Between You & I

by Susan Cairns

  “As long as they know I’m not some suit coming in to take over and tell them what to do. Considering you didn’t CC me on any of the e-mails,” I attempt to joke again, “I have to trust that you didn’t paint a bad picture of me.”

  “I would never do that,” she says defensively, missing my sarcasm. “You know the amount of work I’ve put into helping these people. I thought you knew me better than that, but I guess I was wrong.” She stands abruptly, sending the chair flying backward. “You know what, I’m just going to go see if Miranda is here and ready for us. I’ll be back to get you in a minute.”

  Taylor basically runs out of my office. Any sort of walls I broke down with the coffee and flirting this morning have been put back up ten feet taller than they were.

  “Shit,” I say as I run my hand through my hair. Clearly I touched a nerve when all I was trying to do was slip back into the easy joking and flirting.

  Instead of trying to think of ways to fix what I broke, because I’m definitely the one who fucked things up, I gather Taylor’s things and wait for her to return. Before slipping her notepad back into the folio, I take a look at her list. She’s planned a meeting with Berk’s Nursery and Landscaping, followed by Dulce Salon. Since we went over the files, I can understand why she’s planning in this order. These two businesses are looking to expand, so they need to start marketing for their new locations.

  “Reid, she’s ready for us.”

  I look up to see Taylor standing in the doorway again. However, this time she isn’t casually leaning against the frame; she’s standing in the middle of the opening with her arms closed tightly across her chest.

  “Are you bringing this with you?” I ask, lifting the folio off the desk.

  “Shit, yeah sorry, I meant to take that with me,” Taylor answers, uncrossing her arms and taking a couple steps into my office.

  “I got it. Let’s get going, we don’t want Miranda to get sidetracked.” I stand, tucking the folio under my arm.

  Following Taylor to Miranda’s office, I can’t help but let my eyes wander down her back right to her ass. With this vantage point, I’m not sure any red-blooded male, or even some females, could keep themselves from the view. Her tight skirt swishes as her hips sway with each step. It’s a blessing that she tucks her blouse in so neatly. I’m so wrapped up in the sight, I don’t even realize we’ve gone around two corners and reached Miranda’s office until I bump right into Taylor’s back.

  “Sorry,” I whisper as she glares at me over her shoulder.

  “It’s fine,” she grinds out.

  “Reid, Taylor, take a seat. I just need to finish up this e-mail before we get started.”

  Neither Taylor nor I acknowledge Miranda as we move to the small table in front of the same L-shaped desk that’s in my office. I set Taylor’s folio on the table then take the seat beside where I placed it, but she clearly has other plans. Instead of sitting next to me, she takes the seat across from me then grabs her notebook, sliding it to where she’s sitting. I can’t hide my smirk or keep my eyebrow from raising to challenge her. I want to say something, but it’s not the time, nor the place, so I keep my mouth shut and try my damnedest not to laugh at her childish behavior.

  “All set, now fill me in on how things are going and what you’ve got planned,” Miranda says standing up from her desk chair and moving around to join Taylor and me at the small table. She sits, leaning forward on her forearms with her hands clasped, her eyes practically bugging out from her white hair being pulled so tightly behind her head.

  Not wanting to overstep, I look to Taylor to see if she’s going to take the lead, but I catch an eye roll I’m sure I wasn’t supposed to see.

  Despite her attitude, she does start explaining things. “At this point, we’ve gone over all of the files, so Reid is up to speed on all of the projects we’ve implemented for each of the companies. Our next step is to start with introductions.”

  “Sounds good, and Reid…” Miranda changes her focus to me. “While you were going over the files, did you come up with any ideas for marketing campaigns?”

  “I have ideas, but it’ll be more beneficial to come up with concrete foundations once I meet the owners. I need to know what their plans are and where they want their focus to be. I can certainly put together some suggestions before we meet with them, but I like to base my campaigns on what they see for their future, not just what we’ve done for them in the past,” I explain, trying not to talk with my hands, but they have a mind of their own and circle as the words come out of my mouth.

