Love Handles

by Candi Heart

  Pamela looked concerned. “Oh, crap, Emilie. You lost him and the job?” Tears filled her eyes.

  I pulled my head back in utter shock. The woman really did care? I again, shook my head.

  “Oh, sweets! No, how awful. I mean, maybe I could get you something? I run a temp agency.” Barbie said.

  I stood up and stepped back, and they raised their curious gazes up at me.

  “This morning, I dressed to impress. I even wore makeup,” I announced.

  The two women appeared confused as they looked at each other.

  “And I marched down to five-one-five Broadway and showed up for work!”

  Their mouths dropped open.

  I went on, “I greeted everyone as if nothing had happened. Told my protégés to meet me, and I started my clutch line.”

  The two girls sat with stunned expressions for a full minute until it really sunk in. Then Pamela vaulted up and squealed. Barbie followed with a happy dance.

  “YOU didn’t!” Pamela exclaimed.

  “I did.”

  “Because he cannot say a damn thing!” Barbie yelled with triumph.

  “He can’t, right?” Pamela nodded. “It would blow his little kingdom to hell!” I started to laugh uproariously.

  The two women grabbed me up and we danced around my living room with squeals and laughter.

  I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I laughed. “It was so awesome! I owned it!”

  The other two stopped wiggling and really looked at me.

  Pamela stepped back, put her arms out in front of her, and looked over at Barbie.

  Barbie did the same with her arms in front of her and a nod of her pretty blonde head.

  Then they both lowered their heads and their arms, chanting, “We’re not worthy. We’re not worthy.” Like the old skit from Wayne’s World.

  I gasped as I stared at their lowered heads. This was a homage I never, ever envisioned. Tears fell from my eyes. The two girls quit the posturing and grabbed me up in a huge hug.

  “Truly, Em, you are our hero,” Pamela said softly.

  “Yes!” Barbie added. “Now, let’s all go out to celebrate!”

  Chapter 19

  I FELT OUT OF PLACE standing between the two model types. But the pair acted as if I were their queen. When they got to the door of the Minx Club, the bouncer looked them up and down, then his eyes landed on me, and he paused.

  Oh, here it comes. He thinks I’m too fat and won’t let us in. Insecurity getting the best of me, I began to step back, intending to leave.

  “Hey, beautiful!” he called out to me with a huge smile. “I’ve never seen you here.”

  I stared at him with wide eyes, and then looked behind me to see if he was speaking to someone else. My two new best buds shrugged their shoulders, looking a bit lost.

  I turned back to face him. “I-I usually don’t club.”

  “I bet, you don’t look the type.” He nodded and grabbed my arm. “Come on. I will have Salvador get you a good table away from the leeches.” He marched me forward.

  “Hey!” Pamela called out.

  He stopped and glanced over at me with a bland expression.

  “We are with her. Emilie is our best friend!” Barbie added.

  He looked from them to me. I nodded.

  He smiled. “Okay then, come on.” He waved them in.

  I giggled nervously as I met Pamela’s stunned gaze. Then I shrugged. We were led to a table above the dance floor.

  The one I assumed to be Salvador came over beaming at us. He nodded at a waitress and she brought over drinks. “On the house, as Bear instructed.”

  I stared at him, looking confused.

  “Bear, the man at the door. Let me know if you need anything else at all.” He bowed and took my hand, kissing it. Then he walked away.

  I looked over at the girls. They were wide-eyed.

  “Have you been here before?” Pamela asked me.

  Shaking my head, I felt just as confused as they were. “Never.”

  “Emilie Swan!” someone yelled from below in between loud songs.

  I leaned over and peered down. It was Lena, the clerk from my favorite dress shop. I waved and she made her way up.

  Lena was beaming at me as she gave me a hug,

  “Pamela and Barbie, this is Lena,” I introduced them.

  Lena smiled at them, but looked puzzled as she swung my gaze over to me. I motioned for her to sit down. Yes, I was hanging out literally with ‘Barbie’ type women, when Lena and I were definitely not that type.

  “So. What happened?” Lena leaned in close.

  “With?” I smiled.

  Lena tapped my arm. “With Nicholas Hottie Tessora, you nin!”

