Gage woke up earlier than usual the next day and hit the gym. Yesterday, he hadn't gone to the gym and he felt like it made his day crappy from the morning on. His normal routine was to wake up by five thirty, promptly, every day and be at the local gym for an hour, every day. There were days he didn't go, like yesterday, but he went more often than not.
He was a creature of habit. He got into a groove and rarely if ever, went astray. Ever since he went into the Army, where he was trained to be disciplined, he continued to follow that same motto outside of the military. It had been a while since he was enlisted, but some things just stuck with a person.
He had grown up in Nebraska, where he promptly enlisted in the Army after graduation. His dad was a soldier, his grandfather fought in World War II and his great grandfather fought in World War I. Being in the military was in his blood, in his genes. He knew as a young kid that he would go into the military, but he knew he wasn't a lifer. He wanted to do it, honor his country and make his parents proud. But he didn't want to devote his life to it. No. He wanted to be successful owning his own business or running a company that he knew was successful because he was able to manage a group of people and as a team, could run that company well.
After he went to college in Nebraska, he began running the distribution department of his parents business, El Jimador, which distributed food all across the country to Hispanic businesses. Those were typically carnicerias, taquerias and Mexican restaurants. It was a slow business at first but they had worked hard to gain the trust of many of their clients. Gage's parents, Claudia and Dominic Alexander, promised companies that they were the best option at finding products fresh, and at competitive prices compared to any of their counterparts. Keeping that promise over the years had garnered them new business and a long list of clientele whom had been with them since the beginning.
Gage worked in distribution long enough to expand their distribution locations and therefore, gain more business. He moved out to Colorado, specifically Windsor, to open a distribution center for his parents. The need for what they did was huge in that area. With so many businesses in neighboring towns needing Mexican products for their grocery stores and restaurants, it was essential to open a plant near by.
It turned out to be well worth the effort. The plant had grown so tremendously in the first two years that Gage had to find a bigger place. Once that was accomplished, the old building sat there in limbo. Unsure if they should sell it, Gage came up with the bright idea of turning it into a brewery. Craft beer was on the rise in Colorado at the time and he jumped at the chance.
His parents thought he was crazy but with some finesse on Gage’s part, they trusted in his vision. As a gift, they deeded the building over to him. With his long-time friend Blake, they turned it into a brewery immediately. After a few years, however, he realized his heart wasn't into it as much as it was in the beginning and Blake bought him out. Which worked very well as Blake got him hooked up at the credit union where he and his dad used to work. So Blake's recommendation to the Board of Directors to hire Gage, was Gage's way of getting in. He owed that guy a lot.
Gage enjoyed running the credit union. He enjoyed being able to do the things he wanted. He liked making decisions on his own and deciding what was best for the credit union. Truthfully, that's what most people needed, was someone to make a decision. It also felt good not to have to ask for someone else's approval before doing something. He enjoyed how his position gave his employees the comfort that they could come to him for advice on personal matters. They knew he would give them honest and direct answers and they appreciated that. He wasn't afraid to speak the truth and tell it how it was. His employees trusted him and he liked that - it made him feel good.
That wasn't to say there weren't things he didn't like about his job. Because there were. People that called in sick all the time or late. Oh and regulations. He hated them. Actually, there probably wasn't a CEO of any credit union out there that liked being regulated. Then there was always the disgruntled member who always thought that they did everything wrong and couldn't get anything right.
Gage got to work and did his usual morning rounds. With fifty-six employees at this branch, he liked to visit with his management staff and tend to any small fires that needed addressed. Today, it was about the town's fall festival and whether or not they were going to have a booth there. They needed to make a decision.
"I already committed to helping a good friend of mine sell beer inside the beer garden. I can definitely make appearances if we have a booth, but you guys are going to have to figure out who is going to man it and who’s going to be in charge of the schedule." He looked pointedly at his four managers, waiting for someone to step up. Ten seconds, thirty seconds, forty five seconds, one minute. No one spoke up.
"Settled then. We are having a booth. It's good to be involved with the community. Lisa, you're in charge of scheduling everyone in three hour shifts, much longer than that and it gets boring as hell." She nodded her head, tucking a piece of her short blond hair behind her ear.
"I assume asking some of the loan officers and tellers is okay? We will need more coverage than just the four of us," she stated matter-of-factly.
"Absolutely. Take the friendly approach and see if there are any volunteers first."
He looked over at his Chief Operations Officer "You and Harmony get together with Lisa and figure out a promotion or sign up bonus, whatever, you know the drill."
"Already thinking about it boss." Nate replied to him, casually typing notes into his iPad.
They were standing in the doorway of the break room, a pretty informal meeting over coffee and tea. He walked down the hallway, saying hello and good morning to various employees.
