“Come and get it,” I yell so the guys can hear me. Kacen stayed in the kitchen the entire time. He kept the conversation flowing, but I could feel his eyes on me every time I turned away.
“All right, well, I have to stop at the post office and pick up the fan mail, and then I’m headed home. I’ll be back in the morning. Is nine okay?” I direct the question to Kacen.
“Yeah, nine is fine,” he assures me.
“See you all in the morning.” I wave over my shoulder and rush to my office. Quickly, I shut down my computer, grab both cell phones, my purse, and keys, and I’m out of the house. Day two has been a weird one at best.
The post office opens at eight, so I decide to leave that for first thing in the morning. There always seems to be a long line at closing time. Everyone is rushing to get in last minute business.
I beat Stacy home, so I start making us dinner. We’re having macaroni and cheese with bacon and broccoli. It’s one of Stacy’s favorite dishes, and it’s easy to make. Once that’s in the oven to bake, I grab my Kindle and settle on the couch. I try to read, but the effort is pointless as my earlier conversation with Kacen is on replay.
He’s a great guy. I can tell just from the conversations we have, not only here but in Hawaii, that he’s loyal. He really doesn’t give off the ‘I’m a rock star and the master of the universe’ vibe that one might expect. None of them do really. They’re just a group of friends who found fortune and fame doing what they love. I admire them for not falling to the dark side of fame, as many do.
Stacy walks in just as the timer goes off on the oven. “Perfect timing. Dinner’s ready.”
“You are the best!” She throws her purse and keys onto the table and follows me into the kitchen.
“So how was your second day?” I inquire.
“Good, it’s a lot to learn as far as the material. One of the physicians who we called on today was a jerk. He refused eye contact, and just as I was about to finish the spiel, he interrupted me saying he was out of time and had patients. I mean, I get that the guy saves lives, but he could have said it a little nicer. Lisa, she’s the rep I’m shadowing, says I need to get used to it. She said over 50 percent of the physicians I call on will react that way. She says it’s just the nature of the business.”
“Wow, I mean, like you said, you know they’re busy saving lives, but being rude is unnecessary,” I agree.
“Yeah, I’m sure I’ll get used to it. How about you? How was day number two with the boys?” She giggles.
I made the mistake of calling them that last night and, apparently, the title has stuck. “Good, my day was uneventful. I cooked for them instead of ordering out. Yesterday they made the comment that they only get home-cooked meals when they make it home to see their mothers, so I figured since I love to cook and the kitchen is beyond words, why not? This keeps me from running all over town picking up takeout.”
“Damn, I’m jealous. Do they need another assistant? Maybe a maid?” She wags her eyebrows.
“No.” I laugh. “Nancy is the name of the very nice lady who cleans for Kacen twice a week. She’s probably in her late fifties and super sweet.”
“Just my luck,” she says, taking a big bite of her pasta. “You know,” she takes a drink, “you should make this for them one day. I swear this is the best ever!”
“I’m sure I will. I’m eventually going to run out of recipes. I figure I’ll add a few meals of takeout to mix it up.”
“You’re going to spoil them, is what you’re going to do.” We both laugh at that because she’s right. “So what are the rest of them like?”
“They’re all great guys. They all have similar personalities. I’m pretty sure they all know about Hawaii.” I can feel the flush of my cheeks.
“Really? What makes you think that?”
“Cole, especially, likes to make suggestions, nothing over the top but when Kacen is around. It’s almost like he’s trying to rile him up on purpose. All of them have said or done something in some manner in the past two days in that aspect.”
“So, Kacen is taking the bait?” she questions.
“I guess,” I say with a shrug. “I can’t really tell. There have been a few instances where he insists they cut the teasing. I’m trying not to think about him caring. I need to focus on Kacen my boss, not Kacen the fling.”
“Meh.” She waves her hand in the air. “I think you need to focus on what makes you the happiest. If bumping uglies with bossman does it, then I say go for it. Life it too short.”
“Stacy! Seriously? Okay, say I start whatever it is you’re suggesting with him, and then he decides he’s done with me. Then what? I find a new job. One where I have to tell them the reason for leaving my most recent position is because I slept with my boss. I’m good,” I tell her.
“You can’t let what other people think influence you. You need to do what you want, what makes you happy.”
“I hear ya,” I tell her.
“Well, thank you for dinner, but I’m exhausted. We’re leaving earlier than normal tomorrow because the physicians we have to call on are further away. Lisa wants to beat the morning traffic.”
“I don’t have to be there until nine, but I’m going to stop at the post office on my way and pick up the fan mail. I was supposed to do it tonight, but opted for coming home a little early instead. Same reason to avoid the afternoon rush, I might head to bed myself.”
“The dishes can wait,” she says as she places the casserole dish in the refrigerator. “Let’s call it a night.”
I give my best friend a hug goodnight as we both head to our separate rooms.
Just as I’m about to fall asleep, my work phone rings. I know it’s my work phone from the Soul Serenade song blaring from its speaker. Not willing to open my eyes, I reach for it and blindly slide my finger across the screen.
“Hello?”
“Logan?”
“Yeah?” I recognize Kacen’s voice, which causes me to open my eyes. I’m now suddenly awake.
“Hey, sorry if I woke you. I just wanted to tell you that the guys and I are doing another late night writing session, so you could come in a little later tomorrow if you wanted.”
“Uh, okay. What time do you want me there?” I ask.
“Sleep in, maybe start at ten? If you could swing by and pick up something for breakfast, that would be great. I assume Cassidy gave you your AmEx?” he asks.
“Sure, ten is fine, and yes, she did. Anything else you need?”
“No, I’m good.” He’s quiet on the other end and so am I. I don’t know what to say.
“Logan?” His voice is soft.
“Yeah?” I almost whisper just from the softness of his voice.
“Sweet dreams.”
Just like that, he’s gone. The silence on the other end of the line is because he ended the call. His voice was so sincere. I lie awake for the next several hours contemplating what I’m doing. Was it the right decision to keep the job? To work for him? I’m still attracted to him, and just the sound of his voice and those sweet words “sweet dreams” has my body feeling all warm in places that should not be reacting.
In the early morning hours, I decide that tomorrow I will use my extra time before heading into work to apply for a few positions online.
Just in case.