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“What?” I frown.
“The roses. Where did you get them?”
“You’re funny. But I really can’t deal with your sense of humor today, Ev. I’m too tired and way too stressed. Thank you though, they’re beautiful.”
Now it’s his turn to frown. “Why are you thanking me? I didn’t send them.”
“You didn’t?” I go to the trash can and take the card out. Once I’ve read the words, I hand it over.
To Reagan, from a special friend.
“Well, for one, we’re not special friends. I’d like to think we were more than that. And why would I do that? If I was going to send you flowers, I’d sign the card or hand deliver them myself.” He gets up and stands in front of me. “You’re not exactly the hearts and flowers kind of woman, are you, Rae?” He smirks and I hit his shoulder playfully.
“How do you know?”
“Babe,” he whispers, “I think I know you pretty well now.”
“Know it all. Actually, I love flowers. And you’ve sent them before.”
His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer. “You got me there. But did I sign the card?”
“Yes, you did.”
“There you go. Now, what time can you finish?” His palms cup my neck and he moulds his lips to mine in a sweet kiss, sliding his hands down my arms.
“Not yet. I called a staff meeting. Then I’m at Mom’s for dinner.”
“So get out of it. You are tense, you need to wind down.” He kisses me again. My breath hitches at the back of my throat and my mouth goes dry.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Okay. We’ll talk later about everything else.”
“Yes, sir.” I salute him, grinning.
“Remember that later.” He winks and walks out. I hear him saying goodbye to Margie, and for the first time today, I actually smile. A true, honest smile.
“He’s such a hunk, isn’t he?” She appraises him as she watches him leave through the office, leaning her shoulder against the doorframe. If I could claw her eyes out for even looking at him, I would. “You’re so lucky, Reagan.” Her sweet and innocent voice doesn’t cut it with me anymore.
My gaze fixed on hers, I force a grin. “Don’t you have work to do?” I shut out the smug grin plastered on her face by shutting the door. I’ve been having my doubts about Margie for a couple of weeks now, but I thought that maybe it was just me. Hearing Ruby voice her opinion earlier and realizing that everything centers around Margie makes me wonder if I ever should have trusted her in the first place.
I pull out my clip and give my head a rub, letting my hair fall over my hands. My scalp is hurting from my hair being up all day and my head is beginning to ache. My fingers slide across to my temples, rubbing in small circles. My eyes close with the relief I’m already feeling, but the more I think about Everett’s offer of winding down, the more appealing it sounds.
Grabbing my phone. I apologise to Mom and tell her I’ll stop by after work, but it won’t be to stay for dinner, and how sorry I am to have to let her down, but it’s been a bad day. Then I send one to Ev, telling him he’d better prepare something good and relaxing for me because I’m coming over after this godforsaken meeting.
I need air.
I have to get shit straight in my head. I can’t think while cooped up in here, and I need to be focused. I have to have a clear head to deal with what’s happening. Grabbing my cell, I head out of the office. I don’t look at Margie as I pass. Instead, I stare straight ahead as I walk out of the office. Once I’m out on the concrete staircase, I take every one of the five flights until I’m pushing on the heavy door of the roof. I find a bar to wedge open the door so it doesn’t close, otherwise I’m absolutely screwed.
Once outside, I feel free. Sucking the breeze into my lungs and being so far up feels liberating. I stretch my arms out wide and let my head tip back until I can feel the cool air on my face.
A bang from behind me startles me. I look around for a second, but I know there’s no one out here with me. Taking tentative steps back to the door I see the bar is still in place, the door is resting against. Weird. It couldn’t be the wind, it’s not strong enough to move it. My body shudders with a strange feeling and I’m suddenly cold.
With both hands I push my fingers in the small gap between the door and frame and push on it until it’s open enough that I can get through. I push the bar away with my foot and the door shuts with a loud bang, echoing off the abandoned walls as I take the steps back to my office.
Still feeling a little spooked, I sit at my desk, shuffling papers before clipping them together and filing them away and locking the cabinet. I check my email and upon seeing there’s no new mail, breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s time I got to the bottom of this shit.
