Emily had a look of utter shock and amazement on her face. Ethan smirked. She caught his gaze, returning an icy, yet playful “fuck you” glare. She was the Director of Marketing, but this was huge for her career. Emily had participated in helping formulate advertising spots for radio and print for Cooper Bentley in local markets, but this was a much larger scale.
“Emily, be ready to pack your bags. You and Ethan leave next Monday for Los Angeles,” Clark said with a smile.
If the news of her helping to direct an international ad campaign wasn’t enough to send her into a somewhat state of shock, this bit of information would certainly be the lynch pin. She was going on a business trip alone with Ethan. Her mind raced, but she very calmly said, “Not a problem, Clark. I’ll be ready.”
She was careful not to show emotion or even look in Ethan’s direction. Emily could feel Ethan’s gaze on her—if she met his stare in that moment she thought it might send her body into a total sexual frenzy. A text from Ethan caused a smile to cross Emily’s lips: SO, ABOUT THAT CELEBRATORY DINNER. SHALL I PICK YOU UP AT 7:00?
She happily replied, “YES.”
Chapter Fifteen:
Ashleigh
It was a beautiful summer day in Manhattan. The warm, late afternoon sunlight was pouring through the windows of Ashleigh’s town car as it made its way down FDR heading south to 63rd street. Traffic was surprisingly light, but then again, no one was headed out of town quite yet for the weekend. Ashleigh was glad she decided to come to the city on a Thursday rather than Friday. Her phone began to ring, a sly smile lite up her face as she realized it was Liam.
“Hello Liam.”
“Hello my darling, Ashleigh. Where are you?”
There it was, that gritty sexy accent she loved hearing so much. Ashleigh was looking forward to spending some much needed quality time with Liam.
“I’m in the town car you sent for me, and we are almost to Fifth Avenue. I should arrive at the hotel shortly.”
“Very good, I cannot wait to see you.”
“Same here Liam.” She beamed asking, “Where are we going for dinner?”
“I have booked us a table at Asiate for 7:30.”
“Wonderful, I have heard many good things about the new chef, not to mention the views of the city are sensational.”
“I have the Taipan Suite if you’d like to stay with me. There’s plenty of room.”
“Thank you Liam, but I’ve paid for my room already. I think you’ll be tired of me after the weekend anyway.”
“Nonsense my dear, I relish our times together.”
“Well, I should be there very soon. We just turned onto Central Park South.”
“See you in a bit, Ashleigh.”
Ashleigh placed her phone back in her purse as the town car came to a complete stop. Looking out the window all she could see were stopped cars and people hurriedly crossing the street.
“Sorry Miss Preston, looks to be some kind of traffic jam or construction. We might be delayed for a short time.”
“Typical Manhattan traffic, I’m used to it. What can you do?” she shrugged. “And Phillip, please, you can call me Ashleigh.”
“Yes, as you wish Ashleigh,” Phillip replied smiling in the rearview mirror.
Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back and her mind drifted to her conversation with Emily. Was she being too closed off to the idea of a relationship with Liam? He did just offer her to stay in his hotel suite. It’s almost as if they are a long-distance couple. They see each other nearly every six weeks or so. Could this relationship work? Suddenly her mind shifted gears. Ashleigh remembered that unusually warm mid-September day. The sky began to darken, then lightning flashed and the thunder began to rumble. The pop-up thunderstorm was beautiful with rain falling gently over Lake Erie in grey misting curtains. She heard cheers coming from the TV as the Wolverines had just scored another touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The University of Michigan fight song was blaring.
Hail! To the victors valiant Hail! To the conqu’ring heroes Hail! Hail! To Michigan the leaders and best…
Nick was elated. Jumping out of his chair and pointing at the TV shouting, “Did you see that Ash? Did you see that play?!” She was looking at his handsome face. Her sweet Nick was standing there, smiling at her, looking gorgeous wearing his University of Michigan long-sleeve tee-shirt. Then he was gone.
