by Susan Cairns
“Come on, Reid, you need to give this a chance. You knew what she was like before you decided to move here,” I say, trying to give myself a pep talk as I stop at the foot of the bed.
Pressing my fingers into the corner of my eyes, I massage them for a minute, then I run my hands through my hair, attempting to snap myself out of the funk that overtook me when I walked through the door. I had such a good day today too. Miranda and the staff were so welcoming.
And then there’s Taylor. Spending the day with her was amazing, despite the hot and cold she seemed to be running—not that I can blame her. She definitely gave me the impression that I got the job she was gunning for, but she’d never worked up the courage to admit it. And, holy shit, being so close to her… I swear I can still smell the sweetness of her perfume. She’s beautiful, but that’s not the only thing attractive about her; it’s her intelligence and drive. God, there’s nothing sexier than a woman who knows what she wants, and Taylor Lewis wants my job. Which honestly doesn’t worry me in the least. Even though I can see how smart she is, I can also tell why Miranda didn’t make her an offer. Taylor may have education on her side, but she’s young and needs to learn how to control her emotions in her professional life. Which reminds me I also have to control myself, not from flying off the handle but from wanting to bend my new coworker over my desk and fuck her until she can’t stop screaming my name. Christ, I could be in trouble with this one.
Pulling the tie off snaps me out of the Taylor thoughts long enough for me to focus on changing. I strip off my shirt then pants before heading into the closet to grab an old worn tee and some sweats. Pulling them on, I walk back to the bed to get the pile of dirty clothes. I’m so tempted to leave them on the floor, just to see if Jennifer will say anything about it, but something stops me from being a complete dick.
God, I’m so fired up all of a sudden. I should probably go for a run to burn off some of this energy, but I don’t know the neighborhood yet and I’m not willing to take the chance at getting lost. Admitting that kind of defeat is definitely not on my agenda for the night. Instead I head back out to the living room and sink onto the couch then pull out one of the files Taylor and I didn’t get to go over this afternoon. And now, I’m thinking about Taylor again, Christ.
The beeping of the microwave timer alerts me to the fact that I haven’t attempted to look at the pages sitting on my lap either. Whatever. The way I see it, if I don’t get through this tonight, we’ll have to go over it tomorrow, which means spending more time with Taylor. Learning about the companies I’ll be working with and helping her with the marketing side of our job, of course. I live with Jennifer, I’m in a relationship with her—albeit an unconventional relationship, but it’s still something I’m committed to. This whole I’ve-got-a-hard-on-for-my-coworker bullshit needs to stop, or both my personal and professional lives are going to get good and messy.
Needing to check on the food, I toss the file onto the cushion next to me and head into the kitchen. I lift the top off the crock pot and inhale the smell of chicken and broccoli, then I use the spoon Jennifer left to stir the contents together. After turning the heat down to the “Keep warm” setting, I pop the casserole dish with the rice in the microwave.
On my way back to the couch, Jordan crosses my mind. He’ll want to hear about my first day on the job; it’s about the only thing he was excited for when I said I was moving. After dropping onto the couch, I reach for my suit coat to grab my phone, then I swipe across the screen and head to my favorites for Jordan’s contact.
“Let me guess, you’re homesick,” he answers on the second ring without a greeting. “And your bitch ass needed to call your little brother to make you feel better.”
He’s such a dick, I have to roll my eyes before I respond. “I’m not homesick, you dick, I’m bored. Jennifer’s working late and I’m sitting here alone, so I thought I’d give my younger brother a call to help pass the time,” I say as I lean my head back into the cushion.
“Pfft. Go out to a bar and meet some people, or are you afraid you’ll meet a chick who isn’t going to hold her V-card over your head?”
“Oh my god, we’re back on this again? Jennifer is not a virgin. She just has morals, something you know nothing about.”
“Well, it was better than me asking if her dick poked you in the ass while she spooned you from behind.”
“You’re an asshole. You’ve never even met her and you’re judging her. Oh, and by the way, I called to tell you about my first day at work, not to talk about your opinion of my girlfriend.”
“Is that what you’re calling her now? Because—”
“Yes, damn it, she is my girlfriend,” I cut him off, attempting to stop him from saying something even more stupid.
“Wow, you’re a little testy today. The new job not all it was cracked up to be, or did spending one night with your holy-roller girlfriend make you soft?”
“Work was great, better than I had expected.” I sit up then bend over with my elbows on my knees.
“That can mean two things. One, you’re planning a hostile takeover because you’re obviously better than everyone you work with, or there’s a chick at work who’s already got you rethinking this whole virginal living situation you’re in.” He pauses a beat, probably waiting to see if I’ll take his bait. “So, which is it?”
I give it another few seconds, then I blow out a breath and pinch the bridge of my nose. My brother can read me so well even though he’s not physically with me. “I’m not planning a hostile takeover.”
“What does she look like?” He takes aim and fires the question without attempting to beat around the bush.
“She’s young, mid-twenties, blond hair, blue eyes, legs for days. On top of that, she’s smart and driven.”
