by Tee Smith
Davina knew her mum blamed herself for Logan’s injuries. She cared for Logan when she could, but on the day of the shooting, she’d had an extra chemotherapy treatment. Leaving Logan without a carer for the day, Davina had taken him into the office with her. There was no way it was her mum's fault. It was a terrible set of coincidental circumstances, that was all.
“It’s not your fault, Mum.” Davina wrapped an arm around her mother’s shoulders and pulled her in for a side hug.
Logan reached up and wrapped his chubby arms around each of their necks, making both women laugh. She couldn’t imagine a life without this little man. He brightened their days just by being himself. So, what if life hadn’t quite worked out the way she had planned. She wouldn’t change it now for anything.
“Okay, little man, we better get you in the bath before dinner,” she said to Logan, rising to her feet with him in her arms.
Logan’s fingers tugged at her blouse, exposing her new tattoo. At the mention of a bath, he tried rubbing the letters from his mother’s skin.
“That says ‘Logan’,” she explained to her son. “We can’t wash it off. It’s there forever. It means you are my baby forever.” Her heart swelled as he placed his cheek to her bare skin. She was sure he didn’t really understand what she was telling him but knew he could feel how much she loved him. Just as she knew he loved her.
Chapter Four
“I’m just ducking out for some lunch now, Mercy,” Davina called to her boss.
“No worries, thanks, Davina. Have you transferred the phones down to my office?”
“Yep, all done. I won’t be long.” Turning around she headed back down the short corridor. Her mind spinning with all she needed to get done during her break. She had to call into the post office and pay some bills for her mum and call into the bank. Then she would call the daycare centre to let them know she would be ten minutes late to pick Logan up. If she didn’t call, they would call her mum, and she didn’t want that.
“Hey.” She heard the voice, followed by a deep chuckle, just as she hit his chest. She’d not had time to pull up.
“Oh, shit!” she spat before looking up to see who she had walked into. Then her voice changed to a reverent whisper. “Drew.”
“Are you in a rush?” he asked, filling her exit path.
“I, ah… I was just going to lunch,” she stammered out, suddenly feeling hot and flustered. “What can I do for you?”
“Delivery,” he smirked holding up a white padded package.
“Oh yeah, of course.” She felt like such an idiot. What else would Drew be here for?
“I saw your desk was empty and I thought I’d missed you, again.”
“Again?” she asked, before wishing she could take her stupid, fumbly words back.
Drew laughed, and she noticed the small lines that appeared on his cheeks. Could the man get any sexier? Why did he have to make her feel so silly?
“Again, as in you’re not always here when I come in,” he clarified.
“Oh really?” she asked, thinking she must start bringing her lunch to work and eating at her desk. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry,” he said, his blue eyes glistening. “If you’re not there I just bring the parcel down the hall and drop it in to Mercy.”
“Oh,” she murmured. Mercy hadn’t told her that. Then again, why should she? She was the receptionist. Drew was the delivery guy. She was making an idiot of herself. Again.
“Anyway, you’re here now. So… here.” He thrust the parcel into her hands before turning and looking around. “I need you to sign,” he explained, taking the parcel back from her and walking into the reception area.
Davina followed, hot on his heels, coming to an abrupt stop as he spun around, almost colliding with her again.
“Oh, there you are,” he chuckled.
“Here, you know what to do.” He handed her the signing pad. “You have such pretty, delicate hands,” he said as their fingers met.
Looking up, she found his eyes staring down into hers. This time she couldn’t drag her gaze away. There was a kindness in his eyes that didn’t match his tough exterior.
“Is that for me?” August’s voice brought an abrupt halt to the moment.
“No, it’s for Mercy,” Davina ground out, angry at the woman for interrupting her.
“Oookay, no need for the attitude,” August responded with her usual snark.
“I’ll see you next time,” Drew said, excusing himself before turning and heading back to the elevator.
Realising she was heading the same way, she called out after him. “Wait, I’m heading down, too.”
“Ladies, first.” Drew moved his hands in a sweeping gesture, encouraging her to walk ahead of him.
“That woman is such a bitch,” she huffed, once they were both inside the lift.
“Is she always like that?” he asked.
“To me, she is. She walks around with a massive chip on her shoulder. Her boyfriend is nice. I don’t know what he sees in her, though.”
“Maybe she’s different with him?”
“Maybe?” Davina shrugged. She didn’t care to give it much thought.
“So what’s for lunch?” Drew asked as the elevator doors opened.
“I was just going to grab a sandwich.”
“Cool, I like sandwiches,” he responded as he followed her toward the door.
She thought that was an odd thing to say but found it even odder when she walked through the glass doors and took a right turn, only to find he was still right beside her.
When she realised he was not making his way to his car, she turned to him. “What are you doing?”
“Coming for a sandwich,” he shrugged. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Davina held back the hint of laughter that threatened to escape. “I guess not.”
“Good,” Drew nodded with a grin.
