“What? No way. I’m not going to take your desk, Roman.” She kicked off her heels and sat down on the couch. I stood there watching her as she unzipped the laptop bag she’d been carrying. Eventually, she looked up again. Her dark eyes held a hint of amusement in them. “Please, go act like you have a job. I have so much to do.” I chuckled and did as I was asked.
Pushing the call button on my office phone, I spoke into it, “Patricia, can you pull last year's reports for me, and Julius said he has some files for me in his office that I also need.”
“Right away, Mr. Fields.”
“Thank you.”
I took a seat and glanced at Blossom. She was fast at work with headphones in, laptop in her lap, and feet tucked under her. I smiled. It’s too bad she’ll only be here for a week. I was already feeling having her around.
An hour later, I felt her eyes on me, but I was deep into my own pile of work. That didn’t stop me from being fully aware of her every move. She was standing now, moving around the room. I wanted to ignore how close she felt, but I couldn’t.
“Hard at work?” she asked, plopping down in one of the seats positioned in front of my desk.
“I’m doing what I was asked.” I leaned back and watched her look around my office for the millionth time, and then she stood, moving to look out of the window.
“This view is... it’s better than my office.”
“Need me to negotiate something better for you?” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “I’m good at negotiating.”
“Nah, I still have a great office.”
“If you ever change your mind...”
“Roman, what are— “
My office door opened, and both of our attention went to Patricia, who looked embarrassed.
“Sorry Mr. Fields, but— “
“No need to apologize,” I told her. She nodded and relaxed her shoulders. Patricia looked to be in her late thirties, maybe early forties. She gave off mother hen vibes, and I liked that. It would make for an easy work environment. “What can I do for you?”
“I have those files from Julius. It took me longer to get them because he was out of his office until about twenty minutes ago.” She opened the door wider and went to lift a box. I stood immediately.
“Don’t lift that, I have it.”
“Oh, I’m used to— “
“I don’t know what other people around here have you doing, but if you ever have to carry more than just a couple of files, then page me and I will come help.” I picked up the box and then looked at her, waiting for an answer.
“I’ll be sure to do that, Mr.— “
“Please, call me Roman. Mr. Fields is my father, and I’m not too fond of him.” Her eyes widened, and then she smiled.
“Roman it is.” She looked past me and said, “It’s almost lunchtime. How about I order you two something?”
“That would be great. Surprise us.” She walked away, and I stepped back into my office, letting the door close behind me.
“Are you always so... easy going?” Blossom asked. I placed the employee file box on the floor and walked to stand next to her. The Henley Global office space was inside of the BNY Mellon Center. They rented out three floors to accommodate each department, and the view from up here was crazy. I couldn’t wait to see it at night when the city was lit up.
“I’m just me. And I want my assistant to know that I respect her. As long as she feels respected, then she’ll continue to go above and beyond when it comes to her job.”
“Tell me something.” Blossom sat in my chair, and I turned to face her, leaning up against the window.
“What do you want to know?”
“What the hell is an Actuary?” She was smiling with her eyes. “I mean, I’ve literally never heard of it, and then here you come donning the job title and a corner office with a panoramic view. I may have chosen the wrong career.”
Chucking, I said, “I basically find risks that could cause a company to lose money before it happens.” She frowned.
“How in the hell do you do that?”
“A lot of math, old data, statistics...” I shrugged. “It’s hard to explain but easy for me to do.”
“A smart man,” she murmured. “So, where did you go to school?”
“Clark Atlanta, you?”
“NYU.”
“Beauty and brains.”
“Don’t give me a big head.” I crossed my arms and smirked.
“I have a feeling that that head of yours was already big. I’m only confirming what you've known.”
“Maybe, but it’s always better hearing it from someone else.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She stared at me. Her eyes are hard to miss, to ignore. Darker than her skin but light in other ways. They told a lot about how she was feeling. Right now, she was happy. Or content. It was one of the two. “I want to get to know you.” Blossom didn’t respond at first. We just... continued to stare at one another. She was trying to get a read on me, but I wasn’t one to wear my thoughts and emotions on my sleeve.
But soon, I got the reply I’d been hoping for, “I’d like to get to know you too, Roman.” I nodded. I wouldn’t stop until I knew everything there is to know about her. Not until I have an answer to the question that’s been on my mind since our brief conversation the other day.
How does Blossom Baker need to be loved?
“You didn’t have to walk with me,” Blossom whispered, leaning her back against the trunk of her car. We were in the parking garage. I still had a few hours before I called it a day, but she was heading out now, and truthfully I wanted a few more minutes of time. I enjoyed having her around today.
“What’s your favorite food?” I asked, stuffing my hands into my pockets. I’d been forcing myself to keep my hands off her all day. Blossom lifted an eyebrow. “I know that shit is random, but I’m asking for a reason.”
“I’m a fan of anything that has the possibility of tasting good.”
“So, you’re greedy?” The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and then she looked down at her hands.
“I wouldn’t say I’m greedy.” She lifted her head and gave me a bright smile that could make even a blind man do a double-take. “I’m simply a lover of food.”
I nodded and said, “I’m taking mental notes.”
“For?”
“Don’t worry about all that.” She narrowed her eyes, and I chuckled.
“I better go. My sister has sweet-talked me into bringing her buffalo wings while her fiancé is out of the house. If I don’t get them there before he returns, I won’t hear the end of it for at least a week.” There’s a sparkle in her eyes when she speaks about her sisters.
“Before you go…” I pulled my hands from my pockets. “Come, give me a hug.”
“I—"
“Only if you want to.” She hesitated for a moment and then stepped toward me. That small step was all the encouragement I needed to pull her the rest of the way. I wrapped my arms around her and gave a light squeeze. She felt good pressed against me. It was a feeling I could get used to.