by Posey Parks
“Jeff, you can’t just leave work.”
“Yes, I can. I’m the boss.”
I was silent for a moment. “The address is 1001 SW 5th Ave at the Regus office building. We are working on the twelfth floor.”
“See you aren’t even that far away. I will be there in fifteen to twenty minutes.”
“Ok.”
I could feel the sweat forming on my forehead. I gawked at my appearance in the visor mirror. Untying my red scarf, I repositioned it, wrapping the extra material into a ball resting on top of my head. After slicking the mascara over my long eye lashes, I ran the thin black liquid eyeliner along my eye lids. The deep red lipstick slid across my lips bringing my look to life. Scurrying through the building, I searched for my crew.
“Corelay, how is it going? How many offices have you two cleaned so far?”
“We have cleaned six offices and ten to go.”
I’m going to start cleaning at the other end of the hall. My friend is bringing me lunch. Don’t come down there tripping out.”
“Boss lady, why would we cut up?”
“I don’t know.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
SIERRA
My cell buzzed. I glanced down at Jeff’s text. Instantly, my heart fluttered through my entire body. I was nervous.
“Ok, he’s here.”
I sent him a text:
I am on the twelfth floor.
My eyes closed and I exhaled.
“Boss lady, who is this man? Is he cute? Like fine.”
I teetered my hand. “He’s alright.”
The elevator dinged.
Corelay dark eyes lit up. “Quinn, come quick! Boss lady’s boyfriend his here.”
I turned to them midway down the hall. Motioning for them to stop.
Jeff stepped off the elevator all smiles, carrying two large bags of food.
“Jeff, what is all this?”
“I brought you and your team lunch.”
I blushed. “Jeff, you didn’t have to do that.”
The ladies stood down the hall mouths dropped open.
Jeff smiled. “Hi ladies.”
“Corelay and Quinn, this is Jeff.”
“Hi Jeff!” they sang swinging their thick hips from side to side.
Grabbing one of the bags from Jeff’s hand, I walked toward the ladies, then placed it in Corelay’s hand.
Her eyes widened. “Boss, he is fine as hell!” she whispered.
“He’s just a friend.”
“Boss! We will talk about this later.”
I ran over to Jeff. “Follow me. I have to clean the offices on this end of the building.”
The second we walked into one of the offices, he closed the door behind us, then placed the bag on the desk behind me. He hung the arm of his aviator sunglasses off his yellow and black checkered plaid shirt pocket. I removed his baseball cap, running my fingers through his curly brown hair. Not sure why I did that. Jeff pulled me into him, his eyes studied my face, his lips pressed against mine, then slowly pulled my lips into his.
Wrapping me in his embrace, he then kissed my temple over my red scarf.
“You’re breathtaking.”
“Thank you. Can we just stand here like this for a moment, with me secure in your big strong arms?”
“Any time, baby.”
I seriously didn’t want him to let me go. I couldn’t believe how good he smells, since he works construction. Jeff turned sitting against the desk pulling me back into his arms.
“Tell me what’s going on?”
“Jeff, we cannot get into this. We haven’t even been talking a week yet.”
“Sierra, I’m not going anywhere.”
I stared into his brown eyes.
“Fine.” We sat in office chairs against the wall I talked. He listened.
“What do you think?”
“Revisit the channels you utilize to advertise. Have an open house at your office. See if you gain any candidates. I have a connect at the Portland Tribune newspaper. Text me the information you want in the ad and I will run the ad for you.”
“Jeff, I can’t let you do that.”
“Baby, it’s done.”
“Jeff, I don’t want you feeling sorry for the woman who got a payout from her ex after divorce and now is struggling.”
“Sierra, your ex is worth millions. How much did you get if you don’t mind me asking?”
“$500k, but the fixer upper I bought cost $300k. The house needs ample repairs. Not to mention I spent thousands on equipment for my company. So, I’ve been trying to hold onto $100k. That’s all I have left,” I sighed.
“Hey, I’m a business owner too remember. Trust me I understand. Let me help a little. I don’t want anything from you. Just a date every now and then and hearing your voice every day. I think it’s good you are trying to manage the money you have left.”
I glanced at him, smiling then looked away.
He grabbed my chin forcing our eyes on each other’s. “I admire your tenacity. Being a business owner is hard work.”
“Thank you.”
“Jeff, can I ask you something without you getting upset?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you want me not to ask you about New Jersey?”
He smirked. “Not now. My ex-wife doesn’t even know about Jersey. She thinks I’m from an orphanage here. I know I’m asking a lot. But if you stick with me, we will talk about it.”
“Ok. That’s fine. I won’t mention it again for a little while.”
“It’s our little secret,” he winked.
“Ok,” I said kissing his lips again.
After Jeff left, I could breathe again. I did not want that man to leave. If I was single with no children, I would just lay in his arms every night. It has nothing to do with sex, I enjoy being with him.
Corelay and Quinn clowned me. They danced around the office.
“Boss, he really likes you. The way his face lit up when he saw you. Girl, he’ll be there for you,” said Corelay.
