She rolls her eyes and digs into her food the second I place it on the table in front of her. “The deli screwed up my order. They put mayo on my sandwich.” She shivers at the thought, which makes me smile. She couldn’t be more adorable.
“I would have traded with you.”
“You don’t like mayo either,” she says, holding up her hand to cover her mouth, which is full of food.
“Doesn’t matter. I would’ve tolerated it so you didn’t have to starve.”
She bumps her knee into mine. “You’re always playing the part of the white knight coming to my rescue.”
“You don’t need rescuing. You handled yourself with Monohan today no problem.”
She takes another bite of egg roll and shakes her head. This time she swallows before talking. “Only after you threatened to carry me into his office.”
“So you needed a nudge? You did the hard part yourself.”
“Enough about me. Tell me what’s going on with you. Why aren’t you sleeping well?” Her eyes lock on mine as she continues to eat.
I wish I could tell her the truth. No, I wish I could show her. Take her in my arms and kiss her the way I’ve wanted to since freshman year in college. Instead I settle for, “My allergies have been acting up. I can’t breathe when I lie down.” I shovel food into my mouth, pissed off at myself for lying.
“I know what helps with that.” She puts her food down and motions for me to do the same. I do, and then she pushes the coffee table away from the couch.
“What are we doing?” I ask.
“I read inversion tables are great for relieving sinus pressure and headaches. I don’t have one, but we could use the couch to get blood flowing to our heads. Watch.” She sits backward on the couch so she’s facing the cushions. Then she swings her legs up over the back of the couch. Finally, she brings her arms over her head and leans all the way back so she’s hanging off the couch with her head a few feet from the floor. The blood rushes to her cheeks, making them rosy. “Come on. You try it.”
I’m not sure I’ll be able to get back up, but I can’t say no to her. I repeat her actions, though nowhere near as gracefully, so I’m dangling off the couch next to her. “Like this?”
She laughs. “You look ridiculous upside down.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“I guess I probably do too, huh?” She smiles at me, melting my insides.
“Yeah,” I say, but “ridiculous” is the last word I’d use to describe Aria. She’s sexy in any position, which sends my mind back to that place it should never go. Keeping these feelings to myself is getting more difficult every day.
Chapter Three
Aria
“Mara, you’ll take the story on the new florist that opened on Main Street,” I say, pointing my pen in her direction. “And that leaves David to cover the dog show.” I look around at the staff writers sitting at the oval table in the conference room. “Any questions?”
Everyone shakes their heads.
“Good. Great meeting everyone. Let’s get to it.” I smile and gather my notebook and pen.
“Thanks, Aria,” Mara says while walking over to me. “This is the first time I’m not doing some filler piece that will most likely get cut.”
“You deserve it. Your writing’s come a long way since you started.”
“I won’t let you down,” she assures me, giving my forearm a squeeze.
I walk out of the meeting room and straight to Nate’s desk. No matter the time of day, he always seems so relaxed and ahead of the game. Like his job is too easy for him. “That went better than I imagined. I think everyone is happy.”
“Including you. I haven’t seen you smile that wide since...”
Aaron. My lips form a tight line. “No,” I say aloud, knowing Nate will understand what I’m thinking. “I’m not letting him ruin this moment for me.”
“Good for you. You’re knocking them dead. Monohan is going to be very impressed.”
“Meeting went well, I take it?” Oliver asks, stepping out of his office. It’s always burned me that he’s the only staff writer with an office, but since his mommy paid for it, what can you do?
“Very,” I say, smiling at him.
He nods. “Well, features are the fluff of the paper, so it’s not like it’s difficult. No one’s going to care if a profile on the oldest woman in town never makes it to press.”
Nate stands up and steps past me toward Oliver. “I’d like to see you write anything that isn’t basic reporting of the facts. And no matter what the stories are about, Aria is in an editorial position now, which is more than anyone can say for you. Seems like even Mommy’s money can’t buy you a promotion.”
“Nate, stop.” I grab his arm and tug him toward me. If he gets into a fight with Oliver, Oliver might go to Monohan and force him to renege on our two-week trial period agreement. “I think we all have work to get back to,” I say, giving Oliver and Nate one last glance each before heading to my desk.
I flop down in my chair and toss the notepad on my desk next to the computer. I count the steps it will take Nate to come apologize.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It’s not like you need anyone to fight your battles for you anyway.”
I spin my chair around toward him, a stern look on my face. “I have one shot at this position.”
Nate holds up his hands. “I know. I’ll go apologize to Oliver.”
Apologizing won’t matter to Oliver. He’s always gotten the best news stories, and up until recently, he loved getting bylines. Now he wants a higher position, and he doesn’t care that it’s for features editor instead of news editor.
“Just forget it. Let it go, and maybe he will, too.” I turn back toward my computer and bring up my email. I have six stories in need of edits. I get to work, knowing Nate is still standing there. It’s rare for me to get angry with him, but something is going on lately. It’s like ever since Aaron walked out on me, Nate thinks he needs to step in and protect me. I’m going to have to have a talk with him later.
