Clean Slate

by Piper Rayne

  I swear, that man.

  It’s ten o’clock and Jagger hasn’t called to tell me he’s not coming in or going to be late. I have to remember that the schedule the man used to keep has been knocked off its axis by a pretty brunette.

  The elevator dings and I wait to see who rounds the corner. There’s my boss in his usual three-piece suit. I’m not going to lie, Jagger is a good-looking guy, but he reminds me way too much of Pete.

  “Good morning.” He inserts his key into the lock on his office door.

  “You’re being awfully polite.” I stand to follow him in, our normal routine.

  “I see you didn’t bring me coffee.” He eyes my hands as he pushes the door open and flicks on the lights.

  “I don’t have bad news today.” I laugh, and his nostrils flare a little as he inhales.

  Not at the joking stage yet. Got it.

  “Lucky for you, the love of my life says I’m being an asshole. Oh, before I forget,” he points at me, “You and Jade, my house in Malibu on Saturday. Quinn wants to have you over.”

  “Um.”

  He puts his hand up in the air, looking over the messages I had for him. “No excuses. Cancel whatever plans you have. We know the deal, what Quinn wants—”

  “Quinn gets.” I finish his sentence and he looks up.

  “I knew you were a quick learner.” He sits down at his desk, booting up his laptop. “You should be happy that’s my motto because she also insisted I reach out to someone I know in Chicago.” He nods at me to sit in the chair across from him.

  “Reach out?”

  “Have you found a job yet?” he asks, his forearms resting on his desk, his hands clasped together. The sunshine through the window glints off his silver wedding ring, which is still so strange to see.

  “No.” I clench my hands in my lap.

  He shakes his head. “Victoria, Victoria, Victoria.” He pretends to be reprimanding me. “Have I taught you nothing? Secure the job and then give your notice.” His gaze flickers to my pad of paper. “You should jot that down for future reference.”

  My pen stays planted in my hand and I wait for whatever he’s going to tell me.

  “Before I tell you what Quinn suggested I do—I say suggested because I want you to remember I did it.”

  “Noted.”

  “I want you to say thank you, Jagger.”

  I stare blankly at him. “Let me know what it is and then I’ll thank you.”

  The smile falls from his lips. “Disappointing. Maybe I should be happy you’re leaving. I can have an assistant who will actually treat me with respect.”

  “Oh, we both know you don’t want that.”

  He pretends to narrow his eyes and then faces his computer and starts typing.

  “Remember Hannah Crowley?” he asks.

  “The investor for Vance’s film?”

  Vance is Jagger’s best friend whose script is being made into a movie.

  “Yeah. Well, I had been talking with her a few months ago and she decided to start a foundation for…” He eyeballs the ceiling. “Women empowerment or for girls or something I don’t fully remember. Anyway, guess what she needs?”

  He asks me like he’s the host of a game show.

  “Who is an assistant?” I answer like I’m on Jeopardy, my tone thick with sarcasm. Though I can’t deny the fact that he’s found this out and might be able to get my foot in the door, is what makes him great.

  “Ding, ding, ding. Give the woman a prize.”

  He spins the laptop around and on the screen is a woman on a couch holding a German Shepherd puppy while she stares down at some paperwork.

  “I think you missed your calling in theater, Jag,” she says, her smile warm and welcoming. I see the Skype symbol at the bottom of the screen.

  “I’m good at everything, Hannah.” He stands from his desk. “Now excuse me you two, my assistant forgot to bring me in a coffee this morning.” He rounds his desk and I’m speechless. Number one because I wasn’t expecting nor prepared to be interviewed by a potential employer today. Number two because I spilled an apple Danish on my blouse this morning and after spending ten minutes in the woman’s washroom, I have a huge wet spot just over my breast.

  Jagger closes the door behind him.

  “Hi, Victoria. I’m Hannah.” She waves like we’re long-time pen pals who just got the opportunity to talk online.

  “Hi. I’m sorry. I’m not prepared.”

