I showed up to work on Monday, and Tabitha approached me. I didn't need this right now.

"How does realizing you can't do my job feel?" Her comment was snarky.

"Well, considering you don't know how to perform the job, I would say there's not much comparison," I retorted.

She looked at me and said, "Get your box out of my office."

I glared at her as we heard Scott yell, "Tabitha!  My office now!"

"Be right there!" she yelled. She looked at me, "Guess Scotty needs help, if you know what I mean?"

I watched her sashay off to Scott's office. I just sighed. I walked to my old office to collect my box and saw my nameplate on the door and all my stuff back where it was. What in the world?

Then I heard yelling behind his closed door, "I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in this company!  It's repulsive and ridiculous!  This business is not a free-for-all!"

"But!  But!  But!"

"No!  I have seen enough this past week!  I heard rumors and decided to find out for myself!  To say I'm unimpressed is an understatement. I want you to collect your belongings and leave the premises immediately. You're fire!"  I stood there, shocked.

"But what about the other night?!"

"What night?  Nothing happened!  To mention it did is preposterous!  Maybe in your dreams, but I would never touch you with a ten-foot pole. I prefer women with self-respect," he said as she stood there, not knowing what to say.  The truth was nothing did happen between them. The rumor was that Tabitha was flapping her gums at everyone.

She opened the door and slunk past me. I watched as she slithered away, and I couldn't say I was disappointed to see her go.

Scott came to the doorway and looked at me. I looked at him, "A word, please?"

I don't know if this is good or not.  I walked into Scott's office, and he closed the door.

"Sit," he motioned at a chair.  I took a seat, and he sat behind his desk.  He looked at me, "Last week, I gave you a lot of work because the business has been picking up. It had nothing to do with anything outside of work. I can't keep having you feel the need to jump to conclusions every time something happens. You're a good worker, and I need someone with your intelligence to work alongside me," he explained.

I sat there, not saying anything.

"As I explained, I separate my personal and professional life.  I expect the same from you."

"Yes, sir," I replied.

"Good, now there is a shipment coming in in a couple of days. I need you to get with Mrs. Walker and verify everything's accounted for."

I nodded and stood up. I walked out of Scott's office to mine. I took off my coat and hung up my purse; then I got to work.  This day was so bizarre.

Five o'clock arrived, and I started shutting things down. I pulled on my coat and grabbed my purse. As I walked out of my office, Scott met me. "All done for the day?"

"Yep."

"Good, let me walk you out," he said. I nodded as he walked with me. We walked out of the building and over to my car. He opened my door, and I got inside. He closed my door, and I pulled out. That was weird.

I picked up Kami, and Tara mentioned the girls would hit the gym this weekend. I decided to join them. It had been a while since I went.

I came home and got dinner ready for Kami and me. As Kami watched Spongebob Squarepants and I made dinner, I heard a knock at the door. I walked over and answered, "Scott?"

"Thought you could have some dessert," he said, holding a cake.

Kami popped her head up and looked at him, "Did you say cake?"

He looked at it, "Seems that way.  What do you think?"

"I like cake. Mommy, can he stay, please?"

I looked at her and then at him, who smirked. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Okay, fine, he can stay," I said.

"Yay!  Cake!"  She cheered.  I just shook my head as I turned and returned to the kitchen. He followed behind me, setting the cake down on the counter.

"Need any help?"

"If you want to cut up vegetables, be my guest," I told him. He looked for a knife before he found one and started cutting as I cooked.  We didn't say anything except a glance here and there between us.

Once I finished cooking dinner, I dished it out and put the plates on the table. I helped Kami into her booster seat and then took a position next to her. Scott took a position across from her.

"So, Kami."

"Yes?"

"How do you like kindergarten?"

"I like school. Miss Tara is nice. She lets me have cookies after school. Plus, I have friends."

"That's good," he said to her.

"Mister Scott, can I ask you a question?"

I looked at Scott, and he looked at me, then said, "Sure."

"Do you like my mommy?"

"Well, she seems nice, and I'm trying to get to know her. Why do you ask, sweetie?"

"Because I hear mommy cry at night," she said softly. I sat there.

"Why does she cry?" He asked her.

"Because I think she is sad. She's sad because Daddy has Rob, and she only has me," she said as her big eyes looked at him.

"Kami, I'm not sad. I cry because I'm so happy I have you," I told her. I didn't want her to be upset. She shouldn't have to worry about me. She is five.

"But, Mommy, you need someone to give you hugs and kisses like you give me," she said. I gave her a small smile.

"But I have you to give me hugs and kisses, and they are the best," I reassured her.

"You're silly mommy," she giggled.

"Eat your dinner or no cake," I said to her. She started eating as I sat there. I ate quietly. I didn't want her to worry, and I didn't need pity from Scott. I was fine. That's what I keep telling myself.

After dinner, I sliced the cake, placing a piece on the three plates. I brought it over and poured three cups of milk for everyone. Kami was so excited to have cake.

