It’s been a week since Sam’s doctor appointment, and it has taken everything in me not to claim her as mine. I want to. Hell, I want to more than anything, but I don’t think she’s ready for it. And the fact that every one of my single male employees has been in and out of the office to flirt with her is making me crazy.
She’s polite to them, and I’ve asked her if anyone is bothering her, but she says she’s fine.
I roll my eyes.Fine.
I push the button on my phone. “Carrie, can I see you for a minute?”
Carrie comes in seconds later with notepad in hand.
“Do you have lunch plans?”
She shakes her head.
I nod. “Can you please take Sam out for lunch? She’s going to say no, she needs to work, but it’s not good for her to sit at her desk all day. She needs to know she can go out for lunch.”
Carrie tilts her head at me. “It’s like that, is it?”
I don’t even blink. “Yeah, it’s like that.”
Her smile widens. “Yeah, I’m happy to take her to lunch. With all the work she’s done, we’re completely caught up.”
I snap my hand on the desk. “Good. Take a long lunch. Enjoy it. Use the company credit card.”
She stands up and is about to walk out the door and then stops and turns. “You know… I bet a pedicure with a foot massage would really be good for her too.”
I point at her with a chuckle. “I see what you’re doing there.” With a laugh, I tell her, “Do it. She’s not going to want to, but you two enjoy lunch and pedicures, massages, whatever.”
Carrie claps her hands together. “Great, I’ll forward the phones to my cell.”
I shake my head. “No, I want you to enjoy this too. I know you’ve worked really hard to get this hospital project ready. Enjoy it. I’m going out for a few minutes, but I’ll have the phones.”
Carrie nods excitedly. It’s only a few minutes later that Sam knocks on my open door.
I rise from my seat and come around my desk. “What’s up, honey? You okay?”
She looks worried. “Carrie wants to go to lunch and get pedicures, but I don’t think?—”
I take a step toward her because that’s just how it is. I’m drawn to her. I can’t keep my distance. “I want you both to go and enjoy yourselves. You’ve been working hard and deserve this.”
She takes a deep breath. “Right. I deserve this. I can transfer the phones to my cell and?—”
I shake my head. “It’s already taken care of.”
She doesn’t want to, but she agrees. She feels uncomfortable because she isn’t used to someone caring for her, but that’s all I want to do.
A few minutes later, Sam and Carrie leave. There are a few people still in the building, but I forward the phones to my cell, grab my keys, and then head over to the florist down the street.
“Hey, Janice,” I call out.
The woman that has worked here for as long as I can remember comes out from behind the counter. “How’s it going, Elijah?”
I nod as I look around the store. “Good, good. I know we still have a few weeks, but I wanted to make sure I got the order in for the delivery to the nursing home on Valentine’s Day.”
She nods. “Yes, yes, I got it. You’ve been doing this for ten years. I won’t forget it.”
I’m looking at all the flower arrangements as Janice continues to talk. “Elijah, I think it’s so sweet that you started sending flowers to the nursing home on Valentine’s Day. And the fact that you continue sending them after your sweet grandma passed away.” She sighs. “You’re a good man is all I’m saying.”
I look at the sweet older woman and smile. “Thank you for helping me with it all these years. I know it’s a busy day for you, but I appreciate you making them all feel special.”
