by Julie Cannon
Luca slunk away just as Gerard Witlin rounded the corner toward Stephanie’s office. She smiled politely at him when he greeted her with typical morning pleasantries. But Stephanie suspected he wasn’t there just to talk about weekend plans.
“What brings you to my neck of the woods?”
“I wanted to see how the situation with Ms. Garner was working out,” he said, shoving his hands into his deep suit pockets.
“The situation? That’s the word you decided to go with?” Stephanie led Gerard into her office. He took a seat in one of two cushy leather chairs that were in front of her wide, glass-top desk, and she sat on the edge of her lumbar-conscious chair. “The situation is still less than ideal, but judging by my many unanswered emails, you’re sticking to your guns this time.”
“And I’m happy to see you’ve decided to work with her. Any particular case or do you have her involved with your entire caseload?”
Stephanie considered the question, imagining Luca knee-deep in tattered business files. “Entire caseload.”
“That’s fantastic,” Gerard said loudly, punctuating his excitement with a slap to his thigh. “I know Luca will be able to not only gain incredible experience with you but knowledge as well. I went back over some of the work she had done while interning here, and I have to say, she’s very bright and detail oriented. You’ve hit the assistant jackpot with Luca Garner, and it means a lot to me to know you’re finally taking it seriously.” Stephanie sank back into her chair guiltily. She took a sip of water to wash away the feeling but sputtered when Gerard suggested she bring Luca to their next meeting.
She grabbed a handful of Kleenex to dry her tweed trousers. “With all due respect, that’s no place for an assistant.”
“My assistant is present at every one.”
“Yes, but she’s useful—” Stephanie closed her mouth. Gerard stared at her with an unwavering glare. “Rosie has been with the company for years. There’s a level of trust and dependence established between the two of you that none of us would ever question.” Stephanie’s shoulders slumped. She didn’t even believe that line of bullshit.
“You’re not working with Luca, are you?” Stephanie didn’t answer. Gerard scratched at his beard roughly and stood. “What exactly do you have her doing? And don’t think about lying to me.”
Stephanie hadn’t technically lied in the first place, but that tidbit would remain for only her to know. “She’s organizing our archives.”
Gerard clenched his jaw. “We have file room clerks for that.”
“Yes, but every time I told them there was a better system we could implement, they refused to make the changes. Luca was available, so I sent her down to take care of it.”
Gerard pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m disappointed in you.” Stephanie flinched. She had never heard such words come from a superior. Her mother, maybe, but never a boss. “You’re hurting your reputation here, and willingly toying with the success of this company, my company.” Stephanie shook her head. “Don’t say anything, don’t defend your actions any further. I’m sure you think it’s silly for me to react this way over one newbie, but some of the greatest, most successful people rose up from ground level, and it’s our job to reach out a helping hand.”
“Gerard—”
“Am I wrong? Or did you graduate from college and suddenly become a vice president of the greatest forensic accounting firm on the East Coast?”
Stephanie let out a long, steady breath through her nose. She felt herself getting emotional and nostalgic, both of which were unusual for her in the workplace. But she remembered the moment Gerard had confidently bolstered her own young potential like it was yesterday.
“You’re right,” she said quietly, a scolded child apologizing. “Of course you’re right.”
“I hope you take some time over the weekend to consider what you’d like to bring to my company’s future, and maybe you’ll have a new attitude come Monday morning.” Gerard left Stephanie’s office without saying another word.
Stephanie sat back and closed her eyes. She had no idea how she was going to work with Luca or how she’d manage to be the person Gerard believed she could be. The only thing Stephanie knew for sure was that she needed a drink or two.
* * *
Friday nights at the Dollhouse promised many things: entertainment, drink specials, and wall-to-wall beautiful women. So driving an hour to Morristown barely caused Stephanie to bat an eye. She met her friends regularly for small social gatherings, but at least once a month they’d indulge in the best lesbian nightlife New Jersey had to offer. And after the week Stephanie had, she needed every kind of distraction she could find. A broad smile lit up her face when her friend Tina returned to their table with a round of tequila shots.
