Chapter 3
LEAH
It has been a long yet productive week. I was asked to join a team working on a new investment portfolio and made a few new friends in the process.
I went shopping and bought some outfits for work, so I don’t stick out as much anymore.
In addition, I finished unpacking my apartment.
Things are starting to settle, and I’m finding my groove.
I spent the weekend with my mother. I saw her five days ago, but I couldn’t believe how frail she looked when I got there on Friday night.
It all seems to be happening so fast. I desperately want to commit everything about her to memory.
Her smell, her smile, and the gentle way she speaks.
At night, I’d sleep in her bed with her.
The medications she’s taking make her sick, which was evident from the way she kept vomiting throughout the night.
When she’d wake up, I’d follow her to the bathroom and place a cold cloth on the back of her neck and hold her hair back.
It was hard to see her pushing her food around on her plate at dinner as well.
She needs her strength, but nothing I made stayed down.
I’ll be headed back to my apartment soon to get ready for the workweek. I hate leaving Mom. I had already missed the last four years. But every time I bring up moving in with her, she turns me down.
“Its not that I don’t want you here, Leah, but your job is in D.C., and you need to have a normal life. I have a nurse. I’ll be fine.”
But it’s not fine, and neither am I. I wipe the tears from my eyes as I pull into the driveway after grabbing her meds from the pharmacy.
I take a few deep breaths to get myself together.
I never want to cause my mom more stress, and seeing me cry would make her feel worse.
When I walk in, I hear my mother laughing.
It warms my heart. Following the sound, I find her sitting in the kitchen with an older African American woman who is bent over into the fridge.
“Leah, this is Gloria, the nurse I told you about.” My mother grins.
“Mrs. Ward has told me all about you, Leah,” Gloria says as I reach out to shake her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Gloria, I told you to call me Eva,” my mother scolds her playfully.
“Yes, ma’am, you did. I’m sorry, Mrs. Eva,” Gloria smiles.
Watching the two of them interact makes me feel better.
She’s not just my mother’s nurse; she’s her friend.
After talking with Gloria about my mother’s condition, which has been unchanged for weeks, I feel much better about going home, and I say my goodbyes before heading back to my apartment and crashing the moment my head falls on the pillow.
Rolling over, I groan when the bright sunlight hits my face.
It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day, but my mood is still sorrowful from my taxing weekend.
Tossing the blankets off and climbing out of bed, I make my way to the bathroom, cringing when I look in the mirror.
I forgot to wash my makeup off last night.
Beautiful, Leah. After a quick scrub, I head downstairs and into the kitchen to make some coffee.
Coffee will be my saving grace this morning, and I brew a little extra.
After the first cup, I jump in the shower then hurry to get dressed.
I’ll stop at my little café for a muffin and more coffee before heading into the office.
I slip into my favorite new outfit: a red pencil skirt with the zipper that goes all the way down the back, a black silk button-up top, and black heels.
I blow dry and flat iron my hair and apply a little makeup, hoping the mascara will help to make my eyes appear less tired.
After another coffee, I head into town, with a quick stop for a coffee cake muffin and a latte.
Once I’m finally enroute to the office, I feel a little excited and a little nervous.
Aaden is supposed to be back today. I shake my head.
He probably won’t even remember who I am.
Seriously Leah, chill out. He’s your boss.
After parking, I grab my muffin and latte and climb out of my car.
“Ms. Ward?”
I lift my head and freeze. I stare, speechless, at the handsome dark-haired man standing just a few feet from me. Holy hell! He’s wearing black dress pants, a light blue dress shirt, and a dark blue and gray tie. His gorgeous green eyes search my face for a reaction.
“May I help you?” I ask.
His smile spreads across his striking face as his gaze slides over me. “My name is Tyler Hale. I’m a friend of your boss, Aaden.” He steps closer and extends his hand.
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hale.” I take his hand, and he grips mine but doesn’t let go.
He flashes me a sinful grin. “Please, call me Tyler.”
Those dimples are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Well, almost. Aaden’s face flashes in my mind. I stare at Tyler awkwardly, not sure what to say or why he decided to talk to me. He slowly releases my hand, and I squeeze it into a fist as it drops back to my side.
“I don’t know how Aaden manages to get the most attractive interns.”
My cheeks warm as I bite my lip with a nervous smile. Attractive? I tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear and shift nervously. “How did you know who I was?”
