×KENZIE×
I was walking out of Grimes Enterprises with my phone in hand, I had missed a bunch of calls from one of the homeless shelters, and I could only assume Paul had been trying to get ahold of me for something.
I was about to call them back when I heard my name being called.
I looked up and smiled as Axel walked over to me, "Hey, how are you?"
"I'm fine. Wyatt is a complete slave driver though."
"Do you want to join me for dinner? You still owe me a date."
Normally I would have said no, but he was right, he had bid the highest so technically I did still owe him.
"Sure. I just need to call the homeless shelter back."
His brows furrowed with concern, "The homeless shelter?"
"Yeah, I think it's a friend of mine. He lives at these shelters."
"I'll wait."
I dialed the number hoping they would answer at this time, it was already seven.
To my surprise, the call was answered.
"Hi, this is Kenzie Middleton. I've missed a few calls from you."
"Miss Middleton, I'm so sorry to worry you. Paul asked us to give you a call. He's been wanting to give you the good news, he was offered a job."
My mind went blank as I tried to figure out if I had heard her correctly.
I couldn't imagine how he had managed to get a job, most people wouldn't look twice in his direction.
"That's a miracle! I'm so happy for him!"
"Well, he's asleep now but I'll be sure to let him know I've told you the news."
"Wait, when does he start? I imagine he will need some help with clothes?" I couldn't imagine his new boss being very happy if he showed up in his torn and dirty clothes.
"No, his boss took care of everything. Have a good night."
I hung up, my mouth still gaping in shock.
"Is everything okay?'
"Yes. Paul, my friend, has hit a stroke of amazing luck. He got a new job, so he won't be homeless for much longer."
"That's amazing news. Why don't you tell me more about this friend over dinner?"
Axel steered me into one of the nearby restaurants as I told him about Paul.
First, I told him how we had met at the soup kitchen and how he had instantly taken an interest in me, and not in a creepy way either.
He was much more the father I had ever had. He had often said I reminded him of his daughter whom he had only briefly met a few times as a child.
His wife had whisked her away, never to be seen again.
When I had offered to help him look for her, he had declined to say she was better off not knowing her father was a homeless drunk.
When I was done telling the story, Axel's expression was one of sadness, "That's such a sad story. I'm glad he's had someone like you to help him through."
We spoke in between dinner and when I returned home, I couldn't help the smile on my face.
I had enjoyed dinner with Axel and found myself feeling hopeful that we would spend more time together.
This was a new feeling for me since what had happened. After that eventful night all those years ago, I had stayed away from dating.
The next morning when I walked into the Grimes building I held two cups of coffee. One for myself and one for Wyatt.
As I made my way toward Wyatt's office, I stopped dead in my tracks.
The older secretary, Hilda looked at me with concern, "Kenzie, dear, are you alright?"
I blinked a couple of times.
Surely I wasn't seeing correctly.
Paul stood near the doors looking completely different n a security uniform. His once long and unkept hair was cut stylishly, and he looked like a completely different person.
He grinned at me as I approached.
"Paul?" I knew it was him, but I was still a bit confused.
"Kenzie!" he pulled me into a quick hug, "Thank you so much."
"For what?" I was still battling to process what was happening.
"Mr. Grimes came into the homeless shelter yesterday and offered me a job. I couldn't believe it! He's even gotten me into an AA program."
"He what?" Again, I was sure I was understanding this wrong.
Paul nodded, "He said it was thanks to you."
"Paul, I had no idea about this. But I'm happy you have this. I need to get to work now, can we talk during lunch?"
He nodded and I stepped passed him into Wyatt's office.
"You hired Paul?"
"I did."
"Why? I mean, it's great. But why?"
"I have my reasons."
It was obvious he wasn't planning on sharing those reasons so I put his coffee down and went over to his diary to start with work.
I worked silently while shooting glances in his direction, he looked good in his dark charcoal-colored suit.
It brought out the flecks of grey in his blue eyes.
I shook my head and silently scolded myself for thinking in that manner. I knew how wrong it was of me to be thinking this way.
The doors opened and Hilda walked in with a large bouquet of deep red roses. It was so big you could barely see the petite woman behind them.
Wyatt looked over, "Really, Hilda?"
"Sorry, Sir," she placed them on the desk in front of me, "Delivery for Miss Middleton." She gave me a knowing smirk before walking out.
I looked down at the flowers feeling a bit confused, I couldn't think of a time anyone had sent me flowers.
Aside from Wyatt, of course.
"Who the hell are those from" He barked while getting to his feet and coming over.
I shrugged, "I don't know?"
He whipped the card away before I could get my hands on it, "Thank you for a lovely evening. I hope to do it again sometime. Axel." He read the card with a mocking tone, a hint of annoyance laced his words.
"Oh." That was all I could think to say.
"Did you fuck him?"
I gasped at Wyatt's brash words, "What? No! Not that it's any of your business."
"My business is what I say it is." He threw the card in the trash and glared at me.
I would have given him a sarcastic comeback but my phone rang and Axel's name flashed on the screen.
I went to answer it but Wyatt snatched it from me and put it to his ear, "This is Kenzie's boss, Wyatt Grimes. Please refrain from phoning my staff during working hours." He cut the call and pocketed my phone.
"What is wrong with you?"
He shrugged, "I pay you to do a job, not to be on your own private calls. Get back to work."
WYATT
I was furious. How dare she think she could answer private calls while on the job?
My blood boiled at the thought of her with Axel.
He was no good for her!
I stormed out of the office without a word, needing to get away from her.
Taking the lift down a few floors, I walked over to one of the interns, a pretty little redhead who had been flirting with me for weeks.
"Layla. A word."
She smiled at me before following me back to the elevator.
When she stepped in, I noted her attire; she wore a tight white dress that fell to her knees, it had a fairly low squared neckline, and her cleavage poked out the top.
"Am I in trouble, Mr.Grimes?" She asked me in a flirty voice.
I hit the stop button on the elevator as soon as the doors closed, "That depends on how willing you're about to be."
It was a shit move. But I was sure I would get over this jealousy once I was done with Layla.
All I needed to do was distract myself from Kenzie long enough.
And Layla would be a very willing participant, she diligently dropped to her knees.