by M. Malone
I just didn’t expect the whole thing to depress me so much.
Traffic is horrendous which only adds to my grumpy mood as I make my way back to Mirage. I wave at Anya as I pass the reception desk, making a note to ask Mya about hiring some temporary help.
I was brought on to help out answering the phones so Anya didn’t have to do it all the time. Now that I’m doing some marketing work as well, I feel bad that Anya is stuck behind that desk again along with all her work assisting James.
“Casey, there you are.” Mya waves me in when I appear in the doorway to her office. “Close the door. I’ve already gotten started.”
I take a seat in one of the chairs across from her. “Sorry I’m late. I was…delayed.”
Mya looks up. “Are you okay?”
“Oh yes. Fine. I just feel bad that Anya is stuck doing all the receptionist work while I help out with this Lavin campaign.”
She takes a deep breath. “I want to say something and I hope this isn’t overstepping. But just because Mr. Lavin requested your help on this campaign, doesn’t mean you have to do it. I hope you aren’t feeling pressured in any way.”
“It’s not like that!”
Mya grins. “Oh, so it’s like that.”
My head falls into my hand. “God, I hope I’m never interrogated by the police. I would crack before they even asked the first question.”
“I’m not trying to be nosy but I just wanted to make sure things were on the up-and-up. Believe me, I’m not judging. He’s a good-looking man.”
“Won’t James be upset if he finds out.”
Mya sniffs. “James would be a hypocrite if he did. He was married to someone he worked with and now he’s with…. um, well. Now he’s just bitter.”
I’m pretty sure that wasn’t what she was going to say but there’s a chance she thinks I don’t know about James and Anya.
“Well, at least I can tell Ariana it’s not a secret anymore. I felt bad asking her to keep it from you. You’re her best friend. I’m sure she tells you everything.”
“Not everything,” Mya says. “Ariana is a vault. That girl has secrets upon secrets. I saw some things living in that apartment that I didn’t even want an explanation for.”
We both shudder. Some things shouldn’t be remembered.
“Anyway, the point is that as long as you’re happy, I’m happy. You’ve been a great help to me on this campaign and I think you have a lot of potential.”
She pulls a sheaf of papers from her desk. She slaps them down on the desktop in front of me. “For the past two years, I’ve been pushing James to start an intern program. It makes more sense to hire people as interns while they’re in college and then by the time they graduate, they’re fully trained as marketing associates. If I can get him to agree, would you be interested?”
“Um, yeah. That would be amazing. But I’m not sure if I’m what he’s looking for. I’m not really good with people.”
Translation, I'm a tongue-tied introvert with fashion issues. Not exactly marketing associate material.
Marketing associates are always outgoing and sophisticated. They hobnob with the clients and convince them to trust their company’s public profile to someone else. I never thought I’d actually be hired as a marketing associate for a place like this. I was expecting something less high-pressure. Maybe a marketing position for a chain store, where I’d be designing ad campaigns for batteries or shovels.
Mya lowers her voice. “I want to give you some advice. Something I wish someone had told me when I was younger.” She perches on the edge of her desk and picks up a picture frame. When she turns it, I can see it’s a picture of Milo.
“I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but Milo and I have worked together for quite a while.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t know. It explains a lot, though. You two are so in sync it seems like you’re reading each other’s minds.”
“Sometimes I think we are reading each other’s minds. But things weren’t always this way.” She points at the picture. “Look at him. He looks like a runway model. He’s always been like that, effortlessly gorgeous. Then there’s me, the short, plump girl who couldn’t even get a date in high school. I never thought he’d want me.”
I watch wordlessly as Mya sets the photo back down. It’s hard to believe what I’m hearing. This is gorgeous Mya Taylor, the woman all the men in the agency lust after. How can she not know that? Doesn’t she notice the effect she has on others?
“Mya, you have the kind of figure that can stop traffic. Women pay money to have curves like yours.”
“Well, thank you. But until I had the confidence to believe that, I pushed Milo away again and again. I almost lost him because I was too dumb to just believe what he told me.” Mya looks at me pointedly. “And I really hope you aren’t going to be as dumb as I was.”
I bite my lip. “Mr. Lavin is an amazing man but we don’t really have anything in common.”
“I’m not just talking about Mr. Lavin. Despite what men seem to think, the world doesn’t revolve around them. I'm talking about you, Casey. You have good instincts and an eye for what works. Take a chance, believe in yourself. Apply for the internship.”
I shrug but a tickle of excitement creeps up my spine. “I don’t know. I doubt I’d get it even if I applied. James probably won’t want someone who has already dropped out of school once.”
Mya sighs and walks back behind her desk. “You’re just as dumb as I was. Which is probably why we get along so well.” She claps her hands.
“Let’s get to work on this Gemini ad. That’s something we can tackle today.”
17
* * *
As we finish up a meeting with our CFO, Jason makes a face behind his back like he’s dying. This has been a day of never-ending meetings, one of my least favorite parts of the job. Gone are the days when I could sketch all day and sew all night. I cover a yawn with my hand.
