“Get along now.” She must not have noticed anything too wrong, even though she still looked at me suspiciously. “Don't make him wait. I just saw him go up the elevator.”
“Yes, Mrs. Buckingham.” My heart pounded. I couldn’t believe I was being assigned to an office! It was a dream come true! Even temporarily, it would be a welcome bump in pay. I wondered if I could keep the extra money hidden from Daddy. What he didn't know about, he couldn't take.
I danced around more inside. I couldn't wait to get home and tell Mama that night. Maybe we can have meat more than once a week on Sundays! Maybe I can buy another blouse, and I won’t have to wash this one every night! The possibilities were endless.
Giddy, a big grin split my face as I rode the elevator up to the third floor, my brain churning with excitement.
“Yes!”
Stepping off the elevator with the rest of the third floor crowd, I couldn’t believe my luck. It was my third week with Noah, and things were going great.
Several of the older secretaries gave me the side-eye as we went to our prospective offices. As the youngest personal secretary in the company, I heard them whispering my name around the water cooler. Many of them thought my rise to the level of Noah’s office was done by stepping on the backs of the others in the pool. Some thought I got there lying on my back. I’d jumped the line, and the old-school secretaries were very angry. Their conversations were full of rumor and innuendo, but I didn’t care. The extra money in my check would go a long way toward helping me eventually move out and get an apartment of my own. God, I wanted my own place.
Mama wore long sleeves that morning, and Toby wet the bed, which meant last night while I sat in class, Daddy had been on yet another drunken rampage. I looked for my radio while I cooked breakfast, and it was gone. He’d either broken it or sold it for beer money. It made me sad. I’d managed to keep it for six months after I won it at the company office party. He must have found where I kept it hidden in the back of the little bathroom linen closet.
“Miss Bishop, nice to see you today.” Noah greeted me as I walked in and saw my new desk. Sqeeeeee! I have a desk!
“Thank you, Mr. Hendrix.” I hid my glee and strode to my desk, a new found confidence in my step. Life is good!
I couldn’t help but chuckle. I’d left the apartment an hour ahead of schedule that morning in hopes of him catching me hard at work when he eventually made it to the office. No matter how early I got there, he always beat me.
“You know, Lena, as long as you are here by eight, there will be plenty of time for us to get things done.” I glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was just a few minutes past seven. “You don’t have to get here as early as I do. I know you have family responsibilities.” He really was a nice guy. Why can’t I find a guy like him to whisk me away from my sucky life?
“Thank you, Mr. Hendrix.” I glanced down. “That would be a big relief. It would help to stay a little longer and get my brothers and sisters off to school. The older boys like to play hooky.” I hated that all my home crap affected my great job. Even talking about my ‘responsibilities’ felt risky.
“I might need you earlier on occasion, but for now, just plan to come after they leave.” He didn’t seem upset.
“Thank you, Mr. Hendrix.” I took a deep breath, relieved that he was so understanding.
As I got down to work, the back of my neck prickled, and I knew he was watching me. Not only was I the youngest secretary on the third floor, but Mr. Hendrix was the only man under forty in company management. The girls down in the pool said he was easy on the eyes. I thought about his looks a little more—the way that one lock of hair curled over his forehead, his aquiline profile, those broad shoulders—and then I shut down that train of thought.
No matter how cute he was, I couldn’t risk that job. It was my chance. I wouldn’t jeopardize the opportunity by dating my boss. If Mrs. Buckingham found out, she would run me out on a rail. Every girl in the secretarial pool was given a “Rules of Conduct” policy sheet when she was hired. “No fraternization with the bosses” was rule number one.
Occasionally, I had heard of a girl hitting the jackpot and her boss marrying her, but most of the time the boss had his fun, and the girl got fired. That would not be me. Not this girl. No way.
Chapter Seven
Noah
“Hey, Frank!” I slammed the door of my Porsche and walked around the front, tossing the keys up and catching them. I like the feel of their weight in my hand.
