Chapter 17
I pull a file folder from the rack at the corner of my desk. As I open it, I stifle a yawn.
I can’t yawn again. I already got caught with my mouth gaping open by Janelle, two tables down. She’s been watching me like a hawk since I arrived at half past nine o’clock this morning.
I’m sure it didn’t look good, me getting to my desk late.
But, when you fall asleep in your boss’s arms, it happens.
Your day gets off track.
You let things slide, like punctuality, organization, and—shoot—appearances. As I set the folder on my lap and flip it open, I get a glimpse at my socks. They’re mismatched again.
I fight off a smile.
What will Brock say when he notices that I’m in one orange sock, and one blue one? The orange one has little daisies embroidered into it. The blue one has whales.
He’ll laugh.
I know he’ll laugh.
He’ll think it’s cute and charming that my socks don’t match. He knows I’m a mess sometimes, in some ways, and he likes it.
He likes me.
He said that, and more, last night at my house. We talked out by the fire for hours, and then, when it got too cold, we relocated to the couch.
I don’t remember falling asleep in his arms, but I must have. Because when I woke up to the tune of his morning alarm, I felt his strong chest, and the soft fabric of his T-shirt beneath my cheek.
I felt his warm body cuddling close to mine. I loved it when he hugged me close and whispered good morning in my ear.
It didn’t matter that it was only five o’clock, so early that the sun wasn’t up. It was still the best morning greeting I’ve ever had. He hit snooze on his alarm just to stay on the couch with me a little while longer.
Eventually, we loaded the dogs up into his car. He left, and I went back to sleep.
And now, here I am, rolling into work late, with this dazed and dreamy smile on my lips between yawns.
I look up from the folder and spot a mug. Then a hand, an arm… and Lizzy, in a lime green blouse, with matching green earrings as big as broaches pinned to her ears.
“Look who decided to show up,” she says with a grin.
I reach for the coffee and sip gratefully. “I love you,” I gush as I set it down. “You always save me. I was trying to get through some work before taking a break.”
Lizzy pulls up a chair and settles into it. She has a mug cupped in her hands, so I know she’ll hang out for a little while to catch up.
“What’s up with Janelle?” she whispers to me.
I peek that way.
Janelle is still watching my desk like a hawk.
“She caught me and Brock in the break room. Now she thinks she has to play chaperone.”
Lizzy utters a hushed, muted squeal and then wiggles her shoulders in a little happy dance. “Oooooh! Girl! I knew you guys would hit it off. Tell me everything.”
“Are you kidding? You’re HR. No way.”
“Okay, not here, then. Tomorrow after work, my place. I’ll get a bottle of wine and fruit, and we could make a pitcher of sangria like we did last Friday. Unless you have plans with your boyfriend.”
“He is not—” I stop myself before I can finish the denial.
Her eyebrows pop up. She waits.
I sigh. “Okay… maybe he is.”
A smile sneaks onto my lips. I snatch up my cup and take a long sip.
I’m not sure what’s making the jitters hit me—the caffeine, or the fact there is a chance Brock Benson is my boyfriend.
“I don’t know exactly where we stand, but last night he came over,” I whisper to Lizzy. “We talked about what’s happening between us. It was really good.”
I can’t tell her everything.
Not the juicy details, at least. Not how it felt to wake up in his arms. Or how, when he snoozed his alarm so he could stay right there on the couch with me for a little while longer, I almost lost my mind with happiness.
My couch is narrow.
There was just enough room for both of our bodies. Not much more. But it was enough room that he could roll on top of me and kiss me good morning. Really kiss me. It was better even than his break room good morning kiss, which was amazing enough as it was.
Lizzy giggles. “You drifted off there, Gwen. Hello? Am I losing you? Drink some more coffee, girl.”
“Oh. Er… sorry. Got lost for a sec.”
“Thinking about him, no doubt. Don’t leave me hanging. You talked… and? Am I the best person in the world for setting you guys up, or what?”
“He said he hasn’t felt like this about a woman, ever. He’s been married, Lizzy. Don’t tell anyone that. I don’t even know if I should be telling you. He was young, and he says it was a mistake.”
“You guys talked about exes? That’s serious!”
“We’ve talked about everything. Past relationships, our families, friends. Serious stuff, and silly stuff, too. He drops his mask sometimes. You know how he’s so suave, here at work and on the podcast?” I keep my voice a whisper.
Lizzy has her head bowed to mine. “Oh, yeah. Big time. Told you he’s not like that all the time. He’s a good business person and performer, but there’s a lot more to him, right?”
“Definitely.”
“So…? What’s next?”
“We’re just going to see where it goes. Let it unfold. Naturally. Organically.”
She laughs. “That is so perfect. Love it! I am so happy for you guys.”
