The Avoiding Series Boxset

by K. A. Linde

  “I mean, not physically nervous,” she said with a shrug. “I just feel like they’re always preparing to fire me.”

  “What?” Lexi asked. “No one is firing you. You’re the best employee they have.”

  “Lexi…be real. There are surgeons and shit who are irreplaceable.”

  “Well, I told Ramsey that I like you. I doubt you’re going anywhere.”

  Cierra’s eyes widened further. “You’ve talked to Mr. Bridges about me?”

  “Don’t look so freaked-out. He’s just my boyfriend.”

  Mr. Bridges. Ha!

  “And my boss.”

  “Well, I’m his boss, so we’re good.”

  They both laughed pretty hard at that. Lexi missed having Chyna around so much. It was nice being able to talk to Cierra. The only real friends she had in Atlanta were Brandon and Jack, and it wasn’t like she could really talk to either of them about her relationship—not without getting serious looks at least. Krista lived too far out of the city for it to be practical to spend a lot of time with her, and Lexi hadn’t connected with anyone at her office. She hoped Bridges kept Cierra, if for no other reason than that Lexi really wanted a girlfriend.

  “Speaking of the boss,” Cierra whispered, nodding her head and raising her eyebrows.

  Lexi spun around and saw Ramsey standing there, waiting for her.

  “There you are,” he said, striding toward her. “I knew I’d find you here.”

  “Don’t act like you know me,” she said coyly.

  “Oh, Lexi, I do know you.” He pulled her into him and kissed her little button nose.

  She giggled. “When do we get to leave?”

  “Soon. I have to talk to a few more people, and then we can head out.”

  “Good. I’m ready to take you home.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Sounds like we’re going to have a night in,” he said, brushing his lips against her ear.

  “Ramsey,” she said, smacking him on the arm and breaking out of his embrace. “Not here.”

  He chuckled at her. “Yes, I figured we’d go home first.”

  Lexi felt the blush creep up her neck. She was hardly prudish, but out in public like this at his work, she thought he would have had a bit of discretion. His gleaming green eyes told her that the last thing on his mind was discretion.

  She heard a low catcall behind them, and she quickly swiveled around. Cierra was grinning from ear to ear at them, but she was trying to play it off like she had been working busily at her computer the whole time.

  “Did you just whistle at me?” Lexi sputtered out.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cierra said with a smirk.

  “They just let anyone work here, don’t they?” she asked playfully.

  “Almost like they just let anyone stroll right inside,” Cierra said, winking at her.

  “Y’all play nice,” Ramsey said, kissing Lexi’s forehead. “I’m going to go finish up.”

  Lexi watched him walk away toward a crowd of people. She could see Parker chatting up a group of suits. She looked surprisingly uncomfortable. Lexi knew Ramsey preferred the spotlight, and Parker preferred the background work. She had still been working as a surgeon this past year, and as far as Lexi knew, Parker would be taking up that job here, too. Seemed like a crazy life…

  Even after the stress Lexi had endured through law school and now while working for a prestigious company, she thought being a surgeon and helping to open and run a brand-new hospital just seemed…insane. It sounded like a person who wanted to run herself into the ground.

  Whatever. Parker wasn’t any of her concern. If she wanted to run herself into the ground, that was fine…as long as she stayed away from Ramsey. Lexi had already had to deal with Elisa. She couldn’t deal with Parker, too, and not come out unscathed.

  “I know we haven’t known each other very long, Lexi, and I might be overstepping…but you don’t have to worry,” Cierra said softly.

  “What?” Lexi asked, her head snapping back to Cierra.

  “You look at her like she’s a thief.”

  “Who?”

  “Ms. Mackenson.”

  “Oh…Parker,” Lexi said.

  “You don’t have anything to worry about. He worships the ground you walk on.”

  “I know.”

  “He doesn’t look at her like he looks at you.”

  “I know.”

  “Then, stop worrying so much. Don’t let that Elisa girl get into your head. That’s what she wants. If you let it bother you, then she wins.”