“Hello, Mr. Hendrix. Nice to see you again.” Frank tipped his cap as he stepped out from the valet booth.
“You, too…And it’s Noah. How are things at home?”
“A little nuts. My wife is expecting. It’s our first, and she’s nesting. It’s like a mini vacation to come to work.” He laughed, snatched my keys out of the air, and grinned at me.
“Congratulations!” I shook his hand and pulled him in for a pat on the back. “You must be excited.”
“I am, but I’m a little scared too. We’ve been trying for a while.” He slid in behind the wheel and shut the door, his arm hanging out the window.
“Let me know if you need anything, Frank.” I called to him as he pulled away.
“Thanks, Mr. Hendrix!” He gave a little wave as I walked in through the etched glass doors of the Thoroughbred Country Club. Full of dark wood paneling, and oversized leather furniture, Thoroughbred reeked of old money. My parents loved that place. They both went on and on about how much it felt like home. I always thought it felt a little pretentious. Why am I any different than Frank? I’d just handed him my keys and left him out in the heat to park my car while I’d gone into the air conditioned inner sanctum to be waited on hand and foot. I hadn’t done anything to deserve it. I was just born into a different family.
Frank and I had grown up together. When we both got arrested for joyriding, I got off scot free, and he went to juvie for six months. How was that fair?
Walking through the marble hallways, my eyes scanned the rooms I passed on the way to the dining hall. Everything was perfect. This wasn’t just any country club; this was reserved for the elite. Embroidered tapestries hundreds of years old graced the walls next to paintings by the masters. I think a Renoir hung somewhere.
I wondered what my mother wanted. Her call that morning had surprised me. We hadn’t spoken since I’d convinced her to let me have part of my inheritance.
I blinked a moment to adjust to the brightness as I entered the dining room. I’d just come from the dark lounge where men retreated for cigars, gambling, and business deals. As usual, I was blinded.
Scanning the room, all the wives were there. Their pillbox hats and pastel luncheon attire further illuminated the already glaring room. I finally spotted my mother’s blonde head shining at a table with two other women. What is she up to now?
“Good afternoon, ladies, Mother.” I leaned down to air kiss her cheek before air kissing the other two women at the table.
“Lovely to see you both.” I pulled out my chair, seating myself next to her, and across from Haley. She was the daughter of my mother’s friend Roberta, who sat between us and across from my mother. Settling in, I unfolded a cloth napkin onto my lap and took a sip of ice water from a crystal glass. I resisted the urge to look at my watch, itching to get back to the office and see Lena.
“So nice of you to join us, dear. Mrs. Portman and Haley were just telling me about Haley’s field hockey match last week.” My mother patted her lips with a linen napkin before spreading it neatly in her lap.
“Haley graduates from Vassar this summer. We couldn’t be more proud of her.” Mrs. Portman preened herself as she crowed about her daughter’s success.
I cut my eyes sideways at my mother. No casual lunch—I’d been set up. Goddamnit! I knew exactly what was going on.
“Hello, Noah.” Haley’s flawlessly modulated voice reached me across the table as she demurely glanced at me with lowered eyes. She was gorgeous but e
mpty. I felt as sorry for her as I was annoyed for myself.
Haley was the perfect daughter, raised to be the ideal wife. I couldn’t blame her for being who she was. Her mother Roberta was a carbon copy of my own mother. And had I been a girl, I would have been raised like Haley. Instead I was born a boy, which still came with expectations, but submissiveness and purity weren’t among them.
My fun time was rapidly approaching its end. I wasn’t going to be able to avoid politics and my place in the family for long. I just couldn’t bear the idea of settling down with a Haley.
I looked around at the three women, all watching me expectantly. “Mom, why did you ask me here?"
