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  “Just a little,” he replied. “What’s for dinner?”

  “Baked chicken, potatoes, and green beans.”

  He yawned. “Sounds yummy. Warm me some while I go hop in the shower.” He hugged her this time, giving her an affectionate slap on the behind. “I’ll only be a moment.”

  “Okay,” Tina said. She liked him when he was like this, playful and romantic. She watched him walk away, sniffing the air. He’d changed his cologne. Tina frowned. She didn’t like it because it smelled too feminine and he was all man.

  Erik didn’t talk much during dinner, but Tina didn’t mind because she wasn’t much of a conversationalist either. He went to the den afterwards while she re-cleaned the kitchen and put the remaining leftovers away.

  Tina walked upstairs to their bedroom, pulled out a sexy new nightgown, and entered the bathroom for a bath. Erik still hadn’t come up to bed by the time she exited. She glanced over at the clock. Eleven p.m. She had thought to surprise him with the new negligee, a see-through blue alluring thing that he pointed out in a magazine one day, but she didn’t know how long she could stay awake. By midnight, she just gave up and went to sleep.

  ****

  Erik still wasn’t in bed when the alarm sounded at five the next morning. Tina walked down the stairs and headed toward the den. He wasn’t there either. Maybe he had come up later and decided to sleep in the guestroom instead of disturbing her. Tina put on a fresh pot of coffee, put a coffee cake into the oven, and was about to head back upstairs to dress when she decided to go outside to get the morning newspaper so Erik could read it while he ate breakfast. She opened the front door, stepped outside, and immediately noted something amiss. The garage door was open. She walked back into the house and grabbed the telephone just in case she needed to call the police, and walked back through the kitchen and opened the door that led to the attached garage. Erik’s car was gone. Tina pressed the button near the kitchen door and lowered the garage door, walked back into the kitchen, and hung the phone back up. She sighed. He probably had an early meeting and forgot to close the door.

  Tina walked back through the kitchen and headed upstairs to dress, thinking she’d just bring the coffee cake to work and share it with the other people in the office.

  ****

  Strange, Erik wasn’t at work when Tina arrived, and no one had seen or heard from him. She gave the coffee cake to Alexis and walked to her office. After putting away her things, Tina reached for her cell phone and dialed Erik’s number. It went straight to voice mail. Hum, she thought. He probably turned it off because he’s in a meeting and can’t be disturbed.

  Tina walked back to the administration office by Alexis to get a cup of coffee.

  Alexis had already cut the coffee cake into manageable slices and was busy filling the coffee area with disposable cups and condiments. “Have you found him yet?” Alexis asked as she poured a cup of coffee for both of them.

  Tina thought Alexis looked cute in the butter yellow and brown skirt set she wore. Alexis had great tastes in clothing and knew how to accessorize. “Not yet,” Tina replied. “The calls go directly to voice mail.”

  Alexis added cream and sugar to the coffee, stirred, and handed one of the cups to Tina.

  “Thank you.”

  “Did you ever find out who that woman was we saw him having dinner with yesterday?”

  Tina shook her head. “She was probably a client.”

  Alexis frowned at her. “That means you didn’t ask him.”

  “No, why should I? I trust Erik.”

  Alexis turned up her nose. “Girl, you’re too good. He never would have made it out of that restaurant alive if he was my man.”

  Tina nearly choked on the hot coffee. Sometimes, Alexis could be quite humorous.

  “So he wasn’t home when you woke up?” Alexis had no problems asking personal questions.

  “No.”

  “Has that ever happened before?”

  “No, so it had to be something important that got him out the house so early,” Tina replied.

  “And has his ass late for work,” Alexis added.

  Tina peered at her over the coffee cup.

  “What? Just because he’s sleeping with the boss doesn’t mean he can break the rules. I’d dock his ass if I were you.”

