Page 32 of Charmed By Destiny

Richard lifted his arm and rubbed his chest as he gathered his scattered wits. Why was Lucas so important to him? When had that happened? What would come of it? They were coworkers. It should be nothing more than that.

But they’d already spiraled past business associates whether Richard was brave enough to admit it or not. Would he have noticed if another employee was quieter than normal? Richard liked to think he was attuned to his staff, but was he kidding himself?

Observing Lucas’s lack of smile was the first time Richard had been tempted to take a coworker out of the office for coffee and something sweet to find out what was going on or perhaps soothe his troubles. So, he had to acknowledge that it was Lucas he noticed. No one else.

“Are you sending him money?” Richard asked.

Lucas heaved another sigh. “Yes.”

“Is that bothering you?”

“I thought we were best friends,” Lucas said. “But he doesn’t answer the phone if I call. He texts me around paydays. Last night he sent me a message because he’s low on funds, so I wired him some extra cash. I didn’t want to, I’m trying to build up my savings. I need a new car and, well, you don’t want to hear about all my problems.”

“I can be a great listener when I want to be.”

Lucas cracked a smile. “And if you don’t want to be?”

“Then I nod politely until you finish talking and quickly run toward an exit the minute you shut up.”

“Thanks for not running away.”

“You’re welcome, did you want to go grab that cup of coffee about it and vent some more? Our workday is nearly over, no one will notice if we’re gone.”

“Aren’t we supposed to be checking on this conference?”

“We can if you want, but since we’re being honest, I used that as an excuse to get you out of the office so I could find out what’s bothering you.”

Lucas’s gaze widened. “How’d you figure out something was bothering me?”

“Almost everyone in the office knows. You’ve been quieter than usual, and we’ve missed your smiles.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, you’re quite the hit with the staff,” Richard told the surprised inspirit. Lucas smiled, and Richard admitted to himself that the pretty grin had wormed its way through the supposedly thick walls he’d erected around his heart. At least this handsome face belonged to someone that everyone in the office liked thanks to his kindness and enthusiasm.

If Richard wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of color in Lucas’s cheeks. “I’m glad I picked conference services, you and Douglas have a great staff. You guys are lucky to have built such a great team.”

“The inspirits have the final say on which team they’re on, but I like to think that we’ve attracted the best of them,” Richard said. “Although I’d steal Gabriel and Rhonda in a heartbeat if I could. Are we grabbing coffee?”

“Yeah, but let me pay for mine.”

Richard shook his head. “Nope, not happening, and if you argue, I’ll charge my father’s account.”

“That’s really sneaky.”

“It’s fun too,” Richard teased. “But give in gracefully. You have no choice.”

“I could quit.”

“You better not. I’ll be facing mutiny in the office if I return without you.”

Richard led Lucas to the coffee shop and treated himself to a cinnamon roll along with an iced coffee. Lucas ordered the same, and they were seated at a table a few minutes later with their food.

“So, back to this mutiny,” Lucas said with a flash of his grin. “Is there a plank somewhere they’d make you walk?”

“I’m sure one can be located on the Strip.”

Lucas chuckled. “Someone would save you. Your father, at least.”

---