  She smiles. “I know. No worries. I told Jagger I didn’t want you prepared. I don’t like all the nervousness and formalities of interviews, not to mention all the prepared answers. I’m kind of an odd duck.” She shrugs while her hand keeps petting the dog who’s now rolled up beside her on the sleek white couch.

  “I’m just thankful for this opportunity. So, you’re looking for an assistant?” I adjust the screen to try to hide the wet spot on my blouse.

  “I am. I hate to say though, you’ll be more of an office manager as well. We’re starting small. Me, you and a marketing manager, but we’ll have our hands in a lot of business.”

  “What is the foundation for?”

  “RISE is the name and it stands for Respect, Inspire, Support, Empower. It’s for young girls. My goal is to put programs in place for girls to meet and encourage one another to succeed. To find their own voice and use their own ideas to grow into well rounded women who are true to themselves. I’m probably going to go TMI on you now, but I come from a rich family and I didn’t realize how ridiculous the values I was raised with were until I divorced recently and took a weed wacker to them. My mom taught me to marry well so I didn’t have to work. I was expected to push my own dreams and aspirations aside to boost my husband’s. Can you even believe it?”

  She thumbs through her papers.

  “This is our logo.” She holds the piece of paper up to the screen.

  “I love the whole thing.”

  I do, especially when I think of my own daughter, but I want to make sure this is secure.

  “Great. So, Jagger didn’t really give me a time frame for when you’re moving here.” She straightens her back, shifting in her seat and the dog stirs next to her.

  Surely, I’m not hired?

  “Three weeks. I gave my two weeks here and I need a week to pack everything up.”

  “You driving out?”

  “No, we’re flying. A moving van will be bringing everything a few days later.” Thanks to Pete who volunteered to fly us first class because he didn’t want me to drive Jade across country with no male to protect us. Insert eyeroll, I know.

  “Great. That’s perfect timing. One week to get situated in Chicago and then you can start in a month?”

  “Hannah, don’t you want to hear about my qualifications?”

  She laughs and the dog jumps into her lap. “No. Jagger vouched for you and that’s enough for me. I’m sure working for him is no picnic.” She pushes the dog off her lap. “Lucy!” she scolds, but the dog keeps jumping, her nail snagging Hannah’s sweater. “This thing cost me more than you did!” She screams watching the thread unravel as Lucy hops off the couch, the string still attached to her.

  “Before I disrobe here in front of you, I better go. I’m sure my dog is going to relieve herself in my house if I don’t let her out. Jagger mentioned that you have a daughter? I can’t imagine if a dog is this hard to care for, how a human being must be?” She shakes her head and then all I see is her waist. “I’ll get your number and email from Jagger, but welcome to RISE, Victoria.” Her voice starts fading until all that’s in the camera view is the white couch with Hannah having a stern conversation with her dog about etiquette and manners.

  I shut the laptop lid and slide back into the leather office chair wondering if that was all a dream. Did he get me a job on his good word alone?

  The door clicks open and he whistles on his way back to his desk.

  “Done so soon?” he asks, sitting down in his chair across from me with a cup of coffee from
the break room. “Why didn’t you tell me about the break room situation?”

  I crinkle my forehead.

  “It stinks in there. People actually use the microwave?” You’d think someone just dropped a plate of pig’s feet in front of him from the look on his face.

  “Not everyone likes to eat out for lunch,” I say.

  “Did you know?” He leans forward. “People use actual mugs.”

  “Shame on them for caring about the environment.”

  “Anyway, how did it go?” he asks, changing the subject because he just mentally scratched off the break room from a place he’ll visit again.

  “She hired me,” I mumble, still lost in a daze.

  “Now will you say thank you, Jagger?” He leans back in his chair, his hands steepled with an arrogant smile in place.

  “Thank you, Jagger,” I say. “She hired me without knowing anything about me.”

  He shrugs. “I told her everything she needed to know.”

  “That’s scary.”

