The Best

Chapter 4-1

Chapter 4

The seasons zipped past.

Parrish loved the company’s Fourth of July barbecue with its mounds of hamburgers and hot dogs, cole slaw and potato salad, and enough cotton candy to give everyone a sugar high. It was held the Saturday before the actual day so they could recuperate from the festivities. The departments separated into teams for a baseball game, and although Parrish scraped his arms and knees sliding into third and had to go to first aid to get his injuries cleaned up, he hadn’t had such a fun day in, like, forever. Best of all, when the company newsletter came out later in the month, there was a photo of him in it. Practically everyone’s photo was in it, but this made him feel like part of the team. He framed the page and hung it on the wall in his living room.

* * * *

Autumn arrived before Parrish realized it. BB&H had amazing decorations for Halloween—ghouls, ghosts, and skeletons—and permitted its employees to come to work in costume. Parrish didn’t really have anything suitable, so he arrived in a trench coat, sunglasses, and earbuds.

Mr. Burke summoned Parrish to his office to take a letter, and Parrish did a double take. His boss was dressed like an Egyptian pharaoh, complete with wrist cuffs, a snake armband around his biceps, and a staff topped with an open-mouthed cobra, and wow, did the man have the legs to rock that costume! Mr. Burke cleared his throat, and Parrish realized his boss was staring at him.

“Yes, sir?”

“I don’t recognize your costume.”

At least he knew it was a costume. One of the senior executives had snapped at Parrish in the elevator for wearing sunglasses in the building. “I’m a Secret Service agent, Mr. Burke.” He couldn’t help grinning. “I’ll be your detail, if you like.” He brought his wrist to his mouth and pretended to talk into his watch. “This is the Florist. Roses 1 is secure.”

“Roses 1?” His boss gave a bark of startled laughter, and Parrish was more pleased than he could say. “I guess that does make sense.”

“I’d—” Fortunately, Parrish shut his mouth before he could say he’d take a bullet for the man.

Still chuckling, Mr. Burke pointed to the chair on the opposite side of his desk, and they got down to work. And if Parrish stole the occasional glance at those gorgeous legs, he made sure they were surreptitious enough he wasn’t spotted doing it.