“That’s good I am glad they like him.”
“Yeah it’s nice to feel wanted.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Really all the women I see hit on you. Not to mention how much Amber is all over you.”
“It’s hard to tell if they want me because I have money or is it me.”
“Well I like you and it’s not because you have money it’s because you have a sweet heart.”
“That is good to know I am glad you like me.”
He spun her around again and she smiled looking up to him. He licked his lips and Scarlett knew he wanted to kiss her and honestly she wanted to kiss him too. He bent down closer to her and she allowed his lips to overtake hers. She wrapped her arms around him as he pushed her against the wall while gripping her thigh. As he went to her neck Scarlett softly pushed him off of her. Still holding her in his arms he looked down to her.
“I’m sorry.”
“I should be getting back to work.”
She pushed him further away from him and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s ok. I have a lot of work to do and I really need to get these forms in on time.” She pushed him further away from her and walked around to her chair.
“Scarlett as your boss I have to say you are working to hard you need to loosen up a little.”
“Yeah that’s all I need to loosen up so things won’t get done on time here. Things are running smoothly and I like to think I have a lot to do with that.”
“My don’t you have a big head?”
“I don’t mean it to sound like I have a big head I just mean I finally got things in order here I don’t want to mess things up.”
“You couldn’t if you tried.” He walked closer to her.
“I want you to know that I really appreciate all the work that you are doing here.”
“Thanks that means a lot to me.”
“So I will see you in the morning.”
“Bright and early.”
“Again I am sorry about the kiss.”
“Again it’s ok.”
Christian smiled at her as he walked to the door.
“Christian wait.”
He turned towards her with a hopeful spark in his eyes.
“You forgot your phone…again.”
She held it up and he walked over to her and grabbed it.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. See you in the morning.”
Christian held up the phone gesturing thanks and walked out the door. Scarlett looked after him and sighed then looked back at her computer. Christian walked into the hall and pushed the down button.
“So how long have you had a thing for her?”
Christian turned to see Jonah sitting in a chair looking at him.
“Jonah what are you doing here?”
Jonah stood. “I came up here to surprise Scarlett but I am rethinking that right about now…how long have you liked her?”
Christian shoved his hands in his pockets. “Honestly since the first day I met her.”
“So why didn’t you make a move?”
“I was stupid.”
“So now you are trying to get with her knowing that we are dating?”
“No I'm not.”
The elevator doors opened and Christian walked in. Jonah followed.
“You asked her to dance and you kissed her. That’s not coming onto her?”
“It is but it was unintentional I never meant to do that it was just an impulse. I respect what you guys have.”
“Do you because it didn’t look like it to me. So what are we going to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I like her and so do you and it seems to me she likes us both so one of us is going to have to back off. And since you don’t seem to want to I think we should settle this once and for all.”
“And how do you propose we do that?”
“Same way we did it in high school.”
“You want to play ball for her?”
“Yep to 21. Winner gets Scarlett.”
“And you are willing to just gamble her up like that?”
“I believe I am going to win so I am not scared but on the off chance that I do lose you have to introduce me to that model you dated a few months back I think her name was Genève.”
The doors opened to the first door and they stepped off. Christian looked at Jonah for a second then cleared his throat.
“Fine it’s on. Winner gets Scarlett loser backs off without saying why to her.”
“I know how it works. I have beaten you 9 out of the 12 times we have played.”
“Yeah well I am going fight for this one.”
“We will see.”
Christian stopped in his tracks. “Wait I need to know something. If you like her so much why are you willing to gamble her up?”
“Don’t get me wrong I like her and I think that she is a great girl. But I don’t know if I can be that father figure those kids need. I have always figured I would be a family man a few years from now I am willing to see what happens but I am just not sure I am right for them because with Scarlett it’s not just her its them.”
“I get that.”
“Let’s head to the gym.”
“Lead the way.”
***
Scarlett ran to her ringing desk phone and answered catching her breath.
“Christian Water’s office this is Scarlett speaking.”
“Scarlett hey it’s Jonah.”
“Long time no see how are you?”
“I am ok, how are you?”
“I’ve been better.”
“What’s wrong?”
“You tell me I mean for the last three weeks you have been distant and breaking dates. Is this going somewhere or not because I don’t have time to waste.”
“Do you have feelings for Christian?”
Scarlett sat in her chair with a plop. “What?”
“It’s not a hard question how do you feel about Christian?”
“I like him but what does that have to do with anything.”
“I think that we should cool it. I like you but I don’t see us going anywhere and I met someone who I really like.”
“So you’re dumping me.”
“I won’t say dumping I will say setting you free to find something better.”