“Thanks.” When the sparkly executive assistant phone rings, I reach for it to check the caller ID.
It’s Brian Campbell, the PI. “Hang on a sec—I better get this. It might be important.”
“Of course. I’ll just be here, feeling over the moon for you.”
I’m still grinning when I pick up the phone. “Hello, Gwen here. What can I do for you, Brian?”
“Oh, hm. Hello there, Gwen.”
He’s got a frosty edge to him that I don’t remember.
“Can I help you with something? Brock’s in a big meeting right now and asked not to be disturbed, but he’ll be done by noon.”
Lizzy tilts her head and gives me a puzzled look as though what I’ve just said doesn’t make sense to her.
“Any chance you could interrupt his meeting, get him to call me?” Brian asks. “It’s urgent. I’ve tried his cell, but he won’t pick up.”
I twist my lips. “Yikes… I’m really sorry, I don’t think I should. This is with his design team, and they’re down to the wire. He has it blocked off as non-negotiable on his calendar. I’ll tell him to give you a shout the minute he gets out, though.”
He grumbles something, then gets off the line without saying goodbye. His behavior is strange for a guy so eager to tell me all about his visit to Arizona, his ancestry, and the location of his office only two days ago.
What changed?
Well, maybe he’s having a bad day.
I examine my friend. “What’s up? You looked at me weird just then.”
She tucks her eyebrow. “Yeah, you said Brock’s in a meeting?”
I nod. “Yep. It’s on his calendar.”
“Oh. I figured he was dealing with some personal things—like breaking up with that Vanessa woman because of everything going on with you. I saw her head up there twenty minutes ago.”
“Where…?”
“To the fourth floor.” Lizzy gestures to the elevators. “She was right there, looking all gussied up, and I felt sort of bad for her—’cause, you know, you and Brock are an item now, so she’s out.”
Now I pinch my brows to mirror Lizzy’s confusion. “Wait, Vanessa’s here? She didn’t text me to see if Brock’s free.”
“Maybe she got desperate to see him and decided to work around you. You know how Brock affects women. He’s a Casanova. She won’t let him go easily.”
“Shoot. I wonder if I should go up there and try to smooth things out. I think that meeting he’s in is really important. I hope she’s not causing a problem.”
“Rejection can make a person act out,” Lizzy says. “You want me to come?”
“No, no, it’s fine. Let’s grab lunch later and catch up. I want to hear what’s going on with you.”
“You bet.” She grabs her mug, stands, and returns the chair to its position at a nearby station. “I brought in that chicken pot pie that you like, enough for both of us. I made it with some stock I had left over from the soup. I can’t wait to hear more about…” she wiggles her eyebrows, “you know. Your Casanova.”
“Ha. Yeah. I’ll fill you in.”
As I head for the elevators, a fearful feeling squirms deep in my gut.
Why is Vanessa here?
She wanted to go out to coffee with Brock this Saturday. Maybe it’s like Lizzy’s guessed, and she’s not willing to take his ‘no’ for an answer without a fight.
I don’t like the idea of her up there on the fourth floor while he’s supposed to be conferencing with his design team.
Is she causing trouble?
It’s not like I’m security or anything. I’m not going to remove her from the premises. But I could at least check on the situation and see if I can help in any way.
Then, there’s Brian, the detective. He was so cold. So distant. Not friendly, like the other times he called. That bugs me, too.
Don’t take it personally,I tell myself, as I tap the elevator button that will take me upward. Not everything is about you.
I get into the elevator. The doors slide closed. When the usual tummy-drop sensation hits me as the metal box lifts, I know it’s not merely due to speed or the floor dropping away.
This sensation is about my fear…
Everything that has happened with Brock has been so much fun. A delight. A treat. It felt like on Monday he entered my world and really did sweep me off my feet.
He was right about what women want. I wanted to be swept off my feet.
I wanted him to throw caution to the wind and kiss me. I wanted to lose myself all those times. I wanted to forget the rules.
Right now, as the roomy elevator glides straight past the second floor, then the third, I wonder: Is this happening too fast?
Is there a dark side to all the light and sparkles I’ve been so dazzled by all week?
There is a chance I’ll arrive on the fourth floor, and everything will be fine.
Brock will call me ‘baby’ again.
He’ll shoo everyone out of his office, then hold me close. He’ll tell me that nothing is as important as us—and what’s happening between us. Just like he did last night.
This morning feels very different than last night, though.
I rub my forehead. The doors slide open.
I step out, look down the hall, and spot her. Vanessa is visiting with Brock in his office… during his oh-so-important meeting.
Why hasn’t he kicked her out?
That queasy feeling in my belly gets stronger. I can’t walk over there. I would look like a fool.
Instead of intruding on their cozy visit, I stand near the elevators and watch.