“You know what they say about tequila.” Tina raised her eyebrow.
“People say a lot of things about tequila but never remember what it was,” Stephanie countered before downing her shot and sucking on a wedge of lime. Her eyes were still squinty when Zoe reached across the table for her empty shot glass and called out for another round. “Be careful with this lightweight, Zoe. I have work to get done this weekend.”
“When was the last time you didn’t work a weekend?” asked Lee, Zoe’s girlfriend of six months.
“That’s not the point. The point is that I can’t be getting drunk because I need a clear mind.”
“Sigh.” Stephanie looked at Tina, who had recently started to speak certain actions aloud. She’d been wanting to ask, but knowing Tina and her eccentric way of living, there probably wouldn’t be a clear answer to give. “All you do is work with no regard for yourself. Your mental health is going to suffer.”
“Funny you should say that,” Stephanie said with no amusement. “I’m supposed to be spending the weekend evaluating myself.”
Lee’s jaw dropped. “Get the fuck out of here.”
“That’s great,” Tina said at the same time. Tina’s chipper perspective did little to inspire enthusiasm in Stephanie, but Lee’s sentiment was something she could relate to.
“I’m dead serious. Gerard is second-guessing my character because I don’t want an assistant.”
Lee laughed. “You really don’t play well with others.”
“Are we talking about Stephanie?” Zoe delivered another round of shots to their table.
“See?” Lee said as she pointed to Zoe. “Everybody knows it.”
“I thought I made it very clear, but Gerard is insisting I play mama bird to some fresh-faced and eager—” Stephanie froze. As she glanced across the crowded bar, a familiar set of dark eyes locked with hers. Stephanie looked away quickly and swallowed hard, trying to extinguish the uneasy feeling that shook through her abdomen. She wanted to call it annoyance, but a small voice at the back of her mind knew it was butterflies. Stephanie downed a shot to drown them.
“Maybe you should slow down.” Tina sounded concerned.
Lee gripped Stephanie’s shoulder and shook her gently. “What just happened? What about not getting drunk?” Stephanie reached for another shot, but Lee took it away. “Talk to us.”
Stephanie cleared her burning throat and licked her lips before saying, “She’s here.”
“Who’s here?” Zoe looked around.
“My new assistant, the puppy that I have to take care of now, the one who has Gerard scolding me and telling me I need to do some soul searching.” Stephanie wanted to look at Luca again, but she was hoping Luca had overlooked her before.
“Why didn’t you tell us she was gay?” Tina poked at Stephanie’s stomach.
“Because I didn’t know. I barely talk to her.”
Zoe stepped around Lee to get a better look into the crowded bar. “Which one is she? I hope it’s not the blonde, you could do better.”
“Stop gawking,” Stephanie said, pulling at Zoe’s flowy blouse. “She’s against the far wall. Black shirt, I think, and shoulder-length brown hair. Kind of plain.” No one said a word. Mu
sic vibrated around them and Stephanie awaited some sort of response, but the only noise she heard came from Lee, and it was nothing more than a low hum. “What was that? What does that even mean?”
“It means that I see someone partially matching that description, so I’m not sure it’s her.”
“I didn’t stare long enough—her shirt could be blue or purple.”
“You were right about the wardrobe,” Lee said. Stephanie watched her impatiently, waiting for more information, but Lee’s attention was set across the room. Zoe and Tina were even fixated, but they looked a little more confused.
“That’s not how I’d define plain.” Tina chuckled.