Scarlett felt tears burn the back of her eyes. She didn’t want to say something she would regret so she hung up the phone. She forced the tears to stop as Christian walked into the office.
“Scarlett it’s time for our afternoon meeting.”
Scarlett nodded as she gathered her things she looked back at the phone hoping Jonah would call back. After a minute she exhaled deeply and walked into Christian’s office. She glided around Christian’s desk with a note pad. Christian looked at her.
“Are you ok? Have you been crying?”
“I am fine.”
“Are you sure.”
“Yes I am.”
Scarlett opened her note pad.
“Ok I moved your ten and eleven o’clock appointments for Monday to Tuesday. I moved your tee time to nine instead of eight and double-checked the files you gave me and someone miscounted. There are twenty seven errors not ten.”
“Twenty seven?”
“Yes sir. I made copies and highlighted them.”
“Scarlett that is a great catch. Send the highlighted files to my brother and then you can go.”
“Oh I still have a few more things to take care of and I already sent one to him knowing that is what you would have wanted me to do. Also, Amber called again. I told her you were at a lunch meeting that is running late and would get back to her as soon as you can. She wanted to know about some ball tonight. She wanted you to be her date. So why are we ignoring Amber?”
She gave an inquisitive look at him but he didn’t even look up from his computer screen.
“I have nothing to say to her she just hasn’t gotten the me
ssage.”
“Really now?”
He looked at her and smiled.
“Yes so I figure a few more days of ignoring her she will catch on because words clearly don’t work with her.”
“Ok…So what’s the ball?”
”Every year we throw a ball for all the donators and sponsors and all of our workers, it’s a charity thing just to say thank you. It starts at 8 and lasts till like 2 or 3…I completely forgot about it.”
“I'm sorry I didn’t know or I would have reminded you.”
“I know that. I think I purposely forgot about it. But I do need to make an appearance.”
Scarlett sat in the chair across from him.
“Well its only 12 so I can get your things together for you and call Amber I am sure she would be suitable for you to show up with.”
Christian held in his laugh. “Stop it…now what about the Jefferson Park Apartments files?”
“Already sorted numbered and sent off to the financial office. I also went through the tenants list and tracked down the no pays. I separated the ones we know about from the ones we missed. And I ordered you a lunch because you have not left this office all day and eating cookies and candy from your hidden stash you think I don’t know about will not fill you up.”
“I seriously don’t know what I did before you.”
“You were very disorganized and stressed.”
“Well are you in a rush to get home?”
“Um no I actually have the house to myself this weekend. Devon has a college tour tomorrow and is hanging with his friends all weekend. And the girls are with our aunt. I am going to curl up by the fireplace sip hot chocolate and watch the snow fall.”
“That sounds really nice. So no date with Jonah”
He could see the sadness in her eyes.
“No we won’t be hanging out anytime soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean after the concert I thought things were going well but he has been distant and breaking dates then finally today he called me and basically dumped me.” She wiped the tear that fell from her left eye.
“I knew it would happen just not this fast.”
“Knew what would happen?”
“Jonah is an accomplished Doctor what would he want with someone like me.”
“Scarlett you don’t believe that do you?”
Scarlett shifted in her seat. “I do but it’s ok. I am used to being alone it works better for me.”
“I don’t believe what I am hearing you are amazing. You come in here and you fit in so well, you made a name for yourself and you took off in your position you are amazing.”
“Thanks…it’s easy to do your best when you love your job.”
“Well if you keep this up you’re going to end up making more money than me.”
Scarlett smiled and pulled her glasses off and wiped them on her shirt. “I keep telling you guys to stop giving me raises I'm just doing my job.”
“Well you saved our butts when you fixed the housing situation…you reorganized both myself and Chris and his assistant is working harder so that she can live up to you…you caught the miscalculations on the budget. And let’s not forget how you set up the blood drive…you have just made a name for yourself and you did it in six months…dad wanted to promote you but I told him I needed you here…and that is why you are the highest paid assistant ever.”
“I appreciate it I do but I told you guys I don’t need it…but it feels good to know you want me.”
“Well they do…and I know I do.”
Scarlett stood up and walked over to him. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Yeah go ahead.”
` She sat on the edge of his desk. Christian glanced at her as she sat there. He imagined her on his desk but not sitting. She leaned in closer to him and gave a sad smile. “Do you think I did something to turn Jonah off?”
“I think if he is seriously blowing you off then you deserve better.”
Scarlett looked down to the ground. “Thanks for that.”
“I have an idea…since you have the house to yourself how would you like to join me for dinner and dancing.”
“What do you mean join you for dinner and dancing? You want me to come to the ball with you?”
“Well yeah I just want to show you I appreciate the work you are doing. You’re doing a great job. Keeping me on track and I want to show you off. Plus it’s for workers as well as sponsors.”
