She didn't expect Crew or me to clean up the mess Christine made in the office.
Once the holiday break was over, Lark called a meeting. She explained what everyone had overheard Christine saying and then she told them that we were involved. She was straightforward when she backed it up with a promise to keep everything personal outside of the office. She's done that. I've treated her as much like every other employee as I can. I haven’t granted her any special treatment. I've given her the task of heading the marketing campaign for a new women's fragrance we're launching in the fall. Her ideas are brilliant, and her talent is undeniable. She wants to be a part of the team and I'm the captain for now. That may change one day, but we both respect the job when we're at the office. Matiz comes first until we're alone.
She'll contribute to the holiday campaign, but she won't take the lead this year. She's good with that. She understands that I need her to focus more fully on the fragrance and she's eager to head the launch.
"Maybe we can order in pizza?" she asks dejectedly. "Or something else. We'll see what we feel like having tomorrow night."
"I'll be at Cremza until late tomorrow night, Lark. If you want to drop by, I'll buy you a scoop of your favorite for Valentine's Day."
She looks at me like I'm a fucking jerk. Who invites their girlfriend to an ice cream shop for a free scoop on the most romantic day of the year?
"You don't pay for the ice cream there," she points out. "I guess I can come by for a few minutes after work."
"I'll be waiting for you," I say as I pull her close to me, hoping she can't hear how hard my heart is beating. I will be waiting for her with a gift I had made just for her.
Chapter 20
Ryker
I wanted to make love to her last night, but she blew me off and not in a good way. She went to bed early when Nathan called to check in. He's the only person I've told about the surprise I have planned for Lark. I needed his opinion, and I got it. He approved. He told me I was making him proud so I took that as a sign to go full steam ahead.
I left her apartment before her this morning. I kissed her tenderly and wished her a great day. She had pouted with that fucking adorable mouth of hers before she told me she wanted me to have a fantastic Valentine's Day. I smacked her ass and wished her the same and then left as her mouth was hanging wide open.
Now, I'm standing at the door of Cremza and looking out onto the street. Cars pass by. People dodge each other as they scramble to get where they're going on the sidewalk. Everyone has a place they need to be. I know where my place is. It's with Lark.
I see her as she crosses against the light. Her hand in the air as if that will yield off any traffic racing toward her. She's dressed in that black wool coat she's always wearing and red mittens, a red scarf and there's the hint of a red dress swaying around her legs as she walks.
I open the door as she nears.
"Ryker." She stares me down. Her eyes run over the charcoal sweater and black pants I'm wearing. "You look extra nice. You usually wear jeans and a T-shirt when you're here."
I do, but not today.
"Come inside." I tug on her hand. "It's cold outside."
She steps over the threshold of the door and freezes in place. "What is this? What's going on?"
"Take off your coat."
She does. She slips each button from its hole before I help slide it from her shoulders. I fold it carefully and place it on the back of a chair. Then I turn and lock the door.
"You did this for me, Ryker? This is all for me?"
It's nothing. A few white lights strung from the ceiling, soft music, a fuck ton of white and red roses in those glass jars she loves. There's an envelope too and a gift wrapped in red paper.
"Happy Valentine's Day, baby." I rest my cheek against hers as I embrace her from behind. "This is my first Valentine's Day so be gentle."
"I got you something." She spins around quickly, her hands darting to my shoulders. "I got you a gift. It's not extravagant because we hadn't talked about Valentine's Day, so I wasn't sure if a gift was a good idea."
"Do you have it with you? Show me."
"Someone's eager." She laughs as she points at her purse. "I wrapped it after you left this morning. It's in there."
I arch my brow. "Can I open it?"
"Yes," she says patiently, leaning forward to sweep her lips along the stubble that's settled over my jawline. "This is the perfect place for you to open it. We've been coming here together so often since Christmas. I love it here. I love talking to your grandparents and your mom when she's in town. I know I always tell you b
ut I'll never forget New Year's Eve. Seeing your grandparents watching the ball drop was an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life. They both mean a lot to me."