Yesterday's Tomorrows

by M. E. Montgomery

  "In the meantime, maybe you'd like to get these done." I pushed the file that Mrs. Holmes had left on the table into her hands. "That way you won't be empty-handed if you happen to run into Mr. Andrews while you're making deliveries. It's your turn today."

  "Oh, but I--"

  "I know, I'm sure you can't contain your excitement to see him. Must be your lucky day. Maybe he'll offer to take you out to lunch again." I cut her off using my sweetest voice before I walked out the door, shaking my head. As Gammy used to say about some people, she was about as useful as tits on a bull!

  I headed to the copier room to check on the serviceman who was doing some routine maintenance on one of the immense copiers.

  "That'll do it," he said as he shut the front panel. "She should be good to go." He finished filling out the invoice and handed it to me to sign. I scanned over it while he packed his tool bag.

  "Seth, right?"

  He rubbed his nose across his arm and nodded.

  "I'm sorry, but I think you made a mistake."

  "I'm sure it's all right," he responded.

  "Um, I don't think so. Here, you wrote that you provided us five cartridges of toner, yet there's only three here. And while you did clean and service the machine, our contract states that we pay an annual maintenance charge. You've listed a service call for almost two hundred dollars." I arched an eyebrow at him.

  He stared back at me in return, a scowl replacing his flirtatious grin. "Look, little lady, are you suggesting I'm lying?"

  I crossed my arms. "No, I'm not suggesting you're lying. I'm outright saying you're trying to cheat this company."

  "Like this firm can't afford it," he spluttered. "Look, lady, times are tight. Don't tell me they're going to notice a measly few dollars missing around here. They'll charge an extra fifteen minutes to some rich client, and it all works out. After all, there's the receipt. All you have to do is turn it in. You're a working stiff like me. You get it, don't you?"

  "You've got to be kidding me!" Anger burned inside me. He thought because he didn't earn the same salary, he was entitled just to take it? His pure gall fired me up. I knew what it was like to be poor, and never once had it occurred to me to steal. "You can honestly stand there and ask me to help you cheat this law firm? Too bad for you I'm not a working stiff like you. I'm sure the heads of this firm will be very interested in this false report."

  "I don't think you'll be showing that invoice to anybody, missy. Give it to me."

  "No."

  "Don't mess with me, lady." He took the two steps toward me that brought him right in front of me. "Hand it over," he growled. He stretched his hand out and tried to snatch the paper from my fingers.

  I lifted my foot and brought it down on top of his while I shoved my elbow into his paunch middle. I might not be as big as he was, but I had surprise on my side. I turned and took several steps toward the door when I felt my hair snatched. Tears came to my eyes as I was yanked backward and the door slammed shut. Fear clogged my throat and I struggled to breathe. "You little bitch, I'll--"

  "You'll what?" a deep voice questioned from across the room. My head suddenly felt free, and I found myself thrown to the cold tile floor, my head hitting the side of a table leg. I lay there, stunned with shock and pain. My vision cleared enough to see Holten Andrews punching some numbers in his phone and requesting security immediately. Seth tried to dart out the door, but Holt stepped in his path. He glanced at me. “Are you okay?”

  “I…I think so.” I closed my eyes and took several breaths while footsteps pounded nearby followed by sharply voiced commands.

  Gentle hands grasped my arms and I opened my eyes to see Holt kneeling beside me. He lifted my chin with his finger and searched my face. "Are you alright?" he asked softly. He waited until I nodded then helped me to stand.

  I glanced over his shoulder and saw Seth being escorted down the hallway by two security guards. I was able to breathe easier.

  “Fine as frog’s hair,” I joked weakly.

  He stared at me like I was crazy. “Frog’s hair? Where did you come up with that?”

  “My grandmother was full of sayings. I kind of picked up on a lot of them,” I tried to explain, but ended up grimacing as my scalp continued to throb.

  He smiled. “Grandmothers are good for that.” He carefully helped me to stand. "Here, come and sit. You're a little pale." He took me by the elbow and led me to a chair at the table where I usually ate my lunch. He knelt in front of me and studied my face with concern.

