by Kari Fisher
“Hey, Ren.” Sophie smiles, handing Renae a mug of coffee.
“Thanks.” Renae is distracted.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s Scott,” she says softly, pointing to the man in the corner booth, wearing dark sunglasses and drinking a glass of water.
“Oh. Hey, Scott!” Sophie calls out.
“Shh, Soph—that’s weird.”
“Oh, come on. Who is he, anyway?”
“Just a co-worker.”
“Well, let’s go sit with your co-worker.” Sophie grins. She grabs Renae’s arm and pulls her toward the table. They take a seat.
Scott looks up from his daze. “Hi, Renae.”
He looks like he’s hurting bad today. Renae wonders what may have happened last night. Was he dating someone and she broke it off? Did he get an upsetting phone call from a family member? Something surely must have happened for him break down and drink all by himself. Even more disturbing is the fact that he lied about it to her, saying he’d only had one drink when clearly he had more than one.
“H-hi Scott,” Renae stammers.
“I’m Sophie. Renae talks about you a lot,” Sophie announces, offering her hand. Her outgoing, friendly demeanor is something Renae has always liked about her, but sometimes it was a little too much. Scott is obviously not interested in any kind of socialization right now, and Renae feels a bit embarrassed by her friend’s loud behavior.
“She does?” Scott asks, glancing over to Renae. Their eyes meet for a second and Renae gives a shy smile.
“I mentioned you work at the firm and that you gave me a ride home last night,” Renae explains. “Thanks again for that, by the way.”
“Oh, no problem.”
“Renae and I were going to go to the gym, and then out for a quick coffee, but I ended up having to work late. I’m an editor for the local newspaper and the hours are usually pretty great but sometimes we end up behind. It was a really long night,” Sophie groaned.
“So was mine,” Scott grumbles.
“What did you do last night?” Sophie inquires.
“Couldn’t sleep, that’s all. What gym do you girls go to?” Scott asks, changing the subject.
“The one down the street,” Renae interjects, feeling the need to make herself part of this conversation too. “It’s called Boom Fitness. It’s really not a bad price, either. It’s less than forty dollars per month and that includes towel service and use of the pool.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Scott says, nodding.
“What’s with the glasses?” Sophie questions him.
“I have a headache.”
“Should we leave you alone?”
“I have to go, anyway. I need to get back to work.”
“I’ll see you back at the office later.” Renae smiles. She scoots out of the booth so Scott can make his way out.
“Yeah, see you later. It was nice meeting you, Sophie.”
Both girls stare as he walks out of the café.
“He seems interesting,” Sophie comments.
“He’s not usually that strange. Something is up with him.”
“He’s weird, Ren.”
“He’s nice. He gave me a ride home last night,” Renae insists.
“I know. He probably just wanted to get into your pants.” Sophie grins.
“Oh, whatever. He’s a really nice guy; he’s just obviously got something going on. What’s new with you?”
“Don’t change the subject. You like him,” Sophie, laughs, poking at Renae.
“Leave it, Soph,” Renae demands.
“Okay, fine. Don’t be so touchy. Are you actually going back to work today? I thought you said you were over it, and I got the impression you’d be done for the day. Let’s go to the gym.”
“No, I’m sorry. I actually do have a ton of stuff I need to get done, so I should get back up there. It’s not very good work ethic if I start blowing work off within the first few weeks,” Renae sighs.
“All right, well, I’m going to head to the gym. Feel free to join me later if you want to. Just send me a text to see if I’m still there.”
“Sure. Thanks for the coffee.”
***
Sophie
“Hey, Sophie?”
Sophie presses the stop button on the treadmill and turns around, pulling her ear buds out of her ear. She’s secretly upset that she didn’t get to hear the rest of Journey’s Any Way You Want It. She’ll have to replay it later.
“Oh, Scott, hi,” Sophie says slowly, slightly confused. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you I wanted to join the gym.”
“I know but I didn’t think you meant today. Like, right now.” Sophie laughs.
“Well, I figured why not. I’ve been putting it off for long enough. Now is as good a time as any to get back into it. These abs aren’t going to stay this way forever if I don’t do anything to keep them this way, you know.”
At the mention of his abs, Sophie glances downwards. His shirt is tight, revealing a rock hard body underneath.
“That—that makes sense,” Sophie agrees.
Without another word, Scott walks away.
That was so weird. But god, he is so gorgeous.
Sophie shrugs off the weird interaction and goes back to her workout with her music playing. Every so often, she glances back to the equipment behind her, wondering if she can catch a glimpse of Scott’s work out or if he’s perhaps in a different room by now. Her question is answered about half an hour later, when she looks back and unintentionally makes eye contact with a sweaty, strong Scott, lifting weights on a bench behind her.
Sophie cannot blink, and Scott refuses to look away. Finally, she turns and breaks their intense gaze. She feels as though she’s done with this workout, even though her routine calls for another five minutes of cardio and another seven minutes of strength exercises. She hops down from the treadmill and wipes it off with a rag. She folds the rag neatly in half and hangs it on the arm of the treadmill.
