Page 16 of With Wine Comes War

Reply to: ROMAN

Subject: I don’t know

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I just don’t know.

AK

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I wasn’t as composed as I’d like to be and I had no plans to give up, not when there’s still something there— to me anyway. I’m not a quitter. Hopefully I don’t turn into a stalker, though.

***

I slept a lot better last night having at least been able to communicate somewhat with her. Gym workout was productive and felt good today too. Got into my office and flipped the lights on. The room was quiet, and my desk was just the way I left it yesterday. I sat in my chair and organized the crap that was scattered about before calling Amelia in to get the notes from the meetings I missed.

She wasn’t as tentative around me as she has been as she sashayed into my office, “Good morning, Mr. King. You’re looking much better today.” She offered me the files with a radiant smile on her face almost like something was up.

“Yeah, feeling much better, thanks. Can we go over the notes from yesterday?” I took them from her and began to scan through them to see if there was anything of immediate importance.

“Sure.” She took the seat in front of my desk and crossed her legs as she sat up straight and proper. “I sent you an email this morning with all the notes attached. I also pushed back your first meeting by an hour in case you needed an extra minute or two this morning.” She looked right at me as if what she was saying was a given. I smiled knowing she would’ve already sent the messages to me in an email, but I preferred having them in my hand.

“Thanks for that. You always seem to know what I need.” I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms, waiting for her to pat herself on the back some more.

“It’s part of my job description, to anticipate your needs. Didn’t you know that?” She handed me some other files she had in her hands. I looked at them and noticed they were for the meetings I had today too.

I laughed and shook my head. “Since HR created that job description, not sure I remember it, or thought you made it up.” We laughedas she situated herself more comfortably in her seat and we went over all the business notes.

Amelia is probably the best person to talk to about the emails last night. I knew she and Alex were friendly and she may have some insight for me being a woman.

“Hey, can you do lunch today? We haven’t done that recently and I’m trying to get back in the swing of things.” I leaned forward, propping my elbows on the desk as I carefully asked.

She had a pained expression on her face. “I actually have a lunch date today. Can we do it tomorrow?” She almost looked nervous waiting for my answer.Hmm, she said, “date.” Is she seeing someone?She’s so secretive about her private life. To hear her say date sounds strange to me. I clasped my hands, resting them sin front of me and raised an eyebrow.

“Really? Anyone I know?” She just smiled uncomfortably. I guess I won’t pry anymore right now.

“I’d rather not say, if that’s okay?”

Like I said, secrets are nothing new with this one.

“Sure, no worries, we’ll plan on tomorrow then? What time are you leaving for lunch?” I walked over to the mini fridge and took out a bottle of water. I held one out to her in silent offer and she shook her head no, so I put it back.

“Noon, same as always,” she shrugged. Probably another thing I never took notice of. The fact that she left the office at the same time for lunch every day. You’d think it would be something I would remember. Guess not.

“Ok, enjoy. I’ll see you this afternoon. My first meeting is out of the office, so I’ll get ready for that and head over.”

She smiled and went back to her desk. I opened the bottle of water and tipped it back, swallowing half trying to stay hydrated after thatheadache. That was the most reserved Amelia’s ever acted with me. She must really like this person she’s meeting for lunch. Good for her.

I clicked open the calendar alert on my phone that said my first meeting was with Grant Johnson, Alex’s broker at Johnson Realty. We needed a game plan to help the residents of Burrow Township relocate. I’d never been to their office before or met any of Alex’s friends from there besides Grant. This was going to be another look into the life(previous or present)of Alex Kennedy.

I pulled up to a beautiful building situated in a park-like setting. Very peaceful vibe. I could see why Alex decided to hang her license here. I walked up to the receptionist and introduced myself. “Hi, I’m Roman King, I have an appointment with Grant Johnson.” I reached my hand out to shake hers and got the normal tongue-tied awestruck reaction as she reached out to shake my hand so slowly you would’ve thought I was a snake about to bite.

Before she could get a word out, Grant dropped his hand on my shoulder and her mouth closed as I took my hand back. “Roman, you’re right on time. Let’s go to the conference room.”

He ushered me down the corridor to the left. I saw a few heads pop up further down the hall as we headed into the conference room. Must not get too many visitors here. They seemed awfully interested in my presence.

There are photos of Alex with her family and friends on the desk. Not really a conference room after all. Why is he bringing me into Alex’s office? I stood in the middle of the space with my hands in my pockets not wanting to sit on anything or get too close that her scent might still be attached to. It’s bad enough to see her in all the pictures on the bookshelves and around the room. I lifted an eyebrow and turned toward Grant hoping he decides to take us to his office instead.

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