"Well, Noah…” She took a sip of water, setting it gently back on the white table cloth without spilling a drop. “Now that you are settling into your business and your father is looking at retiring from the Senate, Roberta and I wanted to discuss your future. You and Haley’s mutual future.”
Haley wouldn’t look at me, but Roberta smiled like the cat that ate the canary. I looked at my mother. What crazy plan have you cooked up this time?
“Haley's mother and I have decided it is time the two of you marry.” Her announcement was so unexpected I felt my jaw fall open. I’d been expecting maybe an awkward introduction, not a marriage proposal from my mother.
“Close your mouth, Noah. You look ridiculous.” She smiled up at the waiter in a penguin suit, silently refilling our water glasses.
I shut my mouth with a snap as the words sank in. When the waiter finally left, I couldn’t speak fast enough. "Marry? Why on earth would I want to do that?" I asked before I could stop myself. I mean, when we were younger our families used to joke we were perfect for each other, but I never thought they were serious about it.
Across from me Haley’s face went ghost white at my words, and she seemed to sink into her chair, trying to make herself invisible.
"Noah!” My mother gasped, her face reddening with anger. The feather in the tiny hat she wore vibrated with her disapproval. "How dare you speak about Haley like that!" She stood, rising to her full five-foot four-inch height, her chest puffing up in indignation. "You are embarrassing both our families.”
“Mom, you can’t just expect me to marry because you want me to.” This is crazy, right? I looked around at the table. All eyes were on me.
“You disappoint me, Noah. And you are embarrassing this family.” She leaned in, staring at me across the table. “You have a responsibility to your family and the fortune you so richly enjoy. Both you and Haley are well bred, well educated, and it would be most advantageous to join your fortunes and your pedigrees to continue a strong family line."
My mother would have to compare our proposed marriage to improving breeding stock. We weren’t one of her thoroughbred race horses. People didn’t just marry the most “advantageous” candidate, did they? Her eyes bored into my center like lasers. Fury flowed from her in palpable waves.
"Mother,” I backpedaled, trying to save the lunch, “I apologize for my outburst, but I am way too young to get married. You know full well I just entered into a partnership with Hank Tander’s company to start a new biotech division. I have neither the time nor need for a wife."
She stared down her nose at me, her tiny body wound tighter than a kite string. “It has been decided, Noah. You are almost thirty. Your father and I are not getting any younger, and we wish to see you settled and through your first election before we are too old to still be influential.” She sat back down, ever the society dame. “I am amazed that your father has been able to keep his seat in the senate after two heart attacks. Passing that seat on to you means everything to him.”
“Mother…”
“No, Noah. You listen to me.” Her pitch rose again, making our argument the main attraction in the small dining room. Haley would have sunk right through the floor if she could. Her eyes darted around like a scared rabbit, looking for any exit she could find.
“At our age, this is what you do for your children; you ensure their future. It should not be a surprise that Mrs. Portman and I have been discussing your courtship with Haley. The families are in agreement. Your father and I decided this was best when you and she were little."
"Well, yes, Mother…” I sat down, trying to take the eyes off our little spectacle. “But I didn't think you were serious about us actually marrying.”
"Sadie,” Roberta said, “I can see your son does not wish to be part of this joining between our families.” She stood in a huff, her chair sliding back with a screech. “I know when my Haley is not wanted. We will leave you and your son to lunch. Come, Haley.” She snapped her fingers at her daughter and turned her back on us like a military general resuming his march.
Haley, her face radiating every ounce of her misery, stood to follow her mother. She looked like a kicked puppy. Her shoulders rounded, no longer the proud, happy girl I’d sat across from.
“Wait! Mrs. Porter, Haley, please sit.” What am I about to do? I took a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Haley sank back in her seat, silent tears trickling down her cheeks.
“It's about time you came to your senses.” Mrs. Porter flounced back to the table like she had known I would cave all along.
My mother stared daggers at me the whole time as Mrs. Portman gathered her things and took her seat again, looking expectantly at me. “Well?” She cleared her throat and turned to my mother.
