Thank You to everyone for reading! I'm sorry I haven't replied to the reviews-I'm new to the whole posting/publishing on FanFiction but it's been such a great experience so far!

I'll try to post regularly as time allows. Right now I don't have a lot of time, I have four kids(ages 7.5, 6, 3.5, and 2) and my husband is a farmer and we're right in the middle of harvest. So spare time is a luxury I don't really have a lot of right now. But I'm trying.

I hope your all enjoying the story. Keep leaving feedback, I promise I read each and every review and appreciate your thoughts and opinions. J

Chapter 5

"Hey sweetie!" Amy loved that Lexi was always so excited to see her when she picked her up from daycare every day. Lexi practically ran across the room and into Amy's arms.

"Mommy!" She held onto Amy's hand as they walked out of the daycare center to Amy's car.

"I need to stop at home to change really quick before our nail appointment. And I hope you don't mind some shopping at the mall tonight too, I need some new clothes, what about you?"

"Yeah! Can we go to Build-A-Bear, please mommy?" Amy glanced back at Lexi in her rearview mirror for just a moment before looking back to the road, and saw that she had on her best sad little puppy face.

"Not tonight. We're getting our nails done tonight. But next week for girls night we can go to Build-A-Bear. Deal?"

"Deal!"

They stopped at their house for a quick ten minute outfit change and to let their three-year old tricolor Corgi Flynn-Lexi had been obsessed with the movie Tangled when they got him as a puppy-out for a quick potty break. After changing into jeans and a fitted v-neck blue cotton shirt, she traded her heels for a pair of flip flops to take advantage of the warm September weather before it got cold and they headed back out.

Serenity Nail Salon was thankfully only fifteen minutes from their house. They were there for an hour getting their finger and toe nails painted. Lexi picked out a very bright metallic purple and had an ear-to-ear grin the entire time. Amy had a hard time choosing between a dark pink or a dark red, but ended up going with the red for her toes and a peach color for her fingers to keep it a bit calmer.

Dinner was thankfully not a fight since Lexi typically preferred to eat better food than fast food drive-thru. She chose a café by the nail salon. Lexi ordered their homemade mac and cheese, which was hands down the best mac and cheese Amy had ever eaten. Amy however opted to eat a little lighter knowing they were going to the mall to find some new dating attire. She currently didn't have any nice clothes other than her work outfits and her "PTA mom" sweaters and slacks. So she ordered a Caesar salad with grilled chicken.

"Okay Lex, I need you to help me find some cute new outfits. Everything I have is for work, or it's boring." Amy said as they walked into a women's store at the mall.

"Why do you need new outfits?"

"Well, I just like to wear kind of dressy outfits sometimes instead of just my jeans and t-shirts." She said as she looked through a rack of loose silky blouses.

"Oh, I thought maybe you needed dating clothes or something."

Amy looked down at Lexi as she froze completely in shock. "What in the world are you talking about? What do you know about dating?"

"Kristie's big sister Sabrina talks about it all the time when I'm at their house. She has a boyfriend who she goes out on dates with a lot. She's always going shopping for new dating clothes." Lexi explained it very calm and nonchalantly like it was no big deal. "You should date mom. Emma's dad is always buying her mom flowers and her parents take turns putting her to bed and doing stuff with her. It would be nice for you to have that."

Amy's heart swelled and she swore it was about to burst right out of her chest. How she managed to have such a sweet daughter with a man who ended up being such an asshole was totally beyond her level of understanding. But she felt incredibly lucky and blessed by her little girl.

Crouching down to look into her eyes, Amy held Lexi's hands and tried to keep the tears that were threatening to fall at bay. "Some day when I meet someone who I think deserves to be in your life, I'll date him and you can meet him. I don't want to waste time meeting guys who would probably end up being not so nice when I would much rather spend that time with you honey. "

"I guess." Lexi lifted one shoulder, she still didn't act like their conversation was as important as it was, at least to Amy. "But it would be kind of nice for me to have someone who could be like a dad. Plus I really want a little sister." She looked hopefully to Amy.

"We'll have to see what happens Lexi. I would really like for you to have a little sister, or a little brother, someday too."

Suddenly Lexi pointed to the other side of the store, "You should try that dress on mom."

Just like that the subject was dropped and changed. Amy tried to push it out of her mind, at least for the rest of their evening. Truth be told it bothered her though, that Lexi seemed to want a father figure in her life. Somehow that thought had never occurred to Amy before. After everything with Troy, she just focused on Lexi and the divorce and getting them away from him. Then they moved and she focused on getting them settled into their new life and devoted all of her spare time to her daughter. Now she found herself hoping that this thing she and Ranger had started would really work out.