  That thought had crossed Tina’s mind. Alexis was right. She couldn’t show favoritism. “I’ll give him to the top of the hour to show up. If he doesn’t, I’ll dock his ass, like you said.” She reached for a piece of the coffee cake and sampled it. Delicious. She’d driven across town to find it, since it was Erik’s favorite, and now he wasn’t even present to enjoy it. Where could he be? Maybe she should check his calendar. He probably told her about the meeting and she just forgot about it.

  The office door opened and she and Alexis stopped talking and looked in its direction. Kevin entered carrying a briefcase and dressed in a dark blue business suit, tie and white shirt. Funny, it was the first time she’d seen him in anything so businesslike, and she liked it. He looked very professional with his dark hair combed back from his forehead and wearing his glasses instead of contacts.

  He entered, walked over to them, and bowed. “Good morning, ladies.”

  Tina bowed back and Alexis just kind of stood there, openly checking him out with a smug expression on her face.

  “Welcome to The Design Factory,” Tina said once they ended the greeting. She wanted to make him feel comfortable on his first day. “Would you like some coffee?”

  “No, thank you,” he said. “I’m more of a tea person.”

  “You have a complete tea set in your office,” Alexis replied. “Tina insisted.”

  “Thank you,” he said again.

  “We have coffee cake,” Tina said, still trying to get adjusted to his new look.

  “I know,” Kevin said, reaching down and retrieving something near her lip. “A crumb.”

  “Thank you,” Tina said, blushing as his finger lingered on her cheek. Kevin was such a nice fellow. “Let me show you to your office.”

  “It is right next to hers,” Alexis replied with a smile. “So she can keep an eye on you.”

  Kevin removed his finger slowly from Tina’s cheek and chuckled at Alexis’ joke. “I’ll try to remember that.”

  “Don’t pay Alexis any mind,” Tina said, leading him away from the nosey secretary. “She’s just trying to be funny.”

  Tina glanced into Erik’s office as they passed. He still hadn’t arrived. She’d hoped that he might have entered through the other door and would be busy at work when she walked by. Tina sighed. Who was she kidding? Erik never looked busy or productive at any time. The only time he showed any promise was when he was with clients. He felt administrative type duties were beneath him and better left to Alexis.

  Alexis, of course, had gotten a big laugh out of this when Erik told her, and she all but told him to kiss her butt. Alexis wasn’t Erik’s personal secretary, just Tina’s, and now Kevin’s. She had no doubt that Alexis would quit if Tina ever suggested she do anything for Erik.

  Tina stopped in front of a door. “We’re here,” she told Kevin, who hadn’t said much since they walked away from Alexis. She turned the knob, opened the door, and then she stepped aside, allowing him the first look. She’d had it remodeled weeks ago to fit his needs after he agreed to join her in the business.

  “This is wonderful,” Kevin said, stepping inside. He walked over to the window. “And what a spectacular view of Central Park.” From his window, he could see the East Meadow lawns recently restored by the Central Park Conservancy.

  “I thought you’d like it. All that greenery promotes harmony.”

  Kevin put his briefcase down on the modular desk. There was also a black meshed chair she’d purchased to help his back.

  “There is also a private bathroom and another room through that door for you to relax in,” she told him.

  She led him over to the two doors on the other side of the room. The ba
throom had a private shower, toilet and sink. The second room had a sofa bed, a nightstand, a telephone, and a television. “It’s for those nights when you’re working late on a project and are too tired to drive home.”

  “That is very thoughtful you,” Kevin said. “Is your office similar?”

  “Yes,” Tina replied. “Almost exactly the same, except my bathroom has a bidet.”

  “A what?” Kevin asked.

  “Never mind. Come on, let me introduce you around.” She paused. “And can you not mention that I’m one of your students?” Kevin smiled at her and her heart sped up and then skipped a beat.

  “Does it embarrass you?”

  “No,” she said, trying to get her heartbeat to calm and return to normal. “It’s personal. Martial arts are what I do for me.”

  “I understand,” he said, looking very charming.

  That’s what she liked about Kevin. He was easy to please and never made waves. She took him around to the different sections, not missing the look of interest from the other female employees. Less than an hour later, they had completed the tour of the facility and had returned to the administration area. The rest of Alexis’ crew had arrived and were helping themselves to coffee cake.