  "I'm fine, really. I'm glad you happened by when you did, though." I closed my eyes reached back and massaged my scalp where Seth had pulled my hair. "I thought only women pulled hair during a fight," I muttered.

  My eyes flew back open when bigger hands brushed mine aside and took over rubbing my scalp as he smoothed the strands. "Wh...what are you doing?" I whispered.

  He ignored my question. "You were really something just now. I happened to pass by and heard the door slam.” He finished fussing with my hair and sat in a chair opposite me. "What happened, anyway?"

  My first instinct was to defend myself, but Holt's gentle touch and soft voice reassured me he wasn't accusing me of any wrong doing, just genuinely concerned. I explained about the bogus charges.

  "Why didn't you just accept the invoice and let Mrs. Holmes know what he was doing?"

  I shrugged. "I'm used to fighting my own battles, I guess. I've had to take care of myself for a long time, Holt." His brow furrowed, and I suspected he was going to question that statement further, so I changed the subject. "What are you doing down here anyway?"

  "I was in the library. Timing is everything it turns out." He glanced at his watch and stood up. "Speaking of, it's lunchtime. There's this really good deli down the street. Would you like to join me? I think you've earned an extra break."

  "To eat?" I almost squeaked I was so surprised.

  Holt grinned. "That's what one usually does with lunch, isn't it?"

  "I brought my lunch," I said, torn between wanting to spend time with Holt and knowing it probably wasn't a smart idea. "Besides, I'm not sure it would be appropriate."

  Holt's look darkened. "You need to explain that statement to me."

  "Well, I mean, you're dressed in a suit and all sharp looking, and I've got toner stains on my fingers and dressed all casual and --"

  "You can't eat with me because I'm wearing a suit?" He stared at me like I was crazy.

  "Yes...no! I don't know. It's just you're..." I struggled to explain, feeling like the fool I probably was. "You're a lawyer, and I'm me. Besides, I think Misty would get upset." I finished on a whisper.

  His stare looked incredulous. "What the hell does Misty have to do with this?"

  I stared at the floor. I had no reason to be jealous. Nor did I want to get involved in any form of drama, and Misty was drama incarnate. She'd been here longer and could easily make my life here miserable. "She was more than happy to inform me how you took her to lunch and it's just a matter of time before she works directly with you. I don't want to cause any trouble between you two."

  His jaw dropped before he mumbled, "Lord preserve me from crazy women." He stepped in front of me. "First, I didn't take her to lunch. She ambushed me while I was out on my own and invited herself to sit at my table. Second, she and I are not currently nor will be in any kind of relationship, personal or professional. And third, I'm not done with your other comment about me being seen with you." He grabbed my elbow and began to pull me toward the door. "Let's go."

  Later I would blame it on shock that I followed his caveman tactics without question as he marched us both down the hallway. I could barely keep up with his long strides. He paused suddenly outside Mrs. Holmes's office door, and only his hand still holding my arm prevented me from stumbling right into him.

  Mrs. Holmes was hanging up her phone and looked up startled by our abrupt arrival at her door. "Oh, Maddy. I was going to look for you. Are you alright, dear?" She gave me a concerned l
ook before looking curiously at Holt. "Is there another problem, Mr. Andrews?"

  "I think Ms. Stone needs a break to recover from the disturbing treatment she received earlier. Would it be an imposition if she takes a longer than usual lunch?" He gave Mrs. Holmes a charming smile and suddenly she was aglow with her smiles.

  "Oh, heavens, no," she gushed. "I was going to tell her to go home and relax for the rest of the day. Go and enjoy lunch with Mr. Andrews, dear. It will be good for you to get out, and I know he'll take good care of you."

  Holt smiled smugly at me. 'See?' his look seemed to say.

  I rolled my eyes and blew out my breath. "Fine. But I'll be back afterward. I don't need the afternoon off."

  "Come on, tough stuff." He rested his hand on my lower back and guided me back down the hallway toward the elevator. As we turned the corner, I literally ran into Misty. I'd have fallen if Holt hadn't grabbed me once again.