Amy tried on the dress since Lexi was so adamant about it. It wasn't her usual style, it was a really pretty turquoise knee-length dress with a scoop-neck and elbow-length sleeves. It fit her perfectly and she was surprised at how much she really did like it. She wouldn't wear it Friday night but it was definitely a good date night dress. They moved on to another store where Amy found the perfect outfit for Friday night. She saw an adorable high-waist full skirt in black and just had to try it on. She ended up going with a scoop-neck short sleeve shirt in light pink tucked into the skirt and even let the saleswoman talk her into a thick charcoal grey belt and a light grey button-down cardigan to "finish off the look."

Their next stop was for shoes. She found some cute and basic silver heels that had a strap across the toes and a skinny ankle strap to hold them on to go with the turquoise dress. But she fell in love with the gorgeous light pink open-toe wedges she bought to go with her date night outfit. She couldn't wait to see the look on Ranger's face when he picked her up Friday night. That thought had her trying on, and buying, a couple more pair of black heels in different styles and heights to wear to work. She really enjoyed knowing that the outfit she wore to work today had gotten him so riled up.

Thursday morning Amy decided to put a little twist on her usual work outfit. She decided on black slacks, one of her new pairs of black heels, and another black button-down Rangeman shirt. That morning she was incredibly grateful for her elbow-length hair, which she usually left down in it's naturally wavy style or pinned it up. Instead she loosely braided it to drape over her right shoulder. She and Lexi went through their usual morning routine then Lexi was off to school and Amy was making the short drive to Rangeman.

She felt dumb for feeling so anxious and excited to see Ranger. As she pulled into the underground parking garage at Rangeman she found herself immediately looking through the fleet of black Rangeman vehicles to see if he was there or off on location somewhere. She spotted the Cayenne and figured he was probably there. As per her usual routine she went by the employee lounge for a bottle of water on her way to her office. And after admiring her gorgeous flowers for a few moments she sat at her desk and got started on her day.

Her e-mail pinged at 10am, she glanced at her computer to see who it was from and found herself get excited when she saw that it was from Ranger. She mentally chastised herself. He was her boss, it was probably just about the new software. But it wasn't. After scanning it quickly she clicked on the attached file and a video popped up. Just as Ranger had predicted, Tank had taken the recording of Amy and Ranger making out in the garage-which the guys in the control room had been kind enough to zoom in on them even-and had added the song Bad by Michael Jackson.

She had to laugh, but watching the video seemed so strange. Especially since they were really doing some hot and heavy making out. They'd have to try to remember to not make out where there were cameras recording their every move. Before she could reply to Ranger her e-mail pinged again.

From: Carlos Manoso

Subject: Lunch

Date: September 8 2016 09:18

To: Amaya Kendrick

Unless you have other plans for lunch already I was hoping to talk you into joining me again. It seems that Ella knows more about your favorite foods than I do since she offered to make Rueben lettuce wraps and fresh tomato, basil, and mozzarella with balsamic vinaigrette. She said it's one of your favorite lunches. I think we have some more talking to do yet since my housekeeper knows more about you than I do.

R

Amy couldn't help but chuckle a little bit, Ella did know a lot about Amy. Partly because when she first started with Rangeman in Trenton and didn't know that many people, Ella would sit and keep Amy company for lunch a few days a week. As much as Amy enjoyed sandwiches, she did try to reduce the amount of bread she ate so lettuce wraps were a good alternative. And she was a total sucker for fresh sliced tomatoes with just a little salt, but add some fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar and oil and she could eat a whole plate.

From: Amaya Kendrick

Subject: RE:Lunch

Date: September 8 2016 09:21

To: Carlos Manoso

R

That is in fact one of my favorite lunches that Ella makes. As hard as I've tried to make them at home, it's just never quite the same as hers. In answer to your question, I do not have plans for lunch. Same time and place?

Amy

Amy tried to go back to her work but she found herself waiting for Ranger's reply. The upside to her being a programmer, was dual computer screens. So she had her email open on the right and her actual work open on the left. She was staring at the left screen trying to remember what she was even doing. After about thirty seconds she finally remembered and tried to get back to going through all of the details of the security software that Brigg's had implemented. She hadn't heard back from Lester or Pete yet, but she could at least familiarize herself with the account and maybe try to troubleshoot without having to go out there. The familiar ping of a new email made her switch screens.

