“There’s some proble
m with the security alarms,” Alex said. “They started going off for no reason about an hour ago, and the security company can’t find the cause. We can’t have people working in there with alarms going off sporadically all day long, so Jerry said we might as well take a long weekend.”
“A free Friday off?” I repeated. Leif’s head jerked up from the stove with a surprised smile.
“Yes. He said, and I quote, what the heck, we deserve it anyway. See you on Monday.”
“That’s amazing. Thanks.” I set down the phone and took a swig of coffee as I turned to Leif. “Wow. I have the day off.”
“Wonderful,” Leif said as he set a small glass full of a reddish purple smoothie in front of me. “That’s blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry, with a splash of soy milk.”
“Thanks.”
“Why do you have the day off? Not that I’m not deliriously happy about it, of course.”
“There’s a problem with the alarms. They keep going off for no reason, and the security company can’t figure it out.”
After a sip of the positively delicious smoothie, the back of my mouth was chilled from the contrast after the coffee. But the cold continued straight down my spine.
“Oh my God. You don’t think that Craig did something to my office, do you?”
Leif shot me a look I couldn’t understand. Annoyance? Disbelief? “Do you really think he’s smart enough to do something like that? I seriously doubt it.”
“You don’t think so?”
Leif took the giant cast iron pan off the heat, then came over to take my hand. “I really don’t. That sort of thing takes a lot of experience, which I don’t think he has. Plus, if he were to break into your work, that’s trespassing. Although I have to admit I wouldn’t mind him being thrown in jail, it’s probably not on his list of things to do.”
Nodding, I flashed him a smile. Leif looked softer, somehow, in a t-shirt that fit a bit looser than the one he had on yesterday. The dark blue made him look less tough, and more…strangely gorgeous. His well worn jeans molded to every sculpted inch of him perfectly, and I found myself having to tear my eyes away.
“So, what time do you have to be at work?” I asked. “You could just drop me at home, and I can spend the day studying.”
He winked. “Maybe I could ask my boss if I could have the day off too.”
I laughed as he kissed my hand. “That would be great, but I wouldn’t want to get you into trouble.
Leif went over to face the stove. “Hey boss, can I have the day off?”
He turned to face the refrigerator with his arms crossed. “Do you really think you deserve the day off, you lazy punk?”
Turning back to the stove, he whined, “But there’s a pretty girl here. I wanna spend the day in the pool, and order pizza. I promise I can catch up on my work on Monday.”
Leif spun again, his hands on his hips with an angry glare on his face. “This is the last time I’m giving you any leeway, Martin.”
Turning, he grinned. “Thanks, boss.” He stepped back to kiss the top of my head. “See? All taken care of.”
Every rough edge, every tough guy vibe, was completely erased when he acted so goofy and silly. Laughing so hard I began to shake, he slipped an arm around me.
“Don’t start choking now,” he said. “You still have to attempt to eat my version of scrambled eggs.”
“What’s different with your version?” I asked, trying to pull myself together.
“Tiny bit of onion, little hint of orange peppers, herbs, black pepper, a dash of cream, and three different kinds of cheese sprinkled in.”
“So it’s like a deconstructed quiche?”
His beautiful blue eyes lit up. “Exactly. That sounds way fancier. You’re a genius. ”
Jumping up to help him with the plates, we transferred everything to the beautiful oak kitchen table. I really liked that he was already comfortable enough with me to be ridiculous. Open enough to show his sensitive side, and to cook for me.