Dangerous Curves: The Good Girl

Tongue Tied

Tongue Tied

One week earlier

“Violet, could I talk to you for a minute?”

I glanced down at the clock on the right-hand corner of my computer screen – 6:38. Shouldn’t she be long gone by now? She being my boss Mariah. It wasn’t like her to stay in the office so late, especially on a Friday.

In fact, I’d be cutting out in a few minutes myself. I suppressed a smile as I thought about my after-work plans for the evening.

I had a hot date on the other side of town in just under an hour. Actually, the term “hot date” didn’t quite do it justice.

I had received the message – my summons, as I jokingly called it – early this morning. I had just rolled out of bed and I was checking e-mails on my phone when the door buzzer went off, alerting me that I had a visitor downstairs. I pressed the talk button and asked, “May I help you?”

“I have delivery for Miss Violet Lewis. It’s from Mr. Nicholas Colby.”

My eyes shot wide open. A delivery? From Nick? It was barely 7 a.m. What could he possibly be sending me?

“Come on up,” I said, pressing the button to unlock the door.

A moment later, the deliveryman appeared, clutching a large to-go cup of coffee, a small pastry box, and a red envelope.

“Mr. Colby wanted you to have these,” the deliveryman said, as I took the items from his hand.

“Thank you,” I told him. I set Nick’s presents down on my coffee table and reached for my purse to give the deliveryman a tip. But as I started to pull out a few dollars, he held up his hand to stop me.

“Mr. Colby has already taken care of it,” he said.

“I insist,” I told him.

I tried, again, to give him the tip, but he shook his head.

“And Mr. Colby insists back. Good day,” he said, ducking out and shutting the door before I could protest.

I turned and picked up the red envelope and carefully opened the flap. Inside, was a small white card, which read:

Dinner tonight, 8 p.m. My driver will pick you up.

Nick

P.S. Enjoy breakfast.

I opened the pastry box and was delighted to find a chocolate cheesecake croissant – my favorite! I was even more delighted when I noticed a card that said:

Tabor’s Gourmet Bake Shoppe

St. Louis, Missouri