by Carol May
“Yes.”
Taking a sip of her drink, she seems to be studying my face. I am drawing on an old skill I learned years ago when I was a teenager, the old stone face as my brothers called it. Finally, she resumes her inquisition. “Who is the client?”
“Blaine Carlton.”
With a grin accompanied by a nod of her head, she continues, “I can definitely see why you have that look on your face. I must admit I get an identical look to yours, I am sure, when he comes in. Ha! Got ya! You didn’t think I would know who he is.”
Swallowing deeply, I grimace just a little as I answer, “I really didn’t think you would know him by name. You are right.” Pausing to take a sip, I carry on with the conversation, “Does he come in often?”
Shrugging her shoulders, her reply catches me off guard, “Some. You do know who he is, don’t you?”
“Yes, he is Blaine Carlton. Businessman, financier. His hands are in several different fields. Research, nightclub owner, restauranteur. He has something to do with some oil company, I think. Why?”
Shaking her head as if she is slightly annoyed, she speaks to me in a low voice just a bit louder than a whisper. “No, that is not at all what I mean. I want you to think back to months and months ago. Actually, it was just when you were getting your business started."
Shrugging my shoulders, I respond, “Ok. What about it?”
“Do you remember the day you spilled coffee on a man?”
Tilting my head just a little, I reply with a bit of sass, “I have you to know I didn’t spill coffee on anyone. He turned around and bumped me.” Just about that time, I realize what she is trying to tell me. My hand flies to my mouth, as I mumble, “That was Blaine, wasn’t it? The tree that I caused to spill coffee all over himself. Oh my goodness! That’s why he has always looked so familiar. I could never place it.”
Without answering, she simply nods.
Looking at her for a minute, before I speak, “Wait a minute, how do you know it was him?”
“Because he came in the next day asking questions about you.”
“Me? Really?”
“Yes.”
“What did he ask?”
“I don’t know. I can’t remember. I just remember he asked questions about you. I suppose I never got around to telling you because if my memory serves me it wasn’t too long after that you were involved with “the jerk.” I suppose it just slipped my mind. When I saw the two of you together the other day, I remembered it. By the way, the two of you seemed to be hitting it off. Am I right?”
Just a little confused as to why he would have come in inquiring about me the next day, I am trying with all my might to continue with my stone-face as I answer “Yes, you are correct, we are hitting it off, as you say.”
Giving me one of her all knowing smiles, she replies, “Good. I am glad. Now I need to ask you something.”
“Ok, shoot.”
Taking a long sip of her drink, I suppose it is coffee, she pops out her question. “Why in the world would you call a man that looks like him with his body a tree? He is far from being like any type of tree I have ever seen. If there are trees like him somewhere in the world, I have just found where I am going on vacation.”
Shaking my head I answer, “If you grew up with two brothers who were starting post players for your high school basketball team then you would understand or if you played basketball you would more than likely get it. That is what we always called a big player. It was like going up against a tree especially if you were not very tall yourself.”
Reaching across the table to smack my arm, almost causing my morning caffeine fix to spill, she continues with, “Oh, I get it now. Yes, he would definitely be called a tree, a very fine tree but a tree none the less.” Fanning her face she continues, “I would definitely like to climb that tree for sure, wouldn’t you?”
Without saying a word, I simply smile. Rose's eyes grow to the size of those doughnuts in the case up front when she says, “Oh my God. You have already “climbed” it haven’t you?”
With my stone face back in place, I am trying my very best to find an answer without really giving her one. I am not sure I really want it to be public, shuttering as I remember the disaster with the paparazzi. Unfortunately, I can't help the a grin that spreads from ear to ear, as my Nonie would have said. Rose gives me one head nod and a wink before she says, “Well, alright! You go girl!”
Not having to attempt to conceal my smile anymore, I burst into a grin that lights my face up so bright that those around me might need sunglasses. “What? I didn’t say anything.”