  Both Pamela and Barbie smiled at her.

  Lena stared at their animated faces. “What?”

  Pamela sat forward, drink in hand, and told her my story. About the first date, then the weekend, then my going to the job, and then the lunch from hell.

  Barbie added her own parts in between about what had done and said in the elevator.

  As they spoke, Lena’s eyes grew rounder and wider. Finally, at the last part of what solution I had come up with by my going right back to the studios the next day, she looked over at me. “Oh, my gosh. You... girl! You are my hero!”

  The two best friends stood up and Lena slowly raised her gaze up at them. They placed their arms out in front of them. I groaned and put my hands over my face.

  They did their homage routine and Lena almost fell out of her chair laughing. Then Lena, too, stood up and joined them. “We’re not worthy.”

  Salvador was now standing at the edge of their table wearing a very amused expression.

  I then again covered my face as all three girls kept it up. I peeked through my fingers at Salvador. He laughed and then gave me a sweeping bow.

  “I knew greatness when I saw it,” Bear said from behind him.

  At that point, I wanted the floor to come up and swallow me as they all laughed.

  The men came over and smiled at her.

  “You have carte blanche in this club whenever you come,” Salvador stated as he again kissed my hand.

  Bear took my hand from his and did the same, only he gave me a blue-eyed wink. The man was a big hulk of a man and built like a brickhouse. I knew I was three shades of pink, as all I could do was nod.

  After the men left, Pamela and Barbie discussed how it was obvious Bear had a thing for me. I again hid my face. The girls laughed and carried on like a group of long-lost friends. Then Lena told me that she’d lost her job at the store.

  I sat up in my seat. “What?”

  Nodding, Lena smiled sadly. “It’s okay. I wasn’t using my degree either. The manager never liked me and you know why, too. Jobs like yours are one in a million and I don’t stand a chance, but I was thinking of applying at—”

  I grabbed her hand. “How would you like a job as my executive assistant?”

  Lena looked stunned. “W-what?”

  Nodding, I grinned. “I need someone I know and someone who needs to break in. New blood, high aspirations.”

  “B-but you don’t even know if I—?”

  “Yes, I do. How many dresses did you put me into that fit me perfectly—and with accessories? You know your fashion, even for a fat girl like me!”

  Lena slapped my hand and tsked at me.

  “You are not fat, Em! Don’t ever say that!” Pamela exclaimed.

  I looked over at her and chewed my lip.

  “I mean it. Did you see those men just now? They know you are a curvy goddess.”

  A blanket of sadness immediately engulfed me. “My goddess, in my dress.” I heard his voice in my head. Tears welled up in my eyes. Oh, no here it is. The moment where I fall apart... and in front of the girls, too.

  “Oh, honey, what did I say?” Pamela took my hand.

  “T-that is what he said when I wore his labeled dress. ‘My goddess in my dress’.” I looked over at Lena. “Yes,
you chose one of his. Then he said he’d designed it for the perfect woman, one he wanted for himself.” I laid my head on the table. “How could he j-just...”

  The three women all tried to hug me and pat me at the same time.

  Sniffling, I sat up and swiped away my tears. “Okay, no more of that. I already decided it was over and apparently, he did, too.” I let out a breath. “So, let’s drink!” I raised my glass.

  The other three did as well, and we all clinked glasses.

  “To a new day!” I looked at Lena. “Then you have a new job starting tomorrow, if you can make it?”

  Lena swiped at a tear. “If I can make it?” She rolled her eyes. “Just tell me where and I am there.”

  Pamela and Barbie looked over at me and said in unison, “Five-one-five Broadway!”

  I gasped and we all started laughing, almost hysterically. Yeah, this is the best night of my life. Suddenly, I thought of that fantastic date with him. Well, almost the best one.

  Chapter 20

  THE NEXT DAY WHEN I arrived, I felt a little hungover, but it wasn’t bad. I again, dressed in a very flattering outfit, but one I could move in, because today—I planned to really move. I couldn’t wait to see what my staff had accomplished, but first I stopped at the main desk.

  “Hello, Stephanie,” I greeted the rather curvy receptionist at the huge desk.