Beep…Beeeeppp, “Come on man. Move your truck!” Phillip was shouting at the driver in the left lane.
“Sorry Ashleigh. This guy will not move,” he said, slightly frustrated.
“It’s okay Phillip, I’ll text Liam and let him know we are stuck in traffic.”
“Don’t bother, here we go… finally moving.” Phillip said.
Moments later, they arrived that the hotel. Phillip had already opened her door and unloaded her bags onto a luggage cart. She dug her phone out of her purse and checked into The Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Foursquare.
“Thank you Phillip. It was so nice to see you again. Tell your mother I said, hello.”
“Will do, Ashleigh. I’m sure I will see you again while you are in the city. Mr. Frost hired me for the entire week.”
Check-in was a breeze and she headed up the elevator to her room. Upon entering her hotel room, Ashleigh noticed a large vase filled with pale pink roses on the table with a note attached. “FOR MY DARLING, ASHLEIGH. I LOOK FORWARD TO A WONDERFUL WEEK IN THE BIG APPLE WITH YOU. YOURS, LIAM”
Ashleigh’s heart swelled and sank. She swallowed hard and inhaled the sweet aroma of the gorgeous long stemmed flowers.
The Lobby Bar was completely full, not a seat anywhere. But, on a Friday night, that was to be expected in Manhattan. Liam was upstairs on the phone and told Ashleigh to wait for him in the bar. She finally found a table near the window and ordered a scotch and soda.
“Ashleigh? Ashleigh Preston?” a male voice inquired.
Ashleigh looked up through her long lashes and saw Jake Heatherton standing at her table.
“Oh my goodness, Jake! What are you doing in New York City?” She jumped up and threw her arms around his neck. Jake worked with Nick back in Troy, where they were both Financial Analysts. Jake was handsome, but not in an obvious way. He was about ten pounds heavier, his blonde hair was ashen, but his blue eyes glimmered with youthful vitality. The lines on his face were more pronounced and his skin was pale and dry. Jake had charisma, but you could tell years of the corporate grind were beginning to take their toll.
“Hi. I’m still with The Newborne Group, I’m a Vice President with the company now. I live in Manhattan with my wife and our two kids.”
Motioning to the empty seat at her table, Ashleigh said, “Please have a seat, Jake. Did you end up marrying Brandy?”
Taking the seat across the table from Ashleigh he motioned to the server and ordered a bourbon on the rocks.
“No, Brandy and I broke up, and then I met Hannah, my wife just a few months later. We’ve been married for six years. We had our first child, a boy, Trent, he’s four and we just had our second, a girl, Taylor in February.” He said with a beaming grin and took out his Blackberry, showing her the photos of each of the kids and his wife. They were the model family. There was even a family portrait with the four of them and their Golden Retriever.
“What are you up to these days? Are you still writing and taking pictures?”
Ashleigh took a sip of her drink and smiled. “Well certainly nothing as exciting as you, Jake. Married, kids and a big career move. You have a lovely family.”
“Well, thank you very much. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”
“Still writing, but I’m a freelancer now. I live in Grand Rapids, but I’m lucky because I get to travel all over the world.”
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“Is that what you’re doing in New York?”
“Yup, I am attending the grand opening of the Refinery Hotel next week, but right now I am spending the weekend here with a friend.”
Jake lifted one of his blonde eyebrows, inquiring, “A male friend?”
“Very perceptive Jake, but we are just friends.”
“So has there been anyone since Nick for you Ashleigh?”
“A few guys, but nothing serious.”
“You know Nick would want you to be happy, Ashleigh,” Jake said as he put his hand on top of hers. “I miss him too. There ‘s not a day that goes by that I do not think about my friend.”
Ashleigh peered out the window and felt her throat tighten. She could feel the tears coming on, but she pushed them back as hard as she could. She quickly changed the subject.
“Well, what are you doing here at the Mandarin, Jake?
