by Fifi Flowers
“Do you have any coffee made?” I decided I better calm myself before I jumped in with words about the job not being right for me.
“Help yourself.” He waved his hand toward a kitchenette area in his massive corner office that was three times the size of what I had assumed was my new office.
That office was great. It was perfectly decorated with nautical elements that reminded me of a lighthouse…or my apartment in Marseille. The vintage looking telescope on what looked like rickety legs was the best part, other than the colorful fish mounted on the wall. I remember taking mine out onto the balcony and pointing out constellations to Waverly—another thing I paid attention to in school. Did she buy that because of our time together? Did it remind her of me?
“What seems to be the problem?” My father inquired while I poured a piping hot cup of coffee for myself. “Shouldn’t you be at work by now?”
Turning around, I avoided eye contact and sat across from him in his sitting area where he was looking through documents. I often wondered why he had a desk since I rarely found him sitting at it. Not that I was in his office that much, but I couldn’t recall a time where I caught him behind it. His casual way about conducting business made me think that maybe we were related after all. That and we both took our coffee straight up strong and black.
“I had a brief meeting with Waverly and I was a bit confused.” He seemed very interested in whatever I had to say by the way he put everything aside and gave me his full attention. That move seemed to send up signals…warnings to me that he was waiting to hear my reaction to her. I needed to pick my words carefully and leave out the fact that I was familiar with her.
“I was under the impression that I would be heading up the division.” I decided to stop there and let him expound on the situation.
“Well, I didn’t think that would be a wise decision for a couple of reasons. One, you are looking for a new place for yourself and if you decided it wasn’t for you, I would have to scramble to find a replacement. Which brings me to my number two reason: Miss Monroe is an excellent employee and has been with our company for a few years. Before coming to Butler Industries, she worked for the Anderson Corporation. She deserved her shot at heading up a new division. That girl…woman is smart and she went above and beyond to study what cyber security entails. She’s the kind of woman you need.”
He had said more than he probably meant to and his move to put Waverly in charge and me beneath her… “Wait. Do you expect me to be her assistant?”
“I expect you to learn from her and help her in any means possible to get this division up and running.” The look on his face wasn’t his typical stern “you’ve done something wrong and you need to fix it.” Or his “listen to me son, this is how it’s going to be” tone either.
The setup screamed matchmaking and adding in the mention of Waverly working for Joseph Anderson made me that more suspicious. However, she had worked for both of them for quite a while and she was still single. If they only knew how right she had been for me at one time, they’d be overly pleased with their attempt or shocked by our past connection.
I had absolutely no idea what to do. Did I suck it up and work with her? I definitely was not going to be her errand boy and fetch her coffee and whatnot every time she needed something. Maybe we could come to some understanding that entailed a partnership. And I really didn’t want to come off as the spoiled daddy’s boy who just waltzed in to an expected position…
Shit! That was exactly what I did.
Thankfully no one else saw or heard me. I could go back down there and start over. Walk in like everyone else and see what the plan was. I could work this out somehow. The worse thing that could happen, I quit and someone else moved up to my place. Someone else could spend hours with Waverly… Someone female could spend hours with her, assisting her.
But if I were to corner her first, I could get answers from her. Then once I was satisfied I could and would move on. I just needed to know. I needed closure.
“Hey, Dad. I think I’ll head back down and see if something could be worked out. Maybe it will be okay, but I’m not done looking. I don’t think the cyber thing is for me, but I could learn a thing or two for the time being.”
I was up and back to the kitchenette to wash out my cup then I was heading for the door.
“Sorry to barge in,” was the last thing I said to him and I swear he was stifling a big ass grin.
Chapter Nine
Waverly
Yes, I know exactly who you are, Maverick! I thought to myself as he continued with his cocky behavior.
What a pompous ass he was! Of course, I knew who he was the moment he got up close to me even with his hair cut short…and dark brown. I could never forget the way his blue-green eyes twinkled when he smiled at me… But he was so different. I remembered an exciting, gentle, respectful, sweet, sexy boy who made me feel special…even if it wasn’t real. Besides, a girl, generally, never forgot her first time or the guy that she gave her virginity to.
Strolling through villages down old streets and shopping open-air markets was so much fun…until he challenged me. Actually, he was always challenging me with his no English spoken rule. If I was honest, I loved it and it was really helping me, but speaking with him and speaking to locals was very different. I was totally out of my comfort zone, but I did my best.
“We’re going to cook tonight. Seafood stew.” That sounded great and I was all for it until he finished telling me his idea. “Let’s go down to visit the fisherman and see what kind of deal you can get us for dinner.”
“I hope they take pity on me smiling at them and pointing to their catch of the day.” It was serious business down there and there were often lots of people vying for the freshest and best filets and shellfish. Things could get heated and I wanted no part of the haggling, but he wanted me to try. I decided that I would do it while accepting whatever price they offered. I knew for sure he would jump in and save me.
