Playing Irish

by Brooke Harris

  Julian: Evangeline are you there?

  She waited. She was trying to think of a smart or sassy to reply but her mind was blank.

  Julian: Goodbye, Evangeline.

  Shit, no wait. Eva rushed to type as fast as she could.

  Eva135: I’m here.

  Now Eva was left to wait anxiously.

  Julian: So you like to play games?

  Eva shook her head. She hated games. Games made her nervous.

  Julian: Let’s play then, shall we?

  Eva135: What do you want to play?

  Julian: Like I said, I want to see you lose your inhibitions.

  Eva135: I don’t have any. I told you.

  Julian: Prove it.

  Eva135: How?

  Julian: Strip for me.

  Eva: What? Now???

  Julian: LOL. I wish I could see your face. Of course, not now, although the rest of your colleagues might enjoy it. No. Tonight.

  Eva ran the palm of her hands roughly up and down her face and shook her head. Was he for real? No way. But she couldn’t say that. It would be a deal breaker, and she needed him for the ball. She couldn’t think fast enough. She needed a change of subject.

  Julian: Tick-tock, tick-tock

  Eva135: Can we try something else?

  Eva’s fingers could barely type fast enough.

  Julian: That depends. If you can offer a more interesting suggestion, I’ll certainly give it due consideration.

  Eva closed her eyes and tried to think of something, anything, everything. Her damn mind was blank except for an image of Meghan sticking out her tongue and laughing at her.

  Julian: Evangeline, this waiting thing is growing old. Do we have a deal?

  Eva135: A deal?

  Shit more questions. Eva be cool, she begged herself.

  Julian: Of course.

  Eva thought for a moment. What was in it for him? She was the one asking for a service, but could she afford to pay his demands for the service?

  Eva135: Why are you doing this? Is there something you want?

  Julian: I don’t want anything. You came looking for me, remember?

  That sounded defensive, she thought. She hadn’t insulted him, had she? It wasn’t what she meant. Crap, crap. She’d have to be more careful with her replies. She really wanted him to like her. What level of mortifying would it be if even a hired date disliked her?

  Eva135: Is it just for fun, then?

  Julian: Yes. Now do we have a deal?

  What deal, Eva wondered, but she couldn’t ask again. She didn’t want to look stupid. She was about to type out a smiley emoji but decided that was childish. She suddenly very much regretted the three, super-smiley, smiley faces she attached to her group email of the minutes from last week’s marketing meeting.

  Eva135: Deal.

  Julian: Good. Do you have a webcam at home?

  Eva135: Yes. But it’s not connected.

  Julian: Connect it. I will be your date for the ball, Evangeline. I will be at your beck and call, and I will make you look fabulous. But tonight, you must be at mine and you must look fabulous for me. Have your camera ready at 8pm and expect my attention. Don’t be late. I won’t wait.

  Julian is offline.

  Eva folded her arms on the edge of her desk and dropped her head against them. Her whole body shook inside. A combination of excitement and panic danced around her stomach, and she was certain she’d see her lunch again.

  ***

  Julian rarely sat still. Free time wasn’t something his career allowed for. But for a brief moment, work took a backseat as he relaxed against the warm leather of his luxury office chair. He dropped his neck back and closed his eyes. The only sound in the huge room was his deep, even breaths. He jumped suddenly and slammed the lid of his PC closed. He grabbed the tumbler on his desk and poured a large whiskey. He gulped a huge amount into his mouth and swished it around, enjoying the familiar heat from the twenty-five-year-old malt.

  ‘Fuck,’ he said out loud, shaken by the momentary lapse from all things familiar to him. ‘Evangeline…get the fuck out of my head.’

  ***

  The light tap on her shoulder was enough to make Eva jump. Her chair smacked off the new guy who was standing behind her, and he groaned like a wounded bear.

  ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry,’ she stuttered.

  ‘It’s okay,’ he said, rubbing his leg and trying to brush it off with a laugh. ‘I’m Nathan, by the way.’

  ‘I’m Evangeline, but everyone just calls me Eva.’