We ate, and then she got down before going into the living room to watch a little TV. I started cleaning up, and Scott helped. As I washed the dishes, he dried them. I had to admit it was nice to have company. I had missed it.

We quickly finished, and I said, "Coffee?"

"Sure."

I made a pot of coffee, and he leaned with his back against the island. I stood by the coffee pot as I tried to avoid eye contact with him.

"You know that was a dirty trick with the cake," I finally said.

"I didn't think so," he shrugged.

I turned to him, "Oh?"

"Yep, I figured I was out and about. Why not bring a peace offering?"

"What kid can resist treats?" I gave him a look. He did that on purpose. He stood and slowly walked towards me until he was up close and personal.

"I like to think it's a gift," he said as his face was mere inches from mine.

"Oh?" I licked my lips slightly as my heart started to race.

"Yeah, I thought maybe, just maybe, we could sit down, have some cake and talk," he said as he moved a hand to my waist.

Then he moved a hand up to my chin and lifted my face as he looked into my eyes.

In a husky voice, he said, "Now I'm going to kiss you," oh dear god.

I closed my eyes, my lips parted slightly, and he leaned in and lightly pressed his lips to mine. I hesitated for a second before I returned the kiss, and then he deepened it—oh, my sweet Jesus.

I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck as we continued to kiss, and then I felt his tongue slip past my lips into my mouth as he swirled his tongue with mine. He lowered his hand and placed it on my waist, bringing my body against his.

Fireworks erupted inside of me as he continued capturing my mouth with his. I had never been kissed like this before, not even by Ben. It was the type of kiss that blew you away.

As we got lost in our kiss, I heard someone say, "Well, it looks like you got over your hang-up pretty quick."

We stopped and saw the twins standing there. I quickly moved away from Scott as he turned away. I just looked at them and smiled, "What's up?"

They looked at me as they started laughing.

Scott leaned down and whispered, "I'm just going to go."

"Okay," I nodded. Scott walked by the twins, "Ladies."

"Bye, Scott," Kara smirked. I walked past them as I walked him out. I opened the door as he said, "So."

"So."

"Yeah."

"Yep."

"I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"You betcha," I said.

"Bye, Scott!" Kami yelled and waved at him.

"Bye, Kami," he said back to her.

"Come back again and bring cake," she grinned.

"Sure," he smiled as he left.

I walked past Kami and heard her say to Zoe and Avie, "I like Mister Scott. He brings cake. Maybe Mommy will marry him, and we can have lots of cake."

"That would be so cool," Zoe said.

"Better than my daddy. I don't like him," Avie said.

"Why? Daddy's are nice," Kami asked.

"Not mine. He calls me and Mommy names. I like Mister Wyatt better. He gives hugs and kisses. I even call him Daddy. But don't tell Mommy. I don't want her to get mad," Avie said.

"Okay," Kami and Zoe said.

What was that about with Avie?

I walked into the kitchen as the twins were bickering about something.

"Kara, is everything okay with Avie?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Because she told the girls Jerome is mean to her," I said to her.

She got a look on her face, "Jerome showed up the other day, drunk as a skunk. Wyatt wasn't home; he was still at the shop. Jerome came in and started spouting off his mouth, calling us names. I yelled at him to leave, but things got out of hand. He grabbed Avie, and I swear I was going to beat his ass then Wyatt pulled up. He came in and laid his ass out flat. Told Jerome if he ever touched Avie or me again, he would be a dead man," she huffed.

"That boy needs a lesson on how to be a man. Kelly still wants to beat his butt for what he did at Mel's wedding," Tara said emphatically.

"Oh, trust me; he can do whatever he wants. I want him to leave us alone. Wyatt would adopt Avie if Jerome signed off on his rights to her," Kara told us.

"I say take that fool to court. He owes so much child support he would go to jail," Tara told her.

"That's an idea," she said, rubbing her chin.

"We can discuss your soap opera later," Tara told her.  "We're here to visit with Lina and discuss how she got caught making out in the kitchen with one Scott Stevens."

"Mmm," Kara agreed. "Now spill."

"What he brought was cake, and we had dinner with him. It was just a kiss," I said casually.

"Girl, who are you trying to fool? That was not just a kiss," Kara said.

"Who cares about the kiss? What kind of cake did he bring?" Tara asked me.

"Double chocolate.  Why?"

"Gimme," she said.

I walked over and cut a slice of cake for her. She took the plate and dug in.

"Leave it to twin to care more about the cake than a kiss," Kara sighed.

"Hey, chocolate cake is life. Double chocolate is ecstasy," she countered. Kara rolled her eyes at her. "Lina, if you let this one go, I'm going to hunt you down," Tara said as she indulged in the cake.

I just shook my head. Leave it to the twins to care about certain things. Give Tara chocolate, and she'll be happy. Give Kara juicy details, and she'll be even more satisfied.

Although, I can't stop thinking about that kiss. It was amazing. Too bad I was drunk the first time. I wonder what happens now.