“Noah,” my mother prodded me, “what do you have to say?”
“Mrs. Portman, Haley, I meant no disrespect to you or your daughter. I am deeply sorry for any offense.”
A big, fat pregnant pause met my announcement. Mrs. Portman looked slightly mollified as Haley dried her tears and sniffed, looking slightly less cowed.
“Aaand?” My mother said, drawing the word out expectantly.
“And, Haley…” Oh God, am I really doing this? “It would do me a great honor if you would agree to be my wife.” The words strangled me, physically painful to utter.
With those words, I felt like I’d heralded the end of my life, not the beginning.
Chapter Eight
Noah
I lounged in my new office, staring blankly at the computer screen.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
The curser blinked at me over and over again like a warning light. Did I really just ask Haley, a woman I had met only a half dozen times in my life, to marry me just to make my mother happy?
According to a note, which had just been delivered to my office, my mother thought two weeks from Wednesday would be a lovely night for a garden party with a few of her closest friends. Then, we’d announce not only the engagement, but also my intentions to run for my father’s seat in the senate.
“Excuse me, sir. I have the projections for the project with John Alexander.”
“Thank you, Lena.” My new secretary was freakishly good. Quiet, efficient, she always seemed to know what I needed before I asked. She also brightened up the office with her subtle humming and faint perfume. What was it? Green apples? I couldn’t quite place it.
“Lena?”
“Yes, Mr. Hendrix?”
“Could you…”
“Already done, sir.”
“Thank you, Lena.”
My eyes tracked her steps back to her desk, watching the sexy sway in her walk. I needed some fresh air.
“Lena?” I stood and grabbed my suit coat off the back of my chair.
“Yes?” She looked up at me as I stood next to her desk, as uncertain as a schoolboy with his first crush.
“Come on.” I gestured with my head toward the door.
“What? Where? Did I miss an appointment?”
“No, no. We’ve been working all morning. I know where we can get the best hot dogs. There is this cart vendor down the street. Come on.” I grabbed her hand, pulled her up, and helping her into her flimsy coat.
“But Mr. Hendrix,” she protested, “I still have work.”
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br /> “Later.” I pushed her toward the stairs, holding the door open. “I’m the boss. I make the rules. Come on.”
We escaped the building, laughing like two giddy kids.
“Mr. Hendrix!” The cool air gave her cheeks a blush of color.
“It’s just down here.” I kept hold of her hand as we scampered down the sidewalk to the red and yellow umbrella. Steam rose from the seams in the lid of the stainless steel cart.
We stopped in front of it, flushed and out of breath. “Two jumbo dogs with the works.” I pulled a ten dollar bill out of my wallet.
“Oh, Mr. Hendrix, wait. Here.” Lena started to fumble in the pockets of her jacket, finding nothing but a few coins, a breath mint, and a crumpled receipt.
“I’ve got this, Lena.” I refused to take her coins. “It’s a business expense. Come on. Let’s eat and walk.” I took a bite as we set off down the street, and Lena hesitantly did the same. “What? You’ve never had a street dog before?” I asked as a dollop of ketchup fell from my hotdog to the sidewalk. “Oh, watch out.”
She giggled as she hopped over my mess. “Thank you for lunch, Mr. Hendrix.”
“What do you think about the dog?”
“Mmm… it’s good. I’ve never had one of these before.”
“You’ve never had a jumbo street dog?” I looked at her, aghast.
“No.” She took another big bite. “Never had the money.”
“Wow… um… okay.” I finished my hotdog and tossed the wrapper into a trash can at the entrance to the little park across the street from our office. “Come on. We still have a few more minutes.”
We walked down the winding path, past the kids’ slides. “Oh, look! A swing set!” Lena exclaimed as we came around a bend in the path. Then she put a hand over her mouth, looking embarrassed.
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