The Valentines Day Proposal

by Bella Winters

  I walked down the empty street to the club to retrieve my car and head home, shocked into sobriety over the night’s events. The club was long closed and I slipped into the sports car and let it warm up for a moment as I closed my eyes. “Fuck. Why did she have to live there?” I’d enjoyed all that Brittany had to offer and I didn’t realize that she even had a roommate that entire time. Maybe I should talk to women before fucking them.

  I headed home, hoping that it wasn’t a total disaster at work. It wasn’t like I slept with one of my employees and I was entirely unaware of the hot brunette’s name, much less the fact that she lived there. I didn’t do anything wrong but based on the looks on the faces in that living room, their tongues were wagging.

  Brent was watching television in the living room, catching up on some sports as I gave him a curious look. “Why are you up?”

  “I think I’m too tired to sleep like a normal person and I also gave everyone tomorrow off. We all need some rest,” he replied as he tore his gaze away from the screen to look at me. “Have fun?”

  “Shit, Brent. I went home with a girl and her roommate works for us.” I dropped onto the couch, knowing that nobody else was up right now. It was too late.

  “Bran, did you do her as well?” He asked, irritation in his voice.

  “Fuck, no. I came out to leave and she was sitting in the living room. She didn’t say that she lived there but I gathered as much. There was a group of them on the couch and I expect some gossip.”

  “It would be worse if you slept with her too, so don’t worry about it. It’ll die down if it starts at all. Did they hear you guys or something?” He asked as I smirked. “That bad?”

  “She was vocal. I was vocal. End of story.” I stretched and looked at him. “Get some rest, buddy.”

  “Brunch at noon tomorrow with Mom and Ash,” Brent told me as I almost groaned. “Christmas is next Friday so the rush is almost over.”

  “Yeah, I hope so,” I told him as I headed upstairs for some sleep. I woke up in time to shower and head downstairs to take them to eat, catching up with Mom since it felt like I never saw her. Ashley spoke about school and new boyfriend as I gave Brent a dark look. She was too young for that shit and I was going to meet this guy as soon as I could.

  We took them home after a couple of hours and I took a nap, since I had the day off and all. I didn’t want to go out again tonight so sleep sounded like a great plan, and Mom told me to come down for some soup later if I got hungry. She’d thanked us for working so hard at the end of brunch, hugging us both tightly before Brent drove us all back to the house.

  I woke up in my dark room, seeing my phone lit up on the table beside it. I blinked and yawned before reaching for it, seeing a text from one of the regulars. I knew that I wasn’t going anywhere tonight and sent a text back responding to that.

  I decided that I felt like forty-two more than I did twenty-two right now as I rolled back over and sighed. I hoped that things would slow down after the holidays and I could find some of my old life again.

  CHAPTER 17

  Brent

  I was up early the following day and ready to go to the office. The house was decorated for Christmas and I looked around, realizing that it was Friday. It would be the first Christmas without Dad and pain filled my chest for a moment as I heard footsteps on the stairs. I didn’t know how it was going to be, but we had a lot of family coming over to spend it with us. The office was closed for the weekend and I was going to use it catching up on rest and seeing the people that I missed right now.

  I’d been asked over to dinner by a girl that I used to see frequently, Dahlia. She was a socialite in Manhattan with dark hair and a yoga body and very tempting, if I could get away. I had to get through this week first and then deal with it. “Morning.” Brandon greeted me as he walked to get some coffee. “Back to it, I suppose?”

  “Yep,” I replied as Mom walked in. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Morning, boys. You look nice.” We dressed in slacks and button ups every day, even ties sometimes. Dad always told us growing up to look professional at the job if we were going to be working with employees. In his mind, that was the first step to professionalism. Too bad we already messed that up by getting involved with two assistants, causing a little bit of chatter in the building. Now Bran might have caused more but he didn’t know who she lived with. Bar girls weren’t the ones that we got to know before sleeping with them, and that was just bad timing.

  “Thanks, Mom. It makes them fear us,” Brandon teased as she laughed. We headed out, driving together quietly as we watched New York wake up. “Friday, man. I can’t believe that he won’t be there.”

  “I know. Mom seems to be handling it pretty well so far,” I observed from the passenger seat as he shrugged. “I am glad that everyone is coming to our house this year. I don’t feel like driving to Boston in holiday traffic, though it might be better for Mom to do that.”

  “That’s what she wanted. We all checked with her, so she deserves this. If she falls apart, she’ll be with people who love her. Ash invited the new boyfriend so she’ll be supported but he is in for a surprise.” I chuckled at Brandon as he looked at me. “She’s only sixteen, Brent.”

  “Do you remember our view on girls in high school?” I asked him as he snorted. “Even Ash is aware of our reputation, Bran. She isn’t proud of it so I think she’d choose someone quite different than we were.”

  “Figures. It wasn’t that long ago,” he muttered as he turned into the parking garage. “There is so much work waiting up in that office for us.”