  Nathan reached his hand out, and Eva shook it. His mop of curly, sandy-brown hair shook in sync and his emerald eyes were warm and smiling.

  ‘Oh, you’re shaking,’ he said. ‘Did you hurt yourself?’

  Eva shook her head. She didn’t want to chance words. Judging from how badly her legs were shaking, she wasn’t sure how her speech would come out. An awkward silence fell over them.

  ‘Have you been here long?’ Nathan asked.

  ‘I got in at eight this morning.’

  Nathan chuckled. ‘Good one.’

  Eva didn’t know what was so funny, but she decided to be polite and laugh, too.

  ‘I meant have you been working here long?’ Nathan added. ‘I just started a couple of days ago.’

  ‘Of course, sorry. I remember,’ Eva sighed. ‘You introduced yourself at Monday’s meeting.’

  Eva felt bad for forgetting him. She was normally very good with names and faces. Julian was throwing all her senses off.

  ‘I take it you’re the office joker then?’ Nathan smiled.

  The office joke, more like, Eva thought to herself, trying not to let tears swell in her eyes.

  ‘Are you going to the ball next week?’ Nathan asked casually.

  ‘Have to, it’s compulsory.’ Eva said.

  ‘It is? That’s unusual,’ Nathan said scrunching up his nose. ‘Can they do that?’

  Eva nodded. ‘Apparently.’ Meghan’s earlier jab ran through Eva’s mind.

  ‘Oh, but I don’t even have a tux.’ A flash of panic danced in Nathan’s eyes and Eva felt sorry for him.

  He was nervous and timid. He reminded her of when she first started. He reminded her of her now.

  ‘Do you know where I could find one?’ Nathan blurted as if the whole sentence was one long word.

  Eva shook her head. She didn’t know Dublin very well yet. And she definitely didn’t know where to find a man’s suit store.

  ‘Doesn’t have to be a tux,’ Eva suggested. ‘Do you have a black suit? You just need to dress it up with a bowtie.’

  Nathan shrugged, his eyes rounding. ‘I’m not really a suit kind of guy.’

  Eva sucked in her bottom lip. She wondered if Julian wore suits. Stop it, she scolded herself silently. Eva didn’t have a chance to answer before Nathan continued.

  ‘Oh, that was stupid. Sorry,’ Nathan laughed sheepishly. ‘You probably have much better things to do than listen to me talking your ear off about my fashion sense.’

  The sides of Eva’s lips pulled into a bright smile. ‘No, no. It’s good. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one freaking out over what to wear.’

  ‘Maybe we could freak out together after work sometime?’ Nathan said. ‘Grab a coffee and take a look around the shops.’

  Eva’s eyes darted to the ground. She didn’t see that coming.

  ‘I’m not usually this pushy, honestly,’ Nathan promised. ‘Or this fashion aware.’

  Eva looked up at Nathans bright pink shirt coupled with a navy and green striped tie. She believed him. On both counts.

  ‘I’m buying,’ Nathan added with a toothy grin. ‘The coffee that is. Hopefully I’ll be buying a suit too.’

  ‘I’d like that.’ Eva meant it genuinely. Nathan made her smile more than she had in ages. His goofy giggle set her at ease and his eagerness to be polite had her suspecting that he was a really nice guy inside. Besides, helping him would take her mind off her own apprehension about the
ball…and Julian. Win, win.

  Nathan jumped a little without his feet actually leaving the ground and added a micro air-punch. Eva covered her mouth with her hand to hide a giant grin. She wasn’t sure if he was being funny or if he really was just a super geek. It didn’t matter. She liked him either way.

  ‘Does after work today suit you?’ Nathan asked.

  Eva suddenly remembered her conversation with Julian. She wanted to be free later to chat with him. She could relax more when the office was quieter.

  ‘How about tomorrow, instead?’ Eva suggested.

  ‘Okay,’ Nathan nodded. ‘I’m looking forward to it.’

  Nathan spun around and faced his desk. He twisted around every few moments to smile at Eva and occasionally wink. Finally, an important phone call distracted him, and Eva was glad to return her attention to her computer.