  She looked over toward Erik’s door.

  “He hasn’t arrived or called,” Alexis told her before she could ask.

  “I hope he hasn’t been involved in an accident,” Tina replied.

  “Who?” Kevin asked.

  “Erik. He hasn’t shown up for work yet and hasn’t called.”

  “Didn’t he tell you his plans before he left home this morning?” Kevin asked.

  Tina shook her head. “He was gone by the time I woke up.”

  Kevin scowled. “Is that normal?”

  “No,” Tina said. “That’s why I’m so worried.”

  “When was the last time you heard from him?”

  “Around ten last night. He came home, ate dinner, and went into the den to watch the news. I went up to shower and to get ready for bed, but when he didn’t show up by midnight, I went to sleep.”

  “Stupid fellow,” Kevin replied.

  “What?” Tina asked.

  “Nothing,” Kevin said, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “Why don’t you try calling him?”

  Tina pulled her phone out and dialed Erik’s phone. This time, he answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Where are you?”

  “I had a couple of stops to make.”

  “I was worried when you weren’t there when I woke up,” Tina told him. “What time did you leave?”

  “Early,” he said. “I didn’t want to disturb you. I just have to stop at the bank and then I’ll be there.”

  “Okay, but next time call and let me know something.”

  “Okay,” he said.

  “Come on, Erik,” a female voice said in the background.

  “Who is that?” Tina asked.

  “Look, I have to go,” Erik replied. “I’ll see you at work.” He disconnected the call.

  Tina looked down at her cell phone, pushed the red button, and then put it back in her pocket. “He’s on his way,” she told Kevin.

  Kevin didn’t ask a question. He just nodded. “Well, I’m glad he’s alive. I better get to my office and get some work done.”

  “Okay,” Tina said.

  “Are you coming to class tonight?”

  Tina nodded. “I live for it.”

  Kevin smiled and walked in the direction of his office.

  Alexis eased her way over. “You found him?”

  Tina nodded. “Yes, he’s on his way.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He didn’t say,” Tina replied, refusing to allow Alexis to play on her emotions. Right now, things were pretty messed up in her head. Who was the woman in the background on Erik’s phone, and what was so important that he had to leave home before dawn and miss half a day’s work?

  “Well, he better hurry,” Alexis replied. “His phone has been ringing off the hook all morning.”

  Tina smiled weakly, turned on her heel, and headed for her office. She was sure that Erik would have a good explanation for everything. He usually did.

  Chapter Two

  Damn woman always checking up on me. Who the hell does she think she is? Erik drove away from the bank and headed toward the office. Sometimes she acts like she owns me. Hell, I’m a grown man and I don’t have to answer to anyone.

  Erik drove down Fifty-Ninth Street and entered the parking lot of the building, going up seven floors until he drove into his assigned parking spot. He turned off the engine and got out, pulling his jacket out of the front passenger seat where he’d tossed it after Shanna got out.

  Shanna, he deduced, was another problem. Talk about high-maintenance. He’d already paid her rent, her cable and water bills, and now she was hitting him up for money to get her hair and nails done. That was one thing he could say about Tina, she never asked him for anything. She had a giving, caring nature, but she could get a bit clingy. Just because they lived and worked together didn’t mean he owed her an explanation for everything he did.

  Erik closed the door of his BMW, noticing how the paint was starting to fade. Tina had purchased the car for him about two years ago and he figured it was time to see if he could talk her into buying him this sweet little Maybach ‘57 he’d seen at the dealership a couple of days ago. He wanted it in candy apple red and the price was a steal at three hundred thousand dollars. He chuckled. That was pocket change for someone like Tina.

  Erik headed toward the elevator and stepped inside once it arrived. He rode up to the twelfth floor of the building and exited. He’d also talk to her about assigning him a better parking spot. Hell, she owned the building. Why couldn’t he have the vacant and bigger executive spot next to hers? He entered the main building, walked down the hall to the administration office, and entered.