  “I lined up a masseuse to pop in this week. She’s reasonable and hot enough that the guys will like it while being sweet enough that the women won’t hate her. That along with the holiday bonus should keep everyone in good moods.” I assured him as he nodded. We got out of the car and headed up to our floor, just a bit earlier than the rest of the office. I liked the quiet and when it was not slammed, it allowed us to be home a little sooner. Right now, we were generally here later than anyone else. I reminded myself that we made a lot of money doing this and kept Mom and Ashley in the life they were used to as I walked to our office to warm up the computer. I made coffee while that happened and took a deep breath as it brewed, filling the room with the scent of the dark roast. I got my brother a cup as well and brought it to him as we got set up at our desks for the day.

  The office filled with voices as the next hour passed and I knew that we were at full capacity. The number of orders we all had to process was absurd, and I longed for personal help again. I took a break and looked at Brandon for a moment as he sipped his coffee. “What if we place an ad?” I asked as he glanced at me.

  “For help?”

  “Yeah, but let’s keep it at that for this week at least,” I joked as he grinned. “We have orders to catch up on and there’s a good chance that we won’t have someone right away anyway.” I shrugged. “I’d rather get caught up sooner rather than later and try to focus on other aspects of the company.”

  “Let’s do it,” he agreed as I nodded and pulled up the former ad. It said everything that we needed and I posted it in one of the job sites before getting back to work. I laughed at the emails coming in about a beautiful girl giving shoulder massages and assured the managers that it was legit and to enjoy.

  One of them mentioned that his personal assistant had a friend that was looking for a job, since her company of seven years closed due to bankruptcy. He said that Breanna assured him that she was smart and a hard worker that just had a bit of rough luck and she’d mentioned how busy she was at work. He knew how hard Dad worked and wanted to help and I told Brandon about it. “We can talk to her, right?” He asked as I nodded and told the guy to have her call us. If she was a good worker, she could pick up quickly and get this mess caught up.

  We worked through the day until lunch and grabbed some sandwiches at a nearby deli. My phone rang while we were walking and I answered in business mode as a woman asked if t
his was Brent Moyen. “Yes, it is. Who am I speaking to?” I asked as Brandon looked at me.

  “My name is Jane Drury and I believe that one of your managers spoke to you. I am Breanne’s friend,” she offered as I noted a drawl in her voice. She must not be from New York. “I was interested in a job there since I just got laid off. I have an apartment that I don’t want to lose and Bre says that you’re busy this time of year…well, every time of year.” She laughed and I smiled.

  “What was the former job?” I asked as she told me that it was at a warehouse for a smaller shipping company, one that I knew mishandled their finances from word of mouth. “I know that you have experience then. Come in this afternoon or tomorrow morning, if that isn’t too soon?” She agreed with relief in her voice and told me she’d be there at three o clock to talk to me. “We have an interview today.” Brandon looked at me as he sipped his soda, raising an eyebrow.

  “That is almost too easy,” he said as I shrugged. “You said her friend works for the company, too?”

  “Yes, so we need to behave ourselves. We already pushed it last time,” I referenced Veronica as we both sighed. “She sounds like a sweet girl.”

  “Uh oh,” he voiced our thoughts as I pushed open the door to the building. It was exhausting how many people watched us walk down the street and I was noticing cameras now. I didn’t see the fascination with us but I just let it go. We walked back to the office and he dropped his gaze to the floor as we left the elevator as I scanned the crowd that was getting on the elevator. There was a brunette looking at us with a glint in her eyes and I thought back to the weekend.

  “Is that her?” I asked once we were in the office and he nodded. “She noticed you.”

  “Yeah, I saw that,” Brandon noted as he sat down and sighed. “She’s hot but there’s no way that I’d tap that. I hope her friend didn’t tell her every detail.” Brandon grimaced and I laughed. “Shut up. You’ve been there.”

  “Hence the reason I’m laughing. I was bored with the last girl I hooked up with, so I didn’t have this drama.” I told him as I unwrapped the sandwich. “She was just so typical. Empty.”

  “Isn’t that what we’re supposed to want? We’re only twenty-two,” Brandon told me as I shrugged.

  “Are we? It doesn’t feel like that.” I said as I shook my head. “There will be more balance after this week. Maybe Jane will work out.”

  “That’s a sweet name,” Brandon said as I laughed. “Who is she friends with?”

  “Breanne. She’s Logan’s assistant,” I replied as he looked thoughtfully out of the window.

  “Redhead. She’s cute,” Brandon snapped his fingers as I stared at him.

  “Don’t get any fucking ideas,” I warned him as he shrugged. “We’ve fucked off enough here.”

  We were done with lunch and ready for Jane when three rolled around, sitting behind our desks as we waited. There was a soft knock at our door and I told the person to come in, seeing a girl with dark curls walk in as she looked around the office with wide bright green eyes. She was wearing a conservative green dress that brought their color out and she cleared her throat as she looked at us. “Are you twins?”

  “I am Brent Moyen and this is Brandon, my twin brother. We took over the company this year after our father passed,” I offered as sympathy crossed her pretty face.

  “I’m so sorry,” Jane said as she eased herself forward and glanced at the chair.