  5

  Eva examined herself in the full-length mirror beside her bed. Her dark hair fell just below her shoulders. She was only a little over five foot five but she was slim and always looked taller. Her slender legs and toned tummy provided evidence that she worked out. Her body was in good shape, but she didn’t want to show that shape naked and over the internet to some guy she’d never met.

  Eva’s attention was drawn to her watch. She’d been checking it every ten minutes all evening. It was 7.45pm. The only light in her room was coming from a small, bedside lamp and the bright white glow of her laptop screen shining in the corner. What if Julian was repulsive? Or even worse, what if he was drop-dead gorgeous, but he thought she was hideous? There was no way she was doing what he demanded in payment. She couldn’t.

  Eva physically jumped as a beep sounded from her laptop. Julian was early. She wasn’t ready. She closed her eyes for a moment and held her breath. She clicked on the waiting email before she changed her mind completely. A huge gush of air escaped her lips as she sighed in relief. It was from Shelly. Eva never had a personal email from work before. In the ordinary course, Eva would have been nervous. Maybe Mr. Doe wanted to call her in for a booty call. Whatever it was, it paled in comparison to her pending nudity in front of Julian. I’m not doing it, she reminded herself, reassured herself, tried to convince herself. She felt sick, but she couldn’t stop smiling. Her emotions were a whirlwind whipping around her head. Get a grip, Eva, she warned herself and checked her watch again.

  ___________________________

  From: shelly.k.fox@ignitetech.com

  To: eva135@myemail.com

  Subject: Parcel

  Date: Tues 14th July 19.47

  Hi Eva,

  Mr. Doe asked me to remind you that there is a

  box (a rather large one) waiting here for you.

  He would be very grateful if you came

  to pick it up first thing in the morning. (He has

  never left anything for a staff member before;

  you must have made quite an impression on

  him).

  It was lovely to meet you today. I’ll see you in

  the morning.

  Yours,

  Shelly

  Shelly Fox

  Senior Personal Assistant

  Ignite Technologies

  Block 6

  Plaza Exchange

  Dublin 2

  Eva typed a quick, polite response and closed the window. What if it was a revolting BDSM gimp suit or something? She laughed out loud at her own foolishness. It wouldn’t matter if was nothing more than a used stapler. Mr. Doe’s office had seen more girls than a gynaecologist’s but she was the only one he’d left something for. Wow. Her confidence was boosted by a million percent. Mr. Doe liked her. Shelly had technically said so, so it was definitely true. She suddenly felt bold and confident.

  An instant message appeared. Eva’s heart raced, but she embraced the moment.

  Julian: Good Evening, Evangeline. Sorry, I’m late.

  Eva looked at her watch. It was 8.02pm.

  Eva135: Two minutes? I would hardly call that late.

  Julian: Late is late. I’ll understand if you want to forfeit our arrangement.

  Eva pressed the heel of her hand between her eyes. He was arrogant and insistent earlier. She’d worried about it all day. She even bought new, ridiculously expensive and very uncomfortable underwear on her way home from work, and now, for the sake of two minutes, he wanted to bail out on her. No way. He wasn’t calling all the shots.

  Eva135: Of course, not. We had an agreement.

  Julian: Good. Shall we start?

  Wow, he wasn’t wasting any time. Eva looked at the bottle of Pinot Grigio resting beside her keypad. She had only poured one glass, and it was still half full. She’d hoped they would chat for a while. Or at least long enough for her to knock back some dutch courage. Eva picked up her glass and drained it before shakily pouring another.

  Eva135: Okay.

  Julian: I know you like games, Evangeline. So, let’s make this a little more interesting.

  Eva hated games. But she’d missed her opportunity to set him straight earlier.

  Julian: Agreed?

  Eva135: Agreed on what?

  Eva was about to take her clothes off for a man she had never seen. She wondered how it could possibly be more interesting.

  Julian: Let’s wager a little bet.

  Eva135: What kind of bet?

  Julian: I bet you will call ‘Game Over’ before you take your bra off.

  Eva’s stomach somersaulted. He just said bra. She was more worried that she would chicken out before she took her cardigan off…underwear was far from her mind.