“I’m done too,” Scott says, standing right behind her. She’s startled, and turns to look him in the eyes.
“D-did you have a good workout?” she asks, stammering.
“Let’s go back to your place.”
Sophie doesn’t even need to respond to this. She knows what she’d say if she did, and she has a feeling that Scott does too. Both of them are silent as they walk out of the building to the parking lot where Sophie’s car is parked.
Sophie pulls her phone out of her pocket, pretending to check the time, and sends Renae a quick text message.
Sophie: Do u like him?
Renae: Who, Scott? No.
That’s good enough for her.
The drive back to Sophie’s place, although short, is slightly awkward. Sophie and Scott look in opposite directions to avoid eye contact. Once inside Sophie’s house, both of them seem very at ease, knowing exactly what’s going to happen.
In the entrance way, while Sophie is taking off her boots, Scott grabs her by the neck. He pushes her up against the wall. She hits her head hard enough that it almost hurts.
“Whoa.” Sophie giggles. “I guess you like it rough.”
“You have no idea.”
He squeezes her neck harder, and she’s unable to move. He leans down and kisses her with what feels like years of built-up frustration. Sophie feels her wetness stir below and her knees feel weak. She jumps up and wraps her legs around Scott’s waist. He releases his grip on her neck and puts both hands on her ass. He pushes up against the wall, grinding on her. She moans and throws her head back as he makes his way further into her house with her still on him.
Together they fall onto the couch. She is buried in the cushions beneath his body. With him completely on top of her, it’s dark and she feels suffocated. She arches her back and squirms in an attempt to re-position herself more comfortably.
“Stop moving,” Scott instructs.
“I can’t breathe.”
; Scott allows her to wiggle out from under him, but only by a few inches. Her face is just above his shoulder and she can smell his fresh, masculine cologne, full of alluring sensuality. The smell reminds her of earth after a rainfall.
I can breathe. A few seconds ago, with her face buried under him, she could not—and she was beginning to feel dizzy. Now, he lies on top of her with all of his weight, holding her down. He is kissing her shoulder, exposed by her low cut shirt. It feels amazing.
She can feel that he clearly wants her and he’s forced to reach down to unbutton his pants, allowing for more room. He grinds against her again. Her body aches.
“Off,” she pleads. “You’re hurting me.”
“You like it.”
“No, I don’t. Get off.” She pushes him back with both hands, and he jumps up to his feet. He zips his pants up and snaps the button at the top.
“Sorry, Scott, I didn’t want you to stop, I just—”
“It’s okay.”
Suddenly, he’s gone, and she’s left throbbing and aching for his body. Confused, she sinks back into the couch. Her heart returns to its normal rate and her breathing slows. She falls asleep.
***
Renae
Renae is cleaning up her desk and getting ready to leave for the day when Scott walks by her office.
“Where were you?” she asks, laughing, but serious. “I thought you said you were coming back to work.”
“Uh, just out.” He is short with her.
“Oh. You don’t have to tell me. I just thought, since we’re friends, I’d ask—sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He disappears from her view and she follows him into the hall.
“I’m going to the gym, if you’d like to come and sign up for a membership.”
“No thanks. I’m going to stay here for a few more hours and finish up what I didn’t get done today before the boss loses his mind.”
Renae nods and steps into the elevator, descending to the first floor and walking out into the night alone.
***
Scott
Minutes later, the elevator doors open and two uniformed cops step out into Danis Accounting.
“Where is Scott Reed?” the shorter of the two asks. It seems as though he’s the one in charge. The office concierge points down the hallway and the two men nod with approval. They walk down the hallway and look through the glass of the French doors to Scott’s office. Scott is seated at his desk beside a huge picture window, and he motions them in with his hand when he sees them.
“Gentlemen, what can I do for you?” he asks casually.
“We just need you to answer a few more questions, Mr. Reed. Where were you on the night of October twenty-eighth?”
“I don’t remember. Why?”
“That is the night we believe Ms. James was kidnapped.”
“I work late almost every night of the week. The twenty-eighth was a Tuesday, so I was probably at work,” Scott explains.
“Can anyone verify your whereabouts?” the shorter of the two officers asks, with a stern look on his face.
“No. Should I be speaking to my lawyer?”
“We’ll be in touch, Mr. Reed.”
The men are gone.
Scott stares at the wall of his office for almost two minutes without blinking. Then he stands, grabs his jacket, and leaves the building. He walks and walks and walks.
He stands outside Sophie’s house.
