Out in the Open

by Glazer, J B

I spend the rest of the day in meetings and on conference calls. I get a text from Jake late in the afternoon.

  You’ve been off IM. What time are you leaving?

  Tech support has my computer. I’m not sure. Maybe seven?

  I’ll drive you home. I have things to finish up, so I’ll be here for a while.

  Thanks. Where should I meet you? On a street corner?

  I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.

  What are you implying, Hartman?

  Well, your skirt is rather short today.

  My skirt is perfectly appropriate office attire. I’m insulted you would think otherwise.

  You’re always very appropriate. It’s just that it’s been a distraction for me today.

  Oh, perhaps I should wear it more often.

  Definitely. ☺ Let’s head out together. I think it should be pretty quiet by then. If we run into someone, we’ll make a game-time decision.

  I roll my eyes. Since when did this become a game we have to strategize? My cell phone rings, and I see it’s my mom. We usually talk every few days.

  “Hi, Mom. How are you?” She asks me how things are going with work. “They’re good. I’m actually still here.”

  “Lexi, you’ve been working a lot of long hours. Make sure you don’t overdo it.” I assure her I’m fine; it’s just a busy time, and this isn’t the norm. “So how are things with you and Jake?” she asks.

  I recently told my parents we’re dating, but I haven’t told them about Jake wanting to keep things quiet. They’re so thrilled I’m finally seeing someone that I didn’t want to bring it up. I’m not sure how they would take the news. It’s not that I think it’s a big deal; I just worry they’ll interpret it the wrong way. I ask my mom about her current projects, and she fills me in on her latest client, a demanding divorcée. “She makes a decision but then keeps changing her mind, which sets back the project timeline. I keep warning her, and she agrees, but then when things are delayed, she throws a fit.”

  “It sounds like that could be why her marriage didn’t last.”

  My mom laughs. “I suppose you’re right. Well, I don’t want to keep you from your work.”

  “Love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too.”

  I meet Jake in the lobby at seven. “Looks like we’re all clear,” I say in an authoritative voice. He gives me a funny look. “What do you want to do for dinner?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Let’s pick something up and bring it back to my place.”

  I realize we haven’t been out to dinner since our trip to San Francisco. “How about we eat out?”

  Jake shrugs. “It’s been a long day—another time.”

  “Will there be another time?”

  “Yes, there will, just not tonight.”

  “OK, I’m fine with keeping this on the down-low, but do you have a plan?”

  “No, I don’t have a set timetable for when we’ll go public,” Jake says. “I told you, I do intend to tell people. Let’s just wait until the timing is right.”

  When will that be? I wonder. How will he decide when the timing is right? I’m about to argue but decide to drop the subject for now. It’s frustrating being at his mercy just because it’s his issue, not mine. On the car ride home, I muse that this has become my life, a life of secrets.

  We go to his place and decide to get takeout from Sushi Maki. The last time I ate there was when I ran into Jake, and Heather revealed I’d been engaged. That feels like ages ago.

  “Fill me in on what I’ve missed at the office,” he says as he unpacks our food.

  “Nothing really. Nicole is dating someone new.”

  “Tell me something I don’t already know.”

  “Actually I feel bad. I thought maybe things would work out with…What’s his name?”

  “Exactly.”

  “She seemed upset about it,” I say. “Her birthday is coming up so I’m going to plan a little surprise party at work to lift her spirits.”

  “That’s nice of you.”

  “Speaking of…your birthday is coming up. Am I allowed to take you to dinner?”

  “Actually my parents are hosting a dinner for me at their condo on Sunday. I’d love for you to be there,” he says.

  Wow, he wants me to meet his parents. “OK.” I smile at him. “I’d love to come.”

  “Good,” he says, looking relieved.

  “Are they having a lot of people over?”

  “Just my immediate family. Aside from my mom and dad, Kate, her husband Adam, and Hailey will be there, and Nick and Danielle, his fiancée.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting her. And I’m excited to see Hailey again.”

