Love Handles

by Candi Heart

  “Um, hi. I’m—”

  “Emilie Swan!” the woman said cheerfully.

  Startled at the over-the-top greeting, I smiled back. “Yes.”

  She introduced herself. “I’m Stephanie. Welcome to Tessaro Studios.” She beamed at me.

  “Thank you.”

  Stephanie motioned toward the elevator. “Top floor, of course. They’re waiting for you.”

  They? I felt panic as I gazed up at the clock. “Oh, crap, it’s nine now!”

  Stephanie nodded. “But don’t worry. They don’t harp about those things here.”

  Nodding, my head, I walked forward and tapped the call button. The way Novak harped about it, I did have a reasonable fear about being tardy at all. The doors opened up and the elevator looked a lot like the one at the Palace Hotel. Glass, red carpet, and gold bars lined the walls. Mmm, Nick—Mr. Tessaro—must like the design a lot, I supposed. I stepped in and stared at the panel. Lobby, 1 thru 12, then the top floor were the buttons available. I punched the one for the top floor. As the doors closed, a masculine hand shot forward.

  “Oh, hold the elevator,” he requested.

  His voice sounded like Nick’s, but a bit higher. I hit the button and the doors reopened.

  A very good-looking man stood there. Dark hair and green eyes. He looked like Nick, but not quite. “Thanks so much,” he said and stepped in.

  I stepped over to the side and gave him a nod. Wow, did they grow these men on some island somewhere? The island of hotties? I bit back a smile.

  “So, are you new here?” he asked.

  I’d hoped he would not ask me anything, as I felt too nervous already, but there it was. “Yes, my first day.”

  He grinned. “You will love it here. Best place to work in this business. Nick is fabulous!”

  Nodding, I maintained my smile. He is, in lots of ways. I bit at my lip. Keep those thoughts down!

  “So, do you know him personally?”

  Oh, such a loaded question. “Um, yes... well, I have met him several times.” Good answer, Em!

  “Yes, I was just asking, ’cause you are too cute.”

  My eyes rounded. He was hitting on me? I swung my startled gaze over.

  He raised his brows and opened his mouth to speak.

  DING! The elevator opened.

  Thank goodness! I quickly stepped forward. No flirting with the other employees, no, no. I was already in tons of trouble in that department. Then I halted when I saw the place spread out before me.

  It was all open. Glass everywhere, no cubicles, no tiny offices, and really no hallways that I could see. People chattered and pored over designs on tables here and there. Laughter rippled through the air. It was so bright, too. Leaning my head back, I stared upward. The entire floor was lit with a skylight.

  “It’s amazing, right?” the man from the elevator asked as he leaned close to me.

  I gasped a little at his voice so close to my ear and nodded. “Yes.”

  “Amazing, like the man himself,” a woman spoke.

  I whirled around, spotting a petite woman with jet-black hair and a huge smile on her face.

  “Welcome,” she said and stuck her hand out. “Opal Jenkins.”

  I shook her hand. “Emilie Swan.” I fought to keep my voice level and casual.

  “Oh! The Emilie?”

  I kept my panic under wraps as I slowly nodded. Opal took me by the arm. “Nick said to allow you to choose your own workspace. He says your designs are rockin’ it!” I looked over at the man. “Chaz, you know better than to hit on a new designer!” She laughed. “Bad, bad boy!”

  “What can I say? It’s in the genes.” He shrugged then threw me a wink before he walked away.

  “Yes, you’d better watch out for that man.” Opal laughed and motioned ahead of her. “Shall we?”

  I simply nodded and followed the lively Opal, nerves swirling in my belly. We walked past all the glass tables and people smiled at me as we passed.

  They were all so friendly. The place, the staff, everything was a hundred and fifty degrees different than at Novak’s. How could I have missed out on a real designer studio for all those wasted years? Stunned by the awful yet delightful realization, I almost ran into Opal when the small woman stopped.

  “Oh, steady there, Miss Swan.” Opal laughed. “Okay, here are the last five workspaces.” She motioned ahead of her.

  I stepped forward and stopped at desk area. They were all spacious and luxurious. Comfortable-looking, too, and all under the same skylight. I turned back to Opal. “Which is mine?”

