Page 16 of True Soil-Mates

Twenty minutes later, I’m meticulously cleaned up and already walking to his office when I send a text.

Hi. Can I come over right now and take some light readings? The sun is perfect.

I’m nearly at the building when he replies.

Alex: Yes. Carol will let you in. Dealing with test gone wrong, sorry.

For a moment, I hesitate. I really want to see him. But I also want to do a great job, and I can’t really start until I know what I’m dealing with. And the light really isperfect.

Carol answers the intercom and leads me to the reception area. “Can I help, or should I just stay out of your way?” she asks.

“Oh, I’ve got it, thanks.” I take readings from my light meter at five different points across the space.

“Are there any other areas?” she asks.

“Alex’s office, and your desk. And the lunchroom.”

Her eyes widen as she leads me to her area. “I didn’t realize that this project included me.”

“Oh.” I take readings from the side of her desk. “Shoot, I’m sorry if I’m ruining a surprise. We thought that a few plants on a stand right here would be nice. I was thinking something tall and dramatic, then some fluffy air cleaning plants like a large Boston fern, and maybe a spider plant? When they start to put out little spiderettes it’s super cute.”

Her expression softens. “That sounds lovely. Would it be all right if I brought in one of my African violets from home for the other side of my desk?”

“Of course. Or...” I smile. “I can bring you one from the shop – pink, purple, or white?”

“Oh! White. Thank you.” I make a note, then Carol looks around to make sure we’re alone before whispering, “I’m sure you’ve seen how uptight Alex can get. Don’t let that shake you. He’s a great man. Just a bit…” Her finger taps her temple. “All up in his noggin most of the time.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.” What else can I say? They’re coworkers, so I really shouldn’t say anything too personal.

“His office and the lunchroom, you said?” Carol leads the way to Alex’s huge sundrenched space.

I take readings all across the window area and in the far corner by the door, where there might be room for a lemon tree, or maybe a fiddle-leaf fig. Then I follow Carol, taking readings and the measurements of the lunchroom window area.

“I think that’s it.” I put my meter and notebook back in my shoulder bag and smile at Carol. “Thanks so much.”

“Anytime, dear.” She walks me out halfway to the front door, then a phone rings on her desk. I wave goodbye and keep going, not wanting to delay her any further.

Just as my fingers reach the door handle, I hear my name echo down the long corridor. Alex races to me, pulling me into his arms. “I’m so sorry, there was an emergency,” he murmurs, before kissing me gently.

“It’s okay,” I whisper, not sure if we should be doing this right by the front door during business hours.

He gazes into my eyes. “So beautiful.”

The next kiss is much, much different. He holds me close, every inch of our bodies pressed together as his mouth consumes mine.

Oh. My.

His hand skims up my ribs to right below my breast, just close enough to tease. Our kiss deepens, my core heating up in a flash as Alex’s intensity literally takes my breath away. His lips are urgent and hungry on mine as my fingers grip his thick biceps.

His phone beeps, and he backs away with a sheepish grin. “Sorry. Gotta go.” After giving me one more peck on the forehead, Alex takes off down the hallway at a jog.

I’m in a daze as I make my way back to the shop. What the heck was that?

Two hours later, my head is still spinning from the intensity of that kiss. From the way Alex makes me feel, for the most part. There’s still a teensy little warning light blinking in the back of my mind. Is he going to give his head a shake and change his mind about me when he comes to fully realize how much of my world is centered around all kinds of soil?

I really don’t need to be this aggressive shredding the coconut coir brick for a new potting mix, but tearing things and working my hands into the damp mess feels good right now. My sisters are both out front helping Mom rearrange some displays, so I have some alone time, thank goodness.

I think I’ve already screwed things up with Alex.

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