I bit my lip before replying, “Okay.” At his warning look, I left his office and headed to the boardroom, stomach full of butterflies, murmuring, “Friends, friends, friends,” the whole way.
“Hey, hottie!” I heard someone call just as I pulled the door open.
Oh, yay. My daily Rance Jones catcall. Whoopee. He’d practically fallen over himself my first day at Fleishman to shake my hand and introduce himself. He wasn’t bad looking, his auburn hair cut similarly to Beck’s, short and spiked up at the front, but his delivery was terrible. And although he seemed like a nice guy, his creepy factor made me know not to trust him.
“Good morning, Rance,” I muttered.
“Wanna go to lunch today, gorgeous?”
“I’ll probably work through it. Sorry!” I called as I went through the boardroom door not bothering to look back. Yeesh.
I set my laptop on the table then hung my coat on the rack, and digging through a few boxes, found the ledgers I needed and placing them on the table, got to work.
An hour later there was a knock at the doorframe and Linda came in telling me good morning and handing me a much-needed cup of coffee.
“Thank you,” I said, taking a long sip. “Just how I like it. Thanks for remembering.”
“No problem,” she answered. “Any luck yet?”
“Getting closer. I caught a couple 1099s which Joel is taking care of, but I’m still trying to catch who entered the ghost employees.”
“That completely blows my mind,” she commented, shaking her head. “Okay, well, let me know if you need anything, okay?”
I nodded and got back to the books.
“Hey, baby,” I heard Beck say what seemed like hours later. Looking at my phone, I saw that it was after twelve. It was hours later. Dang.
“Hey,” I replied and rubbed my eyes with my thumb and finger. “You heading out?” I looked up at him, so handsome in his suit.
“Yeah. How about Mariucci’s tonight? Seven’ish? I’ll pick you up.” He winked.
“Oh, I don’t want you going that far out of your way,” I retorted with a chuckle.
“Always so thoughtful,” he smiled and lightly ran a finger down the side of my face. “I’ll see you tonight.” He bent and kissed the top of my head before leaving.
I turned to check if anyone had caught us and came upon two pairs of eyes peering from their cubicles at me. One was Rance, Mr. Nosy himself, and the other was Bored Black Glasses Guy whom I’d asked where the restroom was on my first day. Embarrassed, I quickly looked away.
All of a sudden, my stomach growled, and though I’d meant to work through lunch, I decided to take a break and run to the deli around the corner. Just as I got my coat on and grabbed my purse, my phone rang. Beck.
“Hey,” I answered, looking out at the office to see Black Glasses Dude watching me so I turned my back.
“Hey. I sent Dana to get you a sandwich, if that’s okay. I told her you liked Reubens, so that’s probably what you’ll get.”
Aw! How thoughtful was that?
“Oh, gosh, thank you. I was just heading that way but I’ll get a soda instead and wait for her. That’s so nice of you, Beck. I appreciate it.”
“Anything for you, honey.”
And there came the butterflies. “Hey,” I said softly. “Good luck at your attorney’s.”
He chuckled. “It’s not anything that needs luck, babe, but I appreciate the sentiment. I’ll see you tonight.”
“’Kay. Bye.” Just as I disconnected the call, Dana showed up with a bag that smelled divine.
“Reuben on rye with a dill pickle on the side and homemade potato chips. Enjoy!” she said with a smile then went back to her desk as I hollered out a thank you.
“He said everything looked good. He’s filed a response to her petition, so things should go smoothly. I gave him a copy of our income taxes, a list of assets and what I wanted, so we’re all set.”
I’d asked Beck how things had gone with his attorney as we sat at a table for two in the Italian restaurant that night.
“I’m glad it’s gonna go easy. A couple of my friends have told me their nightmare divorce stories and I don’t want that for you,” I said.
“Me either.” He chuckled. “So how’s everything going with the books?” he inquired.
“Pretty well,” I stated aloofly.
