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“I’m going to shower and change.” I rake a hand through my hair. “It’s been a long few days.”
Stevie stands in front of me with an expectant look on her face. “Was your trip nice?”
Berk explained my absence to Stevie. He told her I had important work to get done.
“It was good.” I straighten. “You’ll be here when I come back down, won’t you?”
She shuffles from one of her paint-stained pink socks to the other. “I’m not going home yet.”
Usually, I’d play this game with her for as long as she wants, but I’m worn out. “Look in the front pocket of my carry-on.”
Her smile brightens her entire face. “Why?”
We do this same song and dance every time I leave New York. “I might have picked you up something while I was away.”
She dances in place before she drops to her knees. She slides open the zipper and yanks out a stuffed dog that bears a striking resemblance to Dudley.
“Keats!” She jumps back to her feet to wrap her arms around my waist. “I love him.”
I pat the top of her head before I lean down to kiss it. “I love you.”
“Me too.” She squeezes me tighter. “Daddy and I love you very much.”
That should be all I need in life. It has been for a long time, but I want more. I want Maren. I don’t know if I can make that happen, but I’m going to do everything in my power to be the man she falls for.Chapter 38MarenI walk into the office on Monday morning, steady on my feet.
I spent the better part of yesterday being coached back to health by Arietta. She got me off the couch at noon and into the kitchen. We made a salad together, and then once the food had settled, she guided me through some stretches and yoga poses.
It didn’t seem like a lot of movement for my ankle, but it was tender by the end of the day.
It was a quiet Sunday, filled with lots of laughs with my roommate, good food, and thoughts of my boss.
As soon as I step off the elevator, I notice something on my desk.
It’s a pink rectangular box with a white bow on it.
I glance around, but my co-workers are all busy tending to what needs to be done.
This is the first day I haven’t arrived at the office before all of them. I took extra time to get ready this morning.
“Hey, Maren.” Everett passes by me. “How was your weekend?”
“Good,” I answer honestly. “How about you?”
“One of the best I’ve had in a long time.” He smiles before he disappears down the corridor toward his office.
I stare at the pink box as I drop my purse into the bottom drawer of my desk.
It only takes a glance into Keats’s darkened office for me to realize that he’s not at work yet.
Scratching the side of my nose, I lower myself into my office chair.
That’s when I notice a small white card next to the box with my name written on the front.
I open it and read the masculine handwriting.
You said they were your favorite shoes. Keats.
A smile creeps over my lips as I untie the bow and lift the box. I rip through the pink tissue paper and gasp. “What? How?”
I pick up one shoe. It’s the same brand and size of the shoes I had on the other night. I reach for the other.
I don’t know how Keats found another pair of the same shoes since I bought the originals when I was in college. It was at a small store in Boston that was going out of business.
My mom took me there for the weekend. She called it a girls’ trip, but it was more of a rediscovery of our relationship. I had matured during my years in school, and she wanted to treat me to martinis and caviar.
I bought the shoes even though she insisted on paying for them. I wanted to show her that I was responsible and capable. Every time I slipped them on, I remembered that weekend.
I carefully place the shoes back in the box with shaking hands. “Wow,” I say softly. “I can’t believe this.”
“Believe it.”
I look up to see Keats standing in front of my desk. The smile on his face makes my heart swell.
“Thank you.” I smile. “How did you find these shoes?”
“Anything is possible if you want it badly enough,” he says. “Join me in my office, Maren.”
I push back from the desk and stand on shaky feet. “Give me a minute?”
He nods and sets off toward his office door.
I watch as he walks away. The gray suit he has on may make him look sexy-as-hell, but the heart that beats inside his chest makes him irresistible.
I smooth my hand over the skirt of my dress. Sucking in a deep breath, I close my eyes and mouth to myself, “ It’s okay to like your boss.”
