by Cass Sellars
“Definitely. I wouldn’t ride BART in sweaty running clothes, that’s for sure.”
“Shower with me.” Jess shook her head at her blunder that Skylar seemed not to have noticed. “God. I meant at my house…and we’ll ride over together. I’m only a few blocks away on Francisco.”
“Whitney won’t mind?”
“At least ten people usually cycle through my place, it’s a tradition. Don’t leave me hanging.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Well, except now. See you at the finish line.” Skylar broke into a sprint as Jess yelped at the surprise move but caught up in a few seconds.
“No hot water for you, I just decided.” Jess concentrated on her stride.
“Cold showers at my boss’s house, what will everyone think?”
“That you lost, and I felt sorry for you,” Jess replied, thoroughly enjoying the repartee even though it was hard to talk and breathe at this pace.
“All out. Best woman wins.”
Jess read her mind before she spoke. Skylar took off with Jess at her side. They were both too winded to trash talk then, crossing the finish line in what both would concede was an absolute tie.
Jess rested her elbow on Skylar’s shoulder as they both fought to catch their breath.
Skylar huffed out, “Nice work, boss. Next time it won’t be so easy.”
“Hell, that about killed me. You paced me the whole way.” Jess offered her hand and pulled Skylar in for a congratulatory hug. Whitney stood by with a bottle of water and looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“You looked good out there, honey.” She started to hug her and made a face when her hand touched Jess’s clammy neck. “I owe you one—after you shower, though.”
“Fair enough.” Jess laughed, and fist-bumped two other IA team members as they ran in behind them.
Employees grouped at the sidelines waiting for the Ivan Associates contingent to fully reassemble. “My house if you want to shower and change there, or we all meet at Joe’s at one this afternoon.” Most of them mumbled about friends in the city or meeting there, since they had a few hours.
Skylar tapped Kyle’s elbow. “You’re going to Jess’s, right?”
“Yup. I need a shower and to get out of this stuff.” He plucked at the spandex jersey.
“Fabulous.” Skylar was still catching her breath when Whitney spoke.
“Jess, it looks like you won’t have as many as you said you had last year.” She looked back at Skylar. “You and Kyle seem to be the only ones with no other place to go.”
Jess scowled at her, knowing that Whitney likely knew how it had sounded.
“Looks like it. Unless it’s inconvenient.” Skylar was exceedingly polite but sounded slightly uncomfortable nonetheless.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I invited you and I meant it.” Jess glared at Whitney as they walked. She didn’t try to hide it. The reiterated invitation was meant to be a little like a pointed jab at Whitney, who had no right to worry about who was at Jess’s house, especially during a work-related function.
“Here I am.” Whitney pointed at her car in a barely legal spot at the corner. “So, you’re riding with us?”
Jess saw Skylar survey the back seat covered in files and a duffel bag, not exactly a smart thing to leave in full view in San Francisco.
“No, thanks, I’ll walk. I need to cool down anyway.” Since the back seat offered no room for passengers, she was clearly happy for the valid excuse.
“We’ll meet you at the house, Whit. I’ve got to do a cooldown, too.” Jess jerked her head down the block.
Whitney smiled tensely. “Okay, love. See you in a few minutes.” She pulled away as soon as the engine started.
“Maybe you should have gone with her.” Skylar sounded uneasy.
“Nope. This way.” Jess pointed down the next block. “It’s fine.” They walked in silence, Jess picturing the look on Whitney’s face more than once. She seemed to still have the same look as they rounded the last corner. She leaned against her car in the driveway and examined her nails, glancing up at the duo approaching the house. Kyle slowed his car and parked behind Whitney, who said nothing until all of them crowded through the front door.
“Kyle, do you know where the guest bath is? You and Skylar can get dressed up there.” Whitney pointed up the stairs as if she were showing the house to strangers.
“Sure, thank you.” Kyle handled both bags and walked to the end of the hall and up the stairs with Skylar close behind.
