New Norm

chapter Ten

Tiffany

N ico: I’m cooking tonight.

I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. Three months have passed since that night in the condo. The police are still no closer to catching Saint. Every time I think his craziness has died down or moved on, I get a reminder he’s still out there.

Shortly after the break in at the condo, I was driving home from work with my bodyguard following me, when a car tried to run me off the road. Thank God my bodyguard was there. My car was damaged, and while at the shop it was stolen. The police found it five days later, shot up to all hell and on fire. I was devastated. Since then, Nico bought me a brand-new black Mercedes Benz G wagon and now I’m chauffeured everywhere I go.

Two weeks ago, a bouquet of black roses was delivered to my job. The card attached said; you still owe a debt. It was simply signed, S. After that, Nico got even more protective. He checks in every thirty minutes either with me or my personal bodyguard that never leaves my side.

I can’t complain because the man is a godsend. The only minor issue I might have, is there has been no repeats of the kiss from that night.

Admittedly, I don’t blame him. I kind of panicked after that kiss and started to feel completely guilty. I know he saw it on my face. However, my body won’t stop craving his lips on mine.

Me: Should I be worried?

Nico: LOL! Despite what you think, I can cook.

I asked him to watch my roux for me last week while I ran to the bathroom. I came out to a smoked-out kitchen and an inedible sauce.

Me: I guess I’ll give you a second chance. You do owe me a meal since your Lakers lost to my Knicks.

Nico: By one point and the refs helped you win.

I can’t help the smile that steals across my face.

“Look at you blush.” I look up at the sound of Mira’s voice. Turning, I place my phone down on the counter and finish fixing the coffee I started when I first came into the break room. “Let me guess, you’re talking to your sexy billionaire?”

Placing my back against the coffee bar, I turn to look at my best friend, as I take a sip of my coffee. “First of all, he’s not my anything. We’re just friends.”

Mira tosses her locs over her shoulders. “Friends my ass. That man got you staying in his house, bought you a car, and practically have you guarded like you’re the damn president.” She points to my guard Jake standing by the door.

I roll my eyes playfully at her instead of replying. She knows why Nico has done all that he’s done for me. When I first told Mira my devastating news, she felt sorry for me and volunteered to go whoop Marcus’ ass.

Before I can say anything else, Russ walks in the breakroom. He glances at Mira and then me. However, his eyes seem to stay on me a little longer.

“Morning, ladies.” He walks over to the fridge and opens it up taking out a bottle with green juice in it.

“Morning, Russ,” Mira and I say at the same time.

“So, Mira, how’s the Peterson’s project going?” I ask, changing the subject.

She grimaces. “Horrible. Tess is really fucking this up. She forgot to check to make sure the tile the homeowners wanted was in stock. Turns out, it’s on back order and not expected to be available for another seven months if she’s lucky. Plus, they are ten times more expensive than she first presented to the homeowners.”

I hiss. Every designer knows you need to check and double check that not only the material you want is available as soon as possible, but for the cost as well.

“Did she present the clients with an alternative they’d like?” I ask.

Mira shakes her head “The entire design of the house was based around those specific tiles. The homeowners are livid.” Mira grabs a disposable coffee cup from beside me and starts to brew her coffee.

“I’m assuming she’s going to blow the budget again. She asked me to do a mockup of the kitchen they wanted. They’re going to have to completely redo the plumbing in that house for that.” Russ says joining the conversation.

Mira rolls her eyes before answering him. “Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were already on the fence about working with Tess. The only reason they picked her design was because of the fancy one-of-a-kind tile she was going to ship in from Peru.”

“I guess that didn’t work out for her,” I tease.

Mira tosses her head back and laughs. “I think the Petersons are going to make a complaint.”

“They already did,” Russ says swallowing down his green drink. “Tess is in Mr. Johnson’s office right now.”

Mira and I look at each other. Communicating non-verbally our excitement for Tess to finally get what she deserves.

I probably should feel sorry for her. She’s been off her game a lot lately, even before I took Basille’s Resorts and Hotels from her. However, when you’ve been a snooty bitch to everyone you deem beneath you, karma eventually comes around.

“Mira, can I speak with you for a moment?”

Speak of the devil.

Tess appears in the doorway of the break room. Her tight pencil skirt hugs her barely-there-ass. Her low cut sleeveless pink shirt is once again showing off her most prized assets. Her eyes land on me and her nose crinkles as if she smells something disgusting.

“Actually,” she says walking further into the room. “We can wait to talk. This should be only between real professionals. Not people who sleep their way into a project.” She coughs in her hand saying my name. “Oh, I’m sorry, I must have come down with something.”

I know this bitch isn’t trying me. I’ve let a lot of stuff slide when it came to Tess, but not this time.

Placing my cup down beside me, I turn back to face Tess. “Is there something you want to say to me?”

