Page 14 of Good Intentions, Vol. 3

“Ugh,” I groan. “Does she think that I can do all that. I do not know it all, for Christ’s sake. I just handle her accounts and the stock market. Besides, she’s been with us for three days, there’s no way that all that work can be done in that timeframe. She’s delusional.”

“Try and explain it to her. Again. I swear I have no idea how she managed to build such an empire. I think she’s a little challenged.” Sue whispers that last part, circling her finger near her temple. I can’t help but laugh at the look on her face.

“That’s what all that money will buy you, hun. She doesn’t have to be. Okay, what else?”

“I canceled the rest of the morning since I have a pretty good idea that this call will take some time.” Sue goes back to her desk, picks up a pen and paper and motions for me to proceed in my office so we can go over the rest. “Lunch is open for whatever you want. You have no meetings scheduled.”

I’m only half listening to what she’s saying, my mind keeps reminding me I had no sleep last night and I should either go back to sleep or get some coffee and do it now.

That is until I open the door.

There, on my desk, right in the middle sits the high glass vase through which the sun rays that are coming through the windows shine in all the directions of the room. In it is the most enormous bouquet of white roses and white gerbera daisies. And around the vase is a satin white bow.

“Oh,” Sue sighs behind me. “You had a delivery.”

I don’t say Duh, I go slowly to the desk and lean to inhale the perfect smell.My favorite flowers.I spy the card and snatch it up.Who the hell sent those?They’re perfect.My mind goes to Luke. He’s the kind of man who definitely would send the girl flowers after the break-up. He can’t stand when a woman is sad, or sick or cries.Ignoring the stab in my heart when I remember how I’m the one who hurt Luke, not the other way around, I slide the card out of the little envelope.

Forgive me.

Nick

My hand starts shaking, breathing becomes hard and my eyes start to blur with tears gathering in them.I waited so long for him to say those words.Now that I have them, now that he gave them to me, I don’t know what to do.I always imagined he would come and say them just so I could throw them back in his face. I never expected him to leave his wife. He’s the kind of man that when he chooses something, he will stand by his choice no matter what. That was the whole foundation of his marriage. Sure, he did sway off the path at one point, but in the end, he chose her.

“This is so romantic,” Sue sighs behind me.

“What is?” I walk around the desk and sit acting like it's no big deal.

“That hunk of a man sent you flowers. I didn’t peg him as a romantic type.”

“How do you know they’re from Nick?”

“Aha,” she points her pen at me. “So, they are from him.”

“Shit,” I mumble. “Please, Sue, leave it alone.”

“I,” the phone ringing interrupts whatever she was about to say. Probably, grilling me about Nick, thanks to my slip up. “Heather Turner’s office,” Sue looks up to me, humor lightning her face. “Yes, she’s right here.” She gives me the phone silently laughing.

“Hello?”

“Did you get my flowers?” When I hear Nick's deep voice, I can’t help but feel a little giddy.

First the flowers, now he’s calling me!

“Yes, I did,” I still try to act indifferent but even I can hear my voice is breathy and sweet.

“Did you break up with him?” I turn my chair trying to get some privacy when it becomes obvious that Sue has no intention of leaving.

“Nick…”

“Don’t answer that,” he interrupts me. “Have dinner with me.”

“I can’t.”

“You will,” he chuckles and hangs up.

After the phone call from hell with Mrs. Winston that lasted almost three hours, a quick lunch in the nearby restaurant and a flyby meeting with Mr. Matthews to give him the reports on our open accounts and the progress of the deal we’re in the middle of with Thompsons Inc., I run into my office to gather my stuff. On my phone are two texts waiting. They’re all from Nick.

I miss you, pretty girl. Forgive me.