by Lydia Rose
Rachel smiled. “Sure.”
They walked next door and went in through the back door. As they stepped in the room, Alexandra and Helen jumped out.
“Happy Birthday.” They shouted.
“Oh you guys. I thought you all forgot.” Rachel’s finger went to her moist eyes.
Helen walked over to her. “How could we forget, Rachel?” Her arms wrapped around her in a hug.
Next she hugged Callie, and finally Alexandra wrapped her arms around Rachel and kissed her cheek.
“Happy Birthday, Rachel.” Alexandra whispered in her ear.
“You girls are making me cry,” Rachel said, wiping her eyes.
“Margarita time,” Callie shouted. She went into the kitchen and started the blender. When she came back into the room, she had four glasses on a tray. As she got to Alexandra, she shook her head. “Just one drink, Alex. It won’t kill you.” Alexandra smiled and took the glass.
“To our favorite boss,” Helen said holding up her glass. “May she have many more birthdays.”
“Hear, hear,” Callie said.
They clinked glasses and took a drink. Alexandra was surprised how tasty the margarita was, and before her glass was empty, Callie was refilling the glass. The women nibbled on the appetizers, and by seven o’clock Callie’s husband was there to pick her and Helen up.
“Alex, can we give you a ride home?” Callie asked looking at Alexandra slouched on the couch with her eyes closed.
“Leave her,” Rachel said. “I’ll take her home when she wakes up,” she said with a laugh. “Thank you for a wonderful birthday surprise.”
The women hugged Rachel and were out the door. Rachel now began to clean up the house. The leftovers were put away, and then she took a seat on the couch next to Alexandra. Rachel watched as Alexandra’s eyes opened slowly. A grin appeared on her face.
“Hi,” she said looking at Rachel. “You’re so pretty, but I can’t tell you that because you’re my boss.” Alexandra giggled.
“Well, thank you, Alex.”
Alexandra moved closer to Rachel. Her eyes were glassy and her speech was slurred as she tried to caress Rachel’s face.
“What about Natalie?” Rachel asked softly.
“We’re not seeing each other anymore.”
“Why?” Rachel asked.
“Because we had no chemistry,” Alexandra said wrinkling her nose. “Don’t tell, Rachel. Natalie didn’t want me to tell her. I hate not telling her.”
Rachel looked shocked by Alexandra admission. “Why didn’t Natalie want me to know?”
Alexandra shrugged. “She thought it would be funny to make Rachel jealous.” She sighed. “I have to find a new job.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to lie to her.” Alexandra rested her head on Rachel’s shoulder. “I don’t want to leave, but I have to.”
“Oh, honey,” Rachel said, brushing Alexandra’s hair out of her eyes. “You don’t have to lie anymore. Rachel knows.”
Alexandra fell asleep again and Rachel laid her down on the couch. She went and got a blanket for Alexandra and covered her. She likes me too, but she’s going to be embarrassed if she remembers any of this conversation.
*
Alexandra opened her eyes slowly and wondered why her head was pounding. Her hand went to her forehead trying to keep her brains from falling out. As she stared at the ceiling her eyes began to focus. “Where the hell am I?” She asked to the empty room.
“You are at my house.” A voice called from across the room.
Alexandra sat up quickly and then grabbed her head from the rush. Her head turned and she saw her boss standing there with a cup of coffee. “How did I get here?”
“Do you remember my birthday party?” Rachel asked as she handed the cup to Alexandra.
Alexandra closed her eyes recalling yesterday’s events. She remembered wishing Rachel a happy birthday and Callie handing her a margarita. “Oh my God. How many drinks did I have?”
“I think just two,” Rachel said with a chuckle. “Drink your coffee before you try and stand up.”
Alexandra drank the cup in silence trying to recall how she ended up sleeping on Rachel’s couch. She stared at her face and opened her mouth to form words, but nothing came out.
“I think you’ll feel better after a shower and some aspirins.”
“That’s okay. I’ll just go home,” Alexandra said trying to stand. When she finally got off the couch, she felt herself swaying.
Rachel jumped to her side holding on to her. “I can’t let you drive in this condition. Come on and I’ll show you to the bathroom.” Rachel took her arm and led her upstairs to a bathroom. “There’s towels for you to use and a new toothbrush. Take your time.” Rachel closed the door and left her alone.
Alexandra came back with her hair still damp and slicked back. Her glasses were now on her face because her eyes were burning from sleeping with the contacts all night. As she walked into the kitchen, she saw the water and aspirins on the counter. “I’m so embarrassed,” she said, as she took a seat at the counter.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ve all been there.” Rachel chuckled.
“Yes, but I’m sure you’ve never done this in front of your boss.”
Rachel chuckled. “Hey, it wasn’t all your fault. Callie insisted you have a drink and I know you said you don’t drink.”
“Did I do anything else embarrassing?” Alexandra asked not meeting Rachel’s gaze.
“You pretty much just fell asleep on the couch.” Her shoulders came up in a shrug.
“That’s reassuring.”