He really hoped this was a better day than yesterday. Of course yesterday he had made the mistake of visiting that little blond thing he liked to pretend had no name. And that sent him into a tailspin for the rest of the day. As long as he didn't let his thoughts drift to her, he'd be fine. The problem was, his dick didn't always agree with his brain. He chuckled to himself as he walked toward his office. Any man could agree with that sentiment.
~
Amber reached for her phone, "Hell-oh??? About time you called! Ever since your text, I've been waiting and waiting."
Marilyn's breathy laugh crossed over the line, "I know, I'm sorry. We've just been busy, you know? He proposed to me in Central Park, while we were taking a horse-drawn carriage ride. It was the best. I still cannot believe how lucky I got. And you are so being my Maid of Honor, you know that right?"
Amber couldn't help but smile as Marilyn talked fifty miles a minute.
"Aww, congratulations! I'm so happy for you. That sounds so romantic. Yes! I would be honored to be your Maid of Honor! When is the wedding?"
"It's going to be on Christmas Eve. I know it's soon, right? That's why we have to get to finding me a dress. Pronto! Do you have time today? Let's go look now. I'm so excited I can't wait."
"I know, me too! I will come pick you up. Be there in ten."
"Okay, bye!"
"Bye!"
Amber slipped into her sandals, grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
She picked Marilyn up in record time and they headed toward the bridal shop.
Marilyn stuck her hand out for Amber to see the ring.
"Look! I love it," she stated excitedly.
"Oh Marilyn, it's beautiful! I'm so happy for you! You look amazingly happy."
"I am. I'm so happy. Tell me about you. What's new?" she asked.
"OMG Marilyn, you are not going to believe who came to the studio! I have been dying to tell you. Gage Alexander, CEO! That's who!"
"You don't sound as happy as I thought you would be. What did he want?"
"He is so infuriating! And hot as hell! He came to tell me to keep our past sexcapade to myself. And scratch that, he more or less demanded I keep quiet. The nerve of him! Who does he think he is?" Amber was getting irritated just talking about it.
"Really?" Marilyn asked quizzically. "Why didn't he just call? Why did he have to make a special trip over?"
"Hell if I know. But it's clear I was some huge mistake from his point of view. Whatever. Anyway, do you have any ideas for what kind of dress you want?"
Marilyn was happy to change the subject, but she found it interesting that Gage felt the need to talk to Amber in person and told her so. Maybe there was more to that than what was on the surface.
Amber listened to all of Marilyn's ideas about dresses and shoes and where to have the wedding. She was extremely happy for her friend, but listening to her talk about her parents and brother as well as Blake's family and how well everyone got along, made it difficult for her to listen with dry eyes. She missed her parents so much. She had always wished she had a bigger family, too. Then, when Amber's special day came, all the family she longed for and needed would surround her. At least she would have her girlfriends.
Brenda Lynn Thomas, owner of Brenda’s Bridal Boutique located in downtown Windsor, greeted them. The minute Marilyn said the wedding was going to be on Christmas Eve, Brenda found three very flattering options for her to choose from. With the exception of the first dress, the other dresses were lined, in some way or another, with white faux fur, adding to the allure of a winter wedding. One dress came complete with gloves and a stocking cap for brides seeking an outdoor winter wedding.
Amber helped Marilyn try them all on and Amber was able to try on a few bridesmaids’ dresses as well. Marilyn chose royal blue and black as her wedding colors. Anything green or red was too predictable. Lucky for Amber, she looked great in royal blue and Marilyn didn't care what style of dress she picked out. Brandi and Gabriella, the ladies’ other good friends, would look fabulous in anything. Marilyn didn’t purchase a dress, but she did walk away with a beautiful garter set that had snowflakes embroidered into each garter.
Amber had another class in the afternoon to practice for their upcoming competition for the festival. She dropped Marilyn off at her house with promises of more gossip later and headed to the studio. Images of Gage Alexander, CEO, came to her mind the minute she unlocked the doors. When she had turned around and saw him standing there, she about had a coronary. Now that she had time to mull over their encounter, she wondered how long he had been standing there watching her.
Based on their past experience with each other, she found it hard to believe that he wanted absolutely nothing to do with her. He was a guy after all! Shake a little booty in his face and that's what he would be thinking about. She was confident that was what she had witnessed in his eyes when they had begun their discussion. Maybe he wanted her even if he said he didn't. She wanted him. She wanted him, badly. She had to figure out a way to get him to forget his adversity toward her. Once she did that, she needed to figure out how to get him back in bed. Come hell or high water, Amber was going to have her way.
First thing’s first, she was going to that credit union and she was going to apply for a loan. With all of her money tied up in investments, and not really wanting to cash them in, getting a loan made the most sense. She could always pay it off when she felt it was necessary. She already had a contract on the building where the dance studio was and his credit union was as good as place as any to get a loan. She would do whatever it took to get Gage Alexander, CEO, to meet with her and discuss her financial options.