Whitney turned toward Jess, already standing in the hallway in her sports bra. “Keep the goods under wraps until we get in the shower, love.”
“Funny. I need a very long, solo shower. I’d rather not have a sexy shower with my employees upstairs, anyway.” She felt no desire to shower with Whitney at that moment and reasoned that work decorum was the paramount reason. Another compelling reason was Whitney’s dismissive and possessive behavior as she directed Jess’s employees around Jess’s house. She wondered if Skylar also thought it bizarre, given her assertion that they were simply casually dating. She wondered why it mattered.
“Fine. You remember what you’re missing.” She pouted briefly and lay across the bed to play with her phone.
Jess enjoyed the cool shower and tried not to think of Skylar in another shower a few yards away. She towel-dried her hair and wore only jeans and a tank top when she walked past Whitney, who’d fallen asleep. She briefly considered waking her but decided against it and headed into the living room.
She found Skylar standing on the patio looking out over the view.
“Feel better?” Jess’s deep voice floated over Skylar, and she forced her eyes away from Jess’s running-toned body.
“I don’t think I’d ever leave this balcony. What an amazing view, Jess. The vista and the water in the distance…Wow.”
Jess stood beside her. “I’m out here more than inside. I’ve spent many a night on that lounge chair without bothering to go to bed. I love it.”
“I would, too. What a great place.”
“Thank you. I have my father to thank for that. I had nothing to do with this house.”
“Are you showing her the place you would live if I never begged you to come inside with me?” Whitney’s tone was almost antagonistic as it preceded her onto the expanse of stamped concrete.
Skylar was amused by Whitney’s clear intention to further stake her claim on Jess, who was standing close enough she could smell her eucalyptus shampoo.
“It’s beautiful out here. I’m afraid I would be the same way.” Skylar spoke directly to Whitney, hoping to allay her apparent misgivings about her intentions.
“Ugh. Jess could practically recite the addresses from memory.” She slid her arm possessively around Jess’s waist and squeezed, not so subtly increasing the distance between Skylar and Jess.
“You’re not wearing that to lunch, are you?” Whitney pointed at Jess’s current ensemble.
“Yes. I just haven’t put a shirt on yet.” Her tone was brusque, and Skylar noticed the air cool between them. She bit her lip to stop the smirk pulling at the edges of her mouth. Whitney kind of deserved it. Skylar felt a little guilty for gloating, but Whitney had been a bit much today, and it showed in Jess’s tone and behavior.
“No matter how hard you try showing me your biceps, you’re never going to be more than my favorite boss,” Kyle sang through the open door as he sauntered out to join the contingent.
“Can’t blame a girl for trying, Kyle.” Jess lightly punched his arm and walked back inside.
Whitney was quiet for a few seconds before she turned to face Skylar. Skylar felt instantly uneasy.
“So, did you enjoy this?” She glanced over at Kyle before resting her gaze back on Skylar.
Kyle scoffed. “I’m just glad this torture is only once a year.”
Skylar laughed. “I thought it was a great morning. I think we should do it once a month.” She smiled teasingly at Kyle, who pretended to faint back on the cushions
.
Whitney stared more intently at her, and Skylar pretended not to notice. Kyle remained reclined in the chair and closed his eyes.
Whitney began to speak to no one in particular. “Today when we were all out there, I really saw how much people enjoyed it. I’ve never been one to love running, but I know my girl sure does.”
Skylar felt a strange vibe from Whitney, who was leaning casually against the rail, looking at her not so casually.
“I’ve always thought of running as kind of a metaphor for life, you know?”
Skylar watched her eyes very definitely increase their focus on her.
“No matter how much you want first prize, you have to be careful to stay in your lane and not get in anyone else’s way.” She glanced down at her manicure and began polishing the nail on her index finger.