  She grinned at me. “Well, which one do you like?”

  I felt confused, but I looked in at each area. Then one caught my eye. There was a print on the wall by the glass and brass desk. It was of a bowl of cherries. I giggled then wondered if Nick had put it there so I would know this was mine. “This one.”

  Opal walked forward and raised her brows. “Nice choice. Okay well, your desk is there. You can create your own password and the PC will be yours.” She gave me a wink. “Just press the com button if you need anything at all.” She turned and waltzed away.

  I stepped in and shut the glass door. Plush carpeting with a beautiful red tint covered the floor, and I just knew I would be taking my heels off and rubbing the soles of my feet across it. I bet it feels amazing. Then I glanced up to look out of the huge window along the wall. The view of New York was like in the brochures. It was a dream, all a dream, right? Plants hung everywhere. Flowers filled most of the room. I’d been stuck in a broom closet for years. Tears formed in my eyes. No... Do not cry! It was no good. Tears rolled down my face.

  “Knock, knock!” A tapping and familiar voice floated into my ears.

  I turned to see Nick standing there with three other people. He looked concerned and stepped forward when he saw my face. Then he stopped short and cleared his throat. “Is everything okay, Miss Swan?”

  I swiped at my tears. “I-It’s embarrassing. Let’s just say it’s first day jitters, Mr. Tessaro,” I replied and forced a smile.

  The two women and a man poured in and each introduced themselves: Thomas, Kiki, and Suzie. They were exuberant and genuinely friendly.

  “They’re here to assist you in any and all ways,” Nick announced. “Bring you swatches, any supplies, anything you need at all.”

  My eyes widened in surprise. “W-what?”

  Nick smiled. “I know you may have wanted to hire your own staff, but these three very talented people are top-of-the-line, and they will help you with your new line. Then once you’re settled in, you can hire anyone you wish.” Nick’s voice sounded calm and businesslike.

  I forced a smile. “O-okay. Well, um, today, I need to get my bearings then I hope to start with...” I nodded at the three smiling staff. “...You all. Tomorrow, maybe.”

  “Very good,” Nick replied. “I shall be... um, in my office. You can call if you need anything.” He turned and left the room.

  The staff of three waved and followed after him. I watched as the door shut and turned to go over to my desk. My desk! Just look at it! All classy, glass and brass, then a top-of-the-line computer, flat-screen monitor, wireless everything! No, no... tears caused a small rift with Ni—Mr. Tessaro just now. Like, just look at all the happy people here! Then I go and cry within my first twenty minutes? Grrr. What a—

  The side door opened from the wall. Nick poked his head in.

  My mouth popped open.

  “Are you okay, Emilie?” he asked in a hushed voice.

  I swiped at more tears. “Y-yes. It’s not what you think.” Then I shook my head. “Did you just pop out of a wall?”

  He nodded and looked around. “Your office is next to mine. Well, sort of.” He glanced behind him. “Oh, gotta go.” He stepped back and the wall slid closed.

  Emilie stared at it. What in the...? A knock interrupted my confusion and my gaze swung back over. There stood the man Opal had called Chaz. He smiled and stepped in. I finally sat down in my
desk chair as I smiled back at him. Oh, wow, the chair cushioned me like a sweet glove.

  “I just wanted to offer my services for your first lunch here.”

  I looked up at him. “Services?”

  He nodded. “I have appointed myself as the welcoming committee.”

  I didn’t know how to reply. Why was this guy being so nice, and who was he?

  Smiling as if he’d read my mind, he stepped forward. “I’m Chaz Verchelli.”

  I froze and my eyes widened.

  He nodded. “Yes, the shoes.”

  “Oh, wow.” I gulped. Verchellis were the newest, hottest shoes on the fashion market. “I-I didn’t know.”

  He shrugged. “Is okay. I don’t have the famous face like Nick.” He tilted his head. “So, I will be here at noon to pick you up.”

  Opening my mouth to tell him no, he waved then threw in a “Ciao,” as he exited.

  “Okay, I just got steamrolled there.” I laughed to myself.

