by Gina Gordon
Before Milton’s company could break ground and build their newest commercial retail center, a few things had to be put into place. Namely finding a reliable office manager to handle the day–to-day administrative duties. Unfortunately, his original candidate wasn’t too keen on relocating from Vancouver to Toronto, which meant scheduling a meeting with the president of Gibson-Walker to find a prime candidate. Milton always worked with the best. In this case, the best was his old friend, Aleks Turko.
Milton walked through the double glass doors into a bright, open concept space. Windows lined the entire back wall. In the middle, behind the reception desk, was a grouping of low cubicles flanked on either side by offices.
“Can I help you?” The receptionist, blond and perky, greeted him quickly.
“Hello.” He approached the high desk and laid both palms on the wood. “I have a meeting with Aleks Turko.”
“Are you Mr. Campbell?”
He nodded. She turned and called to a woman at one of the cubicles. A brunette emerged, tall and thin, but with enough curve to draw your eye. Easily a nine. If Milton was the type to rate women.
“Mr. Campbell.” She smiled wide, showing off a set of straight teeth. “Right this way.” She motioned for him to follow.
They walked past the cubicles to the corner of the room. Of course, Aleks would have a corner office.
The brunette motioned toward the door but didn’t enter. Milton poked his head inside and saw his friend hunched over his desk, pen in hand, reviewing documents. He hadn’t aged a day in the eight years since they’d last seen each other.
“What kind of idiot would put Aleks Turko in charge of a company?”
He looked up from the desk, a warm welcome spread across his face. “The same kind of idiot who’d put you in charge of a multi-million dollar development firm.”
“Touché.”
Aleks vaulted out of his chair and walked around the mahogany desk. They wore the same color suit–dark gray–but Aleks wore his with a casual confidence. Milton had always envied Aleks’s laid-back demeanor.
Aleks held out his hand and Milton grasped it firmly. After two seconds of contact, Aleks tugged him forward and enveloped him in a man hug, chests touching, pelvises pushed back.
“You could have visited,” Aleks said as he tapped Milton on the back.
Milton pulled away and stared at his friend. “Are you going to bust my balls or are we going to do business?”
“Business first. Ball busting later.” He slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too.”
After twenty minutes of business talk, Milton picked three candidates out of a dozen to interview for the office manager spot. Since Aleks was the best at recruiting, Milton knew he wouldn’t be disappointed with any of the selections, but fair was fair, an interview process was necessary.
“How’s Rob doing these days?”
Aleks sat back in his chair and folded his hands behind his head. “Living with the woman of his dreams and a few weeks away from being a dad.”
“Seriously? He was so picky. I thought he would have been the last one to settle down. And you, I can’t believe somebody put a leash around you, let alone little Carrie.”
“That sexy woman is all mine.” Aleks grinned. “And…she’s not so little anymore.”
“Apparently. Speaking of sexy…does Carrie know how hot your secretary is?”
Aleks chuckled. “Yes, and she has nothing to worry about.”
“Hired her after you got together?”
“Of course.” Another laugh.
Milton shook his head. He knew Aleks all too well. “How does that girl manage to keep you on a leash?”
“With lots and lots of lingerie modeling.” A wicked spark flashed in Aleks’s eyes.
“Sounds like she spends all her time shopping to keep you happy.”
“More like she spends her time designing to keep me happy. Carrie owns a lingerie store, and she has her own line.”
“Wow. I’m impressed.” Milton remembered Carrie used to design for fun. “Where’s the store?”
“In Yorkville.”
It couldn’t be the same store. “Is it on Cumberland? A tiny store on the other side of that alley that leads to–”
“Yes. That’s it.” Aleks gave him a funny look. “How do you know the store?”
“My hotel is right up the street. I took a walk the other night and noticed the window. That’s all.” That wasn’t all, but it wasn’t something Turko needed to know at the moment.
“She’s doing well. Her designs are taking off, and business has never been better.”
“Look at you, whipped.”
“Not whipped, proud.” Aleks pulled back his shoulders. “There’s a difference.”
They both laughed.
Aleks got the conversation back on track. “I’ll have my assistant set up the interviews for later this week.”
“Sounds good. I need some time to get the site in order anyway.”
“Listen, we’re having a baby shower for Martina and Rob this weekend. I want you to come.” Aleks sat back in his chair.
Milton knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer. But he tried anyway. “I’m going to be really busy, I don’t think–”
“You’re coming, and that’s the end of it. Don’t think you’re going to be hibernating while you’re in town. It’s been too many years since we’ve all hung out together and we’re not wasting the time.”
“All right.” Milton held his hands up in defense. “Still pushy as ever.”
“Damn straight.” Aleks slapped his hands down on his large desk. “Do you remember where Rob’s parents live?”
“I think so. In the Markland area, right?”
Aleks nodded. “I’ll email you the address and the directions just in case. There will be a lot of lovely ladies there. Unless of course you have someone waiting for you at home.”
“No. No girlfriend at the moment.” Or during any moments in the last five years. His life was already too complicated without adding the expectations and disappointments of a relationship.
