A Life Like This (Life #1)

by Cs Jacobs

  “That’s Adam. He travels with me from time to time. Today he traveled with Starbucks.” He winks at me and runs off to retrieve the drinks from Adam. He meets me on my steps smiling. “Grande skinny mocha with an add shot. Tell me I got it right.” His voice is so hopeful.

  “How did you know what I get?”

  “Oh, well, yesterday when you ordered your coffee I heard and wrote it down. Details, Angelica, they are everything.” He smiles his amazing smile that makes me want to strip naked and beg him to take me.

  I shake my head at him. “Yes, yes they are. Thank you for the coffee and the company.” I give him a hug and a peck on the cheek then head to my door.

  “Have a good first day back at work, Angelica. Call me if you need anything.” With a smile and a nod, he heads into the waiting car. I shake my head then walk inside. I peek out of the peephole and see the car slowly pull away from the curve. He always waits for me to get inside.

  I feed Roger then strip down and head into the shower. Ugh, I’m so confused. I don’t know if I like this attention or if I feel smothered. I think I want to like it and I want to be with Blake. His mere presence is calming and comforting, but I also don’t want to get too attached. I like my independence. I like my fuck ‘em and chuck ‘em attitude. It’s worked for me so far. I have never been hurt and I was always happy. Maybe I was missing a little something, but I think I could have lived without it. Without being in a relationship. Maybe once I get back to work I will realize I just don’t have time for all this shit. Yes! That’s it. I hurry in the shower, dress quickly, and do my hair and makeup. I say goodbye to Roger, grab my coffee and head to work.

  Riding a cab to work this morning, I feel more confident than I have in a long time. I’m going to get to work and rock the shit out of it. I’m going to make up for the week I took off and then some. My coffee is now a little lukewarm, but a smile graces my lips as I drink it, thinking about how thoughtful it was for Blake to not only get me a coffee but to have paid enough attention that he knew what I liked. So lost in my thoughts yet again, I jump when I hear Charlie say hello right next to me. He is holding the cab door open for me.

  “Hey, Charlie! I didn’t see you there,” I say as I pat his chest. “Did ya miss me?”

  “You know I did, sweetheart. Didn’t mean to startle you,” he says with a soft smile.

  “Don’t you worry. I was daydreaming and didn’t even feel the cab stop.” As I walk past his desk, I tell him, “Have a great day.” He waves at me as I make my way to the elevators. The whole way up, I feel anxious and excited. I almost forgot how much of a thrill I get doing my job. I love it and I’m damn good at it. I’m ready to get lost in it all again and forget all the shit that’s happening around me. Granddad said he was going to fix it and I have no doubt he will. Before the doors open, my phone dings and it’s Joey telling me to have a great first day back. I smile and walk out onto my floor.

  “Welcome back, Angelica,” Rosie calls to me from behind her desk.

  “Thank you, Rosie. I’m glad to be back.”

  “Your vacation did you well; you look so refreshed.” I blush at her compliment.

  “Thank you. I’m not sure if it was my vacation or my day at the spa yesterday.” I wink at her as I head back to my office.

  As soon as I walk in, I feel an overwhelming sense of comfort take over, and also a scent of flowers, which shouldn’t be there. I look to my left and see a huge vase filled with the most beautiful plumerias I’ve ever seen. How in the hell did someone manage to get me this type of flower in New York in November? I know they are from Blake before I even get to the card. My smile might break my face; the man is too sweet.

  Dearest Angelica,

  I hope you have a great first day back at work. Thank you for allowing me the honor of running with you. It was the perfect start to my morning. Enjoy these lovely flowers. They are almost as beautiful as you.

  Yours Truly,

  Blake

  “Wow, now that’s the way to do it.” Bill startles me. I didn’t even hear him enter my office. Jesus, why am I so damn jumpy?

  “Right?” I respond to him. I put my stuff down and embrace him in a hug. “Thank you for allowing me the week off and I’m sorry it was so abrupt.”

