Page 22 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess
“Sure,”I reply, hurrying across the street. Even walking fast, I reach the other side just as the light flips red again. Who sets these timers, seriously? I sigh and head toward the juice bar. It’s less than a minute away, even in heels on the uneven sidewalk.
At the Fruit Bar, only a few people are in line. A shame, really. People line up for greasy pizza, fries, and burgers, but a place serving fresh, healthy food barely gets noticed. While that means there’s more for me, I can’t help worrying they won’t stay in business for much longer.
I snap a few photos of the sandwiches, bagels, salads, wraps, smoothies, and the delicious bowls, then send them to Alexander. Then I step in the line. The staff, of course, know me by now and we nod to each other politely. I keep checking my phone, but Alexander doesn't respond.
"I'm up next," I text him, but he sends nothing. Should I just order something random, or has he lost his appetite?
"That looks really good." His voice suddenly comes from right behind me. I inhale sharply, spinning around. How did he get here so fast?
"Let me treat you," he says.
"Really?" I ask, stepping closer to the display case.
"Yes." He watches me as I turn to the saleswoman.
"Hi, uhm, I’ll take the chicken wrap, the large watermelon bowl, and a salad."
"Large or small?" she asks.
"Large. Oh—and a mango smoothie too, please." If he’s paying, I might as well go all out.
"I’ll have the same," Alexander says, pulling out two crisp fifty-pound notes from his black wallet. "Keep the change as your tip." He throws in a charming smile and a wink, which pretty surely sets the young server's heart racing. She's completely taken with him.
"Would you like to eat here?" she asks him, no longer paying any attention to me.
"To go, please," I say firmly. That gets her attention back on me.
"Where do you eat?" Alexander asks.
"At a super-secret location," I answer cryptically.
"Which you’re definitely going to tell me about, right?" He asks as he tucks his wallet away.
"I like to spend my break alone," I tell him.
"I thought you wanted to apologize to Marc. He'll be available on the phone soon." Alexander raises his eyebrows provocatively.
I hesitate. Damn. That would indeed be a good opportunity.
"Just this once," I say, then look at the server who—if I didn't know better—has heart eyes. Maybeshecan work for him. Coincidentally, a position will be opening up in four weeks.
I stand silently beside Alexander while our order is packed. When I reach for it, he takes most of the bags like a true gentleman.
"So, you eat healthy?" he asks.
"Usually." I really don't want to talk to him. "I eat on the company roof," I explain. "Only a few people have keys. When I started working here, there was this project calledGreen Roof."
"I remember. My father told me about it," he says, then casually shifts to the outer edge of the sidewalk, closer to the street. At first, I wonder what he’s doing, until I remember an article I read—apparently, men who care always walk street-side to shield women from danger.
Okay. That earns him a very small point in his favor. A tiny one.
Chapter 8
Alexander
She looks frazzled. I can see exactly how uncomfortable my presence makes her. Of course, I’m milking it a little—she deserves it.
As we head back to the main building, I text Marc: “Got the wedding crasher with me. She’s my father’s PA. I’m supposed to take over the company soon, so she’ll be working for me.I'll probably fire her after the probation period. I told her the wedding didn't happen. She feels guilty.”
