by E. L. Todd
Janet
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher or author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.
Copyright © 2014 by E. L. Todd
All Rights Reserved
ISBN-13: 978-1494345686
ISBN-10: 1494345684
Janet
Book Four of the Alpha Series
E. L. Todd
1
After I dealt with the 401k’s for the staff, I leaned back in my chair and sighed. It was a long day, long enough to make my feet hurt. I spent most of my time sitting at my desk, but I somehow felt exhausted at the end of each day.
“Hey,” Ryan said as he knocked on the door. “Is this a bad time?”
“No,” I said as I sat up straight. “I was just zoning out there.”
He came closer to me and leaned against the desk. “It’s been a long day.” He put his hands in the pockets of his suit and crossed his ankles. He had short brown hair that was almost light enough to be blond. His green eyes were always dark like a watered lawn. “Did you get my email about the gala?”
“Oh yeah. I did. I apologize for not responding. I just got caught up in other things.”
He nodded. “That’s totally understandable. So, do you have a head count and everything?”
“Yep, a thousand.”
“Yikes,” he said. “And you’re coordinating all of it?”
“No, Mr. Garrison said I can hire a professional party planner. There’s no way I could keep up my job here and do that at the same time. My head would explode.”
He chuckled. “We wouldn’t want that. This place would fall apart.”
I smiled. “This company prospered before I came along. It’ll do just fine long after I’m gone.”
“I don’t know about that.” He uncrossed his ankles then crossed them again. He stared at the wall before he looked down at me. “So, are you bringing anyone?”
“I haven’t thought about it.” I had no one to ask anyway. There wasn’t a man in my life. I hadn’t been on a date in months, and I didn’t have any guy friends. The closest thing I had was my brother. But I wasn’t sad enough to bring a relative to a work function.
“Well, I don’t have a date…” His voice trailed away. He shifted his weight then looked at me.
I didn’t know what to say to that.
“Why don’t we go together?”
“Uh…” Ryan was a really nice guy. He was always polite and the entire office loved him. He was one of the most passionate lawyers I’d ever met. Somehow he managed to separate his work from his personal life, unlike most lawyers. His aggressive and condescending attitude was always left at the door. But I didn’t see him that way. “I’m okay.”
“You’re okay?” he asked with a smile. “What does that mean?”
“I’m just going to go alone.”
His lips sagged into a frown. The disappointment was obvious but he didn’t press his advance. “That’s fine,” he said with a fake smile. “It doesn’t hurt to ask a friend.”
I nodded. “I should get going. My shift was over half an hour ago.”
“Yeah, me too.” He moved away from me and approached the door. “I’ll see you around.”
“Bye.”
He left my office and walked down the hallway. I sighed deeply, hating being cold to people. I just never found a guy that I liked. I was getting older and the clock was ticking, but I still couldn’t find a single person. Maybe there was something wrong with me. I grabbed my bag and walked out the door.
When I arrived at the gym, Cassie was already on the treadmill. She was wearing a blue sports top with yoga pants, her hair in a high ponytail. Even when she was sweaty and hot, she was still gorgeous. I looked at her enviously. I stood up on the treadmill and started to walk on an incline.
“Hey,” Cassie said as she started to walk. She pulled out her earphones and looked at me. “Where’s Layla?”
“I didn’t bother to ask. She works out with Kyle at his gym now.”
She smiled. “Those two are inseparable.”
“Thanks to me,” I added.
Cassie nodded. “Good thing Layla didn’t deck you when she saw you two together. That would have been bad.”
“I could take her,” I said with a smile.
“I don’t know,” Cassie said with a laugh. “She used to beat up guys in bars.”
“And I have to deal with lawyers all day. Believe me, I got the rage too.”
Cassie patted her forehead with a towel. “So, what’s new with you?”
“Nothing,” I said with a sigh. I moved my arms as I walked at a fast pace, feeling the burn in my thighs and ass. “My firm is having a gala and I have to organize a few things.”
“Is it for charity?”
I nodded.
“Who are you bringing?”
“I’m going solo.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a loser.”
I laughed. “Thanks.”
“You always go to work functions alone. People are going to think you’re a hermit.”
“Well, it’s true,” I said. “Someone at work asked me, but I said no.”
“Who?”
“His name is Ryan.”
“Why did you say no?” she asked incredulously. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” I snapped. “I just don’t like him like that.”
“How are you going to like anyone unless you give them a chance?”
I sighed. “I know when I really like someone. And I know I don’t feel anything for him.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “I didn’t tell you to marry the guy. Just go to the gala with him. How are you going to know what you like if you isolate yourself from the world?”
“You’re single too, Cassie.”
“But I still date people. It’s not my fault they all suck.”