“Boss has a crush!” Yelled Quinn.
“I don’t even know why. I spoke to him first in line at the grocery store.”
Corelay’s hand flew over her mouth. “You flirted first. I’m proud of you! Nothing is wrong with going after what you want.”
I smiled. “I didn’t expect to talk to him as much as I do, so soon after meeting him.”
“Boss, you are beautiful any man can see that. You got his attention. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.”
I didn’t know how to feel about Jeff. Getting my feelings invested. What if he changes for the worse? I don’t want to go through that again. Shoot, maybe I shouldn’t date.
I glanced at my watch.
Quinn stood tightening up her head scarf. Her brown eyes flickered. “I’m proud of you too boss.”
“Thanks ladies. Let’s finish up we need to be out of here in two hours.”
I scurried down the hall to finish cleaning. After our job was complete. I ate my cold burger.
∞
Standing at the stove cooking dinner, I listened to Shana tell me about her day.
“Mom, look at my picture!”
“It’s pretty. I’m going to hang your colorful owl on the fridge,” I smiled.
The doorbell rang just as I taped the owl on the refrigerator.
“Who could that be,” I said.
Walking toward the front door, I glanced out the window. The sun was setting.
Peeking out the side door window, I noticed a delivery man holding a large box.
I opened the door. “Hello.”
“Hi, special delivery for Sierra Crawford.”
“That’s me.”
“Please sign here.”
I signed the mini computer. He placed the large box in my arms.
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. Go Sea Hawks! Have a good evening Mrs. Crawford.”
“Thank you. You too.”
I always forget people kno
w who I am.
Standing under the track lighting, I leaned over the counter, slipping the large floral arrangement out of the white and blue box.
“Mommy, they are pretty!” Shana and Jason yelled.
Two dozen orange roses. They were beautiful.
Sierra, I’ve wanted to see you again, since the first day we met. Thanks for allowing me into your life just a little today. I can’t wait until our date Wednesday.
Yours truly,
Jeff
He’s making it impossible not to like him.
“Mommy, who are they from?” Shana asked.
“A friend.”
~
Laying in my bed, I held my cell tight in the low light. The kids are sleep. I should call Jeff and thank him for today.
After dialing his number, I waited for him to answer.
“Hello.”
“Hello Jeff. Thank you, for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Do you have your children through the week too?”
“Not this week. Next week I do.”
“Thursday after Shana gets out of school, my ex- husband’s driver and Nanny will pick up the kids. Shana is home schooled every other Friday. It works out. They get to spend time with their dad wherever he is at the time. This weekend they are flying with him to Dallas for the game.”
“That’s cool…Do you miss it?”
I was silent for a minute.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I had everything I ever wanted. I didn’t have to leave my husband. He begged me to stay. I just couldn’t handle him cheating on me.”
“I definitely understand that. I sometimes wish I could have ignored my ex-wife’s blatant cheating, so the children could have a two-parent home.”
“I have more self-respect for myself. I grew up with money then I married money. This is the first time I’m broke. My mother told me I needed to stay married.
She asked how long did I think a professional football player would stay faithful. I told her forever.
I knew my father wouldn’t help me financially. I broke our deal. I was supposed to become an attorney, senator, then one day a judge. He wanted me to run for his seat. That was his dream, not mine. What about my dream? I wanted to do what I wanted. Being my own boss is nice sometimes. Once I get my business running smoothly and I don’t have to be there every day, I can focus on my charities.”
“What charities?”
“I have two foundations. One for feeding the hungry in Seattle and Portland. The other is a football camp for kids in Seattle.”
“Are you moving back to Seattle?”
“No, I’m looking for someone to run that camp, but I need to start a camp here too. My ex also participates in the camps.”
“What about you? Are you doing what you wanted to do in life?”
“I sure am. I grew up in construction. It’s second nature for me. I wouldn’t want to do something just because my parents wanted me to do it. That isn’t fair. I majored in business and minored in Accounting. I refuse to let someone screw me out of my money. I love messing with my accountant. I’m able to review his work, ensure he is being ethical.”
“I majored in Political science because that’s what my father was paying for. I minored in business. What time does your day usually start?”
“5 a.m. unless I have my children. I usually would go into work at 8 a.m.”
“How long did you wait to start dating again after your divorce?” I asked.
“I haven’t dated, until now?”
He was silent.
“Yeah, I swore off women. My ex really fucked me up. I caught her in the act.”
My hand flew over my mouth. “You caught her having sex with another man?”
“Yes, with her ex or maybe he was never her ex. I don’t know.”
“That’s horrible.”
I changed the subject. “What did you eat for dinner?”
“Chicken Fettucine.”
“What about you?”
“Spaghetti. It allows me a few days off from cooking.”
He laughed. “True.”
“We should probably end our conversation. We both have to get up early. I have to be at work at 6:30 a.m.”
“As much as I don’t want to get off the phone with you. I agree.”
“Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight Sierra.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
JEFF
Tuesday was a busy day. Kyle and I had to walk the job site first thing in the morning to make sure the building would be complete in one month.
“Kyle, how are we coming on the bid for the new construction site down the street?”
“We are competing with two other companies. JS construction is in the lead right now.”
“We need to beat their bid. Let them know we will pave the parking lot for half the cost. Getting that job will set us up good for the next two years.”
Kyle and I sat on the unfinished top floor of the building, feet dangling off the side overlooking all the progress we’ve made so far.
Kyle rubbed his clean-shaven face. “I agree Jeff. Hey man, I wanted to let you know, I notice how happy you’ve been lately. Does it have anything to do with the beautiful woman on your screen saver.”
I laughed. “You can say that.”
“Didn’t you just meet her?”
“Yeah, but somehow I can tell she’s different. Maybe it has to do with her striking up a conversation with me in the grocery store. That was ballsy. She is easy to talk to. She’s not looking for anything from me. I don’t know where we will go. We talk on the phone a lot. She let me bring her lunch. I argued with her to let me do that. We are going on our first date tomorrow night.”
“Wow, sounds like her and Lindsay are night and day.”
His eyes widened. “Shit, wait a minute, I know who she is now. She’s Jeremy Crawford’s ex-wife! I knew she looked familiar.”
“Yeah.”
“She ran track in college. I remember her running with Jeremy around the track after we were done with football practice.”
“I don’t know how I never saw her in college.”
“No offense, you were too wrapped up in Lindsay.”
I shrugged. “Let’s talk to the guys before they start working.”
“Alright.”
∞
I stood outside the restaurant waiting for Sierra to arrive. She wouldn’t allow me to pick her up from her house even though I know where she lives.
I called my kids while I waited.
“Hello, Lindsay. Can I speak to Dillon and Lilly?”
“Yes Jeff, one sec.”
She called the kids to the phone.
“Dad! We had so much fun at school today.”
“Really what did you do?”
“We played dodge ball and basketball in gym!”
“Sounds cool buddy.”
“Daddy, daddy! I drew a picture of Scooter. His fur is pretty!”
“Maybe you can bring the picture over to my house, so I can put it in a frame.”
“Yes!”
Sierra arrived. The valet helped her out of the truck. I ran over and paid for her parking.
“Lily and Dillon, daddy loves you. Make sure to brush your teeth before bed and don’t give your mother a hard time.”
“Ok daddy. Love you, love you,” they said before I ended the call.
Sierra’s silver dress brought out her gray eyes. The dress hugged her curves perfectly. Her black stilettos made us almost the same height. I was speechless. She was absolutely stunning.
“You look amazing!”
“Thank you.”
I pulled her into my embrace briefly.
Her sweet-smelling perfume made my dick stir. I’m trying to take it slow with her. I don’t want to rush things like I did with Lindsay. We walked into El Gaucho, an upscale restaurant. The hostess sat us in a corner both.
Sierra’s hair was swept up off
her neck into a side bun. I wanted nothing more than to kiss her beautiful caramel neck. Her grin was wide as she stared at me.
“You’re blushing.”
“Oh, my God! I am?” She placed her hand in front of her face trying to shield her nervousness.
I don’t think I’ve ever made a woman nervous before.
“You look very handsome in your black suit.”
“Thank you. If this suit makes you blush like this, maybe I should wear one every time we go out.”
She dropped her head in laughter.
“Seriously, why do I make you nervous?”
“No reason.”
“No, really tell me.”
“Jeff, it’s stupid.”
“Sierra.”
“Ok. I’ve only ever kissed three men in my life.”
My eyes widened.
“How is that possible?”
“I was a tomboy for a long time. If it wasn’t for my friend Emoni dressing me up one night for a party, I probably wouldn’t have met my husband.”
I can’t believe I’ve never seen Sierra since Emoni was Lindsay’s roommate. Shit, I thought.
Not sure I want to mention my ex-wife’s name to Sierra, she might be aware of some pretty fucked up shit about my relationship that I don’t even know. I won’t mention her name until I absolutely have to.
“Jeff, Jeff!”
Sierra snapped her fingers in front of my face.
“Where were you?”
“Sorry, I can’t believe I never saw you in school.”
“I’m not surprised. I worked hard in school and focused on Track. I wasn’t interested in looking cute for a man.”
I pulled her close. “Sierra, without all the makeup you are fucking beautiful. Not sure who made you think you need all that to look attractive. Monday, when I saw you wearing light make up, you were still beautiful to me.”
Sierra placed her hand over mine. “That’s sweet.”
A warm smile curled the ends of her lips.
“At the grocery store last week, I noticed you picking out your scallops from the seafood counter. I didn’t know what I planned to say to you to strike up a conversation. A vendor asked me a to try a sample, when I turned back you were gone. I said forget it. I wasn’t going to hunt you down. Once in line at the checkout, I couldn’t believe you were standing in front of me. I knew it was my one last chance to at least try and get your attention. I’ve never done anything like that. I just expected you to reply and continue on your way.”