“Then we’re getting you laid.”
A burst of laughter flew out of Milton’s mouth. “I don’t exactly need your help to get laid.”
“When was the last time you got laid?”
“I get laid,” Milton blurted out in defense. “But I don’t particularly like dating. Or relationships. Or the whole marriage and children thing.”
“You’ll change your mind.” Aleks gave him a sly grin.
“Mr. Reformer, all high and mighty now that he’s settled down. Let’s not forget that you were the most commitment-phobic male in the area. Hell, the entire country.”
“And I was wrong.”
Milton couldn’t get over the transformation of his friend. He was happy that both Rob and Aleks had found happiness, but they didn’t have a curse hanging over their head. They didn’t bring a fate of death with them into their relationships.
“I’m not trying to marry you off, buddy.” Aleks placed his hands palm down on the desk. “But we are going to find you a playmate.”
Milton shrugged. There was no use arguing with Aleks. “I guess I don’t have a choice.”
“Not at all.” Aleks smirked. “And what better place to meet women than at a baby shower?”
Chapter 3
“You’re looking mighty cute today, Amie. Big date?” Amie’s customer sat down on the long massage table then spread her body out along the soft leather.
Amie bent over the small sink. Her red sundress hiked up her legs as she washed her hands with lime-scented soap. The sundress, her hair style, all of it was a huge leap from her usual choice of attire–yoga pants and racer back tank tops.
“I’m going to a baby shower.”
“Oh, I love baby showers,” the woman cooed as she brought her hands up and clasped them together, resting them on her chest. “Babies are wonderful, aren�
��t they?” Her head turned toward Amie, and her eyes sparkled in that motherly way. Amie hoped one day to have that same sparkle in her own eyes.
“Yes, they are.” Amie dried her hands with a white, fluffy towel. She still couldn’t comprehend that her best friends were going to have a baby–Rob and Martina.
“Dear, am I going to make you late?” Maggie jerked up off the table as if suddenly realizing she was a burden. “We can reschedule if you need to leave.”
She was always thoughtful and considerate. A lovely woman who suffered from chronic back pain. The result of a motor vehicle accident many years ago. She hadn’t been the same since. But their Reiki sessions had been working wonders, or so she’d been told.
“Lie back, Maggie. I have lots of time before I need to be anywhere.” Amie laid her hand on Maggie’s shoulder and guided her down against the leather.
“When are you done with your teaching hours? I’m going to have to start paying you one of these days.”
Maggie had been one of her guinea pigs, just like Aleks, during Amie’s quest to become a Reiki Master. The fact was, her teaching hours had been over for months now but Amie had lied.
Maggie’s husband had passed away almost two years ago. She was a regular for yoga. Taking a class twice, sometimes three times a week.
Amie could see the toll death had taken on this lovely woman and knew that the power of Reiki could help her. After some convincing, Maggie agreed and even now, although Amie had her certification, she took forty-five minutes out of her week to give this woman an extra boost to get through the day. The last thing Maggie needed to feel was helpless, so Amie kept the fact that she had already completed her certification a secret.
“Don’t worry, Maggie. You’re doing me the favor, remember?”
“All right. I don’t know what I would do without you, Amie. I’ve never felt better. More centered. More at peace with life. You have magic hands, dear.”
Amie did her thing, slowly drawing the energy from the universe, letting it flow through her hands and over the body of her friend. From head to toe she healed the spiritual, the physical and the mental realms of the body.
When they were done, Amie washed her hands again in the sink.
“We might have to switch our appointment times,” Maggie said. “I’m going to have to move and I’m not sure where.”
“Moving? Why?”
“I don’t want to, but the apartment building we’re living in is being torn down so they can add on to the hospital. We have six months to move out.”
“That’s bullshit. Damn developments. Damn money hungry assholes.”
“Apparently the hospital owns all the land surrounding it, including three apartment buildings and an outdoor mall. They finally have the funding to build a new children’s wing and expand their emergency facilities so they want their land back.”
Maggie and her daughter Kristen had to move out of their home after her husband died. She couldn’t afford to maintain the household on her own, not with the salary of a medical secretary.
“At least it’s not because of a shopping mall,” Maggie added.
“That’s not the point. The point is that whoever is in charge of these things only cares about one thing, their bottom line, and they’ll screw anyone and anything to get where they need to be. Ugh! And these people who make their living tearing down memories and erecting cold, generic buildings...they make me sick.”
“Tell me how you really feel.”
“I’m sorry. This might be a little bit of a sore spot.” Amie walked around the table and rested her bottom on the edge.
“Oh, honey. Don’t get all sour puss before your big party.”
Amie snorted, a little sound that made her forget why she was riled up in the first place. Amie wasn’t lacking in the motherly love department, but she was no less appreciative of Maggie’s affection.
“I’m fine,” Amie whispered. Even though she wasn’t. Hearing Maggie tell her story brought up too many memories of a time in her life when everything had changed.
“Don’t worry about me. Kristen and I are going to be just fine.”
Guilt wrapped around her, along with Maggie’s arm.