After Casey’s talk with Mr. Nussbaum on Monday, it took the board only twenty-four hours to review my prior proposal and approve it. One day. It would be hard to believe if I wasn’t as firmly under her spell as everyone else.
Finally the meeting is over. Jason closes my office door and collapses back against it. “Man, I thought he’d never leave.”
“I hope nothing is wrong with the company because I wasn’t paying any attention.”
“That’s why you have me to run shit around here. I’m actually surprised you’ve been around this week.” He sits back down in the chair across from my desk.
There’s nothing I can say to refute that since it’s true. While I’m the CEO of the company, most CEOs rely heavily on their Chief Operating Officers to keep track of the different departments and make sure nothing goes wrong on a day-to-day basis.
“Where else would I be? It’s only a month until Christmas, then it’ll be New Years. There’s way too much work to do before the end of the year for me to take a vacation.”
Jason smirks. “Not a vacation. I just figured you’d be spending way more time on marketing lately.”
“Ah. Yes. Well, I haven’t seen Casey since Monday.”
He leans back in the chair and puts his hands on his head with a loud groan. “What the fuck are you doing, man? After all those months we couldn’t find her, I thought you’d be all over things now. What the hell are you waiting for?”
While I can understand his confusion, it still irritates me to hear him talk about her like that. Like she’s just some conquest or some chick I want to screw again.
“She’s focused and determined to make her mark in her career. I’m trying to respect her wishes. What do you want me to do, go stalk her when she’s made it clear she just wants to be friends?”
He looks chagrined. “Okay, I get it. But you can at least tell her that she saved the day with the board. Isn’t that a friend thing? At least give her the credit for that.”
I still have to get a budget approved for how much we can spend
on repurposing the scrap material into garments to donate, but the hardest part is over. She accomplished something I’ve been trying to get done for a long time. Casey is the entire reason that Lavin Couture now has a recycling program.
She definitely deserves the credit.
“I’m willing to admit you have a point. Now get out of here so I can figure out how to tell her that.”
He leaves with a mocking bow and I then turn to look at my phone with trepidation. She’s still at work so maybe I shouldn’t call her now. When I entered my number on her phone, I made sure to text myself so I’d have hers. It’s been so tempting seeing that message sitting in my texting app. It would be so easy to reply to it, to initiate a conversation about something related to the campaign just for the excuse of claiming some of her time.
But each time I stop myself, worried that I’m doing the exact thing I told myself I wouldn’t do, pressure her for more than she wants to give.
However this time Jason is right. I have legitimate business news that she deserves to hear. Finally I curse my own indecision and hit her name to call her.
“Hello?”
“Casey. It’s Andre.”
“I know.” She sounds like she’s whispering. “I was just surprised to hear your voice. Is everything okay? Do you need me to get Mya?”
“No, I called for you. Good news, the board approved the recycling program.”
After a pause, Casey erupts into a muffled squeal. “Holy crap, seriously? That’s great. I mean, I figured Paul would come through for us but you can never be sure about these things.”
Why is he Paul? Disgruntled, I remember how long she insisted on calling me Mr. Lavin even though it was completely unnecessary but she meets Nussbaum once and suddenly he’s Paul?
“It’s all thanks to you. You’re the one who convinced Mr. Nussbaum to vote yes on the proposal. Where he goes the others usually follow.”
“It was the right thing. I’m just thrilled they actually agreed.”
“So we should celebrate. Dinner tonight?”
“Um… you don’t have to do that. It was no big deal.”
“Our company will have a smaller carbon footprint and some of D.C.’s residents will have warm clothing this winter thanks to you. It’s a very big deal.”
I can hear the smile in her voice when she responds. “Thanks. It feels good to be a part of something that matters. I guess we could do dinner.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up from work. Unless you’d rather go home first. I could pick you up at your apartment.”
“No! Don’t do that.” Casey coughs. “At work is fine. See you then.”
After we hang up, I sit back with a satisfied smile. This is probably the only time such a lackluster acceptance has ever made me feel so good. With Casey, I’ve had to work for every inch and even though this is just a friendly dinner, it feels more important than any other date I’ve ever had.
Right before five o’clock, I pull up in front of the Madison building and put the car in park to wait.
I love the energy of Washington, D.C. There are always people rushing by in dark suits or joggers with their dogs. It’s a city that never sleeps but with a totally different vibe than New York or Los Angeles. In New York the energy is manic, so much going on that I feel drugged every second I’m there. Los Angeles feels like moving through a dream with it’s loud colors and obsession with physical beauty.
The nation’s capital is just as vibrant but with a controlled pace and an orderly energy. Here the celebrities are senators and congressmen instead of actors and musicians. It reminds me more of Milan although it can’t touch Italian architecture. I’m definitely biased.
Fifteen minutes after five, Casey pushes open the building’s glass doors and steps out onto Connecticut Avenue.
I watch as she looks both ways and then starts walking in the opposite direction. I lower the window slightly and whistle at her. She turns and glares at the car before turning her attention back to her phone.
Lowering the window all the way, I lean out. “Cassandra, don’t be difficult.”
She whirls around at the sound of her name. “Andre! I thought you were going to call me before you got here.”
