by Romes, Jan
Stella looked at the question like he’d written it in Chinese. “I don’t understand.”
“You’re not saying what I want to hear to get on my good side, are you?”
“What? No.” She frowned, but it dawned on her that she didn’t own the copyright on being skeptical. “Seriously, I like hockey. And sometimes I kill an entire Sunday with an NCIS marathon. Mark Harmon is my man. He just doesn’t know it.”
“Didn’t mean to doubt you. I’m glad we have some things in common. Although I can honestly say I don’t have the hots for Mark Harmon.”
“Good. We won’t have to fight over him.” They had more in common than a hockey team and TV shows, but she wasn’t going to jog his memory because it might open the where-do-you-work discussion she was trying to avoid. Columbus was a big city, with a few small details he could pinpoint her and she wasn’t ready to be found. Actually, all he had to do was pressure Ramsey into getting the information from Trish. Hopefully he wouldn’t.
“If you say you’re hungry for pizza and beer, then it’s settled – you’re my destiny and I have no choice but to fall in love with you. Ha. Ha,” he teased.
Smooth. This guy knew exactly what to say to make her nervous. She wanted to be someone’s destiny but it was doubtful it involved anyone online. “Beer tastes like frothy furniture polish but pizza sounds great. LOL.”
“Let’s see. Yes to Chinese food and pizza. No to sweet potatoes and beer. What else do you like to eat and drink?”
“Lasagna. And I can’t function without coffee. An occasional glass of wine is good too. Of course, no meal is complete without cookie dough ice cream.”
“I know a lot of great coffee shops. We could meet for a cup.”
A coffee date? Yeah. No. Way too soon to consider meeting face to face. “When we know each other better, coffee it is.”
“Thanks for not beating around the bush.” He added a smiley icon to the end of the text.
It was strange using symbols to show emotion. Stella followed suit with one that winked.
“We’ve talked about a lot of things, but we’ve managed to sidestep relationships. Care to discuss?”
Stella studied the comment. She was so not ready to talk about the farce of Jace Fairchild. “I hope you mean what you’re looking for in a relationship.”
A minute lapsed. Finally, he replied. “Yes. Exactly. I feel the need to tell you that I’m really not in the market for a girlfriend. I’m just looking for someone to talk to. Is that enough for you?”
Happiness whisked through Stella, followed by a measure of disappointment. She wasn’t ready for a relationship, especially with someone she met online one. Yet…
Chapter Four
Stella took another hit of caffeine while watching Belinda undo two buttons on her shirt and slide her perfect size-six bottom onto Alex’s desk. The woman was on a mission. She was out to win his heart. It was obvious if she didn’t get it, she’d be happy to get something else.
Maggie Watkins had a strict no-department-dating policy in place. She mentioned it at the monthly meetings. Since it wasn’t a company mandate, Belinda chose to ignore it.
A gravelly snarl slithered from Stella. When she recognized it, she snarled at the snarl. Jealousy was a terrible emotion, and she hated when she fell prey. “Stop watching them and do something constructive.” She clicked into her design program, but sexy pajamas and lace underwear couldn’t hold her attention. Thank goodness her phone rang. “Stella Matson.”
Francis, from the printing department, inquired about the status of the weekly newspaper insert.
“It’s on Maggie’s desk as we speak.”
“Can you see that I get it by lunchtime?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
A loud cackle rose from Alex’s cubicle.
“What was that?” Francis asked.
“The sound of a busy office.” It wasn’t a lie per se, more like a half-truth. Most of the department was hard at it.
“Sounded like a cat in heat.”
“Some days are like that,” Stella snickered and hung up the phone.
Another exaggerated cackle made Stella shake her head. If she had to listen to a cat in heat all day, she would go crazy. “Stop,” slid between her clenched teeth.
Maggie peered around Stella’s cubicle wearing her coat, purse slung over her shoulder and briefcase in hand. “Stop what?”
There was no way to explain the remark. “Another meeting, huh?”
