Chapter 11

I can't believeI called Steel in a moment of weakness. The more I think about his response, the more I question my perception of him. How can he be so violent and bad, but still be so tender anytime it comes to me?

Today my focus is on my new position and everything I want to do to improve the company"s image; no time for personal thoughts. Grabbing my keys and the bag that holds my lunch, I hurry out the door.

The drive to work consists of me being a karaoke star, and scream-singing Back to You by Selena Gomez. Before I know it, I'm pulling into a parking spot and getting out of the car, ready to kill it today. I pull my suit jacket down and rub out any wrinkles the drive may have caused. I'm wearing my favorite plum jacket with a lavender shirt underneath and black slacks. A power outfit, one that makes me feel strong and that I'm about to rock this shit.

Butterflies swarm in my belly as I step through the doors and head upstairs to the offices. It feels odd not turning left for the children‘s department like I normally would. I momentarily wonder who they got to fill my spot, but then I realize I don't care as long as it gets me away from Susan.

I stride into my office—my own damn office—drop my bag and keys on the desk, and do a slow spin, absorbing every detail of the room. As I settle into my chair, I immediately spot a stack of papers on the desk with a post-it note reading ‘Fill me out'.

It seems HR wasted no time getting me the forms I need to complete to make them happy. I grab a pen and get to work with this mundane task so I can move on to what I really wanna do. Which is to figure out an event I can throw together in the short time I have before Christmas.

An hour later, I feel on top of the world. Howards is the designated shopping destination for Shop with a Cop starting next year. I agreed to give them a discount on all purchases in exchange for a ten-year contract. Barron was ecstatic when I told him the news. I kinda worried he'd be upset that I locked us in for such a long period, but he loved it.

I'm determined to launch something for this year, despite Christmas creeping closer. I tap my pencil on the top of the desk as I wrack my brain, trying to think of a plan. What can I throw together quickly that would have a decent impact, since we're only weeks away from Christmas?

Shit! Two things come to mind, but I need to make sure the one is doable, since it would require Howards footing the bill. Standing from my chair, I leave my office and head to Barron's. I hope the two visits I've already paid him today won't give him a needy vibe from me.

He doesn't even let me knock as he waves me inside. "What can I do for you, Ignatius?"

"So, I know I spoke to you about Shop with a Cop and that's a go starting next year. But I have an idea for this year, well, two actually, but I wanted to get the green light from you on one of them."

"Okay. Shoot," he replies, folding his hands on his desk.

"Every year, Goodwill puts a program together where companies can sponsor a family for Christmas. We'd pay for a Christmas tree and decorate it, then the weekend before Christmas the public can walk through the community center to view them all and can put change in a jar for their favorite tree. The money from voting goes to buy more gifts for families in need. That Sunday we'd deliver the tree to the family along with gifts we bought for them and a full holiday dinner."

"I love it! What do you need from me?" He smiles, and it covers his face almost ear to ear.

"I need your approval and a payment method. I will do everything else," I reply.

"I can get you the funds in two different ways. One, you pay for them upfront and keep your receipts. Submit them to Polly in accounting and she'll get you reimbursed within minutes. But the second option means I"m prepared to take a leap of faith for you, despite the potential consequences from the board. I like you, Ignatius, and you've shown me already you're a go-getter. So, I'm willing to give you a company card. I'm trusting you to use it only for business expenses related to your position. You'll have to submit your receipts weekly to Polly still so she can make sure everything lines up."

My stomach somersaults as I stare at him, blinking in surprise before I pull myself together. "Thank you, Barron. I appreciate your trust a great deal. I'll take the card, I swear to account for every penny."

He smiles before bending in his chair and searching through one of the lower drawers. Seconds later, he straightens and hands a black Amex to me.

Holy shit!

I give him my thanks and practically prance back down the hall to my office. I'm so excited. First things first, call Goodwill and get our name on the list for a family. They let me pick how big of a family we want and I tell them to give me the largest one they have left. While on the phone with her, she sends over an email with all the family's information. A family of nine; mom, dad, six kids, and grandma all live together.

I wish I had siblings growing up. My life might not have been so lonely. No point in getting lost in the past. My therapist can deal with that shit at our next session. Right now, I need to get some help in decorating and delivering the tree. Pulling up my browser, I send a company-wide email looking for volunteers to help me.

Once I'm done for the day, I head down to my car and drive home with a smile and a warm feeling buzzing through my veins.

