Bent not Broken

by Lisa De Jong

  “You are so beautiful when you smile,” Jake says.

  Suddenly, he is leaning over and taking my jaw in his hand as he gently brushes his lips over mine.

  He leans his forehead against mine and looks right into my eyes. There is an unreadable expression there, and my heart starts to beat faster as we stare at each other, mere centimeters away. I don’t know whether I’m scared or whether his closeness is causing my blood to pump faster. I don’t know what I’m feeling in this moment, don’t know whether I want to move even closer or pull away. It’s all so intense, and so soon. I shake my head very slightly and, in the end, I pull away.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks, and his voice is quiet, gentle.

  I exhale. “Nothing, this is just all kind of new for me.” But I smile at him and he smiles back.

  Jake walks me to my apartment door, and although he started the night with a passionate kiss, he ends it with a kiss that is almost chaste, brushing his soft lips across mine, smiling his beautiful smile and leaving me at my open door, disappointed and wanting more. But aside from throwing myself at him, which I would absolutely never do, my only choice is to smile and watch him walk away.

  CHAPTER 10

  The next morning, I wake up early to go on a run. I do a quick three miles around the park. The morning is crisp and cold, the sky a mixture of yellow, orange, and soft blue.

  I return home, and as I go to open the front lobby door, I notice that the lock has been fixed. Finally! Wait, is it a coincidence that Jake got all pissy about it a couple days ago and today it’s magically fixed?

  I head inside wondering and take a quick shower, singing along with the small radio I leave on my bathroom sink. I dry off, lotion up and pull on my Hilton uniform. I have an early shift today and I work a catering job tonight. It’s a party at one of the swankier hotels downtown, and it always pays well and so I never pass those jobs up if I’m offered one.

  I dry my hair quickly and pull it into a low, loose bun at the nape of my neck. Some mascara and lip gloss and I’m ready to head out. As I grab my phone off the kitchen counter, I notice I have a text message from Jake. I smile before I even read it.

  I had a great time with you last night. What are you doing today?

  I grin and type back quickly. I had a really good time too. :) Working both jobs. Won’t be home until late.

  I grab my coat and head out. As I walk out the front lobby door, I am reminded of the newly fixed lock and follow up my message quickly with:

  btw, know anything about the lock repair on the front door of my building?

  I take a seat on the bus and a minute later my phone dings.

  I may have called and threatened your landlord with legal action if he didn’t do door repair. Glad he stepped up. You should always feel safe.

  I read his message over again and my heart warms. Damn. I like him. Will this end well? He’s clearly way out of my league. Nothing about him makes sense and everything screams risk. But he seems to really like me too, and he says he feels the same electricity between us that I do. Just relax, Evie, you’ve gone on one date. And now I’ve just talked myself into a sour mood.

  Finally, I reply, Well, thanks. I appreciate it.

  A couple minutes go by and then, Anything for you. Headed in to a meeting. Have a good day/night at work. Can I call you tomorrow?

  Sigh.

  What if I say no?

  I’ll call you anyway. ;) Have a good day, Evie.

  I smile again and drop my phone in my bag. I’m not going to over think this. I’m totally going to over think this. But not right now. Right now I’m almost at work and I have back-to-back jobs. Focus, Evie.

  I finish up my shift at the Hilton and hop the bus back home with plenty of time to take a quick body shower. Why wash my hair again when I’m just going to be in and out of a kitchen all night and end up smelling like food anyway? I lay down for an hour to nap. I’ll be out late tonight so I like to get at least an hour of sleep beforehand if possible.

  I pull on a pair of light blue pajama bottoms with hot pink cupcakes all over them and a white tank top and head to the kitchen to make a sandwich for dinner. I put together a simple turkey, cheese, and lettuce sandwich and cut up an apple and eat standing at the kitchen counter.

  Then I head to my bed, set the alarm for six o’clock and lie down. I fall asleep thinking about Jake.

  My alarm goes off, and I drag myself up. I feel like I could sleep for the rest of the night. But an hour will have to do for now. I pull on my catering uniform, a pair of black slacks and a white button up shirt that is ironed and hanging in my closet. I fold my half apron neatly and put it in my purse.