  He points me to my chair and sits across from me. “Don’t apologize. You’ve needed to take a vacation for a long time and I’m glad you did.” He smiles at me. I knew he wouldn’t care, but I just had to let him know I was sorry for the way I just left without so much as a day’s notice. “We handled everything while you were gone, but I’m glad as hell you are back.” I laugh at his remark. He nods at the flowers to his left. “So who’s the lucky fellow?” I blush.

  “Hey! Why do you think they are from a man?”

  “Plumerias in November? In New York? That’s one hell of a man!” We both laugh.

  “Just a friend, that’s all.” I blush again. My face is probably as red as his tie by this point.

  “Just a friend, huh?” He doesn’t sound convinced, for good reason. “Well, seems like your “friend” is very generous.” He uses air quotes when he says the word friend.

  “Yes, so it would seem.”

  “Well, I’ll let you get to work. Today is a mellow day, but tomorrow, we have a big meeting with an up-and-coming security company. I’ll have Greg and Allen fill you in.” I smile and nod, then he makes his way out of my office, closing the door behind him.

  I sit and stare at the flowers for a while. How thoughtful can that man be? Do men like him even exist anymore? Clearly, these were delivered in the past hour – that’s fast. I mean wow, who does this shit? So fucking sweet. Shit, it must have cost him a fortune, not that he’s not good for it, but still. I’m not huge on guys buying me stuff. I mean, a five-dollar coffee sure, okay, but this? Hopefully, he doesn’t make a habit of this. I take a picture with my phone and send it to Joey. As soon as it sends, my phone is ringing.

  “Are you kidding me?” he says, sounding winded.

  “I know, right? What are you doing? It sounds like your mid-fuck.”

  He laughs loudly. “I wish. I just got out of an early kickboxing class.”

  “That makes sense. I need to get back with my classes now that you mention it.”

  “Yeah, you do or your ass is going to get fat.” He laughs at me.

  “Shut the fuck up.” I laugh back.

  “That’s quite the flower delivery.”

  “I know. It’s too much, don’t you think?”

  “Seriously, AP, already with this shit? Relax. He sent you flowers, expensive ones yes. He probably paid for it with the change in his pocket. Stop over thinking it. Why can’t you just be thankful?” He sounds so serious. I sigh.

  “Ugh, because I’m broken and I overanalyze the shit out of everything.”

  “Yeah, you do. What did the note say? I know there was a note.” I read it to him. “He ran with you this morning?” He sounds a little surprised.

  “Yeah, he was waiting outside when I walked out. Not only that, but when we finished, his lead security guy was waiting by his car with Starbucks in hand and he knew what I liked.” I don’t stop. Once I start spilling it to Joey, I can’t stop. “I guess he overheard me place my drink order yesterday when he called me and wrote it down for future reference. Tell me this is all creepy and I should run away from him screaming.” It’s sad how hopeful I sound.

  “So let me get this straight.” He clears his throat. “Blake woke up early, met you for that horrid crazy run you do every morning, and then when you came back home, he had your favorite coffee delivered and waiting for you.” He pauses for effect. “Then he had the audacity to send you a very rare yet beautiful floral arrangement on your first day back to work... wow, sounds like a total pig.” He’s now laughing at me and I want to slap him through the phone.

  “Damn it, Joey, you’re making me sound insensitive or something. I know it was nice of him, but is it stalkerish? Or is it just nice? Men don’t do shi
t like this for me. I’m just not used to it. It’s overwhelming.” I sigh into the phone and rub my temples.

  “Look, Ang, it’s not stalkerish as you deem it. He is just being kind. Perhaps I’ll give you that he’s coming on strong, but he’s trying and he’s being a gentleman about it. You need to stop over thinking this, Ang. You’re going to wreck it before it even happens. Now stop stressing, get through your work day, and then let’s go grab some Italian after work, okay?”

  “Okay, JoJo. I’m sorry, you know me.”

  “Yes, I do, baby girl, and I love you no matter how crazy you act.” He laughs and I can’t help but laugh back.

  “Goodbye, Joey. See you at six.”

  “Hasta Luego, doll.” He blows me a kiss just before I hang up the phone. I shake off all thoughts Blake and get lost in my work.