***
Sophie
There’s a knock on Sophie’s door. She’s upstairs, lying in a hot bubble bath with her head under water, and she doesn’t hear it the first time. She lifts her head and lets the water pour off of her face. The entire bathroom is cloudy with steam. Her skin is red, but the bath feels so amazing on her aching body. The gym wasn’t kind to her today. There’s another knock at the door. This time she hears it. She dries one hand on her white towel and then reaches for her phone to check the time. It’s almost midnight. Who one earth could possibly be knocking on the door at midnight? She wonders if it’s Renae, here to confront her about her near hook-up with Scott. Or if it’s the police to tell her something has happened to one of her parents. Or if it’s the guy she met online for a booty call two weeks ago. She stands, soaking wet and dripping, and places her foot carefully over the side of the claw-foot tub onto the squishy blue bath mat. She bends over and flips her black hair down in front of her, toweling it off quickly the best she can. Then she wraps the ribbed Turkish towel around her naked body. The cotton feels incredibly soft against her skin. She gazes at herself in her foggy bathroom mirror, and she can make out exactly where Scott’s hand was placed on her neck this morning. She shudders, but then shakes the feeling when she hears the knocking at her door once more. She briefly considers pulling her housecoat on but decides against it because it’s hidden in her closet somewhere and she needs to answer the door, not look for the robe. She rarely has guests over and usually just frolics around her place in the nude.
Careful not to slip, she tip-toes down her elegant wooden stairs. She peeks outside the window on her front door and doesn’t see anyone. To be sure, she unlocks the deadbolt and takes a step out onto her porch. Still, she sees nothing. The street is dead and all of her neighbors’ lights are off. Certain she will develop pneumonia if she stands out here any longer, she retreats back into the comfort of her warm home, where she returns to her bathroom to dry her hair and head to bed.
Scott stands in the park across from Sophie’s house, hidden by the shadows of the dark night. He has the perfect view of Sophie’s bedroom. He smiles when the light flicks on; his hand buried deep in his pants.
Chapter Four
Renae
“Scott’s a weirdo,” Sophie laughs, over coffee.
“Why do you say that?” Renae asks, taking a sip of hers.
“So, remember when I texted you to ask if you liked him?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, you said no. He and I, uh, went back to my place.”
“What?” Renae is shocked, and almost spills her coffee.
“Yeah. I’m sorry. Are you pissed off? I went to the gym after you went back to your office. He showed up there. It was strange, but he’s really, really hot,” Sophie sighs.
“I don’t understand. What happened?” Renae asks, confused and annoyed. “How did you end up back at your place? I introduce you to the guy for less than twenty minutes, and you’re already ready to bang him. I work with him, Soph. That’s going to make things awkward at the office.”
“He kept staring at me. There was chemistry, and then he suggested it so I went with it. I haven’t been with anyone since my ex and I split four months ago, you know that. It’s been a really long four months. We didn’t sleep together. I mean, we made out, but it didn’t feel right and he left.”
“I don’t want to hear this,” Renae says sternly, getting up from her seat. She wraps her bright colored infinity scarf around her neck, grabs her things, and heads for the door.
“Ren, wait. Are you mad?” Sophie calls after her.
“I’m irritated, yeah. I’ve only been working at Danis for two weeks now and you’re already fucking one of my co-workers,” Renae shouts across the busy café. She immediately regrets airing her dirty laundry in front of everyone, so she walks back to where Sophie stands, obviously feeling hurt and betrayed. “I’m sorry, Sophie, that was uncalled for. Do whatever you want to do, just don’t get me involved. I don’t want to be any part of it.”
Sophie nods, but says nothing in reply.
Hoping things are okay between the two of them, Renae rushes to her office, fearing she’ll be late for work.
“Hi Renae. Want me to make you a coffee?” Scott asks, leaning against the door frame of Renae’s office.
“No, thanks.”
“Are you sure? We have that raspberry chocolate one you love.”
“I said no.”
Renae realizes that Scott is refusing to take the hint and she sighs. “What’s
wrong?” Scott asks.
“I just really want to get some work done.”
“Are you upset that Sophie and I are dating?”
“Dating?” Renae repeats the word, glancing up from her desk to look at his facial expression. “I didn’t know you were dating. She told me—oh, never mind. Just forget it. No, I’m not upset.”
“No, no. What did she tell you? Maybe she didn’t want anyone to know. I’m really not like other men, I swear. I don’t just sleep with someone once. I don’t do one-night stands.”
“You slept with her?” Renae whispers.
“Well, yeah. I don’t know what she told you. Maybe we should just drop this. Sorry I brought it up.”
“She told me you went back to her place, kissed a couple times, and then you left. Why would she lie to me about this?” Renae wonders.
“Maybe she’s ashamed that we started dating after meeting just once. I don’t really know. I can talk to her on your behalf, if you’d like.”
“No, please don’t. Just forget we talked about this. I really need to get my work done.”
Scott nods, and then he is gone.
Renae opens a file folder and begins punching numbers furiously into her calculator, and then scribbling them down into a chart. She barely notices the time and doesn’t realize that six hours have already gone by when she finally gives her calculator, and wrist, a rest. She glances at her phone and opens a text message from Sophie.
Sophie: Sorry. Hope we’re good. I won’t see him anymore.