NINE
KELLY
While I've been expecting Zac to arrive, I didn't expect him to be carrying a suitcase and a filthy pair of Chucks. And then realization dawns. Haven't I been sitting staring out at the rain all afternoon?
I knew Zac lived in the valley. I just wasn't sure where. That he's been hit by the flooding they've been talking about on the radio is obvious.
"The Chucks can stay on the porch, you and everything else inside."
While he drops the sneakers as instructed, he also drops his suitcase and bends down to unlace his work boots. It's then I see that they and his jeans are soaking wet.
"I didn't realize it was that bad."
After kicking off his boots, he unbuttons his jeans and there's nothing I can do to stop my libido from sitting up and taking note. Never mind, he's just escaped the flooding. Seeing him undress always has this effect on me.
Soon enough, I realize me draping myself all over him is the last thing he needs, and after he steps inside, I peck him. "You go get in the shower, and I'll take care of this lot."
He doesn't argue, telling me he's as cold as he appears, although his shivering could be in response to escaping the flooding. Despite it being summer, the temperatures have dropped thanks to the torrential rain.
It's hard to believe that mere hours earlier, Zac and I were rolling around in the sun on the floor of my office. It's not until he's in the shower and I've tossed his jeans in the wash, and his Chucks in a bucket with some disinfectant, that I realize something.
First, that he'll be living with me, at least until the flood waters recede and he can sort out his place. But, second, and more important to my mind, is that he's chosen to come stay with me while he's homeless.
It tells me a lot, only I'm not sure what it is, and I've come to no conclusions when my phone rings. A glance at the display and I answer it, not waiting for my mom to speak. "I'm okay. The house is fine."
As is often the case, these things sound worse to those in the outside world than to anyone caught up in them.
The next call is from my dad, with him more concerned about practical matters, like is the roof leaking and had I gotten the gutters cleared like he'd asked.
"No leaks." I cross my fingers before adding, "and a guy from that Lucky Break company checked the gutters while he was up on the roof."
My parents appeased. I open the front door and grab Zac's suitcase, grunting with the effort of dragging it inside. I can't blame him for over-packing, though. If it was me, I'd have stuffed everything I could in there, too. And I wouldn't have stopped with one suitcase, either.
The difference would be, I'd have been saving my computer rather than clothes and shoes. Perhaps it's thinking of my computer that has me wandering into my office.
It takes a moment to see what's different about my screen. I've got a new email! Is my time in purgatory over? Dropping into my seat, I'm soon sitting there open-mouthed, flabbergasted and, as that art director from the UK would say, gobsmacked.
It's not from Jason. It isn't even from the head of client services. Rather it's from Caroline Burt, the CEO of Burt's Pet Food. It's not until I've read the email three times that something becomes apparent. Rather than it being to my MC&S email, it's arrived via my website.
There's only one way that could have happened. It's enough to have my hand flying to my mouth. I knew Jason was stupid, but stupid enough to send artwork through to a client with my subtly amended DRAFT watermark still in place?
Apparently so. Soon enough I'm laughing so hard, I'm crying. I'm still wiping tears from my eyes when Zac walks in, a fluffy white towel slung low around his hips.
"What's so funny?"
Unable to answer him through my giggles, I point at the screen, prompting him to bend over and read through the email.
"Oh, that's gold. You know what that means?"
My focus now on how tight his butt is, I don't react.
"Kelly Sanderson, you want to get your eyes off my ass and concentrate for a second?"
His reprimand, full of laughter as it is, does nothing to stop my giggles. It isn't until he puts his hands on either side of my head so he can look me in the eye that I settle somewhat.
"You need to resign, and pronto."
I choke on my last giggle, with him hurrying to pat me on the back to help steady my breathing. "I need to do what!?"