What the hell? Skylar couldn’t begin to formulate a lucid response to what was clearly pointed at one or both of them. If she had to bet, it was just at her. She had been really careful not to let her admiration for Jess show outside the office or for any reason other than professional ones. Apparently, she had failed in Whitney’s eyes.
“What do you think, Kyle? Don’t you think that’s true?” She slid her narrowed eyes toward Kyle, now sitting much more attentively in his chair.
Kyle seemed to search for an answer and was visibly grateful for the save when Jess, now in a fitted T-shirt tucked into her jeans, rejoined the trio.
They chose the moderate walk through the neighborhoods instead of trying to find parking in North Beach on a weekend. Whitney clung to Jess the entire way.
Kyle caught Skylar’s eye when they managed to fall back and out of earshot. “What the hell was that?”
“No clue. Did I do something?” Skylar was sure that she hadn’t been inappropriate at the race, or anywhere else, for that matter.
“Well, she certainly thinks you did, or wanted to,” Kyle whispered and watched the duo ahead of them.
“That’s crazy. I wouldn’t do that.” She would be even more aware of her actions now.
“Why? She’s good-looking, successful…”
“And my boss, in case you forgot, Kyle.” What he said was true, but it didn’t change the facts.
“Who could forget? Not Whitney, certainly,” Kyle continued to whisper.
“Women are crazy!” she whispered emphatically.
Kyle mimicked an angry cat and slashed at her with his pantomimed claws and hissing noises.
* * *
The hostess showed them to their table, and Jess counted the chairs. Skylar chose a seat quickly. She looked mildly uncomfortable when Jess chose the same end at the head of the table and wondered if she had sat where she shouldn’t have. She certainly didn’t want to be at the head of the table or anywhere near Jess, given the recent warning from Whitney.
Jess set her phone on the bread plate in front of the adjoining seat. Whitney quickly hooked her purse over the spindled back of the next chair and pulled it even closer to Jess.
When the table was finally full, Jess rose with her water glass and tapped a spoon on the side for effect.
“I just wanted to say thank you for being here, thank you for helping us help the community today, and most of all, Billy and I would like to say thank you for what you do for us every day. We are proud to have built this business and even more proud that we have all of you to share it with. For those spouses and friends who got dragged here against your will, lunch is on me. Cheers.” She raised the glass and drank half of the cold water before taking a breath.
When the table had quieted, Jess tapped into her phone and pulled down an alert from the news station. She passed the phone to Skylar and pointed. “Still locked down. The backlog will be ugly. I’ll drive you home later, no worries.”
“Jess, I can take a rideshare,” Skylar said quietly, almost whispering in Jess’s ear.
“Nope, I’ll take you. You came here for me, it’s the least I can do.” Jess waved her hand dismissively.
“What about Whitney?” Skylar whispered.
“She doesn’t need a ride, she lives in the city.” Jess smiled brightly.
“Not what I meant.”
Jess laughed and stole an uneasy look in Whitney’s direction.
“Relax and have a good time,” Jess reassured her with a quick tap on her shoulder.
Halfway through the first course, Jess stood again and compelled the contingent to share a little of their histories with each other since there were quite a few newbies at the table.
Yolanda started with a brief summary of the print shop and her intense admiration for Jess. “You’re all very lucky to work for this woman. There is no better, trust me.”
Skylar noticed a tiny flush of a blush touch Jess’s face.
Skylar leaned over to Kyle. “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a hint of a crack in that cool façade she wears like a second skin.”
“Now convince me you’ve never thought about what she would be like outside of work.” He shook his head dubiously and snapped to attention when the roundtable stopped at him.
“Uh, well, I’ve been here for five years. My next big business project is to conquer Navigation House and make it everything Jess wants it to be. My next personal goal is to find a partner so he can run this thing next year and I can be the water boy.” A spontaneous round of applause followed his speech. He bowed deeply and dropped wearily back into his chair.
All eyes were on Skylar, who began in a rush to finish. “I just got here a few weeks ago. I was hired as the finance manager. I really like IA and I want to thank you all for welcoming me and to Jess for giving me the opportunity.”
