Chapter 48
Gabriel
I spent all of Sunday thinking about Lexie and me. About the things, we’d done together, about her smile and her tinkling little laugh. I know I made some mistakes with her this past week. I’ve just never been with anyone like her before. Someone real in every sense of the word.
By the end of the long weekend, I’d come to a few conclusions; made some decisions. The main one being that this fake thing with Lexie and I needed to end. I don’t want anything long-term right now, and it’s not fair to keep her hanging on like that. And since I’ve resolved the issue with Christine, continuing the relationship with Lexie isn’t necessary; therefore, it makes complete sense that we end it.
Monday morning, leaning against the back wall of the elevator as it climbs to my floor, I take in gulps of air. Why I’m nervous, I’ve no idea. I took the liberty of sending her pink roses this morning to ease the pain of our breakup. I know they’ll confuse her but she’s bright, she’ll figure things out.
When the ding of the elevator signals its arrival, I bend down grabbing the box holding that fucking fur coat and pull myself up to a standing. I’ll have Katya send it back to the store. Even if they only give me store credit, I’ll be fine because I never want to see that thing again.
I push my shoulders back and march confidently out of the elevator. I turn to look at Lexie’s desk, and the first thing I see are three vases, each holding a dozen roses. One of them contains pink roses, mine. Another is red, and the third dozen, all yellow. “What the hell?” I march over to the reception desk and push the red and yellow roses over to the side. “Lexie? What are all these?”
I blink down at a young brunette manning the phones. I’ve got shoes older than this girl. “You’re not Lexie?”
“No, sir. I’m Sam. I’m the temp. May I help you?”
I ignore her asinine question. “The temp? Since when?”
“Since this morning, sir. Is there someone I can call for you? Who are you here to see?”
“Lexie. Where is she?”
“Gone, sir.”
“Gone?”
“Yes. Gone.”
Fuck! I yank the white envelope out of the red and tear it open. “Fucking Brodie.” Ripping open the tiny envelope from the yellow roses I stop and read.
Dearest Lexie.
Thank you for putting up with me all evening. I thoroughly enjoyed your company. I look forward to our dinner next month. I promise. Nothing ‘fancy’. Yours, Ken Griffin.
Whoa, Lexie really knows who to befriend. But, I suspect Ken is like Pamela for her. She’s got no idea the kind of money Ken Griffin has and she probably doesn’t care. That makes her special and endearing to people like Ken and Pam. I quickly pull the card out of mine as well. I don’t want anyone else reading her Dear Lexie card. I march past Sam as she yells at me to ‘Stop! Sir!’.
I spin back to face Sam. “Sam. I’m Gabriel Parker. I’m the boss. Are we good now?”
“Oh, shoot. Yes, sir.”
“Great.” As I pass Katya’s desk I make a mental note. She’s late. As usual. I toss the box on top of her desk. I’ll tell her where to send the coat later. When I get into my office, I pick up my phone and dial Cammy’s extension.
“Yes, boss?”
“Where is she?”
“Who?”
“You know damn well who I’m talking about. Where is she?”
“Gone.”
“Gone where?”
“Away.”
“Jesus. If you don’t spit it out, you’re fired.”
