He reached for another fry. “Wonderful. Now, eat up. I want half of that sandwich gone before we head back upstairs. You’re going to need your strength.”
I smiled softly as his eyes dropped back to his food, and not another word was spoken between the two of us. The more I got to know Trey, the weirder he seemed, but not in an odd sort of way. The more time I spent with him, the more his rougher layers kept peeling back. And with every layer that exposed itself, I found a little more compassion beneath the anger. I found a little more emotion beneath his stoic eyes. Trey Cataline was much more than met anyone’s eyes, and I found it invigorating as I silently munched on my tuna melt.
And I also found myself eagerly awaiting our planned dinner at the beginning of next week.
13
Trey
“Uh-huh. Yes. Two dozens of white roses, separated. Yep, that’s correct. ‘A-U-R-O-R-A’ is the spelling. Make sure it’s right. Uh-huh. Yes. One with a teddy bear, and one with the chocolate. That’s correct, tomorrow is blue. Yep. And you as well.”
I hung up the phone with the florist and quickly got back to work. I had way too much to field on my own without Leslie here, and I couldn’t spare much time in any direction. But the one thing I wanted to make sure I set up was regular deliveries of flowers to both of the girls. A dozen, freshly cut each morning, for both Aurora’s room and Leslie’s townhouse. Plus, I wanted to get each of them treats that I thought they might enjoy.
One different present for each of them, every day during Leslie’s week off.
I didn’t want to bombard them too much, especially with my presence. I knew Leslie had a lot on her plate, to begin with, and her daughter probably had no idea who the hell I was. And it sure as hell wasn’t my place to insert myself into their lives like that on a whim with Aurora as sick as she was, so I kept my distance.
However, I still wanted them to know that they were being thought about.
The week crawled by in agony, and I was thankful when the weekend came around. Pulling twelve-hour shifts with nothing even close to a break was rigorous, at best. It showed me, more than ever, how much Leslie was needed in this place. More than ever, it showed me that I needed to make sure I treated her with the respect she deserved, lest I be working these kinds of hours until the day I fucking died.
But, when Monday finally came around, I heard those heels scraping against the carpet.
I smelled her candy-laced body spray as she came down the hallway.
And when I heard her humming as she sat at her desk, I looked up to find Leslie smiling at me.
It’s going to be a damn good day with her here.
She looked almost relieved to be sitting at her desk, and that washed a wave of relief over me that I didn’t even know I needed. And I couldn’t wait for our dinner date that evening.
I couldn’t wait to get her alone again and make her feel like the Queen she had become to me.
“Mr. Cataline?”
I looked up to find Leslie standing in the doorway of my office. “Come on in. Close the door behind you.”
She nodded and did as I asked. “Mr. Cataline, I have a few mess—”
I crooked my finger. “Don’t yell at me from across my office. That defeats the point of having a door. Come stand beside me.”
Again, she did as I asked, and her body heat stiffened my dick against my pants. “Mr. Cataline, I have a few messages that were on my voicemail for you, and they seem pretty urgent.”
I leaned back, peering up at her. “Who are they from?”
She perched against the edge of my desk, allowing the outside of her leg to fall against mine. “There are three from someone named Matt Harrisson, with twoSs. He was very adamant about that part.”
I grinned. “He’s adamant about a lot of things that don’t matter. What did Ol’ Matty Matt want?”
She crooked an eyebrow. “Matty Matt? Is that really what you call him?”
I shrugged. “Behind his back, yeah.”
She giggled, and the sound filled me with pride. “Well, Ol’Matty MattHarry over here needs you to call him about—”
I sputtered. “Matty Matt Harry? Seriously?”
She shrugged. “Hey, if you can have nicknames for people, so can I.”