  The rest of the morning I spent at my desk. The web spots of all the other designers on staff were open to my fingertips on my new PC, which moved like lightning. I wanted to get the swing of things, learn how they worked here. Who did what and what was up with each new line, when they would premiere, and what the market was with each. I hoped to have a realistic plan to give Ni—Mr. Tessaro by the end of business day Thursday.

  A knock came on the glass door, and I looked up. There stood the very handsome Chaz. I glanced at the time on my PC. Ten ‘til noon.

  “You have been sitting there all morning?” he asked, looking shocked.

  Nodding, I intended to explain, then thought better of it. Until I got the real feel of what was happening here, I intended to keep my thoughts to myself.

  He strode forward and stood next to my desk while offering his arm. “Ready?”

  I stared up at him and clicked sleep-mode on the PC. “Ready for what?”

  He laughed. “I will not allow that to hurt my feelings. Our lunch, remember?” He gazed intensely at me.

  “Oh, okay. Are we going far, because I wish to get bac—?”

  “No, no. The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth floors are all restaurants. Didn’t you know?”

  Restaurants in the high rise where the studios were? I shook my head, and was sure I looked dumbstruck.

  “Well, shame on Nick for not giving you the tour. Well, his loss.” He shook his head. “Come on.”

  Getting up, I grabbed my purse from my briefcase that lay open on the desk.

  He tsked. “You will not need to pay.”

  I furrowed my brows in confusion.

  He laughed. “Geez, didn’t Nick explain anything?”

  Shaking my head, I tucked my clutch purse under my arm anyway. No guy was paying for my lunch. It was a bad idea.

  He leaned forward, his eyes on my clutch. “Can I see that?”

  I looked down at it and handed it to him.

  He grinned as his eyes widened. “This is one sweet purse!”

  I swallowed heavily. It was my own design.

  “You did this?” he asked.

  Only nodding, I didn’t trust myself to speak.

  “No wonder he hired you!”

  I felt stunned at his reaction to my purse.

  He went on, “I have just the shoes on my drawing board to go with this!” He laughed. “Fucking fabulous. Well, the man is a genius!” He grabbed my arm and led me out of my comfy office.

  We walked through the open space and the place was emptier than when I arrived. They must all be at lunch. Just when I intended to tell Verchelli that I couldn’t go with him, my thoughts halted as I spotted a familiar form ahead of me.

  Nick was headed toward us.

  “Hey there, Nickie boy,” Chaz greeted him.

  Nick looked a little annoyed at the nickname. “Are we going somewhere?”

  “I don’t know about you, but we have a hot lunch date!” Chaz replied.

  I shot a look at Chaz, eyes widening in mortification.

  “You do?” Nick asked.

  Chaz nodded. “Yes, we are going to the tenth.” He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the elevator.

  I looked back to see Nick standing there looking lost or confused, which it was, I couldn’t tell though. Dammit, this man may have just given Nick the wrong idea about me. Like I was hopping on the first guy I met in the studios! I couldn’t let on that Nick and I were personally involved; not yet, anyway. So to make a scene with Chaz might do that.

  I’d thought I was in trouble before, but when I caught sight of Nick’s angry glare as the elevator doors closed, I knew that trouble had really landed this time with a great, big boom.

  Chapter 16

  I FELT SICK AND UPSET in the elevator. But I still could not think of a way to extract myself from this Chaz. I mentally rolled my eyes. Who would be blonde enough to kick this good-looking man to the curb—and a famous designer at that? People at Novak’s would go on and on about his shoes. I now wondered if he worked with or for Nick. Yes, I should have asked or something, but the man was a whirlwind of charm, smiles, and jokes, so I couldn’t seem to get the opportunity to ask him much.

  “Okay, here we are,” Chaz announced as he led me out of the elevator.

  Again, I halted. It was a wonderful room; it took up the whole floor. People sat at tables everywhere. The aroma in the air was delicious, so tasty you could probably breathe in calories just by taking a deep breath.

  “Nice, right?” Chaz asked as he pulled me forward.

  We sat at a table and a waiter appeared immediately. “Mr. Chaz!” he greeted. “So nice to see you again,” The tall, good-looking waiter bowed.