  Lexi bit her lip. “How can I not let it bother me though?”

  Cierra shrugged lightly. “That’s between you and your man. I’m just saying, if I had a man who looked at me like that…I would be worried for the girl who stepped wrong in his path because he wouldn’t put up with it.”

  “Don’t you have a boyfriend?” Lexi asked, trying to redirect the attention.

  “Boyfriend? More like a plaything,” she said with a giggle.

  “Oh Lord…”

  “Yeah, he’s younger. Doesn’t know what he’s in for.” Cierra winked at her dramatically.

  “Are you bringing him to the party tonight?”

  “Oh!” Cierra said, her eyes lighting up. “I’m so excited for this party. I’ll have him in tow. You can judge him for me.”

  Lexi just laughed. “I look forward to it. See you tonight.”

  Walking toward the group of people that Ramsey was talking with, Lexi thought about what Cierra had said. Did she really look at Parker like she was a thief? Lexi didn’t mean to if she did. But it was so hard not to be concerned after the lying and then this huge debacle with Elisa. Lexi just needed to take a deep breath and let it go.

  Maybe tonight would help.

  Splurging had been well worth it when she saw the look on Ramsey’s face after she came out of the bathroom, all done up for the party tonight. The strapless plum dress ruched around the middle, and reached the floor with a thigh-high slit showing off her tan lean legs. She paired the dress with long drop earrings that nearly grazed her shoulders and mile-high black Manolos. She had woven her hair up into an intricately messy braided bun with soft curls falling around her face. Her makeup was smoky, giving her a cat-like, seductive appearance, and she wore soft nude lipstick that highlighted her natural beauty and the grace of the dress.

  “No,” Ramsey said, shaking his head.

  “No?” she asked, her smile faltering. “No, what?”

  “You can’t leave the house in that.”

  “And why not?”

  “Every guy in the place is going to want to get his hands on you,” he said, walking forward and running his hands down her sides.

  “They’re going to have a pretty pissed senior vice president to contend with if they even think about trying.” She slid her palms up the front of his crisp black suit.

  “Damn right, they will.”

  She pressed her lips lightly against his, not wanting to smudge her makeup before their debut. He didn’t seem to have the same idea as he crushed Lexi against him. She squealed, trying to push him back to avoid touch-ups, but he didn’t listen and just kissed her until she gave in.

  “I know it’s been rough lately,” he said, drawing back, “but I love you so much. I’m glad you stuck with me through the bad. I promise to keep pushing to make it better from here on out, okay?”

  “Okay,” she whispered, giving him the reassurance they both needed.

  She wanted to believe what Cierra had said about him, and the easiest way to do that was to just keep saying it over and over. It would sink in eventually.

  Their arrival at the party was with a big fanfare. Lexi thought it was mostly for Ramsey since he was a partner on the project, but with the way everyone kept eyeing her dress, she wondered if Ramsey had been right.

  The party was set up at Opera in midtown, which on any other given day of the week was a packed nightclub complete with paid go-go dancers, a d
ance stage, and poles. The grandeur of the nightclub had been removed and replaced with an open dance floor and table with food. It had two levels, just like an old-fashioned opera house with balcony seating and crystal chandeliers.

  The place maxed out at around a thousand people, and Lexi could see that they were likely going to hit capacity tonight. They had a lot to celebrate with the medical wing, and so many of the employees were here, dressed in their best. Bridges medical wing had only officially been open for a half day, and then tomorrow, it would be in full swing.

  After Lexi and Ramsey managed to break through the crowd, they moved over toward the stage where Ramsey’s parents were in deep conversation with some other executives that Lexi recognized. Bekah was in a tight, floor-length bright blue gown that made her baby-blue eyes pop out and her thin frame even more evident. Her blonde hair had been slicked straight back into a tight bun. She wore no jewelry, save for her wedding ring and two giant diamonds in her ears. Her shoes were champagne-colored peep toes with rhinestones running up the heel. Lexi hated how much she liked Bekah’s outfit. If only the Bitch were uglier…

  Jack wore a navy suit with just the top button clasped and a charcoal gray tie. He stood with one hand tucked into the pocket of his pants and the other hanging loose at his side as his eyes roamed the packed room.

