lack of a love life. I didn’t have to defend myself or justify my bachelorhood.
Mom stared at me like she wanted to argue, but she made the wise choice and let it go. “I’m excited for you to start this new chapter in your life. I know you’re going to do great things.”
19
Sicily
It was my last week at the Trinity Building.
My employment had been short-lived so I shouldn’t feel sentimental about it, but I would miss this place. I was excited to work with Dex and be in a medical office again, especially when I was working for a brilliant doctor who didn’t just do procedures to fatten his wallet. Serving someone who made a lasting impact on people’s lives made my job much more fulfilling. Honestly, it was an honor to work for him.
Dex and I hadn’t spoken directly about my new job for him, and I decided to wait until he reached out to me first. I knew he was wary about the change, so it was smart to let him take that first step. In the meantime, I started searching for a new office in Manhattan, an apartment like Cleo asked, and got to work on his website and email. As a medical assistant, I’d never had tasks like this, but I’d worked in an office long enough that I knew what I needed to focus on.
Any type of real estate in Manhattan didn’t last longer than a day because it was such a hot commodity. So, every time I responded to a listing, it was off the market by the time I called, even if I reached out just a couple hours after the listing was posted.
When I told Cleo about my dilemma, she had a trick up her sleeve.
She made a couple calls and then turned to me. “Tim and I have known each other a long time. He’ll help you scout for a place.” She texted me the information from her desk. “So, today is your last day, huh?” She’d been training my replacement, so she’d been even busier than usual.
“Yeah…” I sighed in sadness. “I’m kinda bummed out about it.”
“Me too,” she said with a smile. “But I think you’ll be great with Dex.”
“Yeah…about that. Can I have his number?”
She raised her eyebrows. “You haven’t spoken to him?”
I shook my head.
She gave a loud sigh before she grabbed her phone again. “He’s gonna drag his feet on this, isn’t he?” She shared the contact information with me. “I promise you, my son is a serious professional. He’s just having a hard time getting started.”
I chuckled. “I can tell. It’s fine.”
At that moment, my phone lit up with a text message from him. Sorry my mother dragged you into this. You want to get a beer? I smiled at the message. “He just texted me.”
“Good.” Cleo turned back to her computer. “He’s your problem now. Good luck.”
I texted him back. I’m not sorry. I’m looking forward to this.
Well…at least that’s one of us.
I met him in the bar where I’d spotted him last week. I ran behind because I still had a long day at the Trinity Building, even though it was my last day. That place was always hectic, always spiraling out of control, but the concierge team made it organized once again before anyone noticed.
He wasn’t alone at the table. A beautiful woman was sitting beside him, laughing at something he said. She placed her hand on his arm then leaned her head back, laughing uproariously even though he probably didn’t say anything that funny. I wasn’t jealous that some woman was all over him, but I was annoyed that Dex would rather meet strangers at bars than give me the time of day. I was just as pretty as she was, and we also got along really well. So, what the hell was his deal? But I had to remind myself that I would be working for him now, and any possibility of a romantic relationship just went out the window. He seemed like a huge player anyway…so maybe it was for the best.
I walked over and did my best to seem unaffected that he’d probably completely forgot that he was meeting me. “Hey.”
Dex turned to look at me because he’d been too absorbed in his conversation to watch the entrance and wait for me to walk in. But he didn’t give me a perturbed look that suggested I’d interrupted his chances of getting a hot piece of ass. He showed