  “She’ll be excited too. She asks about you a lot.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. Apparently you made quite the impression on her.”

  “Well, at least I have a good track record with your family so far,” I joke.

  “Don’t worry. Everyone will love you.”

  As we’re cleaning up after dinner, I realize Jake didn’t answer me about taking him out for his birthday. And I can’t help think he perfectly evaded the question.

  The next day I’m knee-deep, working on a brief. I’ve been at it all morning, but it still needs work. Frustrated, I decide to take a break and come back to it. I’m about to check my e-mail when I receive a text message from Jake.

  How about lunch?

  Sure. Where do you want to meet?

  Your place.

  Oh, that kind of lunch. I’m actually kind of hungry…and I mean for food.

  I’ll make sure you’re satisfied in every way.

  You always do.

  ☺ I’ll be there at twelve fifteen.

  You’re on.

  I check my e-mail then try to get back to writing my brief, but now I’m distracted. I check my watch and see that it’s only eleven. I sigh. What’s the use? It’ll just have to wait until after lunch.

  At eleven fifty-five, I head out, excited about our secret rendezvous. When I get to my building, I go upstairs and quickly freshen up and brush my teeth. Jake knocks at exactly twelve fifteen.

  “You’re punctual as usual,” I tell him.

  “I tried my best not to be early,” he replies, as he pulls me into an embrace.

  “I have to be back for a meeting by one thirty.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll have you back in time,” he says, as he leads me into the bedroom. This is definitely a perk of living close to the office I hadn’t anticipated. Twenty-five minutes later, we’re sitting at my kitchen table having lunch. Jake picked up a grilled-chicken Caesar salad for me and a panini for himself.

  “Thanks for getting lunch,” I tell him.

  “I told you not to worry about being hungry.”

  “That’s not what I thought you meant.”

  “I told you I would satisfy you in every way.”

  “And you did.”

  He gives me a smug smile. Then he says, “So I have big news.”

  “What?”

  “We won the pitch.”

  “Get out! Seriously?”

  “Michael called shortly before I came over. Their fiscal starts next month, so we have a few weeks to staff up.”

  “Jake, that’s amazing. Congrats!”

  “Thanks, but don’t forget that you played a huge part in helping us secure the win.” His phone rings, but he silences the call.

  “Do you need to take that?”

  “No, it’s just one of my Yale buddies. He got engaged recently and already wants to plan his bachelor party. That reminds me…I’ve been meaning to ask you, when would your wedding have been?”

  “Labor Day weekend.”

  “Wow, that’s coming up next month. Do you have anything planned?”

  “No, to be honest I haven’t really thought about it.” This isn’t exactly true. My friends have been bugging me about arranging another girls’ night out, but I’ve been evasive. I guess
I just want to avoid the whole thing.

  “We should go somewhere,” Jake says.

  “I love that idea. Where should we go?”

  “You leave the planning to me. Can you get the time off?”

  I think for a minute. “It should be fine. We don’t have work that Friday or Monday. We could leave Thursday night and come back the following weekend. I’d only have to take off four days. What about you?”

  “I never take vacation. There’s nothing pressing that I know of, so let’s do it.”

  I’m beyond excited.

  We walk back to the office, and Jake gets off the elevator first. I let him walk ahead of me, and Ross stops him a few feet away from my office. When I pass them, Jake gives me a casual “Hey, Lexi.”

  “Hi, Jake, Ross,” I say then sit down at my desk. I resume my brief writing and find I’m much more focused now. Rihanna’s “We Found Love” comes on the radio and takes me back to my first night with Jake in San Francisco. I turn up the volume and hum along as I type. I sense a presence; I look up and see Nicole watching me in the doorway.

  “Sorry,” I tell her. “Was the music too loud?”

  She looks at me with narrowed eyes and says, “You had sex.”

  “What?”

  “I said, ‘You had sex.’”

  “I heard what you said. How did you know?” I ask incredulously.

  “You’ve been different these past few weeks. Lighter is the only word that comes to mind.”

