Chapter Thirty-One

“I see…” Konrad didn’t know how to have a conversation about Scottie with A-Plus Temporaries. He didn’t take personnel-type calls. But this was personal. He wanted to know where she was. What she was doing.

“We do expect our temporaries to seek permanent employment, but usually they finish assignments, so I apologize for the abrupt departure of Scottine Roberts. I am more than happy to send a replacement today for the duration of the contract.”

Bloody hell. Three months was a long time for someone else to sit across from him. Take his notes. Schedule his appointments. He knew Scottie would eventually get another job, but this was not how he had envisioned it happening.

“Of course. But no worries for today. Send the new temp on Monday.” He needed to get off the call.

“No problem, Mr. Korr. We’ll send a suitable temp on Monday morning.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, sir. Have a wonderful day.”

“You as well.” He hung up, a sigh blowing out of him the size of Eastern Europe.

Konrad stared at his computer screen. No way did Scottie get another job so fast. They’d only broken up last night. There was no job available that quickly. It was clear Scottie had left the contract and, from the sound of it, left the agency.

His phone buzzed, taking him from his thoughts and a little bit from the misery of not having her. It was Fabian.

Fabian P: You missed guys’ night. You better NOT miss tonight.

Another fucking get-together with those two? Hadn’t they had enough celebrating? Bloody-fucking-hell. They acted like they were the only couple who’d ever decided to marry. Yes, Konrad was feeling bitter and tender from his wounds—because he felt indescribably wounded.

Me: We’ll see.

Fabian P: Come on, man. A guy turns twenty-nine only once.

Oh right. It was Konrad’s birthday too. He usually enjoyed celebrating, but that year he had no desire to celebrate if Scottie wouldn’t be by his side.

Me: I don’t want to make a big deal of it.

Fabian P: Nah. Just us guys having a drink at Antonia’s. She’ll be out with Mel tonight.

Well, at least it wasn’t another engagement dinner. Konrad squeezed the bridge of his nose. He groaned, not wanting to go. The best thing he could think about doing was falling face first into his bed. His lonely, cold bed that Scottie should be in.

Me: Fine.

Fabian P: Excellent!

Konrad already regretted it. He liked being social, but he just wanted to be himself. Be bummed. Be emotional. Be “off” for once.

The loud buzz of his intercom jolted him to attention. He’d been lost in his thoughts.

“Konrad?” Susan’s voice called through the speaker.

“Yes?” He glanced back at his email. The contract for the EaDo property sale to the Ortho-Sync company popped up.

“Mr. Halman is here to see you.”

Konrad skimmed over the email. “Send him back.”

He sat back, thinking about the EaDo sale. For some reason, he thought of what Scottie had said about the Bayou Sling. If the opportunity for something good comes along, you should take it.

A knock on the door grabbed his attention. Dallas waited at the door, coming in when Konrad waved him in.

“Hey.” Dallas walked over to the desk, taking Konrad’s hand in their usual greeting handshake and pat on the back. He sat. “Happy birthday, old man.”

“Piss off!” Konrad chuckled, as did Dallas. “And thank you.”

“How you holding up?”

“How do I look like I’m holding up?” Konrad knew he’d seen better days. He was actually wearing a plain white t-shirt and ripped jeans today, much more casual than normal. A suit had felt too constricting, too daunting to wear.

Dallas looked Konrad over. “Well, you’ve looked prettier.”

Konrad laughed. “I feel like absolute ass.”

“Yeah … you look like it too. Sorry to break it to you.”

Konrad laughed again, pitifully. He was silent, getting his thoughts together. “Thanks for taking my call last night, mate. I thought I was going mad. I’ve never felt like that before. I can’t say I like it much.” He’d seen other men grovel. Heard of it. Never had done it himself. But, the thing was, he’d do it again for the right reason. The right person.

“Ah, no problem, Kon. That’s what bros are for.”

“Indeed.”

Dallas had had his head on straight last night. At least one of them had. Konrad had been fit to be tied, as Dallas would say.

“So, what are you gonna do?”

Konrad sighed, leaning back in his chair. There was only one thing to do. “Get her back. I don’t know how, but I have to. It’s the only thing I know for sure.”

“I kinda feel like it’s my fault, really. I mean, I was the one who made you write that list.” Dallas creased his forehead.

Konrad shook his head. “It’s not about the list. It’s the fact that I had a list to write in the first place.”

“Are you gonna tell the guys? About Scottie?”

“Not until she’s mine again.”

Dallas breathed in, scratching the stubble on his chin. “Did she come in today?”

“No. The agency called me and said she’d taken a permanent job somewhere. A new temp is starting on Monday.”

Dallas laughed. “Ah, hell, you better not get any ideas with this one.”

Konrad stared Dallas square in the eyes. “I’ll get Scottie back. And when I do, I’ll never let her go.”

****

Konrad made himself get dressed for his low-key birthday drink with the guys. He’d replaced the t-shirt with a chambray button-up, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and a proper pair of jeans. Not ripped. He’d also replaced his sneakers with a pair of Prada loafers. Outside, he was Konrad again. Inside, he was forever changed.

Fabian had told him to arrive at eight thirty, which he had. Actually, he was right on the dot. Not unusual for him. Konrad was usually punctual. The front desk let him up to the penthouse easily, unlocking the private lift for him. He sighed as it took him to the top of the high-rise. I don’t want to be here. He still wanted to be facedown on his bed.

He rang the doorbell, listening for footsteps. None came. He frowned, knocking hard instead. Perhaps the doorbell wasn’t working. Three knocks later, he heard heavy steps against the floor. The door opened, nothing but darkness inside. A rush of dread came over him. He knew what this was.

And out of the darkness came a unanimous cry. “Surprise!” The lights came on, and nearly every person he knew in Houston beamed at him, holding drinks in the air.

Fuck. It was a surprise birthday party.