A Dream to be Loved Kandi Jaynes by Kandi Jaynes Read Free Book Online

voice startled her. Kate spun around to find eight sets of eyes looking at her.
    "Wh... What?" She stammered, holding the cards against her chest.
    "You blushed when you opened it, then slammed the lid shut. It was either something really good, or really bad." The man wriggled his eyebrows. "So which is it?" Terry appeared to have taken on the role of spokesman for the group.
    "It's um, I ah...Don't you guys have work to do?" she asked, sliding the box back against the wall and out of their sight.
    "Sure we do, but you know flowers are always big news around here. So who sent them? Anyone we know?"
    "Like it's any of your business." She slid both cards into her pocket, making sure nobody could sneak in and find them. Kate knew there were a few men out there who were not past doing just that.
    "Come on, you can tell us. We won't tell anybody, honest." The guys all raised their right hands and crossed their hearts with the left. That was her undoing and she burst out laughing.
    "You guys gossip worse than a bunch of old ladies. There's no way I'm telling you anything."
    Terry looked stricken. "I can't believe you don't trust us. I'd tell you who it was if I got flowers."
    Kate laughed again. "No kidding," she said sarcastically. "If a woman ever sent you flowers you'd have it announced in sky writing above the shop." All the other guys agreed laughingly.
    "That was low," Terry feigned anguish. "I'll have you know I have to fight the women off."
    One of the other men laughed. "Yeah, he has to fight 'em off alright. He has to fight to get away from them when they try to slap him senseless."
    "I'm going back to by machine," announced Terry amongst the laughter, throwing his nose in the air, trying his best to look offended. "I don't have to stand here and take this abuse." He turned around and marched to his machine.
    When the others disbursed, Kate stood staring at the roses. Nobody had ever sent her flowers before, let alone roses. She wasn't sure what to think about the gesture. Maybe it was simply meant to be a thank you for taking the time to answer his questions. Although she hadn't noticed him sending roses and chocolate to anyone else he had talked to. Before she had time to come to any conclusions the lunch bell rang. She opened the bottom desk drawer to get her purse when the phone rang. Two short rings meant it was a call from inside the building. Kate considered not answering it. There were those in the building who considered their needs much more important than her lunch break. On the third ring, however, she gave in and answered it.
    "Tool crib."
    "Hello, Kate." The now familiar voice vibrated through her.
    "Hello, Mr. Hampton."
    She heard his soft chuckle. "I thought we were past formal names."
    "Is there something I can help you with?"
    "I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the other night."
    "You already did that." Her voice softened. "Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."
    "I'm glad you like them. I am also glad you're being so gracious about them. I was afraid you either wouldn't accept them or you'd give me one of those you really shouldn't have speeches."
    "I figure we both already know you shouldn't have so I decided not waste my breath. And despite the reputation I have around here, not even I could refuse such gorgeous roses. So I decided to simply enjoy them for their natural beauty and not ruin it by making a scene."
    "Did you get the chocolate as well?"
    She slid into her chair and drew her knees up propping her feet on the open drawer. "Yes I did, but I'm not going to thank you for it. That was just plain mean," she said, grinning. It was strange, but somehow talking to him on the phone was easier than face to face.
    "Mean? Why was it mean?"
    "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to give that much chocolate to a woman who lives alone? With no one to hold me accountable for how much I eat, don't be surprised when I call in sick tomorrow with a chocolate hangover."
    She closed her