The Sound of Serendipity by Cynthia A. Rodriguez

Author:Cynthia A. Rodriguez [Rodriguez, Cynthia A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allon Media
Published: 2016-04-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Fridays at the office are more relaxed for me. This Friday in particular, people are ready for the holiday party tonight. I smile at the mistletoe hanging above my office’s doorway.

“Decorating, Hollis?”

He stands and pulls me so we’re both underneath the ornament.

“Yes, boss.” Then he leans in and kisses my cheek. I look over to see my father and Maddox approaching, and I’m a little flushed by the sight of the man who had instructed me to touch myself. We haven’t spoken since the night before.

My fingers wiggle a little at my side and Maddox looks down, catching the movement. He gives me a secretive smirk as my father leans in to kiss my cheek. I forget I’m standing under the mistletoe so when I try to move from under it, Maddox stops me with a hand on my wrist.

“My turn,” he says and before I can protest, he kisses my cheek.

“What a wuss,” my dad whispers to Hollis and when I open my mouth to scold him, Maddox yanks me back and kisses my lips. It’s soft and it’s like he’s coaxing my bottom lip to come out and play. When he pulls back, I’m a little dazed. It was a quick blow but one strong enough to knock me flat.

“Much better,” I hear my dad say and I roll my eyes.

“I don’t know what kind of work environment you’re promoting, but that isn’t encouraged in most businesses,” I tell my dad.

He at least has the decency to look apologetic, shameful man that he is. As I look at him in his playful mood, I miss him so much. He’s right in front of me, but I can’t see the person who raised me. Just a man who looks like him. Could it be that his grief has finally taken charge, growing so large that it stands taller than he does?

“The ball is tonight, Emmy,” he says and I nod, slipping into business mode. “All you’re expected to do is work the crowd. The event planner will take care of everything else. She should for what I’m paying her.”

It’s a relief to hear I won’t have to be so…on at this event. Still, I glance at Maddox and all I can think of is how many steps I’d have to take to be in his arms. Three, maybe four. I look down at my small peep-toe heels. Four steps for my size five feet.

“Feather earrings?” I hear my father ask and I immediately touch them. “Wonder what that means.”

“Nothing,” I say with a smile and I turn to walk into my office. But he’s relentless and follows me inside.

“Red blouse, too?” He grins. “Have you been to the park recently?”

This is the man I know and love, the one who saved my superhero bandages for when I really needed them and was only ever able to accomplish a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when my mom died. I spent more nights than I care to count eating them.

“I haven’t had the time,” I tell him as I settle in behind my desk.

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