Free Fifteen Years by Kendra Norman-Bellamy Page B

mahogany.” They were standing by the driver-side door of her car when she told him. Lillian’s eyes darted back and forth, making sure no one could finger her as the spoiler. “And the enamel file cabinets that you get came in fancy colors like smoky topaz, harmonic tan, garden sage, and olive grove.” For good measure, Lillian had put up a finger for each color she named. She was all too happy to spill the beans. Like ruining the surprise had made her day. Maybe even her entire week.
    Mickey was visibly taken aback when Josiah asked to have all of his furniture ordered in basic black. He’d asked that the walls be painted steel grey, and the black gear matched it with perfection. Black was his favorite color. Always had been. And it looked stunning in his new office. He’d always despised the orangey walls, varnished wooden desk, and clay colored file cabinets in his old office. The ensemble reminded him of the furniture in his childhood bedroom. Much nicer, much sturdier, but mix matched just the same.
    Something about plain old black and white never looked plain at all. Coordinated just right, the basic colors looked artistic and innovative, stylish. The large black-and-white abstract framed painting that hung on the wall behind his desk helped to make the office a showplace to be proud of.
    A few boxes, consisting mostly of software handbooks and a few files sat in the corner, still unpacked. They were a temporary eyesore that would be gone in the next day or so. Josiah had been taking his time putting things away. Mickey offered to send one of the gofers to help him get everything set up, but Josiah declined. When it came to his workspace, he had a system, and if things weren’t put exactly where they belonged, it would mess up everything.
    “Josiah. How’s it going?”
    Spinning around, Josiah faced Mickey. It irked him that his boss never sought permission before entering his office. The door was closed. Wasn’t knocking before entering a common courtesy? It was no real shocker though. Bad manners seemed to fit Mickey’s slipshod personality well. If he weren’t a nice man, he’d be unbearable.
    As though giving Josiah a prime example to prove his thoughts, Mickey sneezed in his hand, then pulled his overused hanky from his blazer pocket and blew his Rudolph-red nose into it before wadding it back up and shoving it back into place. He used long steps to close the space between him and Josiah, and Josiah found himself praying to God that the man didn’t touch him.
    “Looking good in here.” Mickey sounded more congested than normal as he turned a full circle to get a panoramic view of the office. He sniffed and cleared his throat. “I have to admit that I was a little bit worried about these plain colors, but you made it come together. I think it’s the black and white accessories … the pencil holder, trash can, in-box, coatrack, and throw rug… that’s making it look like some kind of atypical Oval Office.”
    Josiah smiled at the analogy. He’d never thought of it that way.
    “I never envisioned it looking like this,” Mickey concluded. “Looks kinda—you know—elegant. Black desk and all.”
    Josiah’s grin evaporated, and his insides cringed when Mickey put the same hand he’d sneezed into on the surface of his desk and patted it three times in approval.
    “Looks good, Josiah. Looks real good,” Mickey concluded.
    “Thanks, Mr. Colt,” Josiah managed to say through half-clinched teeth. “Did you want anything in particular?” He needed to get him out of his office.
    Mickey snapped his fingers like Josiah had just reminded himof the purpose of his intrusion. “Oh yes. I need you to stop by my office at some point today, preferably before three. I need your help with something, a computer thing.” The fast-talker in him had reemerged. “I’ve been trying to figure it out all morning and haven’t had any luck. I’m stumped. Have to complete a report by close of business on