by Iona Rose
Allen smiles. “Don’t bother,” he says. “I’ve known your boss for almost seven years now and I know very little to nothing about his personal life. I’ve never heard him speak about his father or mother and most definitely who he’s dating. For all I know, he could be married and I wouldn’t have a clue.”
“Oh,” is my only response to the disheartening report.
“Yeah, he’s an incredibly private man but I will extend my hand to him if it’s something that he truly needs help with.”
“Thank you,” I reply just as I sense someone approaching us. I lift my gaze and lo and behold it’s my aloof boss. I immediately rise to my feet but Allen doesn’t.
“Sir,” I say.
Grady greets me with a quiet nod.
I however do not miss the way that his gaze lingers on my body.
First of all he stares into my eyes, and then moves his attention down along the fitted jumpsuit that is molded to my body.
I feel naked and exposed and it causes an excited shiver to shoot through my body.
He takes his seat.
I turn to face both men. “I’ll be leaving now,” I say, but Allen stops me. “Blair, c’mon just join us.”
“Oh no, I don’t want to intrude.”
“We’re not on a date. Grady, do you mind?”
I glare at Allen and for once, I do not appreciate his carefree personality. With every single word out of his mouth, he is unknowingly digging me into a hole.
Grady lifts his gaze from his phone. After a quick glance at me and Allen, his lips part to respond.
I quickly cut him off. “I need to get going,” I insist. “My sister needs my help tonight and I have a very early day tomorrow. Goodnight, sirs.” Without waiting for a response from either of them, I hurry away from their presence, my cheeks flushed and knees wobbly.
Chapter Forty-Two
Grady
“You scared her off,” Allen says.
I watch her hurry away and don’t bother giving a response to the statement. “How are things?” I instead ask him as I put the phone down and pick up the menu to peruse. I don’t realize how my gaze moves one more time to catch a glimpse of her leaving.
This action, Allen most definitely does not miss. “Has my plan worked even a little bit?” he asks.
My brows furrow. “What plan?”
“To get you to notice her brilliance and wit and be even a little bit attracted to her?”
I gaze dazedly at him.
His hands immediately lift in defense. “Hey, don’t attack me. Meredith came up with the idea.”
“What?”
“She said something along the lines of ‘If Grady won’t go to the girls, then you have to bring the girls to Grady.”
I’m speechless for a moment. “So you decided on the choice of my executive secretary, not based on competence but based on whom I would be most attracted to?”
“Hey, don’t get me fired,” he says. “Of course not. Competence was at the forefront of my criteria but unlike you, it wasn’t the only thing on the list.”
I shake my head at him, a slight smile tugging at the corners of my lips as my gaze returns to my menu. “Why are you so concerned anyway about finding me a partner?”
He goes silent for a few minutes and it catches my attention. Before even speaking, I’m able to guess who the culprit is. “Your father?”
He laughs at the very fond memory of the harsh abrupt man, who somehow still managed to radiate the most warmth whenever he was around.
I’m equally as amused and warmed as I lean back in wonder. “Really? What exactly did he say?”
“When he was in the hospital he told me, ‘make sure you get that boy married. If we allow him he’s probably going to spend his whole life at that desk, forever trying to prove himself.’ ”
“Ouch,” I say, albeit warmed by the concern.
The waiter arrives then to take our order and it gives us both the much needed quiet time to reminisce.
After the waiter leaves, I decide to admit some degree of truth. “Well, your efforts haven’t completely failed. I would be lying if I said that I haven't felt any attraction whatsoever towards her.”
His eyes light up like a brand new bulb. “I knew it!” He exclaims as his hand hits the table. This violently jostles the ceramic and glasses on it, along with drawing the attention of other patrons at the sudden bang.
“Calm down,” I say through gritted teeth.
He manages to rein in his excitement. He does however sit up to lean towards me. “So, what’s holding you back? Why haven't you made things official yet?”
I’m honestly confused. “Is that how things work with you? You feel a bit of attraction for someone and then you swear yourself to them for life?”
“Of course!” he replies. “That’s what I did with you.”
I can do nothing but stare at him in wonder.
Chapter Forty-Three
Grady
Spending time with Allen is as delightful as expected, however my mind is still unable to move away from my father, especially at the disconcerting news I received today on his health.
Andrew has been dismissed for the night, so I’m behind the wheel, alone with the silence of the night and a very contemplative heart.
It makes me think of Blair and of our morning together. I wouldn’t have minded her joining Allen and me but it most definitely would have made her uncomfortable.
I’ve already seen in her eyes the eagerness to leave the restaurant, so I left the decision up to her. Allen however was the one being problematic. No doubt, he had intended to turn this into some sort of forced date with the intention to leave midway through by citing some sort of emergency. This would have left Blair and me alone together... and I would have liked that.
