Monday morning, I thought maybe Beck would text and we could take a cab to work together. But he didn’t, so I stuck to my usual routine.

When I got to Fleishman, he was already in his office sitting at his desk. His jacket was off and I saw that he wore suspenders. Holy cow. I normally thought they looked kind of dopey on guys, but Beck made them hot. 

“Hey,” I said when I stopped in his doorway.

“Hey, honey,” he answered and I felt my stomach go all flip-floppy.

“You wanna have lunch today?” I asked.

His face went soft and I knew he liked the idea. “I can’t, sorry. I have to meet with my lawyer today.”

I leaned into his office and whispered, “Oh. The divorce?”

“Yeah,” he whispered right back leaning toward me with a grin. “The divorce.”

I rolled my eyes and stood straight again. “I didn’t know if you’d told anyone yet and was trying to be discreet.”

He shrugged. “I’m not wearing my wedding ring so I think they’ll figure it out soon enough. Especially when they see me making out with you in the board—” He stopped himself and scrunched up his face as if he’d made a terrible faux pas. “Sorry.” He started mumbling, “Friends, friends, friends,” as he looked around on his desk for something to occupy him.

“You’re so bad,” I said with a chuckle and turned to go.

“But Birdie?” he called. I spun back to him with raised eyebrows. “You come in here wearing those tight skirts that cup your heart-shaped ass so nicely then top it off with the fuck-me shoes and, well, don’t think I don’t wanna bend you over my desk and fuck you right this very moment.”

Well, wow.

I felt my face flush at the smoldering look he was giving me. Was it hot in here? I think it was hotter from when I’d gotten off the elevator to now.

“Okay,” I breathed out not knowing what else to say.

“Fuck,” he growled, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath then blowing it out as if he was running out of patience. When he opened his eyes, he ordered, “Get to work before I make good on what I just said.”

I bit my lip before replying, “Okay.” At his warning look, I left his office and headed to the boardroom, stomach full of butterflies, murmuring, “Friends, friends, friends,” the whole way.

“Hey, hottie!” I heard someone call just as I pulled the door open.

Oh, yay. My daily Rance Jones catcall. Whoopee. He’d practically fallen over himself my first day at Fleishman to shake my hand and introduce himself. He wasn’t bad looking, his auburn hair cut similarly to Beck’s, short and spiked up at the front, but his delivery was terrible. And although he seemed like a nice guy, his creepy factor made me know not to trust him.

“Good morning, Rance,” I muttered.

 “Wanna go to lunch today, gorgeous?”

“I’ll probably work through it. Sorry!” I called as I went through the boardroom door not bothering to look back. Yeesh.

I set my laptop on the table then hung my coat on the rack, and digging through a few boxes, found the ledgers I needed and placing them on the table, got to work.

An hour later there was a knock at the doorframe and Linda came in telling me good morning and handing me a much-needed cup of coffee.

“Thank you,” I said, taking a long sip. “Just how I like it. Thanks for remembering.”

“No problem,” she answered. “Any luck yet?”

“Getting closer. I caught a couple 1099s which Joel is taking care of, but I’m still trying to catch who entered the ghost employees.”

“That completely blows my mind,” she commented, shaking her head. “Okay, well, let me know if you need anything, okay?”

I nodded and got back to the books.

 

 

“Hey, baby,” I heard Beck say what seemed like hours later. Looking at my phone, I saw that it was after twelve. It was hours later. Dang.

“Hey,” I replied and rubbed my eyes with my thumb and finger. “You heading out?” I looked up at him, so handsome in his suit.

“Yeah. How about Mariucci’s tonight? Seven’ish? I’ll pick you up.” He winked.

“Oh, I don’t want you going that far out of your way,” I retorted with a chuckle.

“Always so thoughtful,” he smiled and lightly ran a finger down the side of my face. “I’ll see you tonight.” He bent and kissed the top of my head before leaving.

I turned to check if anyone had caught us and came upon two pairs of eyes peering from their cubicles at me. One was Rance, Mr. Nosy himself, and the other was Bored Black Glasses Guy whom I’d asked where the restroom was on my first day. Embarrassed, I quickly looked away.

All of a sudden, my stomach growled, and though I’d meant to work through lunch, I decided to take a break and run to the deli around the corner. Just as I got my coat on and grabbed my purse, my phone rang. Beck.

