Chapter 13
thirteen
. . .
Vicky
On Monday morning when I was getting ready for work, it seemed as if the sun was brighter, the sky bluer, and the harbor view more stunning.
God and I did some deep healing work the night before, and today I knew it was time to start exploring my new city with the time I had left here. That thought brought a painful ache in my chest, which I soothed away with my newfound peace.
I realized I had hardly seen anything of San Diego. No matter what happened with my job or even with Miles, I wanted to take advantage of the adventure I’d been given. Making plans to explore some of the places Sofia had told me about, I got ready for work.
When I entered the office building, passing the dreaded mirrored elevators that took me to my floor, I held my head high as I checked my reflection.
It wasn’t about the clothes anymore. It was about the heart, mind, and soul beneath them.
Yes, I felt confident in my eggplant-colored dress and strappy black heels, the former making me appreciate my curves, but it was the strength I felt in knowing who I was.
“Whoa. What happened to you?” Kitty asked, her eyebrows raised as I entered our cubicle a few minutes later.
“What do ya mean?” I asked, frowning as I set down my bag.
She tossed the empty coffee cup, more like a tub, into the trash as she looked me up and down.
“Something is different,” she said slowly. “You’re different. There’s an…air about you.”
“I guess I had some much-needed conversations recently. I feel different.” I was surprised she noticed immediately, and I stopped worrying about my slightly swollen eyes.
“Hmm. Would those conversations have been with a certain gorgeous tech guy whose party you attended last night?”
Biting back a smile, I answered, “Only a tiny bit. The rest was just about me.”
“Well, glad it helped. I like it.”
“I like it, too,” I answered, unable to hide my smile.
Pouring over the last of the plans with the people who would be working on MJ’s room this week, I stretched my back and heard my stomach rumble.
“Hey, Vicky,” Martin said from across the room. “Someone’s here to see you.”
Sitting up straight in my chair with a snap, I saw Miles walking my way. Even his walk was mesmerizing. Confident, tall, and did I mention incredibly handsome? His gait was slow and measured, like he had all the time in the world. And that smile.
Father, You did some good work, I’m happy to report.
I frantically tried to find my shoes that I’d left under my desk, my feet scanning the carpeted floor.
My big toe touched the heel of one of them just as he entered my space.
He smiled without a word and disappeared in front of my desk.
When I leaned forward, I found him crouched down.
I was fairly sure my eyes were bugging out at this moment.
He slowly pulled up to his full height with my black pumps hanging precariously from two fingers while I squeaked something incomprehensible.
He came around my desk, which was covered with books, photos, and a half-eaten apple. With his easy unwavering smile, I watched as he bent over in front of me with his hand held out, looking like a version of a handsome duke in a regency novel. I may have tittered.
That’s not a word I ever used but it seemed to fit in this regency fantasy I was having. Still in my dreamworld, I started to reach my hand out to him as if we were about to start waltzing right here in the middle of the office until his eyes went down to my feet.
Wait. Did he want to put my shoes on?
I literally swooned. All my romance fantasies were coming true. Forget a regency duke. Miles was Prince Charming, and I was Cinderella. A breathy sigh may have escaped my lips.
“May I?” he asked when I didn’t move. He bent over more, his sandalwood cologne making me swoon even more.
“Oh, ah sure,” I answered after a loud swallow.
I was trying so hard to be demure and ladylike as I prepared to lift my foot. But the combination of having him here in my space, seeing him bending over me with a mischievous smile, his cologne doing strange things to my nervous system was apparently too much.
Before I could stop the upward motion, my size-ten foot shot up too quickly and kicked him in the chin, causing him to fall on his backside with a loud “uff.”
“Miles, oh gosh, did I hurt you? Geez, I’m sorry,” I said, sitting up and bending toward him. All my hard-earned confidence was leaking out like a flat tire.
His head was tilted back, and I worried I had hit him in the nose instead. That’s when I heard his familiar belly laugh.
“That’s what I get for trying to do something suave and completely out of character,” he said between bouts of breath-stealing laughter. I wasn’t sure what that meant. Maybe he didn’t like feet?
I smacked him on the arm for scaring me. “I thought I’d broken your nose or something,” I grumbled, unable to hide the amusement in my voice.
“Would’ve served me right.” Suddenly, the ridiculousness of this situation tickled me and before I could stop it, a loud bark of laughter bellowed out of me, which made him resume his own. We must’ve sounded like loons.