The SUV comes to a stop at a red light and I turn to stare out of the window. Then I pull my phone out of my pocket and attach it to the dashboard cradle. Her speed dial is set to the number two so I press it and connect the call to the car’s speakers. I feel somewhat anxious, so I begin to put together what I want to speak to her about in my mind.
I’m not fast enough as the call soon connects. “Hello?” Her soft voice resounds in the vehicle.
“Sir?” she calls again when I don’t respond.
“Did you get home safe?” I ask.
The car goes silent for a few seconds.
“Yes, sir,” she eventually responds. “I hope the dinner went well, and the food and ambience was to your liking.”
“You did good Blair. Everything worked out well.”
I hear her smile, and then notice how her surroundings are a bit noisy. “You have company?”
“Uh... not really,” she replies. “It’s just my sister and her husband. He’s just returned from his work trip, so they are catching up. There’s a lot of talking and laughing in the kitchen, so I moved to my bedroom to give them a bit more space to reconnect.”
“That's great,” I say, ready now to end the call. No doubt, she’s wondering about the sudden contact, and wants it over with.
She then stops me with, “Do you need something done?”
My immediate response is to indeed use work as an excuse, and although a part of me is hoping that it will not be the case, I still latch onto it. “No, but I did want to check on your plans with ABAX tomorrow. You mentioned it in the restaurant.”
It is a few more seconds before she speaks again, “Grady,” she calls and I’m a bit taken aback. “It’s after hours, so I’m allowed to call you by your name, right?”
I start to contemplate this but she speaks before I can respond, “I’m guessing that’s a no, so in that case I’m extremely sorry, sir. Please don’t fire me.”
I can’t help my amusement. “It’s fine. You can call me Grady.”
“Alright. Grady! Are you asking me about the project tomorrow because you don’t believe I can pull it off or because it’s my first time and you’re just concerned about me?”
“Alright,” she says.
By her tone, I can tell that she is not pleased about something. “What is it? You don’t want me to be concerned?”
“It’s not that, it’s just... it doesn’t feel very good to be micromanaged, especially by a senior executive, which could throw feelings of incompetency into the mix.”
“I don’t think you’re incompetent.”
“I know,” she says. “Or at least I hope so.”
I release a sigh. “I called you tonight Blair because I wanted to talk to you, about anything even if it’s just for a few moments.”
The line goes silent, and then a panic stirs in my chest. “It’s because of my father,” I quickly add. “I received bad news today about his deteriorating health and at times like this, what one really needs is a distraction.”
“Oh,” she says. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
I know she wants to ask about the details, but is probably considering that it might be too intrusive. “You can speak freely with me.”
“Okay,” her tone is breathy and uncertain. “How bad is it?”
“Cirrhosis, and if he doesn’t listen and keeps drinking, he’s going to end up needing a liver transplant soon.”
“I’m sorry.” Her tone is heavy.
“No need to be,” I respond. “With all his drinking it was inevitable.”
“You sound like you need a hug,” she says.
The audacious comment makes me laugh aloud. What surprises me even more is my response, “I do need one.”
“Should I come over?”
I ponder on the question a little bit, and although the proposition sounds quite attractive, I realize that what I really want after this is to be alone to think. “There’s no need,” I reply. “I’ll be fine. I just need some time to rest.”
“Alright,” she says.
I don’t miss the disappointment in her tone. “Spend some time with your family.”
“You too,” she replies.
I disconnect the call.
Chapter Forty-Four
Blair
“You too?” I mutter in disbelief. “You too?”
I can’t scream out loud, especially since Matthew is home, so I grab my pillow and soundlessly scream into it. It’s at this point that a knock sounds on my door.
Layne immediately pushes it open and this is the state she finds me in.
“Blair?” she calls, alarmed. “Are you okay?”
Dejected, I throw the pillow aside and brush my hair out of my face. “I’m not. I’m really not. In fact, I think I have a mental problem. I just gave the most stupid response to my boss.”
She completely walks in then and shuts the door behind her. “Why? What did you say?”
“You too,” I respond.
She is immediately perplexed. “What?” She comes over to sit on my bed.
As I stare into her eyes, I wonder if I should say any more given the relationship I’m currently in with Grady, which is one that I’m very aware she does not approve of. I have already mentioned him however, so I know that she will not leave until I spit out what had me screaming into my pillow. “He has a... difficult relationship with his father. Anyway, today he got some bad news about his father’s health, so he mentioned it to me and I... uh, I tried to console him a bit, but he told me not to worry about it but to spend time with my family. Guess what I said in response. Layne. Guess.”
“You too?”
“Yeah. I said you too.”
“That’s normal.” She chuckles.
“No,” I groan as I stare at the wall opposite me. “It’s not normal. It’s just dumb.”
“No, it’s human and automatic and he won’t think about it, so stop attacking your pillow, and come share the cake with us.”
“It’s time?” I ask excitedly and jump off the bed. “Yes!”