“I don’t know…”
“Just go with him. You don’t have to sleep with him.”
“I’m perfectly aware of that.”
“Then go,” Cassie commanded. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Why do you have to be such a hardass?”
“Because you’re my best friend. I don’t want you to die alone.”
“Thanks,” I said sarcastically.
“Hey, if you keep this up you’re going to have a trailer full of cats.”
“Yuck,” I said. “That’s a lot of kitty litter.”
She smiled at me. “Just do it, Janet. If you don’t like him, then that’s that. But you aren’t going to know unless you try. And he’s a lawyer, right? So he’s obviously successful and educated.”
“I don’t care about that,” I said. “I take care of myself.”
“Then it sounds like a perfect match. Unless he’s ugly or something.”
“No, he isn’t.”
“Then it’s settled,” she said. She wiped her forehead with a towel again. “So, anything else new?”
“No. My sister called me when I was at work but I didn’t call her back.”
“You’re still annoyed with her?”
“No,” I said. “I just didn’t feel like talking to her.”
“So, that’s a yes,” Cassie said with a laugh.
“Her life is just so perfect and she always rubs that in my face,” I said. “I get tired of hearing it.”
“Well, at least you have something to say. You have a date to the gala.”
“That still doesn’t compete,” I said.
“Ignore her. Just
because she’s married and has a kid doesn’t make her better than you. She was married off as soon as she got out of college. You can tell she’s one of those girls that gets married right away because she can’t stand to be alone.”
“Maybe,” I said.
We finished our workout and did a few weight training exercises together. When I looked around the room, I saw the guys stare at Cassie’s body as she moved. Cassie seemed to be ignorant to it, but the heated stares coming her way were scorching.
I spotted her while she did a few squats then did a few abdominal exercises on the mat. I liked coming with Cassie because she was always so hyper and sporty. It forced me to go and get a good workout. If not, I would just go home and eat a pint of ice cream in front of the TV.
After we showered and went our separate ways, I took a cab back to my apartment building. The doorman smiled at me when I walked inside and I took the elevator to my floor. I was lucky I landed such a good job in the city. Because of it, I was able to afford to have my own place in a nice area. I loved my apartment and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
When I came to the front door, I saw my sister sitting on the floor, flipping through a magazine.
“Beatriz?”
She looked up with a smile on her face. “Hey, sis.”
“What are you doing here?” I blurted.
“I came here to see my sister, obviously.” She rolled her eyes at me like I was crazy.
I looked at her large bag sitting next to her. It looked big for an afternoon stay. “A phone call would have been nice.”
“I did call you,” she snapped. “You never answer.”
I forgot that she called. “I was at work.”
She eyed my attire. “They make you work hard at that office.”
“Well, I went to the gym afterwards.”
“Clearly.” She stood up and hugged me. “I missed you, Sister.”
I patted her back. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” she said. “I just haven’t seen you in a while.”
I opened the door and we walked inside. “How’s Hank?”
“Good,” she said with a smile. “He just got a promotion with a nice raise. He’s making so much money now it’s ridiculous.”
I nodded my head, unsure how to respond to that. “Where’s my nephew?”
Her smile widened. “Joey is with his grandmother.”
“So why are you here?”
“To spend time with you, silly. Hank is working this weekend and I thought I’d take advantage of the time.”
“Oh,” I said. “That’s great.”
“I figured you weren’t doing anything anyway.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Since you’re single and all.
Here we go.
“Have you been on a date lately?”
“Why do you always do that?”
“What?” she asked, offended.
“You always mock my status. I’m okay with being single. Why do you look down on me for it?”
“I don’t,” she said when she put her hands on her hips. “I just know you’re miserable.”
“There you go again.”
“What?”
“You’re assuming I’m unhappy when I’m not, like I’m less than you because I’m not married and don’t have any kids.”
“Well, at your age…”
“I’m only twenty five.”
“Well, that’s still a little mature.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s so wonderful having you here,” I said sarcastically.
Beatriz carried her stuff to the spare bedroom and I headed into the shower. Hearing the water blocked out all the sound for a moment in time. My sister always made me want to scream. I loved her, I really did, but I hated her too.
After I got ready, I walked into the living room. She was staring at the bottom of a drinking glass, rubbing it with a towel.
“You need to get new glasses or different soap.”
I took a deep breath and let the anger out. “Thanks for the tip,” I said through a clenched jaw.
“So, what are we doing tonight?”
“I don’t have any plans.”
“Of course you don’t,” she said with a sigh. “Why did I expect anything more?”
I ignored the insult. “It’s okay to stay in on the weekends once in a while.”
“Yes, once in a while.” She opened the pantry and looked through my food storage.
“You want to go get a drink, then?”