“Hey,” I answered, looking out at the office to see Black Glasses Dude watching me so I turned my back.

“Hey. I sent Dana to get you a sandwich, if that’s okay. I told her you liked Reubens, so that’s probably what you’ll get.”

Aw! How thoughtful was that?

“Oh, gosh, thank you. I was just heading that way but I’ll get a soda instead and wait for her. That’s so nice of you, Beck. I appreciate it.”

“Anything for you, honey.”

And there came the butterflies. “Hey,” I said softly. “Good luck at your attorney’s.”

He chuckled. “It’s not anything that needs luck, babe, but I appreciate the sentiment. I’ll see you tonight.”

“’Kay. Bye.” Just as I disconnected the call, Dana showed up with a bag that smelled divine.

“Reuben on rye with a dill pickle on the side and homemade potato chips. Enjoy!” she said with a smile then went back to her desk as I hollered out a thank you.

 

 

“He said everything looked good. He’s filed a response to her petition, so things should go smoothly. I gave him a copy of our income taxes, a list of assets and what I wanted, so we’re all set.”

I’d asked Beck how things had gone with his attorney as we sat at a table for two in the Italian restaurant that night.

 “I’m glad it’s gonna go easy. A couple of my friends have told me their nightmare divorce stories and I don’t want that for you,” I said.

“Me either.” He chuckled. “So how’s everything going with the books?” he inquired.

“Pretty well,” I stated aloofly.

 “Look, Birdie, I’ve talked to Joel, so I know what’s going on. Ten ghost employees? Damn.”

I was surprised that he knew what I was doing but relieved at the same time. At least I didn’t have to hide it from him anymore. “I know! Someone’s definitely been cooking the hell out of the books. I can’t wait to catch them!”

“How much longer do you think it’ll take?” he asked just as the waiter approached and took our orders.

After the waiter left, I explained, “I don’t know. With the other three branches’ books combined with your branch, it’ll take this week and probably part of next. I should be in Chicago right now but had to postpone.” His quizzical look had me asking, “What?”

“Do you travel much with your job?”

I nodded excitedly. “Yes, and I found out I kinda love it! In the past year, I’ve been in Boston—supposed to be going back soon—Denver, Atlanta, and Baltimore.” When he frowned, I questioned again, “What?”

“You travel alone?”

“Well, yeah. Why?”

“Beautiful woman, traveling alone in big cities?”

Now I frowned. “Put that machismo away right now, Beck. I’m a grown woman. I can handle myself.” I rolled my eyes at his lack of faith in me.

“I know you can. But I’ll tell you like my dad told me when I wanted to get a motorcycle.”

I interrupted him. “What does getting a motorcycle have to do with this?” I was officially annoyed.

He chuckled. “I always wanted a bike when I was in high school but Dad kept saying no. He’d say it wasn’t that he didn’t trust me, it was that he didn’t trust the other drivers to see me. That’s all I’m getting at. I know you’re tough and can take care of yourself. I’m just talking about the psychos that abound is all.”

“I appreciate your concern and all but I keep an eye out for any and all ‘psychos.’”

He reached out and covered my hand with his. “I’m not trying to piss you off, Birdie. But I can’t help being concerned.” His sapphire eyes held mine. “I’d like to spend,” he cleared his throat, “a lot of time with you and I worry, that’s all.”

“Oh.” Well, that was sweet and I felt bad for griping him out. “Just so you know, I always carry pepper spray and if I fly somewhere, I make sure to buy a canister first thing.”

He squeezed my hand before letting it go, then with a wink, drawled, “Good. Can’t have my best girl going unarmed.”

All right. I needed a time out.

“I need to use the ladies’ room,” I told him. “I’ll be right back.”

He stood when I did, like the gentleman he was and I couldn’t take it anymore. Just outside the restroom, I pulled my phone from my purse and dialed Jaden.

“Hey! How’s dinner going?” she answered.

“I’m gonna sleep with him.”

She was silent for a moment then yelled, “What!”

I was prepared for her response and already held the phone away from my ear before bringing it back to tell her, “J, he’s hot. You’ve seen him. Hot, right? And so charming. And he says the sweetest things. Like just now, he was asking about my traveling alone, and when I started to get pissed, he explained that he just worried because he didn’t want anything to happen to me since he wants to spend a lot of time with me. Isn’t that sweet? Tell me it’s sweet!”

She laughed. “Yes, B, it’s sweet. But I thought you were gonna try the friends route first before getting into something serious?”

