Page 23 of Thiago
“Yoga and meditation were among the recommendations made by my rheumatologist, to minimize the pain and stiffness from the disease. And he was right, they do work—at least for me. He recently recommended a new medication, but I haven’t decided if I want to try it yet. I’m still doing research.” She gave him the name of the drug and asked if he’d heard of it.
“I’m not familiar. How is it different?”
India dabbed her mouth. “Instead of taking pills, I can give myself an injection once a week. He thinks that, working in conjunction with my other meds, my lupus could go into remission. But it has quite a few side effects, like all drugs, so, like I said, I’m still deciding.”
Their conversation continued to flow without awkward pauses. At the end of the meal, they left the restaurant and strolled to India’s car.
Standing beside the driver’s side door, she said, “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
“Does that mean I get another chance to see you again?” Simon asked.
“Yes, it does. Assuming you have time in your busy schedule.”
He blew out a breath of frustration. “I love my job, but it can be taxing on my time. I’m on call next Saturday, so would next Friday night work for you again?”
India opened her mouth to turn him down, but then she thought,why should I?Friday night was when she and Thiago had their rendezvous, but over the past seven months, he had canceled multiple times. Friday nights weren’t sacred to him. She couldn’t blame him for missing tonight for his sister’s engagement party, but there had been other times when he had canceled on her. So next week, she would have to cancel on him.
“Friday night works,” she confirmed.
“Perfect. Next time, I’m taking you to a spot where we can have dinner and then listen to a live band afterward.” He rubbed his hands together and wiggled his eyebrows.
India laughed. “I love listening to live music. Sounds like a good time to me.”
“Then I’ll be in touch in the middle of next week with the details. Good night, India.” Simon leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
His lips were soft and warm, but the kiss didn’t ignite any heat in her body. Nothing like the rip-roaring fire she experienced when Thiago’s fingertips barely grazed her skin. But that was to be expected. She’d known him longer and slept with him, while this relationship was brand new.
“Good night, Simon.” India climbed into her car.
“Drive carefully,” Simon said.
She flashed him an easy smile. “I will. You do the same.”
He waited until she had closed her door before walking away.
Chapter Ten
India walked into the break room and placed two boxes of macaroons on the counter. About once a month, she stopped at a French bakery on the way to work and picked up the treats, leaving them in the break room for staff to enjoy.
As she was walking out, one of the admins walked in and spotted the pink boxes. “It’s gonna be a great day,” she sang, dancing over to the counter.
“Don’t eat them all, LaNelle. Save some for the rest of the staff.”
LaNelle shot her a look. “I’m not making any promises.”
Laughing and shaking her head, India continued to her office. She had a lot of work to do, so she dove in right away. At nine-twenty-eight, her phone rang, and she saw Thiago’s executive assistant was calling.
“Good morning, Ms. Monroe. Mr. Santana would like to see you in his office at eleven to review the cost-per-click reports for the retail stores campaign,” he said.
India stifled a sigh. It wasn’t his fault Thiago didn’t understand the need for advanced notice.
“Sure, Amir. I’ll be there at eleven,” she said, which meant she had an hour and a half to prepare.
“Thank you. I’ll let him know.”
India placed her desk phone in its cradle and rolled her shoulders. She wasn’t feeling particularly well. Her joints were rather stiff and achy today. Thiago’s request for those numbers, in addition to everything else she had to do, was the last thing she wanted to deal with, but she didn’t have a choice.
“That’s why I get paid the big bucks,” she muttered. It was her own fault for suggesting they touch base on Monday.
