Page 1

Nova Travers

O ur Valentine's gala was coming up this weekend, and I couldn’t wait.

It was one of the only things that our company did for us that was enjoyable throughout the year.

This will be my first time attending since I haven’t been with the company that long.

I was also excited about the mini vacay I planned for my daughter Timberly and I the next day.

We were both in need of a break from our hectic schedules.

She has been such a good sport with everything that has been going on in our lives and I just wanted to show my appreciation.

Other than my career, my six-year-old daughter was the only thing that I love and that loves me back.

With the hours spent here and studying, quality time has been limited.

Especially since joining the management team here at Timberline Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Lately, she’d been spending more time with the babysitter than me.

My baby never complained but I knew it bothered her that I was not around as much anymore.

But if I could help it, that would change soon.

Things had gotten so bad at work that I’d started hiding out in my office during the day, only venturing out for meetings or emergencies.

I’d been in my position as the director of nursing for about eight months and my nerves were shot.

Running a nursing home was like running a fucking high school.

We rarely got top quality staff and when we did, lack of funding and resources ran them off.

I came into this building with minimal expectations.

I knew when I started that I wasn’t gonna be able to reinvent the wheel, only keep the building afloat.

Even still I started this job with the best of intentions.

But like my grandmother always said, the road to hell was paved with good intentions.

This facility was the bottom of the barrel when it came to post-acute care and rehabilitation services, but I was trying to make it better.

Because of Covid, we hadn’t had a survey in several years so I knew that when the state finally showed up, it would only be the grace of God that kept these doors open.

I leaned back in my chair, looking up at the ceiling, wondering why I’d even taken this job.

My stress levels were through the roof and the pay, although good, wasn’t worth the bullshit I’d been subjected to on a daily basis.

I needed to make a change in my life, and it needed to be sooner rather than later.

“Nova, are you ready for tonight?” Tyra, my unit manager, asked, poking her head into my office.

I really thought I locked that door.

“Yeah. I bought a cute gown and some heels online from Neiman Marcus. I got my nails done yesterday. I think I’m gonna get Candy to press my hair. I want to wear it out. How about you?”

“Yeah, I already got my wig for my appointment with Candy. We still headed there after work today, right?”

“Yeah, Ms. Leona is picking Timberly up from school and getting her things packed for our trip. We’re headed to Cedar Springs tomorrow morning. Timberly asked to go skiing on our trip.”

“Awww, you’re such a good mom. I wish my mom would have let me experience new things like skiing and snowboarding when I was a kid. All we ever did on vacation was get dropped off at my grandparents’ house.”

You know you and DJ are welcome to go,” I told her, meaning it. Tyra was not only my employee, but she was my only friend here in town. Her and her son DJ had become family to me and Timberly since we moved here two and a half years ago.

“You sure? I don’t want to interrupt your time with Timber, " she said.

“You’re not and it will give her someone to play with when she gets bored with hanging out with me.”

“Okay, it's settled. I’ll have my mom get DJ packed and ready so we can all get on the road on Saturday morning.” She grinned.

We finished our day and headed to get to our hair appointment.

The shop was empty of clients but us and I was pleased after spending all day in a busy nursing home.

I didn't want to interact with anyone for a few hours.

When we entered the salon, Candy, our stylist, offered us wine and snacks while we got started.

I loved it here.

Candy’s shop was always a vibe, and she made sure to cater to her clients. I got my long curls pressed and trimmed. It was bone straight with a middle part stopping in the middle of my back. I loved to wear my hair out but rarely got the chance. It gave me a sophisticated look.

With our hair styled we headed to my house to get showered and dressed. After applying some light makeup to my face, I was ready.

I looked damn good if I say so myself.

The one shoulder, cut out gown I wore clung to my curves like a second skin. The slit exposed just enough hip to be sexy but still classy.

A pair of gold strappy Roberto Cavalli heels had my ass looking plump.

I paired my outfit with gold accessories and a gold clutch Tyra got me for my birthday last year.

I stepped out of my bedroom and went down the hallway to check on Tyra.

I found her in my guestroom putting finishing touches on her makeup.

Tyra wore a short black cocktail dress and the same heels as mine but in black.

Her accessories were red and matched the ends of her black and red ombre, shoulder length bob.

My girl looked good. Tyra was taller than me by two inches at five feet six inches, but she is just as thick as me at a size sixteen. She has light brown skin that shined from the body oil she applied to it after her shower. We were about to shut shit down at the Gala.

“I think we should take an Uber, just in case we get tipsy. It’s a work event but you never know. I heard it was crazy last year,” Tyra suggested.

“That’s fine. Go ahead and order it while I check on Timberly.” Taking my phone out of my clutch, I dialed Ms. Leona’s number. It rang twice before Timberly’s little voice came through the phone.

“Hi, mommy,” my baby sang into the phone.

“Hi, baby. Are you excited about tomorrow?”

“Yes, ma’am. Lee Lee showed me skiing videos on YouTube. Will you be here when I wake up mommy?”

“Yes, baby. I’ll be there to pick you up. Guess what?”

“What?”

“DJ and Tyra are coming?”

“Really, yay. Me and DJ can play Roblox in the car and Aunty Tyra can braid my hair for me like she promised,” she cooed.

“I’ll remind her, baby. I have a work event to go to and then we’ll be over to get you. Love you, Timber.”

“Love you too, mommy, " she said before hanging up.

The party was in full swing when we walked in the door.

30 for 30 was playing through the speakers as coworkers and corporate employees mingled and danced with drinks in their hands.

We laughed as we saw my administrator and general manager grinding on each other in the corner.

There has been a rumor that they were seeing each other for a while.

Based on the absence of corporate wives, I could tell what type of party this was going to turn into.

We walked over to the bar and ordered a few drinks to get our night started.

I’m usually not a big drinker but the need to get my vacation started was taking priority.

The venue where they were hosting the party was top tier.

We were sitting in the ballroom of a posh country club and the decor they picked looked like it came straight out of a magazine.

All reds, creams, golds and luxury. Pink hearts and red roses decorated the large room signifying love and valentines.

The drinks were flowing, and the music was blasting as we joined in with our co-workers in the corner and vibed.

“I’m going to the bar for another drink," I told Tyra as she continued to dance with the respiratory therapist from our sister facility.

As I made my way to the bar, my heel got caught in the carpet causing me to topple over.

I braced myself as the floor came barreling toward me.

But the impact never came. A pair of large muscular arms stopped my impending face plant before I embarrassed myself in front of the whole hall.

Thick arms cradled my body in a warm comforting embrace. His large body casted a shadow over me.

“Are you alright?” My savior asked, as he helped me to my feet.

I turned in his arms and my breath caught in my throat. I shook my head, not quite able to find my words. But then I did.

“I-I um, I’m fine; thank you,” I said, stumbling over my words.

The man in front of me was beautiful. Everything around us disappeared as I stared, lost in his stormy gray eyes.

“No problem, Princess,” he said, his eyes gazing at my lips before coming back to my face.

The timbre of his voice was low and commanding but somehow gentle, sending vibrations between my thighs. I attempted to back out of his hold but his arm around my waist and his hand on my back kept me locked in place.

“Come have a drink with me,” he said.

I wasn’t sure if that was a request or a demand but the way his presence commanded obedience I was inclined to agree.

An involuntary shiver went through me as he pinned me with his dark heavy gaze.

“Sure. I was headed that way actually,” I said, finally finding my voice.