  I brush my hair out and put it back in the low bun I was wearing earlier. I wash my face and brush my teeth and apply a minimal amount of makeup, but go a little darker on the lipstick. After all, this is an evening party and even though I’m working there, I still think I can dress up my face a little bit.

  The event doesn’t start until eight, but my boss, Tina, likes us to get there an hour early to help set up and load the trays. I head out right at six fifteen, leaving plenty of time to bus it back downtown. I’ll get a ride home from one of the other servers after the event ends.

  I enter by the back door of the hotel the event is being held at as Tina has instructed and head to the banquet room and the kitchen beyond.

  “Evie!” I hear my name shrieked and grin immediately. I would know Landon’s voice anywhere. I look up and there he is, fast-walking toward me through the banquet room, all sashaying hips and waving arms. Landon is hilarious, flamboyantly gay and I love him to death. He picks me up and spins me around yelling, “God, I missed you! It’s been WAY too long, Fancy Face! The phone is just no substitute. How the hell have you been?”

  I’m laughing out loud as he sets me down. “Hey, you’re the one who deserted me,” I tease. But then I look over at him seriously as we begin walking toward the kitchen. “How’s your mom?”

  “I left her complaining vehemently about how the woman who came in to clean her house while she was in the hospital did a piss-poor job of it. I think I can safely say that she is just fine.”

  Landon had traveled back to his hometown in Missouri to help out when his mom’s MS landed her in the hospital two months ago. He is an only child and his mom and he are extremely close, she accepts him completely, and there is nothing he won’t do for her. It’s a beautiful thing.

  “That’s great to hear, Lan,” I say. I look up at him and smile, taking in his blond good looks.

  “And what has my little Fancy Face been up to while I’ve been gone?” He asks, opening the double doors to the massive hotel kitchen.

  “Oh, you know, a little of this, a little of that. Working, reading, running, crushing on a really hot guy.” I start to walk away, knowing I’ll be pulled back. I’m pulled back.

  “What?” he shrieks, and no one does shrieking quite like Landon. Everyone working in the kitchen looks over at us, rolling their eyes before looking back at their tasks.

  He grabs my arm and leads me over to a small desk in the corner where there is a sign-in board. I sign my name quickly and turn to Landon saying, “It really is just early. I, uh, ran into him recently and he’s a friend of a friend and well, we went on one really great date, and he’s completely hot and that’s really the extent of it. But I just have this gut feeling, you know?” I frown. “Wait, shit, I m not supposed to say that out loud, am I? I’ve jinxed things now.”

  Landon is listening to me intently, and he is quiet for a minute after I’ve stopped speaking, one finger on his lips, his hip cocked and gazing thoughtfully at me. Finally, he says, “Listen, Fancy Face. I’ve known you for almost four years now, and in all that time, I have never once heard you even mention a guy, or a girl. I would have taken either.” I laugh. “So,” he goes on, “this is momentous. This is huge. This has made my night. I know you putting yourself out there isn’t easy.” He looks at me sadly. “And I know you have g
ood reasons for that. But whether or not this turns into anything, swear to you, Evie, I’m just glad to know that you’re willing to take a chance.”

  God, I really love Landon.

  “Thanks, Lan,” I say, slightly embarrassed.

  “And by the way, saying something out loud doesn’t jinx it, or else I would be constantly shouting about how donuts go straight to my ass. Damn, I’m addicted to Krispy Kreme. Can’t stay away.”

  I laugh loudly.

  He smiles that huge Landon smile for me and then says, “Also, I learned something when I was back home. Apparently, I’m a cliché.”

  I look confused. “What do you mean, a cliché?” I ask.

  “You know, a cliché… the boss boinking his secretary, a cliché!”

  “Yeah, I know what a cliché is, what do you mean you are one?”

  “Oh, right. Well, I spent a lot of time at my mom’s house while she slept, and she reads all these romance novels. So I read several and evidently, it’s a thing, the beautiful girl with a gay best friend. It’s a cliché. I’m a cliché.”

