I pop by my V.P. 's office and pass him the baton. Maybe some uninterrupted time with Heaven will brighten my mood.
* * *
Heaven
“You’re a genius, Mr. Alfred,” I exclaim when the last item is in place and connected to Wi-Fi.
I press ‘print’ on the shiny laptop and watch the paper come out of the new wireless printer. Everything is a newer, faster, and fancier version of mine. I’m going to be so spoiled when it’s time to return to Houston. I push the thought aside. I will not dwell on the murky future.
I glance out the window confirms that I’m not dreaming or imagining things. This office does in fact have the most soothing view of the clear, blue ocean. I love the picture it presents, but I have no desire to get into it. Either way, happiness builds in my chest, and the only outlet is crushing Alfred in a big hug.
Alfred laughs and returns the hug. I’m surprised at his solidness. I pull back and grin at him.
“I didn’t know you had two or three muscles,” I tease with a squeeze to his bicep.
“More like four or five.”
I lift my eyebrows. “Okay, Mr. Alfred! Get your Casanova on, then.”
With a cheeky grin, he spins me and starts humming Strangers in the Night as we dance.
I grin at the impressive dip when I see a pair of strong legs encased in the same charcoal grey slacks I’d watched him don this morning.
“Axel?” I’m surprised by his sudden appearance.
I’m upright when I notice he’s smiling as he types in his phone. “Busted,” he taunts. “I just sent it to Blanche.”
Alfred shrugs, jokingly. “I guess I’ll go take my beating like a man, pack, then come pick up my new woman.”
I giggle when he winks at me on the way out the door. I grab Axel’s hand on the way to the front door. We thank him again for his help and wave as he jumps in the back of the town car.
“He’s such a character,” I muse.
“I bet,” Axel answers with a playful nudge. “He really is that energetic every day in case you’re wondering.”
I take him back to the office and show him everything, and that’s when I realize it is far too early for him to be home. My concern about his fallout with his assistant resurfaces. I know without a doubt what’s bothering her, but I also know he’s not ready to hear it. I need solid proof before I run my mouth.
“How did it go with Allie?” I ask as I settle on the side of the impressively sturdy solid wood desk.
The amusement slips from his face leaving behind a disappointed frown that clashes with the sunny backdrop of paradise. I work to keep my expression neutral as he gives his recount of the situation. Between the tears and the poorly executed power play on her part—you don’t threaten to quit if you’re not truly able to walk away—I’m convinced it’s worse than I thought.
“Enough about her,” he segues. “I have a bigger issue to discuss.”
I know where this is going just based on the way he says ‘bigger.’ My body instantly heats.
“And what’s this ‘bigger issue,’” I flirt back.
All six feet and six inches of golden, sexy man is directly in front of me in one step.
“I had to endure a major injustice while you sat idly by and let it happen.”
“Oh, really? What was the infraction, and how can I help fix it?”
“I was grossly disrespected by your colorful underwear.”
Axel brushes my bangs out of my face when I tilt my head back to look up at him. The blue of his eyes is magnified by the sun shining into the room.
“What did my undies do to you?”