Jake removed his hand from hers and sat back in the chair, “We just wrapped up our corporate planning meeting— budget analysis, financial outlook and things of that nature.”
She only half heard what he actually said, replying, “That’s wonderful to hear Jake,” she smiled affectionately at him.
Jake took the final sip of his drink. “Ashleigh, it was great seeing you.” He pushed to his feet. Ashleigh stood to join him and he kissed her cheek. “If you ever need anything at all, do not hesitate to call me,” Jake offered while handing her his card.
“Thank you Jake. You’re very kind,” she replied softly. “It was lovely to see you. Please take care.”
Jake walked away and when he was out of her view, the tears began to well up in her eyes. Feeling waves of heat wash over her skin, she began to chew her lip. The tears streamed down Ashleigh’s face, and she quickly turned to the window so no one in the bar could visibly see her crying. She desperately tried to choke back the tears. Looking at her phone she saw it was nearly eight, but she had no message from Liam. She wondered what was keeping him. The crowd seemed to have filtered out, and there Liam stood at the bar in a well-tailored ink-blue Dior Homme suit with contrasting red polka-dot tie. She picked up her napkin and dabbed under eyes, but it was too late. Liam had walked over and saw her mascara had been ruined.
“Ashleigh what is the matter? Why are you crying, my dear?” Placing his drink on the table he moved the empty chair closer to Ashleigh.
“I just saw an old friend and he reminded me of someone special I knew a very long time ago.”
“I see. Do you want to talk about it?”
“Actually Liam, I think I need to talk about it. I want to tell you, but it’s a tale of woe and it’s really personal. Not the most inviting dinner conversation.”
Liam placed his hand on hers and smiled. “You can tell me anything. Would you like to put on some comfortable clothes, drink lots of wine and order room service?”
Ashleigh wiped her nose and gently brushed the tears from her cheeks. “That sounds like a very good idea.”
“Come with me and I’ll escort you to your room so you can change.”
Liam picked up his phone cancelling the reservation he made for the two of them, apologizing and rescheduling for Saturday evening for the same time. Walking to the bank of elevators Liam put his arm around her trim waist, whispering comfortingly, “Everything will be alright Ashleigh. This is what friends are for, to help pick you up when you’re feeling down.”
He noticed her lips and cheeks were bright red, as if she was trying not to break down in front of him.
“Breathe, Ashleigh,” he whispered clutching her hand.
All of the air that she hand been holding in quickly expelled from her lungs. They stepped into the empty elevator car, and Ashleigh nuzzled herself into his towering frame. He gently put his arm around her shoulders pulling her in close and tight.
Chapter Sixteen:
Amanda
Amanda woke up dazed. Sweat was running down the back of her neck and chest. There was an empty vodka bottle on the nightstand. Sunlight filled the room. Why the hell are the goddamn blinds open? She never slept with the blinds open. Amanda looked at the clock. It was nearly one in the afternoon. Her eyes widened, and she reached for her phone while noticing she had three missed calls, all from The Bath Shop. Trying to sit up she was dizzy and her head ached. She fell back onto the pillow and closed her eyes.
The long black cocktail dress was crumpled on the floor. The diamond earrings Vince gifted her with were still in her ears. They were heavy and stinging her earlobes. She tried to open her eyes and focus. Looking around the room she noticed she was not at home, not in her bed and not feeling well. Staring at the ceiling, she felt her insides churning. Her heart was pounding, and her thighs and abs hurt. What the hell was going on? Amanda was totally confused and sick to her stomach. Mustering enough strength she darted to what she thought could be the bathroom. Lucky for her she was correct. Flipping up the lid to the toilet she began vomiting. When she was finished she collapsed onto the floor. The cold tile felt so good against her warm skin.
Amanda heard voices and tried to open her eyes, but all she saw was dark shadows. Her skin felt warm again, and she could feel the soft fabric under her fingers. Something was poking her hand, and then it stung. Something cold was on her forehead, it felt so good. Her tongue felt fuzzy, and so did her teeth.