  “Relax, Victoria. I know I give you a lot of shit, but you’re a…good worker.”

  “Why?” I ask, standing up from the chair so I can continue my day.

  “Why what?” He lifts the top of his laptop.

  “Why did you do that for me? You’re mad that I’m leaving.”

  He shakes his head. “I thought we got each other.” He types in his password and then his gaze fixes back on me. “I’m selfish sure, but I understand why you’re going back to Chicago. I probably wouldn’t do it for my own mom given our relationship but look what I did for Marisol. I understand needing to be there for someone. But you have to promise not to tell anyone because I will deny it. You’re a good person and I wanted to make your life a little easier.”

  I can’t help the warm feeling invading my chest. “Is it too much if I give you a hug?”

  He glances back at the computer screen, obviously uncomfortable with my appreciation. “Quinn is the jealous type. You wouldn’t want to show up to work on your first day with a black eye, would you?” His gaze stays fixed on the screen in front of him.

  “Again, thank you, Jagger. I’m not sure that’s even enough.”

  “Hannah’s going to be light on you. Don’t slack on the job. I’ll be checking in.” Without ever looking away from his computer, he continues his day as I stare down at the man I once loathed as a boss.

  Sometimes the most beautiful people come with a few sharp edges.

  Chapter Four

  “My girls!” my mom swings her front door open and holds out both of her hands.

  Jade runs to her while trying to secure her backpack on.

  “Don’t worry, I got it all!” I yell ahead, but they’re lost in each other’s arms already.

  I watch them embrace. My mom hasn’t seen Jade nearly as much as she wanted to over the years.

  Then I realize my legs are circled by suitcases.

  “Thanks.” I turn to the taxi driver and hand him the money.

  “Jade come roll yours,” I call, and she holds up her finger to my mom and runs back down the walkway.

  “Everything’s so dark here,” she whispers when she reaches me. “Where’s the sun?”

  I chuckle, grabbing two suitcases. “You’ll see it in May.”

  “But it’s April next week.”

  “I’m kidding, Jade. It’s dreary today that’s all.” I nod toward my mom. “Go to Grandma.”

  Jade walks up the path while I take in the neighborhood I grew up in. The street is the same. A few of the older multi-family homes on the block have been torn down and high priced single family homes with brick exteriors and black rod iron fences erected in their place.

  “I know what you’re going to say. And you’re right. Pretentious, but they’re good neighbors,” my mom says as I reach her.

  “They’re nice,” I comment. As I enter in one of the last Chicago bungalows on our block, I wonder how long before someone comes knocking on my mom’s door to try and buy it out from under her.

  “That they are.”

  “Are there any families? Kids for Jade to play with?”

  She shoots me her you should know better look. “It’s the city dear. No one is playing hopscotch on the sidewalks or riding their bike down to Irving Park.”

  I guess times are different than when I was a kid.

  “I took that check you sent me down to St. Pat’s Catholic School yesterday. Made sure to double check with the secretary and she’s all set for Monday.”

  “Great. Thank you, Mom.”

  We walk into the house and instantly the smell of home wraps around me like a parka during a Chicago winter. Everything is the same as it was when I was here last, minus the snow thank goodness.

  Jade throws her coat on the couch and runs down the hall. “Which bedroom is mine?” she screams.

  “Your mom’s old room,” my mom calls down the hall.

  I sit down on a chair in the living room, abandoning my own luggage by the front door.

  “Do you want a drink or something to eat?” my mom asks.

  “No, I just want to sit down for a second.”

  “You sat for six hours on the plane,” she deadpans.

  “Take a seven-year-old through two airports and tell me you aren’t bone tired after you’re done.”

  Thankfully, Jade is a very helpful and mature seven-year-old, but I kind of wish I would’ve taken Pete up on his offer to escort us to Chicago. But part of leaving Los Angeles was to have a clean slate and I couldn’t do that with my ex footing the bill and helping me the entire way.

  “She’s an angel compared to you at that age.” My mom tips her head and peers down at me.