  The girl gave me that bright smile of hers. “Hey there, Miss Swan.”

  “Call me Em, okay?”

  Stephanie looked happy as usual. “Okay, Em.” She giggled. “What can I do for you today?”

  “I have my new Executive Assistant coming in, and it’s her first day, so—”

  “Oh, yes. I will make her feel welcome and send her up top.”

  I nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, Em?” Stephanie called out to me.

  “Yes?” I turned back around.” Have you, um, seen Nick?”

  I fought to look unaffected. “No, why?” I smiled brightly. “Is he missing?” Good question.

  “Um, no not really, but he is sort of a workaholic, and the only time he is away is for a show, and well...”

  I tried to keep my sunny smile while it felt like my heart was being shredded by the subject. “So, you thought I might know?”

  “Well, you know. It’s none of my business, but...” Her voice fell away.

  This piqued my interest. This girl knew something. “When was the last time you saw him?”

  Her blue eyes rounded. “The day, um...well, I saw the back of you going out the front and...” She stopped to look around to make sure no one was around. “Well, I got to my desk and Nick came busting out of the elevator. I have never seen him look like that.” She swallowed heavily. “Like fierce and well, upset. Like heartbroken, ya know?” She shrugged.” He then asked me if I saw—you.” Stephanie looked into my eyes. “Truly, he acted like it was life or death.”

  I looked away. I knew this girl was piecing something together. “Well, then, what did he do?” ‘Cause I sure as hell know he did not come after me.

  “He ran out the door looking frantic. Desperate-like. I felt so bad for him. He is such a great guy...” She ended on a sigh.

  Oh, someone has a crush. But I didn’t care. What I cared about was that he had ran out after me. Then... what happened after that? Was he hurt? Did something happen? No, Opal said he went home sick, so she’d seen him after.

  “Em?” Stephanie called to me.

  My head snapped up. “Oh, sorry. I was just trying to understand why he’d acted that way. I’m sure he is okay. Maybe he finally took some time off?”

  Stephanie stared at me and her expression said she knew better.

  But I nodded my head. “Okay, sweetie. Thank you.” I turned toward the elevator. My entire body trembled, though. Nick had busted out of the elevator and ran out after me? So, he had cared. But he knew where I lived. What happened? I stabbed the button to the elevator and sighed. Who cares? Em, really. You cannot care. He practically fired you because he thought you were hitting on Chaz. I huffed. Forget about him personally. It’s gone and done.

  When the elevators opened, I stood for a minute just to view the place. As usual, it was bright and sunny. It smelled great, due to the many flowers everywhere. People laughed and talked and some held pencils in their mouths as if they were studying a sketch. Others traded swatches and talked intensely. These people were all about fashion. It was their thing like it was my thing. I did have to say Mr. Tessora did it right. Of course he did. I was grateful for this at least. I smiled and stepped out.

  People waved at me as I passed, and I smiled and nodded back. I made it to my office and pushed the door open, managing my case as I did. Then I bustled to my desk and got started.

  “Hello?” Someone tapped on my glass door.

  I glanced up. “Lena!”

  As Lena made her way in, her eyes were huge and her face looked flushed.

  “Welcome to the Tessora Studios.” I stood up and went around my desk to greet her.

  “Bullshit!” Lena spluttered. “T-This place!”

  Nodding, I laughed. “Right? It’s like heaven to me, compared to Novak hell.” I moved forward. “Okay, sit down and I need to call Opal.”

  Nodding, Lena still looked stunned as she gazed around.

  I tapped my com.

  “Yes, Emilie?” a voice answered.

  “Um, Opal, I hired an Executive Assistant. I hope to get her an office close to mine?”

  “Wonderful! Let her choose one. It’s what we do here. You are to run your own ship, Emilie, those were Nick’s instructions and you do not need to ask first.”

  I smiled and gave Lena a wink.

  Lena sat dumbfounded as she slowly shook her head.

  “Ok, thank you, Opal.”

  “Now that doesn’t mean you can’t call me if you need something, K?” Opal’s voice sounded sweet.

  “Thank you.” I clicked off the com.

  I looked at Lena, excitement dazzling in my eyes. “Okay, ready?”