“Victoria? Is everything alright?”
Anna’s incredulous words hit me like ice water poured over my head. It felt like being in school and the principal catching you kissing the cute guy from English lit class.
Oddly specific, I know. Further evidence of my state of mind.
I stood up from my chair so quickly, it hit the wall with a loud clang.
“An-Anna. Sorry. Miles, I mean Mr. Austin was helping me with my…” Oh gosh, how would I explain this to her? Gratefully, Miles had dropped my shoes next to me. When I tried to slip into them, growing a few inches taller, Anna’s eyebrows lifted.
I was so fired.
“It was my fault,” Miles said, pushing off the ground with ease. “I scared Vicky when I came in unannounced.”
I was trying to calm my breathing, both from the unexpected laughing fit and the look on Anna’s face. There was no doubt my cheeks were the color of my dress.
“I see. Mr. Austin, it’s nice to meet you in person. I’m Anna Deveroe, Ms. Sala’s assistant,” she said with an even tone that masked her apparent irritation with me.
Miles shook her extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you finally.
Vicky has spoken so highly of you and Ms. Sala.
I’m very grateful that you supported my preference for her on this project.
Because of her, the party was a great success.
All the things she did to help my employees feel at ease with one another in a new environment made all the difference.
They’re still talking about it this morning. ”
Grateful he wasn’t looking at me, I stood tall like I was in the military, stealing glances at Anna as I tried to straighten the books on my desk. Her tightened facial expression softened as she nodded her head.
“I’m pleased to know that Victoria is living up to her potential. I understand that your daughter’s room will be completed this week. Is that correct, Victoria?” she asked, turning to face me.
I nodded quickly, calming myself before replying, “Yes, it is. I was just finishing up communication with the team that will start in the morning. Mr. Austin’s mother will be there while he’s at work. And, of course, I will be there to oversee everything as planned.”
“That’s good to hear.” Turning back to Miles, who had his hands in his pockets, she said, “Again, it was lovely to meet you. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.”
“I appreciate that, but it won’t be necessary, Ms. Deveroe. Vicky’s incredible ideas for my home are perfect.” He held her gaze for a moment longer. I was holding my breath.
“Very well. I’ll…leave you to it, then.” He nodded and moved out of the way for her to step away from my desk.
The second I was sure she was out of sight, I let out the breath I’d been holding.
“Man, she’s intense. Sorry. I hope I didn’t get you in trouble. Not that I’m worried, though. Pretty sure I made it clear I wouldn’t work with anyone but you,” he said confidently, stepping back when I rolled my chair back to the desk.
“I guess we’ll see.” I glared at him, pointing my finger. “Don’t do that again,” I hissed, making him smile.
“I just wanted to see if you were free for lunch. You’ll be coming to my house again tomorrow, so I wanted to take you out. Here in the city. Makes me frustrated that you’re the one always coming to me,” he said shyly.
Smoothing down my dress, I said, “Oh, okay. Yeah, sure. I don’t have any plans.” I shut down my laptop and pulled my purse out of my desk drawer.
“How does pizza sound?” he asked with a smile and a nod toward the elevator.
“Sounds like a plan.” My mind still swirled with excitement over our encounter and the thought of going out with him. I knew it wasn’t a date. Or was it? I mean, we almost kissed last night.
Ugh, why didn’t I wake up Ren and get her opinion on how to act now?
When we passed Kitty on our way out, she at least waited until Miles had gone past her in the hallway to make silent kissing noises, forcing me to glare at her. Maybe I should’ve asked her.
“It’s a gorgeous day. You okay in those heels to walk?” he asked when we stepped outside. I slipped on my sunglasses and smiled. The sun definitely was brighter today. For many reasons.
“I can handle it,” I said with sass. A half-smile tugged at his mouth as he held his hand in front of him to lead the way.
“Someone in the office told me about a locally-owned Roman-style pizzeria not far from here. Thought you might like a taste of home.”
“Oh, that sounds amazing. I wonder where they got their recipes from?”
“Well, their website boasts that they’re from Sicily.”
“Then, pick up the speed, sir. We have places to be,” I said excitedly.
When we walked into the tiny, narrow pizzeria, the smell of garlic and tomatoes made my mouth water. The wiry, dark-haired young man who greeted us had a distinct accent that immediately made me feel at home.