***
I should have known he wasn’t going to leave me alone.
A few days later, on my day off, just after I’ve finished giving Siberia her first meal of the day, the doorbell to my apartment rings.
I answer it and a woman is standing there.
Petite. Brown hair. Full, almond-shaped dark eyes. Pink collared blouse. Black blazer. Black pencil skirt. Stockings. Half-inch heels.
Nope. I don’t have a clue who she is.
“Can I help you?” I ask through the small gap in the doorway.
“Actually, you can. You are Ms. Samantha Willis, correct?”
“Yes,” I answer reluctantly.
She smiles. “My name is Abigail Gomez. Abby. I’m Mr. Landers’ personal assistant. Can I come in?”
I take a moment to digest the lengthy introduction. “Nathan Landers?”
She nods.
I didn’t even know Nathan had a personal assistant. Not that I care.
“Can I come in?” she repeats.
“Um, actually, I’m not sure,” I confess. “You see, I’m trying to cut my ties with Mr. Landers.”
“I know.”
She knows?
“That’s why I’m here. To deliver a gift.”
She hands me a big, shiny paper bag. When I don’t accept it, she opens it, bringing out a stuffed orange tabby from inside.
A stuffed toy cat? Really?
“Mr. Landers thought of giving you a dog, but he remembered dogs aren’t allowed at your apartment. Then he thought of giving you a stuffed dog but thought Siberia might not like it. So, he decided to give you a stuffed toy cat. Oh, and there’s a toy for Siberia here as well.”
Abby scoops out a pack of colorful foil balls.
I’m a little surprised that he remembered Siberia but if he thinks he can get to me through Siberia, he’s wrong.
“I’m sorry, but I think Siberia has enough toys. Is there anything else?”
Abby raises an eyebrow. “Is there anything else you want to have?”
I blink. Is she for real?
“I have better things to do actually so—”
“I also have a message to deliver.”
I cross my arms over my chest and lean on the doorframe. “Okay. Let’s hear it.”
“Mr. Landers told me to tell you that there are already a few dogs in the dog shelter. You might want to pay them a visit.”
The dog shelter? Surely, Nathan doesn’t think I’ll fall for the same trick twice.
“He also told me to tell you that he’d appreciate it if you would please return his phone calls. He’d very much like to see you again.”
You mean he’d like to sleep with me again.
I snort. “And he can’t say all this himself?”
“Well, he couldn’t reach you—”
“And of course, he’s too busy to come here himself.”
“Well, if that’s what you want, I can tell him—”
“You know what? Tell him this for me.” I stand up straight. “Tell him I don’t care what he does with his life, but I happen to have one, too, and I’d appreciate it very much if he dragged his fucking ass out of it and stayed the hell away from me.”
I slam the door, breathing deeply as I lean on it.
That felt good.
At least until I realize I just lashed out on an innocent stranger.
Shit. What did I just do?
I open the door. Abby is still out in the hall, texting someone on her phone.
Thank goodness.
I walk toward her. “Um, Abby?”
“Yes?” She turns her head.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”
“It’s fine.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not. None of this is your fault.”
“It’s fine,” she repeats. “I’m used to taking responsibility for things that aren’t my fault.”
That makes me feel even more guilty.
“It must be tough working for Nathan Landers.”
“It is,” she admits. “But I can deal with him.” She sighs. “It’s dealing with his women I don’t like.”
Women.
“Have you told him that?”
Abby shakes her head. “Other than that, he’s a good boss. True, he can be a little grumpy sometimes—” She lowers her voice. “Don’t tell him I said that.” She resumes her normal tone. “But he’s reasonable. And efficient. I work hard, but I know he works harder.”
“He didn’t send you to tell me about his good points, did he?”
“No,” she answers quickly.
“Don’t worry,” I assure her. “I won’t tell him a thing. Actually, I don’t intend to say anything more to him.”
“Can I ask why?”
I lean my head back. “I guess I’m just another woman.”
She nods. “Well, yeah. He’s been with a lot of women. I actually thought you were different, though.”
I look at her. “What made you think that?”
“Well, I’m usually sent to deal with his women, tell them to stay away from him, blackmail them, bribe them.”
“That’s horrible.”
“It’s the first time I’ve been sent to deliver presents.”
Really?
“But I guess a leopard can’t change his spots, huh?” Abby asks.
I shake my head. Nathan can’t fool me any longer. “No, he can’t.”
To my surprise, she puts a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry for what he did.”
“Hey, you already do a lot for him. Don’t apologize for him, too.”
Abby smiles. “You know what? I like you.”
“Funny. I feel the same.” I glance back at my apartment. “Hey, what do you say we go inside and have some coffee?”
She smiles wider. “I’d love that.”
See. I don’t need Nathan. There are plenty of better, nicer people in the world to keep me company and work to keep me busy.
For sure, I’ll be able to move on.
Or so I thought.