(A/N: Hello! Sorry about the lag guys, it's been pretty busy these past months. I've been trying to find time to write these chapters and post, but I haven't quite worked out a good schedule yet. I also been trying to figure things out, time wise, with a new job I got and some classes at my church. Overall, it's been a very hectic but blessed season. I hope everybody is doing well and just know that I did not give up on this story. Please enjoy and Christ bless you all.)

The day felt off for one plain Jane, but she couldn't place what it was at first. The day started out like any other work day. Jane woke up around six in the morning, went to the gym for a quick workout, showered and prepared for the day's endless list. She barely had time to squeeze in breakfast, which wasn't unusual. She made it to work and clocked in at 8 am on the dot.

She's spent a good hour working through the stack of files that lay on her desk. The work was mundane. At first, Jane focused on the work. The constant clack of the keyboards filled the space, rhythmically coaxing her to continue progress. However, the sound seemed to grow in volume. It gnawed at her mind, alerting her that something was off. Jane tried to ignore it, but everyone knows how that usually turns out.

Pausing her work, Jane figured out what was wrong with the morning. The smooth flow of the work and ever present silence. Things were moving smoothly, without needless interruptions to cut through the humdrum of her day. Not to mention the lack of versace cologne that would linger in her area after her boss's arrival. It was also odd to not have a gingerly "good morning" directed at her, accompanied by small talk about his morning.

Jane blinked, slightly stunned.

Her boss's absence made the office feel off.

It made her day feel off, but Jane wasn't ready to admit that. That was the last thing she wanted to admit to herself. The secretary scoffed at herself and refocused back on work, but she found herself sneaking peeks towards Ricky Even's office.

It felt so off. Not seeing her boss sitting in his chair, speaking with clients. Not having him there to talk about whatever crossed his mind, while being cautious not to provoke Jane with his teasing. It felt so off not having her boss just exist in her space and treat her as if they were best friends...or more.

The sensation seeped in Jane's bones, conjuring up a surprising feeling of anxiety. Jane didn't want Ricky's presence to affect her like this. He was her boss. The line she drew should have kept this kind of reaction from happening, but her boss marred that space she carved for herself.

Jane blamed Ricky Evens. They had been spending way too much time than what was proper for an employer and employee. She figured she had gotten used to him walking into her life and carving a spot for himself within her safe place. It definitely was all Ricky Evens fault.

'Maybe that's a bit of a stretch?' Jane thought again while forcing herself to continue working through the files.

It was her boss's fault for confessing to her. It confused her, causing her to question how she felt towards him, and the fear pushed her back to the past she didn't want to relive. Yet, she found herself struggling to build up the walls as she promised herself she would.

Every brick she stacked upon the other, simply fell, leaving her more frustrated than before. Last night was a perfect example of Jane's dilemma and she blamed more than just her boss for the frustration she felt today.

She blamed Ricky Evens mother for one. Victoria Smith, who pulled her aside at the party. It felt like forever since Jane had seen Victoria. The older woman was just as warm as she remembered. She also was just as sneaky as her daughter.

"I thought you weren't married, Ms. Smith." Jane pointedly stated, giving the older lady the side eye.

"Don't be too cross with me, dear." Victoria giggled with mirth. "It's important to separate family from my line of work. Besides, I didn't think we'd meet again, but I'm sure glad we did. God works in mysterious ways. Right, Jane?" Victoria Evens patted Jane's hand.

"Yes, ma'am." The two stood at the bar. Jane couldn't bring herself to be suspicious of Victoria. The older woman met Jane at her lowest. Jane knew God used Victoria to speak life into the ravenette. "I'm glad we met again too." Though, she thought it was weird that they reunited through Ricky Evens.

"Thank you for always looking after my son." Victoria's smile ebbed a bit. "My son spent some time just trudging through life. Just last year, he wouldn't speak much about anything aside from work. As a mother, I worried for him until this year. He seemed to have cheered up and now he seems less lost." Victoria gave Jane a knowing stare. "Now I see why."