  Lexi and Ramsey made their way over to his family crowded together. She wasn’t sure what his parents thought of her. Sometimes, they acted like they thought she was nice, but more often than not, they acted like she was this weird growth that had appeared at their son’s side. She wasn’t sure what she had to do to get their approval or if anything would ever be enough. Maybe if she started working for Bridges as an attorney—no, she would rather die than give in to that!

  “Ramsey! You’re finally here,” Bekah said with a big fake smile. “We thought maybe you were held up with Parker.”

  Lexi glared at Bekah. Yes, she knew that Bekah was just trying to get a rise out of her, but damn, did Lexi want to throat-punch her for saying anything at all.

  “Is Parker not here?” Ramsey asked.

  “No, she hasn’t shown up yet either.”

  “Yes, where is that Mackenson girl?” Ramsey’s father roared. “She was supposed to be here earlier, like you were.”

  “I have no idea,” Ramsey said, shrugging his shoulders.

  “She always has been a little flighty,” he mused. “At least I know that I can trust her to get a job done.”

  Ramsey stared forward at his father, like he was a pig that had just sprouted wings and was about to fly around the room. His father didn’t give out compliments lightly, and to hear one about Parker and not directed at him must have been torturous. The clear implication in his father’s words was that he couldn’t always trust Ramsey. Even though he had done everything his father had wanted, Ramsey still had to deal with this type of behavior. Lexi wished they could just walk out.

  “I’m sure she’ll be around,” Lexi said, leaning into Ramsey for support. “I’m going to go find the restroom. Come with me?”

  “I have to stay here,” he said softly through gritted teeth. “Come back to me quickly.”

  “Okay,” she said, wishing he had taken the out.

  Lexi pulled Ramsey down to her by the front of his suit and kissed him on the mouth. He smiled against her lips as she showed him just how much he meant to her in that one motion. She pulled back marginally, and he was grinning like an idiot, looking down at her.

  “I’ll be back soon.”

  Lexi waited for him to nod before releasing him, and then she veered away from him to seek out the restroom. She glanced around at all the employees. She recognized so many, but there were far more she had never even seen before.

  She found the restroom easily, but she took her time once she got in there. She didn’t really have to use the restroom, but she didn’t want it to seem like she had just disappeared for no reason. She washed her hands slowly and touched up her makeup before forcing herself to walk back out into the party.

  Almost immediately, Lexi saw Cierra out of the corner of her eye and walked over to her, waving as she approached.

  Cierra was in a short black sequined dress with high heels to match, and her boy toy was in a black suit with a skinny black tie. He was cute with a baby face, and he didn’t seem to see anything else in the room but Cierra. The girl was crazy if she didn’t think he looked at her like Ramsey did with Lexi.

  “Hey, girl! You look fabulous!” Lexi said.

  “Lexi! Thank you. You look great, too!” Cierra cried. “This is my man, Deon.”

  “So nice to meet you,” Lexi said, taking his extended hand.

  “Pleasure is all mine.”

  He looked like he could be a basketball player. He was tall and skinny but still muscular. Lexi felt miniature next to his towering height.

  “Are y’all having a good time so far?” Lexi asked.

  “There’s an open bar,” Cierra observed. “I’m not sure the party can get much better than that.”

  Lexi laughed. “Yeah, that’s a nice feature.”

  “There you are,” Lexi heard someone say behind her right before she felt an arm wrap around her waist.

  “Oh!” she said, trying to twist out of the embrace she hadn’t been expecting.

  She turned in place and stared up into a pair of hazel eyes. She stopped squirming. Damn, that man was attractive.

  “John,” she whispered.

  “Lexi,” he said with a smug smirk. “It’s good to see you.”