“Look, Birdie, I’ve talked to Joel, so I know what’s going on. Ten ghost employees? Damn.”
I was surprised that he knew what I was doing but relieved at the same time. At least I didn’t have to hide it from him anymore. “I know! Someone’s definitely been cooking the hell out of the books. I can’t wait to catch them!”
“How much longer do you think it’ll take?” he asked just as the waiter approached and took our orders.
After the waiter left, I explained, “I don’t know. With the other three branches’ books combined with your branch, it’ll take this week and probably part of next. I should be in Chicago right now but had to postpone.” His quizzical look had me asking, “What?”
“Do you travel much with your job?”
I nodded excitedly. “Yes, and I found out I kinda love it! In the past year, I’ve been in Boston—supposed to be going back soon—Denver, Atlanta, and Baltimore.” When he frowned, I questioned again, “What?”
“You travel alone?”
“Well, yeah. Why?”
“Beautiful woman, traveling alone in big cities?”
Now I frowned. “Put that machismo away right now, Beck. I’m a grown woman. I can handle myself.” I rolled my eyes at his lack of faith in me.
“I know you can. But I’ll tell you like my dad told me when I wanted to get a motorcycle.”
I interrupted him. “What does getting a motorcycle have to do with this?” I was officially annoyed.
He chuckled. “I always wanted a bike when I was in high school but Dad kept saying no. He’d say it wasn’t that he didn’t trust me, it was that he didn’t trust the other drivers to see me. That’s all I’m getting at. I know you’re tough and can take care of yourself. I’m just talking about the psychos that abound is all.”
“I appreciate your concern and all but I keep an eye out for any and all ‘psychos.’”
He reached out and covered my hand with his. “I’m not trying to piss you off, Birdie. But I can’t help being concerned.” His sapphire eyes held mine. “I’d like to spend,” he cleared his throat, “a lot of time with you and I worry, that’s all.”
“Oh.” Well, that was sweet and I felt bad for griping him out. “Just so you know, I always carry pepper spray and if I fly somewhere, I make sure to buy a canister first thing.”
He squeezed my hand before letting it go, then with a wink, drawled, “Good. Can’t have my best girl going unarmed.”
All right. I needed a time out.
“I need to use the ladies’ room,” I told him. “I’ll be right back.”
He stood when I did, like the gentleman he was and I couldn’t take it anymore. Just outside the restroom, I pulled my phone from my purse and dialed Jaden.
“Hey! How’s dinner going?” she answered.
“I’m gonna sleep with him.”
She was silent for a moment then yelled, “What!”
I was prepared for her response and already held the phone away from my ear before bringing it back to tell her, “J, he’s hot. You’ve seen him. Hot, right? And so charming. And he says the sweetest things. Like just now, he was asking about my traveling alone, and when I started to get pissed, he explained that he just worried because he didn’t want anything to happen to me since he wants to spend a lot of time with me. Isn’t that sweet? Tell me it’s sweet!”
She laughed. “Yes, B, it’s sweet. But I thought you were gonna try the friends route first before getting into something serious?”
“I’ll just say this. Today at work? He wore suspenders. And he’s still wearing them.”
“Oh, well, go for it, then. I mea
n, suspenders! Those are like insta-seducers on the right man!”
I jerked my head back in surprise because I’d thought she’d be way harder to convince. “Really?”
“No! God. Seriously? What’s wrong with you?”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong with me? Nothing! You know I still love him! And what would be wrong with sleeping with him tonight?”
I heard her let out a sigh. “Not a thing. I just want you to be sure you’re ready to take that step with him is all. If you’re ready, then do the deed. I just don’t want you to jump the gun and get hurt again.”
“I know. But I think we’re okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Wait. You don’t think I’ll look like a slut if I sleep with him too soon, do you?”
She let out a cackle. “Honey, you’re the farthest thing from a slut there is. You’ve known him for over two years and haven’t slept with him yet. And you love him. He’s told you he loves you. So I say go for it.”