She glares at me before squaring her shoulders. “You know, for a moment I thought you got that hotel project because you deserved it. But it’s clear now what he was actually after.”

“Whoa, Tess. That’s not okay,” Russ says in my defense. I hold up a hand to stop him. I didn’t need his help.

This thing between Tess and I has been brewing since I started here. From the moment I was employed and put on her team she’s had it out for me.

Pushing away from the counter, I walk toward her. “Is that what you have to tell yourself to sleep at night, that I got the job because I spread my legs?” I laugh without humor. “Maybe, instead of making up bullshit scenarios, you should face the fact that you’re a horrible designer.”

Tess’s entire face turns red. “I’m the best designer here. Everyone knows it. Maybe if you weren’t throwing yourself at Basille like some two-cent whore, I’d have the job, the fancy car, and the bodyguard.” She crosses her arms across her chest.

No one here except Mira knows for a fact that Nico bought me the car. They don’t even know that I’m living with him. I guess for Tess it wasn’t hard to make the connection.

“I got the Basille Hotel and Resort job because I’m good at what I do. You would understand that if you’d actually given me a chance.”

Tess scoffs. “You’re good at what you do alright. Do you spit or swallow?”

Looking back, I’ll probably regret this, and maybe my guilt played a role in my decision, but I haul off and punch the shit out of Tess. My fist flies across her cheek so hard my fingers hurt. She screams and grabs her face. I would’ve hit her again, but Russ pulls me away from her.

Jake grabs Tess as she tries to run toward me.

“Let her go, Jake,” I beg. “Let me teach her to keep my name out her mouth.” Jake chuckles, but don’t let Tess go.

“You bitch. I’m going to have you fired,” Tess yells at me.

“You started with her,” Mira adds. “Accusing her of sleeping with a client when you have absolutely no proof. I’m sure that’s an HR complaint.”

Not only was I pissed at Tess for basically calling me a whore, but for her accusing Nico of being some dick driven idiot. He’s the nicest, and hardest working man I’ve ever met. He didn’t deserve to have his name drug through the mud the way she was doing.

I tug once again to get away from Russ. “Enough,” he says in my ear. “Come on.”

Russ pulls me out of the break room and down the hall. We stop in front of one of the small conference room doors. He opens it up and gently shoves me inside. Closing the door, he turns to look at me.

“Are you all right?”

I’m pacing in front of him, still worked up. “I can’t believe her,” I growl.

“Come here. Don’t let her get under your skin.” He holds out his hand for me and I take it. He pulls me into a hug.

“I know you’ve had a hard couple of months. First your breakup with Marcus and then your car getting stolen.” Russ rests his chin at the top of my head.

I realize I don’t feel as comfortable in his arms as I do in Nico’s. Pulling away from him, I take a step back putting distance between us.

“I got the job with Nico fair and square. For her to insinuate anything else is disgusting.”

“Nico?” Coming to a complete stop, I shake my head. I didn’t mean to let that slip out. I’m very good at only calling him Mr. Basille when around others.

“When did you start calling him by his first name?”

I cock my head at Russ. “I’ve been working with him for six and a half months, I think I’ve earned the right to call him by his first name.” I don’t like what his tone and his question suggest.

He’s quiet for a moment. “Are you sleeping with him?”

I’m too stunned to speak. Number one, how dare he ask me that question. And number two, it’s none of his damn business even if I were. Which I am not.

“Not that I owe you or anyone else an explanation, but Nico and I are friends. He has been there for me in more ways than you could ever imagine. In fact, I owe that man my life. But I guess, the only way a man like him could be friends with someone like me is if I’m fucking him, right?”

“Tiffany, I wasn’t saying that.” Russ reaches for me, but I step out of his way.

“You know what, thanks for your help today but in the future, I can take care of myself.”

I walk around Russ and grab the door.

“Tiffany wait,” he pleads, grabbing my arm.

I swing the door open with my free hand and on the other side stands the man himself.

“Mr. Basille,” I say his name breathlessly. “What are you doing here?”

“I had a question about the carpet for the presidential suites, but you never responded to my text message.” He says all that, yet his gaze never leaves Russ’ hand wrapped around on my arm.

I guess Russ finally got the memo because he snatches his hand off me.

“I’m sorry, it’s been a rough morning,” I explain. “What question do you have?”

Those dark brown eyes turn to me, and immediately my stress seems to fall away. “Are you all right?” he asks instead of asking his question.

The way he speaks to me is always gentle and with the sincerest concern. I’m not blind, I know this man has a mean streak. I saw it the night the intruder attacked. However, with me, Nico is always so gentle.

“Yes.” For the first time since Tess walked in that break room, I am all right.

Mr. Basille holds out his hand toward me and without any thought, I walk over and take his outstretched hand.

“Good, come on.” With one last glance in Russ’ direction, Mr. Basille leads me away from the conference room.

Once again, he shows up right on time to save the day.