Ring ring ring

Where is my phone. "Hello"

"Zara you have to talk to him."

"Hello to you to Nick and what did he do?" I asked immediately knowing who he was talking about.

"He's been in a bad mood and he's snapping at everybody. How long are you going to ignore him?

"Ignore him? Really? I work with him so I can't ignore him. Duh."

"You know what I mean little one. When is the last time you talked to him about something that's not work related?"

"Um...."

"You see, this is what I'm talking about, it's been three weeks."

"Whatever Nick. This is of his own making. Maybe if he apologized for what he did, but since he didn't I don't think so."

"You both are so stubborn."

"I love you too Nick, bye."

"Zara come to my office."

I got up and went to his office when I heard his voice on the buzzer. "Yes mr. Covelli?"

"Since when did I become Mr. Covelli."

"I could only guess sir. Perhaps the day you were born, I don't know I wasn't there."

"You have a smart mouth, you know that?"

"Sir did you call me in here to discuss my smart mouth, because if it's nothing work related I think I should be leaving."

"Are you dismissing me?"

"No sir, I believe the clock is since it just hit five o'clock. Goodnight Mr. Covelli." Turning to walk out the door, I stopped when he called my name. I turn around and look at my feet instead of him.

"Yes sir"

"Why have you been ignoring me?"

"What are you talking about sir. I'm speaking to you now?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about dolcezza." He says lifting my chin.

Wait when did he get up. "Vincent, I--"

"Zara, I'm sorry. I never meant to cause you any embarrassment. Can you forgive dolcezza?"

" I dont think you should be calling me that, you have a girlfriend."

"Sweetheart she's not my girlfriend, we went out a few times but that's it. She wanted it to be more but I couldn't see that happening. Will you let me take you out to dinner to apologize?"

"I'm a little tired Vince, I just want to stay in. You can come over if you like, I'm going to order in."

"Okay, I'll see you around seven."

----------------------------

I stopped to pick up some groceries, so by the time I got home it was 6:30. I put the groceries away and had enough time to change into shorts and a tank top before the bell rung. I opened the door and my mouth went dry. I don't understand how this man good make even a t-shirt and jeans look good. After ordering dinner I selected a few movies for us to watch.

"So what do you want to watch, guest get first choice."

"It doesn't matter sweetheart."

I decided on how to lose a guy in ten days.

"Oh no you don't"

"You said it didn't matter and besides you can never go wrong with Matthew Mcconaghey. I mean just look at him.

"No chick flicks and definitely nothing with Matthew Mcconaughey."

"Okay fine."I selected pretty woman and hid the remote behind my back.

"Really? Where's the remote?"

"I don't know." Vincent started to tickle me and I fell off the sofa laughing. "Stop, wait, okay, okay, here take it. I quit." I said between laughs trying to catch my breath. "You don't play fair."

"That's why I always get what I want." At those words I immediately thought back to that night in the bathroom. After we ate we started watching the Jason Bourne trilogy. Somehow during the the second movie I found myself sitting on the sofa with my back resting against his chest and his arms around my waist. If I was willing to admit it to myself this felt right.

"Dolcezza, what's the hold up? Why are you fighting me?"

"Vince, I don't know what you're talking about?"

"Yes you do love."

I knew this conversation had to happen. "Okay Vince, look I really do like you its just that..... I don't know how to explain it."

"When did you ever have problems expressing yourself?"

"Okay this is it, i've never been in a serious relationship. Oh i've dated some but never anything serious because i'm too afraid to invest time in a relationship to wind up getting hurt by someone who didn't know how to love me."

"You could teach me love."

I swear my heart melted at those words. "Oh Vince I--"

"Shhhh just think about it for now. I won't rush you."

Vince left around 11:30. I couldn't sleep I was up all night thinking about our conversation. I knew Vince was a good guy. I like him so maybe I should just go with it.

When I got to work the next morning, I headed straight to my office to grab a pepsi from my mini fridge, I needed a quick burst of energy. I was dead tired. Although it was a Saturday we came in to finalize some of the paperwork needed for the meeting next week. I was heading into Vincent's office when I heard Sharon's voice. What was she doing here, she didn't have to come in today.

"So what about lunch, it would be my treat. I mean we are leaving early and we could have time to get to know each other. You've been here about four months now and we haven't really had time to talk."

I snickered at the look on Vincent's face. He was sitting on the edge of his desk looking annoyed. I couldn't let him suffer.

"Morning Vince."

"Good Morning Zara." He looked at me with a look that screamed help.

"Your girlfriend wants you know she had fun last night and she wanted to have dinner tonight. Oh hello Sharon, I didn't see you there."

"I was just leaving."

"So girlfriend huh?" He said when Sharon left.

"Yup" I said while walking over and standing between his legs. "You got a problem with that?"

"Not in the slightest sexy."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, we're still at work Vince, we have to keep it professional." I told him when he started moving his hands over my hips.

"I'm the boss, I can do what I want."

"Yea but I don't want to be a part of water cooler talk. I work my butt off and I wouldn't want it to look any other way."

"Well it's still there sweetheart, that butt is not going anywhere."

"Really Vince, be serious."

" I'll try but I won't make any promises," he said before kissing me.

"So where are we going for dinner?"

"How about Marcelli's and I'll pick you up around 8:00?"

"Okay now let me get to work."

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