  I wonder whether Jake is still outside my office talking to Ross, but I don’t want Nicole following my gaze.

  “You’ve been seeing someone,” she says accusingly.

  I feel myself turn a deep red; I’ve always been a terrible liar. “Yes, I have. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I just didn’t know where things would go.”

  “And?”

  “Things are going really well.”

  “That’s great! What’s his name?”

  “Nick,” I say without missing a beat.

  “What does he do?”

  “He’s an investment banker.”

  “Does he have any friends?”

  I laugh. “I haven’t met them yet, but I’ll keep my eye open for you.”

  “Thanks.” I think she’s about to leave, but then she asks, “How’s the sex?”

  I pause for a moment, unaccustomed to divulging such personal information with people at work. But then again, Nicole is more of a friend than just a coworker. “Mind blowing,” I finally answer.

  “Lucky bitch,” she says as she walks out of my office.

  I’m just about done with my brief when my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Jake.

  Mind blowing, huh?

  So he was outside my door.

  Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop on people’s private conversations?

  You didn’t answer the question.

  I thought I did. You heard my answer.

  It was pretty loud and clear over lunch.

  I feel myself blush once again. I’m glad he’s not here to see it. I choose to ignore him, but he responds anyway.

  Nick. That’s an interesting choice.

  Is he insecure about this? Seriously?

  It’s the first name that came to mind. Don’t read anything into it—although good looks definitely run in the family.

  I wait a few minutes. There’s no response, so I change the subject.

  Thanks again for lunch today. And to go back to your initial question, it was very satisfying.

  ☺

  Now please stop bugging me. I have work to do.

  Smiling, I return to my brief yet again. This time I finally finish it. I reread it once last time and decide it’s perfect.

  The next day I submit a vacation request, which Morgan approves. Now I just need to figure out where to tell people I’m going. Why does something as simple as taking a trip have to be so complicated? I send Jake an e-mail to let him know I got the days approved and to solicit his advice on where to say I’m going. He suggests saying I’m visiting friends in New York, which I easily can do. I just wish I didn’t have to.

  The rest of the week passes quickly, and tonight I’m meeting Jake’s family. I fret about what to wear. I decide on a lilac sleeveless wrap dress with ruffle details at the bodice. It’s soft and feminine. I pair it with silver espadrille wedge sandals. I brush out my hair and wonder whether I should pull it back. But then Jake calls to tell me he’s five minutes away. I grab my Tiffany bracelet for good luck, along with Jake’s birthday gift and the potted orchid I bought for his mom, then head to the lobby. I’m very nervous about meeting his family. With Ben it was easy because I happened to run into his parents during Mother’s Day weekend while we were in college. It was still early on in our relationship, so there was no pressure. Now it’s a formal event where I know Jake’s parents will be judging whether I’m good enough for their son. I see Jake’s car pull up. I take a deep breath and head outside. He comes around and opens the door for me.

  “Hi. You look beautiful,” he says, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

  “Thanks. You look nice too.” He’s wearing a pinstripe button-down shirt and black pants. I notice he’s wearing the same silver cuff links from my first day at Hartman & Taylor. “I like those cuff links. Were they a gift?” I figure this is better than overtly asking if they were from a girlfriend.

  “As a matter of fact, they were. My mom gave them to me when I got the job at Hartman and Taylor.”

  I feel relieved. While I’m well aware he has a past, I prefer that he not wear it. “I wish I could have seen the house you grew up in,” I tell him. Jake once told me his parents moved to a condo on Lake Shore Drive after he graduated from high school.

  He parks in their building and grabs my hand as we ride the elevator up to their unit. “Nervous?” he asks me.

  “A little,” I admit.

  “They’ll love you. You’re the first girl I’ve brought home in a long time. Believe me, they already think you walk on water.”

  Jake knocks on their door, and his mom answers. She has short, stylish, blond hair and is dressed in a nice blouse and pants. She regards me with the same icy-blue eyes as Jake. He gives her a warm hug then makes introductions. “Mom, this is Lexi. Lexi, this is my mom.”