  At noon, Greg and Allen come into my office and fill me in on the new security account we are trying to acquire. Apparently, a big security firm reached out to our advertising team specifically and wanted us to prepare an idea for them. They mentioned seeing our work on a hotel line and really liked it. The guys have done an amazing job on prepping everything to go in the presentation for tomorrow, so I mainly review that with them. We add a few things, and then take away a few more. After that, we are all in agreement on the end piece. Three hours later, Allen runs our presentation over to Bill for another once over. Only then will we know we are good to go. Greg and I are cleaning off my desk when Rosie buzzes my phone.

  “Angelica, I’m sorry to bother you, but I cannot get a hold of Allen or Greg,” she says hesitantly.

  “Greg is with me. Allen is with Bill. What’s up?” I ask her.

  “I have a Jon Harper on the line. He wanted to talk to someone about a few concerns he had on the draft presented to him.” I stare at Greg and he shakes his head and runs out of my office. Damn him. “Go ahead and patch him through, Rosie. Thank you.” I sit in my chair and pull up the I.P. Vodka file so I am ready for his questions.

  “Hello, Mr. Harper, I understand you have some concerns. How may I help you?”

  “Angelica, please call me Jon. Save that Mr. Harper shit for my brother.” His voice is so stern yet at the same time playful.

  “Jon, how may I help you?” I ask him nicely.

  “All business and no fun aren’t you?” he asks me. I can tell he is grinning through the phone.

  “Well, you called my office asking questions about my work, so yes, I am talking business,” I reply smartly.

  He laughs deeply, very much like Blake. “You’re right, I did. Maybe I just called to hear your voice, though.” He sounds so smooth. He must use this line a lot. It’s not going to work here.

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t waste your time or mine to just hear my voice, Jon. How can I help you?” There, take that.

  “I waste no one’s time, Angelica. I merely wanted to invite you to the club tomorrow night. It’s our official party to launch I.P. I thought you might want to be there to see what your firm is representing.” He states matter-of-factly. Cocky fuck, he knows throwing work in there will force me to have to attend.

  “Thank you for the invitation. Unfortunately, due to the short notice, I have previous arrangements tomorrow night. I will ask my colleagues if they will be able to attend,” I say sweetly.

  “What a shame. I would have loved to see you there.” His voice is now low, seductive. I know what he would have loved to do with me there. Cocky bastard.

  “I would have loved to attend. Again, thank you for the invitation, perhaps another time.”

  “Yes, perhaps. Goodbye, Angelica.”

  “Goodbye, Mr. Harper.” I’m smiling as I hang up the phone. I’ll definitely tell Greg and Allen. I would love to see Jon’s face when they both show up without me. Ha! I’d go just to hide and see that. I wonder what Blake would think of his brother’s behavior. No, I know what he would think; he would be pissed. It doesn’t matter, though. I’m not going, so there is no need to involve Blake in this. Greg walks in a short time later.

  “Thanks a lot, asshole! I got stuck listening to Jon Harper try to woo me into going to his club.” I throw my pen at him, but his reflexes are good and he dodges it.

  “Ha, thank God, I didn’t take it. I wouldn’t have been able to resist that hunky voice.” We both break out laughing.

  “Well, don’t be too sad. I told him I would send you and Allen there tomorrow night.” I smile my great big smile with the head tilt.

  “Damn it, Ang, why did you do that? I don’t want to go to his damn club. He doesn’t want us there. He wants you.”

  “Exactly, and that’s why I can’t go. He said it’s the official release party for I.P. Vodka and he thought we would want to be there to see it go off.”

  He sighs, knowing like I do one of us has to go. “Damn it, okay, but you owe me!” I smile at him again as Allen walks into my office.

  “What does she owe you?” Allen asks, looking at us.

  “She owes me…shit, I don’t even know…dinner!” He points his finger at me.

  “Dinner it is,” I happily agree.

  “What makes him deserve dinner? I want in,” Allen chimes in, making us all laugh.

  “Greg agreed to go to the I.P. launch party tomorrow night at Club Next for Jon Harper. Go with him and you can join in on the dinner.”