“I agree, you didn’t say a word but sometimes it isn’t what you say but more what you don’t. I know you enough that you don’t “kiss and tell” as they say but can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
Grinning wickedly, she asks, “Is he big everywhere?”
Looking down at the black and white tiles that cover the floor, I pause before I make any type of comment. Part of me wants to be truthful and the other part just wants to ignore the question keeping that answer to myself. Looking up at Rose, my answer is not really an answer. “I really don’t want to talk about Blaine as if he were a piece of “meat "so to speak but let me just say that old saying about the size of a man’s hands reflects the size of other parts is true. The next time he is in, look at his hands and you can decide.”
Laughing she shakes her head as she comments, "You make me laugh Charli. You make me laugh." Suddenly looking very serious she continues, “You know, sometimes he comes in with a woman. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen her in awhile.” With wide eyes, she continues, “Maybe he dumped her for you.”
Rolling my eyes, I continue our conversation. “Yeah right. I highly doubt that. I think Blaine has plenty of women wherever he goes. When I first met him, he was at one of our events with the supermodel Clea.”
Gasping, Rose says, “You met Clea? Wow! What is an even bigger wow is the fact that you are with him. Just think, he was once inside one of the most beautiful women in the world, now he is dipping his thing into you.”
Closing my eyes, as I cover my face, I try to shake both the thought along with the mental picture I have of him on top of her. Removing my hands from from my face, I look across the table at my friend, “Yes, I met Clea. Let me tell you all those tabloid articles about her being a first class bitch are true."
Shaking her head as if what I have shared with her confirms what she suspected Rose's only comment is "What a shame. She is so beautiful."
I must agree with Rose that Clea is stunningly beautiful. Squeezing my eyes shut for just a second I continue with, "Thanks a lot, Rose. I now have a very unpleasant picture of Blaine. On that note, I think I will head to the office. I need to occupy my mind with work to get the things out of my head you just put in there.” Pushing the chair back, I stand to walk out when the topic of our conversation, Blaine himself, steps up to the door. Actually, he is with two other people, I realize as he turns to speak to them. Immediately, I sit back down. I thought he had gone to Atlanta this morning.
“What in the world? I thought you were going to the office.”
Looking at Rose, I shake my head. “I think, I’ll just sit here for a minute. Hey, switch sides with me.”
Pushing the mismatched wooden chair back from the small table, her response is a relief to me, “Actually, I need to get back to the counter so you can have either side you want.” Turning to walk away, she quickly understands my request. Looking back at me, I give her a feeble smile. Feeling trapped, I switch sides. Jerking out my tablet and earbuds, I bend my head praying no one notices me.
Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I squeeze my eyes shut trying to find the courage I need. Removing an earbud, I look up ready to put on a shocked face when I comprehend the hand belongs to Rose.
“They are gone. You can leave but before you go, I need to sit down and recuperate from what I just experienced.” Pulling out the chair opposi
te me, she continues, “If my heart is racing yours must be pounding. What are the chances that the man you are currently seeing, Blaine Carlton would walk into this place with your ex, Houston Donovan, while you are here?” Talking about making the karma gods angry. What have you done?" Shaking her head, she continues, “No on second though, don’t answer that. My life is going pretty good at the moment and I definitely don't want to make them mad at me.”
I think my heart might possibly pound it's way out of my chest. Taking some long slow breaths in an attempt to calm myself all I can do is remain seated. Moving my hands into my lap, I realize they are actually shaking. What would I have done, if either of them had noticed me? I pray that I will never be placed into that type of uncomfortable situation.
Biting the bullet, I finally ask, “What were they talking about do you know?”
With a simple shrug of her shoulders, her response lacks her normal sass, she says, “I really don’t. Angela served them. I tried to remain close to hear. Unfortunately, the only thing I could make out was something about someone’s mother. Sorry.”