“And way too young for you. Not to mention that you just admitted that Jennifer is your girlfriend.”
“Yeah, fuck, I’m screwed,” I confess while running my hand through my hair then down over my face. “And I have to work closely with her for the next few weeks. She handled the accounts I’m taking over.”
“Sounds like things might be a little hard for you, especially if your morally sound girlfriend isn’t putting out.”
“I just… I need to spend more time with Jennifer. I think spending the whole day with Taylor threw me off. Jennifer is the one I moved here for, she’s the one I can have a future with. It’s not like a twenty-something-year-old is ready to settle down anyway,” I attempt to explain my thoughts away as I sit back into the couch again.
“Holy shit, brother, if you’re thinking this after one day, I’d have to agree with you—you’re totally fuckin’ screwed.”
“Thanks for that vote of confidence.”
“Listen, I can take Friday off and fly out. Plan a happy hour or something and I take care of Taylor for you.”
“Hell fuckin’ no, you’re not coming here to hit on Taylor.”
“Right, because you want her, not the other way around. Or do you think she’s got a thing for you too?”
“I don’t know. She was flirty, but then cold, then flirty again. I honestly think she’s pissed I got the job she wanted, but she can’t seem to be nasty to me. Maybe she’s attracted to me, but she’s young and beautiful and I’m old, so probably not.”
“Are you kidding me, Reid? You’re not fucking old, you’re in your prime.”
“Thanks, Dr. Phil, I needed a little clarification for my self-image,” I reply sarcastically.
“I’m just stating a fact. Younger women like their men to be older, more mature, and graying a little around the edges.”
“My hair is not gray.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“You’re not helping.”
“What do you want me to say? Move out, get your own place, and see which woman you’d rather be with? You already know how I feel about you moving in with Jennifer, so if you want my opinion, you already know it.”
“Nothing can h
appen with Taylor. I work with her,” I say, not sure of who I’m trying to convince.
“True, which is why I offered my services. But clearly she’s got you questioning things with Jennifer, so maybe you’re realizing you made a mistake.”
“That’s not it… I just think I need to spend more time with Jennifer.”
“Right, and you called me for what? So I could tell you what you just said? Because I won’t.”
“Fuck, why are you so against this?” I spit out as I lean forward again, propping my elbows on my knees.
“I wasn’t against your move—I think it’s great you found a company where you’re not going to be a number—but I don’t think you and Jennifer are going to last. I know you, and I know what kind of woman you should be with. Trust me, that’s not her. Stop trying to please Mom. She’s not the one who has to live with your decision.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not doing this for Mom,” I say, my anger clearly breaking through.
“Yeah, you are, and it’s because she gives you shit for being single. She does it to me too, but you don’t see me settling for a woman I have absolutely nothing in common with.”
“I’m not going through this with you again.”
“I get it, you want this, but you don’t want it with Jennifer.” He waits for me to refute his comment, but I can’t. “I’m just trying to spare her the heartache, not you, because regardless of how much time you give this, you’re never going to feel that way about her.”
“I think you’re wrong. Jennifer is a great woman, and I will grow to love her.”
“Whatever, I’m done with this conversation. You’re not going to listen to me anyway. But when shit hits the fan, don’t expect me to fly to Buffalo to help you clean it up. Later, Reid.” Jordan disconnects the call.
“What the fuck?” I ask, pulling the phone away from my ear and staring at the black screen. I’m seriously dumbfounded.
Jordan had a lot to say from the moment I mentioned I was moving to Buffalo. He was all for it until I told him I was moving in with Jennifer, then he changed his tune. From the beginning he decided she’s not my type. How he knows this, I have no idea, but even though he’s been right in the past, I’m determined to prove him wrong now. Another thing he’s always bitching and moaning about is our mother and her need to see us married off. Which, again, isn’t the reason I’m with Jennifer. I’m with her because we have potential as a couple, we work well together, and as long as I give it some time, I know we can be great together.
My biggest mistake was mentioning Taylor. I’m not even sure why I did it. It’s not like I planned to, but for some reason, I can’t seem to shake her from my mind. Since I saw her this morning, she’s all I’ve been able to focus on. Getting to know her only heightened it, with the exception of the digs she slipped in the conversation about online dating. It was almost as if she could see right through me and knew the real reason that brought me here. Well, not the only reason anyway. She’ll find out though, especially if she makes a move to the city, where she’ll be nothing but a peon in a cesspool of greed. Unless I can somehow talk her out of it.
No, I’m not going to talk her out of it. I’m going to teach her what she needs to know about marketing then wish her luck. All while building my reputation at Great Lakes and my relationship with Jennifer. Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do.
After shaking my head, I toss my phone on the couch cushion next to me before putting my hands on my knees and pushing up. I’m not sure how long ago the microwave dinged, but I assume the rice is probably not hot anymore. Thankfully, the stuff in the crock pot is warm, so I don’t need to nuke my food and kill the taste. I head to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl from the cupboard I pass, then get the rice from the microwave.