  Lena still looked dazed. “Y-yes?”

  That made me laugh. “I know how you feel. I was overwhelmed by it all, too. Hell, I still am.” I led Lena out and into the hall. “I think there are four offices here, so this one here would be next door to me. Gotta have you close by. Unless, you want across from me?”

  Lena peeked in. “Holy smokes!”

  “Yes, it’s just about the same as mine.”

  Lena grabbed me up and hugged me tight. “Thank you, Em, so much!”

  I felt like I was getting the stuffing hugged out of me.

  “Can I get in on this?” a male voice spoke from behind them.

  Gasping, Lena pulled away, and the two of us turned.

  Chaz smiled at me, then looked over at Lena. His eyes widened as he stared.

  “Um, this is my new Executive Assistant, Lena Reynolds,” I stated proudly.

  Chaz said nothing. In fact, he remained mute and his gaze remained on Lena.

  “And Lena, this is Chaz V—”

  Chaz finally seemed to come to life. He reached out and took Lena’s hand, cutting me off. “Chaz is fine.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Lena, you say?”

  Both of us nodded. Chaz then gave Lena’s hand a soft kiss.

  I chuckled. “Then I will follow Opal’s lead and warn you: Watch out for this man. He is a huge flirt and charming as they come. So be careful.”

  Chaz swung his startled gaze up to me. “Opal said that?”

  I grinned. “Well, the part about watching out, but I learned the rest firsthand.”

  He smiled. “Yes, a real fan.”

  I laughed. “Now there’s the real Chaz. I was beginning to worry that you’d, what did you say... lost your charm?”

  He shook his head. “Never gonna let me live that lunch down, are you?”

  Lena stared at him then looked over at me.

  I nodded, confirming that this was the man Nick had reacted so badly to. “Okay, Len
a, settle in, your PC is yours, so do the password thing and then call me. Button number three, I think? I will then call my three talented staff in, and introduce you.”

  Lena nodded and was blushing now, as Chaz hadn’t let go of her hand.

  Chaz was still standing there staring and yes, seemingly unable to let go of Lena’s hand.

  “Chaz?” I said, amused.

  He didn’t answer.

  “Hellooo?” I called out again.

  His head rose up. “Oh! Yes, okay. I will let you two get to work.” Realizing he still held Lena’s hand, he dropped it. Clearing his throat as if to maintain his machismo, he threw Lena a wink and walked confidently out of my office.

  I stared at him and wondered what happened to the brash, bold jokester. I waited ‘til he was out of sight. “Watch yourself around him, please? He seems to be like sort of a playboy. Also, I know you won’t say anything about Nick to him, right? No one knows here.”

  Lena patted my hand. “Of course. They won’t learn it from me. But Chaz seems sweet, ya know?”

  “Careful Lena. A big flirt,” I warned.

  Lena bit at her lip. “But so dammed cute. But not just that, did you see that fine ass?”

  I couldn’t help it; I burst out laughing. “No, I never looked.”

  “Well, you need glasses then.”

  Obviously, I knew he was good-looking, but still, I felt the same as the first day... Chaz was not him. I raised my gaze to Lena. “Okay, I will see you in a bit, okay?”

  Lena nodded and turned to go into her dream office.

  Before I could turn to my own, I heard Lena let out a whoop! from inside her office.

  Smiling, I went into my own office and shut the door.

  An hour later, we had a meeting. My protégés had been productive and had had some demo bags made already. They planned to show the semi first draft line tomorrow. I swelled with pride when I saw the prototype, and Lena looked impressed with all of it as well. I then gave Lena all the stats, paperwork, orders, and marketing plan for the Sugar Line. We agreed to have a lunch meeting on the 12th.

  “The twelfth of this month?” Lena asked, looking a bit lost.

  I smiled as the staffers explained about the three floors of restaurants, then they added something I didn’t know: Nick had made it free to all Tessora designers and employees. Wow, so that was what Chaz had meant by claiming I did not have to pay for my lunch. I kept having to admit what an awesome person Nick was. Just like Stephanie had said. Shrugging, I figured it was very true. He just hadn’t learned to treat women right.