There is no way, I am going to share with her that it is Houston’s Mother. I can only imagine the inquisition that would follow about how I would know that his Mother was in a serious accident. I hope she is alright. I could do an internet search on her when I get to the office but I am not sure that is a very good idea. There is a reason I don't research people I know. Focusing back on Rose, I assure her it is alright. Draining my cup, I stand. “Thanks Rose. I would appreciate you not sharing this little near miss with Lana.”
With a strange look on her face, her reply shocks me. “I am not going to tell Lana. It would be some juicy gossip but I promise to keep it between us. Now that you mention it, I know something has come between the two of you. I understand it is actually not my concern but you two were so close, can’t you work it out.”
Trying not to sound as rude as I think it will, I simply respond with, “Your right Rose it isn’t any of your business. Let's leave it at that.” Giving her a quick hug, I head toward the door. Since, it is only a block and a half from Supreme Corporate Travel, I walk giving me time to process the fact that in some way, Blaine and Houston know each other. I wonder who the woman was with them.
Reaching the office, as a GlynisRun delivery truck pulls up I can't help mumbling to myself. “What the heck? Maybe Rose is correct and I have pissed off the karma gods. It is as if they will not allow me to escape Houston Donovan. Entering the office, I find both Lana and Joan in the outer office. Oh joy, this day is just getting better and better and it isn’t even ten. So much for me not having to speak to the traitor. Greeting them with a frosty good morning, I head on back to my office not stopping for any small talk.
Chapter 30
Closing my door, I lean back against it for just a second. If anyone had told me six months ago that a man would come between me and Lana, I would have laughed in their face. Look where we are now, barely any communication. Feeling a wave of sadness sweep over me, I move to my desk. Pulling my chair back, I sit down. Looking but not actually seeing the stack of work. I focus on the situation between us trying very hard to remember any part of my adult life that she wasn't a part of. Problem is there isn't any.
Thinking back to the time I was with Houston, I am struggling to remember nice things she would say about him. Nothing comes to mind. Basically, Lana thought, or at least I felt as if she thought, he was a conceited person that simply lived however and hurt whomever he chose. I must admit he can be interrupted as being completely full of himself but to know the real Houston Donovan is to understand that the arrogance is for the outside world. The Houston I knew was kind and gentle but strong when he needed to be. This entire situation is providing a new insight into her. One I am not sure I like very much.
Picking up a folder, I open my laptop to get busy preparing a cost analysis for an executive excursion to the Oregon coast. This is really a project Lana suggested we bid on. Biting the bullet, I understand we must discuss this. We have worked entirely to hard to get this business up and running, I'll be damned if some man is going to ruin it. Even if he is undeniably handsome and wondrous in the bedroom.
Opening her office door without knocking was a huge mistake. I find her sitting behind her desk turned away from the door looking out the window which means she has no idea I am in the room. It only takes a few seconds to comprehend who she is on the phone with. I could recognize that tone of hers anywhere. She is using that low, sexy one that is reserved for her current man. Before, I can retrace my steps, I overhear her saying, "Yes to both. I can get out of here around eleven. I might be able to swing a longer than usual lunch. It depends on my morning. It is a little cold here. No, I haven't talked to her today. She blew in and went directly to her office." I now understand what it is like to be kicked in the stomach. One part of me would like to curl up into a ball. The other part of me would like to kick some best friend ass.
That does it! Cold! Really? Whose fault is that? Closing my eyes, I back out attempting to process what I have just overheard. The two of them are discussing me. I wonder if he has compared us as lovers? Heading to my office, I hear Joan, "Charli, you have a package."