  Miranda nods. “Makes sense. So as far as setting up meetings with the owners, where are you on that?”

  Clueless, because I wasn’t CC’ed on any of the e-mails, I glance at Taylor, begging with my eyes for her to jump in.

  “I’m actually working on that,” Taylor says, stealing Miranda’s attention. “I wanted to reach out to the owners first before bringing Reid in because of the trust I’ve developed with them. Since this is another big change, I thought it would be a better transition if I broke the news and gave them some of Reid’s background. Now that I’ve reached out and gotten responses from everyone, I’m ready to start scheduling.”

  “Great, and you’re right.” Miranda looks back at me. “With these smaller businesses, we have to be a little more gentle, almost handle them with kid gloves, so they don’t feel like they’re getting lost in the sea of big businesses.”

  “I agree, and Taylor mentioned that to me as well. I understand that these people have put their entire lives into their companies, so a big change could be very nerve-racking for them.”

  “Right,” Taylor jumps in, stopping me from adding anything else. “So I was thinking, when Lindsay introduced me to the clients, we set up informal dinner meetings to break the ice. That went over very well, so I’d like to start with something like that. If it’s okay with you, Miranda?”

  “Yes, and I got great feedback from the clients when we did that. Go ahead and make the reservations starting next week. I’m expecting Reid’s corporate card to arrive either today or Monday, so he can put the bill on our account. If for some reason it doesn’t, I’ll leave it up to the two of you to decide who wants to expense the dinners. I assume you’re going to follow up with tours of their actual places of business?”

  “Of course,” Taylor responds confidently. “My plan is to schedule the dinners beginning next Tuesday and continue into the following week. After they’re all out of the way, I’ll set up times during the day for us to visit each business.”

  “I don’t think you should wait that long. Whoever you’re meeting with on Tuesday shouldn’t have to wait another week or two for Reid to come see them in action. Why don’t you double up? Keep the evening plans, but make it a point to visit the businesses within two or three days of introducing them to Reid. It’ll be a more positive experience for the clients.”

  “I can do that. My only reason for waiting was to give Reid some time to come up with ideas for project management and marketing after his initial meeting, but I think he can handle throwing things together in a couple days, can’t you, Reid?” Taylor glares into my eyes with a fake smile pasted across her lips.

  My attention bounces between Taylor and Miranda as they talk. I have to admit, I’m impressed with how Taylor has put things together and that she’s been able to meet every one of Miranda’s questions. But now, both sets of eyes are on me.

  “I’m sure I won’t have a problem throwing something together to give them an idea of how I work,” I manage to say without either of them realizing I lost my focus while concentrating on Taylor’s presentation.

  “Great!” Miranda says, clapping once. “It sounds like things are rolling along nicely. I’m really looking forward to what you can offer in regard to marketing, Reid, and I can’t wait to see how Taylor incorporates it into her next project.”

  Taking a chance, I glance at Taylor just in time to see her give Miranda her raised eyebrow look. If I w
asn’t so impressed with how she handled herself, I might call her out, kind of like she did to me, but I’ve done enough damage for the day.

  Movement from Miranda catches my attention, and I turn my head just in time to see her checking her watch. “Shoot, I should have planned things a little better this morning. I don’t mean to kick you out, but I have a conference call in about fifteen minutes that I need to get ready for. Taylor, I trust you’ll keep me in the loop concerning your meetings?”

  “Oh yeah, definitely. I’ll send you an e-mail with our schedule as soon as I have everything ironed out.”

  “Fantastic, I knew I could count on you to make sure this was a smooth transition,” Miranda says slapping her palms flat against the table, ready to push her chair back.

  “I appreciate you allowing me take the lead with Reid’s training. It’s been very enlightening.”

  “That good to hear. I hope you learn as much from him as you can. It will only benefit you with your future projects.”

  “Thank you, Miranda,” I cut in and stand, stopping before I push the chair in. “Please let me know if you want me to copy you on any of the correspondence I send out to the clients. I know that sometimes it’s better to get a second opinion, particularly with me being new and not very well-acquainted with everything here.”

