Would they find it corny? I strummed the first few chords of its melody, and they both stopped and listened.
“What is that?” Ely asked. “Don’t recognize it.”
“It’s my original.” I played a few more chords. “So, I need you guys to let me know what you think, OK?”
They sat back, both ready to listen.
Once the words began to flow, their eyes widened. Whether it was the content or my voice, I wasn’t sure, but they seemed to be enjoying it.
A lot.
CHAPTER 23
Maryellen
When Evie walked out of the coffee shop the other day, it felt as if my entire world had split open, swallowed me up, but kept me prisoner instead of spitting me out. Telling her everything helped in some way, but not inenoughways.
My meeting with Harper went fine. I probably made it more business-like rather than two friends planning a party for her, but she didn’t seem to notice. Striking Amanda from the invite list was fun to do. Plus, my mood lifted while I was with her.
As soon as I got back to the office, it all went to hell when I thought I’d missed that meeting with Gage.
Ever since, my performance at work had faltered. My focus wasn’t where it needed to be. And that didn’t sit well with me.
I have my mother to thank for all my anxieties. So classic to blame your parent, right? When a parent puts many of the survival responsibilities on a teenager, it was bound to happen. At the tender age of thirteen, she had me working after school and on weekends to help pay for food and the utility bills. Needless to say, our electricity was turned off numerous times.
My past was rearing its ugly head and forcing me to face it head-on. Hopefully I could breathe normally after this godforsaken party.
Suddenly, I looked down to see a single white rose placed on my desk. “Good morning, beautiful.”
Glancing up, I was treated to the most magnificent hazel eyes beaming at me. His scruff was at that perfect length—just short enough to be professional, just long enough for me to want to drag my nails through it. And it never hid his dimple.
“Good morning,” I responded.
I hated the stress I created between the two of us since Monday and myepisode.I knew he probably thought it was something about us. But seeing him, and the smile he had, made me realize maybe things would be OK.
“What’s this for?” I asked as I picked up the stem.
With his whole body, he leaned over my desk to kiss my cheek. His scent filled the air, a combination of the soap I knew he used with undertones of leather and wood. I had to restrain my hands. They wanted to clamp around his neck and keep him next to me because he smelled so good.
“To make you smile,” he said as he straightened. “Do me a favor, google the meaning of white roses when you get a chance. That’ll make you smile again.”
He started walking to his end of the floor. It was a delight to watch. His tailored suits were sculpted to his muscular frame, his strong legs and ass outlined perfectly.
“I can feel you watching me.” He laughed as he spun around to catch me doing exactly that. “Do me a solid and keep my brother away from me this morning, I won’t be working. I’ll be practicing my playlist for tonight.”
His cheerful demeanor was exactly what I needed to get me through the rest of this week.
“I’ll do my best,” I yelled to him. “I can’t wait for tonight!”
He waved in acknowledgment as he entered his office and closed the door. As soon as he did, my fingers were searching Google about white roses.
A silly grin was plastered across my face as I read the various meanings behind the flower on my desk. I had an idea which one he intended, but it could be a couple.
“You have an admirer,” Gage said. His warm smile was a comfort considering how things transpired the other day. “Should my brother be nervous?”
“No worries there,” I told him.
“Too bad, he needs to be kept on his toes.” His laugh filled our space as he made his way toward his office door. “C’mon in, I have a meeting I need some help prepping for.”
