Outside the Box by H. M. Montes Page A

button up black shirt was leaning against the car then walked over to me.  “I don’t know if you want me to call you Ember or Alexia.  I’m Shawn, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled big at me.
    “Call me Lexi, it’s nice to meet you too.” I smiled back. 
    “Your ride awaits you, beautiful Lexi.” He said and swung his arm towards the open door, I climbed in the backseat of the car, he shut the door behind me and sauntered around the front of the car to the driver side.  Once he got in he pulled away from the building, “Do you have any errands we need to run today?”
    “Nope, I think I’ll just go back to the apartment.” I told him.
    “So Lexi, are you excited about the new job?”
    I laughed and shook my head, “ Honestly?  I think I’m more nervous than I should be.  It’s like I have the angel on one shoulder wrinkling her nose up at me, then the devil on the other shoulder giving me a big grin and a thumbs up.”
    He laughed a deep rumbly laugh, “If it makes you feel better, I wouldn’t have a problem with my wife or girlfriend doing your job.”
    “What if it was your daughter?” I asked.
    He was silent for a few seconds, “I think as long as she wasn’t in any kind of danger and was being taken care of it wouldn’t bother me too much.”
    I blew out a breath and leaned my head against the headrest of the soft leather seat, “My parents died and I’m afraid that I would be disappointing them.”
    “I’m so sorry to hear that.  Look at it this way, it doesn’t have to be a permanent job.  When you are ready to move on you can just tell them.  Who knows maybe you’ll fall in love with somebody outside the box and live happily ever after.”
    I laughed again, “I guess that’s another way to look at it.”
    The rest of the ride to the apartment was silent except for the soft music coming from the speakers.  When we arrived at the apartment building Shawn exited the car then hurried around to open the door for me.  He smiled big at me and put one arm around my shoulders, “I’ll be here at five forty five tomorrow night to get you.”
    “See you then.” I stepped out of his hug and walked into the building. 
    When I got back to the apartment I put my purse on the table and went to the kitchen and made a sandwich.  Just as I took a bite my cell phone rang from inside my purse, I walked over and fumbled through it. Destiney had text me to let me know that she would be back after five.  I grabbed the other cell phone out of my purse then went back over to the breakfast bar to finish my sandwich. 
    I scrolled through the contacts and stopped at Jasper’s name.  I wanted to text him but decided I would just wait until the next day when I met him to have my first conversation.  Once I was done eating I went and changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt so I could go down to the fitness center of the building and get a good workout it since Destiney and I had been slacking. 
    There were a few people running on the treadmills, through the glass wall I could see that a few others were swimming laps in the pool.  I went back over to the treadmill and started walking then set a good pace for jogging.  I wasn’t paying attention to the person that started the treadmill next to me, “Well…well , well, if it isn’t Lexi.” A man said. 
    I whipped my head to the right to find Josh on the treadmill, “Hey there!” I said and slowed my treadmill down as he stopped his. I wiped my forehead with my hand, “What are you up to today?” I asked.
    “Not much, I just came by to get some of my stuff from Derricks place.  Let’s take a little walk.”
    “Sure!” I said and followed him as he led us to the small running track around the outer part of all the workout equipment.
    “I just want to say something, please don’t hurt Derrick he really likes you.” He told me.
    “What?  We aren’t dating, we are just friends.”
    Josh stopped and put his hands on his