  “Oh yes, we’ll have a pow-wow about things before you send them out, that’s a great idea. Thank you for suggesting it.”

  “No problem, good luck with you conference call.” Sliding the chair under the table, I look at Taylor, who has a small smile on her face. I guess she picked up on my little hint about copying people on e-mails.

  “Taylor, send me that schedule as soon as you have it. Maybe I’ll join you one night,” Miranda says when I’m just a step outside of her door.

  “Sure, I have all of the times scheduled, I just need to make reservations. I’ll get it typed up and over to you before lunch,” Taylor responds, sounding closer to me than I expected.

  Turning back toward the office door, I find Taylor standing just inside, with one hand on the jamb, and the other holding her folio, as she talks to Miranda. Since she’s given me the opportunity, I let my eyes wander down her backside again and smile.

  She’s pissed at me, but she’s playing the same game she was this morning. Even if it doesn’t sound like she’s flirting anymore, she is. She’s still engaging me and throwing me glances she knows will catch my attention, which means she still wants me. Maybe I won’t have to work too hard this afternoon to get back into her good graces and we can have some out-of-work fun tonight. Christ, that might be a bad idea. At least when we’re at work, we have that barrier, but if I get to know her outside of work, I’m afraid I’ll never stop thinking about her.

  Chapter Seven

  Taylor

  “Casey, seriously, I don’t want to do this tonight. I need to drink the day away and I have absolutely no desire to do it anywhere near Reid Mariano,” I whine from my perch on the top of the picnic table.

  “What the fuck happened this morning? I thought the coffee would do the trick?” Casey sounds a little too curious, if you ask me.

  “Yeah, thanks for that by the way. Why are you feeding him information about me?”

  “Because you like him and he likes you, so I want to see the two of you together and happy,” she says, throwing her hands around animatedly.

  “What the fuck! We don’t like each other. He’s practically my boss. This… whatever you think it is, cannot and will never happen between us, so stop trying to meddle. And I told you I was putting an end to anything personal with him. I have something to prove, or have you forgotten already?”

  “No, but there is absolutely nothing in the employee handbook about dating a coworker.”

  “Oh my fuck, did you seriously read the employee handbook? Of course you did. Why am I surprised?”

  “It’s for your own good, bitch! We go out every Friday, you meet guys, take them home, then you toss them out like yesterday’s trash. That’s weird, Taylor. You act like a dude. But with Reid it’s different. I can tell, I see it in your eyes. You really like him, and one of these days you’re going to admit it and be glad I worked my magic to throw you two together.”

  “I never said I was going tonight,” I add, attempting to sound like I’m teetering on the edge of not going. But who am I kidding? It’s Fran’s and it’s Friday—of course I’m going. Maybe things will work out in my favor and I’ll run into Adam. Ooo, maybe I’ll call him and make it happen.

  “What are you thinking about over there?” Casey asks, giving me an appraising look. “I see the cogs turning in your head.”

  “I wonder what Adam’s up to tonight.”

  “Don’t you dare! Your fucking mission tonight is to get to know Reid better. So do not even try to plan another hump-and-run with Adam.” Casey stomps toward the table, swinging her finger out in front of her as if she’s reprimanding a child.

  “Hump-and-run, really? I’m still in contact with him, so how is that considered running?”

  “Do you plan on dating him?” she challenges, her hands going to her hips.

  “No.”

  “Then it’s a hump-and-run. Doesn’t matter if you occasionally talk to him, you still don’t have any plans on taking it further.”

  “Whatever.” I shake my head then lean it back to soak some sun into my skin. “He’s nice to look at and not a complete dick. Maybe I’ll add him into the rotation.”

  “What rotation? You never recycle, it’s one of your rules.” She turns away from the picnic table to flick her cigarette butt over the rail into the parking lot then walks back toward me.

  “Apparently neither do you,” I say, motioning to where she just littered.

