It gave Brody the luxury of going outside from time to time during the day. He wasn’t exactly an outdoorsy guy, but shooting hoops in his backyard and digging in his garden made him feel normal and boosted all that vitamin D synthesis. He could have wide-open windows letting light spill in and never worry about someone seeing him. That was something a home in the city could not provide.
The landscaping lights that highlighted the curve of his driveway were already on by the time he arrived. He enjoyed the fall, but the shorter days were hard because with his hours, he wouldn’t see the sun at all.
Maybe that was part of what drew him to Sam. She was undoubtedly beautiful, but with her golden hair and bright smile, she was like her own source of sunshine. Simply having her at that desk would be enough to keep the winter blues away. She made him think of his roses.
Attached to the side of his home was a glass greenhouse. He had started growing roses in there a few years back. He didn’t like watching his plants shrivel and die in winter. When it was cold and dreary, he needed their color and vibrancy as much as they needed the warmth. He had about twenty different varieties growing there, but his favorite was a dark pink hybrid tea rose called Miss All-American Beauty. Maybe he would take one to her tomorrow.
The click of toenails on the hardwood greeted him as he came through the door. He wouldn’t dare compare Sam to his golden retriever outside of his own mind, but he couldn’t help smiling when he saw them both. Chris, of course, inspired Brody to throw a ball and scratch her belly. He had entirely different ideas where Sam was concerned.
On cue, Brody smiled as Chris skidded around the corner into the kitchen and then greeted her with an enthusiastic ear scratch. “How was your day?” he asked, anticipating no reply. “I had a great day and a terrible day all at once.”
Chris sat down and cocked her head to one side while he spoke. Finally, she lifted a paw in the air and placed it sympathetically on his pant leg.
“More on that later, though. Let’s get some dinner.” He went through the routine of feeding the dog, reading his note from Peggy and plating up whatever dinner she’d left for him that night. Today was roasted lemon chicken and mashed potatoes with freshly shelled peas.
That handled, he headed into his office with his plate and his dog, ready to start research into the mysterious dwilder27.
* * *
“What is going on with you and this new job? You seem tense.”
Sam looked up from her salad and found herself pinned by the knowing gaze of her best friend, Amanda. She’d avoided talking about her work at ESS. She didn’t know what fell into the confidentiality agreement and what didn’t, but it pained her to keep things from the friend she’d known since junior high. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been really quiet lately. You haven’t talked about the new gig at all, which is weird considering how excited you were to finally get a break.”
“I’ve just been busy,” she said with a dismissive shake of her head. “My supervisor is very demanding.”
“Who exactly are you working for at…?” Amanda paused with a frown. “Have you even told me where you’re working?”
Sam didn’t remember if she had. “Eden Software Systems.” Certainly her working there wouldn’t be a secret.
“How could you have not told me that yet?” Amanda’s eyes lit up with unexpected excitement. She leaned over her lunch and spoke low. “Have you caught a glimpse of the mysterious CEO?”
This was definitely dangerous territory. “No. I don’t have access to his floor,” she lied.
“Oh, well,” Amanda said with a sigh.
Her friend always kept up with celebrity gossip. Insider information on the most elusive CEO in history would be huge on the blogs. There was probably a bounty for details about Brody, but it wouldn’t be enough to pay off the penalty of breaking her agreement.
“So what’s got you all wound up?”
Sam bit at her lower lip. Now, more than ever, she needed girl talk. She wanted to confide in her best friend and figure out what to do. Maybe she could stay vague enough to talk but not tell too much. “I think I’ve done something stupid.”
Amanda’s fork paused in midair. “At work?” Sam nodded. “Well it can’t be as bad as last time. You haven’t slept with your new boss, have you?”
Her friend’s blunt words might have stung if they hadn’t been so close to the truth. “I haven’t slept with him. But I did kiss him yesterday.”