Keeping Denver

Finally, Friday!

When I arrive at work, I do so with a smile on my face. I survived my first week here, and that is a huge accomplishment. Sitting down in my chair, I fire up my computer and open my email to see my boss already has a laundry list of things for me to do this morning: have his dry cleaning sent out, call his housekeeper, and give her a list of items he needs picked up, place his lunch order, and set up a meeting with Janice, the records clerk for this afternoon.

‘Am I going to get my coffee sometime today, Miss Hollis?’ Mr. Hawk’s voice rings out over the speaker on the desk phone, causing me to jump. He gets me every damn time he does that.

I press the button on the phone and reply. ‘Yes, Sir. I’m getting it now.’ Jumping from my seat, I shuffle down the hall to the breakroom, coming to a dead stop just outside the door when I hear my name spoken.

‘I don’t know how she has made it a week. I bet she doesn’t make it another before Mr. Hawk fires her.’

I know that annoying voice. Kelly.

‘Really?’ Another woman’s voice I don’t recognize speaks.

‘Frances has nothing but good things to say about her. She was telling Lucas the other day that Mr. Hawk was pleased with how she been doing.’

I ran into Lucas two days ago. He’s a paralegal here and is also the grandson of Roland, the older man from the library. Lucas was sweet when he introduced himself to me. I thanked him for both his and his grandfather’s help getting me this job.

‘Oh, please. I’m not buying that innocent girl act Denver is putting on. If you knew what I know about her….’

‘What are you talking about, Kelly?’ the other woman hedges. ‘Spill the dirt.’

My nerves kick in, and my stomach starts to knot as Kelly continues. ‘I’ve been catching her stealing food.’ At Kelly’s admission, my heart rate picks up and my body begins to shake.

‘What! Stealing food?’

‘Yep. Denver has been stealing food from the office. I’ve seen her do it. At the end of the day, when she thinks everyone is gone, she slithers in here like a snake and takes stuff.’

The two are quiet for a second before the nameless woman speaks again. ‘I don’t know, Kelly. Maybe you have it all wrong. It’s only food. It’s not like it’s a big deal anyway.’

‘Not a big deal? She’s probably stealing more than just food, Kara. Who knows what else her sticky fingers have gotten hold of. I’m going to be taking my concerns with Denver to Mr. Hawk. I’m sure he doesn’t want a thief working for him.’

Oh, God. I knew Kelly would be gunning for me. This is just the ammunition she needs to get me out the door. I have to get out of here.

With the whooshing sound of my heart pounding in my ears, I move on autopilot. When I reach my desk, my hands shake as I fumble with the drawer to the filing cabinet, where I snatch my bag up. Turning away from my desk, I come face to face with Mr. Hawk—his brow furrowed. For a moment, I get lost in his mossy green orbs. I cock my head to the side to study him because, for some reason, his mouth is moving, but I don’t hear his words. I only hear the rapid beat of my own heart. Then suddenly, I stumble backward. Tiny flashes of light begin flickering around me, and my vision blurs. The last thing I remember before everything goes black is the feel of Mr. Hawk’s strong arms cradling my body.

I wake sometime later to the sound of Frances’s voice. ‘Do you know what happened?’

I crack my eyes open to the sight of Mr. Hawk, pacing back and forth in front of me, becoming momentarily confused. Why am I in his office? And what the heck am I doing lying on his sofa?

I’m only confused for a moment before remembering Mr. Hawk was asking for coffee and overhearing Kelly talking to someone about me stealing food. Then Kelly said she was going to tell Mr. Hawk what I had done.

‘I don’t know what the hell happened,’ Mr. Hawk growls. ‘I called my doctor. He’s on his way.’

Doctor? Oh, hell, no. I let out a groan as I go to sit up. ‘I don’t need to see a doctor.’

Frances rushes to my side. ‘Denver. Good lord child. Are you okay?’

I don’t get a chance to answer Frances because, like always, my boss cuts me off. ‘No, she’s not okay. And you will be seeing a doctor.’

Having enough of his bossy attitude, I shoot daggers at him. ‘I don’t see how that is your decision.’

‘Seeing as you passed out and I had to catch you before you busted your head open on the floor, it most certainly makes it my decision,’ he snarls.