  “I’m in, free night at the club. Awesome.” He smiles his goofy smile.

  “See, Greg.” I point at Allen. “Why can’t you be more enthusiastic like him?” Greg just shakes his head.

  We spend the next hour revising our presentation again after Bill has made his remarks. Once the guys leave my office, I catch up on emails and up and coming projects. I also call a few past clients to make sure they are still happy with the advertising pitches we provided for them. It’s not in my job description, but I started calling clients back a few years ago and our return ratio, because of it, is almost 100%. People like to think you care about them. They like to think they are constantly on your mind. If you do that, then they will give you more business. They will come to you first with any future advertising needs. So I do it to keep our clientele happy and keep them coming back for more.

  After making my last phone call, I check the time on my computer, five fifty-five pm. Fuck! When did that happen? I power off my computer, and then grab my belongings and head out of the office. Most of the staff on this floor is gone for the night, so after only a few goodbyes, I make my way downstairs. Charlie is gone and the night security is at his place. I smile at him then walk into the brisk night air. Shit, it’s cold. I should have worn a warmer jacket. What was I thinking? As I start to walk around the corner, I see Joey walking toward me. Always handsome that man, he’s walking like he is on the runway. Eyes on me, his black jeans tailored to perfection, black leather boots always looking brand new. His coat is black and form fitting. Even when wearing it, you can tell he is ripped under there. He picks up his pace and runs toward me and takes off his jacket once he reaches me.

  “You dumb ass, what’s this little sweater going to do to keep you warm? You’re not in Texas anymore, baby girl.” He bundles me up like a parent.

  “Thanks, Dad!” I kiss him on the cheek. He holds his arm out for me and I put my arm through it.

  “How was work today, sweetie?” he says, trying to mock a fatherly tone.

  “It was busy as fuck!” We both laugh. “How about yours? You’re looking sharp today, per usual.”

  “Oh, this?” He points to his outfit and smiles. “I just threw this together last minute; you know me.” He winks at me. Liar, that man takes as long as it does any woman to get ready, if not longer. He makes any outfit look like it just came off the runway, which it might very well have. “I had two shoots today. Luckily, they were solo shoots, so there was no drama bullshit.”

  “Oh, how I’ve missed you when I was gone. I told them you’re coming back with me for Christmas, FYI.” I flash him my pearly whites.

  “You
little devil, of course you would commit me to that without even asking me.” He’s joking. He always spends Christmas with me, but he acts as if he has another choice. It’s another reason I think Joey and I bonded so much when we were in college – our mutual dislike of our mothers. The fact that our fathers are out of the picture also helped. We spend every holiday together. We are our own family, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. We walk into a quaint little bistro and are seated in a booth in the back corner. A waitress appears almost immediately after we are seated and asks our drink order while only staring at Joey. He gives her his panty-melting modeling smile, making me laugh and roll my eyes. He orders us a bottle of Moscato and sends her on her way.

  “Does it ever get old seeing these girls practically throwing their panties at you?”

  “Never.” He gives me the same smile he just gave our ever-horny waitress. “I am merely helping to brighten the day of women all over the city with this face of mine. It’s not my fault; I was blessed with these amazing features.” He winks at me, cocky fuck.

  “You are a cocky bastard, you know that?”

  “Yes, yes I do.” The waitress returns with our bottle of wine then takes our orders. Once she is gone, I tell Joey about my phone call with Jon.

  “That asshole wants in your panties. You better not fucking let him. He’s a player.” Joey is officially in big-brother mode now.

  “I’m not going. I’m making Greg and Allen go to represent us. Even Blake told me his brother is a bad person. He gives me the chills and not in a good way. I’m not stupid, Joey. I know what he wants and he is not getting it from me.” I take a drink of my wine, annoyed Joey would think so little of me to warn me not to go.

  “Look, baby girl, you know I’m only looking out for you. I know you’re a smart girl, but guys like Jon don’t take no for an answer.” The waitress chooses that moment to bring our food. Once she is gone, he continues. “Just keep your guard up; that’s all I’m saying.”