What are you thinking, Langdon? Why did you cancel on Mom? She was really looking forward to seeing you and the family.

I waited all day for Langdon's answer. I spent time with Mom, then relaxed at home. Now that I had the weekends off, I had time to take up a hobby again, so I thought about doing 3-D printing again, but I wasn't sure I was ready to put money in that craft. I probably checked my phone a thousand times to make sure I hadn't missed a message from my big brother. He never responded.

Guilty? Sorry? Apathetic? Why won't he answer me? Why would he cancel when he knew Mom would be excited to see him? Am I the only one in this family who cares at all? I can just imagine him at home, guilt eating him up as he tries to relax in front of the TV, thinking about his poor mother who is spending the evening in the hospital by herself. She hasn't seen him in weeks. Or he's watching TV, completely unconcerned with the fact that he crushed his mother's heart. "Like a grape." Flynn is possibly one of the best-looking Disney princes. I mean, what are the other options? Prince Charming One and Two. Philip. Um... I should clean the house. Mom is going to want it clean when she gets home tomorrow. I can't believe she's been in the hospital a week already. She'll be happy to be home.

#

Usually, when I walked up to Mom's room in the hospital, the TV was playing, so I wasn't surprised to hear sounds from it this morning. I was surprised, however, to see my oldest sister sitting beside my mom's bed with her husband, brochures spread on everyone's laps.

Aaron twisted around to look at me when I opened the door, but Mom and Delilah were deep in quiet discussion. "Good morning, Alessandria," he said. While he was being friendly, I knew that it was also a warning to his wife.

"Morning, Aaron. Delilah." My voice came out more welcoming than I had intended. I didn't want her to think I was happy to see her here, but I was also afraid to start a fight. "What are you guys doing?"

"We were just showing Mom some brochures," Delilah said smugly. She wasn't afraid of a fight.

I ran my fingers behind my ear even though none of my hair had come out of its bun. "She's not going to a retirement home, Delilah. We're doing fine at my place."

"I think Mom will be a lot happier in a place like Blue Creek." She held up one of the papers. "There will be people to take care of her whenever she needs something and there will be a lot of other people her age. They have good food and a great entertainment schedule that will keep her busy. We can visit whenever we want. What's not to like?"

"Retirement homes cost money. Who's going to pay for that? You? You won't even help with her hospital bills."

"That's because she should have been in a retirement home when this happened. They're more prepared for this stuff than you are."

Mom sighed loudly, bringing our attention to her, but she didn't say anything, only stared at the black TV. Delilah didn't say anything, she never put up with Mom's dramatics, so I did. "What is it, Mom?"

Her lips were pointed down when she glanced at me. "You could start by giving your mother a hug and a nice hello."

I took a long breath, then walked around the bed to be on the other side, away from my sister, and gave Mom a hug. "I'm sorry. Hi, Mom. How do you feel today?"

"Ready to get out of this hospital. Instead of the three of you arguing, why don't you help me pack my things and get me home?" She looked pointedly at Delilah and Aaron. Aaron had at least the decency to look a bit ashamed, but my sister just stared back at her.

"Actually," Delilah said, "we have to go. I'll see you later Mom." She stood, collected her purse, then tapped Aaron's shoulder with the back of her hand. He jumped up, nodded at us, then escorted his wife out.

Mom looked disapprovingly at me. "Don't argue with your sister, Andi."

"Sorry," I said. "What do you need packed still?"

"I haven't even started yet, so everything."

I got Mom packed up and checked out of the hospital, then drove her home, where we spent the rest of the day cooking and chatting.

"How are you liking your job, Andi? You've had it for almost a week, haven't you?" Mom asked as she used a wooden spoon to mix some cookie dough. She had missed cooking and decided it would be nice to have something sweet in the house.

The potatoes I was peeling for soup gave off an earthy smell as their skins fell away. "It's been nice. I really enjoy working with Viveca. Damon is a really good boss as well."

"Have you made a lot of friends?"

"A few. Viveca and Asa for sure. Maybe Xiyang and Aldous. I don't know if you could consider Damon a friend or not though since he's my boss."

"Why not? Bosses are people too. They need friends."

"I guess. Don't forget to take your medicine after supper."

We watched a Hallmark movie that night. I didn't know the title, but it was the same as all the others: man from city meets girl in a small town. They don't like each other at first, but gradually warm up to each other. The girlfriend or fiancé of the man's shows up and the other girl is hurt. Man breaks up with fiancé to be with small town girl. The end. Sometimes the roles were reversed, and they all had different occupations, but the plot always proceeded in the same way. There was comfort in that familiarity though. I hadn't watched a movie with my mom in a long time and something as traditional as a Hallmark felt perfect over a warm bowl of popcorn.

