He was safe.
He now focused on the elegant, marble–tiled floors, the shiny metal elevator doors, and the soft, gentle music that played in the background. His surrounding centered him and brought him back to the present. He wasn’t a scared six-year-old boy, snatched from his parents. He was a grown man, and a powerful one at that.
This grand building was his haven, and he was the master of his domain.
The office complex showcased his latest accomplishment. He’d taken a small, nearly fading–into–the–distance company and, within just five years, made it into what was now listed as a Fortune 500. His nickname should be Midas, for he certainly had the golden touch.
Once upstairs in his corner office, and far away from the crowd downstairs, he found his coffee and newspaper. Everything in its place. Everything where it needed to be.
His body relaxed and he felt at home. Ms. Baxter remained on top of things, as usual, and it was time to get to work.
He removed paperwork from his briefcase, and before he could even ask for Ms. Baxter to come into the room, he smelled her perfume. He didn’t know the name of the fragrance, never cared to ask, but it was distinctly Deborah.
Already standing behind him, she greeted him. “Good morning, Mr. Ellington. Your ten o'clock appointment will be here in thirty minutes.” She walked closer to him and helped him off with his jacket. “I'll place Mr. Covington in the conference room once he arrives.” She walked to the wooden valet stand in the corner and put the jacket on the hanger.
Pleasantly professional. Calm and cordial. What was it about Deborah that centered Daniel and made him feel safe? For nearly twenty years, she had been his rock. She knew the structure of the office and seemed to anticipate his every move.
She set some paperwork on his desk and placed his coffee mug back on the coaster, her hips swaying as she moved effortlessly around his desk and tidied up.
Daniel’s father’s words echoed in his mind:“Never fish off the company pier.” It was the number-one rule his father had stressed when Daniel joined the business decades ago—one that he upheld no matter what.
He moved his gaze from her bottom and stared out the window instead. Ms. Baxter was a perfect work wife, and nothing more.
She could never be anything other than that.
Ever.
Still standing at the corner of his desk, she cleared her throat to get his attention— waiting for her next assignment.
This morning’s meeting was with the CEO of Pinksley Inc., a sizeable company, but not truly a competitor for Daniel’s business. Still a nice asset from a business acquisition, though.
“Ms. Baxter, I'll need…”
“Mr. Covington’s company's folder.” She gestured to Daniel’s desk, a teasing smile on her face. “I’ve already brought it in. As well as your paper, your coffee, and the little present we discussed this morning.”
Daniel took a seat and noticed a gift lying squarely on top of the folder. Its delicate red bow in place, and the gift card, already typed out with his sentiments ready for him. “Thanks for taking care of this.” He picked up the present and moved it aside.
The outside phone line rang, causing Ms. Baxter to walk toward the door. “I'll be right back, sir.”
He heard the familiar, “Mr. Ellington's office” greeting she always recited. She always sounded so professional on the phone, but today, irritation sounded in her voice.
“I'm sorry for the interruption, sir,” she said as she joined him back in his office.
He glanced at her. “Something wrong?”
In a mildly irritated tone, she said, “The phone keeps ringing. Evidently, there is a list…”
Holding up his hand, he stopped her mid-sentence. He understood how reporters were now distracting her. “I know. Try to keep the interruptions to a minimum.”
“Of course, sir.”
The press should be focused on the company's new software suite, not the stupid Top 10 Bachelor list. But he didn't have time for that right now. He had to focus on his ten o'clock meeting.
The outside phone rang again. Even though Daniel preferred it open, he said, “Please, shut the door.” He realized Ms. Baxter was already heading out of the room saying, “Of course, sir.”
4
Daniel glanced out the living room window of his home and checked for his ride—again. Seeing lights off in the distance, he pushed a button on his phone to open his iron security gate, giving the car entry onto his private property.
An evening out. He didn't have time for Valentine's Day and needed to focus on the merger instead. He straightened his tie and adjusted his coat, making sure Brandelynn’s gift still lay inside his breast pocket, before walking outside.
He had a minute, so he gave her a call. “Hello, sweetheart,” he said once she picked up. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. I’ll come up to your condo and get…”
“That’s sweet of you, but I’ll meet you outside in front of the building,” Brandelynn replied over the phone.
“It’s no bother.”
She paused before adding, “I need to finish getting ready. I’ll meet you downstairs, darling.”
He stared at his phone after she abruptly hung up. She had hinted before that she was a slob and the state of her home embarrassed her. Still, he felt odd about her insisting they meet downstairs all the time.
The car pulled up, and it wasn't exactly what he expected, but this entire evening felt off to him. The vehicle seemed smaller than he normally rode in, but he figured he had no right to complain with such a last–minute accommodation.
A young man stepped out of the car. He had a humbling, I’m-here-to-serve-you smile and a snappy pressed suit that stressed a serious first impression.
“Good evening, sir.” He dashed over to open Daniel's door. “My name is Evan, and I'll be your chauffeur tonight. I understand we will be picking up your guest for the evening. I have the address.”
Chatty, professional, and pimply-faced.
