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“I appreciate that, and thank you for being so thoughtful,” he said and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Although, I’m somewhat inclined to push you out the door right now. Your talent is wasted on stocking shelves. I’ve always known that.”

“I’m nervous about this new job. Thanks for your vote of confidence.”

“You shouldn’t be nervous. You’re going to do great things, kid. I’m proud of you.” He beamed. “But for now, while I still have you here, a lot of deliveries came in over the weekend, and the receiving department is a wreck. Could you head back there and help sort things out?”

“On it!”

I gave him a thumbs up and headed from the office to start my shift. Suddenly, I remembered Alexander’s request, if one could call it such.

“I do have a small favor to ask before I get to work, Mr. Roberts,” I said, turning back to him.

“Anything.”

“I’m going to have to leave a little early today. Mr. Stone asked me to meet him at Cornerstone Tower at three o’clock so I can fill out a bunch of new hire paperwork.”

“Not a problem at all. In fact, I have a two o’clock grocery delivery scheduled for Mr. Seymour. It’s just a small one. You can take it to him, then be finished for the day. Just let me know if you need anything else this week.”

Walter Roberts was usually pretty easygoing. However, with the limited staff at Wally’s, allowing me to leave a few hours early was a lot to give, even for him.

“Why are you so agreeable?” I eyed him suspiciously, pausing by the door.

“Krys, do you realize what Mr. Stone did for this company? For my family?”

“Um, no, not really. I mean, I know Wally’s was in a tight spot financially, but I don’t know the specifics.”

“This past year has really taken its toll on the Missus and me. Haven’t you noticed how much less hair I have now versus a year ago?” he joked. But his face quickly turned serious once more, his easy smile turning into a grim line. He looked tired and seemed to visibly age right before my eyes. “We were in jeopardy of foreclosing on most of our properties. Sales have been down, and operating costs have escalated. The cost of keeping the shelves stocked, payroll, and building expenses got to be too much on top of the loan payments. Safety, product, and labor laws had to be the priority. The mortgages became second. Unfortunately, that wasn’t something the bank was willing to understand. So, to make a long story short, Mr. Stone stepped in, bought all of our buildings, and assumed the mortgages. He relieved a big portion of our overhead expense by doing this.”

“I don’t get it. How was taking on Wally’s debt beneficial to him?”

“I don’t know all the details on his end, but I do know he was able to renegotiate a few things with the bank, and now Wally’s will pay rent to Stone Enterprise. He’s not a stupid man by any stretch of the imagination—I’m sure he’s making money off the deal. However, he looked at the bigger picture first when many turned their heads the other way. He considers Wally’s to be a staple in this city and saved hundreds of jobs. And for that, I will forever be grateful. If Alexander Stone hadn’t come along, many people, including me, would be looking for a new livelihood.”

“He’s a good man,” I murmured. I smiled to myself, remembering all the articles I read about his charity involvements. Wally’s wasn’t a charity, but Alexander was their benefactor in a roundabout way.

Mr. Roberts eyed me apprehensively, and he seemed to be contemplating his next choice of words.

“Yes, he is a very good man. But I’d be careful with him. He can be somewhat authoritarian, Krys. I’m not sure if he’s the right man for you,” he warned.

I stared at him in shock.

Am I really that transparent?

“Don’t worry about me, Mr. Roberts. I’m sure I’ll be able to handle Mr. Stone,” I said, albeit halfheartedly. “Now, it’s about time for me to get some work done around here.”

I gave him a small wave and quickly headed out the door before he could give me any more insightful observations. This was not a discussion I would have with my boss, as he had no idea how loaded his words actually were.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Krystina

Ihad mused over Mr. Roberts’ warning all day long as I cleaned and organized the receiving dock at Wally’s. And by the time I arrived at Cornerstone Tower shortly after three o’clock, I wasn’t entirely convinced Alexander was the right man for me either. In fact, he was wrong for me on so many different levels.

Levels.

I punched the button for the elevator in Alexander’s building and repeated the word over and over again in my head. It was a reminder of the unfinished business between Alexander and me—the list. I could never give him all the things he wanted. I may be open to some, but definitely not all. I had to be upfront with him before things went any further.

When I reached the top floor, I found Laura Kaufman sitting behind her desk. She shot an icy glare in my direction when she saw me, and I felt a little ashamed. The last time I’d been in this building, I’d left in a rush and had rudely ignored her. I politely smiled when I approached her, attempting to make up for my abrupt departure.

“Hello, Laura. I’m here to meet with Mr. Stone,” I said, reaching out to shake her hand.