The treat is a delicious sangria cake bought for Layne but it couldn’t be touched till after dinner. I’d blended some kiwi’s and poured them into popsicle molds to be frozen, so I retrieve those and share them as well.
The three of us hang out in the living room, debating baby names, and predicting personalities, so it’s a happy time. I can’t stop thinking about my boss though, who is having a difficult time on account of his father. I had mentioned to Allen that he seemed a bit withdrawn, with the hopes that he would be able to find out what is wrong, but I can now see what the major problem is.
I want to go to him, but I’m quite unsure of how welcome I will be. It would also be a little difficult to speak to Layne about this and besides, I can also predict what she will say and it would be absolutely nothing in favor of my idea.
So I go to bed, turning my plan for the next day over and over in my mind.
The next morning, I awake and refuse to contemplate. I put on a pair of leggings, a pair of sturdy hiking boots then pack some quick sandwiches and sliced fruits into my backpack.
A little while later, I arrive at his apartment building and give him a call so the front desk can let me in.
In no time, I’m standing in front of his door, wringing my hands in anxiety.
He opens it and is shirtless, with nothing on but the unbuttoned, dark tailored trousers I’m certain he wore the previous day to work and his hair is a disheveled, sleepy mess.
He looks so rustic and beautiful… it makes my blood simmer with excitement. But I’m also nervous because I have shown up unannounced.
This sudden visit I can see doesn't make him particularly excited. “Is there something scheduled for today that I forgot about?”
I lift up the backpack I have in hand. “There’s something in here that’s very special, but we can only both receive it after going for a short hike up Mayflower Gulch.
He watches me silently for too long, before his gaze slowly moves to the bag. “What’s in it?”
“I can’t say. You can only find out after the hike.”
“Then I have no interest,” he says and turns around.
“Grady!” I call sharply and follow him into the house. “C’mon, just indulge me this once. What’s in the bag is really amazing. You’re going to be so thrilled.”
“I am indulging you,” he says and heads over to his refrigerator to grab a bottle of water. “I just need to know what I’ll be climbing up a mountain for.”
Well, peace of mind is a start, I say to myself but of course, I don’t voice it out loud. I finally give my answer, “Pancakes. The most delicious, fluffy pancakes that have ever been made. I promise you this. After having these pancakes, you just might cry.”
He watches me as though I’m the most peculiar girl he’s ever seen. “Pancakes. You want me to get dressed and go hiking for pancakes that are currently sitting in your backpack?”
I’m about to hesitate but since I have chosen to go this route, which I can see is slowly crumbling from underneath me, I decide to play it out to the very end. “Yes,” I reply. “The hike will clear your mind, and the pancakes will soothe your soul. Trust me.”
Another long silence floats between us as he once again, lifts the bottle to his lips and drains it. “Alright,” he agrees.
I’m stunned. “Alright? You mean...”
“I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Grady
I seriously doubt the existence of the life changing pancakes in her backpack, but her proposition for a hike doesn't seem like a bad idea.
I can’t however help but shake my head at the sneaky tactic she is employing to get me to go on the hike with her.
I know why she’s doing this, especially since I mentioned my father the previous evening. Her sudden presence does seem intrusive, but I appreciate it more than I would have expected to. I drive her to the copper mountain and we are soon on our way.
She offers me some pieces of sliced apples, and a grilled chicken sandwich which I accept for the needed
energy.
Soon, we are hiking up the trail.
At first, we are both silent as we take in the serenity of the place and it isn’t until twenty minutes into our climb that I speak, “Thanks for this. I think I needed it.”
The smile that curves her lips in response immediately draws one out of me.
“I know you did,” she says.
“So I’m guessing that the pancakes are not in the bag? Because so far, I’ve only seen the sandwiches and fruits.”
“Of course not!” she feigns indignation to my amusement. “I’ll get them for you the moment we’re done.”
“You’re going to make them?”
“Maybe,” she replies and increases the length of her strides up the weedy path.
I can’t help but chuckle at her mischief and somehow it turns me on. Just watching her in fact is having the most strenuous effect on my libido. Her hair is held up in a loose ponytail, which leaves the shiny blonde mass a little less tamed than it usually is in the office. It’s somewhat wild now with soft, escaped tendrils from her temples and the nape of her neck, effecting a softness to her that warms my heart. Then there’s the way her leggings and tank top hug every curve of her body. She is‒come to think of it‒just the perfect distraction.
Our hike takes us a total of three and a half hours, and in that time we are mostly quiet, content to just be beside each other. We hike through the trail in the forest, take in the fields of wildflowers and old mining cabins. She asks me to take some pictures of her with the wild flowers and is so shy in posing that I almost can’t stop laughing. She frames her chin with her hands, makes peace signs over her head and even rabbit ears.
It’s all delightful to watch but when she suggests that I be the one to pose for a picture, I keep walking.
“Hey! Grady” she calls.