I plop back down in my seat. “Hi, Nolan.”
“I had to fly to New York to assess potential holdings in Buffalo. From here, I go to Seattle and San Diego. I won’t be back in the office all week.”
I realize my mouth has fallen open, so I close it and clear my throat. “Okay. Well, I guess we can go over the action items by telephone or Skype.”
“Why don’t you complete as much of the list as you can, then email the rest to me.”
Once again, I’m speechless. I want to ask him about last night’s kiss. I kind of think we should talk about it, even if we just confirm that we’ll never do it again. But he wants to play oblivious. I can do that too.
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll reschedule your local meetings this week for next week.”
“Good,” he says.
“Fine.”
The silence between us is awkward.
“Thank you, Abby. We’ll talk soon.” Nolan hangs up.
I can hardly believe what just happened.
Nolan is true to his word; he doesn’t return to the office all week. We only communicate through email. I must say though, I cherish the independence. I’m not sure if he scheduled the appointment with his ex-wife or not. I sent him the message, but like our kiss, he never mentioned anything about it.
By Friday, I’m no longer making up fantasies about what would’ve happened if we had taken that kiss further. The week comes to a close, and when I wake up on Saturday morning, the clouds aren’t threatening to snow on us. I dress in a pair of skinny jeans, riding boots, and a red sweater and head to the market to go grocery shopping. An hour later, I bring my groceries back home and go to the Mall of America for some more nice outfits. I’m running out of things to wear that aren’t frumpy.
It’s a week and a half before Christmas, and shoppers are out in droves. The weather is decent today—we’re up to thirty-five degrees. It could be below zero like it was last week. A family cuts through a row of cars to load up their SUV. I’m the only driver who sees them, so I don’t have to worry about competing for the space. Luck is on my side.
Once inside the mall, the smells of fried and sweet food tickle my taste buds. I haven’t eaten all day, and I’m famished. However, there will be no eating before shopping. At every turn, I find twinkling lights, garlands, and the whistling music of Christmas. This is the most wonderful time of the year.
I go straight to Nordstrom Rack and shop the racks that display what’s on trend. I find two sweater dresses, a sweater, and a sexy pair of red pants that I plan to wear to the Christmas party on Friday. I shop at a few other stores and pick up a new pair of boots, shoes, and other accessories. I also get my father and my brother gifts for Christmas. I have something special in mind for my mother. Three hours later, I’m starving, so I head to the food court to get something to hold me over until I can make it home and cook dinner.
Before stepping onto the escalator, I look up then step back. I whip around and hide my face with one of my bags. I don’t think Nolan saw me. What is he doing here? And he’s not alone—he’s here with Kelsey. I can’t steady my breathing as I rush toward the nearest exit. He’s been out of the office all week. He must’ve flown in from San Diego last night. Now he’s spending the day with her.
I step out into the winter afternoon, but the cold doesn’t faze me. I work like crazy to keep myself from crying as I scurry through the parking structure. Why am I in this shape? He’s not my boyfriend. I’ve reminded myself a million times that Nolan is my boss. That kiss must’ve meant nothing to him. Or maybe he was just trying me out, and it only took one kiss to make him come to his senses.
I refuse to cry as I toss my bags into the trunk and slam it closed. I rush to get inside my car. Another driver is waiting to take my spot, so I cut the engine on and back out. As I drive away from the mall, I make a pact with myself to forget it all. I’ll go back to work Monday and be the best assistant a person can have.
9
I had hoped that a storm would hit by Monday so that I could call in sick. Better yet, it would’ve been great to wake up with a sore throat because I’d developed a cold. Unfortunately, I’m fine, and so is the weather. Just because Nolan is no longer an option for me romantically doesn’t mean I have to regain my frumpy ways, so I wear the burgundy sweater dress I bought. It extends to my calves and hugs my body like a glove.
I make it to work thirty minutes before Nolan normally comes in. Just for a second, I let myself wonder, what comes next for Nolan and me? Then reason takes over. I already know what’s next. I’ll start by compiling action items for this week.
I make the coffee and log into his email. I ignore the fact that I’m counting the seconds until his arrival.
“Good morning, Henry,” Nolan says.
I straighten up in my seat. My heart’s pounding like hard rain.
“We’re going to have to talk about those tax distributions for this year,” Henry says.
“Have you asked Abby to put you on my calendar?”
Henry laughs in the way one does to alleviate the sting of his words. “Well, how could I when you’ve been gone all week?”
“That’s no excuse, Henry. Call Abby, make an appointment and we’ll talk.” Nolan mumbles something indecipherable as he sweeps right past me.
I want to say good morning. I open my mouth, but the words won’t come out.
Nolan stops at the door to his office and turns back to face me. “Good morning, Abby.”
“Good morning,” I barely say.
We lock eyes. I’ve always felt that we had instant chemistry, but it could be more my outlook than his.
I clear my throat. “I want to go over your calendar for the week.”
“Did you send out annual report requests to the leasing agents?”
“Yes.” I feel like a soldier under inspection.
