Page 45 of Unexpected Packages

“Security in life? What are you talking about, Ralph?”

“Financial security, Alexandra. I can give you so much more than he can.”

My jaw dropped for a moment. “I’m sorry, Ralph, but I didn’t go out with you because of your bank account. I had dinner with you because I liked you, and I wanted to get to know you better.”

“Then what about Alex? I don’t like to share, Alexandra.”

“Alex has nothing to do with this, Ralph.” I took a step back so that I could see him better and sighed. “Ralph, I was going to tell you this over dinner tonight anyway, so I might as well do it now.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, preparing himself for the fallout as he stared down at me. At that moment, I knew for sure that it would never work between us. I did like Ralph but as a friend and boss.

“While I enjoyed our dinner the other night, I don’t think that dating is a good idea.”

“Because of Alex?”

“No, because you are eleven years older than me, and obviously you think I’m after your money, which I’m not. You also don’t want children, Ralph, and I do.”

“If you really want kids, Alexandra, we can discuss that.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t want to discuss it. I want to be with someone that doesn’t even need to think about having kids. It’s just something that they want.” I stepped forward and touched his arm. “I really do enjoy our friendship, Ralph, and I think the two of us would be better off staying there. We are at two different places in our lives.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw for a moment and then his arms dropped to his sides. “Okay, I get it. You’re right. I really don’t want more kids.”

“And I really, really do want kids of my own.”

He smiled. “Okay, so we stay friends?”

“Yes. I really do enjoy our friendship, Ralph.”

He nodded and then took me by the shoulders. “Okay, then as a friend, can I tell you that getting involved with Alex Miller is a bad idea.”

“Who said I was involved with Alex Miller?”

He chuckled. “I see the way the man looks at you, and I’ve caught you doing the same. He really is a dangerous man, Alexandra.”

“He might seem like he is, Ralph, but I don’t think Alex is the man you think he is.” I paused. “I actually went to the aquarium with him and his daughter this weekend.”

He nodded slowly and stepped away, moving to one of the chairs that had food set in front of it. “So, you two have already gone out on a date?”

“It wasn’t really a date. His daughter asked me to come along. We had fun.”

He nodded to the chair. “Okay, so maybe he’s not as bad as I think he is, but I still don’t think he’s the right guy for you.”

I seated myself and studied him. “Are you saying that because you are upset with me for telling you that I wasn’t interested in more between us?”

“No, I’m saying that because I’m your friend, and friends tell you when you are making a mistake.”

“Well, I appreciate your input, and I will consider it.”

He nodded. “Good, now let’s change the subject. What are you working on right now?”

After that, we discussed work for a while, and things felt normal between us again. I was glad that we were about to put that part behind us. We finished dinner and then went back to our offices to work for another hour before he took me home.

I was tired as I climbed out of his vehicle and waved goodbye to him. My body was a little sore from the workout earlier today, and it again made me think about taking up martial arts. I was at my mailbox collecting my mail when I heard footsteps and turned to see Alex coming down the hall.

“Hi.”

He smiled. “I saw Ralph drop you off. Did you go back to work?”

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