Stephanie looked at her group of friends in confusion. She took a deep breath and chanced a look in Luca’s direction. Luca Garner was definitely standing across the bar from her, but this was not the Luca Stephanie was used to. Gone were the ill-fitting clothes and listless hair. The Luca that was laughing unabashedly with a redhead beside her was wearing form-fitting jeans and a sleeveless shirt that showed off toned shoulders, and her hair was half up, which paired well with smoky makeup to highlight her deep eyes. Luca was smiling, and she wore that happiness better than any article of clothing. Stephanie took interest in the bowl of lime wedges on the table.
“She is prime fantasy material,” Lee said in a low voice, earning Zoe’s elbow to her side. “Ow, babe, think about it. Boss and subordinate?”
Zoe glared at Lee and then looked at Stephanie. “It would be hot.”
Stephanie laughed loudly. “You’ve both clearly spent more time watching porn than ever working in an office.” She threw back another shot. The alcohol was finally getting into her limbs and head. Luca being across the bar started to matter a little less, and spending time with her friends mattered a little more. She raised another glass into the air and proposed a toast. “To wonderful friends.”
“You nearly drank all the shots,” Lee said.
Zoe wrapped her arm around Lee and picked up the tray. “We’ll get more.” She pulled Lee away from the table. “You, too, Tina.” Tina looked up and followed wordlessly.
Stephanie stood alone and confused, until she heard Luca’s soft voice. “Hi, I thought it was you.” Stephanie turned toward her. Luca smiled. She was standing with her hands tucked into her back pockets and Stephanie wondered how there was enough room in there. “You’re almost unrecognizable out of work clothes.”
Stephanie looked at her relaxed jeans and fitted T-shirt. Definitely a far cry from boardroom chic. “I could say the same for you,” she said, the tequila convincing her eyes to roam Luca’s body slowly before meeting her eyes. “This is better than the off-the-rack wardrobe you wear to work.”
Luca’s right eyebrow rose and the corner of her mouth twitched, hinting at a smile. “I don’t put much into my work appearance.”
“That’s an understatement.” Stephanie downed the last shot.
“Because I like to be judged on my work performance, not whether or not my ass adds anything to the office atmosphere.” Stephanie was very interested in what Luca had just said but was incapable of fully concentrating on it. She shook her head. “What brings you here tonight?” Luca asked.
“Just a night out with some of my friends.”
“You have friends?”
Stephanie leaned back from the table and shot her a look. “Yes, I have friends.”
Luca covered her mouth for a moment before saying, “I’m sorry. I can’t believe I said that. Of course you have friends, everyone should have friends, even—”
“Even who, Luca? Even me?” Stephanie felt her skin heat and chest tighten in that coiled, ready to unleash sort of way that always led to mean words and name calling. She watched as panic and embarrassment played across Luca’s face.
“No. That’s not what I meant. You’re just so independent.” Luca’s features contorted in what appeared to be pain as she pieced together the excuse. Stephanie’s tequila-infused spirit wanted to laugh, but she remained stoic. “I just imagined you working through the weekends and always focusing on being the absolute best at what you do. How else do you impress so many powerful people on such a regular basis? I’m just shocked that you have time for friends, that’s all.”
“Garner?”
“Yes?” Luca spoke more to her folded hands than to Stephanie herself. She hadn’t met Stephanie’s eyes since the beginning of her haphazard apology.
“I think you should head back to your friend now.”
Luca perked up. “Oh, she’s not my friend. I was set up on a blind date by a family friend. I don’t think it’s going to work out.” Stephanie glared at Luca, jolting her into action. “But I’m going to head back. Enjoy your night, Ms. Austin.”
Stephanie relaxed the moment Luca turned around. Zoe was beside her immediately, handing her another shot. “So that’s the assistant?” Zoe said as they continued to watch Luca.
“She’s shocked I have friends.” Stephanie tried to use the same glare on Zoe when she laughed at her, but it had no effect on her old friend. “I’ll get rid of her, mark my words.” Stephanie threw back her final shot of the night, and it definitely tasted like regret.
