Page 63 of Boss On Notice
Xena, who opens my oven and takes out baked bread, nearly drools as she stares with stars in her eyes at Lynx Grove.
Lynx is carrying my grocery bags for me. Cooking at my place is something Xena and I decided to do more often since we’re so good at whipping up meals together. But this won’t last long because starting next Monday, I’ll be practicing in a new musical directed by Lonnie Blaine. I’m even playing a major supporting character, which was news to me since I auditioned for one of the unnamed character spots. Frankly, I would’ve taken whatever they saddled me with. But Lonnie had said that my dancing was magical and that I have a presence about me.Wow, I’m still on cloud nine about that compliment.
“I told him he can join us for dinner. He was going to order takeout,” I say.
“Oh,” Xena says as if what I said was so intriguing. She’s really out of sorts.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, cousin. He’s just a man,” I say, mocking her. I mean, how many times has she told me that—too many to count.
“Ha, ha, ha,” Xena says teasingly.
Lynx sets the grocery bag on the counter and then rolls up his sleeves. “How can I help? I want to help.”
That’s all Xena needed to hear to put him right to work. She’s so bossy, but he doesn’t seem to mind. We’re making shrimp creole so she tasked him with deveining the shrimp.
“Mr. Eleventh Floor, did Lilly tell you that she landed a big role in Lonnie Blaine’s new musical,Femme Fatale.”
“No,” he says all excitedly. “By the way, I’m cool with being referred to as Mr. Eleventh Floor.” Both Xena and I momentarily swoon over that winning smile of his.
“It really should be illegal to be as good-looking as you are,” Xena comes right out and says.
“Xena,” I gasp, scolding.
“It’s true. Look at him. I must tell you, Lynx, my panties are drenched. And I’m actually going to go do something about that. Yes, I keep a clean change of underwear in my cousin’s apartment.”
I gasp again. I’m about to explain that Xena sleeps over sometimes when we go clubbing and leaves her dirty clothes in my hamper for me to wash since I have an in-unit washer/dryer combo, which are hard to come by in a city apartment. But the doorbell rings just as Xena treks off to my bedroom before I can explain. However, I’m relieved that Lynx is laughing as he looks off after Xena. They might end up boning soon because Xena is very hot.
“I’ll be back,” I say to him as I head off to see who’s at my door. Out of habit I look through the peephole and gasp. “Orion?”
He waves.
I turn to Lynx who raises his eyebrows as he’s still working on the shrimp.
I took a breath to center myself and then undo the locks. My tear ducts constrict after I open the door and stand face-to-face with him.
“Hi,” he says, smiling at me with glossy eyes.
“Hi.”
“Can I come in?”
I glance over at Lynx, and then Orion leans across the threshold, frowning as he takes a look at what’s captured my attention.
“Oh,” he groans, tossing his head back. “Really?”
“What did you tell your cousin, Lilly?” Lynx asks. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Orion. We’re just having dinner.”
First of all, when he leaned in close that giddy energy his nearness stirs inside me was back with a vengeance. He smells like heaven and looks like my forever.
“Orion?” Xena says, bolting into the front of the apartment, looking our way.
On that note, I guide him out into the hallway and close the door behind us.
Now that we’re alone, we’re staring at each other, smiling.
“You’ve got quite a guest list inside,” he says.
“Are you joining us?” My heart is beating like crazy.
