RANSOM (24 page)

From Lies to Promises

From Scars to Stars

Lexi’s Story (A Novella)

Coming Soon

A SNEAK PEAK AT

“
Damnit, damnit, damnit.” I curse as I pull my hair into a ponytail, grab my purse, and run out the door nearly stumbling when my heel catches on the bottom of the door frame. “Damnit!”

I mean really how many times in an hour can a girl say one cuss word? Well that makes number fifteen. Skeigh and Dave’s late night escapades are going to have to find a new place to rondevu. Like, I don’t know, his place. I am all for getting your dirty little freak on and there is nothing wrong with shouting to the gods when it’s amazing, but for Pete’s sake could you give your roommate a break a few nights a week. All I got to be thankful for is today being Friday.

I didn’t fall asleep until three this morning and that was after I plugged my earphones in, turned my music up as loud as it could go, and putting a freaking pillow over my head. Even after that I’m still sure I heard them. Now here I am rushing into work thirty minutes late without an ounce of caffeine to make me at least feel presentable.

I step out the car and the south signature muggy air makes my skin feel sticky. If I didn’t hate the cold more than the muggy air here I would move north. No I wouldn’t. Even if I didn’t mind the cold there is no way in hell I can leave my girls and TJ.

I welcome the cool draft that hits me as soon as I walk through my office buildings doors. I walk straight to my desk and get to work. Hell, maybe no one even noticed I am late.

“Lexi, is that you?” My boss hollers from the inside of his office.

“Yes John it’s me.” I sigh out.

“You’re late. Next time call me if you aren’t going to arrive promptly to work.” He says as he walks out his door and beside my desk.

“Yes sir. I’m sorry. I overslept and I was in such a rush to get here I didn’t even think about picking up the phone.” I hurry to apologize.

“Well, next time don’t forget or you will be picking up another job.” He sneers. Before he turns to walk back in his office he says, “I have left a list of things I need for you to get done today.”

Twenty three is too young to be dealing with this type of shit, right? I didn’t think I would reach the miserable part of life so early. I love my job but the environment here is awful and the attitudes are worse. It doesn’t help that I have been listening to Skeigh have what seems to be the best sex in history and I haven’t had a good lay in months. That can make a girl really crabby. I need some D.

The work day is pretty quiet which is good considering it makes for a productive day. I knock off most of the list with an hour to spare. The last thing he wants me to do is go pick up his dry cleaning and a bouquet of flowers for his wife. Really? I’m your assistant in a law firm, not your personal life buddy. I think about protesting to him about it but then remember I need this job to get some experience under my belt.

After clearing my desk I am out the door and in my car. The dry cleaners takes longer than necessary, but that woman barely spoke a lick of English. Then I went to one florist who apparently thought her flowers were shit out by angels because she wanted a small fortune for a small bouquet of mixed flowers. It’s didn’t even have anything exotic in it. By the time I pull up to the next one I have ten minutes to make it back to work and I could care less what the hell I got.

I notice this shop is a lot bigger than the other and hope that means a better selection without the higher price. The door dings when I walk through and I am immediately greeted with this little old man with a few long stemmed roses in his hand.

“Ello there, welcome to Rose Connection. Can I help you darling?” He greets in a British accent.

“Yes. My boss sent me down here to pick up an arrangement for his wife.”

“What’s the occasion?” He asks excitedly.

“He didn’t say, but I am sure there isn’t a real occasion.”

“Oh, so maybe it’s an apology?”

“Possibly, he is an ass. Why does it matter the reason for the flowers though?”

“You Americans and your loss of romantics. What would you think if you received bright colored spring flowers from a man on your third or so date?” I think about it for a minute but before I can reply he answers for me, “You would think they were friendly, no?”

I nod my head, “Kind of.”

You wouldn’t want to send a dozen long stemmed roses,” he holds the ones in his hand up, “to your sister for her birthday either.”

“Ok, I get what you are saying.”

“Then let’s test you. If you are a man who is trying to apologize to his wife, what kind of arrangement do you get her?”

“Tulips. Two different colors but nothing bold. Purple and red would do beautifully.” Another person joins our conversation. I raise my eyes from the old man helping me to the new voice just behind him.

Can I just say Hot Damn! This guy wasn’t just hot, he was really hot, sexy, and beautiful all rolled into one. Dark brown hair that’s in a close clean cut, tall, and lean. He has a strong squared jaw that is clean shaven and it’s like everything about him is sculpted so that it brings all attention to his eyes that are like this unbelievably bluish green hue. I don’t even think exotic beach waters could compare to the gorgeous color.

“Ah, Mr.
Collins, good afternoon. What will it be for you today?” The old man asks the fine ass specimen of man.

“Give me something bright and cheerful. Maybe some Stargazer Lilies.” He replies.

“Oh, some of her favorites! Is there a special reason?”

“Just to make her smile, James. It’s always to make her smile.”

Go figure he would be taken. What was I thinking? All the good ones are always taken.  And this one is even romantic, buying flowers just to make his woman smile! I didn’t even know men did that. He apparently does it a lot too since he and the shop owner are on a first name basis.

“You got it. Let me help this young lady first and I will get them together for you.” James tells him.

“Not a problem, I’m in no rush. I’ll just take a look around and see what additions you have.”

“Alright darling, let’s get your boss’s wife the best apology flowers and maybe he will give you a raise!”

“I very seriously doubt there is a flower that is so amazing it can put the stick out of my boss’s ass.”