by E. L. Todd
Oh my god, I was going out with Nathan. I had to bolt out of that office and head home. I needed to get ready and look my finest. I snatched my purse and practically ran out.
When Nathan knocked on my door I almost screamed.
I wore a tight black dress and straightened my hair. I had a matching black clutch to go with the ensemble. I thought I cleaned up pretty good. Hopefully, he thought the same thing.
I opened the door with a ridiculous smile in my face. My cheeks were unnaturally high, and my face actually hurt from the effort. I tried to get my lips to sag but it didn’t work. It looked like I just had a session of Botox. “Hi, Nathan…”
“Hey, Meadow. You look great.”
“Thanks.” I touched my hair like a nervous schoolgirl. I stepped out and shut the door behind me.
Nathan just stood there like he was waiting for something.
Did he want me to hug him? Was I missing something?
He rubbed the back of his neck while he looked at me. “Are you going to lock the door?”
“Oh.” Duh. “Yeah, totally.” Why did I have to make such an idiot out of myself?
Nathan and I walked out of the building and I was disappointed that he didn’t wrap his arm around my waist or grab my hand. It was a stupid thing to expect but I couldn’t help but feel let down.
Nathan’s driver took us across town to the hotel. Nathan stayed on his side of the car, looking out the window as the city lights passed. One hand rested on his thigh, and his Rolex caught the light from the street. He didn’t make conversation with me. It was like I didn’t exist.
I tried not to stare at him and looked straight ahead. My fingers fidgeted with my clutch and I silently convinced myself that the night just started. Things could take a drastic turn—and hopefully it did.
When we left the car, Nathan put his arm around my waist.
The innocent touch felt magical. I purposely moved closer into him, wanting to feel that hard body against mine. His cologne smelled wonderful, and I wished the scent could be stained on my sheets.
Nathan guided me around as he mingled with people. I was the woman on his arm, and whether I was actually his date or not, it felt exhilarating. I was in a position I’d wanted to be in forever. Every time he went out with a woman, I watched the girl enviously. She had no idea just how lucky she was, to have the attention of the most amazing man in the world.
And now it was my turn to feel that way.
After he talked to a few people, he turned to me. “I’m sorry if this is a little boring.”
“It’s not,” I said quickly. “I’m having a great time.”
He gave me a slight smile, accompanied with a smoldering look in his eyes. “You’re an easy date.”
So, I was a date? Or was I reading too much into it?
He kept his arm around me. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Sure.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” He leaned toward me. “Don’t go anywhere.”
“I won’t.” My voice came out weak and shaky because I was so excited. Goose bumps emerged up and down my arms. My knees felt like Jello.
He walked away from me and headed to the bar.
I stayed in the same spot, floating on a cloud. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Something was happening between us. He invited me to this charity event when he could have invited anyone else, and he just flirted with me. Was this really happening? Was I getting my chance?
I stared at his back and noted the nice muscles of his ass. He had a wide set of shoulders and narrow hips. He legs were long and lean. I’d seen him in his work out clothes before and it was a treat for the eyes. I stared at him longingly as he approached the bar and ordered a drink.
I was the luckiest girl on the planet.
While he was waiting, a blonde approached the open space beside him. She wore a maroon dress that was tight everywhere. Her hair was big and soft. And even from this distance I could tell she was beautiful.
Nathan glanced at her then faced forward again.
Then the blonde said something to him.
He turned her way, a smile on his lips.
I’d seen that smile enough times to know what it meant.
He was into her.
Then they fell into a deep conversation. Judging the way he moved closer to her, he was interested in what she had to offer. She tilted her head back and laughed. She even pressed her hand against his chest.
It hurt to watch him flirt with her when I was waiting for him to come back to me. But I knew he would walk away once the drinks were ready. I scanned the crowd while I waited, not wanting to torture myself by watching him flirt away. When minutes passed, I turned back to Nathan. Two glasses of wine were sitting next to him. And the blonde had her own drink.
He kept talking to her.
I started to feel awkward standing in the crowd not talking to anyone. People glanced at me as they passed, watching me stand there alone. I even got a few glares from the high women of society. I wish I had a drink in my hand just so I had something to do. I’d become so awkward that I pulled out my phone and pretended to be doing something. Then I glanced up, hoping Nathan was coming this way.
He wasn’t.
Nathan had his arm around her waist and he was whispering something in her ear.
I was forgotten.
Completely and utterly.
I was so stupid for ever thinking this was something more than a work function. He only invited me because it was a last minute event. And as soon as he found someone better he ditched me.
I was so stupid.
Tears burned my eyes and I hated the fact they formed at all. It only increased my self-loathing. I was too good for this. So why didn’t I just move on and forget about Nathan? He was a jerk anyway.
My words didn’t make me feel better. I turned on my heels and immediately went for the bathroom. As I walked, I brushed shoulders with a brunette.
“God, I drank too much. I’m going to throw up.” She practically ran to the bathroom.
A guy came up behind her, clearly wanting to check that she was okay. “You need me to take you home?” he asked in a deep voice.
