Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Okay, then.”
“Night, Maggie darling.”
“Goodnight, my Alex. Sweet dreams.”
“If you’re in them, they will be.”
I hung up, looking at my empty bed. I hadn’t been lying when I said I didn’t sleep as well without her. The bed felt too big and empty, even with Hedgy purring away in my ear. He missed her too, meowing more and looking around as if searching for her.
I would have to figure out a way of getting her to stay more.
A little voice in my head said the words I didn’t dare speak out loud.
Every night. Forever.
The next night, Magnolia was quiet during dinner. She had, in fact, been quiet all day. Withdrawn. I studied her over the coffee cup rim, a pit of worry in my stomach.
“You said your dad was better tonight?” I asked.
“Yes, he was brighter. Didn’t know me, but we had coffee.”
“Okay. Good.” I reached across the table, taking her hand. “But something is wrong.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You didn’t give me any lip today. No sass of any kind. You barely ate your sandwich. You picked at your dinner, and I got you wonton soup—your favorite.”
She sighed. “I have a lot on my mind.”
“Me, you mean?”
She offered me a ghost of a smile. “Shocking, I know, but I have other issues in my life than a grumpy boss.”
“Tell me.”
She took a sip of coffee. “Grant and Lily are moving. He was offered a position in their BC office, and they decided to accept. They’re selling the house, and the new owners want the basement apartment for their daughter.” She set down her mug, her hands shaking a little. “They came down and told me last night after you and I talked on the phone. So I have three months to find a new place.”
“Magnolia,” I murmured, covering her hand. “I’ll—”
She shook her head. “You’ll do nothing. There is nothing to be done. I knew there was a chance it would happen at some point. I’ll find a place. I’ll have to get a storage locker too since I doubt I’ll get that much room, and I’ll need a place to store the furniture and boxes in the attic. But I’ll be fine. I’m simply coming to terms with it.”
“I’ll help however I can,” I insisted. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Because we are Bane and Myers in the office, not Magnolia and Alex. You were busy, and I was processing.”
“If you have a problem, I’m Alex at any moment,” I said firmly. “You never have to wait if something is upsetting you.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
I leaned forward and kissed her. “Anytime,” I reiterated. “What can I do now?”
“Nothing. Being with you helps.”
“Good. I prefer you smiling.”
She propped up her chin on her palm. “Make me smile, then.”
“The last business trip—” I paused, trying to figure out how to say the words. “When I called you to change my flights. I have never missed anyone before, Magnolia. Never been anxious to come home.” I traced her lips. “Because of you, this place now feels like home. Knowing you were here, waiting for me, meant more than I can express.”
Her eyes glistened.
“And I have never cared about anyone enough to want to take care of their problems. Of them. This is all new to me. You are new to me. How you make me react is new to me.”
“Do you hate it?”
“No. It’s disconcerting. Bewildering at times, yet somehow exhilarating.”
“You say the nicest things when I least expect it, Alex.”
“Did it make you smile?”
“Yes.”
“Then my work is done.”
“Not quite.”
“Oh?” I asked. “What else do you want?”
“Take me to bed. Ravish me.”
It was my turn to smile. I laughed, picking her up. “Your wish, my command.”
A few days later, I walked into the office, glancing at the empty desk. Where was Myers? I wanted to fill her in on how the meeting went with the maze client. I had finally convinced him it was a pipe dream and to look over my designs. After a lot of talking, he agreed what he wanted was impossible, and we were able to find a starting point. Still, the bickering had tired me.
Frowning, I went to my private office, stopping at the sight of a rounded ass sticking up in the air and squirming underneath my desk. It was Myers.
Again.
I approached the desk, kneeling, one hand on the wood, the other twitching to touch that round ass. Stroke it. But we had agreed to keep things professional at work.
Not that wiggling under my desk was professional.
“This again, Myers? What are you doing?” I asked impatiently.
There was a muffled gasp and the sound of her head hitting the wood.
“Ouch.”
I shut my eyes, shaking my head. She tripped everywhere. Fell off her chair. Rolled out of the car once when I opened the door for her, trying to be a gentleman. She’d even missed the bed, trying to jump and not succeeding. It was a wonder she managed to still be alive.