Page 29 of It's Not PMS, It's You

Someone like Nick Morris.

I’m not sure why my thoughts jumped to him, but hewaskind enough to pick me up off the floor at the gym after I fell off the bike like an idiot. I eyed the light switch he had installed on the wall in front of me. I had to admit that was kind as well, and generous since he said he wasn’t going to charge me for it.

Still, he’s taken a huge risk by doing that without my permission.

Being a risk-taker was not a quality I wanted in a man and would never be on my list, even if he were as good-looking as Nick.

I scarfed down the rest of the second croissant and stood, knowing Dee would be arriving any second since it was 7:29 and she had never been late a day in her life.

At seven thirty on the nose, the doorbell rang.

“It’s open!” I yelled and waited for her to come into the office. I was surprised as my eyes started to burn and I thought of what happened on the airplane again and the possibility of never seeing Dee again.

She entered the office without saying a word, set down a stack of folders and her laptop on my desk, and hugged me like it was her last chance to hug me in my life. “Thank God you’re okay.” She held me tight. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Tears streamed down my face as I pushed her away to look her in the eyes. “You would have less stress in your life, we both know that for a fact.”

She wiped her eyes and shook her head. “It wouldn’t have been worth it. I would rather lose all my hair from stress and know that you were still my best friend and alive.”

I hugged her again, sniffling. “You are probably the only woman I know who would look beautiful with a bald head. Well, you and Sinéad O’Connor. Okay, no more crying, we have work to do.” I pulled away and pointed to the plate on the other end of the desk. “Your croissants, as requested.”

“I only wanted one.”

“I’m spoiling you today.”

She smiled. “There is no reason for me to have a problem with that.”

“Grab a cup of coffee. The capsule is already in the machine. Just press start and you’re good to go.”

Dee set her laptop on my desk. “Thanks. Be back in a jiffy.”

I wiped my eyes again and settled back behind the desk in my chair.

I forwarded my document to Dee, so she would have it when she came back from the kitchen with her cup of coffee.

A minute later, Dee returned to the office with her coffee, sat opposite me, and immediately took a bite of the first croissant. “Hmm. So good.” She turned and glanced at the french doors. “Wow! Those are amazing. Why aren’t they open?”

“I was just about to open them to let in the fresh air, but you can do the honors, if you want.”

“Of course.” Dee stood and opened the doors all the way, admiring the view of the backyard before sitting back down. “Now,thatis a great view of your roses.”

I smiled, admiring them. “Sure is.”

Grandma Meg had helped me plant the roses, so they would always have a special place in my heart. Every time I looked at them, I thought of her. She told me I needed to stop and smell them regularly. I admit I had been slacking in that department, but would make more of an effort to be outside when everything was finished.

There was so much space in my backyard that was not being utilized. It would still look spacious, even with the new fountain being installed.

Nick also incorporated feng shui in his backyard designs, the ancient Chinese art of using energy to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment, bringing luck, health, and opportunity my way.

Dee squeezed my arm. “You must be excited.”

I nodded, looking through the screen doors to the backyard. “I am.” I pointed to the light switch. “Nick even installed a switch on this side so I can turn on the outside lights without having to go to the family room.”

“What a great idea,” Dee said with a mouthful of croissant. “That was a nice touch.”

I nodded. “It wasn’t part of the plan, but lucky for him I liked it. Hopefully, he won’t take any other liberties or he’s going to get it. Of course, who knows if Nick will ever take me seriously again after my impersonation of Marilyn Monroe last night.”

Dee slapped the top of the desk with her hand. “What did you do? Did you add a fake mole above your lip and sing happy birthday to him in a sexy way?”