Maggie nodded. “Second one this week. Hard to get things done when they meeting you to death.”
Another jarring laugh made them both frown.
Maggie’s exhale was dramatic. “What’s that about?”
“Cat nip.”
“Huh?”
Stella swiftly rerouted the subject. “How’s the interview-process coming?” Assistant Vice President of Advertising was a job that made Stella drool. She was actually doing the work, but lacked the title. And she hoped Maggie would reward her with the position.
Maggie made a face. “When twenty people want the same job, I’m bound to piss off nineteen.”
She was tempted to tell Maggie to pick her and get it over with. Unfortunately, Maggie was bound by rules that dictated everyone who applied get an interview. “I don’t envy you.”
“I’d delegate the task if I could.” Maggie checked her watch. “My meeting in Gahanna starts in fifteen minutes, which means I’m already late. When I get back, it’s your turn to be interrogated.”
Stella nodded casually, but inside she was jumping. Finally. The opportunity of a lifetime was so close she could smell it. “Francis called about the weekly insert.”
Maggie looked over her shoulder and grinned. “Handle it, like you always do.”
“Happy to.”
When Maggie walked by Belinda, Stella heard her ask, “Are you caught up on your work?”
Belinda hopped off of Alex’s desk and straightened her skirt. “Yes, I am.”
“Then apparently you don’t have enough to do.” Maggie made a distinct growling sound. The rapid click of her heels meant she wouldn’t wait around to see if Belinda went back to her desk.
Alex leaned out of his cubicle and looked directly at Stella. His mouth wasn’t moving, but his eyes said plenty. Unfortunately, she couldn’t decipher a word. Maybe he was apologizing for being a jerk yesterday. Or maybe it was an S.O.S.
You’re on your own, buddy.
Belinda resumed sitting on his desk. “Do you mind?” Alex pulled a manila folder out from under her.
“You’re cranky today.”
“I’m cranky every day.” His cell phone rang. “Clay,” he said tightly.
“Hey, old buddy, how’s it going?” asked an amused voice.
Alex covered the phone with his hand and lowered his lashes in a severe squint. “This is personal. Do you mind?”
Belinda slid off the desk, sending a stack of papers to the floor. She smiled provocatively when she bent to pick them up. She took her good old time walking away.
Alex groaned into the phone, making Steve Benson laugh.
“I’ve been watching you struggle for the last five minutes. Thought I should save you.”
Alex stood up and looked over his cubicle. Steve was propped against the copier grinning like he didn’t have his right mind. Alex motioned him over.
Steve pulled a chair from a vacant cubicle, and put his feet up on Alex’s desk. “So what did Miss Belinda Pearson want?”
“What do you think she wants?” Alex said in a bored tone.
“Might be some good stuff there.” Steve raised his brows up and down.
“I’d sooner get my teeth cleaned with a jackhammer.”
Steve lowered his voice. “Are you still anti-women?”
Alex drew his eyebrows together in a hard frown. “That’s ridiculous. I’m not anti-women.”
Steve fished a toothpick from his shirt pocket and stuck it in the corner of his mouth. “Seems
like it to me. Ever since you broke up with Sharrie you avoid them like they harbor the plague.”
“Most of them do.” Alex pushed Steve’s feet off his desk. What was it with people and his desk?
“With an attitude like that, you’ll never get …” Steve didn’t finish because Stella walked by. He grinned from ear to ear. “I’m guessing you’d pick her over a jackhammer.”
“I have things to do.” It wasn’t a lie. He finally admitted he didn’t know squat about advertising, and it would be in his best interest to dig in. Besides, Steve was starting to annoy him.
Steve wouldn’t let it go. “Don’t you think so?”
“Think about what?” Alex picked up a newspaper insert that he intended to study, hoping Steve would take a hint.
“Don’t play dumb. I asked if you’d pick Stella over a jackhammer.”
“For crying out loud, Benson.”
“Answer the question.”
Alex tossed the newspaper insert aside. “She’s okay. Satisfied?”