Walking into the outer office, I blast Joan. Throwing my hand in the air as I speak (Which should be a sign that I am about to blow.)"Would it be possible for you to actually do the job we hired you for? Instead of telling me I have a package, couldn't you just put it in my office?" Spinning on my heel, I am seeking the confines of my office where the curling up in a ball sounds really good right now. My heart is pounding. Closing my door more vigorously than I mean to, I drop into my chair. What in the world was that? I just took Joan's head off for absolutely no reason. With the understanding that the level of anger I just displayed will land me in bed with a raging headache for hours, unless I can calm myself down I begin to take some very long, slow, deep breaths. I admit it isn't her fault that my best friend, no former best friend, has fallen for the same chocolate eyes I did. What woman in her right mind wouldn't? Laying my head back against my chair, I close my eyes but all I can imagine is the two of them together. My imagination is beginning to get the best of me.
Hearing a soft knock on the door, I am pulled from the image of Houston and Lana locked in each others arms. "Come in."
Looking up, I see Joan with the package. I feel about two inches tall at this very moment. Entering the room, she sits it down on a table, turns to walk out.
"Joan."
She pauses, still not facing me. "Yes."
"I owe you an apology. I took my own personal frustrations out on you. You are excellent at your job. I hope you will forgive me."
Finally turning to look at me, she replies, "Yes, I can forgive you. I didn't deserve that."
Scrunching my face up I look directly at her and agree, "No you didn't. Again, please accept my apology."
Pausing for just a second as if she is thinking carefully about her next words. Joan continues, "I don't have any idea what is happening but I do know something has come between you and Lana, I just hope the two of you can get it worked out so things can get back to normal. The quicker the better if you ask me." Holding up her hand as if to stop me she says in a professional tone that she generally reserves for clients, "If there is nothing else, I need to return to my desk."
Forget about frost in the air. I feel a blizzard on the horizon. Nodding, I reply, "No that is all."
Looking at the package, I am trying to remember if I have ordered anything. Nothing comes to mind. I flash back to another package I received many months ago. It contained a small wooden box, that brought me great pleasure. Pushing back from my desk, I walk over to the mysterious thing. I don't recognize the label. Hum. Opening the package, I find a very expensive individual cup coffee maker. That is strange. Who in the world would send me this? Opening the card that arrived with it, I smile as I scan the message.
For those mornings, when I keep you in bed late.
Blaine
I text-Got your package. THX
Almost immediately comes a reply. No Darlin. You got something to make your life easier. I've got your package. Will be delighted to give it to at anytime.
Smiling, I reply. Can't wait! FYI, black lingerie today.
I can't but help reflect back to the conversation we had about my bra and panty sets. In no uncertain terms did he mind letting me know, he likes the matching sets that I attempt to coordinate with my clothing.
My phone pings back his response. Damn. Lace ones?
My one word response is just enough. Perhaps.
I hope Blaine is enjoying this little flirtation as I am, I get another ping, Woman, you are killing me.
A treacherous thought crosses my mind. Smiling, I turn my back to the door. With just a hint of deviousness, I unbutton my blouse a couple of buttons, snap a quick picture and send it to him.
Before, I turn back to my desk, my phone pings again. Not exactly sure if I want to see the text just yet, I attempt to focus on the folder from earlier. Another ping. Yet, another ping. With a mischievous little grin, I silence it. That should take care of Blaine. What no more? Laying the folder aside, I get busy on another one. Logging in to my laptop, I see I have a message from The Blaine Company. Thinking it is from Blaine, I am surprised to find, yet again we didn't get the account. Darn! I thought the mountain retreat was just the thing for a group of Florida boys. Wow. So much for connections. I forward the email to Lana as I am still not ready to speak with her.
The office is quiet. I suppose Lana has gone to lunch or to her fuck fest, I believe is what Houston once called them. Joan left about ten minutes ago. I ask her to lock the front door on her way out. It is really nice to have the place to myself. I can say one thing for sure, I've accomplished quite a bit this morning after my phone stopped pinging. They sure brought me some smiles even if I haven't read the texts just yet. If they are half as sexy as my imagination has made them be, then wow double wow. Secretly, I am saving those for later, at home with my battery powered friend. I would like to be with Blaine tonight but as far as I know he left town. I don't know why I thought he was going this morning but obviously not if I saw him getting coffee.