“I guess,” she said with a sigh.
We both changed into our dresses then walked down to a nearby bar. When we sat down at a table, we drank from our straws and stared at each other. She had brown hair similar to mine and her brown eyes were slightly lighter. We had similar curves and figures. It was obvious we were related. The only difference was our personalities. She was annoying, selfish, and bratty. I had no idea how she got Hank to marry her. When I looked at her hand, I noticed her ring was missing.
“Where’s your wedding ring?” I asked.
She glanced at it. “Oh. It’s at the cleaners.”
“Hank let you come to New York for the weekend without it?” I found that extremely suspicious.
“He and I have a very trusting relationship. I understand why that’s hard for you to believe because you’ve never been in a serious relationship.”
“If you weren’t my sister, I’d slap you.”
“Excuse me?”
“Stop making jabs at me. It’s really annoying.”
“I wasn’t making any jabs,” she said innocently. “I was just stating a fact. You’ve never been in a serious relationship.”
“Well I’ve been pursuing a career.”
“I’m a teacher,” she said. “I have a career too.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not the same thing.”
“I have a master’s.”
“That you did online.”
“What difference does that make?”
“It makes a complete difference.” I shook my head, annoyed with my sister.
“Why are you in such a bad mood?” she asked, her brown eyes turning black.
I was so annoyed with her. “If you don’t get it by now, I suspect you never will.”
“Get what?”
“Nothing…” I was angry with my sister but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings either. We shared our drinks in silence. I had more than I normally would because I wanted to make this time with my sister more bearable. When we got back to the apartment, I went straight to bed, not bothering to ask if she needed anything before I locked my bedroom door.
2
I had plans to go out with Cassie and Layla tonight and I really didn’t want to invite my sister. My friends didn’t like her much either, and they had a hard time putting up with her. I couldn’t blame them. But I felt bad leaving her all alone tonight. She said she came to visit me this weekend and I was pretty much ditching her.
“Why are you all dressed up?” she asked when I came into the room.
I was wearing a plain black dress with silver heels. My handbag was the same color, shining from the rhinestones on it. “Just going out,” I said evasively.
“Oh…I thought we’d stay home and watch a movie.”
“Well, I already made these plans,” I said. “You did just drop in with no announcement.”
She sighed. “You’re right. Have a good night.” She opened the refrigerator and made a sad face.
I sighed to myself, knowing I was going to regret this. “Do you want to come?”
She closed the refrigerator and smiled. “I’ll get dressed.” She walked into the bedroom and took half an hour to get ready.
“Hurry up!”
She came out wearing a very short pink dress. Her goodies were practically popping out.
“Are you going to be able to sit down…?”
“I’m fine,” she said, checking her hair in the mirror. “Let’s go.”
I eyed her again before we left. “The city isn’t like Connecticut.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and let’s go.”
“Okay.”
We left and walked to the bar and grill where I was meeting my friends. When I walked inside, Cassie stood up and waved. But then her smile disappeared when she saw Beatriz. Cassie leaned down and whispered to Layla. Her smile disappeared as well.
When we reached the table, both of my friends looked like the night had been ruined. “I’m sorry. She just dropped in on me.” When I looked at Layla, I realized Kyle was sitting beside her. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders protectively.
“Why are you bringing her here?” Cassie. “There are people here.”
I rolled my eyes. “She cornered me.”
Layla sighed. “If she weren’t your sister, I’d kick her ass.”
“And I’d help,” Cassie said.
“Be quiet,” I said. “She’s coming.”
“Hello again.”
I turned at the sound of the voice. It was Scott, Kyle’s brother. I met him once when we were moving Layla’s stuff from her apartment. In light of the catastrophe, we hadn’t spoken, just acknowledged each other silently. Now that he was across the table, I had the opportunity to see the beautiful blue eyes that Kyle shared. They reminded me of the light blue ocean on a summer day. Flecks of white and gray were filtered inside the iris, making them flawed, but more perfect at the same time. His skin was fair, but dark enough to indicate he was outdoors a great deal of time. Just like Kyle, he had a large body. Through his t-shirt, I noticed the lines and grooves of his chest. When we were moving Layla’s bed, I caught a glimpse of the muscles in his arms and back. If he was a professional mover, I’d hire him in a heartbeat just so I could stare.
I shook my head, realizing I hadn’t responded for several seconds. “Hi,” I said quietly.
Cassie caught the look but didn’t say anything. I thought Scott was beautiful the second I saw him, but I never expressed that. Judging by his looks and exceptional physique, there was no way he’d ever be interested in me. I decided to abandon the attempt before it even began.
“My girls!” Beatriz said when she reached the table.
“My girls?” Cassie asked incredulously.