Free Fallen (Chronicles Of The Fallen) by Julie Morgan Page B

back at the sink. The faucet still running, the water runs clear. Swallowing hard, she looks down at her hands and finds them wet from the water. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath. “It’s…it’s okay, Jan. I thought I saw something, that’s all.” Slowly approaching the sink, she rinses her hands off, then quickly grabs a paper towel. Patting her hands dry, she heads towards the door. “I’m not sleeping well these days.” She looks back to Jan. “I didn’t mean to scream when you touched me.”
    “Think nothing of it. I didn’t mean to startle you. I find Benadryl sometimes helps me sleep.” Jan offers her a supportive smile.
    “Thank-you. I’ll try that tonight.” Lisa leaves the bathroom and walks back towards her office. Wadding up the used towel, she tosses it into her trashcan and Samuel looks up from Mariah’s desk, watching Lisa. She glances up at him once, then back down.
    Closing her office door, she takes a seat behind her desk, looking through the glass wall towards Mariah and Samuel. Turning to her computer, she pulls up her instant messenger. She glances once more at Samuel and a smirk plays on his lips. He says something to Mariah, then turns and walks down to the hall to his own office.
    Looking back at her instant messenger, she drafts a note to Mariah. What’s Samuel’s schedule the rest of today? She presses send and waits.
    She sees Mariah is typing on the screen, then her reply comes through. His plate is full the rest of the afternoon. Do you need me to schedule something with him for you?
    Lisa replies with a simple No, thank-you.
     
    ~~~~~~~~~~~
     
    At one o’clock, Lisa walks outside. Alex is sitting in his SUV, a black Lexus LS 570. Tinted windows reflect the sun's image, as the passenger window rolls down. Alex lowers his head and his blue eyes look at Lisa over the rim of his sunglasses. “Well, good afternoon, beautiful.” He grins, then steps out in his light blue polo shirt and khaki shorts. He walks over to the passenger door, opening it for her.
    “Nice ride.” She smiles. Stepping up next to her, Alex leans in and kisses her cheek. Breathing in his cologne, her eyes close and her arms wrap around his waist. “And it’s nice to see you.” Pulling back to look up at him, she tilts her head slightly. “Thank-you for the fruit basket.”
    He grins down at her. “You’re welcome.” Helping her step into the SUV, he shuts the door, then walks back to his side. “You ready for some amazing Greek food?”
    “As long as I can have a gyro filled with tzatziki sauce, I’m game!”
    He chuckles, putting the SUV in gear. “I’ll ask them for extra, just in case.”
    Looking over at him, she lays her hand on top of his. “Alex?”
    “Hmm?” He looks over at her. His blue eyes sparkle, making her melt inside.
    “How did you know I love oranges?”
    He grins and looks back at the road. “A magician never tells his tricks, m’lady.”
    “Well, I did save something for you.” Turning away from him, she leans down into her purse and grabs a napkin. Opening it, she pulls out an orange peel and places it into her mouth, then turns to him with a serious look. Clearing her throat, he turns to look at her and she smiles. Having nothing but orange peel for teeth, Lisa crosses her eyes playfully. Alex bursts out laughing.
    Grabbing the napkin, Lisa pulls the peel out of her mouth and laughs. “Again, thank-you.”
    “Oh no, thank-you for that!” Alex laughs again, reaching over and taking her hand. “Anytime you want to play orange teeth with me, be my guest.” They both laugh.
    “Life’s too short to take yourself too seriously.” Lisa tucks the napkin away and Alex nods in agreement.
    The buildings in Greek Town are in close proximity to each other, and above them are streamers of Greek and American flags as far as the eye can see, flapping in the breeze. The brown-and-red brick buildings lining the streets are all covered with different colored