Page 10 of Lost Times

“I could have, but why? I have a job to work, not to go home early. Besides, now Kelly and I both get to go home at a decent time. I even still have time leftover after that.”

I looked at his smaller but still there stack of papers pointedly. “You sure you don’t have anything you need help with?”

He stared me down, things I couldn’t name swirling behind his eyes, before he finally shook his head. “I’m almost done, but…thank you for offering.” He spoke the words as if they were foreign, and it twisted warmth through my stomach.

“You’re welcome,” I said and after a final wave, I left, his gaze like a weight against my back.

Once I safely grabbed my things and headed to pick up Jasmine, I considered his odd behavior. The more I interacted with him, the more confused I got.

He didn’t seem averse to thanking me though it’d definitely sounded new to him. Had no one ever told him to thank people who did nice things, or had it just never occurred to him in a work setting?

I’d been taught that so early on that I couldn’t even remember what age I’d been when Mom explained it to me. Had his parents just never done that?

What kind of parents were they if that was the case?

The mystery that was Ludwig tugged at my mind the entire drive to get Jasmine and even after we got home. He was a paradox, and I wanted to know what made him tick.

Logic screamed to the forefront like a siren before I could get far into that train of thought.

He’s my boss, and I have no business thinking about him outside of work.

I didn’t want him finding out about Jasmine and the best way to ensure that was tonotget chatty. Yes, he was confusing, but he wasn’t a puzzle I needed to solve. He was a decent boss, and that’s all I needed to know.

Forcing the topic to the side for now, I started dinner. I needed to make sure Jasmine’s homework was done, not to mention call Mom and update her on the whole ‘situation’ as she dubbed it.

I didn’t have time to mope or brood, I never did.

Chapter 6

The office was buzzing with energy as I put yet another client’s file to the side. I’d never expected being a financial advisor to bethisbusy, but at least I was never bored.

Risking a glance around the room, I took in everyone’s hurried steps and chatter. We’d been hit with a sudden influx of clients, and everyone was scrambling to keep up. I’d finished early and usually that would mean I would grab someone else’s excess work and start on it, but not today.

Jasmine’s school was hosting a play and she’d been all but vibrating with excitement for it. I had to be there, and nothing was stopping me.

Just as I went to walk away from my desk though, a stack of papers was dropped on it. Spinning to face the culprit, I pulled up short at the familiar face of Ludwig. Today his hair wasn’t quite as neatly styled, probably from him running his hand through it, and his sleeves were rolled to his elbows for better movability.

It was a devastating look on him, but I forced my attention to his face and the confused scowl that rested there.

“You look as if you’re leaving.” He said, another question that wasn’t a question, and I groaned internally. We hadn’t butted heads since I was sick, and I hoped to keep that up. Apparently it was not to be.

Straightening, I nodded. “I am. I finished my work and there’s something I have to do today.”

Kelly brightened, chipping in. “Oh! Is today Jasmine’s play at school?”

I dipped my head, hiding the spike of fear worming through me. I knew I shouldn’t have mentioned her to Kelly, but it was too late now. It didn’t matter if he knew I had a daughter, as long as he didn’t make the connection between her age and our one-night stand.

“It is, and I need to hurry or I’ll be late.”

I went to move away, but Ludwig shifted just enough to block my path, his face still set in that confused mask. “I didn’t know you had a daughter.”

Biting back a sigh, I nodded. “I do, and I need to go, or she’ll be hurt that I didn’t show up for her play.”

He swept a look around the room, then locked eyes on me again, his infamous scowl coming back in force. “We’ve never been this busy before, but you’re going to leave early for a child's play?”

He said it as if it was incomprehensible to him and I instinctively bristled. “Of course I am. She’s been excited for this play for months. I can’t justnotgo.”

His frown didn’t budge. “There will be other plays; we need all hands on deck here.”

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