“What about the Hotels West project? Did you prepare the bids for them?”
“I have.”
Nolan nods as if he has something heavy on his mind. He goes into the office and closes the door. The week before last, he kept the door open. That says a lot about what he thinks about the possibility of him and me continuing whatever the heck we had going on between us. At least now that he’s out of sight, I can release the tension in my body.
My phone buzzes. I jump and look to see who’s calling my line. It’s Nolan.
I pick up the receiver. “Yes, Nolan.”
“Just come into my office when you’re ready go over the action items.”
I’m shocked. I thought he would avoid being alone with me as much as he could. “Sure. Okay,” I say.
“Oh, and Abby?”
“Yes.” My throat is tight.
“How have you been?” he asks.
“Fine.”
We fall silent.
“Um, can I get you any coffee?”
He sniffs a chuckle. “I’ll get my own coffee.”
“Right.”
Nolan always gets his own coffee.
The silence returns.
“Okay, I’ll be in shortly,” I say and hang up.
That was intense. I look at the time on my computer. There’s no need to wait. I’m ready to go into his office and update him now, but I need a moment to think.
Nolan’s door opens, and he stands on the threshold. His skin is flushed. “Coffee.”
I watch him disappear down the hallway to the break room. Misty turns the corner, and she’s only a few feet behind him. Oh, brother. She’s trying to catch up to him. I roll my eyes and work on another task.
I’m surprised to see Nolan walking back my way so soon. I was sure Misty would hold him in the break room for at least ten minutes. He’s carrying a cup of coffee, and whatever he’s thinking is making him scowl. As soon as he looks at me, his frown turns into a smile.
“I’m ready,” I say.
He holds his door open. “Then come on in.”
I collect my notepad, a paper copy of his calendar, and the
folder filled with documents that I need him to review and sign. A strange sensation fizzles through me as I pass him. Nolan’s office smells like him. I want to bathe in the scent.
He rushes over to pull back the chair for me. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” I settle my buns in the seat. I’m happy that he’s still being chivalrous.
Nolan sits.
I’m trapped by his stare, but I look down and shuffle through my folder to break eye contact. “You’ll need to review and sign these documents.”
I fumble the folder as I hand it to Nolan. He grabs it before the pages spill on his desk.
“Hey, do you know if those files have been returned to the basement?” he asks.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t checked.”
“Do you still have the key?”
I slap my forehead. “Shoot, I forgot to give you Liza’s old set of keys.”
His frown deepens. “You have them?”
I hop to my feet. “Sure. I’ll be back.”
I do believe I feel Nolan watching me as I rush out of his office. Once I get to my desk, I open the side drawer and take out the box of items Liza left. It contains her two-and-a-half-year-old Blackberry phone, a key to her office door, which Nolan doesn’t need because he never locks his door, and a bunch of unpaid invoices, which I’ve already gotten copies of and sent to finance. I’m pretty sure Liza would’ve known to leave her key to the basement.
Since I know her number, I place a quick call. Her voicemail picks up.
“Hi, Liza!” My tone is nice and cheery. “I hope you’re well. I’m looking for your key to the basement, and I can’t find it. Do you remember where you left it? If you have a moment, could you call me back on Nolan’s line and let me know? Thanks again, and I really hope you’re doing well.” I hang up.
Before delivering the news to Nolan, I check every drawer in my desk. The only set of keys I find is the one to the filing cabinets against the wall between Nolan’s office and my desk. Ever since I started storing documents on flash drives, I’ve stopped using those filing cabinets.
I walk into Nolan’s office and throw up my hands. “I can’t find the keys.”
His eyebrows furrow. “Humph.”
I sit in the seat I abandoned. “I called Liza. Hopefully she’ll return my call soon.”
“She just delivered two days ago.”
Wow, that’s news to me! “Oh!”
“She may not be near her phone.”
I’m shocked by his lackluster attitude about his niece or nephew. Everyone knows you’re supposed to perk up when a newborn is mentioned.
I scoot to the edge of my seat and thumb over my shoulder. “Well, I still have my keys. I can go check the basement for the files.”
Nolan’s eyes drop to my bosom then rise back up to my face. “Let’s go together.”
My nerves make me shiver slightly. My knees wobble when I stand. “I’ll just get my keys.”
Nolan nods. “Lead the way.”
I stop at my desk, and Nolan stands so close behind me that I can feel the energy and heat from his body. The space between my thighs thumps to the beat of my heart as I retrieve the keys. If only he would draw me into his strong chest.
I show him the keys. “Got them.”
He gives me a tight-lipped smile. I head to the basement as if the entire world is a blur. For some reason, I feel that our little excursion isn’t about finding files. The basement door is right ahead of us.
“Nolan?”
Nolan and I turn. It’s Misty.
“Are you going down to the basement?” she asks.
“Yes,” Nolan says.
“For what?” Misty asks.
Nolan watches her walking toward us. He and I are probably thinking the same thing.
“I mean, they’re redoing the floor down there. That’s why all the files were moved,” she says.
“Moved where?” Nolan asks.
