course.” Percy patted he chest as he stepped closer. “But I came to see you today to relay a message.”
Thomas arched an eyebrow. “A message?” He still didn’t know what to think of this odd little man.
“Yes. The man upstairs,” Percy pointed upward, “is pleased to see you are cutting back on your wild lifestyle. You just might be heading down that right path we had talked about the other day. I think the photographer is a good choice for you.”
“I’m not seeing her because of you.” Thomas grumbled, irritated that Percy would bring up that subject again. “I’m seeing her because I want to. Now, do you have something else you need to say? I’m getting ready for a business meeting.”
“Just stay on your toes. Do not become distracted. It can happen, you know.”
Thomas picked up his phone and his planner before pushing away from his desk. The man made no sense, and Thomas didn’t have time to figure him out.
“Thank you, now I’ve really got to go.” Thomas pushed past Percy and stepped into the hallway. Immediately, the large frame of his father stopped him.
“Thomas,” Darion greeted. “Have you talked with Antonio today?”
Thomas paused at the worried look on his father’s face. The man’s wrinkled forehead and mouth made him appear ten years older.
Thomas shook his head. “I haven’t. I drove myself to work this morning. What’s going on?”
“I received word from the hospital that Antonio’s father is on life support. He’s failing quickly.”
A pain shot through Thomas’ chest and a knot formed in his throat. Antonio’s father had worked beside Darion and was a trusted friend. “That’s terrible news. I’ll check in to make sure Antonio’s family is being taken care of.”
“Poor man.” Darion frowned, pushing his fingers through his thinning hair as they walked down the hallway. “When Stefano worked at the vineyard a few years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer. Antonio was determined to prove that the chemicals sprayed on the grapes were a factor for his illness.”
Thomas crinkled his brow. “But our chemicals are tested. That couldn’t be the cause.”
“They aren’t what caused Stefano’s cancer, and I think I’ve convinced Antonio of that, too. I paid for further testing on my friend. Stefano was a heavy smoker, and with that and having a genetic link, he was hit with it quickly. He’s been a good friend and I’ll make sure his wife is taken care of.”
“I will check with Antonio after our meeting. I’ll give him time off. I’m fully capable of driving myself places.”
Darion patted Thomas on the back. “Be good to those who work for you. They are family.”
The morning and afternoon meetings passed slowly for Thomas. His thoughts were preoccupied either with Antonio’s father or with Morgan. Thomas thought she would have texted him to thank him for the flowers, but he hadn’t heard from her at all. Didn’t she want to go to dinner with him? Tonight, he had planned another surprise – he was going to do the cooking. But since she hadn’t answered, he hoped it wasn’t a rejection. Hopefully, her day was just as busy as his.
At just about 3:30, his phone chimed with a text message. He glanced at his phone and his heart practically leapt from his chest. Morgan finally replied. She agreed to have dinner with him. Tonight was going to be amazing. He’d make sure of it.
Thomas wanted to make tonight a special evening for both of them. He’d sent his housekeeper out to the grocery store earlier to pick up the food so it would be all ready when he arrived home. It had been a few years since he cooked a meal, but he hadn’t forgotten.
He’d made it home in plenty of time as he cleaned up and changed his clothes into something more comfortable. She was used to seeing him in business suits, but for tonight’s dinner, he wore a casual pair of blue jeans and a gray cotton short-sleeved shirt... and his black boots.
Within an hour, he had the meal preparing in the oven and the table set. It took him longer than necessary, only because he couldn’t find the items needed for the dinner. Now he was regretting having such a large kitchen.
He took his silver Jag F-TYPE to drive out to pick up Morgan. She waited for him outside her apartment building, holding a red rose. He assumed it was one of the roses that he’d sent her.
She was dressed in a deep purple blouse that