I blew out a breath. “I think I will. Thanks, J. Love you. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“You’d better. Love you too.”
I hung up and went inside the bathroom to check my makeup then made my way back to the table where our appetizer, baked clams, had just arrived.
“This looks great,” I said as I put my napkin in my lap. I picked up a clam, pulled out the meat with a fork, dipped it in the sauce, and made a guttural sound as I ate it. “These are delicious.” When he didn’t respond, I glanced up to see him staring at the clams angrily. “What’s wrong?”
“I got a text from Sonya.”
“What happened?”
He let out an irritated breath. “She wants a fucking t-shirt I have.”
Well, okay then.
“We agreed on a no-fault divorce, even though she fucking cheated. And now she texts about wanting my insurance to cover her after the divorce then she goes on a rampage about alimony, which all of this shit has already been fucking arranged. And the kicker? She said she wants my Jeep.”
Oh, shit. Everyone knows you don’t mess with a man’s vehicle. Yikes.
The waiter brought our entrées and Beck and I both sat and stared at our meals having lost our appetites.
“You wanna get out of here?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
I took a drink of wine and seeing our waiter, held my hand up. When he came over, I asked if he could box everything up.
“Yes, madam. Is everything okay?” he questioned.
“It’s wonderful. We just have a bit of an emergency and need to leave,” I explained.
He gave me a gracious tilt of his head before taking our plates. A moment later, another waiter came by to retrieve the clams to box up.
“Are you okay?” I asked Beck quietly.
“Fucking pissed,” he ground out then downed the rest of his wine.
Once we got our food and paid the check, we left. The valet hailed us a cab and we headed back to our apartments. I kept quiet because there was really nothing that could be said that would help. The only thing I knew to do was hold Beck’s hand and rest my head on his shoulder, so that’s what I did.
“That fucking…” Beck snarled once we were inside my apartment. “It’s not like I’m not gonna help her.” He was pacing, so I sat at the bar and let him get everything out. “That was never an issue. I’ll provide her insurance. I’ll give her a fucking monthly stipend of alimony.” He jammed a hand into his hair and looked up at the ceiling for a second before yelling, “But she’s not gonna fuck with my Jeep!”
When he didn’t say anything else, just kept walking back and forth, I questioned, “Does she have her own car?”
“That’s the fucking craziness of it. I bought her a brand-new SUV not two months ago, trying to keep her goddamned ass happy. Lot of fucking good it did.” He kept walking and suddenly stopped. “Oh, fuck no! If she thinks she’s gonna take my Jeep and give it to that tech she’s been fucking, she’s got another thing coming!” he roared.
I remained silent because, again, there was nothing I could say to make it better. I mean, I was pretty sure she couldn’t take his vehicle, but I was no lawyer. After several minutes went by, I asked gently, “Do you want to be alone?”
He turned his furious gaze on me and I held my breath until it softened as he came back to me from where he’d been inside his angry head. “Yeah. I need to call her. And I’ve got to get out of these clothes.” Not the suspenders! I had plans for those, damn it! “I’m sorry, Birdie. I know I spoiled our evening.”
I stood and went to him. “You didn’t spoil anything. I just wish I could help.”
He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You’ve helped by just listening.” He leaned down and gave me a chaste kiss which was disappointing but I knew his mind was on other things. “I’ll text you later.”
At my door, he gave me a quick peck as he held my chin in his fingers then he was gone.
Chapter 18—Beck
“Why the fuck are you going after my Jeep, Sonya?” I asked once I’d calmed down some, having changed into jeans and a t-shirt with a plaid button down over it which made me feel more relaxed.
“I thought I’d sell the SUV to have money since I’m not working,” she replied.
I gritted my teeth. “That Jeep was a gift from my parents when I graduated from Penn State. You’re not fucking taking it.”
“Calm down, Beck. Jesus. It was just a thought.”
“And the t-shirt? Really?” I huffed out a humorless laugh.
“We bought them on our honeymoon. I just think it’s weird for you to keep it.”