“Do you think she will be alright?” a male voice said.
“Yes, she should be totally fine in a few days, but after this she will be feeling much better and her fever should break,” a woman replied in a soft comforting tone.
“I want you to call me as soon as her fever breaks and let me know if anything changes. I will be back before I leave for New York to check on her again,” the gruff, strong male demanded.
“Will do boss,” the first male voice replied.
The voices were getting softer and softer, and her hand felt numb. Her mind drifted.
It was completely dark aside from the table lamp across the room when Amanda awoke. Somehow, she managed to make it back into the bed. Fluttering her eyes open to focus, she managed to roll up out of bed and turn on the second lamp. Her face felt clean, and her jewelry was placed neatly on a silver tray on the nightstand. The black dress, which she had been wearing, was hanging up on the closet door in a clear garment bag that was labeled DRY CLEAN ONLY. She was wearing some silky pajama bottoms and a lace tank top. Her body felt heavy, but she mustered enough strength to ease out of bed. The top of her right hand itched a little bit and she noticed a Band-Aid and cotton ball were there.
Studying her surroundings she realized she was in a very posh apartment with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. This has to be Vince’s place.
She stepped out of what she believed was the master suite and looked to the left. Passing through the great room and the formal dining room she arrived in the kitchen. The kitchen was gorgeous with white cabinets and stainless steel high-end appliances. Opening the door to the refrigerator, Amanda found it was completely stocked with some of her favorite things to eat and drink including: coconut water, Greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, carrots, romaine leaf lettuce and bottled Perrier. There were also a few bottles of Gatorade in several different flavors. Amanda grabbed a bottle of Perrier, stood in the dimly lit kitchen and drank the entire thing. She felt much better than she did earlier. She looked at the microwave which read 8:21.
Walking back into the bedroom and opening the closet doors she noticed all of her clothes were hanging in the closet as well as her shoes and handbags. Across the room near the windows there was a large dresser. Opening all the drawers one by one she saw all of her personal items were neatly folded. Her picture frames and books were on her bookcase and there was a writing desk in front of the window, where her laptop was stationed.
E
ntering the bathroom it was the same thing with the medicine cabinet. All of her toiletries were there, her toothbrush and electric razor. Swiftly walking, nearly running back into the great room, Amanda drew back the curtains and saw a very large terrace with a view of the river. She knew this layout and she knew this view—it was the River House.
Amanda walked down the hallway to Vince’s home office. Alex was there lying on the leather couch watching ESPN. He was either Vince’s personal bodyguard or right-hand guy, Amanda couldn’t quite figure out what exactly his job title was, but she suspected Vince was a lot more than just a successful businessman. Alex was a nice guy, a retired US Army Ranger, early-thirties, dark brown hair and gorgeous hazel eyes that were thickly lashed. He was, as you can imagine, in top physical condition. He wasn’t one of those meathead guys with tons of tattoos and biceps that could strangle a small child, rather Alex was muscular but with a trim build.
Knock…knock.
Alex quickly sat up and straightened his shirt and tie. Clearing his throat he said, “Miss Amanda, how are you feeling?”
“Hi Alex, I feel much better than I did earlier,” she said while leaning against the doorframe.
“What happened to me Alex?”
Alex explained to Amanda that she had a nasty case of food poisoning. He told her that he found her curled up on the bathroom floor just after one in the afternoon. When he noticed her temperature had spiked, he immediately called Dr. Sherman. Dr. Sherman had to administer two bags of saline, because she was so dehydrated. Amanda didn’t know who Dr. Sherman was, but she was going to be sure to thank her for her improved physical state.
“Do you need anything? Are you hungry?”
“I think I could handle some chicken soup or light broth.”
Alex stood up grabbed his phone off the coffee table and said, “I’ll see if Vince’s housekeeper, Mrs. Young stocked the pantry with any soup or broth. I am pretty sure there are a few cans in there.”
Fifteen Weekends Page 8