It turned out to be an awesome adventure. A perfect sun-filled day, I wore a sundress and sandals I had picked out and Maverick bought for me on one of our day excursions. We popped into a few places after we bought a slew of seafood, gathering bread, cheese, fruit, a sweet chocolatey pastry and a few other items to enhance his soup. I loved the lifestyle of buying fresh rather than stock piling the freezer with things to be defrosted and cooked.
I really loved working with Maverick in the kitchen. Payments for doing or saying the right thing involved lots of yummy kisses and a few hugs. It was as we sat on the balcony eating our feast that I decided I wanted so much more than hugs, kisses and rubbing bodies.
Wanting it to be a special moment I would remember forever, I took extra time in the bathroom after my usual nightly shower. The way I stepped into Maverick’s room was bold and brave for me since I left my towel and t-shirt behind. I loved the look on his face and how he swallowed hard as I crawled on the bed to him.
My head swirled in the clouds and my body moved in rhythm with his as I tried to act like I knew what I was doing. He caught on quickly and slowed our movements, making it a better experience than I imagined. And it got better and better the days that followed until it was time to leave. Something I never wanted to do, but I had to finish my journey for myself.
You can’t let a foolish crush…love get in the way, Waverly.
When he asked me to return my heart leapt in my chest and I nearly spoke words of love, but I didn’t want to scare the hell out of him. It was enough that he wanted me back and was speaking of forever with me. Who could ask for more than that?
Packed and ready to go the next morning, I went to watch Maverick’s team play a game. It was my first time watching water polo. I had absolutely no idea what was going on except when one of the teams scored. Whistles were blown constantly and the ball was flying through the air from player to player. It was exciting and I was having a great time until a few girls joined me in the stands.
It was then that I real
ized I wasn’t anyone special.
“You’re the American girl taking our Maverick’s time.” The girl spoke in English with a French accent to me and to her giggling friends in French which it was obvious she didn’t think I understood. Which some of it I didn’t, but I caught enough to know they were mean girls. Some were girlfriends of the players and maybe others were groupies.
Wanting to hear what all they had to say, I responded to them only in English. “He’s very nice. He’s been showing me around… This is my first game.” The last part was probably stupid to say since I had never met any of them before.
One girl then replied in French saying that it was my first and only game.
“I heard you’re leaving?” Another girl chimed in.
“Yes, I’m going to Spain and Portugal and then I’ll be back.”
For whatever reason that caused a stir of laughter between all of them. I should’ve moved away. They were making me miss the game and they really weren’t nice at all and it got worse after I mentioned that he asked me to stay.
“Don’t fool yourself. Enjoy your trip and go home. You’re just another easy American girl. We see girls like you come and go weekly.”
I wanted to dispute their claims.
I wanted to stick up for myself.
But I listened the best I could to the snickers and little comments before one of them spoke up to deliver the final blow.
“He gave you his nickname. Not his real name. That’s code for…how do you say booty call…a good time? Nothing serious. Just sex.”
Maybe they were right. I never questioned his name. We lived in the moment. We spent time together and never talked about our real lives. We spoke about the culture surrounding us and experienced whatever was presented to us each day. Nothing else seemed important. Just us. No outsiders. I wished it had stayed that way. Letting others in was the end of us.
That night when we spent our last night together unbeknownst to him, I acted the same as always and enjoyed every last moment. When he left early the next day for practice with his team, I got up, showered and set my backpack by the front door. Then to keep myself busy and to keep myself from crying my eyes out while I waited until Maverick returned, I straightened up the apartment. Then as I sat on the balcony where we had spent so many nights looking at stars, eating and laughing, I did the saddest thing ever and changed my plane ticket home, again.
Time to leave before he crushes you completely, Waverly.
How I played it cool as he took me to the train and kissed me goodbye, I have no idea. And when he said come back and stay forever I nodded my head and bit my lip. It wasn’t until we shared our final kiss and embrace and I found a seat on the train that I let the tears pour down.
Days later, after Maverick stepped back into my life as Morgan, I still couldn’t stop reliving all of our moments together in Marseille from our happy beginning to our sad ending.
“Are you okay, Waverly?” I heard a soothing voice say. Then I realized that real tears had spilled from my eyes and I wiped my face. I surely didn’t want to be crying in my new find—a great café with amazing coffee, pastry, food, and wine.
“Fine. Just reliving old memories of a summer romance that went wrong.”
“Oh, don’t tell me that.” My favorite server, Evie, looked alarmed by my words as she delivered another cup of coffee and a cute little mini cake. “I have my own summer fling going on and I’m not sure it was such a good thing to start.”
I sighed and felt bad that I had said anything. I didn’t even want to tell her that my…my what? The boy that broke my heart had returned to torment me more and we had yet to open up that can of worms, but I knew it was coming any day. He was behaving and being very helpful partnering with me—I refused to bring up the subject of him being my assistant. I think he felt better since he didn’t have to sit at a desk parked in front of my door in favor of his own smaller office next to mine.