  Coming to her senses real quick, Lexi pulled out of his arms and stood up straight. She could feel Cierra’s and Deon’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t meet them.

  “You, too. Have you met Cierra?” she asked, pulling them into the conversation. “She works at the medical wing.”

  “Ah, I don’t believe I have,” he said, shaking her hand and then Deon’s.

  “John works for Global. He was one of the people in charge of getting the hospital up and running in time,” Lexi explained.

  “Wow, nice gig,” Cierra said, glancing at Lexi again.

  “Well,” Lexi said awkwardly, “I’m glad y’all could make it. Come find me later.”

  “All right, Lexi.” Cierra gave her a disapproving look.

  For someone Lexi had known for only a few short weeks, she sure had Chyna’s stares down.

  They left Cierra alone with her man, and Lexi and John wandered slowly toward Jessica, who looked stunning in a square-cut coral dress that hugged her frame to her knees before fanning out to the floor.

  “You look…God, what’s the right word?” John said, eyeing her up and down appreciatively. “Stunning…radiant…”

  She shook her head. “No need to continue. I get it. Thank you.”

  John was in a light gray suit with a dark royal blue tie. Whatever cologne he was wearing tonight was musky and intoxicating. It made her head spin a little.

  “I haven’t seen much of you lately,” he said.

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “Ah, with that Elisa girl?”

  Lexi ground her teeth together. She knew that John would know about that. Everyone knew about it…but she really didn’t like to talk about it.

  “I haven’t even thought about it,” she spat out.

  “It’s just us. You don’t have to lie.”

  “Look, I don’t really want to talk about it,” she said stiffly. “I should actually go find Ramsey now.”

  “He’s just up there with Parker,” John said, gesturing to the front of the room.

  Lexi’s head snapped up. God, she hadn’t been gone that long, had she? It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see her here…or them together, but it still was. Not to mention, Parker looked striking in the very casual, effortless way she always exuded.

  She had on a forest-green dress with small swirls of black in it that accented her figure and slimmed her already trim form. The thin straps cut into a shapely V in the front bef
ore the dress dropped to pool at her feet. Standing next to Ramsey, it was clear she wasn’t wearing high heels because she still barely came up to his shoulder. Her brown hair was down, past her shoulders, and in a natural just-got-out-of-the-shower wavy style. Her freckles were evident against her pale skin, even from where Lexi was standing. The only true adornment that Parker wore was the bright cherry-red lipstick on her lips. Lexi had never really seen her in makeup before, and the lipstick made her look startlingly pretty.

  “Is Ramsey’s tie green?” John asked into Lexi’s ear.

  “Yes,” she said softly.

  She hadn’t thought about it. His tie was green. They matched—again. Ugh!

  “They’re so cute together, huh?”

  “Not working,” she said, stabbing a finger into his chest. “And you can cut it out. Now.”

  John laughed. “I was kidding around. Someone is defensive.”

  “I’m not defensive. I’m just…you’re talking about things you don’t understand. So, it’s better if you keep your nose out of it.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said, reaching for her arm to stop her from walking away. “I was seriously just messing around.”

  “Fine.”

  “Are you excited for Chyna?” he asked, hitting on a topic he knew she would gush about.

  “Of course I am! I can’t believe this is all happening for her.”

  “Adam told me that you are the maid of honor.”

  “That’s right,” Lexi said. As if there were another choice.

  “Sounds like I get to walk you down the aisle then.”

  “Oh,” she said, letting the words sink in. “You’re the best man.”

  That should have been obvious, too, but for some reason, it hadn’t been.

  “That’s right.”

  “Just throw a better bachelor party for Adam than the last one I went to,” she said.

  She saw the comment had thrown him off guard, and it made her smile.

  “You’ve…been to a bachelor party?”

  “And I thought you knew everything about me,” she said with a wink before turning and walking away. Let him mull over that one.

  By the time she made it back to Ramsey’s side, his father had launched into a congratulatory speech, thanking everyone for being in attendance and for their dedication to the company.