There is a knock on the door interrupting our standoff, and an older gentleman with a warm smile and wearing glasses strolls in. I cut my eyes to Frances, who has yet to make another peep. I squint my eyes at the goofy look she’s sporting as her eyes dart back and forth between my boss and me.

‘Thank you for arriving so quickly, Dr. Morgan,’ Mr. Hawk greets the older man.

‘It was no problem, Callan. Now, can you tell me what the emergency is?’

Mr. Hawk points to me. ‘My assistant, Miss Hollis, passed out about twenty minutes ago. She’s been awake for five.’

Dr. Morgan turns his attention to me. ‘Hello, young lady. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to check you over.’

I peer over Dr. Morgan’s shoulder to my boss, who is giving me a look that says he dares me to say no. ‘Sure. But I’d rather not have an audience.’

‘I’m staying,’ Mr. Hawk grinds out.

Dr. Morgan peers at my boss over the rim of his wire glasses. ‘If my patient wants you to leave, I have to abide by her wishes. You may have called me here, Callan, but I still have to uphold doctor-patient confidentiality.’

‘That’s no problem, dear. Callan and I will wait out in the hall.’ Frances gives Mr. Hawk a pointed look while trying to usher him out of the office. Finally, he relents and steps out of the room. I don’t miss the way he grinds his jaw or the fact he was seconds away from breathing fire from his mouth. The man is confusing. One minute he acts as if he can’t stand the fact that I am working here, and the next, he’s worried about my wellbeing and demanding he is allowed to stay in the room while a doctor looks me over. I’m convinced Mr. Hawk has multiple personalities. I’m also confident I have the same disorder because one minute, I hate the man, and the next, I get butterflies in my belly from the way he looks at me.

Once Dr. Morgan finishes assessing me by listening to my heart and shining his penlight in my eyes, blinding me, he gives me a look and I already know what’s coming. ‘When was the last time you ate, Miss Hollis?’

‘Did you mean what you said about confidentiality?’

‘Absolutely. Whatever goes on in this room stays between the two of us,’ Dr. Morgan assures.

Too mentally and physically drained to lie and make excuses, I tell the truth. ‘Yesterday morning.’

Dr. Morgan rears back. ‘Why have you not eaten anything in over twenty-four hours? No wonder you passed out. I have to warn you, Miss Hollis, you are doing serious damage to your body by denying it proper nutrition. Are you on one of these silly fad diets?’

I blow out a breath and squeeze my eyes shut. ‘Yeah. It’s called the ‘I’m homeless and have no money for food diet, Dr. Morgan.’ Placing my elbows on my knees, I lean forward and rest my forehead in the palms of my hands.

‘I see,’ Dr. Morgan says, his voice gentle. ‘Does Callan know of your current situation?’

‘No!’ I snap my head up. ‘Nobody knows, and I want to keep it that way.’

‘If Callan knew…’ Dr. Morgan goes to say.

I hold my hand up to stop him. ‘I don’t want my boss to know I’m homeless. I don’t need his or anyone else’s pity. I can take care of myself. I’m also saving up to get myself an apartment. I’ll only be in this predicament for a couple more weeks.’ I fold my arms. ‘I don’t need anyone.’ By the look on my face and the tone in my voice, Dr. Morgan can sense the matter is closed. Slowly losing some of my defenses, I say, ‘Look, I’ll try to do better about eating. I get my first check at the end of the week. I have a plan to start looking at apartments soon. I can assure you my situation is only temporary.’

‘Okay, Miss Hollis. For now, I am going to give you my number. I want you to call me day or night if needed.’ Dr. Morgan pulls a card from his pocket and scribbles his number on the back then hands it over. ‘I don’t agree with the fact you won’t say anything to Callan or even Frances, but I will respect it.’ He gives me a pointed look. ‘Your health comes before pride, Denver.’

I take the offered card with a nod. I don’t have any intention of ever telling Mr. Hawk anything.

Standing, I follow Dr. Morgan out of the office, where a worried Frances and my brooding boss are waiting. I ignore Mr. Hawk as he talks in hushed tones with Dr. Morgan. By the glare on his face, he is not pleased with the fact the doctor is not willing to divulge any of my information. Meanwhile, I take a seat back behind my desk.

