“Are those for her?” Sheryl reaches for the bouquet.
I pull them closer to me. “Can you call her and find out when she’ll be back?”
“I guess I can if that’s what you want.” She tosses me a puzzled look before she rounds her desk and picks up a cell phone. “I’m glad to see she’s dating someone like you. The last man she was with wasn’t her type at all.”
“We’re not…” I begin before I’m stopped by the rise of her hand in the air.
&nbs
p; “Olivia?” She asks into the phone before she pauses. “Your boyfriend is here at the office to see you.”
She sighs and lets out a small chuckle. “Alexander Donato.”
Sheryl’s eyes rake me over as she listens intently. “He’s not? Oh. I’m sorry. I just assumed. It’s been a long time since you…”
I clear my throat as she stops again to listen.
“He wants to speak with you.” Her gaze drops to the top of her desk. “All right. I’ll tell him.”
She lowers the phone from her ear and studies the screen. It fades to black under her gaze.
I wait for her to say something, anything, but she continues to stare at her phone silently.
I clear my throat. “When will she be back?”
That prompts a slow raise of her chin until her eyes meet mine. “She won’t be back in the office today. She was called into one of our retail locations to handle a problem that popped up.”
“Which location?” I ask. “I’ll head over there to speak to her.”
She looks at the flowers again. “She’s very busy today. She said that you could expect a call from her tomorrow once she’s back in her office.”
“I’d like to talk to her today,” I press. “It’s an urgent matter, Sheryl.”
“She didn’t mention that,” she mutters under her breath. “Is this business or personal? Olivia didn’t get into any detail on the phone.”
I see the unmistakable glint of curiosity in her eyes. The woman is dying to know what my connection to Olivia is and what the flowers symbolize.
I use her nosiness to my advantage. “It’s a personal matter. The flowers are a surprise. Thank you for not mentioning them to her during the call. I can’t wait to see the expression on her face when she sees them.”
She reaches out to touch my arm. “Olivia didn’t specifically say that I couldn’t tell you where she is. You won’t take up too much of her time, will you?”
I place my hand over hers. “Five minutes, Sheryl. I just want five minutes to hand her the flowers and see the smile on her face.”
She heaves a breathy sigh. “She’s at the Liore boutique in Tribeca.”
“I’ll make my way over there now.” I take a few steps before I turn back. “Let’s keep this between us. I want Olivia to be shocked when I walk in.”
“I won’t say a word.” She shakes her head. “ Ms. Hull doesn’t have enough romance in her life. I’m not going to ruin this for her.”
Chapter 8
Olivia
I should fire Sheryl.
“Mr. Donato,” I whisper his name. “What are you doing here?”
He stares at me. “I came to thank you.”