  I burst out laughing. “Ah, okay, well, it works. I guess because of my unequalled beauty, I can only hang around men who aren’t tempted to molest me hourly. You’re my only choice.” I wink at him, slapping him on his ass.

  Landon laughs too, squealing as I smack him.

  An hour later, the kitchen is in full swing. Tina, our boss, a really nice woman in her fifties with a head full of frizzy blond curls and a great laugh, has greeted all of us and is helping load the trays. She owns the catering company, and is a great boss, fair and helpful, with a great, witty sense of humor.

  I walk the floor of the ballroom, offering appetizers to the decked out guests, women in long, beautiful evening gowns, men in tuxes. This event is a benefit to help raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders and so I can’t help but to have a soft spot for these partygoers. I smile extra big as I offer Tina’s delicious appetizers, moving around the room from guest to guest.

  I’ve been around the room with three trays, when I rush back into the kitchen to fill another one.

  Landon is next to me at the long stainless steel counter, filling his own tray. “Girl, did you clock hottie in the far corner by the bar? Serious meltdown every time I catch a glance. True story.”

  I laugh. “I don’t think I’ve made it that far. I keep running out of food mid room. I’ll start over there this time though.” I wink, and he grins.

  I walk back out on the floor and head over to the bar area, so that I can report back to Landon later. I stop at a small group, smiling as I offer them napkins and hold my tray out to them. It’s filled with thin wafers, each holding a glob of black caviar. It looks dreadful to me, but these people are clearing my tray so what do I know?

  As I move away from them, I see the man Landon must be talking about. He has his back to me, but even from this viewpoint, I can tell that he’s good looking, all broad shoulders, slim waist and excellent backside. Too bad for Landon though, there’s a blond in a red dress glued to his arm. I make my way closer and as the couple turns toward me, I inhale an audible gasp. It’s Jake. Oh No!

  Damn! Shit! Shit! Shit!

  My heart plummets to my feet, and I stand stock still for a minute, weighing my options for escape. Too late, Jake spots me and his eyes are surprised for a second, and then this unbelievable warmth floods them, and he smiles like I’m an old friend he hasn’t seen in a decade.

  God! I am such an idiot. I close my eyes very briefly and try to rally, shooting him a smile that I really hope looks as fake as it feels.

  “Evie,” he says, disengaging himself from red dress and coming toward me, a look of concern on his face. “I didn’t know you’d be here.” His eyes are wide and glued to me.

  God, he’s gorgeous.

  He’s also a playing, lying asshole.

  Before I can utter a word, red dress follows him saying, “Jakey, do you know her?” And it must be said, she says this pissy.

  Jakey? Shit! Shit! Shit!

  I glance at red dress and it sucks that despite the fact that she is pissy, I can’t deny that she is stunning. Her dress looks like it cost more than my entire wardrobe put together, including my shoes and jackets. Then I look back at Jake and whisper stupidly, “Hi.” God, I am such an idiot!

  Jake clenches his jaw, and although he is talking to red dress his eyes are still riveted on me as he says, “Yes, I do know her. This is Evie Cruise.” Almost as an afterthought, he cocks his head at red dress and says, “This is Gwen Parker.”

  My eyes cut back to Gwen and I whisper, “Hi.” And again, I whisper it stupidly.

  Gwen crosses her arms in front of her large, plastic looking breasts and says, “I don’t need an introduction, Jakey. I was just surprised that you know her.” Then she hooks herself back onto Jake’s arm and glares at me.

  Jake takes a deep breath, his jaw ticks again, and he does not look happy.

  I am shaking now, and I need to get far, far away from Jake and Gwen. And by far, I mean like, Mexico.

  “Right.” I say. “Well, have a nice evening.” And then I start to turn away from them, but because I am shaking, my tray tips forward, and one wafer slides off the edge before I can right it and said wafer, full of an extra large glob of black caviar, plops loudly onto Gwen’s beautiful, silver, strappy sandal.

  For a second, no one makes a sound, and I am frozen in horror. Then, Gwen screeches, “Oh my God! Do you know how much these shoes cost? No, of course you don’t! These are fourteen hundred dollar shoes!”

