Maybe, Maybe Not

23. V is For...

He was leaving nothing to chance. On the day of Valentine's Day, he was going all in.

And putting his heart on the line.

When he came to pick her up, he was dressed to the nine in a black suit jacket and slacks. His dark blue shirt underneath was left a bit open. Instead of bringing seven roses as it was not the seventh day, he had two dozen red roses for her.

As soon as she saw him standing there after he exited the elevator, her mouth dropped open.

"Nikko!"

"Happy Valentine's Day."

"Why did you....how did you..."

"You had to know I was going to go all out for you."

Jakinda stood from her desk and rushed over to him. She grabbed him in a hug and kissed him, and not a little peck. He felt all the things for her and was not afraid to show affection in public.

"Ahem!" A voice stopped their little make out session in the middle of the lobby.

An older, white man stood near Jakinda's desk watching them.

"Sorry," Jakinda quickly stated and walked to her desk, grabbing a few folders on her desk.

He placed the flowers on the reception counter for her.

"You can't put that there," the guy quickly stated.

"Why not?" Jakinda asked. "Steve, this is ....my friend... Nikko."

Her friend? After everything they had done and been through she introduced him as a friend. He was upset but he also wanted to give her a chance to explain that.

"Where should I put these?" he asked politely. He did not know who this guy was but he did not like his attitude.

"I'll take them." Jakinda put them down on her desk. "Nikko, this is Steve Nagle, my boss. Here are the files you requested." She handed off the files and then looked at her watch.

"I'm leaving a bit early." It was four forty-five, so not that early.

"You still have work to do," Steve grumbled, "I need these notes typed and highlighted."

"Well, you will have to wait or get someone else to do it. Goodnight Steve and happy Valentine's Day. I made sure to deliver your wife the bouquet of flowers, same as last year."

When Jakinda stood to gather her things, bending over to retrieve her bag, he did not like the way this guy was eyeing Jakinda's backside. Then he remembered she had issues with her boss. Once Jakinda' had her purse, she reached for her flowers to take.

"Sir, I'm the boyfriend," he said to the man, not caring how Jakinda introduced him. "I hope you and your wife have a lovely evening, I have a great one planned for my lady."

He went to grab Jakinda's coat to help her into it while Steve stood glaring at them. No other word was said while they waited for the elevator and her boss stood there glaring. He did not want this man or this uncomfortable situation to dampen his night. This was going to be a special night, a night he hoped moved their relationship to the next level.

Once they were on the elevator, Jakinda turned to him. "Why did you say that to my boss?

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't have to say anything to him, I told you who he was, that should have meant he was off limits."

He scoffed at that. "And the way he was staring at your ass, that is off limits."

"He was not!"

"Jakinda, you already said you were having issues with the man flirting with you, what do you want me to do? Have another man staring down my woman right in front of my face?"