The morning greeted Alexandra with an uncharacteristically dreary and rainy start. Cool and misty from the nearness of the ocean, yes. Rain though was rare.

It seemed as though the surprises would continue that day as she pulled the curtain open the rest of the way to let a little daylight into her bedroom.

The young secretary had set her alarm slightly earlier than usual since she was uncertain what the morning would herald.

With a sigh Alexandra glanced over at her vanity trying to decide if she should put on her makeup and do her hair before venturing out to the kitchen to start breakfast. Ruby wouldn't arrive at the office for another hour yet so she had time before she could call in.

Sitting down at her vanity, she pondered her reflection as well as how to handle getting Mr. Burger called in for the day as well if he wasn't awake well enough to do it himself soon enough.

Her face was clean, having just been washed; and she had dressed in one of her more casual swing dresses. It would be more comfortable around the house.

Perhaps she'd give Della a call after she'd finished applying her makeup. Della usually knew the graceful way to handle awkward situations.

Her houseguest was still sound asleep and snoring softly when Alexandra padded her way out to the living room. Glancing out the window for Della, she didn't see her yet so she went into the kitchen to put on some coffee.

Not wanting a knock at the door to wake up Burger prematurely, she continued peering out the window every so often as she gathered the items necessary to make breakfast.

Something light and easy on the stomach, she'd decided, in case he was really hungover. Toast and scrambled eggs would fit the bill.

Spotting Della out the window as she set the frying pan on the stove, Alexandra rushed to get the door before her lovely friend knocked.

Stepping out into the walkway, Alexandra thanked the heavens that at least it was covered and they were sheltered from the rain. What she had to discuss, she rather her boss not overhear should he wake up.

"Oh thank heavens you're here, Della!" Alexandra began. She nodded respectfully at Della's boss and ride to work for the morning. "Mr. Mason."

She took a deep breath and covered her face in her hands as she tried to summon the words to describe her ridiculous predicament.

Della's perfectly groomed brows knitted with concern for her friend.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be alright, Alex."

Della put a comforting arm around Alexandra. Alexandra nodded and lowered her hands.

"It's nothing Earth shattering, but it's so absurd that I have no idea how to handle the rest of it!"

Mason's lips lifted into a slight smile as he took down his umbrella for the time being.

"Perhaps we could help if we had some more details."

Alexandra's face colored bright red. She still wasn't sure how to explain the situation so she just blurted it out.

"My own boss spent the night on my couch."

Mason's eyebrows lifted in surprise and blinked, as if trying to process what he'd just heard.

"Mr. Burger?!"

He exchanged a glance with Della who, also surprised, was fighting hard to suppress the giggles.

Alexandra noticed Della's mirth and buried her face in her hands again.

"I know. I know. It's got to be funny," she admitted with a sigh. "You'd think I'd be over the moon. But he took a cab here at about 9 pm, drunk as a skunk and about ready to pass out. I didn't feel comfortable sending him home alone so I put him on my couch. I've already called out for today so I can make sure he's alright when he wakes up, but I don't know how to call him out sick without getting the gossip mill at the water cooler going. Not without waking him up to do it himself and who knows what condition he'll be in. He's already grumpy most of the time without being shaken awake."

Mason laced his hands in front of him as he thought about it a moment.

"I'll call him in for you, Alexandra. We'll blame it on me and say I bought him one too many drinks after his victory last night and he stayed with me," he said with a mischievous grin.

Alexandra let out a deep breath in relief, though her face paled almost immediately.

"Oh I can't ask you to lie on our account, Mr. Mason!"

Mason's smile widened into a toothy grin just like the one from the night before.

"I'm pretty sure in this case Mr. Burger won't mind, Alexandra. Besides, I like the idea of him owing me one."