Ginny looked up as the door opened. She could see it was a man, but the way the late morning sun hit the door, all she could see was a silhouette. Once he got to the desk she’d be able to see his face. “Can I help you?” she asked.
The man walked up to the desk and stood relaxed with his hands in his pockets, “Yes, I’m here to see Cal Johnson,” said the man. His voice was deep and he smelled delightfully of shifter.
Ginny took a good look at the man. “Sure, he’s probably back in the warehouse. Just a moment and I’ll go get him. May I ask who you are?” she asked.
“My name’s Patrick Dorret. Cal’s my cousin,” said Patrick.
“I’ll be right back,” said Ginny. She got up and headed to the back of the offices to call Cal through the back door. It gave her time to compose herself. She hadn’t had a man or shifter affect her so strongly in ages. She reached the back door and after opening it and not seeing either Cal or Peter, she called out. “Cal! You have a visitor!”
“Tell him I’ll be there in about five minutes. I have to finish up here first,” said Cal from across the bay.
“Alright,” said Ginny and she headed back to the front office. On the way, she checked her appearance in the reflection off of Kevin’s office door. Yes, she looked okay and then she headed back down the hall.
“Cal will be here in just a minute,” said Ginny as she sat back down at her desk. “What brings you here?” asked Ginny. She was curious as hell and wondered if Patrick was single or not.
“Oh, I came down to visit my cousin, and maybe look for a new job,” said Patrick. “And you are?” he asked.
“Ginny,” she said holding out her hand. “Pardon my manners, it’s just been an odd sort of day,” she said apologetically. “Gee, and can I blush like a school girl or what?” she thought feeling the blood rush to her face.
“It’s alright. We all have off days,” said Patrick. “Hmmm, could she be the woman Cal mentioned? Not bad looking… wonder what’s really going on?” he wondered. “Seems quiet around here. Much business lately or is it slow this time of year?” he asked.
“A little slow and two of our techs are out of the office. Plus, it’s almost lunch time. Any later and the only one in the office would have been Meg,” said Ginny.
“Ah,” was as far as Patrick got before Cal walked into the room.
“Hey there Patrick!” said Cal as he grabbed his cousin and gave him a combination hug and pat on the back.
“Good to see you Cal. Work must be good, you smell like a grease monkey,” teased Patrick.
“Yeah. Had a dust up with Peter the first day, but we soon worked out the pecking order,” said Cal.
“Okay, and who’s the boss?” asked Peter from the doorway.
“Ginny of course! She’s the Alpha bitch in this company,” said Cal with a smile. “And if I live through the next 60 seconds, I’ll be amazed!” he thought.
Ginny smiled. “I certainly am and you’d better not forget that,” she said. “Now are you taking an early lunch to show Patrick around town?” she asked Cal.
“No, wish I was, but there’s a shipment from Wintronics due in any time now. Too big for just Peter to unload and stock. How about you take him to lunch? Meg’ll watch the phones.” said Cal. “Please oh please let this work!!!!” he thought.
“Well, um,” she hesitated.
“In all honesty, I did arrive early. I’d be pleased if you’d accompany me to lunch Ginny,” said Patrick. “Right phrase, so this is the one Cal is trying to set me up with. Might as well see how it goes,” Patrick thought.
Ginny hesitated for just a second. “Oh, Okay. Cal would you let Meg know to listen for the phones?” she asked as she stood up and grabbed her coat and handbag.
“Sure Ginny. Have a good lunch you two,” said Cal as he and Peter headed back to the warehouse.
Ginny nodded and headed out the door with Patrick. “I take it you’re a steak on the rare side kinda guy?” she asked. Her nose told her he was a shifter, but she still asked to be polite.
“Yes, and I hope you know a really good place for a meal,” he said. “I feel half starved. Breakfast was about five hours ago.”
“Oh geeze. I know just the place. It does organic hamburgers and lamb burgers to order,” said Ginny.
“Lamb?” he asked.
Ginny nodded.
“Then what are we waiting for?” he asked as they headed for her car. A minute later, they were out of the parking lot and heading down the street.
Cal and Peter watched from the loading bay. Tentative smiles crossed their faces.
“What big order from Wintronics?” asked Peter.
“Oh, the one I fabricated an invoice for yesterday with Luc and stuck on Ginny’s desk,” said Cal. The two men laughed.
*
Luc watched as Ginny’s car turned into the parking lot just as he was locking the door. Meg was standing next to the car watching.
“Where have you been?” asked Luc as Ginny got out of the car. He watched a man get out of the passengers side of the car.
“Um… Cal’s cousin came by and Cal had to work, so I took him to lunch and then we talked and I drove him around town and well,… I lost track of time,” she said.
“Hi, I’m Patrick Dorret,” Patrick said as he walked up to Luc. “You must be Luc Moreau, Cal’s boss.” He shook Luc’s hand with a firm grasp.
“Yes, I am. Nice to meet you. This is my mate, Margaret Stewart,” he finished as Meg walked up to the two me.