‘What are you doing, Denver?’ Frances asks.

‘I’m getting back to work,’ I shrug as though it was clear.

‘I don’t think that is a good idea. Perhaps you should go home and get some rest.’

I give Frances a warm smile. She truly is the sweetest lady. ‘I’m fine, Frances. Really. I was in such a rush this morning I forgot to grab some breakfast. That and I have been feeling a little under the weather, and took some medicine on an empty stomach.’ I let the lie roll off my tongue. ‘I’ll have some lunch in a little bit and be as good as new.’

‘The hell you will,’ a gruff voices barks over Frances’s shoulder. ‘You’ll eat now, and you’ll eat in my office where I can keep an eye on you. The last thing I need is a passed out employee.’ Mr. Hawk turns to Frances. ‘Tell Kelly she is to handle all of Miss Hollis’s calls for the next hour.’ He then turns to me. ‘My office, Miss Hollis. Now.’ Mr. Hawk turns and storms off and I’m left stunned. I look to Frances for help. Only she doesn’t offer anything except a huge grin.

‘You don’t want to keep him waiting when he’s in a mood.’

Sighing, I brace my hands on my desk and stand. ‘Is he always like this with his employees?’

Frances’s grin turns into a full-on ear to ear smile. ‘Nope.’

When I step inside Mr. Hawk’s office, I stand at the door, unsure of what to do. This whole situation has thrown me off-kilter. ‘Sit,’ he barks as he stands at the mini bar with his back to me. I watch as he fills a glass with ice then pours a small bottle of orange juice into it. Grabbing a bottle of water from the small refrigerator, along with the glass of juice, Mr. Hawk’s legs eat up the distance between us. As he makes his way toward me, I can’t help but take him in. Today he is wearing a grey suit with a white button-down. The red tie he had on earlier is now missing, and the top two buttons on his dress shirt are undone, exposing a smidgen of ink. I’m now suddenly curious about what is under his shirt and the extent of his tattoo.

‘Denver,’ Mr. Hawk growls, catching my attention. The look on his face says he knows I was checking him out and I can feel my face flush. This is also the first time he has called me by my first name. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the way it sounded on his lips.

I look up at his face and swallow. ‘What?’

He sets the glass and the bottle of water down on the table in front of me. ‘Drink.’

This time I find myself not arguing. I pick up the glass of orange juice and place it to my lips, my boss watching my every move. I close my eyes and moan as the coolness slides down my throat. When was the last time I had orange juice? It tastes like heaven.

A knock at the door causes me to abandon my trance, looking up to find Mr. Hawk peering down at me, his eyes hooded. His green eyes draw me in, and without thinking, I run my tongue across my full bottom lip. The grip my boss has on his bottle of water tightens, and the plastic makes a crackling sound under the pressure. The second knock on the door does the trick at snapping him out of his current state. The delivery guy stands in the doorway to the office, waiting for Mr. Hawk’s orders. ‘You can set it down over here on the table,’ he tells him. Mr. Hawk pulls out his wallet and hands the delivery guy some cash. ‘Close the door on your way out, Dillon.’

‘Will do, Mr. Hawk. See you next time.’

I find it endearing my boss is on a first-name basis with the guy who delivers his food. That thought causes me to smile.

‘What’s that look for?’ he asks, taking a seat in the chair across from me and begins pulling the items from the bag.

‘I think it’s nice you know the name of the man who delivers your lunch,’ I shyly admit.

Mr. Hawk removes the lid to a plastic container and places it in front of me. On it is Thai chicken with a side of broccoli. It smells delicious. ‘Dillion has been bringing me my lunch at least three times a week for the past two years. I would be an asshole not to know his name, Miss Hollis.’

I guess now we’re back to Miss Hollis.

Together Mr. Hawk and I eat our meal in silence. I take my time to savor each bite, and the food is going a long way in making me feel better. As the minutes tick by, I become less nervous around my boss. He is abrupt with me, and kind of a bossy jerk, but has never been outright mean.

After I finish the last bite of chicken, I stand from the sofa and go about clearing the table. ‘Thank you for lunch. I already feel better.’ I toss the empty containers in the trash bin and turn to face Mr. Hawk before I exit his office. ‘I’ll be at my desk.’