“She’s a hell of a lot better than just okay, my friend. Have you seen her eyes?”
Too bad Steve didn’t have an off-button. He’d be pushing the damned thing until it broke. “Don’t you have something to do?”
“Nope.”
“Well, I do. So leave.”
Steve slapped Alex on the back. “You need to loosen up and let one of those tasty morsels in.” He stood to leave. “Don’t forget about therapy at my place next Tuesday. Eight o’clock.”
“Poker therapy.” Alex snickered. “I’ll be there.”
“Green,” Steve said, before he walked away.
Alex scooted his chair into the aisle. “What?”
“Her eyes are green.” Steve hooted with laughter. When he passed Belinda, he flirted so Alex could hear it. “Woo-wee, Belinda. You’re looking mighty fine this morning.”
Asshole. Alex gritted his teeth. Belinda wouldn’t let up, neither would Steve. Maybe he should hook them up. He slanted a look in Stella’s direction and noticed she had a fabulous leg tucked behind the rung of her chair. Tripping accident waiting to happen. Going over to check out her eyes would be a setup. For some reason she got flustered when he was around. Falling into him again would not help their acquaintance; especially since he’d made her feel irrelevant the first time.
Chapter Five
Stella gave the knob to Maggie’s office a slow turn. You’ll be fine. Just breathe, she thought. There was no reason to be nervous. This was Maggie, not some stranger. But she had butterflies in her stomach and it felt like they were playing badminton. “Hey, Maggie.”
“Come in.” Maggie gestured for her to take a seat while she continued to skim through a manila folder. “Be with you in a minute.
Stella stretched her neck to give the folder a discreet glance – Matson, Stella A. Her personnel file. She wondered what tidbits of information lurked in there. A smile played at the corners of her mouth when she recalled the day Sam Talbot hired her. After reviewing her high school and college transcripts he’d said that one day all her hard work would pay off. Maybe the time had come.
Maggie ceremoniously straightened the papers and turned the folder face-down. She came around the desk and propped against the edge. “I’ve been reviewing your file to refresh my memory on a few things and I have to tell you, we struck oil when we hired you.”
Stella felt the heat of a blush.
“No need to be embarrassed. It’s true. You work your tail off around here, which keeps everything running smoothly. You’re our background-music.”
Background music? Stella’s mouth twitched with a smile.
Maggie explained. “You’re always there to lend a hand and you don’t crow about it. Even when certain people try to disrupt the cadence, you manage to keep the beat. Lord knows you keep me in synch.” She lifted her brows. “I just realized something. If I’m not careful I’ll be your assistant instead of the other way around.” She laughed lightly. “Seriously, Stella, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Stella allowed the twitch to grow into an ear to ear grin. “Thanks, Maggie.”
“No. Thank you.” Maggie shifted against the desk. “Okay. We’ve had our appetizer. Now for the main entrée.” She pulled a yellow tablet from a gray mail tray on the corner of her desk. “I’ve been evaluating each candidate on knowledge of job, performance, cooperation, and overall confidence level.”
Stella nodded.
“I’ve composed a list of questions.” Maggie proceeded to fire away.
Stella was careful with each answer, until she came to the one about why she wanted the job. For some reason her brain and mouth weren’t working together. She meant to say it would be an honor to be Maggie’s assistant. What came out instead made her sound shallow and assuming. “Better pay.”
A slight dip of Maggie’s carefully plucked eyebrows said she wasn’t impressed.
Stella tried to backpedal. “That didn’t come out right.”
“No worries.” There was a peculiar nuance in Maggie’s voice which made Stella uneasy. “I’ll announce my decision at the end of the month.”
“Way to choke, Matson.” Stella second-guessed herself all the way back to her cubicle. Alex was there with a smile.
“How’d it go?”
His presence was a whammy to her senses, but she was determined not to trip into him or spill anything. “Pretty well, I think.” She sat down and planted both feet squarely on the floor. Why was he there? And how did he know she was being interviewed?
His eyes latched onto her like they were putting her counter-measures to the test.
