Mr. Lawson's Assistant

Chapter 72

I took the elevator down to the first floor and started towards the front doors. The ache in my chest was less than I'd expected, so I walked a little faster. It was raining outside. I blinked when a raindrop splashed in my eye. Glancing around at the wet streets, I sighed and paused at edge of the sidewalk. The rain felt nice against my skin. Soothing.
I inhaled and started towards downtown. Gradually, the rain started to stick to my clothes and hair and as I walked, my shoes started to squish. I didn't turn back though, I wanted to be out of the hotel.
As I walked the streets in downtown, I stopped at a coffee shop for something to soothe my nerves, but left when I realized I hadn't brought my wallet. To kill time, I stopped at the public library and dried off for a bit before I decided to head back out into the rain. I wasn't really in the mood to sit anyways.
Midway through downtown, I passed the entrance to the park where the town summer party had been. Bored of town, I turned back and started into the park. It wasn't long before I'd made my way onto the trail where Damon and I had taken our evening stroll.
Memories flitted through my mind as I walked in the rain. I'd long since tied my hair back out of my face, but it still stuck to the back of my neck and water dripped down my spine from the wet tips. That night had been. . . interesting.
The first half was great.
I thought, looking at a street light as it flickered on, deceived by the cloudy sky.
A smile crept onto my face when I remembered how much I had not wanted to go. The smile widened when I passed the place where Damon and I had run into the group of guys who'd complimented my attire. The more I thought about that night, the more fondly I remembered it. More specifically, the more fondly I remembered spending time with Damon.
As I walked, I pondered what all had happened in my life this past year. I'd been hired by a billionaire, shot—twice—and even spent a night on a private yacht.
Working for the Lawsons had really changed my life. It had even changed me. I felt like I'd really seen it all. Now, if I could just sort out my feelings, this year would end well.
I finished the trail and started back towards downtown. I hadn't brought my phone, so David was probably worried about me.
As I walked out onto the sidewalk, I heard someone calling my name. Turning, I saw a tall, blonde man in a suit walking across the street towards me. Greyson Lawson looked extremely out of place in the rain with his well-done hair and tailored suit, but I was glad to see him.
"Oana," He smiled, coming to a stop in front of me.
I raised my eyebrows. "What are you doing out here, dressed like that?" I smiled, crossing my arms as he ran a hand over his hair.
"Damon and I were at a meeting in CC's." He gestured to the coffee shop across the street where I'd been earlier. "I saw you coming out of the park," he paused, scanning me, before he looked up again and frowned, "is everything ok?"
I nodded, glancing down at myself. I was soaked. "I was just getting a breath of fresh air." I shrugged one shoulder, and Greyson's frown deepened. So serious.
"Do you want a ride home? Damon and I are heading out now."
My eyes moved to the Lamborghini parked in front of CC's, then to the coffee shop window. Was Damon inside?
"No, I'll just walk back. Thank you though." I offered my boss a half-smile. He nodded slowly, holding my gaze, before he seemed to make up his mind and nodded once more.
"Alright. Let me know if you or David need anything."
I turned away when he did and started walking back towards the hotel. My lips twitched a few minutes later when a black Lamborghini sped past me on the road. I shook my head when Greyson beeped the horn.
"Nice car, huh?"
I turned, startled, to see Damon walking down the sidewalk towards me. Glancing back to where Greyson had gone, I frowned.
"You missed your ride."
Damon smirked. "I felt like a little fresh air."
I eyed his collared white shirt and nodded. "Right." I raised my eyebrows pointedly at his black dress shoes.
He shrugged.
I started walking again, and Damon fell into step beside me.
"Did Greyson tell you to walk me home?" I asked after a moment.
Damon grinned and shook his head. "No."
I glanced up at the sky when the rain increased.
"I hope you're prepared to get wet."
Damon chuckled beside me and raised his arms.
"Seems to be a trend when we're together." He reached down and began rolling up his sleeves. We walked in silence for a few minutes, before the rain lulled once more. When I looked over at Damon this time, his hair was dripping water droplets down his face and his white shirt was clear, sticking to his body like a second skin.
He caught my look and smirked, pushing his hair out of his face. "Might as well just take it off, huh?"
My cheeks flushed and I looked away quickly. "Absolutely not."
"Why not?" Damon crossed his arms, still smirking.
I rolled my eyes and stopped at the crosswalk. "Because I don't want to be seen walking around town with a half-naked man." I pushed the metal button and crossed my own arms. Wincing, I shifted my left elbow away from my bruise.
Damon caught my look and his eyebrows knit together. "It still hurts?"
I nodded.
"I'm sorry."
I stilled. Frowning I turned to Damon, only to be taken off guard at how completely serious he looked.
"You didn't shoot me, Damon."
He scoffed. "I might as well have. I called—"
I cut Damon off by slapping him across the cheek.
"Knock it off. I'm the one who was shot, so I decide who to blame, and it isn't you." I clenched my jaw and turned to face the crosswalk again.
Damon just stared at me.
"Stop it, Damon."
"Stop what?"
I pursed my lips. "Staring at me like I've just stabbed you with a kitchen knife!"
Damon straightened, reaching up to rub his cheek. "You just slapped me."
"And I'll do it again if you don't stop throwing a pity party for yourself." I quipped, starting across the street when the walk sign lit up. Damon followed a few steps behind, but eventually moved back up beside me. The silence was now awkward.
"I can't believe you slapped me for apologizing. . ." Damon mused as we stopped at another crosswalk.
I let a half-smile slip. "I've been locked in a hotel room for days, I'm not about to have a sad, deep conversation with you about why I got shot because of you."
"I knew you blamed me." He muttered, reaching up to rub his cheek. There wasn't even a red mark. I glanced up at Damon and he winked at me, shaking his head. "You might have to slap the other cheek so it looks even."
"Don't tempt me."
He chuckled and we crossed the next street, quiet once again.
We walked the rest of the way back to the hotel without much more conversation, but as we reached the front doors, I could feel the weight of Damon's stare. He wanted to ask me something.
I stopped and brushed my hair out of my face, turning to look at Damon. He was already facing me, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Go out with me for an apology date?" He said suddenly, his eyes scanning my face quickly.
I blinked. "Apology date?"
Damon smirked. "Yes. Like I take you out as an apology." He gestured to my bruise.
"What makes you think I'd ever go on another date with you, Damon Lawson?" I crossed my arms and tilted my chin to stare up at him.
Damon took a step forward, effectively invading my personal space and lessening my nerve. "Please?" He cocked his head to the side and the corners of his mouth turned up.
My stomach twisted and I glanced behind Damon to avoid looking him in the eyes. He tilted his head the other way and caught my gaze again, this time smiling a little bigger.
"You're in my personal space." I frowned, avoiding his question. The problem wasn't Damon asking me out again, my problem was that I wanted to go again.
Damon took another, smaller step forward and leaned down so that his face was closer to mine. "That didn't answer my question. . ." He cocked an eyebrow.
I shifted back away from the faint, yet still wonderful smell of his cologne and furrowed my brows. "When?"
Damon looked victorious. "Tomorrow night, eight o'clock sharp." He leaned back to his full height, still smiling.
I looked him over once, before I shook my head and started inside.
Damon Lawson. . .
I thought, making my way inside the hotel, but glancing back just as I got on the elevator. Damon was standing with his back facing the hotel doors now, his hands in his pockets.
Tomorrow.