* * *

It's finallyFriday and I'm exhausted. Who would have thought a desk job would be more draining than retail work? It won"t stay like this forever. With everything being new, I"ve been networking and shopping nonstop. I have almost everything in order for the Adopt-a-Family and I set up boxes by every register in the store that are wrapped like presents but open on the top for people to donate anything they want. I will make sure everything goes where it fits, whether an animal shelter, a women's shelter, or the local foster care agency.

I've just sat down on my couch with a glass of Moscato and a takeout container of baked mostaccioli when the doorbell rings. Dammit! I'm not expecting anyone. Who is trying to ruin my plan to veg out on my couch and watch Hallmark all weekend?

Setting my less-than-stellar dinner on the coffee table, I walk to the door, making sure my robe is securely tied around me. I don't need to be giving anyone a show. There might be some residual PTSD from the one time I came to get a package and when I bent down to get it, the wind blew my robe open and the delivery driver saw my ass.

Upon opening the door, a young man stands before me, his face looks familiar, yet I can't recall where I might know him from. He's holding a large box with an envelope tied to it and a big red bow. I take the box from him, and without a word, he turns and heads down the path to a Ford Mustang, climbs inside, and speeds away.

What the hell?

Stepping back inside, I shut the door and carry my box to the couch. I grab the envelope and open it. Inside is a handwritten note from Steel.

Ignatius,

I'm sorry I'm not the picture of perfection or fit the mold for what your perfect man may look like. But I promise that no matter how gritty and violent my job might be, I won't ever bring it home to you. On the outside, I may give off hot-tempered and aggressive vibes, but when it comes to those I care about, I'm the total opposite. Please, give me the chance to prove this to you. Take a leap of faith, Iggie, and let me catch you. I promise not to let you fall.

P.S.- I'm not this pretty of a talker. But Kiki helped me write this and said I just needed some flowery words. You'd like her. She's a real bad bitch.

P.P.S.- That was all Kiki.

Steel

I laughas my heart pounds in my chest. I untie the ribbon and open the box, revealing a neatly folded pile of clothes. Quirking a brow, I hold up the contents to see what he's sent. It's a pair of dark green dress pants, a gray sweater with a teddy bear in a Christmas sweater on the front, and a red and black plaid jacket. It's fucking adorable, trendy, and something I would totally wear.

But why send it?

Underneath the jacket is another note. This one just says call me if and when you're ready to jump.

With a deep breath and a few second guesses, I pick up my phone and call him. He answers on the first ring and I stay silent, trying to remember how to speak or what to say.

"Hello, Iggie, are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here. I got your gift," I whisper.

"Good. And you called, so that's fucking fantastic," he replies.

"I did. How did you know my size? What is this for? Your letter didn't say."

"Don't be mad, but I had one of the guys look up your call records the night you sent me that Austin Powers text and saw you messaging with a guy named Draco so I called and explained myself to him and he gave me your sizes. I now owe him a ride on the back of my bike when it warms up," he mutters the last part, clearly not too happy about my best friend being on the back of his bike.

"I'm not mad, but uhm, that is pretty intense, so maybe just ask me next time."

"Well, I would have, if you'd take my calls or texts," he growls.

Touché.

"Yeah, I guess I was a bit of an ass. I have my reasons and when I'm ready, I'll tell you. But tell me what this outfit is for."

"I want you to go to the Angel Tree dinner with me tomorrow night. A bunch of the guys are goin', and I want you to be my date. I'll pick you up at six," he tells me.

"O-o-okay. I guess I'll see you tomorrow night. Thank you, Steel, this was nice, and you really did a good job picking out something I'd like. I'm surprised." I chuckle lightly.

"I may not have known ya long, Iggie, but when I like someone, I make it my business to be the best I can be. I intend to prove that to you, I just need the chance. Don't run away again, baby."

"I'm gonna try not to," I murmur.

"See you tomorrow."

"Steel!" I call before he hangs up. "Tell Kiki I said thank you."

"Oh, for fuck's sake." I hear before the line goes dead.

I drop my phone down onto the couch next to me and grab my forgotten pasta, turning on the TV as I lean back and take my first bite. Guess I have a date tomorrow night and while I'm nervous as hell, I'm also feeling energized and breathless. It's time to stop making excuses on why I shouldn't give Steel a chance and at least let him try to prove that what he says is the truth.