“I have to make a phone call, though,” she said not wanting to be rude, but feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
“I’m not stopping you,” Drew replied. “I’m just coming with you because it’s lunchtime, and I wouldn’t mind a sandwich, either.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, as she hit the number for Logan’s daycare on her phone and brought it her ear.
“Is there something I can help you with?” Drew asked as she finished her call and returned her phone to her pocket.
“Were you listening in on my call?”
“Well, I am right here,” he smiled sheepishly. “I couldn’t not hear you say you would be late to pick up your kid. So, I’m asking, is there anything I can do to help?”
“No,” she replied shaking her head. “I have to pick my car up from the mechanic across town, that’s all. Mercy said I can leave early. I don’t want to be late to get him because then they will call my mum to pick him up and that stresses her out.”
“What about his dad? Can’t he help you out?”
“Um…” no one had ever really asked about Logan’s dad, and she wasn’t sure what to tell him. “He doesn’t see his dad.”
“Ah, I see,” Drew nodded. “So, you’re not attached?”
“Attached?” she laughed at his use of the word. “I’m pretty attached to Logan.”
“I would imagine you would be,” he laughed, a hint of nervousness in his voice. “What I mean is, no one’s going to come after me, looking to punch me in the face for taking you out for a lunch date, are they?”
“A date?” she asked as heat flooded her face. “Is that what this is?”
“Well, an impromptu date, I guess.”
They rounded the corner and approached the sandwich stand. It was nothing fancy or special, but it was handy. Quick and easy.
“I’d like to take you out for a proper date, sometime. If you’ll come with me?” Drew asked opening his sandwich as he sat down at the small café table across from her. “I mean this is nice and all, but…”
After ordering and finding a table, she watched on
in horror as Drew proceeded to pull the greens from between the slices of bread. “What are you doing to that sandwich?”
“Making it edible.”
“You’ve taken all the good stuff out.” She eyed what was left of his lunch.
“It still has the meat,” Drew said as he swallowed down a mouthful.
“Do you always do that?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong with it?”
“I hope my kid doesn’t do that when he grows up.” She shook her head, thinking about Logan. Her son was not fussy, at all. Yet.
“Yeah, I think my mum said the same.” He opened the bread again and fished out a small piece of lettuce he missed earlier. “Too bad.”
“Your poor Mum,” she laughed in response.
“I’ve got to get back to work,” Davina said glancing down at her watch as she swallowed her last mouthful of food. “I have to get everything done so I can get out in time for the four-fifty bus.”
“Can I give you a lift?”
“Huh?” she asked confused.
“To pick your car up; it will be faster than taking the bus. I am often finished with work by four-thirty. I could swing past and give you a lift to the mechanic.”
Panic struck her. Having lunch with him was one thing, but now he wanted to drive her across town.
“I don’t bite,” he smiled, and his blue eyes glistened with mischief.
She wasn’t sure that it was the biting that she was worried about. Since the first day she had laid eyes on Drew, she had imagined him asking her out. None of her fantasies involved sandwiches or rides to the mechanic. But these were the things on offer and now was her chance.
“I guess,” she finally said. “I wouldn’t want to be a bother.”
“No bother at all. I’ll be around. Always happy to help a pretty lady.”
His words filled all her senses. Drew thought she was pretty?
“Ah, thank you. Still, I better get back to work,” she shuffled on her feet and suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands.
“Let’s walk then,” he swept a hand in front of himself.
She had forgotten they had walked there together, and he would have to go back for his own vehicle. He must think she was a complete idiot. The walk back to her office was too short. Drew kept her laughing the entire way, with stories about his crazy delivery jobs. Her favourite was the story about delivering a box of sex toys to a nursing home. Apparently, it had turned out the box had the wrong address attached. But listening to Drew tell the story had been priceless. She loved the animation in his words. She could listen to him all day.
“Well, this is you,” he said when they arrived back at their starting point. “I will be back here just after four-thirty. Don’t rush, though. I’ll wait.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can grab the bus,” she tried.
“Rubbish,” he rolled his eyes.
“Okay, well… thank you.” She turned to walk into the building when she heard her name and turned around.
“Thanks for lunch.”
Skipping into the building, she felt like her feet were barely touching the floor. When met with a group of suited men waiting for the elevator she chose to take the stairs instead. Nothing could dampen her mood right now. She’d had lunch with Drew. He had called her pretty. He was giving her a lift this afternoon. She had never wanted an afternoon to be over so much as she did this one.
Stepping out into the late afternoon air, Davina took a deep calming breath. She knew she had to keep a level head and not say anything silly in front of Drew. The last thing she wanted was to stuff this whole thing up.
“Wow, nice car,” Davina swooned, taking in the sleek black beast. It certainly ran rings around her little Mazda.
“Oh yeah, it’s good enough. Keeps me between the ditches.”
Drew opened the passenger door for her. It was immaculate inside. Her poor old car had ripped seats and was littered with Logan’s toys.
“So, have you thought about what I said earlier?” he asked as they made their way through the traffic.
“Which thing was that?” Davina asked. She hadn’t stopped thinking about what he had said. She’d hardly managed to get any work done all afternoon.
