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“Mom, I love and appreciate your faith in me.”
She chuckled, hugging me tight. It was the best feeling in the world. Mom-hugs could heal all wounds, as it were.
“You’d better get moving before you’re late. The bus will be at the stop outside in less than ten minutes. Don’t forget to transfer to bus 11 south at Market Street. If you get lost, call me, and I will come find you. Or find a cop. They are always patrolling the area. Unless it’s dark, then you find an open business and stay there until I get there.”
“Dang it. Now I have things to worry about.” I laughed softly and kissed her cheek. “I’m going now. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too, baby. Have a good day!”
I hurried out the door and ran down the block to the bus stop. I had an hour and twenty minutes to get to work and be on time. I hoped to God I’d planned this out right. There was no cushion, no room for error.
Lord, Fates, Karma, whoever is up there listening, please be with me today. I need today to go smoothly.
“Is there a reason yer on the floor in me office, lass?”
The man had a sensual, deep, rugged voice. Is that a thing? Anyway, God. My brain short-circuited with that accent! I knew from the initial interview that he was Scottish, but sweet heavens. That voice could make my senses go blank.
Mayday.
Woman down.
Send help before he calls the cops. Or the psych ward!
“Um…” Oh yeah, Ella, sounding like a doofus; that makes it all the better.
You know, my inner voice was a big cantankerous turd.
I can’t say I’m a fan of her right now.
“I’m sorry. I just…” That was the moment things went further south. The kindness I saw in his eyes as tears started rolling down my cheek was too much.
“Here,” he said, squatting down before me. His handkerchief extended. I took the square of fabric and wiped at my face. It was a good thing I didn’t wear makeup because this thing would have been ruined. As it was, my tears had it soaked in no time. “Take a moment and tell me what happened to ya.”
“Mr. Ferguson, your father—oh, pardon me.”
“May, could you give us a few minutes, please?”
“Yes, of course.”
When she left out the door, he spoke again, his voice soft, kind. “Now, come on, tell me what happened.”
Why was he being nice? Was it a ruse? I’d heard that men like him—handsome, wealthy, and in charge of multi-million-dollar businesses—were jerks. Was he hiding that side of him or was I just overreacting? Door number two was my safest bet. Neurotic as I was, this was probably entertainment for someone like him.
“I almost missed my bus transfer because the first bus was late. I was running and broke a heel. I was in such a rush to get inside and not be late that my jacket got caught in the elevator and ripped. I slipped on the wet floor and hurt my neck when I cartwheeled to stay upright.” I covered my face with my hands.
Kill me now.
I was going to strangle my mother. She thought it was a good idea to drop this thing in my bag. The note on the bag said, “Good luck today. Be the buzz of the office.” Dead. I was so dead.
Guess I can’t blame her fully. I’m the dope that brought it out, but my neck really hurt. It was helping. Now I’m just more embarrassed than the law should allow. I ask again, is it too late for someone to put me out of my misery?
“I’m a mess. I’m so sorry. I can just go.” I got up on my knees, ready to hop up and make a run for it, but his hand on my forearm drew my gaze to his.
“It’s just yer first day jitters, aye?”
He helped me up. His eyes took in all of me, which only added to my sudden mortification. I was standing in a multi-million-dollar building with a man dressed in a perfectly tailored, designer suit—and me… I was in tatters. Was this what Cinderella felt like? God help me.
“Come on, let’s get you refreshed.” He moved to the end of the desk and pressed a button on the phone.