“No, it’s okay.” She got to the door first and blocked it, taking a break before she entered.
The guy turned around and spotted me.
At some point, my tears reached the brim of my eyes and spilled over. My cheeks were wet and I automatically wiped away the moisture, like it would make it seem like I wasn’t crying at all.
The man stared at me, his blue eyes darkening in pity. He was tall, over six feet and his suit fit him to a T. He had wide shoulders that could lift a mountain. His expansive chest led to narrow hips. His face was the most appealing. He had breathtaking eyes, the kind you saw in film. They glowed by their own light, scaring away all the shadows. He had nice cheekbones, thin lips, and his face was slightly scruffy from not shaving.
He was one of the best looking men I’d ever seen.
I came back to my thoughts when I realized I stopped walking. I needed to get away from everyone, from everything. I sniffed then tried to get around him.
“Are you okay?” His deep voice came into my ear. It was soft and gentle, but possessed command and strength. He continued to stand in my path, like a mountain blocking a stream.
“No…” I tried to move past him.
“How about I call you a cab?”
“How about you just move out of my way?” I hissed.
He didn’t react in any noticeable way. If he was mad at my harsh words he didn’t show it. He stepped away without another word.
I ran into the stall and wiped my eyes with toilet paper. I heard his date throwing up in the stall next to mine. She would clearly be in there for a while. I sat on the lid of the toilet seat and thought about Nathan, who had no idea I was crying in the bathroom. And what was worse, he wouldn’t care if he knew.
I couldn’t finish this night. I couldn’t go back to Nathan and pretend everything was oka
y. And I had a feeling he preferred to spend the rest of the evening with the blonde woman anyway.
I finally stopped crying and left the bathroom.
The beautiful man was still there, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets. He turned to me when he noticed me. “Feeling better?”
Why was he talking to me? Why did he care? He didn’t know me. “I guess…”
“How’s my date?”
“Still puking.”
He sighed. “She’ll be a while…”
He didn’t seem to care about his girlfriend. He was a jerk just like Nathan. “Maybe you should go in there…”
“She’ll come out when she’s ready,” he said. “How about you? Can I call you a cab?”
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I fidgeted with my clutch while I stood there.
“Do you have a terrible date?” he asked.
“Something like that,” I whispered.
“Did he hurt you?” His voice suddenly turned cold. “Because I’ll break his neck if you’d like.”
“No, it’s okay.” My voice came out quiet.
“Then what’s up?”
Why was I talking to this total stranger? “I’m in love with my boss. He invited me to this event because his date bailed on him. I don’t know why…but I thought it might be a date. He flirted with me for a little bit. But then he…ditched me for some other girl he met at the bar.” I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling stupid.
The guy continued to stare at me with his piercing gaze. “He’s a dick.”
I shrugged.
“Date or not, it’s rude to ditch you like that.”
I didn’t deny it.
“Why are you into him?”
“I have no fucking idea.” It was like I had no control over my own decisions. I felt the tears burn again. A break down was just on the horizon.
He left the wall and came closer to me. “How about I walk you out and get you a cab?”
“I don’t want to stay…”
“Then come with me.” He put his arm around my waist and walked me through the crowd and out of the hotel. Even though I didn’t know him, his touch felt nice. It was nice to have someone care, even if it was just a small amount.
We reached the sidewalk and he waved down a cab. “I’m sorry your night didn’t go well.”
“Yeah…thanks for helping me out. You’re a nice guy.”
“You’re very welcome.” He opened the back door for me. “What’s your name?”
“Meadow.”
His eyes narrowed on my face.
“What?” I asked.
“My name is River.”
“Really?” The name caught me by surprise. “River and Meadow.” I somehow released a weak chuckle. “That’s ironic.”
“Yeah…it is.” He took me in for a long time.
“Well, good night. And thanks again.”
“Yeah.” He still seemed lost.
I got into the back of the cab and shut the door.
River stood there with his hands in his pockets, staring at me through the window.
The cab pulled away but I kept staring at him until he was lost from my sight. I couldn’t explain what just happened, but I felt like I knew River from somewhere, like he was already a friend.
The entire weekend went by without a phone call from Nathan. He didn’t check on me. He probably didn’t notice that I left the charity event. He clearly hooked up with that blonde and left without thinking twice about me. He didn’t care how I got home or when I got home.
Nothing.
He was such a dick.
I was in a sour mood for the rest of the weekend. When Danielle called and asked if I want to go out the following night I lied and told her I was busy. I didn’t want to admit how lame I was out loud to another human being.
Seriously, what did I see in Nathan? Of course, he was gorgeous. He was smart, funny, sophisticated, and that body…here I go again.
Dammit.
No, I needed to get over him and move on. No longer would I think about his gorgeous brown hair that was slightly curly at the ends. No longer would I think about those deep blue ocean eyes. I wouldn’t appreciate the smell of his cologne. When his sexy voice came into my ear, I wouldn’t shiver in desire.
