10

When my alarm went off at six AM, it was pure adrenaline that got me up. I am not a morning or afternoon person; I'm a ten to two person. During those hours, I could work miracles with a smile on my face, which is how I rose through the ranks so quickly. Before and after those times, I could still work miracles but they would definitely be sans smile (unless I was caffeinated).

This morning was different, though. I woke up with the knowledge that I was the boss now. I got to call the shots. The whole last week, I'd spent hours pouring over Wisteria Inn department manuals, procedures, financials, reviews, anything and everything I could get my hands on. My planner was already full of meetings with my management team and vendors. I had a notebook full of what I liked, what I didn't, and what I didn't understand. My bright red Dooney & Burke satchel (a good-bye gift from my boss) was packed with my favorite sticky notes, pens, and gummy bears. I was going to be issued a new laptop and iPad when I arrived today, so I was set to go.

I took a long shower, scrubbing my scalp, shaving, and rehearsing my authoritative voice. After my shower, I dressed in the black pencil skirt and blue satin shirt the girls had help me pick out. I was so nervous, I had trouble with the buttons going down the front and I was glad it was short sleeved because I was already starting to sweat. I spent extra time getting every curl into place to avoid any bird's nest comparisons. Makeup was neutral but before I put on my lipstick, I ran downstairs to grab a yogurt for breakfast.

My mother had other plans for breakfast. On the kitchen island, six different types of muffins were cooling down. A large bowl of fruit salad and a container of my favorite peach yogurt sat next to them, as well as a steaming mug of coffee.

"Happy Monday sweetie!" Mom threw her arms around me. "We are so proud of you." My dad was leaning up against the island, half way through a muffin which he tipped to me.

"Thanks momma." I chose a lemon poppy seed muffin and poured my yogurt over my fruit. We chit chatted until I realized I needed to leave to get my car to the auto shop. My stomach reeled in anticipation of the drop off. Coupled with my first day jitters, I hoped I could keep my mom's breakfast down. I ran upstairs, swiped on a nude lipstick, stepped into my Louboutins, and did a last systems check. I was good to go. I shouldered my satchel and purse and headed out, keys in hand.

"Go get 'em tiger!" Dad called after me. I flashed him a thumbs up.

I did the drive to Taylor's in silence. While others like background noise to drown out the noise in their heads, I preferred the quiet. It almost forced me to take on a state of silence I wouldn't otherwise embrace. By the time I got to my destination, most of the butterflies had settled down. I looked in my visor's mirror and gave myself a stern talking to you.

"Don't be a weenie. You can do this." I got out, my bags in tow, straightened my back and walked…straight into the door. It said "Pull" and I pushed. Oh for Pete's sake.

"I bet that happens a lot ," I joked to the young lady sitting at the front desk. Her hair was purple on top and blonde underneath. She wore a white t-shirt with the 'Taylor Auto' logo across her chest and a blank expression.

"Not really." Wow, customer service at its finest. "Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes, at 7:30 for Sara Diaz." She clicked a few times on the mouse.

"I don't show you in the system," she said, her tone completely flat.

"Really? Kade made the appointment himself." My heart rate increased. What was going on?

"Yeah well, IF he did, he must have cancelled it." The emphasis she placed on 'if' irritated me.

"Well can you make an appointment for me?" What was this girl's deal? More mouse clicking.

"I can get you in at 4 on July 18th."

"That's four months away." I could go back to the other place at this rate.

"Yeah well that's my first availability, so ya want it or what?" Before I could pull out my supervisor voice, a blue coverall clad body came into view.

"Hey you made it," Kade said with a smile. His blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he was holding a mug that read "World's Okayest Boss." I laughed.

"Is that the mug I bought Bud?" For Christmas one year, I had gifted the mug to Kade's uncle. From what Kade had told me, he didn't let anyone touch it, even thought it was one of those stainless steel insulated cups, practically indestructible. He even hand washed it instead of putting it in the dishwasher.