  “Have a seat. Tell us about yourself,” Brandon offered as she slipped into the seat and pressed her hands into her lap. Jane was about our age and looked like the girl next door with her innocent face. She was beautiful in a subdued kind of way and I watched her as she smiled at us.

  “My name is Jane Drury and I am twenty-two years old. I worked for Ames Shipping for seven years until they closed and my friend Breanne mentioned this place.” She swallowed thickly as I stared at her. “It’s so much bigger than Ames. They used to read about you guys all of the time.”

  “I am familiar with them. They started in the south, right?” I asked as she nodded. “It’s hard to bring a business here sometimes. Are you from New York originally?”

  “No, sir. I am from Nashville and moved with the company. I have a cute little place in Brooklyn and New York has grown on me. I’d like to try and stay here for a time.” She smiled and I looked at Brandon. “I have a resume if you’d like to look at it.” She passed a pink folder across the desk and I looked at it, finding it impressive before I passed it to my brother to look over. She was young but had a good work history. Jane clearly knew the shipping business and I expected that she could start with little training. “Breanne said y’all are busy right now with the holidays?”

  “Very. We’ve all been putting in a lot of hours,” Brandon said as he slid the folder back to me. He gave me a look telling me that he approved of the resume and I nodded as I looked at her. “Do you travel for the holidays?”

  Jane shook her head. “It’s just Mama and I and she’s coming here. I was anticipating being busy at work, so I didn’t schedule time off.”

  “I think we’d like to offer you the job, at least to catch us up. We can sit down after the rush is over and decide on a regular schedule for you, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re hired.” I said as she clapped her hands and smiled happily. “I think we can send a message to HR and get you there today to get the necessary paperwork filled out. You’ll earn twenty-two dollars an hour and we have a benefits package that you’ll find out more about in HR.”

  “That sounds great,” Jane told us as she beamed at us. Fuck, she was cute. “Will I be starting tomorrow then?”

  “Eight o clock.” Brandon directed her to HR at the far right of the building and she was off as he looked at me. Jane thanked us several times and was close to hugging us, but we stayed behind our desks. “She’s different.”

  “She’s a country girl,” I replied as I looked at him. “She didn’t even look like she was our age.”

  “I wonder if she’s a virgin,” Brandon mused as I rolled my eyes. “Can you imagine? It’s been a while.”

  “Stop it. We’re not going there, Bran. Her and Breanne are friends and they’re the same kind of girl. That can’t happen so enjoy your memories and keep it in your pants.” I shot him a warning glance as an email came through from Logan. He said the he already heard the news and was happy that it worked out for us. I thanked him for the reference and got back to work as HR told me that everything was set with Jane before we left for the night.

  We ate with Mom and told her about the new developments, making her instantly want to invite Jane and her mother over so they wouldn’t be alone. I smiled at her kindness and watched Ashley tell her to simmer down since we’d have a houseful already.

  CHAPTER 18

  Jane

  I got up early the following day and pulled out my burgundy wrap around dress with some black Mary Jane shoes. I let my hair dry in its usual soft curls and put on a little make up to present myself well to my new coworkers. I thought I was plain compared to some of the girls there and thankful that I had Breanna to talk to.

  My new brother bosses were hot, though. I looked them up and found out that they were my age, but we lived very different lives. They were rich and their Daddy built the company from the ground up, becoming one of the biggest shipping companies in the world. He died in a car accident and they must have taken over right after that. I couldn’t even imagine that. I only moved here four years ago, to work in the New York division of the company for a change and when they closed their doors, I was sure I’d be moving back home. Mama wouldn’t mind that but I liked city living. It was busy and there was always something to look at. I seemed to fade into the background as well, something that was quite different from growing up in a small town. I wasn’t from Nashville but I said that for reference purposes since most people didn’t need to know the details.

  I made some coffee in my tiny kitchen and poured it into the Starbucks cup tha
t Breanna gave me for my birthday. I was taking the bus to work and I grabbed my things and rushed out to the bus stop and found a seat as I sighed in relief. I left my car in Tennessee, since driving here didn’t interest me. I asked Breanna to show me the public transport in the area and got to know it well over the years.

  I arrived at the building about fifteen minutes early and made my way inside with a lot of other people. There were four elevators and group after group poured into them, making me wonder if I shouldn’t get here earlier tomorrow. This was a madhouse.

  I got to my desk outside of their office just at eight and swallowed nervously before tapping on the door. “Good morning,” one of them said as he opened it for me, welcoming me inside. I paid attention yesterday and I thought that it was Brent. They were exact twins but he had some dimples in his face when he smiled that Brandon was missing.

  “Good morning,” I replied as I smiled. “I trust this is my desk?”

  “The tour. You haven’t had it yet,” Brandon said from across the room as I shook my head.

  “I’ll tend to that. Get started and I’ll be back in a bit.” Brent stepped out and assured me that this was my desk and that he’d show me the gadgets when he’d shown me around the floor. There was a large break room that offered a few coffee makers as well as some vending machines, with three refrigerators for employees to store food in. It was spacious and even with the people in here, I didn’t feel too overwhelmed. Okay, some of the girls were intimidating but I just told myself that I was not here to make friends. I was here to work.