Page 66 of Pure Abandon

“Where is that big boss of yours anyway?”

“Erik? He’s in the meeting I just left because you surprised me at work. Which, as a matter of fact, I love but really hope I don’t get in trouble for.”

“No, the BIG boss… Alexander Asher. Where does he sit?”

“Asher?” Why does he care about Asher? Maybe it was the reading he did last night. The man is part of an empire. He would never sit on the floor of the communications company he owns. It seems silly Gabriel would even think he would.

I take a step back and access my husband. “You’re jealous!” I knew Gwen and her ridiculous comments were good for something.

A smile stretches across my face so wide my mouth opens in surprise. Despite my annoyance, I am utterly flattered that Gabriel would be jealous of Alexander Asher. After the crazy few days I had with my head reeling from thinking Gabriel is cheating to my relief to understand he’s not, this is a welcome development.

“Yes, Asher. Where is his big fancy office?” he asks, looking around the room as if there were a secret door that led to Asher’s office.

“It’s all the way upstairs in the penthouse. He doesn’t come down here except for a meeting every once in a while. I hardly ever see him.” Okay, it’s a lie but a white lie.

Gabriel glances down at the white pastry box I have on my desk. “Why do you have a box of Twinkies?”

Oh shit. If I tell him who they’re from, he will never believe my white lie about hardly ever seeing Asher.

“The Hostess people sent them. They probably want to sponsor an event or something. I get pitches like this all the time,” I ramble.

Where’s the card? My eyes skim like rapid fire over the desk. I have to hide it.

Gabriel takes a seat in the chair in front of the desk. “No pictures of me or Jack?” He sounds disappointed.

“I keep on meaning to bring a photo or something, but I always seem to forget. You know it’s very hard being a working mom.” It’s true. Work all day and then take care of the baby at night. It’s a lot.

“But I do have you as the screensaver on my computer.” I motion toward the screen as I swivel it around for Gabriel to see a photo of him and Jackson taken just weeks ago at the house. It’s one of my favorites. This seems to appease Gabriel.

Trish knocks on the door and walks straight into the office.

“Sorry, Kat, but I heard your husband was here and I just wanted to come and introduce myself.” Trish steps back and appraises my husband. “Wow, you’re tall.”

Gabriel breaks out his Robert Redford grin and shakes her hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you…” He waits for her response.

She catches her breath. “Trish! I’m Trish the assistant. I must have stepped away when you entered or I would have escorted you to Kat’s office. But I wasn’t at my desk. So I couldn’t greet you.” She’s babbling. Clearly overtaken by the blues.

I roll my eyes at her gushing. I used to be that girl.

I take the moment to look down at my desk. The card from Asher is sticking out from under the box. I pull it out farther and swipe it into the trashcan beneath the desk.

Gabriel finally releases her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Trish. Kat has told me a lot about you.”

He’s such a charmer. I haven’t told him a thing about my job at all… except for the concerts and my office. But the people? Nothing. That’s so rude of me. I love Trish. I have so much to tell Gabriel about her.

Trish absentmindedly grabs her braid and looks toward my desk. “The Twinkies.” She laughs. “Isn’t it funny that the Hostess people would send you a box full of cake?”

Oh, Trish.

“Very.” I grab the box and hold it out to her. “Why don’t you leave these at reception so everyone can enjoy them?”

A light goes off in Trish’s head. Crap, I know where this is going.

“Did you see the flowers in reception?” Trish asks.

The flowers! Trish thinks they’re from Gabriel. Well, she thinks the first set was and that Asher has been supplementing them.