I was done with Nathan Maxwell.
When Monday arrived, I got his morning coffee like usual, but this time I left it on his desk. It would eliminate unnecessary conversations. Hopefully, he would just walk into his office every morning and give me a quick hello. There was no need to dawdle.
Because I didn’t give a damn about him.
The elevator doors opened and Nathan walked onto the floor.
I stared at my computer screen and refused to look away. He no longer had my undivided attention.
Nathan approached my desk with his satchel over his shoulder.
I didn’t look at him. “Your coffee is on your desk.” I typed a fake email so I would appear busy.
“Uh, thanks.” He clearly noticed something was off. “Everything alright, Meadow?”
“I’m just very busy, Nathan. Let me know if you need anything else.” I was proud of myself for keeping my eyes glued to my screen.
He continued to stand there, his hands in his pockets. He shifted his weight back and forth then rubbed his chin. I watched him move in my peripheral vision. I wish he would just walk away. Finally, he left my desk and headed to his office.
Phew, glad that’s over.
But he never opened the door. Instead, he came back to me.
God fucking dammit.
He stared at me and waited for me to look at him. When I didn’t, he spoke. “I fucked up, didn’t I?” His voice was vulnerable. He hardly ever cursed in the office. The only times I heard him say things like that were when he was off the clock.
I paused in my typing and just listened to him.
“I…” Nathan always had something to say. Hearing him act speechless was surprising. He paused for a long time, organizing his thoughts. “I shouldn’t have left with Patricia. I wasn’t thinking…I just assumed you went off on your own adventure.”
My anger dimmed noticeably. He wasn’t the kind of man to apologize for anything. “If you were looking for a hook up why did you bring me as a date at all?” I finally looked at him, and then it became impossible to stay mad.
“I wasn’t looking for a hookup,” he said. “You know how these things happen…”
“Because you can’t keep it in your pants for more than a few minutes.” My eyes widened as I realized what I blurted out loud. Nathan was my boss and insulting him wasn’t a good idea.
Nathan didn’t scream at me. He didn’t fire me. In fact, he didn’t react at all. All he did was released a deep sigh. “I really hurt you.”
“Well, it didn’t feel good to be abandoned. It was a Friday night, Nathan. I could have found something better to do than stand there and wait for you to come back. You didn’t even call me all weekend. It was like I meant absolutely nothing to you—even if I am just your assistant.”
He bowed his head in shame. “You’re completely right, Meadow. My behavior was unacceptable. I hope you understand how sorry I am. Just seeing you turn away from me like you despise me is…painful. I lost your trust and your respect. And those things mean a lot to me.”
How could he be this charming all the time? He was charismatic even when he was apologizing for being a dick. Or was I so in love with him I didn’t care? “It’s okay, Nathan. Don’t worry about it.” I turned back to my computer.
He continued to stand there. “Have dinner with me tonight. I’ll make it up to you.”
Really? I turned back to him. “It’s really okay. Don’t worry about it. It’s water under the bridge.”
“Have dinner with me,” he repeated. “I insist.” There was a determined look in his eyes. I recognized it from his meetings with his investors. It meant he wouldn’t back down—no matter what.
How did I say n
o to a gorgeous man who was so determined to make things right? “Sure.”
His shoulders finally relaxed. “Thank you. How about at seven?”
“That sounds good.”
He nodded then finally walked into his office.
And then like before, I was in love with Nathan Maxwell all over again.
He took me to a new fancy restaurant in Manhattan. It was an Italian place, and the wait list was already backed up for months. I wasn’t sure how he pulled off dinner reservations.
When we approached our table, he pulled out the chair for me.
This evening was starting off pretty well. “Thank you.”
He helped push the chair in before he sat across from me. Then he immediately turned to the waiter. “A bottle of your finest, please.”
“Of course, sir.” The waiter walked away.
Nathan shot me a look then picked up his menu. “You like wine?”
“I like anything that has an alcohol content above eight percent.”
He released a faint chuckle. “You’re easy to please.”
If that were true I wouldn’t be in love with the same man for years—whom didn’t even know I was alive.
He browsed his menu. “I recommend the calzone. It’s delicious.”
“You’ve been here before?”
“Opening night.”
“Wow. First one in line.”
“Actually, I’m the owner of this restaurant.” He put down the menu and scanned the crowd.
“Oh, I didn’t know that. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he said. “It’s more of a tax write off.”
Nathan was a good guy but he could be arrogant from time to time. It annoyed me but his flaws paled in comparison to his strengths.
“I’ve always been in interested in owning a restaurant. But after I opened this place I realized I didn’t really want to be involved. I just wanted to make another profit.”
He was already a billionaire. He needed more money? “I see…” I wasn’t sure what else to say.
The waiter brought the wine and took our order. I took Nathan’s recommendation and ordered the calzone. When the waiter walked away, I stared at Nathan. He looked like a powerhouse in his suit. I’d give anything to see what was underneath it. “So, basically you took me here because it would be free?” There was a teasing tone in my voice.