I wonder what Viveca and her boyfriend does at night? I mean, in the evenings like this. Do they watch movies? Play video games? Talk? What does one do with a boyfriend you're living with? Is it like having a mother or sibling around? I wonder what Damon is doing right now? Does he have a girlfriend? Does she live with him? Or does he spend his evenings alone? Does he have family? He's a vampire, so he probably has his entire family still alive. It would be nice to have my dad again. "I haven't been human since 1828." If he was a human, that means his family was human. They were alive two hundred years ago, but they must have died by now unless all of them were turned as well. I wonder if he gets lonely? I do sometimes. I haven't thought about that in a while though. I remember my college days when I used to long for a boyfriend like Naomi's, but I was to set on building my business first. If I had married in college, maybe I wouldn't have lived like we have since Dad died. What is it like having a rich boyfriend? Would he buy me stuff all the time? Useless little things like diamond necklaces and name brand hoodies. Would he take me on spontaneous trips to Disneyland and Hawaii? Would he do everything in his power to keep me happy? Or would he be someone who uses his money to buy me off when I get angry at him, then ignores me the rest of the time?

My focus shifted back to the Hallmark and I smiled a little as the man knelt down to propose. I hope that's me someday. I know Mom hopes so too. I've got time now, perhaps I should start looking again. Someone is bound to catch my eye. Damon is handsome. That's kind of weird since he's my boss, but it's true. I'm not sure if vampires and humans really date though. I wouldn't object if he asked me out, but it's probably not a good idea to pursue him. Maybe I could get a dating app. Or maybe Emmalynn knows someone. I can't be alone forever, right?

#

"I'm heading to work." I kissed my mom on the top of her head as she ate breakfast. "Don't do anything too crazy while I'm out."

"Have a good day, sweetheart," Mom said, smiling up at me.

Most of the drive to Ashdown Properties I thought about how Damon might greet me. Yesterday, Monday, he had encountered me on my way to my office. He had beamed, told me I looked lovely, and that it was wonderful to see me again. I was flattered by his words, but a little curious. When I asked Viveca if he had ever said that to her, she smiled.

"Let's just say the nicest greeting I've gotten from Damon Ashdown was 'good morning, Viveca, that's a beautiful dress you have on.'"

I had thought about his comment all day. When work was over, he found me to say goodbye and that he hoped I had a pleasant evening. He returned to his office after that without saying goodbye to anyone else. Now that it was Tuesday, I was curious to see if the polite comments continued throughout the week.

Do you want a coffee from the break room? I texted Viveca as I walked through the parking lot towards the building. My black skirt blew in the wind, blue shirt almost untucking from the waist. Time to start wearing a jacket to work I suppose. That breeze is getting cold. "Good morning, Addison."

"Good morning, Alessandria!" she smiled brightly. That must have been why she was the receptionist; she always had a ready smile. "How are you?"

"I'm great, thanks." I waited a moment for the elevator to open, then stepped inside. It stopped on the third floor and the doors opened to Damon, who raised his eyebrows.

"Well, hello, Alessandria. Fancy meeting you here. It's a pleasure." He grinned as he took a step in. "How is your mother?"

I leaned against the wall as the elevator lurched slightly. "She's much happier now that she's home. I think she's feeling all right, but she's pretty good at keeping a positive outlook no matter what." His black hair was always neatly combed, but it looked like it had been styled slightly differently today. I don't think he could do anything to make those locks look bad though.

He put his hands in his pant pockets, red eyes gleaming. "That's good. I don't know anything about your mother's condition. Is it something that goes away or...?"

"She has endocarditis, so the inner lining of her heart was infected. Now that she's had it once, she's more likely to have it again, assuming it fully goes away. It takes four to six weeks to completely get rid of it."

"That sounds a bit intimidating," he said sympathetically. "How have you been holding up?"

I took in a long breath. "Well, I've had my share of breakdowns, and there are still things to worry about, but I'm mostly all right now." I suddenly had an ache to tell him about the hospital bills that my siblings couldn't help with, but what would that accomplish? Besides, money was a sensitive topic, one that should only be approached by people you are closest too.

"Well, I hope things continue to get better," he said. "By the way, your hair looks lovely this morning."

My strawberry blonde strands were braided into a bun today. I had been worried on my way over that it would get messy from rubbing against the headrest of my car. "Thank you." My phone chimed with a message from Viveca as the elevator doors opened to release me onto the twenty fourth floor.

That would be great thanks! Hazelnut green mountain k cup please

"Would you like to get some coffee before you begin work?" asked Damon, stepping out into the hallway with me.

I smiled at him. "I was just going to get Viveca a cup." If we were getting coffee anywhere other than the break room, this would be like a date. Why am I thinking like that? We're not dating. I'm not even sure if we're friends. I like him but... but what? I have time to date now, there's no reason to hold back. Why shouldn't I think about dating Damon Ashdown?