"Yep," Kade confirmed, his grin getting wider. "Came with the place."

"Glad that someone is getting use out of it."

"I was worried something had happened when I saw your appointment wasn't on my calendar this morning," he said taking a sip. "I came over here to see what happened."The girl at the computer at least had the sense to look embarrassed.

"I'm not sure what happened. I definitely need service. Would you be able to fit me in at all?" Kade nodded and looked closer at the screen.

"Did you just put this 7:45 one in?" The girl nodded. "Cancel it," he told her tapping on the computer screen. "They knew what they needed to do and ignored me, so they can find somewhere else to go." Ha, I have made that call a time or two.

"But Kade-," the girl started to protest but Kade cut her off.

"Cancel the appointment Rian. Also, where is your name tag?" He sounded annoyed and I could relate. There was always that one employee. "Hand me your keys Sara and I'll get your paperwork going." I handed them over and he started typing on the second computer.

"Two door or four?" he asked me.

"She's a four door," I answered, puzzled. He knew more about my car than I did. He chuckled.

"Sorry, I should've said, which one for the loaner."

"Oh, I don't care as long as it's automatic." He laughed again, no doubt remembering his lack of success in teaching me to drive a stick. I could ride a four wheeler no problem, but cars were a whole other ball of wax.

"Rian, can you get the keys for the BMW please?" Kade asked, not looking up from the screen. Rian shot me a rather annoyed look before going to the key box behind the counter and taking out a set of keys. She dropped them on the counter next to Kade and he raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm gonna need the keystroke logs for these two stations when you have a moment please." Panic stricken replaced the annoyed look on Rian's face.

"Um from when to when?" she squeaked out.

"Midnight Sunday to now," he replied, turning back to the computer.

"Sssure boss," she stuttered and turned back to her computer.

"Keystroke logs? You run a high tech operation here," I teased, dying to know what he was looking for. Had someone deleted my appointment on purpose? Was it little Miss Personality over there? He smiled up at me and I swallowed hard.

"Things happen. Can't fix it if I don't know what went down." This responsible, managerial side of Kade was new to me. When we were dating, he was just starting to transition from employee to supervisor. He clearly knew his business. It was a turn on to see him also be able to work the front desk. Heat began to pool in my belly. "Alright, we will give you a call when she's ready. Sorry about the confusion. I'll walk you to the loaner." He handed me the BMW keys and escorted me past the reception desk and out to behind the building. Several cars were lined up against the back of the twelve foot fence that went around the parking lot. One end had a large gate that was rolled back, probably since it was during business hours. He walked me to a black sedan directly across from the door. I put my bags in the back seat and then slid behind the wheel. Kade leaned down, one arm on the roof, the other on the top of the door.

"Have a good first day, baby," he said. I didn't say anything, just swallowed hard and nodded. "Don't make anyone cry." I let out a bark of laughter, unable to contain myself.

"I make no promises," I smirked. His laugh made my heart soar into my throat and I shooed him away so I could pull the door shut and get ahold of myself. He moved to the front of the car and when I turned on the car, Queen's 'We Will Rock You' filled the speakers. The grin on Kade's face told me who was responsible. I pulled away, trying to calm my racing pulse. I could see him in the rear view mirror, watching me drive away. At least this time, he knew I'd be back.

The fifteen minute ride to the Wisteria Inn was filled with more rock anthems designed to pump me up. At first I thought it was the radio but as I pulled into the parking lot, I realized there was a cd playing. When I ejected it, I saw written in big block capital letters "BABY'S 1ST DAY OF WORK." Good grief, Kade. I realized it was a cd of the same songs he'd given me when I started at the Italian restaurant I worked at in high school. Damn, he was smooth.

'Too bad HE'S TAKEN!' my conscience screamed. I frowned. Yeah, this was going to have to stop. The sweetness of the gesture quickly wore off and I tossed the cd onto the passenger seat. It was time to get to work.