Clearing my throat, I straighten my blouse as I walk toward the screen door and squint against the light to see who it is. It’s not often Pop and I get surprise callers, so this is definitely out of the ordinary.
“I’m sorry. I knocked on the front door and no one came, so I tried the rear.”Wait. I know that voice.
Unlatching the screen, I push it open to reveal the last person I ever expected to see on our stoop. “Mr. Grant. Wh-what are you doing here?” I touch my hair as I look up at his bright cerulean eyes and feel the heat of embarrassment touch my cheeks.I hope he didn’t hear us just now.“You’ve already promised me the job. You can’t back out now.”
He laughs, shaking his head as he lowers his gaze to his hand. “No, no. I actually came here to give you this.” He holds a small box out for me to take.
“What is it?” Just like it’s unusual to get surprise callers, it’s also highly unusual for any of them to come bearing gifts. I’m almost too afraid to take it.
A small grin kicks up one side of his mouth. “It’s for you,” he says, lifting the lid to reveal a brand-new iPhone.
“Oh.” I place my hand on my chest as I step back with a gasp. “Mr. Grant, this is too much. I can’t take this.”
“Consider it a signing bonus,” he says, that small grin a full-blown smile now. “It’s fully charged, and I’ve programmed my number in there for you, so there’ll be no reason for you to have trouble calling me in the future.”
“Oh. Is this because I showed up instead of calling today? Did I mess up your day?”
“What? No. Youmademy day, actually. Just…please. Take it.” He holds it out to me again. “It’s a job perk. All my sales reps have one. I like them to be available at all times, Emmy.”
“Oh.” I reach out and gingerly take the box from his hand. “Maybe you could just, I don’t know…give me the sim card? I just feel like this is too expensive, and I’d rather just use my old phone…”
“With a cracked screen?” He lifts his brow, and I wonder how he knows that.
“Well, yeah…”
“And terrible battery life? Half the apps probably don’t work either.”
“Yes, but—”
“It does the trick, right? Just until you can save enough to get something new for yourself?”
“That was the plan, yes.”How the hell is he doing this?
He grins. “See? I can read people too, Emmy. Which is why I know for a fact that if I give you this phone, you’ll treat it like you bought it with your own money.”
“Of course I will, I just…”
“Say thank you, Emmy. That’s all that has to happen here,” he says, his voice soft and meaningful.
I hold the box against my chest. “Thank you,” I whisper, feeling the heat of it in my cheeks. I don’t know why, but every time he speaks to me, I feel like he’s being so much more intimate than his words intone, which is ridiculous. To him, I’m probably just a child he sees something of himself in, and that’s why he’s being kind to me. But me and my romantic heart seem to love reading much more into it.
“You’re more than welcome, Emmy Townsend,” he says, giving me a slight nod and a look that makes my nipples hard.Calm your farm, Emmy.
“Em? Who is it?” Pop’s voice rings out, and I’m startled out of my lusty haze as he comes up behind me. “Hello there. Who’s this?”
Drake leans to the side so he can see Pop over my shoulder. “Hello, sir. I’m Drake Grant.” He holds out his hand and smiles genially.
“Emmy’s new boss, hey?” Pop shakes the hand offered to him, a shrewd look in his eyes.
“Yes, I came to give Emmy her new phone. She told me earlier that hers had been disconnected and I didn’t want her without a way to...stay in touch.” He shrugs.
“That was very considerate of you, Mr. Grant,” Pop says, his appraisal morphing from suspicious to appreciative. “I’ve been telling her all week to bite the bullet and get a new one, but does she listen? No. A pretty girl like her should always have a phone on her in case of emergencies.”
“Money plays a big part in these things, Pop,” I say, giving him a look that says,don’t embarrass me in front of my boss.
He gives me a look that says,hold my beer.“How about we invite Mr. Grant here in for dinner to say thank you?” he suggests. “I’ve made spaghetti and meatballs. Emmy’s favorite. Won’t you join us?”
“Oh…I’m sure he’s too busy,” I say. “Mr. Grant probably has a wife and kids waiting for him to come home.” I’m totally fishing for information here. I also think I’m making it too obvious because Drake grins like he knows exactly what I’m doing.
