CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A THURSDAY IN SEPTEMBER
Istab a piece of lettuce with my fork and take a bite, finishing up an email to one of our applicants about our next event. Just as I hit send, my phone lights up with a call from Claire’s school.
“This is Marlowe Reyes,” I answer, putting the phone against my ear with my shoulder so I can put the lid back on my salad container.
“Hello, Marlowe, it’s Mrs. Nielsen, the school nurse,” she tells me, and I sit up a little straighter. “I just wanted to inform you I have your daughter here with a fever. She hasn’t exhibited any other symptoms, and it is a low fever, but school policy requires children to go home if they have one.”
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose between my pointer finger and thumb. “All right. I’m unable to leave the office, so I will have someone come pick her up. Thank you for letting me know.”
“Of course,” the nurse says. “Just call the front desk and let them know the name of who is picking her up when you figure it out.”
After a few pleasantries, I hang up the phone and instantly dial Blue. She picks up on the fourth ring.
“Did you know lilies are toxic to cats?” She asks in greeting. “Explain to me how it is somehow my fault that a man came in and got lilies for his girlfriend and now her cat is sick. I mean, am I supposed to ask everyone that comes in if they have pets and if they’ve done their research? I don’t think so.”
“Maybe put together a list and hang it by the register of what plants are toxic to animals? That way, you can say you did your due diligence and anything that happens from there isn’t your fault.”
Blue releases a scoff. “Why the hell didn’t I think of that? See, this is why you’re the brains. Okay, now your thing. What’s up?”
“Claire is sick, but I can’t leave the office for another few hours. Kirstin is gone at an expo and I’m expecting a client here after lunch,” I inform her, spinning in my chair so I can kick my feet up onto my desk. “Can you go get her for me?”
“Sorry, honey,” she apologizes. “I’m stuck at the shop all day. We have two weddings this weekend and I need to finish these arrangements and prep for delivery. One of my florists is out on site today so I’m short on hands for a while, otherwise you know I would. Want me to ask RJ?”
I hear the main door opening and turn to see Levi come walking in. He’s got his hands shoved in his dark blue dress pant pockets, no suit coat, the sleeves of his white dress shirt rolled up to his elbows. “No, it’s okay. I’ll call JJ and see if she can. Thanks, though. Good luck with the arrangements.”
I hang up and turn to Levi with a strained smile, and his eyebrows shoot up instantly. He leans against my desk, folding his arms in front of his chest as he stares at me. I scroll through my contacts to call JJ when he rests a hand on my forearm.
“What’s going on, Lowe?”
I set my phone down and sigh. “Claire is sick, but Blue is too busy to go get her for me, and I can’t leave until four today since Kirstin is gone.”
“I can go get her,” he tells me easily with a shrug. I stare up at him, my eyes growing wide. “What?”
“I don’t know,” I reply with a chuckle. “Just surprised, is all.”
Levi raises a brow. “Why?”
“I mean, it hasn’t been that long,” I say. “I guess I just assumed you wouldn’t feel comfortable with something like that.”
“I enjoy spending time with Claire,” he informs me, an easy smile gracing his face. “And I want to help, so let me.”
Standing up, I rest my hands on his shoulders, giving him a gentle smile of my own. “What would I do without you?”
“Good question.” He sets his hands on my hips, moving me so I’m standing between his legs. “I just need to move a meeting and then I’ll go get her.”
“Oh,” I say, my face falling slightly as I shake my head, but he stops me.
“Lowe, don’t,” he states. “I own and run this company. I can move meetings whenever I please. Plus, this isn’t an important one. But even if it was, I’d still help you.”
Wordlessly, I press my lips against his in a brief, appreciative kiss. “Thank you. Were you just coming to see me, or did you need something?”
“I always want to see your beautiful face,” he says, pushing a piece of hair behind my ear. “But I actually came with a question for you.”
“Ask away.”
“I have this big fancy work gathering tonight, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me.”