  Eva135: And if I win?

  She was impressed with her ability to pretend she was calm, at least.

  Julian: I will be your date for the ball free of charge. You can’t afford my time, Evangeline. Very few can.

  Eva wondered how the hell much he normally charged. Hundreds, thousands maybe. He was right, she couldn’t afford him, and she wouldn’t embarrass herself further by asking.

  Eva135: You said it wasn’t about the money.

  Julian. I did, and it’s not. But I never said there was no charge. Who works for free, Evangeline?

  Eva felt stupid. She should have guessed if she didn't pay with cash that he’d want something else. She could only guess, but with his line of work, it didn’t take much imagination to decipher his possible terms.

  Julian: Do we have a bet?

  Eva135: What if I lose?

  Julian: You’ll like this game, Evangeline. If you lose, there will be consequences, of course, but I guarantee you’ll enjoy them.

  Eva smiled. Maybe games weren’t so horrible after all. He said she had to take off her bra. He never said she had to show him what was underneath.

  Eva135: You’re on.

  Julian: On the count of three. One, two, three...

  6

  Eva stared at Julian’s image that appeared on her screen. He was delicious, like a juicy peach waiting to be tasted. His dark, almost black, hair was cut tight around the side but longer on top. His huge chocolate brown eyes hinted that they could peer into your soul, and his chiselled jaw made him look tough but oh-so-charming. He was relaxed in his office chair with his elbow draped casually over the back. His body angled slightly to the side, emphasising the span of his broad shoulders. She could tell from the lines of his, no doubt expensive, suit that his stomach rested like a washboard behind his crisp white shirt. Oh, my God, could he see her blushing? He was more amazing than she imagined. She wanted to lean forward and lick her screen.

  ‘Like I told you already, you’re beautiful.’ Julian’s voice rushed at her like a gritty hail shower. He was husky and manly and his voice matched his face. It startled her for a moment, as the depth and accent reminded her of Mr. Doe. Dammit, now was not a time to think about work. Eva tugged the collar of her shirt away from her neck. It felt like the temperature in her room had just soared ten degrees. She wanted to tell him that he was gorgeous, too, but she couldn’t find the words or the confi
dence. She pulled her cardigan tight across her chest.

  ‘Don’t be nervous, Evangeline,’ Julian said. ‘This will be fun if you let it.’

  Eva wanted so badly for that to be true. Julian’s image began to flicker on the screen and crackles and echoes broke up his sentences.

  ‘I can’t hear you,’ Eva said instinctively louder and slower as if that would solve the problem of intermittent internet.

  More jumbled crackles followed.

  ‘I still can’t hear you,’ Eva repeated.

  She guessed she was wasting her breath. He probably couldn’t hear her, either. Her heart sank. She decided that maybe she did like games after all. She liked Julian’s games - a lot - and she wanted to play.

  Julian: It’s not working.

  Eva135: I’m so sorry. The Wi-Fi in my building is crappy. It does this sometimes.

  Eva instantly worried that Julian would think she dropped the line on purpose. He already accused her of chickening out. It wouldn’t take much to fuel his suspicion.

  Julian: Don’t worry. This just makes it more exciting. What’s your mobile number?

  Eva paused. Email was one thing, even Skype she could handle, but an intimate phone call seemed so much more personal. She knew she would struggle to keep the conversation flowing without facial expressions to bide some time, but somehow she found her fingers typing out her digits. She had barely hit the sent button when her phone began ringing. She froze. She didn’t have enough time to think. He was rushing her.

  She didn’t move, hoping the darkness of the room would hide her. The ringing stopped. Silence rang louder now than her phone. Why hadn’t she answered? She wanted to, but she just couldn’t. Eva threw her head back until her neck cracked and closed her eyes, disappointed.

  The ringing started again. Eva didn’t give herself time to think. She raced to her bed and picked up her mobile from her pillow…’Hello.’

  ‘Evangeline?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘What took you so long? Are you nervous?’

  Eva thought about lying, but she decided not to. She wanted to be herself. She had no idea why, usually she tried very hard to be anyone but herself. Tonight, she felt different.