  "Watch where you're going," she snapped at me before seeing who my companion was. Once she did, she was all smiles and flirtatious looks. "Oh, Mr. Andrews. I was just on my way up to your office to drop these off." She waved a manila folder in the air.

  "I'm sure Linda will be glad to finally get them," he answered curtly. "She's been looking for them for quite awhile."

  "Well, I was hoping we could have lunch again," she smiled coyly.

  "I already have a lunch date." He ushered me around her, but not before I saw anger and hostility glittering from her eyes as a sly smile crossed her lips.

  "Don't be too long, Maddy. It wouldn’t do for people to think you were slacking. I can't imagine it would be easy for a woman with your...experience, to find a new job."

  I gasped at her insinuation. How could she have known? I started to take a step toward her, but a strong arm wrapped around my waist and hauled me back against a hard chest.

  "Don't," Holt whispered in my ear.

  "Ms. Barnes, may I see you in my office? Now?" Mrs. Holmes's voice boomed down the hall as the elevator doors opened, causing several people to glance in her direction. She turned a bright shade of red before whirling around and stomping toward our supervisor.

  Great. I think my job just got a whole lot tougher.

  12

  Holt

  A surge of protectiveness flared through me when it came to Madelyn Stone. I didn't like it; it pushed and threatened to weaken the walls and limits I had for women. But I saw through her defenses and recognized the fear and vulnerability she fought so hard to hide. Maybe because I saw its counterpart in me, but regardless, it called to me, speaking to a part that I couldn’t shut out. Lord knows, I had tried.

  I had avoided her for most of the rest of the week following dinner at her apartment, knowing how I’d almost kissed her as I left. I’d seen something in her eyes that had nearly pulled me in, something akin to sadness and curiosity blended with innocence and a dash of pure feminine desire. It was an intoxicating mix, and one taste and I knew I’d probably have a hard time not going back for more. I’d almost succumbed to my attraction to her, lured by her soft, red lips only to realize the danger signs and moved quickly, if awkwardly, to her forehead.

  Maddy didn't fit neatly into the other categories I ascribed to women to protect Claire’s memory. So I’d thought maybe this one time I could create a new one just for her - friend.

  It wasn't working.

  A friend would have made sure she wasn't hurt and then gone about his business. A friend might have offered to bring her something back to eat, but he wouldn't have told a colleague he had a lunch date. And a friend sure has hell wouldn't have given into the temptation to run his hands through her hair.

  So why the hell that spontaneous invitation for lunch had come out of my mouth, I’m sure I didn’t know. Probably because I was a sucker for the sadness in her eyes when she said she'd been taking care of herself for a long time. And once she stated that she wasn't good enough to be seen with me, I couldn't leave it alone.

  Friends. Yes, that's what we were, and that's what we would stay. I would just need to strengthen the lines of definition. I would treat her to a nice lunch, have a friendly conversation with her, make sure she wasn't feeling any negative repercussions from the repairman and then go back to my business.

  Get in and get out - just like my missions in the Corps.

  Only those missions didn't always go according to plan, so I should have known better than for my plan with Maddy to go as expected.

  She was quiet during our walk to the deli. A little too quiet. I liked that she didn't feel she had to fill the void with endless drivel, but I wondered what she was thinking. Just as a concerned friend, I reminded myself. I bit my tongue and was about to ask some mundane question about the weather when she spoke first.

  "Does everyone at the law firm know how I got the job?"

  She could have been asking about the weather as casually as she asked, but with a sideways glance, I caught her biting her lip. "No, absolutely not. Mr. McCloskey was very clear it was to remain confidential."

  She nodded as we arrived at the deli. Despite the large crowd at the counter, we were quickly seated.

  After we had ordered our drinks, she continued to press for more information. "So some people know?"

  I nodded cautiously, not sure where she was going with her line of questioning.

  "Who?"