She hoped no one noticed her deflect anything personal.
By four p.m., the meal was long finished, and energies were waning. Employees hugged Jess and each other before mumbling their good-byes. Skylar felt Whitney observing her carefully; her eyes had been on her and Kyle all day.
The quartet began a much slower-paced walk to the house, Whitney clinging to Jess’s arm once again.
“Thank you for taking us out, Jess. You are the best.” Kyle hugged her again and offered the same to Skylar. “I’m off to find parking in the Castro, so hopefully I’ll see you Monday!”
Skylar stood uncomfortably for a moment and tried to think of how to extract herself from the couple standing together on the sidewalk. “Jess, I need to get my bag from the house, if you don’t mind.”
“Yeah, sure.” She handed Skylar the keys and began to follow. “Are you coming up for a minute, Whit?” Jess asked in a casual tone.
“Where are you going?” She looked mildly shocked.
“I’m going to run Skylar home. BART isn’t running, as I’m sure you heard, and she needs to get back to Oakland.”
Whitney, who had obviously assumed that Jess was hers for the rest of the night, appeared stunned.
“So you’re driving to the East Bay?” She sounded as if Jess had just told her she was crossing the Sahara barefoot.
“She’s right, Jess. I could easily get a Lyft.” Skylar hated confrontation and definitely didn’t want to be part of this one.
Jess shook her head. “It’s fine. I told you I would take you, and I will. You were here for a work function; it’s the least I can do.”
Whitney stared at her quizzically and seemed to try to analyze the situation. She looked fairly furious, and Skylar thought Jess would have much rather spent the next couple of hours trapped in the car with her than at the wrong end of Whitney.
“Well. Okay then. I’ll just talk to you later.” Her stiff delivery made it obvious that she didn’t take it well. Her continued ire obviously wasn’t lost on Jess, who squeezed her hand quickly before dropping it.
Skylar cautiously analyzed why Jess was willing to make Whitney unhappy to spend time in the car with her. She refused to accept that Jess felt anything more than charity for her and an unwillingness to entertain Whitney’s impending tantrum.
“I�
�ll call you later.” Jess kissed her cheek and opened her car door for her.
Skylar felt uncomfortable climbing the stairs to Jess’s house as her girlfriend pulled away.
“I really am okay finding my own way home. I don’t want to cause problems between you two.” Skylar fought the flush of the tension she had just witnessed and perhaps caused.
Jess chuckled. “I don’t do emotional blackmail, in case you ever need to know that. There were no plans except with you. Anyway, I have a bit of an ulterior motive, if you’ll indulge me.”
Skylar watched her carefully, assessing her energy and noting that she seemed unfazed by the difficult exchange from the moment before. Skylar retrieved her bag and Jess shut the door behind them.
Skylar couldn’t imagine Jess wanting to spend time driving an employee across the bridge when she could have an evening with someone who looked like Whitney. She would admit to being flattered and quite inappropriately happy to have a bit more time with Jess.
“I can’t wait to hear this.” She realized that she was standing a bit too close, and the heat of the proximity was intense. She stepped back reflexively, a move Jess didn’t seem to register.
“I happen to be obsessed with a certain pizza place in Montclair. It’s better than anywhere in the city, and they have garlic knots that melt in your mouth. Ride with me and let me introduce you to heaven in Oakland.”
Skylar laughed at her. “Didn’t we just finish a giant meal?”
“Well, you ate like a bird, and running makes me hungry. It’ll be at least an hour, so I have more time to digest. Anyway, say you’ll do it.”
“I happen to love Montclair, and I’m a sucker for pizza.” She smiled enthusiastically and felt a small jolt at the prospect of another evening with Jess outside of work. She took a second to scold herself for the inappropriateness of her reaction. Jess was just being friendly, and Skylar had ambitions. She wasn’t about to let her hormones run off with her logic.
* * *