  “Oh, Jeff, no need for all of that. Um, Emilie here is new and we need to give her the star treatment, yes?”

  Jeff smiled hugely. “Of course.” He turned to her. “What would you like to drink?”

  I bit at my lip. “Ah... just ice water with lemon.”

  “Very good. And the usual for you, Chaz?”

  He nodded then plucked up a menu and handed it to Emilie. “Are you sure you won’t have an iced coffee? Lemonade or something?” he asked.

  I shook my head. I intended to get leaner, despite sitting in a place that smelled like fifty pounds a minute.

  “Oh well, lookie here,” Chaz commented.

  I looked up from the menu and followed his gaze. Nick stood at the entrance. I smiled at him then my smile slipped as I noticed a woman standing at his side. I blinked rapidly. Blonde, curvy, and absolutely gorgeous. Everyone in the place quieted and stared at the couple.

  “Mmm, didn’t he date her sometime back?” Chaz looked intrigued.

  I lost my appetite instantly and my glorious dream day fell away as the woman leaned in a whispered something to my Nick.

  He smiled and nodded as his eyes searched the room, then landed on my face.

  Our eyes met.

  I knew tears formed in mine, but this time, I would not act a fool. I looked away first. So, he shows up with someone he’d dated. So what? My throat swelled shut as I fought emotions.

  “So, what will you have?” Chaz asked.

  I looked up from the menu and hoped my voice would not waver with unshed tears. “A salad, I think?”

  He shook his head. “No, no. You do not come to the tenth and have a freakin’ salad!”

  I stared at him and then forced a laugh.

  He grinned at me. “Finally, a smile and a laugh. I mean damn, I thought my charm was slipping something awful.”

  I tried to keep up the happy act, he was a funny guy and so bold. I felt eyes on me, a familiar, intense gaze. Goosebumps rose on my skin. Nick was close. I just knew it. I raised my chin and met his gaze at the table next to ours.

  He stared at me, a heat burning in his gaze.

  I couldn’t tell what he was feeling. But his eyes always reflected his feelings as far as I had seen, so I zeroed in on that. A true angry glare. Oh, so he’s mad? Well, join the club, Mr. Tessar
o! I heard the waiter. “Here you go, Emilie.” He set the water in front of me.

  Chaz piped in, “Thanks, Jeff. I will have my usual.”

  “And for the lady?” Jeff asked.

  “A salad with lite Italian,” I answered, not caring what I ate at this point.

  Chaz stared at me. “Well, I am a bit more than light,” he joked. “But as long as you want me, okay?”

  I stared at him, then the joke dawned on me. Finally, I laughed. He was truly funny!

  “Very good,” Jeff said and walked away.

  Chaz then did something I knew I would regret. He turned around and looked over at Nick who sat with the gorgeous woman “Is that you, Cherry?”

  I felt my breath catch in my throat. Cherry? Oh, no, no! It has to be another joke.

  “Yes, Chaz,” she replied in a melodic voice. “How are you?”

  So, that is actually her name? I felt stunned, mad, and confused all at the same time.

  Chaz gave her a wink. “Still jazzing.”

  Cherry giggled. “You are bad. And who is with you?”

  He grinned at her. “A new designer, and let me tell you. You will be wearing her purses. I promise.”

  Nick kept his eyes on me as he nodded. “For once, he is correct, Cherry.” He never took his eyes from mine.

  I broke eye contact again. If this tension got any thicker, I would not be able to eat a thing. I looked down at my glass and raised it to take a sip.

  “Yes, this is Emilie Swan. Sweet and shy, too.” Chaz inclined his head at me.

  “Well, I’m sure you will coax her out of being shy. Right, Chaz?” Cherry gave him a wink.

  Nick looked uncomfortable and glanced away.

  Chaz laughed. “Yes. I believe she will be a project of mine.”

  I gasped and stared at the back of his head.

  He turned back to me. “I mean. I will be working with her.”

  “You will?” Nick asked as he glared at the man.

  “Yes. Do you see that dazzling purse on the table?” He motioned his head at it. “I have just the line of shoes to go with her purses.”

  Nick shot his gaze over at me.

  I shrugged. “I-I didn’t—?”