  “Hi, Mrs. Hartman. It’s so nice to meet you,” I say, shaking her hand and offering her the orchid.

  “What a thoughtful gesture. Thank you. Please call me Nancy. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Jake’s told us so much about you. Come on in.”

  She leads us into the kitchen, where everyone else is already gathered. “Lexi, good to see you again,” says Kate. “This is my husband, Adam.”

  “Hi,” I say, shaking his hand. Nick gives me a big hug and introduces me to Danielle. She’s tall, with long, blond hair and warm brown eyes. I decide she’s pretty in an approachable way.

  She smiles at me and says, “I hear I have you to thank for Nick’s creative proposal.”

  I smile back. “I may have given him some suggestions. I’d love to hear the story.”

  Just then Hailey bounds in. “Lexi!” she says, running up to me.

  “Hi,” I say, as I bend down to give her a hug.

  “Will you come play with me?” she asks.

  “Sure. I just need to finish talking to Danielle, and I’ll be right in.”

  “OK,” she says, as she runs back into the family room.

  Danielle tells me the story of their engagement, and I tell Nick I’m impressed. I ask her to see her ring, and it’s beautiful. They seem so happy together, and I can tell they’re a nice couple.

  “Come on. Let me give you a tour,” Jake says.

  The place is very well designed but feels lived in. “You have exquisite taste,” I tell Nancy.

  “Thank you,” she says appreciatively.

  I go into the family room and find Hailey coloring. “What are you making?” I ask her.

  “A picture for the baby.”

&
nbsp; “That’s very nice of you.”

  She nods. “Do you want to color?”

  “Sure,” I say, accepting a piece of paper and some crayons. I draw a rainbow with hearts and flowers. I write Hailey’s name on it and tell her I made it for her.

  “I love it!” she exclaims.

  Jake’s mom comes in and tells us dinner is ready. She’s made Jake’s favorite meal: Caprese salad, pesto pasta with sundried tomatoes and pine nuts, garlic bread, roasted red potatoes, and Chicken Vesuvio. “Everything is delicious,” I tell her. I see where Jake gets his cooking skills.

  Everyone chats easily over the meal. His family asks me a lot of questions but none about my time in New York. I’m guessing Jake told them about my situation. I wonder what his parents must think.

  After dinner, Jake’s mom suggests he open his gifts. I’m glad I thought to bring mine. She hands him a large package and says, “It’s from your dad and me.” Jake opens it to reveal a Fender acoustic guitar. “This is very generous,” he says, giving them each a hug.

  “Did you know Jake was in a band?” Kate asks me.

  “Yes, he mentioned he sang backup.”

  “Do you guys ever play anymore?” Kate asks him.

  “Nah. Once we started working, everyone got pretty busy. I miss it, though. I haven’t owned one like this since high school. This is great,” he says, strumming a few chords.

  I hand him my wrapped box next. I didn’t include a card; I’m saving it for his actual birthday. He opens it and sees the pair of Bulls tickets. He has an unreadable expression on his face.

  “Don’t worry. They’re for you and Nick,” I say quietly. “I already cleared the date with him.”

  “Isn’t it awesome?” Nick exclaims.

  “Thank you,” he says, and kisses me in front of his entire family. I pull away, embarrassed. “This is perfect.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I know you’ve been to the skybox before, but I figured you’ve never sat courtside.”

  “They’re courtside seats?” Jake says. “I didn’t even look. That’s awesome! How did you manage to score these?”

  “Liv’s fiancé, Jason, has a friend who works for Comcast Sports. I asked him to pull some strings.”

  I don’t mention that I’m working on getting them into the locker room after the game. I’ll leave that as a surprise for the day of. He opens the rest of the gifts, and then his mom calls us into the kitchen for cake. We sing “Happy Birthday,” and Hailey helps him blow out the candles. We linger over dessert, and then I offer to help Nancy clean up the kitchen.