Rosie
The next day, I send Sasha a photo of the new fridge stacked with soda Niki left under my desk. I suspect he’s doing kind things for me because he’s scared I’ll leave him. It hurts my heart to know that he lives with worries like this every day.
I vow to be there for him and help him recognise that his anxiety doesn’t make him someone people want to reject.
My work phone beeps with a message.
Niki: I’m working from home today. I hope you found the fridge. When you need it restocked, call the coffee shop.
He’s a reserve racing driver who hasn’t yet found his place in the company. What could he do from home?
I call him immediately.
He answers on the second ring.
“Morning, Bella…sorry, Rosie. It’s going to take a while to switch my brain. Are you okay? You found the fridge?” His deep sleepy voice and yawn shouldn’t sound as hot as they do.
I clear my throat and pick at my blouse. I am not a racingfangirl, but the throaty way he says “Bella” reminds me of that night and the kiss. Dammit. Our kiss fed my fantasies for months.
Don’t remember that you gave him your fucking knickers.
“Rosie?”
My pulse spikes.Reply, Rosie, for fuck’s sake. “Good morning, sir.”
He chokes a laugh. “Niki is fine.”
“Yes, of course.” I smack my forehead with the heel of my hand. “Good morning, Niki. You didn’t need to get me a fridge.”
He lowers his voice, and I imagine his dimple deepening. “Are you tempted to open a can?”
I laugh. “Not at all,” I lie. “It’s too early.”
“If you were alone at home with a cold can of…”
“Diet Coke.” I fill in the gap with my favourite drink.
“With a cold can of Diet Coke, would you drink it?”
I purse my lips, hiding my giggle. “Maybe, if my daughter weren’t around. I’m trying to teach her good oral hygiene.”
“That’s a yes. I want you to take a Diet Coke now. I won’t stop pestering you until I hear the hiss of you opening it.”
“What if someone appears and judges me? Normal people drink coffee early morning.”
He chuckles and drops his voice again. “If they give you funny looks, tell them sir made you because he’s a grumpy bastard.”
I cackle. “You’re not grumpy.”
“If you didn’t have better things to do today, I’d make you poll every staff member and ask them. Ninety-nine percent would say I am. The other one percent would be you and maybe Senna because she wouldn’t want to insult me in front of you. Now open a can and drink it.”
“Yes, boss,” I tease. The can hisses as I open it.
“Good.” He sighs. “You’ll see my grumpy side, especiallywhen I’m anxious. It’s one of the reasons I’m not in today. I had a headache last night, and it freaked me out. I Googled the things it could be. Then I couldn’t sleep.”
“Oh, Niki.”
“Don’t pity me.”
