quirks and all.
The grin that overtakes his face is the cherry on top of the day. “I’m glad you like it. How was your first day?”
I tell him about my day and what it’s like working for Mrs. Hernandez.
There are other people there, but she’s my direct boss.
As soon as I’m done filling him in, he leaves the room once again.
This time he comes back with two small plates.
Each one holding a slice of cheesecake with raspberry sauce drizzled over it.
“Keep this up and I might force you to marry me.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize what I’ve said. “I’m sorry. That was a joke, obviously.”
“You never know what the future holds.” He laughs and moves to my side of the table, sitting next to me on the cold floor.
“I was serious last night about seeing where things could go for us. I know you keep saying it’s not the right time.
But when would be? You never know what life will throw at you. Might as well do what makes you happy.”
He’s putting the decision in my hands. He’s not being pushy, but he is showing me in small ways how much I mean to him. Actions speak much louder than words, and he’s nailed that.
“How would that work with both of us in the same house? I don’t know that I’d want us sleeping in the same bed just yet. Lexi may have been part of this whole evening by making herself scarce, but I don’t want to move too quickly.”
“Not much would change. Except the fact that I’d be able to be with you. I’m perfectly capable of taking things slow.”
“And if I’m not?” I know myself well enough to know I don’t know how to take anything slow.
“We’ll go at whatever speed you want.”
I’ve wanted to relive that kiss for days. Now’s my chance to do just that.