Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Despite my best efforts, and still unsure if I want to go to work tomorrow, I slip into a dreamless sleep. The only thing I can see before darkness takes me is the same man who started my day. His blazing eyes with that suggestive, mischievous look are the last thing I see before I fall into a deep sleep.
Part of me decides that tomorrow might be the day I do a little stalking and find out all I can about this mystery man, James Jones, for myself.
Missing all my alarms and waking up to the sound of my phone buzzing, I can’t help but feel panic. The only person who’d call me on this phone would be Iris, so I pick up immediately.
However, it’s not Iris. It’s Phil. Iris isn’t feeling so good. I know if Phil’s calling, it must be serious.
CHAPTER EIGHT
James
It hits me like a wave.
Maybe it’s the energy hit from the cocoa, or maybe it’s just my old dynamic self making a comeback after a couple of heavy hits I took in the early rounds with Jasmine.
Either way, I have a plan to buy more flowers and help her business without buying every single bunch in person. That would take ages, and I’m two for two proving that if I let myself anywhere near her, I’m such a fucking waste of space that I’ll never be able to tell her how I feel. So, I’ll show her instead.
I send a message to my head of staff, outlining the memo I want every employee, associate, and janitor in the building to read, and right now. I inform them to make their way down here asap and buy a bunch of flowers, a plant, or whatever’s left and pay cash. They’ll be reimbursed for the costs and get a cash bonus if they can do it within the hour.
What are they going to do with all these flowers? There’s no point telling people to get something and leaving no instructions once they have it.
Thinking for a moment, I remember the old St. Mercy Hospital a few blocks away. I add instructions that the flowers are to be taken there and given to whoever needs ’em. I’m sure someone there will know what to do with a few dozen bunches of flowers turning up. There’s always someone who needs their day brightened.
I don’t usually send memos. The firm kinda runs itself without my interference. However, when I do, people take notice.
There are a ton of interns and attorneys convinced they will make partner one day. I hinted at it years ago, but that was before today… before Jasmine.
She’s the only one I want to partner with. And I don’t mean at a legal firm, either.
Seeing her has cemented the idea of early retirement in my mind. I’ve got enough for ten lifetimes, and she’s the only one I want to share every second with from now on. Once I learn to control myself around her, that is, and tell her how I feel.
My plan is to have the flowers bought by staff, who should look like regular customers.
I can watch from across the street… and then… then I can…
Yeah? And then what, Einstein?
Okay, so it’s a kind of on-the-fly sort of plan. I’ll play it by ear and see if I spot another opening to go see her.
Three times in one day? It’s a bit of a stretch, I know. Surely, she can see what she’s doing to me by now.
Just ask her if she’s busy after work. She should finish early if she sells out of flowers, right? Hmmm. Not such a dumb plan after all. We’ll see, and whatever you do, slick, don’t go acting all fucking crazy possessive again.
Chicks hate that. Don’t they?
I’m already itching to see Jasmine again. I decide I can watch from across the street again. I look around for the old lady so I can pay, but the place is empty. I call out after lingering by the “private” sign above the curtain she disappeared through, but nothing.
Reaching over, I leave a fifty under the mug I’ve drained. No more “free” or “on the house” for me today. I can pay my way, and if everything goes according to plan, I’ll have a hefty florist bill by the end of the day.
I keep out of sight, walking down the street before doubling back to my original vantage point.
A groan escapes me. Seeing her again, even from across the street, makes me feel a sense of urgency. The constant rain and gray skies only make Jasmine look all the brighter from where I’m standing.
I am impatiently checking my watch and then my phone. I’m wondering what the holdup is with my instructions. I’ve seen these people. They’re not exactly busting a hump sitting at a desk all day exchanging emails. Hell, I used to be that guy. I know how NOT very hard it is.