“Come on, honey, you’ve got a party to go to. Maybe you’ll meet a handsome man who will sweep you off your feet.”
“I’m not looking for Prince Charming, Maggie. I don’t need a glass slipper or to be rescued from a tower.”
“No, you don’t. You’re a lioness. I see it in you. Strong, fierce and loyal. Willing to stand her ground. Willing to try new things, maybe even sexual things.”
Amie’s eyes widened. How did this woman possibly know that she was kinky? Not only kinky but searching for something through sex she couldn’t explain.
“I see your spirit, it’s in your eyes.” Maggie cupped Amie’s far shoulder. “I know you don’t need a man to rescue you, but you do need a man who will embrace your inner lioness.” Her fingers gently rubbed against her bare shoulder in comfort. “But in your search, don’t forget that he also needs to be enough of a lion to take care of his pride.”
Maggie was in her mid-forties. She was young but wise. This was the sort of advice expected from a grandmother or great-aunt, not the friendly woman who came every week to try and make sense of the world again.
“Oh, don’t look so surprised, honey. Why do you think I agreed to be your guinea pig?” Maggie released her grip and got up from the table. “I embraced New Age practices into my life a long time ago. I know you. I was just like you.” Maggie grabbed Amie’s hands and squeezed.
“How do you know what I’m like?”
“Do you not think that energy flows both ways? You just have to know how to look for it.” Maggie hooked her finger under Amie’s chin and lifted her head to meet her gaze. “Now, you better put on a happy face and get to your party.”
Maggie had the uncanny ability to make anyone smile no matter the situation. And Amie did just that. “Give me a call if you need to re-schedule your appointment next week. I’m here for you anytime.”
“I know, dear.” Maggie pulled Amie up off the table and embraced her in a warm hug. Before she walked out the door, Maggie stopped and turned. She had a devious smirk on her face. “You keep searching, because you are going to find it. When you least expect it.”
Now how in the world could she possibly know that Amie was searching?
Chapter 4
Milton walked into the average-sized home, nervous and second-guessing his plan to even make an appearance. He quickly surveyed his surroundings. Young people mingled and mixed in the foyer. He walked in further, gripping the custom baby basket that had been made for him at a trendy store near his hotel. He side-stepped a group of men and women and peered into the family room. More people.
Fear cramped in his stomach. The only social gatherings Milton attended were work related. Going to parties wasn’t a social thing for him anymore. Going to parties and being expected to talk about himself rather than his next big project terrified him. Social gatherings weren’t fun. At least not anymore. Not since he’d placed the weight of the world on his own shoulders.
Milton spotted Aleks right away, larger than life, the center of attention. It seemed that nothing had changed for his old friend. It was just like him to be smack dab in the middle of a group of women.
Flashbacks of his early twenties flooded his brain, their college years. Aleks with a group of females, picking and choosing which girl would go home with his friends. Thanks to Aleks, Milton could always rely on having a woman on his arm as he left the pub. It didn’t matter how dorky he may have been. Aleks always took care of his friends. And considering Aleks was intent on getting him laid while he was in town, it seemed he still maintained that philosophy.
Aleks noticed Milton as soon as he walked through the doorway and waved him over. “Milt! Over here.”
Milton hugged the gift tightly as he made his way to the group. Aleks was dressed down in jeans and a golf sh
irt. He always looked relaxed and casual. Weren’t you supposed to dress up for occasions like this? As he stepped closer, Milton felt very uncomfortable in his black suit.
“Ladies, this is my good friend Milton Campbell.” Aleks gestured toward him. “Milt, meet the ladies.”
A round of hellos filled the air as the women nudged closer to where he stood, making him part of the group.
“Hello,” he said. To these women, he was just a regular guy. A friend of Rob and Aleks. But Milton didn’t know how to be regular anymore.
“Let me take that for you,” one of the woman said. She slid her hands around the basket and lifted it from Milton’s arm. “What a beautiful gift.” She winked then marched over to a table that housed many other gifts, but Milton was quick to notice not one of them looked like his. Did he get the wrong thing?
Despite his discomfort, Milton brought his attention back to the group and joined the conversation. After a few minutes, the rhythm changed and he and Aleks played off each other, like they used to. He didn’t need Aleks to secure a woman for him anymore, but he welcomed his new wing man.
Over the years, money had taken Aleks’s place. Milton used his wealth in classic jerk-off fashion, but there was a method to his madness. Money attracted a certain type of women–the type that usually never planned on sticking around.
The conversation continued and just as he lowered his guard, “Who’s the suit?” wafted from beside him in a sultry rasp.
A woman strode up to the group. Her hips swayed to and fro inside her red sundress, subtly, not overtly bringing attention to her curves. His eyes traveled up and rested, only for a second, on her pert breasts that were hidden underneath the material. Soft blond hair skimmed her shoulders where smooth, pale skin shimmered beneath her spaghetti straps. When his gaze finally reached her face he was struck by the blue of her eyes and her bright smile, but it only took a split second for him to register her face. His jaw almost hit the floor. He would know her anywhere, the woman from the store window.
“Milt, I want you to meet my good friend Amie.”