Chapter Five
Luca rearranged the folders on her desk for the tenth time that morning. She had been fifteen minutes later than usual, which was still early for the workday, but it meant she’d missed her opportunity to make Stephanie’s coffee for her. After seeing Stephanie at the bar on Friday, smiling and laughing like a normal person, Luca couldn’t get her out of her head. She couldn’t stop wondering if this new common ground would open the door for an amicable work environment or whether she’d shot herself in the foot by approaching and speaking to Stephanie. But Luca couldn’t help it. The moment their eyes locked, she’d felt drawn to Stephanie, and the closer she got, the more relaxed Stephanie looked, warmer than Luca ever expected her to be. Luca felt she was being handed the opportunity to improve their relationship.
Boy, was she wrong.
The sound of Stephanie’s office door opening jarred Luca to attention and she stood. “Garner,” Stephanie said with her eyes on her phone screen. “Why aren’t you down in archives?”
“Mr. Witlin had the clerks take over, and I was told to return to my duties.” Luca’s explanation went unacknowledged as Stephanie typed out a message on her phone. “Ms. Austin, I want to apologize for the other night.”
“I’ve already forgotten about it.”
“I was just surprised to see you at the Dollhouse.” Stephanie’s thumbs stopped moving and she looked up. Luca had a feeling she was poking at a sensitive topic, so she treaded lightly. “If you’re not out at work, I want you to know you can trust me. I won’t say a word.”
“I don’t mix my personal life with my work life. It has nothing to do with being in or out of the closet; it’s about being a respected professional. So, yes, I’d appreciate it if you kept our social run-in between us.” Stephanie continued with her message. Luca started to sit but stopped halfway when Stephanie added, “I need you down in reception.”
“Of course.” Luca started to gather her phone and to-go coffee. “What do you need me to do?”
“Wait.”
“Wait? Wait for what exactly?”
Stephanie sighed like this explanation was the most inconvenient part of her day. She made a show of locking her phone screen and pinned Luca with a hard stare. “I’m expecting a very important certified letter and would like you to be there when it’s delivered so I don’t have to wait for the receptionist to bring it. Do you need any more information before you do as I ask?” Stephanie said with a tilt of her head.
Luca knew the question was rhetorical, but she shook her head anyway. “I’ll have my phone if you need anything else.”
“A green monster salad from the vegetarian place on the corner. After you get the letter, of course. Bring them both to my office when you have them.”
“Yes, Ms. Austin.” Luca waited for Stephani
e to retreat to her office before rolling the tension from her neck. She gathered her things and walked to the elevator. The short ride down offered Luca a moment to calm herself. She felt a little foolish for having any hope her situation would improve after an awkward run-in, or at all. She took a deep breath as the elevator doors slid open.
The reception desk was always a hive of activity. Clients lined up for directions, employees lined up for messages that hadn’t come in yet, and the phone never stopped ringing. Luca often wondered why the firm invested in installing a tranquil water feature beside the reception desk. You could never hear it, let alone enjoy it.
“Good morning, Luca. What brings you down to the hubbub hub, hon?” Millie laughed at herself, much like she did every time she gave Luca the same greeting. Luca found it endearing and adorable.
Why couldn’t she run into Millie at the Dollhouse? Luca rolled her eyes. Because she’s as straight as they come, she chastised herself. “Good morning, Millie. Has the mail arrived yet? Ms. Austin is waiting for a certified letter.”
“No mail yet,” Millie said, lifting her index finger to Luca to wait as she lifted her phone receiver to her ear. “LGR Financial, how may I direct your call?” Millie made a show of yawning at the phone, causing Luca to chuckle. “Of course, we’re always taking on new clients. Let me transfer you to our client care department and we’ll get you set up. Have a wonderful day.”
Luca stood amazed. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?” Millie’s big blue eyes never left Luca, but her hands manipulated the buttons to transfer the call, and she picked up her morning coffee to take a sip.