She got up from the desk and straightened out her skirt.
“I don’t know.”
“Come with me as my date.”
“I can’t. I don’t have anything I could wear I have never been to anything like that.”
“It’s just like a prom.”
“I never went to my prom.”
“So let me treat you to one.”
“I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Let me take care of it.”
“No I'm sure Amber would be better than I would.”
He got up and walked towards her. “No I am sure she wouldn’t.”
He took the notepad and pen from her and grabbed her hands.
“Scarlett I really want you to come with me. I am going to call Jay and I am sure she can help you.”
“Christian I don’t have the extra cash to go and buy stuff I would need for this. All that money goes to those kids.”
He reached in his wallet. “Here take my card and I will cover all your expenses.”
“I can’t.”
“You can. Scarlett you are going to look so beautiful on my arm.”
“What about your mother?”
“You let me deal with her. Please come with me. Make me the envy of this ball.”
He smiled down to her and she felt a grin upon her lips. “Well I guess I can miss a nice night by the fire to help you out.”
Chris walked into the room. “Little brother mom wanted me to remind you we have the ball tonight.”
“Yeah I know I was hoping you could ask Jay to help Scarlett get ready.”
“You’re taking Scarlett?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok let me get Jay on the phone and I will see what we can do. I am sure she can help you get everything together.”
Scarlett smiled. “I am going to gather my desk up can you tell Jay I will meet her at her house.”
“Sure.”
Scarlett walked out the room and Chris looked at Christian.
“Why are you taking her I thought you were going with Amber and isn’t she dating Jonah.”
“I broke up with amber after what she said about Scarlett and Jay at the concert and I doubt Jonah will be seeing Scarlett anymore.”
“What did you do?”
“Nothing we just had one of our friendly basketball games and I won so he backed off.”
Chris rubbed his temples. “You bet Scarlett?”
“I had to. Scarlett is someone I can see myself with in the long run and her being with him killed me.”
“What did I tell you back then Christian gambling with people is dangerous.”
“What did it hurt? I won Scarlett and he won a date with a super model. If he cared about her like I do he wouldn’t have made that bet.”
“Someone could say the same thing about you.”
“Chris I wouldn’t have had to resort to that if you wouldn’t have introduced them.”
“And I wouldn’t have introduced them if you didn’t act like such an ass.”
“I know I screwed up and now I have a chance to fix it so please don’t say anything.”
“Oh I don’t have to I am sure this is going to bite you in the butt really soon.”
“So negative big brother.”
“Trust me it’s not being negative it’s me telling you like it is. Things like this always comes back to bite you in the butt…always.”
“Let’s just go get ready ok we have a ball to get to.”
“Ok but this conversation
is not over.”
***
Scarlett sat next to Jayla as they were under the hair dryer. Scarlett started biting her nails. Jay looked at her.
“Scarlett everything is going to be fine calm down.”
“Calm down? What was I thinking telling him I would be his date? I don't know anything about going to a ball.”
“It's no big deal. You are going to have fun. I will be there to help you.”
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me get ready.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“We still don't know what I am supposed to be wearing.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on every woman has a dream dress.”
“Well my dream dress is a princess dress I guess they call it. I saw it one day while I was walking through the mall when I was in high school. I found the most beautiful pink dress. It was kind of puffy at the bottom sparkles on top. I wanted to wear it to prom. As I was in the store trying it on, I started to feel sick. That’s when I found out I was pregnant. I always wanted a dress like that.”
“Well personally I think pink is your color. Its 2 and the ball starts at eight but it really doesn’t start till nine so I think we have enough time to hit the mall. We are going to find that dress and the matching shoes.”
Scarlett went back to biting her nails. Jay lifted the dryer and turned towards Scarlett.
“What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“I see your face you have tears in your eyes. It’s not about Helen again is it?”
“No. it’s just first Jonah dumps me and then here comes Christian asking me to the ball when Amber really wants to be his date.”
“Yeah but he asked you.”
Scarlett lifted her dryer and turned towards Jayla.
“Jay she is beautiful and my own so called boyfriend basically dumped me. And it’s no wonder I mean you have seen her she is tall, skinny, she is everything I’m not. And she is the one woman Helen wants him with. How can I compete with that? How can I believe Christian really wants me or maybe he is feeling sorry for me? I mean look at all his ex-girlfriends they were models. And the ones that weren’t were rich and famous. I just don't fit into his world.”
“Scarlett you’re a beautiful woman and if Christian didn’t want you he wouldn’t have invited you. He wouldn’t be going against his mother’s wishes and he would just be with them but he is with you.”
A Passion Rekindled Page 15