My cell rings, and I’m so engrossed in the story I’m editing that I don’t check the display. All I hear is Nate say, “Aria, don’t—”
“Hello?”
“Hey, babe.”
Oh no. I pull the phone from my ear to confirm the caller. Aaron. “Wow, you’re the last person I expected to hear from. Tell me, what merits a phone call? It must be huge, considering you didn’t feel a breakup required more than a text message.” I hold the phone between my shoulder and chin and continue to edit the piece, clicking the keys loudly so Aaron will hopefully hear and know I’m not giving him my full attention.
“I’m so sorry about that. I should have called to explain. I wasn’t trying to end things. I just needed a little break. Things at the office got so busy. I’m sure you understand, though. I heard about your promotion. You know what it’s like when you’re moving up.”
So that’s it. He heard I got promoted—or more likely read about it since I’m listed as the features editor in the paper now—and thought maybe I am worth dating after all.
“You know, I have to admit, I understand where you were coming from now. I’m swamped with work. In fact, I’m editing a piece as we speak. There’s no way we’d be able to coordinate schedules now that we’re both so busy. You were right all along. I have to get going. Best of luck to you, Aaron.” I end the call with a huge smile on my face.
“That was pure genius.”
I turn to face Nate, realizing he never left. “You were eavesdropping?”
“Sorry. I panicked when I saw his picture on your display. I wanted to be here in case you needed backup.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and takes an interest in my stapler once again. I’m going to have to buy him one of his own.
“Nate, I can handle myself. I don’t know why you suddenly don’t think I can, but—”
“No. I know you can.” He stands up straight. “I’m going back to work.”
; I nod, not wanting to fight with him, especially at work. He leaves without another word, and I pick up where I left off in my edit.
“Wow,” Mara says, coming up alongside my cubicle. “I wish I had a best friend who looked out for me like that. I saw how he handled Oliver earlier, too. Oliver is an ass. An entitled ass. Someone should put him in his place.”
“Considering his family bought his way into this company, I’d say he’s in his place.” I keep my eyes focused on the screen, not wanting my true emotions to show.
“Still, I’d love to see him taken down a notch or two.” She leans over the partition. “And you might not look at Nate the way every other woman—and a few men—in this office does, but the way he jumped to your defense was damn sexy.”
“Nate defends anyone he thinks needs it.” I shrug. “He’d do the same for you.”
She fans herself with her hand. “Girl, don’t get my hopes up.” She winks at me before walking away.
I chuckle to myself. I’ve lost count of the number of women who swoon every time Nate walks into a room. Par for the course.
I spend the next three hours editing stories and fielding questions from staff writers. I couldn’t love my new position more, which reminds me it’s not actually mine yet. If it were, I’d have one of those offices with an actual window. Maybe Aaron wasn’t totally wrong to want to get ahead in life.
“Come on, Aria,” Nate says, tapping on the partition. “Time to call it a night.”
“Just going over some story proposals,” I say without looking up.
Nate spins my chair around to face him.
“Hey,” I say. “I’m not finished yet.”
“Yes, you are. I’m not letting you turn into one of those people who can’t separate themselves from their work.”
I glance at the clock on my computer screen. 7:10. “Okay, okay. I guess this can wait until tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget your paycheck.” He hands me the envelope next to my computer.
“Direct deposit, remember?” I take it from him and grab my purse.
“Yeah, but aren’t you curious to see what kind of a raise you got?” he asks, following me to the elevator.
“Mr. Monohan emailed me earlier to let me know I’ll continue at my regular salary until he makes a decision on the position.”
“So you’re doing all this extra work for free? That’s crazy! He can’t—”
I stop him with a look when we reach the elevator. The doors open, and I get in. “He said if I get the position, he’ll give me the difference in pay for the two weeks.”
“And if he gives the job to Oliver instead?” Nate asks as the doors close.
“Then he saved some money for two weeks.” Before he can protest, I reach for his arm. “Look, this is all a test. I’m not about to let a few dollars come between me and this promotion.”
“You’re the boss.”
“Only if I get the job.” I smirk and let go of his arm, but I can’t help noticing his eyes linger on the spot where my hand just was. “So, what’s it going to be tonight? Pizza? Ooh, I could go for a calzone.”
“I’ve been wanting to try that new Italian restaurant that opened up on Main Street.”
“David did a piece on it. He said you need a reservation.”
The elevators open at the parking garage on the lower level, and we step out. I have no idea where Nate parked, so I stop and face him. “Maybe over the weekend? Unless you have plans,” I add when I realize he might have a date already lined up.
“No plans. I’ll make the reservation.”
“Okay, so calzone?”
He nods. “I’m going to head home and shower. See you in an hour?”
“Sounds good.” I start for my car, but when I don’t hear his footsteps behind me I stop. “Nate, you coming?”
“Go on ahead. I just realized I left my car keys in the office.”
“Okay, but don’t be late. I skipped lunch again today. There may not be any calzone left by the time you get to my place.”
“Twenty bucks says you can’t eat the whole thing before I get there.”