“I don’t know. A storage company came and picked them up a few weeks ago. They’ll be returned sometime this week, maybe Wednesday.”
Nolan turns to me. “Abby, you didn’t know anything about this?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“I want you to find out which storage company has the files.”
“But they’ll be back in two days,” Misty says.
Humph. I’ve known Misty to impose her will. She thinks everybody should do things her way. But there’s something strange about the way she’s making sure we don’t go into the basement. I sort of think she thinks Nolan and I are going down there to make out or something.
“Thank you, Misty.” Nolan’s tone is cold, and so is his expression. He watches her intensely.
Misty does exactly what I would’ve done if I were in her shoes—she walks away. She gives us one final look before she turns the corner. I widen my eyes at Nolan, asking him what next.
“Abby, may I have the keys?” he says.
I give Nolan the keys, and he unlocks the door. Interesting, he’s testing Misty’s claim. I follow him, although the lust I felt earlier has been replaced by curiosity. Something is definitely not right. I remember John calling Misty’s line last week. I didn’t know they even knew each other well enough to bypass me and have a conversation. Then Liza never gave me her keys to the basement. I could draw a few conclusions, but none of them are credible.
Nolan opens the door and cuts on the lights. He holds the door open, waiting for me to enter. He never fails to be chivalrous. The sounds of our footsteps click in the air. My body is responding to his nearness again. We reach the bottom of the stairs, and Nolan walks off ahead of me. He opens the first door we come upon. The room is still empty. He squats and wipes the floor with two fingers.
He stands up straight. “So how was your weekend?”
I’m a little caught off guard by his question. “Fine.”
“Did you do you any shopping?”
My eyes expand with horror. I’m panicking. “Yes, why?”
“That’s a pretty dress you have on, but…”
Oh shit, he’s taken two steps toward me, and now we’re face to face. I forget to breathe as he reaches around to the back of my neck.
“You left this attached,” he says.
I don’t have to see to know he’s holding the sales tag.
My mouth is caught open. His lips are so close to mine. “Oh. Right.”
“Do you want me to take it off?”
I swallow, attempting to moisten my dry throat. “It’s okay.”
Nolan takes me by the waist. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“About what?” My skin is running hot.
“You feel good in my hands.”
“Oh.” I should kiss him. Should I kiss him?
“I like you a lot, Abby.”
“I like you too. You’re a good boss.”
He sniffs a chuckle. “You’re a good employee, and I like you in that way, but I like you in another way too.”
But what about Saturday when I saw him with his ex-wife? I didn’t observe them for long, but from the brief look I got, it appeared as if they were definitely no longer exes. “But Nolan… I didn’t know you felt that way about me.”
“Neither did I.”
Nolan and I whip our faces toward the person who said that. There stands his ex-wife in shiny black riding boots and an expensive Burberry trench coat.
10
Nolan
Abby excused herself and went upstairs. I’m alone with Kelsey, and she’s been riding my ass ever since she showed up. In room number two, I squat and touch the floor. There’s no way in hell they’ve been redone. Misty lied, and I don’t know why she would do that.
“Yes or no?”
I stand. “No, I haven’t fucked my assistant, Kelsey.”
“So now you’re calling me Kelsey and not Kay?”
I’ve already checked seven rooms. The files are missing out of three of them, but last few rooms are filled with busted offic
e equipment, party favors, and bunch of office supplies. Now I open the final door.
“Does it matter what I call you?” I say.
“I guess it doesn’t when you have your tongue crammed down your assistant’s throat.”
I sigh my frustration. This is typical Kelsey, twisting my words. “We weren’t kissing.”
At least, we hadn’t kissed today.
“You were damn close to it.”
I flick on the light. “And if we had kissed, what is it to you?”
Kelsey clenches her lips and shakes her head. I’ve got her in checkmate. She’s dating a professional athlete from one of the local sports teams.
The final room is empty too. I’m about to close the door when I see a yellow slip of paper on the floor at the back corner of the room. I go retrieve it. “Humph…”
“You know, Nolan, I changed my mind,” Kelsey says.
I was so absorbed by the piece of torn paper that I momentarily forgot she was here. I stick it in my pocket. “Changed your mind about what?”
“This.” She waves an envelope.
“What’s that?”
“Changing.”
I feel my whole face collapse into a frown. I no longer have the time or patience to play Kelsey’s goddamn head games. She storms out, taking the envelope with her, and her heels beat the floor. Only a small part of me wants to run after her and get her to tell me what the hell she meant by changing.
“To hell with it,” I mutter.
I let her go. I hate when she shows up unannounced. Now that we’re living in the same town, I’m positive she’ll be doing it more often. I can’t wait until I buy her out of her shares. Maybe then she’ll go marry some other sucker and live in forever misery.
My cell phone rings in my pocket.
I take it out and glance at the screen. I sigh in relief when I see Liza’s name.
I answer it. “Hey, Liza.”
“Nolan, you have to go to the hospital,” she says.
My chest tightens. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s Dad.”
“What about Bill?”
“He’s had a heart attack.” Her voice cracks.
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