Daniel usually didn't like overly–friendly staff, but Evan had an Opie-honest look, a large hat that didn’t fit, and no hand extended for a tip.
Daniel remembered himself at that age—eager to work and hungry to make his mark on the world.
He got into the car, which felt roomier than he had first thought, and the cleanliness of it impressed him. The only exception was a forgotten magazine that lay half–hidden under the seat in front of him.
“I guess I'm not your first ride this evening.” Daniel picked up the copy of Self–Made Diva magazine and rolled his eyes once he’d read the cover. The model was one of the Kaiser girls, a wealthy family of actresses—if you could call them that—who were enjoying their fifteen minutes of fame. He had no idea which one was featured on the cover and didn't care.
“I gave two rides earlier tonight, sir.” Evan steered the car onto the highway. “But I'll be yours for the rest of the evening. I'll wait outside the restaurant for you.” His hand tapped something in the front seat. “I have my advertising and marketing books to study to keep me busy.”
Evan seemed like a nice boy. His voice—sincere and respectful—triggered a protective response in Daniel, almost fatherly.
“I’ll be dining for a while, so make sure to get something to eat.”
Evan held up a small lunch sack. “My wife made me dinner. I'll be all right, sir.”
Daniel studied Evan, who seemed too young to be married. The driver reminded him of Ms. Baxter's son, Josh. Courteous, polite, and boy’s face that still had to be grown into. “I'm sorry you can't spend Valentine's Day with your wife, but I do appreciate the ride.”
“She's disappointed, but understands. We talked it over, and since I earn time and a half driving tonight, taking the night off didn't make sense—especially with a baby on the way.”
A baby?
This young man certainly jumped in head first into the responsibility pool. He and his wife “talked it over”? That boded well for the relationsh
ip if they treated each other like equal partners. Evan sounded earnest, with the last sentence not a ploy for a bigger tip. A hard–working man who’d lucked out and found an understanding wife who supported him.
Some people were just lucky in love.
Glancing at the cover of the magazine, Daniel read the headline. “How you know when you've found your soul mate.”
Good Lord. Women bought these types of magazines?
Publications of this sort were a billion-dollar industry, so he thumbed through the perfume-ad laden rag. It was filled with articles about finding “the one.”
It was one ridiculous article after the next.
But these magazines sold. And sold well.
Just as he was about to toss the magazine aside, he asked, “Evan, you’re a married man. Would you say your wife is your soul mate?”
Through the rear-view mirror, Daniel could see the young man smiling.
“She’s my whole world, sir.” His voice sounded genuine, not sappy and silly. He really did believe his wife was ‘the one’.
“How long have you been married?”
“Two years. I just knew she was the love of my life and had to propose. You know, ‘the one’”
And there it was again—“the one.”
Daniel smiled at Evan and then looked down at the magazine, dismissing the boy so he could focus on driving.
The magazine seemed more geared toward women finding their Mr. Rights, but Daniel figured he could somehow reverse engineer the process and have the information still help him.
After a few minutes, he finished reading the feature article and memorized the top three bullet points—take an interest in what your partner does in the present, know about their childhood and family for their past, and know about their dreams for the future.
Did women talk about such things? He figured they must amongst themselves, but not to the men in their lives. At least, one of the women in his past had every shared such things with him.
He glanced up and watched Evan. If he had to guess, Evan’s wife talked to him about such things.
And then a pang of guilt hit Daniel.
The women of his life never talked to him.
He was the problem.
There was a quiz at the back of the magazine entitled, “Does he really know you?” Since he didn't know Brandelynn that well, and he didn’t have a sister, the first female to cross his mind was Ms. Baxter. So, he took the quiz with her in mind.
The questions ranged from personal ambitions to greatest fears and loftiest dreams. Overall, it was quite comprehensive in a twenty-question quiz.
One inquiry in particular surprised him. “Can you get lost in her eyes?” There was no definition of what lost mean, or what the significance of being lost was, but Daniel envisioned Ms. Baxter’s green eyes nonetheless. They were soft and caring, filled with concern most times, and… compassion at others.
Was it empathy he saw in her eyes?
He paused and thought about it. She occasionally gave him glances where her expression was…? Was it understanding?
Yes. She understood him like no other woman had.
Could he get lost in her eyes?
A fluttering in his gut told him the answer. Yes. She was honest. She was the one woman who wasn’t crazy-obsessed with his wealth. She was safe.
Could he get lost in Brandelynn’s eyes?
The question haunted him. He wasn’t even sure of their color.
Scoring ninety percent on the quiz—using Deborah as the woman—gave Daniel a warm feeling of pride, and that brought a smile to his face. Ms. Baxter wasn’t the easiest person to get to know, but once you knew her, she was easy to talk to, easier to trust, and it was effortless to…like her a great deal.
With such a high score, he believed he wasn't such a bastard as the articles would have him believe. He did know at least one woman personally in his life. Of course, he had known her for decades.
He just needed to know Brandelynn better. That’s all.
Evan exited the highway and turned down Brandelynn’s street.