  “Please, it’s a butt. The street sweeper thing will clean it up in the morning.” She slams her hands back on her hips and glares at me. “Stop trying to change the subject.”

  “But some poor seagull might think it’s a French fry and scoop it up then choke to death,” I say, attempting to keep my tone and face serious.

  “Oh please, like you give two shits. Now, let’s talk about tonight,” she says, going right back to the topic I’m trying to avoid. “I brought a change of clothes, so can we go to your house first?”

  “Why can’t you just change here?”

  “Because!” she whines, stomping her foot like a petulant child.

  “Because why?” I whine right back as I push off the table and walk toward the door.

  Casey follows me, huffing and puffing. “There isn’t enough counter space for me to properly get ready, and you have a double sink in your master bathroom.”

  “Ugh, fine, but I’m telling you right now, there’s a good chance that once I’m home, I’m not leaving.”

  “Bullshit, it’s Friday.”

  “Your point?” I stop with my hand on the handle, turning my head to look at her.

  “My point is that we go to Fran’s every Friday, and if you skip tonight, it will break Fran’s poor little heart. And she’s old. She might not recover.”

  “Oh, I’m telling her you said she’s old,” I say with a devious smile.

  “So she’s mad at me instead of you? Mature, Taylor.”

  “Meh, I never said I was.” I pull the door all the way open then step through, bringing an end to our conversation.

  “Have a good rest of the afternoon with Reid. Don’t make it so he’s too uncomfortable to come tonight,” Casey whisper-yells at my back loud enough for everyone in the general vicinity to hear.

  Instead of responding, I flip her off over my shoulder. I hear her mumbling something, but I can’t make it out, so I keep moving down the hall to my cube. I have two and a half hours to plot out how things will go tonight, but first I need to reschedule all of the tours I set up for Reid and I. Hopefully the clients won’t give me any grief.

  Spending the afternoon with Reid was even more taxing than I thought it would be. He just doesn’t get that
every time he makes a comment about something I didn’t do or something I don’t know, I want to scream. I know I don’t have the experience he does, it’s blatantly obvious, and maybe he doesn’t mean to throw it in my face, but he does all the time, which pisses me off. This is why Casey and I have Friday nights at Fran’s. It’s so we can unwind and not think about work, but thanks to her bright idea, I’m now going to have to mix work with my happy place and it’s not fair. Of course I sound like a child, but who really wants to mix business with pleasure?

  Thankfully, Casey and I are going home before we head out. Where she wants to fancy herself up for Josh, I have other plans. We split up at the stairs, her going to the bathroom to get ready while I head to my room. I have an idea for two outfits. One is sexy as hell and the other is pajamas, which is probably the only thing that will make me comfortable tonight.

  I yank open the second dresser drawer to pull out my bright pink pajama set. It’s really not that bad, but clearly not meant for a bar—black leggings with pink flamingos paired with a tight, bright pink tank top. I plan to pile my hair on the top of my head in a messy bun, swipe some gloss on my lips, and call it a day. Slipping off my skirt, I grab the pajama pants then pull them up my legs. Usually putting my comfy clothes on makes me feel good, but not tonight. No, instead I feel absolutely ridiculous.

  “What the fuck am I doing?” I ask my reflection before rubbing my hands over my face then pushing them into my hair. “Balls!”

  There’s no way in hell I can go to Fran’s like this, even if it was just Case and me and I was royally hung over. So I head into my closet to grab outfit number two. I flip through the hangers on the bottom rack until I find the jeans I’m looking for. I grab the hanger then pull my jean jacket from the hook behind the door. Tossing the clothes on the bed, with the pajama top, I turn back to the closet to get a pair of cute wedge sandals. I give the outfit a once-over before I strip down and go for the tank first, since the pants are the tightest pair of black skinny jeans I own. Once I have everything on, including my jean jacket, I head to the floor-length mirror to check myself out. While a full pair of pajamas won’t work for the bar, the top goes perfectly! Plus it gives me just enough color to work with when it comes to makeup and jewelry.