From: Carlos Manoso

Subject: RE:Lunch

Date: September 8 2016 09:25

To: Amaya Kendrick

Yes.

R

By the way, I'm a little disappointed you didn't wear another skirt today.

Amy sucked in a quick breath at the last sentence. She probably shouldn't ever wear a skirt in to work again, they'd certainly end up doing inappropriate things in his apartment during the work day. Or worse in his office where anyone could walk in on them. That was just the type of thing she wanted to avoid to prevent any more heckling from Tank, or any of the other employees.

From: Amaya Kendrick

Subject: RE:Lunch

Date: September 8 2016 09:27

To: Carlos Manoso

R

I'll be there.

Amy

PS. After yesterday I think skirts in the workplace are probably a little too much for you.

Amy waited five minutes for a reply. When it appeared she wouldn't get one she went back to work. She was in the middle of looking over the Brigg's software specifications when she felt someone watching her. She looked over her should and saw Ranger standing in her doorway leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Skirts in the workplace definitely aren't too much. Especially when your legs look amazing." He straightened and walked over to her as she turned in her chair so she was facing him. Ranger came to a stop between her desk and credenza and leaned back against her desk so he was facing her. "I think you should wear skirts more often. Every day, in fact."

Amy couldn't hold back the laughter at the last statement. "I only own two black skirts, one isn't really business casual so technically I have one. And to be honest I don't wear the skirt because I'm not always sure what I'll be doing on any given day. I don't really like to do defensive tactics training in a skirt."

"That could be interesting to watch." Ranger said with his signature smirk. "Well unfortunately I actually stopped by for business. Lester and Pete have found some wiring that may be causing the problems at Brigg's. Lester said he would call you in a few hours if that doesn't solve the issue."

"I was just going through the software package they ordered to double check that there wasn't any known problems with any of the features they have. So far everything seems to check out. There's no new software patches. They downloaded an update last week, but that was a standard update that everyone with that same base package was forced to download. No one else has reported having any issues with it. If the wiring doesn't fix the problem I'll have to go out there this afternoon."

"If it's not the wiring, we'll both be going out there this afternoon. I'm probably going to have to offer Jackson Brigg's some free software features to keep him as a client if we can't get this thing figured out fast."

"My bet is on the wiring." Amy's phone started playing the song 'I fought the law" which made Ranger tilt his head ever so slightly to the side with a curious look on his face. "That's Lester." She answered and had a very short conversation verifying that the problem was the wiring. After she hung up Ranger was still giving her the questioning look. "What?"

"Your ringtone."

"Oh, that's just the ringtone I use for all of the Rangeman employees."

"Even mine?" His look changed from curious to slightly mischievous and a little bit heated.

"I don't actually have a different ringtone for you."

"That kind of hurts my feelings."

"I can make it the theme from Cops." She teased.

He looked like he was considering it for a few seconds before replying. "Bad by Michael Jackson would probably be better."

Amy flushed a little at the reminder of that song. "Yeah, or not. I'll have to come up with a good ringtone for you. Right after I figure out a nickname."

"Nothing ridiculous please."

"For the ringtone or the nickname?"

"Both."

"Rick?"

"Ric, R-i-c, is my dad. I told you that Ranger or Carlos is fine."

"I know. But I want a different name to call you. I could just call you honey, baby, babe…"

"Not babe." He interrupted firmly.

"Okay, not babe. Sweetie?" She could see in his eyes that Ranger was not impressed with any of her suggestions so far. "I'm teasing!"

"Good. I'm definitely not answering to Sweetie. Or Baby."

"Okay." Amy laughed. "I should probably get back to work."

"Lunch. 11:30. I'll come by and get you on my way up."

"Works for me."

Ranger and Amy definitely utilized the full hour of their lunch break talking and getting to know more about each other. Amy was still a bit reserved about her ex-husband. She did reveal that her ex Troy was in prison in Florida for vehicular manslaughter, DUI third, and aggravated domestic assault. After the divorce was final she changed her name, and Lexi's, to her maiden name in an attempt to cut all ties with her ex. Ranger admitted that he'd never really had a serious relationship other than with his first wife and mother of his only daughter, and even that hadn't really been the best relationship.

The more they talked and learned about each other, they both started to feel comfortable with one another. Ranger confessed that he had in fact memorized her employee file so he could learn as much as he could about her before he asked her out on their first date. Amy admitted that she'd had a crush on him ever since she started working for him. By the time they went back to their offices for the afternoon Amy knew they were both pretty invested already. Although Ranger wouldn't give any hints, she just knew that their date the next night was going to be amazing.