“My date will be waiting outside.” Daniel folded the magazine in half and placed it under his vest. It caused a bit of a bulge, but it was one he could live with. He just didn't want anyone to see him with it.
The car’s turn signal blinked, making its click click sound, and Evan steered it into an available parking spot in front of the building.
“Is the woman in the black coat your date, sir?”
Daniel spotted the stylishly dressed, middle-aged woman wearing a full-length coat who stood on the corner of the street. She glanced up and down the street. Her hair held a touch of gray, her curvy waistline wasn’t model perfect, and, if he could make out her face, it was creased with wrinkles. Was that the type of woman Evan could see him with?
The woman’s face lit up when a man approached and the two walked off together.
“Why did you think she would be with me?”
“You're dressed very elegantly tonight, sir. So was she.” Even from the back seat, Daniel could see Evan beginning to sweat. “A classically beautiful woman like that, her hair all made up, her jewelry very complimentary… Plus, she was waiting for someone. She’s what me and my friends call a banana split kind of woman.”
“Just pull over here. I’ll tell you when I see her.” Daniel knew he wasn’t up to date with the latest slang, so he had to ask, “Banana split?”
Evan chuckled as he temporarily parked the car, the blinker lights clicking. “It’s a silly rating system ranging from a one-scoop up to a banana split, with the top ice cream being a quality woman with good looks, intelligence, and a kind heart.”
“Interesting. And that elderly woman was a banana split?”
“I didn’t have a chance to meet her, but just going on looks, I’d say she was potentially a banana split.”
Daniel pointed to Brandelynn as she walked toward them, her head glancing from side to side since she had not seen them yet. “There she is.”
She wore a strapless dress, bright red lipstick, and high heels. Model perfect.
“That’s my date.” Daniel’s voice was full of pride as the two of them watched her check the time and look up and down the road once more.
Evan’s eyes widened. “She’s very beautiful, sir.” His voice sounded flat as he unbuckled his seatbelt. “I’ll get her.”
No comment on her looks? No ‘wow’ factor? Even for a man Evan’s age Brandelynn was a catch. “You don’t see me with someone as smokin’ hot as her?”
“It’s not my place, sir. And, again, I’m sorry for mistaking her for the other lovely lady.”
Daniel felt as though he were being judged, not admired.
He didn’t like it.
“What’s wrong with my date?”
Evan hesitated, so Daniel asked again, this time adding, “I have plenty of yes-men. I would like an honest opinion, so please tell me the truth.”
Even licked his lips and swallowed hard. “I just thought the first woman…”
“The older woman.”
The young man took a deep breath and seemed nervous, like his job were on the line. “The first, older woman looked classy. Her hair and makeup were flawless and the smile she gave her husband when he picked her up, well, it showed how beautiful she was on the inside.”
Brandelynn gave a sour expression as she studied the streets, obviously looking for Daniel’s usual limo.
“And my date?” Daniel asked, wondering if Evan could pin point what Daniel knew nagged in the back of his mind but could never fully identify. “What’s your take on her?”
Even studied Brandelynn, his gaze moving from her highlights to her spiked heels. “She’s young and beautiful.”
“And?”
“Sir. I don’t think it’s my place to say anything.”
Daniel leaned forward so that Evan could turn and look him in the eye instead of through the mirror. “Your honest opinion. I’m really interested.”
Evan nodded as he glanced at Brandelynn and then back to Daniel. “She looks upset and cold. I should fetch her for you.”
“Evan.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Honestly, she’s trying too hard, she’s inappropriately dressed, and she looks like she belongs on a street corner, but not necessarily this one. She’s like a sloppy double scoop.”
Evan lowered his face and didn’t make eye contact with Daniel.
“A double scoop doesn’t sound all that bad.” Daniel gestured towards his chest as though he held up boobs. “She’s a nice double scoop.”
“Yes,” Evan said, letting out a nervous chuckle. “But she’s a double scoop of bubble-gum ice cream. Exciting at first, but then you grow up and want something that doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth.”
“Really? You got all that just by glancing at her.” Daniel’s voice sounded harsher than he had wanted but there were now words to how he was feeling. Evan was able to size up his problem with Brandelynn just be glancing at her. The boy had potential.
Evan shrunk in his seat. “I’m sorry, sir. She certainly is…beautiful.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened and he had a feeling of wanting to justify himself to this boy, although he didn’t owe the young man anything. Brandelynn was the type of woman to give any man an instant erection. Any man would want to be with her. There was just that underlying current of uncertainty about her that bugged Daniel.
Perhaps if he got to know her better, like the magazine article suggested. Perhaps then she’d check all of his boxes.
“I’m sure she’s intelligent and witty and charming. I’m sure you have a wonderful relationship.”
The boy was back pedaling.
Daniel reclined back in the seat. “Just go get her.”
Evan jumped out of the car and ran toward Brandelynn.
She always stood outside the condo for pickup. Daniel had found it odd, but she was a slob and too embarrassed for him to see where she lived. She also probably preferred his spacious home whenever they were together.
Bachelor Heart Page 3