She was talking about a black “Mr. Right” shirt for me with a matching pink “Mrs. Right” for her we’d bought in Atlantic City on our honeymoon. “I’ll give it to the fucking Salvation Army then, Christ. Are you gonna continue to be petty through this whole fucking divorce?” I asked.
“I’m not trying to be petty, Beck,” she replied snottily. “I just want to make sure I’ve covered all the bases.”
“Look, the SUV is paid for. All you have is rent and I’m sure Tech Dude can handle that.”
“Grant and I want to get a bigger place because, well, we just do…”
“What’re you saying, Sonya?” Fuck. Was she pregnant?
“I’m just saying we want a bigger place is all, God.”
“Are you gonna marry this guy?” I asked, curious as to how long I’d be paying alimony.
And here’s the deal. I didn’t have a problem paying her alimony. Matter of fact, my lawyer had drawn up a pendente lite form while I’d been there today which was a motion for me to pay her temporary maintenance while our divorce was pending. What I did have a problem with, though, was paying Grant the Tech Guy. Yeah, yeah, I know I had no control over how the money was spent, it was the law that said I had no say, blah blah, blah, but the law sometimes fucking sucked.
“Probably,” she whispered.
“I only want you to be happy, Sonya. You haven’t been happy in a long time, so I hope this guy can do that for you.”
“He does.”
I wasn’t in love with her, hadn’t been for a long time, but that still stung a little, made me wonder why I hadn’t made her happy. But then I realized it didn’t matter.
“Good. Now, am I gonna get any more texts demanding shit? I’m trying my best to do right by you. I’ll keep you on my insurance until you get on his, you’ve got money coming to help you until this is over, and I’ll burn the fucking t-shirt.”
She chuckled. “I was just having a moment. Sorry. And, Beck? I really am sorry about everything. I did love you. And we did have some good times.”
“I’m sorry too. And, yeah, we did.”
We sat there in silence—what were the words that could repair the brokenness between us—until I finally spoke.
“Goodnight, Sonya.”
After we hung up, I looked around at the boxes in my living room. My furnitu
re was coming in the morning and the building superintendent was letting the delivery men in, so I cleared out an area hoping it was large enough to hold the things I’d bought.
Then I realized I was hungry because I hadn’t eaten at the restaurant and Birdie had our food.
Text Message—Tues, Jan 10, 9:14 p.m.
Me: How about a late dinner?
Birdie: Sounds good. Here or there?
Me: Since you have a table, there ; ) See you in a few
I locked up then walked the thirty-or-so feet to Birdie’s stoop and pushed the buzzer. She didn’t bother saying anything, just buzzed me in. At the top of the stairs, I saw her at her open door, chin resting on her hand that held it, a gorgeous smile on her face.
And I fell harder for her than I had before. She was so good. Kind. Caring. Beautiful. She’d been through hell but had come out stronger. She was a survivor who hadn’t complained about her situation. No, she’d made it better. She’d challenged herself. And the love I had for her was deep, powerful, intense, unlike any I’d ever experienced before.
And I was done with being just friends.
Her widening eyes at my approach let me know she sensed my mood.
When I made it to her, I pulled her inside the apartment with me, closing the door and pushing her back against it. Then I kissed her long and hard and it was fucking great.
When I pulled back, she blinked slowly as she looked up at me.
“Wow,” she murmured.
Wow was fucking right.
Chapter 19—Birdie
Holy cow.
It was really going to happen.
Beck and I were finally going to sleep together.
As he’d approached me from the stairs, the look on his face had been so intense, his lust-filled eyes piercing mine that all I could do was stare. Then he’d grabbed me, taking me with him inside my apartment and had kissed the heck out of me.
His hands now dropped to my waist and he picked me up, making me yelp in surprise. I circled my legs around his waist then he kissed me roughly again. God. There was so much need in his kiss, so much want, desire, and I’m sure my own kiss radiated all of that right back at him.
Mondays (The Wait Book 2) Page 8