Alex slid into the chair next to the desk. A hint of soap and an earthy men’s cologne came with him.
Stella’s nostrils staged a coup of delight by taking a whiff.
Unfortunately, three-walled compartments trapped the tiniest of sounds, even a faint sniff. She checked his reaction to see if he’d heard it.
Oh yeah. He’d heard. Laughter crinkled the corners of his eyes.
Argh! The man occupies her airspace for less than a minute and she behaves like she’s front row at a rock concert, ready to fling her bra at him.
Alex kept the unexpected going. “Interviews can be nerve-wracking.”
Stella didn’t quite know how to respond, so she nodded in agreement. Again, why was he there? And why was he staring a hole through her?
Alex continued with small talk, never removing his eyes. “What exactly does the Vice President of Advertising do?”
Stella was tempted to say “everything that I already do”. Instead, she ran down a list of duties.
His blue eyes connected with hers. “You sound very passionate…” He cleared his throat. “…about the job.”
His silky emphasis lit her pilot light. “I…yes, I am.”
Maggie poked her head out of her office and threw a bucket of water on the heat that was about to burst Stella’s cubicle into flames. “Alex.”
Alex kept his eyes on Stella. “Yeah, boss?”
“Need to talk with you for a few minutes.”
Alex smiled at Stella while answering Maggie. “I’ll be right there.” He winked before he left.
Stella managed a casual smile despite bottle rockets detonating inside. The second he was out of sight, she exhaled with loud, blissful confusion.
* * * *
Stella handed Corrine a cup of French vanilla coffee.
“Thank you. I so needed this.” Corrine indulged in a careful sip. “Ahhhh.” She threw her head back. “Better than sex.”
Nuh-uh. Then again, maybe. Stella took a deliberate sip and held up the cup. “It’s definitely satisfying.”
“Unlike the sideshow going on in there.” Corrine nodded toward Maggie’s office. “Pretty boy is up to something.”
He was pretty all right, and then some. “Like what?” Stella asked.
Corrine put a hand on her shoulder. “Or maybe I should say that Maggie is up to something. She’s mov
ing in on that man, kissing up to him and is probably going to hand him your promotion.”
“No way.” Stella laughed but the cogs started to turn. Surely Maggie wouldn’t give Alex the promotion. He was a newbie who hadn’t even gotten his feet wet.
* * * *
Stella rubbed the back of her neck which was stiff from craning it all day. She could really go for a massage. Or a dart board with Maggie’s picture on it. Maybe Alex’s too. Part of her was inclined to agree with Corrine’s theory. The rest of her fought against it. Both parts, however, were in agreement on one thing – something didn’t feel right.
Trish snapped her fingers in front of Stella. “Hellooo. Are you in there?”
“Sorry. Guess I zoned out.”
“In a noisy bar?” Trish studied Stella through squinty eyes. “You look like you’re about to maim someone.”
Stella’s exhale was heavy. “No maiming. I could go for some dart practice though.”
“Huh?”
The question was lost when the waiter showed up to take their order.
Trish pointed at Stella. “Get this woman a margarita, fast. Bring me one too, and some chips and salsa.”
Stella amended her order to black coffee.
“Coffee? With chips and salsa? Eww. Disgusting.” Trish looked her over. “Your day must’ve sucked worse than mine.”
Another puff of pent-up air gushed from Stella. “I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure if your day sucked? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Blame Corrine.”
Trish laughed. “What’s that gray-haired minx up to now?”
“She’s making me paranoid.”
“Don’t keep me hanging, tell me everything.”
Stella sighed. “Not until I’ve had coffee.”
“Okey dokey, then I’ll whine first.” Trish bellyached about her boss dumping a ton of work on her five minutes before he left for a three-week escape to Maui. “The bastard didn’t blink when he said ‘don’t have too much fun while I’m gone’.” She growled making the couple flinch at the next table, and then called her boss an armadillo.
Stella grinned in spite of her mood. “An armadillo?”