“You’re on.” I smile and head for my car.
Chapter Four
Nate
On the elevator ride up to the office all I can think is that I’m an idiot. I should go home, shower, and get over to Aria’s before she attempts to eat the entire calzone herself just to prove me wrong. But I can’t. Oliver is still in the office, and I need to have a word with him without Aria around.
The second the elevator reaches the office floor, I’m off it and heading for Oliver’s office, but I hear Monohan’s voice floating under his closed door. I move in that direction instead and press my ear to the door.
“Yes, I know, Marjorie, but if you want me to do what’s best for this paper, then that’s hiring Aria. Oliver is a fantastic news reporter. One of the best on staff. I can’t see him handling features. He tends to turn his nose up at them.”
David, one of the staff writers, sees me, and I press my finger to my lips. He smirks and keeps walking toward the elevator.
“I’ll figure it out. Yes, I’m well aware of the money you put into this paper. Good-bye, Marjorie.” He groans loudly.
Even though he’s likely in a foul mood, I have to do this now before he makes up his mind about the position. I knock on the door.
“What is it?” Monohan barks.
I open the door, and when he sees me, his face softens.
“Dixon, what are you still doing here? Don’t tell me you’re trying to get ads at this time of night.”
“No. I actually secured the ads we need for the next few weeks just this afternoon.”
“Finally, some good news.” He blows out a puff of air. “All right then, what can I do for you?”
I close the door behind me and move toward his desk so I can keep my voice low enough that no one can eavesdrop the way I did a few minutes ago. “I want to talk to you about Aria.”
He leans back in his chair and crosses one leg over the other. “Look, Dixon, I’m taking enough grief about this position. I don’t need it from you, too. I know you’ve got a thing for Aria.”
“That’s not what this is, sir. Aria and I are friends, yes, but she’s right for this job.”
He tilts his head at the word “friends.” “And how do you propose I go about making it up to the woman who pays this paper’s expenses? Who pays all our salaries?”
“Give Oliver a different promotion.”
He laughs and holds his hands out. “And where would this promotion come from? I have no other positions to fill.”
I look at his cluttered desk. The man is overworked and stressed. “Why haven’t you hired a managing editor?”
His eyes widen, and he leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “What, you want me to make Aria managing editor now? That’s quite the jump from staff writer. Besides, you step up and act like managing editor all the time, and I don’t even have to pay you for it.”
It’s supposed to be a joke—even though it’s true—but I’m not laughing. If he’s not happy about Aria making that jump, then he’ll never go for letting Oliver do it either.
“I’m just saying things aren’t as evenly distributed as they could be. I’m sure there’s a way to make it so everyone wins. Even you. It’s almost seven thirty and you’re still here instead of at home with your family.”
His gaze meets mine. “Playing the family card now. Tell me something. When are you going to man up and tell Aria how you feel?”
Coming from my boss, the question is almost too much to take. I’ve tried really hard to not let my feelings be this apparent. “We’re just friends, sir. I’ve known her for almost half my life.”
“The question is: How long have you been in love with her?” He stands up. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do. Really. But I know Aria, and I’m sure she’d have some choice words for you if she ever found out this conversation took place. So why don’t you
go home and worry about your problems and I’ll take care of mine, okay?” He motions to the door.
I don’t try to plead Aria’s case any more. He’s obviously going to do whatever his cousin tells him to.
“And Dixon,” Monohan says when we reach the office door.
I turn to face him.
“If I get wind that you threatened Oliver in any way, I’ll be forced to let you and Aria go. Do you understand? I might be editor-in chief, but we both know who runs this paper.”
Marjorie Strauss.
I nod and say good night. I catch a glimpse of Oliver coming out of his office, but I keep walking, deciding to take the stairs to avoid having to share an elevator with the man. I’m not sure I’d be able to keep my mouth shut on the ride to the parking garage.
There’s no time to shower before heading to Aria’s, so I go straight there, which gets me a look when I arrive in the same clothes.
She cocks her head as I walk into her apartment. “Run out of hot water or something?”
It’s a harmless enough lie. “Something like that. Hot water heater must be acting up, so I came as is.”
Aria’s showered and wearing pajama shorts with a white tank top. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out she’s not wearing a bra. I swear she either has no romantic interest in me or she’s really pushing to see what my limits are.
“New pajamas?” I ask.
“Yeah, they’re really soft, too.”
Dear God, don’t let her offer to have me feel them. I can’t take much more of this. “Nice.” I unbutton my dress shirt and remove it so I’m only in my white T-shirt.
“Are you leaving your dress pants on?” she asks, cutting me off a piece of calzone, which is already on the coffee table and half-eaten.
“Why would I take them off?” I look around, wondering if there are hidden cameras somewhere. This has to be a prank.
“Um, I’ve seen you in boxers before. How often did you crash on my dorm room floor?” She shakes her head.
She’s right. I’m reading too much into everything. “I’m fine. These pants are actually pretty comfortable.”
It Was Always You (Love Chronicles Book 1) Page 2