Armi’s stunned expression was confirmation that the stories were all true. No one had ever stepped up for Armi. And that was fucking sad. A wrong that needed to be made right.
“Of course. It’s part of my job.”
It wasn’t part of his job or his nature, however, to want to put his arms around someone to give them a hug, but that vulnerability hit him like a sucker punch to his jaw. He neededto shut that down immediately. He wasn’t anyone’s pillow to provide comfort.
Armi’s eyes lit up, the relief in his body language palpable. “Thanks, Hayden. I appreciate it.” A slight flush rose to his cheeks. “I’m really glad you’re working here.”
Hayden gave him a brief smile. “I’d better go get ready.” He escaped to his desk.
This might not be as easy as he’d first thought. Unlike at Kunoff Shipping, where he’d finish his workload and afterward clear his mind of Boris Kunoff until the following morning, Hayden had a feeling he’d be thinking a lot about Armand Winters, day and night.
Chapter Six
Armi glanced at his watch. “Jesus. How did it get to be six o’clock?” Groaning, he sat in his chair and stretched out his legs in front of him. “I’ve never been so busy in a single day since I studied for the CPA exam.”
“And you must be hungry. You didn’t eat the lunch I brought you.” Hayden stood at the open door of his office. “Again. You’ve skipped lunch every day this past week.”
His stomach growled, and he laughed. “I guess that’s your answer. Yeah.” He rubbed his now rumbling stomach. “What happened to the food you ordered? I’ll eat it now.”
Hayden wrinkled his perfect nose. “You couldn’t. It was fettuccini from Scarpetta’s. I can order you something fresh if you’d like.”
“Don’t bother.” He scratched his head. “I can do it when I get home. I’m exhausted and need a shower and to get out of this suit.” As he spoke, he undid the top button of his shirt and loosened his tie. “My brain is fried.”
“Would you like me to schedule you for a massage? That could help.”
Armand studied his hands. “I don’t know. I’ve never had one.”
“What?” He could see he’d shocked Hayden. “How can that be?”
Armi shrugged. “I’ve just never…thought about it. Relaxing for me means—”
“The garden and your rosebushes?” Hayden filled in for him.
As always, the thought of his garden and the serenity it brought him soothed his jumbled nerves. “Yes. I like to spend at least a few hours a day with the roses and check in on them for any signs of disease…or simply to unwind. Being there, among their quiet beauty, brings me joy.”
“It sounds beautiful. How many varieties do you have?”
It was the first chance he’d had to talk with Hayden since his hiring the prior week. He’d been caught up in a whirlwind of meetings and intense trade negotiations. Hayden had written up crib sheets for each team, and who was a free agent, and whom the Kings were pursuing. It all made his head spin, and he was looking forward to the weekend and time with his flowers. There was little he loved more than talking about his roses.
“I have fourteen distinct varieties, but I’m constantly grafting. It’s why I moved to Bulgaria for a year. They have the most beautiful roses in the world, and there was no better place to learn about cultivating and growing them. I have hybrid tea, climbing, floribunda, grandiflora, David Austin. I’m trying some older varieties, like Damask and Gallica…” He trailed off, realizing he was babbling, and ducked his head. “Sorry. I’m boring you.”
“Actually no. You’re not. At all.”
Armi made a face. “Come on, Hayden. I know I’m your boss, but you don’t have to spare my feelings.”
Hayden crossed his arms. “One thing you’ll learn about me the more we work together is that I don’t lie. If I was bored, I’d leave.” To Armi’s surprise, Hayden took several steps inside his office. “I’m genuinely interested. My mother has always had roses in her garden, and she takes care of them like they’re her babies. I’d love to be able to give her some tips.”
His lips twitched up. “I understand.” Maybe it was having Hayden in every meeting that gave him more confidence. Or maybe it was their connection from the club that had his mouth speaking before his brain could catch up. “Would you like to come home with me and see them?”
Hayden’s eyes widened.
Face burning, Armi stammered, “I-I’m sorry. That was stupid. Of course you have better things to do. I’m sure you’re tired from working so hard.”
“I’d like that.”
“Y-you don’t have to say yes just because I’m your boss.”
A frown puckered his smooth brow. “Remember what I just said? I don’t lie. I say what I mean. And I’d really like to see your roses.”