Jane chose to stay quiet. Her heart sped up, afraid, even though she knew there was nothing between her and her boss. She wouldn't cross that line.

Victoria grin came back: playful and warm. "I know its presumptuous of me to say, but if you do choose to join the family, Jane, let me be the first one to welcome you into it. For now, ask God for answers you can't find on your own. Trust Him."

Victoria always had a way of seeing through people. That was the gifting God gave her. Jane knew full well how when God spoke, He spoke directly in Victoria's ear, knowing she wouldn't withhold the message to herself.

Jane admired the older woman for that, but tonight, she wished Victoria hadn't spoken to her. She wasn't ready to hear what needed to be said. She wanted to cover her ears and go straight home.

"Jane." Her boss's voice cut through the heaviness that placed itself on Jane's heart. The birthday boy apologized to his mother for interrupting the conversation. "I'm taking Jane away now, if she lets me." Holding out a hand to her, he asked Jane to dance with him.

'Not a chance. I only came to wish you happy birthday, then leave. Happy birthday, now goodbye.' The words were at the back of her throat, but they were too shy to come out. When was it this hard to tell her boss no? It seemed only yesterday she could look into those sappy puppy eyes and coldly cut the man down. Now, she hesitated and her boss was quick to seize the opportunity.

"Just one dance, Jane. That's all I ask." Ricky kept holding out a hand, patiently waiting for Jane's answer.

Ricky felt like everything Jane was not. He felt like everything Jane never had. That's what made him dangerous. He was like the sun that pulled Icurus in. Like the Greek character, Jane was having trouble ignoring the pull she felt towards Ricky. Jane accepted his hand, ignoring the panicked flips in her stomach.

"Thank you." A bright smile bloomed across Ricky's face.

Victoria stood behind, smiling affectionately at the two. 'They have an interesting journey ahead of them.' She inwardly chirped, watching her son lead Jane to the dance floor. Her husband joined her side, but he wasn't as enthusiastic as her.

"This would be our second dance, Jane." Ricky noted, trying to calm his own heart. 'And this time, I don't have to watch you dance with anyone else.'

Finally, Jane's voice came back. "So it is. Hopefully, you don't sniff my hair again." Jane felt the vibrations of his laughter through their hands.

"I promise I won't do that here." Ricky barked out a laugh. He faced the Ravenette, and smoothly wrapped one arm around her waist. "Although it's hard; you always smell nice, Jane."

Confidently, Ricky held Jane close, but kept his hold loose as he led the dance, giving Jane the choice when she wanted to leave. 'Is it me or does Mr. Evens seem to be more respectful of my space?' It was a stunning revelation.

What was more stunning was how her once predictable boss was becoming more of an enigma to Jane. She found these changes in her boss throwing her off her routine. It was becoming difficult to read what exactly her boss was thinking.

It didn't help that Ricky's face looked as if he won the lottery two times in a week. His confidence made him seem taller with broader shoulders. 'Or was it always like this?' If it were, why hadn't she realized it before?

This felt so unreal. Why was she the one whose mind was racing? It shouldn't be this way. Jane wondered if Ricky felt afraid at this moment? If he did, why wasn't he showing it.

"Thank you, Jane, for the shaving kit. I love it." Very briefly, he pulled Jane closer for a mini hug. "Next time, I want to celebrate your birthday. If you're ok with that."

In that hug, Jane felt her boss's heartbeat. It was fast, nothing that would fit a confident man that led women in dances. Ricky's heartbeat matched Jane's.

Once the dance ended, Jane bid farewell. Hal had called. Liam wanted her to spend the night and watch movies with her. Also, Jane needed fresh air in order to keep her head from spiraling off her shoulders.

Even with her adorable nephew's antics, the dance stayed fresh in her mind.

Jane briefly thought about texting her boss, but decided against it. This was unbecoming of her. 'Maybe I'm getting too soft.' Stuffing her cellphone in her bag, Jane forced her eyes to the computer screen. Finally, her brain remembered how to work and the day continued unproductively until lunch time.

Poor Jane didn't realize how a mundane time like lunch would snowball into a shojo drama.