  And oh my God, I’m frozen, but it registers that I didn’t even know fourteen hundred dollar shoes existed and that my estimation about my entire wardrobe equaling the cost of her outfit was way, way off. And not in my wardrobe’s favor.

  Landon rushes up to us seemingly from out of nowhere and takes my tray out of my hands, putting his face close to mine briefly as he leans in to take it, eyes wide, and says while barely moving his lips, “You okay, Fancy Face?”

  I nod slightly to him and then bend down with Gwen where she is using a napkin to try to clean the caviar off of her shoe, swearing under her breath. “I’m so sorry,” I say. “Please, let me help you clean it off. If you’ll come with me to the ladies room, I can use a cleaning cloth on it. I bet it will come right off.”

  She glares back at me, but she starts standing anyway and says, “Fine!”

  Jake is standing there watching this, his jaw clenching, and if that goes on much longer, he’s going to need a mouth guard because TMJ is no joke.

  Landon rushes up again, offering Jake a glass of champagne from a tray of glasses, and I lead Gwen toward the ladies room.

  Once we’re there, I motion for her to sit on the chaise lounge, and she removes her shoe and hands it to me with a scowl. I open a small Bounce packet from the complimentary guest basket on the bathroom counter and wipe the top of the shoe off completely. I also offer Gwen a baby wipe from the guest basket so that she can thoroughly clean the top of her foot.

  When I’m done, I hand her shoe back to her and say, “Good as new! I’m really very, very sorry. I hope I haven’t put a dent in your evening.” I’m just being nice. Truthfully, I hope I put a big dent in her evening because the feeling is mutual.

  She ignores my comment, straps her shoe back on and then heads to the sink to wash her hands, as I wash mine in the sink next to her. “You know,” she says finally, “Jake loves a good cause. I can see why he’s friends with someone like you.”

  She dries her hands and then turns around. “It’s sweet really. Just don’t get any ideas, okay? He’s in my bed at the end of the day and I’m the one screwing his brains out.”

  With that, she brushes past me, knocking me to the side a little and walks out the door. I will not cry. I will not cry.

  Damn, Leo, why did you send him? He totally played me. All that talk about do you feel it, too, Evie this and you’re so amazing, Evie that and God! He has a girlfriend! And that
thought makes me want to cry again so I shut it down and exit the bathroom.

  I head back toward the kitchen. Landon is there and he pulls me aside whispering, “Holy SHIT, Evie, that’s HIM, isn’t it? Like him, him. Holy SHIT, he was, like, pacing the floor after you took off to the bathroom with Bitchy Barbie. Honey, the look on his face was tragic. WHAT is going on?”

  I sigh as I take his hand and pull him over to the tray stocking counter. “Obviously he has a girlfriend, Landon. He was probably shitting bricks that we’d both find out what a douchebag he is. Obviously I’m just an idiot who got all swoony about a guy after one date and some sweet words. When all along, he was just… I don’t even know what he was doing! This is exactly why I do not need this type of thing. God, that was humiliating!”

  He looks at me sadly and squeezes my hand. “Evie, remember what I said to you earlier. No matter how this ends, I am fucking thrilled that you put yourself out there. Do you hear me, Fancy Face?” He takes my face in his hands and looks at me for a minute and then whispers, “God, so fucking beautiful. No wonder Devil in Red was shooting eye darts at you.”

  I smile a real smile at Landon because he is seriously so sweet, and squeeze his hand back. “Hey, do you think it’d be okay with everyone if I stock trays back here instead of working the room?”

  “Yeah, I think everyone would be fine with that. Plus, cocktail hour is almost over. Dinner is about to be served. Why anyone wants to eat dinner at nine at night is beyond me but I guess when you’re the type of people who can afford fourteen hundred dollar shoes, you can make your own rules.”

  “Oh my God! You heard that?” I say, incredulously, loading a tray up with delicious looking phyllo dough pockets.

  “I did, but honey, I saw some strappy sandals that were nicer at Payless Shoe Source last week for twenty-nine bucks. I was gonna buy them but they didn’t come in my size.”

  I burst out laughing, and Landon winks at me and heads out the door.