As soon as she gets in and shuts the door I pull back into traffic.
“I figured you were getting off soon anyway, so I decided to just wait. Why didn’t you come over at first?”
She laughs. “Because you whistled at me, you jerk. I thought you were some random guy hitting on me. It happens occasionally. Men in this city will hit on anything that moves. Well, I suppose men are like that in every city.”
I can only imagine. When I whistled at her I was being playful, never considering that it might come across as disrespectful. Not that I’m unaware those things happen but she speaks about it as just a fact of life. And for her it is, a sobering thought. Maybe I should pick her up from work everyday.
When the car rolls to a smooth stop at a red light, the people in the next car do a double take.
“Why are people staring? They can’t see us, can they?” Casey squints as she peers though the tinted window.
“It’s the car. Bugattis always draw attention. I decided to have it shipped since I’ll be here for a while.”
“Bugatti. Sounds fancy.”
I decide not to tell her that a Bugatti Veyron is about two million dollars worth of fancy. Philippe will definitely get a kick out of this conversation later.
“Anyway, all I know about cars is they’re expensive to buy, expensive to fuel and expensive to park. I was excited when I learned that most city dwellers don’t bother with them. I left my old car back at home. It’s so old it probably wouldn’t have survived the trip anyway.” Casey leans her head back against the headrest with a weary sigh.
“Tired?”
“A little.”
“We can stay in. I’ll get something delivered. What do you feel like for dinner? Italian, French or maybe Chinese?”
“I can’t imagine you eating moo shu pork from a little white box.” Casey grins over at me. “Now I’m tempted to ask for Chinese just to see what you would order.”
“I like all types of food.” I pull into the underground parking of my building and punch in the security code to gain access. After we park, I round the car to open her door. She takes my hand and allows me to pull her to her feet.
“I’m actually curious about what you eat most of the time. Do you even know how to cook?”
I take the teasing in stride. If I hadn’t had my father’s influence, there’s a good chance that I’d be as spoiled and sheltered as she probably assumes.
“Prepare to be amazed, signorina. Tonight I am going to prepare my signature dish. I only prepare it for treasured guests a few times a year so you are in for a treat.”
Casey plays along, squeezing my arm as we ride the elevator to the top floor. “Do tell. I can’t wait to be amazed.”
When the elevator doors open, I gesture for her to walk out first. “Go ahead and get comfortable. The remote is next to the couch if you want to watch some TV.”
Casey slips off her shoes, leaving them next to the front door. “I’ll hang out with you in the kitchen. It’s not often I get to see a master chef at work.”
I get ready to cook. First, I wash my hands and then tuck a dish towel in the front of my slacks to protect them from splatter. Then, I pour Casey a glass of wine and another for myself. She sits at the counter in the kitchen watching as I arrange my ingredients. I set out bread, cheese, butter and a few spices. Then I reach below to retrieve a cast iron skillet.
I gesture at it all with a flourish. “Get ready for the best damn grilled cheese you’ve ever had!”
Casey giggles as I spread butter across the pieces of bread before layering them with thick slices of smoked cheddar cheese. “Grilled cheese. That’s your masterpiece? Well, I have to admit you really look like you know what you’re doing. I’m impressed.”
I place the first sandwich
in the skillet with a generous dollop of butter.
“My father came from humble beginnings. But unlike a lot of people we know, he never tried to hide it. He refused to let anyone treat it as a weakness. Instead he made it a strength. If I’m even half the man he is, I’ll be happy. He passed away five years ago and there are days I still pick up the phone to call him before I remember.”
She smiles sadly. “I’m so sorry. I bet he was so proud of you.”
“He was. And of my younger brother Philippe. My mother is proud of us as well, I know she is, just has a different way of showing that.”
“Oh yeah, your mother. We met.”
Her words make me jerk and my elbow hits my glass of wine sending it flying. The sound of the glass shattering seems so loud. For a moment I can’t move. Can’t breathe.
“Andre? Are you okay?”
I can hear her calling my name but I can’t respond. Then in a sudden rush, I’m back. I move forward on shaky feet and turn off the burner with a flick of my wrist.
“Sorry about that.” My hands are shaking as I go to the pantry and retrieve a broom. Embarrassed by my extreme reaction, I wonder how I’ll explain this to Casey. “I’m probably not good company right now. Maybe we can get a rain check on dinner?”
Warm fingers cover mine, startling me. “I don’t want to go unless you don’t want me here anymore. And you don’t have to apologize. I’m not sure what just happened but I can see that something shook you. The same thing happened at the Preview Gala with that woman. When she hugged you, you looked like you’d just seen a ghost.”
“Something happened. Earlier this year. I don’t really talk about it.”
Warm brown eyes meet mine. “Well then we won’t.”
With gentle fingers she takes the broom and sweeps the glass into a small pile in the corner.
“That’s it? You don’t want to know what happened.”
She takes me by surprise when she shakes her head. “Not if talking about it makes you remember it again. If you want to tell me, I want to listen. But until then, I plan on relaxing with my friend and eating the dinner he made for me.”