Tyler stuffs one hand into his pocket. “I’m here so often, I know almost everyone in the building. I knew he had a new intern. I figured it had to be you. I haven’t seen your pretty face around here before.”
“Oh.” Wait, Aaden mentioned me?
“Tyler?” Aaden’s voice calls from behind me.
My heart lurches as I turn to look at my boss. I practically sigh as I watch him walking toward us, his blond hair flowing gloriously in the wind. I grip my purse and swallow so hard, I’m sure Tyler can hear it.
“Good morning, Mr. Stone,” I say, a little too breathy.
“Good morning, Leah.” He offers me a quick smile before glancing at Tyler. The two of them shake hands. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Tyler’s eyes land on mine. “I was just introducing myself to your new intern.”
My mouth lifts into a shy smile.
“And I wanted to talk to you about an investment I’m considering,” he adds as he returns his gaze to Aaden.
Aaden nods then turns to me. “How was your weekend, Leah?”
“Oh, it was fine, thank you.” I clear my throat and take a step back. I should probably let the two of them talk. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Hal—I mean, Tyler.”
Aaden looks from me to Tyler, and his brows draw together in confusion. Maybe he doesn’t like his friends talking to his employees.
“The pleasure was all mine,” Tyler says. “I look forward to talking with you again soon.” He flashes me those dimples, and I couldn’t keep the blush from my cheeks if you paid me. With a small nod, I turn and walk away.
Ten minutes later, I’m at my desk, filling Madison in on my encounter with the dimpled god in the parking lot.
“Tyler Hale was flirting with you?” she asks, her tone excited as she sits on the corner of my desk. “The Tyler Hale? Dark hair, green eyes, dimples for days, owner of Hale Industries, and one of the sexiest men in D.C.?” She throws her hands up and groans. “Where the hell was I?”
“Shhhh, I don’t want the whole office to hear you.” I chuckle. “And I don’t know if he was flirting. It could have been my overactive imagination. Or it’s simply how he talks to every woman.”
“Oh, please. Tyler Hale wouldn’t have started a conversation with you if he wasn’t into you,” Madison says. “Geez, first Aaden shows interest, and now, Tyler Hale tries to sweep you off your feet. What is your secret?”
“Oh my God. He did not try to sweep me off my feet.”
“Umm, whatever, cupcake. You must be his type because he was sooo flirting.”
The day passes quickly, and before I know it, it’s almost time to call it a day.
I’m a little disappointed that the only time I got to see Aaden was in the parking lot this morning.
My phone rings on my desk, and I stare at it for a moment.
I’ve only been here a week. Who would have this number?
After the second ring, I answer. “Hi, this is Leah. How may I help you?”
“You can help me by saying yes to having dinner with me.”
I recognize the voice right away. “Mr. Hale?”
“I thought we agreed on Tyler?”
“Of course, Tyler. How are you?”
“I’d be much better if you say you’ve been thinking about me all day and that you’ll have dinner with me.” His voice is low and husky.
“You want to have dinner with me?”
Madison’s head pops up before she jumps and runs over to my desk. Her eyes are wide with curiosity. “Oh. My. God!” she mouths silently. I wave her away with a grin.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, and I’d really love it if you joined me for dinner.”
My heart flutters in my chest. “Oh, um, sure, I’d love to.”
“You just made my day, Ms. Ward. I’ll pick you up from work in an hour.”
I swallow hard as I stare at my best friend. “I’m looking forward to it.”
The moment I hang up, Madison squeals. She bounces on her toes and clasps her hands in front of her face. “Holy shit! You’re going on a date with Tyler Hale.”
“I have to be dreaming, right? Why else would he ask me out?”
“Girl, please. Look at you. You’re gorgeous.” Madison waves her hand.
“You are way prettier than me.”
She puts her hands on her hips and cocks her head at me. “Oh yeah? Then how come Tyler Hale didn’t ask me out?”
***
An hour later, I find Tyler leaning against my car, holding a single long-stemmed red rose. I smile as I walk up, and he hands it to me with that sexy dimpled grin.
“I’m glad you said yes,” he says as he leans in to kiss my cheek.
“I’m glad you asked.”
“How do you feel about Angelina’s?” He places his hand on my lower back and leads me to his car.
My eyebrows lift. “Angelina’s?”
“Do you not like that place? We can go somewhere else.”
“No, I do. It’s just—it’s so expensive. I’m fine with a burger and fries.”