“I’ll just say this. Today at work? He wore suspenders. And he’s still wearing them.”

“Oh, well, go for it, then. I mean, suspenders! Those are like insta-seducers on the right man!”

I jerked my head back in surprise because I’d thought she’d be way harder to convince. “Really?”

“No! God. Seriously? What’s wrong with you?”

“What do you mean, what’s wrong with me? Nothing! You know I still love him! And what would be wrong with sleeping with him tonight?”

I heard her let out a sigh. “Not a thing. I just want you to be sure you’re ready to take that step with him is all. If you’re ready, then do the deed. I just don’t want you to jump the gun and get hurt again.”

“I know. But I think we’re okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Wait. You don’t think I’ll look like a slut if I sleep with him too soon, do you?”

She let out a cackle. “Honey, you’re the farthest thing from a slut there is. You’ve known him for over two years and haven’t slept with him yet. And you love him. He’s told you he loves you. So I say go for it.”

I blew out a breath. “I think I will. Thanks, J. Love you. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“You’d better. Love you too.”

I hung up and went inside the bathroom to check my makeup then made my way back to the table where our appetizer, baked clams, had just arrived.

“This looks great,” I said as I put my napkin in my lap. I picked up a clam, pulled out the meat with a fork, dipped it in the sauce, and made a guttural sound as I ate it. “These are delicious.” When he didn’t respond, I glanced up to see him staring at the clams angrily. “What’s wrong?”

“I got a text from Sonya.”

“What happened?”

He let out an irritated breath. “She wants a fucking t-shirt I have.”

Well, okay then.

 “We agreed on a no-fault divorce, even though she fucking cheated. And now she texts about wanting my insurance to cover her after the divorce then she goes on a rampage about alimony, which all of this shit has already been fucking arranged. And the kicker? She said she wants my Jeep.”

Oh, shit. Everyone knows you don’t mess with a man’s vehicle. Yikes.

The waiter brought our entrées and Beck and I both sat and stared at our meals having lost our appetites.

“You wanna get out of here?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

I took a drink of wine and seeing our waiter, held my hand up. When he came over, I asked if he could box everything up.

“Yes, madam. Is everything okay?” he questioned.

“It’s wonderful. We just have a bit of an emergency and need to leave,” I explained.

He gave me a gracious tilt of his head before taking our plates. A moment later, another waiter came by to retrieve the clams to box up.

“Are you okay?” I asked Beck quietly.

“Fucking pissed,” he ground out then downed the rest of his wine.

Once we got our food and paid the check, we left. The valet hailed us a cab and we headed back to our apartments. I kept quiet because there was really nothing that could be said that would help. The only thing I knew to do was hold Beck’s hand and rest my head on his shoulder, so that’s what I did.

 

 

“That fucking…” Beck snarled once we were inside my apartment. “It’s not like I’m not gonna help her.” He was pacing, so I sat at the bar and let him get everything out. “That was never an issue. I’ll provide her insurance. I’ll give her a fucking monthly stipend of alimony.” He jammed a hand into his hair and looked up at the ceiling for a second before yelling, “But she’s not gonna fuck with my Jeep!”

When he didn’t say anything else, just kept walking back and forth, I questioned, “Does she have her own car?”

“That’s the fucking craziness of it. I bought her a brand-new SUV not two months ago, trying to keep her goddamned ass happy. Lot of fucking good it did.” He kept walking and suddenly stopped. “Oh, fuck no! If she thinks she’s gonna take my Jeep and give it to that tech she’s been fucking, she’s got another thing coming!” he roared.

I remained silent because, again, there was nothing I could say to make it better. I mean, I was pretty sure she couldn’t take his vehicle, but I was no lawyer. After several minutes went by, I asked gently, “Do you want to be alone?”

He turned his furious gaze on me and I held my breath until it softened as he came back to me from where he’d been inside his angry head. “Yeah. I need to call her. And I’ve got to get out of these clothes.” Not the suspenders! I had plans for those, damn it! “I’m sorry, Birdie. I know I spoiled our evening.”

I stood and went to him. “You didn’t spoil anything. I just wish I could help.”

He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You’ve helped by just listening.” He leaned down and gave me a chaste kiss which was disappointing but I knew his mind was on other things. “I’ll text you later.”

At my door, he gave me a quick peck as he held my chin in his fingers then he was gone.