You’d like him parked next to you, Waverly, if you were being honest.
He seemed to be waiting for me to bring up the Marseille incident all the while he made sure that I knew he played water polo. In fact, he had installed a few photos, a water polo ball, a couple medals, and a few trophies to decorate his space. I was waiting for the day he strolled in wearing his cap and a speedo. That thought had me laughing.
“That’s what I like to hear,” Evie said when she returned with pastry boxes filled with croissants I ordered after my dream popped up again. Strange enough, there was an added person in my parents’ kitchen. Yep, Morgan was teaching my father words in French while my father taught him the art of making his special flaky treats.
“Your employees must love you.”
“At one time, I wouldn’t have minded if one did—” I mumbled and Evie cut me off.
“Wait! What?! Your romance was with an employee? So it’s still possible that it could turn out after all?” There was so much excitement in her voice as she plopped into the chair across from me on the back patio filled with delicious sunshine.
“I’d rather hear about your situation than mine. You’re in the middle of your romance, I assume?” She nodded. “Then maybe we can make sure yours turns out however you want it… Something tells me that you’re in love with this guy.” Evie bit her bottom lip as I rattled on.
“He’s only here for the summer.” She slumped a bit in her seat.
“Excuse me, Evie,” another café server addressed her. “Did you want me to bring you a coffee and special…” She giggled. “…cookie?” I wasn’t sure what that meant, but Evie smiled and nodded.
Once her order arrived, she let me in on everything. How he was a musician scouting talent and performing a bit locally—including open mic nights in the café which she invited me to. Apparently, they had so much in common and he had given her a bit of confidence, encouraging her to pursue her own songwriting and possibly singing talent.
“Your situation is the opposite of mine… I was the one that left. We met in France when I was on vacation… He was just using me. In all fairness, we were really young. Ten years ago… and not ready for anything real. I know that now, but it hurt.”
“And now he’s your employee? You work together? Does he have a sexy French accent?” Her eyes seemed to glaze over imagining a foreigner.
“It turned out that he was an American from the San Diego area and his family owns the company where I work now.” It sounded totally impossible like something in a romance book. Evie’s mouth was hanging wide open as I continued talking about my messed up situation. “He recently came back from Europe and his father placed him in this new division I’m heading up.”
“How did he explain dumping you? Has he apologized? Does he remember you? You’re gorgeous. How could he forget you?” I loved the way she rambled on in a singy-songy voice that once again had me thinking that she must have an amazing singing voice.
“I pretended not to know him. I don’t know why. Maybe I was shocked. And, now he’s pushing my buttons saying things in an attempt to get me to react. The time is nearing, I can sense it. I don’t really want to rehash the past and yet, he makes my heart pound every day—”
“Sounds like you two might be meant to be together. Something brought you back together… You make me feel like there might be hope for me. Maybe he’ll come back to me next year. I know he has to leave,” she sighed heavily. “I better get back to work and you better go treat your employees to these amazing croissants.” She stood up taking our empty dishes. “I’m routing for you, Waverly.”
“I think there’s still hope for you too. Maybe he’ll ask you to go with him.”
“Thanks,” she responded, giving me a one armed hug before disappearing.
Following the way she went, I walked through the busy café with my boxes and walk several blocks back to work. I should’ve taken a car but it was a nice day and I needed to clear my mind and get prepared to see Maverick…Morgan.
Chapter Ten
Morgan
When my brother, Mason, texted me to see if I wanted to train with him—riding bikes and then running through the streets of downtown—it couldn’t have come at a better time. I needed to stay busy to keep from going crazy with want for my co-worker. The weekends were abso-fucking-lutely the worst as I wondered what she was up to:
Was she dating someone?
Was she home alone with a cat as a companion? No, that was me!
Was she spending hours thinking about me?
“What about swimming? Shouldn’t we be putting it all together?” I asked after we finished biking and left the bikes inside his office building where he also lived.
“I swim daily and you put in a few days already. Swimming has never been an issue for us,” Mason answered as we started south toward the Petco Stadium.
He was always avoiding the subject of his hairdresser friend, but I knew perfectly well that he was using the pool at her apartment building. “So you’ll run with me and bike with me but you’re not willing to share your pool with me?”
“You have your own pool at the university.”
I laughed. He was right, but I loved to razz the fuck out of him.
“I could maybe help you with a woman if you were looking for more than a hookup.” In other words stay away from his woman.
“Yeah. No thank you. I don’t need a woman.”
I already had the one I wanted within reach physically, though she was a million miles out of my reach…for the moment. I would wear her down and we would…she would tell me why she left me. I knew she knew who I was but, for the love of God, I couldn’t figure out why she wouldn’t say something. She was the perfect professional business woman day in and day out, torturing me by wearing clothes tailored to her curvy body along with fuck me heels.