The smell of the chicken and broccoli makes my stomach growl. Apparently getting my ass chewed out by my brother built up my appetite. Once I fill my bowl, I grab a beer from the refrigerator then go back to the couch, snatch the remote from the coffee table, and flip on the TV. Instead of hunting through the channels, I go right to Hulu and enter my HBO Go login credentials, deciding to pick up where I left off on Game of Thrones.
I’m three episodes in when the condo door swings open, slamming against the wall behind it. I nearly jump off the couch, preparing to defend myself against evil-doers. In the seconds it takes me to recover, I realize Jennifer is standing in the doorway with her hands full, just waiting for the door to bounce back so she can catch it with her foot.
“Hey, let me help you.” I move around the arm of the couch to take her bags and place a quick kiss on her lips.
As I pull back, Jennifer says, “Mmm, that’s a nice greeting to come home to. How was dinner?”
“It was good, but you didn’t need to get anything ready. I could have cooked when I got home,” I say as I set her things on the floor next to the couch.
“I know, but it’s what I usually do and I had everything already, so it wasn’t a big deal.”
“I appreciate it, but you work late, so how about I take care of dinner during the week so you don’t have to rush around in the morning?” I say from where I stopped next to the couch.
“l could work with that.” She smiles at me before walking to the kitchen. “I’m putting a lot of faith in you though, considering I don’t know if you can cook yet.” There’s a hint of joking in her tone.
“Don’t worry about that, my mother made sure I could cook before I moved out for college.” I take my seat at the end of the couch. “She didn’t want me to starve to death or get fat from eating junk. Her words, not mine.”
“She sounds like a smart woman. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“And you will. She and my dad are itching to make a trip here. Neither of them have been, and they’ve had Niagara Falls on the brain since I said I was moving.”
“After things settle down with your new job and we get a schedule, you should invite them to come. By the way, how was your first day?” Jennifer asks from the kitchen as she prepares herself dinner.
“It was good. I don’t want to say it was better than I expected, but the staff was definitely more inviting than I had anticipated.” I turn my head to the side so she can hear me clearly from the kitchen.
“That’s really good, it’ll make for a smooth transition for you. Is it much different from what you were doing in Chicago?” She makes her way to the couch and sits beside me.
“A little bit. For the most part, they’ve been focusing on the project management part of business. Helping companies clean things up so they’ll run more smoothly, whereas I was focused solely on marketing. But it’s a good combination for me and them. My plan is to share my marketing experience while picking up the project management side of things. It’s a win-win.”
“Sounds like it. How’s the management team?” Jennifer asks between bites.
“They were nice, very inviting, and all seemingly interested in what I’m bringing to the table. Miranda arranged for all of us to go out to lunch today, as you guessed, so I got a chance to get to know them a little.”
“Oh, you don’t have one of them showing you the ropes?” She sounds surprised and curious.
“Actually no, one of the account assistants is bringing me up to speed.” I decide to slip in that it’s a female so I can gauge her reaction. “Taylor’s been working on the accounts I’m taking over, so it only makes sense that she’s the one to get me acquainted with everything.”
“Oh…” Jennifer looks as if she’s going to take a bite of food but sets her fork down in her bowl. “That’s a little odd. If she’s been working with these clients for a while, why didn’t she get promoted?”
“I’m assuming she applied for the job, but I was chosen over her. Or at least that’s my take based on the way she interacted with me. But I can see why Miranda made that decision. Taylor’s young and doesn’t have enough experience in the professional world. She lets her emotions get the best of her.”
&n
bsp; “Really? Was she unprofessional with you?” Jennifer asks, her fork stopped just before it reaches her mouth.
“No, not with me”—I shrug—“but I heard her arguing with Miranda this morning, I’m guessing about the position. It makes sense that they want her to grow and learn before putting her in a management role.”
“You’re right, I would have done the same thing if I was Miranda. But it has to be a little uncomfortable for both of you to be working together.”
“I don’t think it is. I mean, I mentioned hearing the argument, but it didn’t get weird. She’s smart and knows the job, so I’m fortunate to be learning from her, and hopefully this experience has taught her not to let her emotions get involved when things don’t go her way.”
“You can only hope. So today I rearranged my schedule.” She sets her bowl on the coffee table before angling her body toward mine. “I let my staff and the other partners know I wasn’t going to be working every Saturday, and when I do, I won’t be there all day.”
“Oh yeah, how’d they react to that news?” I ask, turning my head toward where she’s sitting on the other end of the couch.
“I think most of them saw it coming. I didn’t keep it a secret that you were moving in with me.”
“I didn’t realize you had said anything about me,” I say, trying to hide my surprise.
“Of course I did, we’ve been seeing each other for months. Besides, I had to take time off to meet you out of town. I wasn’t going to lie about it,” Jennifer explains, sounding a little frustrated.
“I guess I didn’t realize we had reached that point. Maybe I’m a little nervous about how they’ll perceive me.”
“What do you mean?”