  The office was busy with activity, as usual. Alexis had a phone glued to her ear and the rest of the clerks were manning the phones and on their computers. Alexis looked over in his direction, rolled her eyes at him, and then went back to her conversation.

  Erik ignored her. He didn’t like her, had never liked her, and couldn’t wait for Tina to fire her, which he knew would never happen since the two of them were childhood friends. He walked past them and headed for his office. A tall Asian man passed him. A new employee? Wait, no. It’s the designer, Kevin Chen. What is he doing here? Erik watched the man walk over toward Alexis. Is that her new man now? He wondered. Or is he here on business? He knew Tina was trying to talk him into joining her on another project. He didn’t really know the man, but had heard some great things about him. Rumor said that he was rich and in demand. Erik sighed and continued toward his office. One day, rumor would be saying the same thing about him.

  The first thing to catch his attention was the red message light on his desk phone. Erik hung his jacket on a hook and then sat down in his leather chair. He looked down at his calendar. He had a meeting with a client at one and then he had to attend Tina’s weekly staff meeting at three. Other than that, his schedule was pretty free.

  He lifted the telephone receiver and punched in a code to access his messages. There was one from a client and two from Shanna wanting to know if he got the money for her hair and nails. Damn, he’d just left her. Did she think he had time to double back and bring the money to her? It was bad enough he snuck out of the house to be with her this morning and had Tina worried about him. And he knew Tina had heard Shanna’s voice in the background of his phone. Any other woman would have cursed him out, but not mild-mannered, even-tempered Tina. She wasn’t the type to make a scene and she’d already forgiven his other little indiscretions. He’d make it right with Tina if she inquired about Shanna. He’d promise that it would never happen again and Tina would forgive him.

  Erik erased the messages, pulled out the business card for the car dealership, and scheduled an appointment to meet
with them after work. He wanted to bring Tina along, but she had some kind of class scheduled. That didn’t matter. He’d just get the paperwork started and bring her along later to pay the bill.

  ****

  Tina kept expecting Erik to come into her office before lunch, but he never put in an appearance. Lunch time arrived and Alexis stuck her head into the door.

  “I’m going out for lunch. Would you like to come with me?”

  “I can’t,” Tina said. “I’ve got a few calls to make and then I’m meeting with Kevin.”

  “The man works across the hall now,” Alexis replied. “You don’t have to schedule play time with him.”

  “Yes, I know, but I have the staff meeting scheduled for three.”

  “Okay, I understand that you’re busy. So why don’t I just order Chinese food for us? That way you can work and eat at the same time.”

  “Sound great,” Tina said. “You’re an angel.”

  Alexis waved to her and left.

  Tina pulled out her tablet and began jotting down notes for her meeting with Kevin. She had a pretty good idea what she wanted to invent for their joint endeavor, but she also wanted to hear what he might have in mind. So far, both of them had become successful with their inventions, but she wanted to try something new…something that would aid society and not just make the company an obscene amount of money just because it had her name attached to it.

  Alexis popped her head back into the door. “The food is on its way and I just wanted to remind you not to make any plans for tomorrow after lunch because we have appointments at the beauty salon.”

  “Ooh, thanks for reminding me,” Tina said. “I almost forgot. My roots could use a bit of touching up.”

  Alexis waved again and left.

  What is wrong with me? I’m getting so forgetful lately. Tina pulled out her cell phone, accessed her calendar, and was about to log in the hair appointment when she spotted it already there. Apparently, she’d just started losing her mind in the last month or so. She put her cell phone away and went back to her notes. Besides wanting to invent a new toy for Christmas, Tina also wanted to invent some helpful household gadget. The market was already inundated with these products, so she had to come up with something unique. She looked down at her watch. Noon. She pulled out her organizer and started making phone calls and answering email. Everybody wanted something. Sometimes, she wished she could clone herself so she could meet all the obligations she had with charities and social events. Her calendar was chocked with personal appearance requests and she still needed to put in some face time with her other companies. Someone knocked at her door about a half hour later. “Come in,” she said.