Looking forward to getting off my feet, I gasped when I saw the bright bouquet of pink roses, complete with baby’s breath. What in the world? They were beautiful. They looked velvety soft, and their aroma already filled my office. But I wasn’t really a roses girl. I was more into interesting flowers like orchids or lilies. But there was no denying how gorgeous they were.
I placed my laptop on my desk and then I hunted for a card. I found one nestled deep in the nest of thorns. All it said was I’m so proud of you.
The instant welling of tears was unexpected.
Dexter.
God, just when I was on the verge of giving up, he came through. I didn’t even stop to think when I grabbed my jacket. It was close enough to lunch that I could leave early and go say a surprise thank you.
It was a straight shot to South Bank from Soho on the tube, so within fifteen minutes I was walking into the sleek glass and chrome of Mills and Crawford Investments. I knew where Fenton’s office was and managed to deftly avoid it. It was 11:45, so the office was nearly a ghost town with everyone off to lunch.
Good old Dexter, though, was at his desk. “Hey there handsome, are you accepting blow jobs as recompense?”
His head snapped up and his eyes went wide before he shoved up out of his chair. “Olivia. Wh-what are you doing here?”
I smiled up at him as he came around his desk. “Silly, I’m here to say thank you.”
He frowned then looked around me to his door, which I’d closed behind me. “Thank you for what?”
Laughing, I looped my arms around his neck. “For my flowers, silly. They’re beautiful. I was so surprised. I love them though. I know we’ve been disconnected for a while, but—”
He pulled back from me, unlooping my arms and holding them between us, effectively forming a barrier. “What are you talking about? I didn’t send you flowers, Olivia.”
I blinked, my arms going lax as he released me. “Are you sure?”
“Seriously? I would know if I sent you flowers.” A frown creased his brow. “Who the hell is sending you flowers?” His voice rose.
“Well, clearly I thought it was you.”
“What did the card say?”
“Just that you, or I guess someone, was proud of me.”
“You’re serious. Someone sent you flowers masquerading as me?”
I sighed, then shifted on my feet, not really sure of what to do with myself now. This was hardly how I’d pictured my surprise visit. “I’m not sure they were masquerading as you. I assumed it was you. I mean who else would send me flowers?”
He pursed his lips and crossed his arms. “Have you checked with your boss? From what I’ve been reading, he does like the ladies.”
Clearly, coming here had been a bad idea. “Dex, c’mon. You can support me getting promoted.” I cleared my throat. “Well, since I’m here, do you want to go to lunch? You know that offer for a blow—”
His office door opened, cutting me off. “Hey Dex, you ready—” The beautiful red head in leggings, booties, and a fitted top froze when she saw us. “Oh, sorry. I thought we had an appointment.”
Dexter shoved his hands in his pockets, then quickly dragged them out. He always did that when he was nervous. But why was he nervous? I watched him closely as his gaze just darted back and forth between us.
What the hell was wrong with him? When he didn’t introduce us, I stepped forward and extended a hand. “Hi, I’m Olivia.”
She stared at my hand for a long moment, then shook it. “I’m Andrea. I’m Dexter’s—”
“Physical therapist,” he quickly finished for her.
He’s into her.
I wasn’t proud of my first thought. I wasn’t the kind of woman who felt threatened at every new beautiful woman my boyfriend encountered. After all, I’d end up angry a lot then. Dex was always entertaining for work. I also wasn’t the kind of woman who thought I could keep tabs on him or wanted to control who he was. He was a grown man.
You’re better than this.
I was better than this. Dexter was with me. Had been for years. We might have been working some things out, but we were committed to that.
I dragged in a deep breath to force my calm then ran through what he’d said. Physical Therapist. The subject of his hand was a red-hot button with us.
Was that why he was so cagey? He hated it when I asked about him doing his PT exercises. “Oh. It’s nice to finally meet you. Dexter has gone on and on about how he loves PT with you.” I frowned at her lack of equipment. “You guys going to work out here? In those shoes?”
Again, it was Dexter who answered. “She’s just going to walk me through a few things for my hand. I’ve been having those flare ups of pain.”
He had? Why didn’t I know he was in more pain than usual? “Oh, right. I guess I’ll get going and leave you to it.” I forced a smile. “The video games you suggested have really helped with his dexterity.” That sounded encouraging right? Not at all jealous girlfriendy? If you need to believe that.
I reached for Dexter to kiss him, and what I got was an air kiss on the cheek. Oh yeah, we were bringing all the sexy back.
His voice was firm and cool when he said, “Call the florist. Find out who sent the flowers. I’m curious.”
“I guess I will. Sorry I bothered you at work.”
His response was a terse nod. “It’s fine.”
“I’ll see you at home, yeah?”
“Yeah, yeah.” His attention was already on the redhead.
I forced myself to swallow the sting of jealousy. I would not let someone else eat at me. Dexter and I were in a relationship. He wouldn’t betray that.
You sure of that?
When I returned to the office, I rearranged the flowers to the corner of my desk so I could have an unfettered view of my door in case someone came in.
It was only after I moved the vase that I saw, next to it was a small black box. I frowned as I picked it up. This was beyond weird now. I tugged on the ribbon and tried to calm my breathing. I just prayed I didn’t find something like a finger inside.
I squeezed my eyes shut, but then exhaled and peered one eye open as I lifted the lid.
Nestled in the black velvet was a batman pin with the Ghana flag on it. Just like the one Ben had broken the night of the fundraiser.
Ben. He was responsible for the flowers and he’d replaced my pin. My eyes suddenly stung, and I blinked away the mist forming in my eyes. Someone must have brought onions for lunch. Or, your boss isn’t a complete dick. Just when I’d started to solidify my opinion on him, he did something so thoughtful.
There was a knock behind me, and I widened my eyes, willing the mist of tears to evaporate. I turned slowly with an impassive gaze. “Yes?”
Ben was in my doorway. Just seeing him made everything inside go all warm and fluttery. “I’m sorry it took so long to replace it. I guess you can’t just buy the pin anywhere, so I custom ordered it.”
My stupid tears were so close to the surface. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to become a blubbery mess. “You didn’t have to do this.”
He stepped inside. “Yes, I did. I felt bad the night of the fundraiser, and I was a bit of a wanker. I’m sorry. After I learned how much it meant to you, I knew I had to replace it.”