"It's a sign," he said with a wink. We walked side by side towards the coffee room. "You've been here a whole week, you know. Have you enjoyed the experience so far?"

"I have. The work isn't too difficult, although I'm learning more and more every day, so that might change. You've done an excellent job making the place comfortable for employees and hiring all the right people."

"Please, Alessandria, you're going to make me blush," he said smugly. "Any complaints or worries?"

I thought for a second as he opened the door for me, racking my brain for anything I might have stored away to tell him later. "No, I don't think so. I've really enjoyed being here, it's an improvement over my last two jobs."

He smirked a little, opening the coffee machine. "I can imagine. What would you like?"

"Could I try the pumpkin spice? It pretty much fall so I want to get into the season."

"Of course you may. And if you don't like it, I'll make you another." He popped a k-cup into the machine and started it. "Have you ever had pumpkin spice?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't."

"What about the Starbucks Fall Blend?"

"I don't think I've had that one."

"We don't have any here, but I shall have to introduce it to you sometime."

Like a date? Stop it! He's not asking you on a date. I'm sure he would make it clear if he was. Besides, he didn't offer a day or time, so if he was going to take me out, he would have asked for a specific date, not just a general 'let's have coffee sometime.' I did my best not to study him as we were waiting on my coffee to be done because I didn't want to get caught looking at him, but my brown eyes kept wandering his direction. I could never tell how muscular he was since he always wore suit jackets, but I imagined he was fairly fit by the slimness of his waist and stomach that his perfectly tailored suits always showed off.

I wasn't exemplary at starting conversations, so I was grateful when he began. "Have you ever been abroad, Alessandria?" I had always liked my name, but never had it sounded more interesting than when it danced off his tongue.

"No. I've never been out of the States. My family doesn't travel a lot." I hadn't even been out of Georgia in years. I didn't have the money or the time for any far away vacations.

He set my coffee to the side, hand hovering over the coffee options. "What does Viveca want?"

I checked my phone to make sure I had the order right. "A Green Mountain Hazelnut." He slid it in and started the brew before passing my warm cup over. I held it with both hands and took a sip. "I like this one."

"Good. I'm willing to bet you would like Europe as well. The landscaping is beautiful. I was born in England, you know."

I raised my eyebrows slightly. "Really? You don't have an accent."

He smiled. "My family moved to France when I was fifteen, then I moved to America when I was seventy. I've been around Americans for too long to retain my accent without thinking about it. When I visit England, the accent returns naturally."

"Do you go back often?"

"No. There isn't much for me there but old memories. I've been considering buying a vacation house though so I can return more easily."

Should I ask about his family? No, I don't want to pry. It's none of my business anyway. I took another sip of my coffee, slurping a little. That was kind of loud. Did he think that was loud. That's kind of embarrassing. I need to drink quieter. "I was born here in Atlanta," I offered as a way to continue the conversation. "I've always lived here since it's where all my friends and family are." Well, not anymore since Naomi moved.

His already dark eyes dimmed a little, but he turned back to the coffee machine so I couldn't see his face. After he started his own coffee, he seemed to compose himself and looked back at me. "I haven't heard you mention anything about having a boyfriend or husband. Is it possible a lady like you is single?"

A lady like me? "Um, yeah, I am. I haven't really had time for that sort of thing until very recently. College and work are a lot, and there's family stuff to deal with, so I haven't gotten a chance to find anyone. What about you?"

He grinned at my answer. "I'm afraid I'm a bachelor as well."

I smirked just a touch. "Two hundred years old and still not married?"

"Never even came close." He laughed a little. "Apparently I'm entirely too charming to be tied down."

I jerked my chin a smidge sideways in agreement before taking another drink of my coffee. It wasn't the best pumpkin spice I'd ever had, but it was certainly better than some. That was kind of a weird turn in conversation. What do two people say after they tell each other they're both single?

"By the by, your work will be assessed monthly since you are part of our learning outreach. I will also be checking up in the same period of time to make sure you are having an enjoyable experience. We may even perhaps switch your jobs around sometimes to give you more extended learning. Nothing is really one hundred percent yet since it is a relatively new program. Will that all be okay with you?" Damon crossed his arms, eyes expectant.

"Yeah, that's fine," I agreed quickly. "Are you going to be doing the assessment every month or will someone else?"

"I will."

"Got it." A meeting with Damon Ashdown every month? Can't say that I'm disappointed, but why is he handling everything that involves me personally? 

Quick questions that I would love for my readers to help me figure out. One, is this story boring? I have found that it feels like most of my stories are kind or boring, like I do a lot more building up to stuff and have unnecessary scenes. Two, what do you guys think of Damon? I showed the first three chapters of this story to my cousin and he said he actually didn't like Damon that much. So now I'm curious whether it's just my cousin or if it's the character. Thanks guys!

Stay happy!

~AJ.