“About going out on a date with me?”
“I thought I already did,” she laughed as she recalled his intrusion on her lunch break.
“No, I mean a real date. Friday night perhaps. I have some friends playing in a band. We could go out for dinner, then go watch them. What do you say?”
“I’ll have to check with my mum to see if she can babysit Logan for me.”
“Oh shit,” he slapped his palm to his forehead. “Sorry, that was so un-thoughtful of me. I forgot about your little boy.”
“It’s okay. I don’t go out much outside of work. My Mum is recovering from cancer treatment, and she gets very tired.”
“That’s no good. What about something we can do with the kid? Does he like going to fun fairs?”
“He’s not really good with loud noises. It kind of freaks him out after he was shot.” A silence fell between them. Maybe she was wrong to think she could date anyone. She was a mother. No one came ahead of her son. “I’m sorry, this isn’t working out. Is it?”
“Leave it to me. I’ll figure something out. Actually,” he reached for his phone and handed it to her. “Pop your number in there for me.”
With shaky hands, she took his phone and entered her details. Wondering how many other women’s numbers he had stored. She questioned her sanity at giving him hers.
“Here you are,” he announced, pulling into Allan’s Autos. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, thank you so much,” she said turning to him. “It would have taken way longer on the bus. I should be on time now to get my boy.”
“You’re very welcome. I’ll see you again soon, yeah?”
“Yeah, for sure.” She fiddled with her purse, not sure what her next move should be. “Okay… well, thank you,” she said again, awkwardly.
“Catch ya later, Davina.”
Climbing out of his car, she made her way to the office to pay her bill, watching Drew’s reflection in the window as he peeled out back into the traffic. What an amazing day it had turned out to be.
Chapter Five
“I don’t care if you don’t give me a reference. I’m done with your stupid company. I’d rather work as a check-out girl.”
Davina dropped her head into her hands as she listened to Victoria screaming down the hallway. She had seen it coming a mile away. Victoria had been whining about her job for months. Every time Davina had to speak with her, she would groan and complain.
Mercy was a good boss, so she wasn’t sure where the issue was. She knew August rubbed everyone the wrong way, but mostly she kept to herself.
“I’m out. Good luck with dealing with those assholes,” Victoria spat as she passed by her desk.
“I’m sorry you’re leaving,” she called to the woman’s back.
“I’m not,” were Victoria’s parting words.
Making her way down to Mercy’s office, she knocked tentatively on her open door. “Do you want a coffee?” she asked when her boss looked up.
“Can I have a shot of brandy in it?” Mercy asked.
Laughter bubbled up inside of her at Mercy’s request, but she held it down, not sure whether her boss was joking or not. She instead retreated to the small staff kitchen and fixed her a coffee- without brandy.
“Thanks, Davina,” Mercy sighed when she placed the coffee down in front of her. “You don’t know any investigators looking for work, do you?”
“No, sorry. I hope you can find someone else, though.”
“Me too,” Mercy sighed. “Never mind. These things happen. I hope you’re not planning on leaving me any time soon, are you?”
“Me?” Davina asked, pointing a finger to herself. “Definitely not. I like it here.”
“Even after what happened?”
&n
bsp; “That wasn’t your fault. It could have happened anywhere.”
Mercy raised an eyebrow at her in question.
“The truth is, I like my job here. I think you’re a great boss. You look after Logan and me. You’ve been good to us, through Mum’s illness and Loges’ accident.”
“Thank you, Davina. That really helps on a day like today,” Mercy sighed.
“You’re welcome,” she responded before excusing herself and heading back to her own desk. She had a tonne of unanswered emails to trawl through.
Picking up her phone she checked the screen. Still empty. She should never have given Drew her phone number. Then she wouldn’t be waiting for his call or text. He hadn’t said he’d call. He had just asked for her number. It probably meant nothing, and she was reading something into it. She needed him out of her head so she could think clearly about the work she had to do.
“Davina,” August called angrily from her office. Davina hated that their offices were so close.
“Yes?” she asked moving to August’s doorway.
“I can’t find the Hanson case notes. Do you know where they are?”
“I think those are the ones Victoria was working on. Have you checked in her office?”
“Oh, for fuck's sake,” August huffed, pushing herself out of her chair and storming toward the door. Davina quickly ducked out of the woman’s way. “Why is it nothing is ever where it is meant to be in this place?”
Davina knew there was little point trying to argue with August, so she bit her tongue. One day she hoped she’d have the guts to put her back in her place. She worked hard at making sure everything stayed in its rightful place. No one else seemed to have any issues with the way she kept the office. She guessed she would need to get into Victoria’s office and sort out whatever mess she had left behind.
When the elevator bell tinged, she didn’t even bother to look up, expecting it to be Sabrina or one of the others. It was only when the smell of roses hit her nostrils that she was alerted to someone at the counter. Lifting her face, she was confronted with a bouquet of colour. Beautiful shades of pink and yellow interspersed with wisps of green foliage.
