“Miss Anderson. How are you today?”
“Good,” I answer, trying to sound levelheaded and not like I’m freaking out on the inside.
“Good. Good.” He nods, flipping open a folder and pulling out a piece of paper. “You’ve been selected by Lew Serrano to be the one who learns the new system we will be implementing in the next month. We want you to become the lead, which means after you attend training you’ll come back and teach the staff.”
Relief runs through my veins. I feel like sliding out of the chair onto the floor as a pile of goo. I’m fifty pounds lighter instantly. “Wow. Okay. What’s this entail?”
“There is a seminar in Grand Rapids near corporates headquarters. Employees from stores all over will be in attendance as well. It will require an overnight stay at the same hotel as the seminar and all expenses will be included.”
This sounds like a mini vacation. One I really need. “Sounds good. When is the meeting?”
He clears his throat, his view flicking to Lew before back to me. “This weekend. You’ll leave Friday and come back Sunday.”
I’m certain my eyes bulge out of my skull. “As in a few days from now?”
“Yes. We apologize for the short notice, but some unforeseen circumstances surfaced.”
Right. Lauren quit last week. I nod, understanding.
He hands me a thick envelope. “Your flight tickets and hotel information are in there. Come prepared to take notes. This is very important. You’ll be the one in charge of educating the rest of the staff here.”
“No worries. I’ll be ready,” I reply.
He shakes my hand and dismisses me. Caroline peeks over the shelves as she grabs an order from the window just as a customer comes to the counter. Immediately, I help the lady and once I’m finished, I look through the script orders and begin filling them.
My mind is racing, excited about my educational vacation. My last vacation was four years ago. Aimee, Shyla and I went to the beach where we had four days of sightseeing, beach going, and drinks.
An older gentleman comes to the counter carrying a vase full of beautiful red roses and sets them down.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
“Lady up front said I’d be able to find Brooklyn here.”
“That’s me.”
He stretches out a clipboard. “These are for you. If you could, please sign here.”
I do and immediately after he leaves, I pull out the card.
I’m INTERESTED in another date, but the choice is yours.
Nathan
Oh, hell…
* * *
“I think you should call him. Or at least shoot him a text,” Aimee says, wiping her mouth with her napkin and placing it on top of her plate. “Maybe he didn’t realize he was being a super douche until you said something. I don’t know.” She shrugs. “Men are stupid.”
Shyla nods in agreement. “But if you’re not interested, you might want to tell him to stop sending you flowers.”
For three days, I’ve received flowers at work. They’ve been beautiful and my home smells amazing, but I haven’t contacted him yet. Not that I haven’t wanted to, but he’s so full of mixed signals. One minute he’s sweet, mysterious, and unbelievably sexy. Then the next he’s guarded and standoffish. It confuses me and messes my head up. I have to focus on work and not all the jumbling he’s doing.
I chew on my lip. “I am interested,” I admit. “I guess I’m gun shy now.”
“Grab your phone and text him right now,” Aimee suggests. “We’re here. Moral support.”
“What if he calls me instead?” I ask, my nerves evident in my voice.
“Then you answer it,” Aimee says slowly. “That’s how phones work. Ring. Answer.” She mimics answering a phone by bringing her fingers to her ear.
“I know how phones work,” I snort. “I’ll just text him tonight.”
“Make sure you keep us in the loop. Your soap opera has become my addiction,” Shyla says.
“It helps keep my mind off William proposing,” Aimee adds. “If I don’t think of something else, it’ll consume me.”
“Doesn’t help you’re incredibly impatient,” I say.
“I have to get going. I promised Brady I’d be home at a decent time. It’s period makeup time.” She waggles her brows and I laugh.
“I’m going to go too,” I say standing.
We give each other hugs and say goodbye before all three of us head off into different directions.
* * *
I’ve showered, cleaned my kitchen and debated on cleaning out my closet to get away from texting Nathan, but the flowers throughout my house are keeping me from fighting it. Since his admission at the pub caused my heart to hurt, I do what I do best—avoidance. It’s a defense mechanism. I can’t get hurt if I stay away. I’m at war with my mind and heart and unfortunately, my heart is winning.
Me: Thank you for all the flowers. They’ve been beautiful.
Immediately, my phone rings. I knew he’d call and it’s the very reason I didn’t want to text him at dinner with the girls.
“I’m glad you liked them,” he says. “Does you texting me mean I have a chance to redeem myself?”
“That depends. Will it be another episode of hot and cold?”
A deep rumbly hum comes through the phone. “I deserve that. Actually, I’d like the chance to explain myself. To talk and lay out all the cards.”
“Really?” I sound surprised.
“Yes, really. But unfortunately, I won’t be able to until next week. I’ll be out of town until Sunday. Will that be a problem?”
With my meeting in Grand Rapids for work, a few extra days won’t hurt. I’ll be distracted. “Actually, that will work out perfectly.”
“Great. I’ll call you Sunday afternoon. Is that okay?”
“Yeah.” I tell him.
“I’m sorry for how I came off at the bar the other night. I was irritated with Cody and I took it out on you. It was wrong.”
“Apology accepted,” I say, flirting a little.
“Thank you. Have a good weekend, Brooklyn.”
We hang up and I fall back to the couch. Even his voice sends my body into a frenzy. I hope whatever he has to tell me isn’t bad and truly out there. He told me before he’s not reeling from a heartbreak, but he’s so hot and cold. I can’t think of anything else that would have him like that.
Time will tell and Sunday night can’t get here fast enough. I’m ready to hear what he has to say.
ELEVEN
When my company goes all out, they really go the hell all out. This hotel is more of a luxury the queen would approve. It’s not a typical hotel either. No. This is Bennett Towers. Luxury and elegance braided into one. My room is huge with a modern feel thanks to all the sleek lines and bold colors. I’m on the tenth floor with an outstanding view of the city at every angle due to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The bed…oh my god, the bed is enormous and wonderful—huge with white plush covers tucked tightly with taupe and lavender pillows placed at the head.