  “Why thanks, Mom.” I’m surprised when she doesn’t smack me on the back of the head over my sarcastic tone.

  She sits down on the couch, her feet propped up on the coffee table. “When do you start?”

  “I have to go in on Friday just to meet Hannah and the marketing manager and get acquainted. It will be quick and then I start on Monday.”

  “I’ll take care of Jade. We have some catching up to do anyway. I can pick her up from school, too.”

  “Mom. I didn’t move here so you could be Jade’s babysitter.”

  “If you thought it was so you could be my babysitter, you’re wrong. I’m fine. I can walk and talk and feed myself.” There’s joking in her tone, but an underlay of warning.

  She’s stubborn and what can I say? The apple fell right out of the tree with me. She’s hard-working and not about to let anything slow her down. I’m here to make sure she doesn’t overdo it.

  “Walking three blocks to get her isn’t going to be a big deal. Not to mention it’ll be good for me.”

  I’m not going to argue with her right now. I’ll wait until I can find a babysitter or maybe a mother who lives nearby to walk her home with her own child.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I say, which is the only thing that will appease her in this moment because I’m not starting the next world war within the first five minutes of being here.

  “You’re welcome. Glad that he let you come.” She pats my leg, standing up.

  By he, she means Pete. We never refer to him by name in the house.

  “He’s nice like that.”

  “Don’t go letting him fool you. Now he can live the bachelor life all month long.” She leaves the room before I can argue back.

  All she sees in Pete is the man who hurt her little girl similar to the ways my dad hurt her. Talk about a sick and twisted cycle.

  “Mommy. Mom!” Jade runs into the living room with my mom’s cat Moe in her arms.

  I inch back a little because he’s not always pleasant.

  “Look at Moe.” She squeezes him so tight around the neck I fear his head is going to pop off. “Can he sleep with me?” she asks.

  “Sure,” I say. I’ll let her know later that it’s never going to happen.

  Moe is like a night crawler, suddenly you wake up and he’s
wrapped around your neck. We’ll be shutting our doors.

  “Who wants pizza?” My mom comes in with a stack of pizza place menus. Gotta love Chicago, there’s a pizza joint on every corner.

  “Yay!” Jade starts jumping around the room with Moe hanging in her arms.

  “How about Gino’s?” I ask.

  “The one off Lincoln? I’ll call.” My mom disappears to use her home phone in the kitchen.

  Jade sits on my lap with Moe who looks nothing short of unenthusiastic about his new house guests, especially the little one. “Mom?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Is daddy going to come visit?”

  I couldn’t tell Pete that he couldn’t see us off at the airport—I’m not that cruel—but it did leave a crying girl in my arms until after take-off. I couldn’t even bribe her with a Frappuccino from Starbucks.

  “Yep and he promises to call.”

  She shoots me a look because although Pete is hands on while face-to-face, time slips past him when it comes to phone calls.

  “We can video chat with him, too.”

  Her eyes light up. “He said he’s going to get me a phone.”

  “We’ll talk about it.” I push the conversation away. She’s seven and does not need a phone. I mentally tag that topic in my head to discuss with Pete.

  “Pizza is on its way.” My mom comes in and Moe squirms to get out of Jade’s hold, meowing and jumping next to my mom.

  Jade isn’t easily detoured and follows him, petting him as he lays next to my mom. He decides to tolerate the unwanted attention.

  “Thanks again, Mom.”

  “Stop thanking me. You girls are the ones who uprooted your life to move here.”

  “We’re happy to do it.” I smile.

  “Yeah, we’re happy to do it.” Jade mimics me and smiles over at my mom.

  “It’s so great to have my girls with me. We’re going to have so much fun.” She squeezes Jade into her side.

  I watch the two knowing that regardless of how hard of a decision this was, it was the right one. I know Pete grabbed the short end of the straw on this one and I’ll have to remember that the next time we disagree on something. Right now, after all the disappointing men in my life, I’m happy to be surrounded by the female race.