  "Well, the three partners, of course, and a couple of others including myself, who are considered non-equity partners but have some limited say in company policy. Oh, and Mrs. Holmes, but she's very trustworthy, and we knew she'd treat you the same as any other employee. And even she doesn't know the specifics. It was important we put the firm's interest first, but only those that we felt needed to know were told."

  She drummed her fingers on the table and stared pensively at her glass. "Misty knows something, Holt."

  I scowled. "Misty only has the job because she's Barnes's niece. He must have let it slip in front of her at some point. I don't know, but I'll have Mrs. Holmes talk to her." Of all the partners, Barnes could be the most clueless at times. It was amazing he was such a brilliant lawyer. He was proof that book smarts don’t always equal street smarts.

  She shook her head. "No, don't. It will only make it look like I'm trying to hide something and give her more ammunition against me. I could tell she was insanely jealous that it wasn't her going to lunch with you today. She was rubbing it in my face this morning that she was going to be your next assistant and that you couldn't wait to spend more time with her."

  I almost choked on my drink. "Misty couldn't alphabetize her way through a child's dictionary,” I sputtered. “Why would I want her for an assistant? And I already told you I didn't invite her to lunch. She's just pretending to do a job while she works on an M.R.S. degree."

  "A what?"

  "A Missus,” I smirked. “She's looking for a rich husband."

  "Oh," she grinned. "Cute."

  "Maddy, please don't worry about what anyone knows about you at work. One, there’s almost no way they could have found out. And second, you've made a very positive impression on everyone you've come in contact with. My secretary is always singing your praises, and she hardly ever says anything nice about anybody. So trust in that, okay?"

  "You really believe that?"

  "I do."

  She sipped at her Diet Coke. "Thank you. It's nice to have someone believe in me for a change." She peered shyly up at me through her long eyelashes. She looked so sweet at that very moment. Just friends, I reminded myself and took a long drink of my iced tea to distract the direction of my thoughts.

  "You're very good at convincing people about things. I wish I had someone like you on my case several years ago. It might have gone differently," she whispered.

  That vulnerability flitted across her face, touching again on that desire to protect her. Without thinking, I reached for her hand resting next to her plate. "I would have fought hard for you."

  Her warm fingers closed around min
e, adding another spark to my desire for her. "I believe you."

  "So what is your story, Madelyn?"

  She quickly withdrew her hand and wrapped it around her glass. I hated the loss I felt and cursed myself for speaking my thought out loud. She sat up straighter as she struggled to regain her composure.

  "It's certainly no fairytale," she finally answered and leveled her hazel eyes on me. She tilted her head just a bit as if surveying me, like she was trying to see beyond appearances and search deep inside me.

  "What's your story, Holt? You know more about me than I do about you. Fair’s fair, wouldn't you say?"

  I grinned at her tactic and avoided her question. "Nice deflection." Thankfully, I was saved from further questions when the waiter brought our meals.

  Maddy took a big bite of her French dip sandwich. "Mmm. Oh, wow. That's so good.”

  Her voice dropped to that same huskiness I’d heard her use during her tutoring, and once again I found myself aroused. My hands paused halfway to my mouth as she rolled her eyes heavenward and chewed slowly, and I stared shamelessly as her mouth worked the food as if her tongue was caressing the sandwich. My eyes closed as I imagined her uttering those same words with a mouthful of me.

  I was fucked. Friends didn't picture another friend giving a blowjob.

  "Aren't you hungry?" Her innocent voice drew me back.

  "What? Oh, um, yes. I thought I was going to sneeze. Didn't want my mouth full."

  Her nose wrinkled up. "Eww. Thanks for sparing me."

  Somehow I managed to keep up my end of small talk the rest of the meal. Maddy was great company, smiling, laughing softly, or asking questions like she was truly interested in my work, my interests, and my family. She didn’t putter on about her girlfriends, shopping, and other trivial bullshit. It was refreshing, and I found our time passed quickly, much like it did the evening I shared her dinner at her apartment. I was distracted by her movements which were graceful and natural, as opposed to the overt and flirtatious, almost rehearsed, gestures some women used.