“Let me make you something to eat and you’ll feel better.”
“I’m not sure I could eat anything.”
“Just some toast and juice. You need to eat something and the aspirins need to take effect.”
Rachel put the toast and juice in front of Alexandra and then went back to her own coffee. “You did tell me something last night.”
Alexandra dropped her toast. “What did I say?” Alexandra asked in a panic.
“You told me you and Natalie aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“Oh,” Alexandra said looking down.
“You have to understand Natalie. She loves jokes and to her this was funny.” Rachel shrugged.
“I still don’t understand why,” Alexandra said softly.
“Who knows with her? Don’t worry, I won’t say anything to her. Let her play her games and I’ll just play along.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll tell her I told you.”
“Really, it’s not necessary.” Rachel insisted.
Alexandra looked at her wondering what it was between these two women. Now she had another secret to keep. Alexandra just nodded.
Sunday morning Natalie called Rachel. “Brunch today?”
“Don’t you want to go see Alex?” Rachel asked taunting her.
“I’ll see her tonight,” Natalie said easily.
“Okay. See you at Harrison’s at one o’clock?”
“Perfect. See you then.”
Rachel walked into the restaurant to find Natalie already at the table drinking a Bloody Mary. “I ordered you one too,” she said as Rachel took her seat. “So how did you spend your birthday?”
“The staff threw me a party.”
“That’s nice.” Natalie reached into her purse and pulled out a box. “Happy Birthday, Rachel.”
Rachel took the box and unwrapped it quickly. Inside was a beautiful watch. “Nat, this is beautiful. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Natalie took a sip of her drink.
“So, how is it going with Alex?” Rachel asked casually.
“Good. She’s a sweetheart.” When Rachel didn’t comment, Natalie grinned and asked. “Aren’t you going to ask me about sleeping with her?”
“No.” Rachel picked up her glass with a grin.
“She told you?” Natalie asked, but it was more of a statement tha
n a question.
Rachel nodded and chuckled.
“I asked her not to tell you.”
“Yeah, and why is that?”
“I wanted to make you jealous.”
“Did you tell Alex that’s why you didn’t want me to know?”
“No. I told her it was a joke.”
“Did you know she was looking to leave me? She was going to give up her job for your stupid joke.”
Natalie’s eyes opened wide. “She was?”
“Yes. Thankfully, she got drunk at my party and told me things she wouldn’t have said if she were sober.”
“I’m sorry, Rachel. I didn’t mean for it to go that far.”
“Nat, you can’t play with people’s lives that way. Your joke apparently really bothered Alex.”
“I’ll call her and apologize.”
“She doesn’t know she told me that she was going to leave the job.”
“Wow, she must have been real drunk.”
“You heard her tell us she wasn’t a drinker. Callie gave her a margarita and then refilled the glass.”
“What else did she tell you in this stupor?”
Rachel looked at her friend unsure if she should tell her.
“Tell me.”
“She told me I was pretty, but she couldn’t tell me that because I was her boss.”
“So she likes you too.” Natalie moved closer. “Maybe that’s why we had no chemistry?”
“Yeah, she told me that too.”
“Unfortunately, kissing her was like if I kissed you. Alexandra’s good company and fun to be with, but we agreed to be just friends.”
“I’m sorry, Nat,” Rachel said touching her hand.
“No, you’re not. You’re happy that it didn’t work for us. Are you finally going to ask her out?”
Rachel thought about it a lot since Friday night. If she asked Alexandra and she felt uncomfortable, she would look for another job. If she didn’t ask her, could they both continue to work together and just ignore the attraction? She looked at Natalie. “I don’t know what the right answer is to that question.”
“Why don’t you just ask her out for a bite to eat and not treat it like a date? See if there’s something to build on, and forget she works for you.”
Rachel nodded in agreement.
CHAPTER TEN
On Monday, Rachel managed to find Alexandra alone so she could talk to her. “I was with Natalie yesterday.” Alexandra’s eyebrows raised. “I told her I knew about the two of you.”
“Was she angry?” Alexandra asked softly.
Rachel smiled. “No. She’s fine.”
“I’m glad.”
“Hey, if you have no plans tonight,” Rachel swallowed. “Maybe you’d like to go with me for a bite to eat?” Alexandra didn’t comment. “Just a burger, but if you have plans, don’t worry about it.” Rachel turned to leave.
“I’d like that,” she said to Rachel’s back.
Rachel turned and smiled. “Okay, see you later.”
Rachel drove them to a nearby hamburger place. She tried to make conversation with Alexandra, but all she got was one word answers. “Are you okay, Alexandra?”
“I’m fine, Rachel.”
“Are you uncomfortable being with me?”
Alexandra turned in her seat. “It’s just the last time we were together outside of work, I was drunk.”
“I’ve forgotten all about that. Can’t you?” Rachel asked, almost touching Alexandra with her hand. Her hand stopped halfway across the seat and rested on the gear shift.
Alexandra watched as Rachel’s hand came over to her and then stopped. “I’ve tried to forget, but it was so embarrassing.”
Rachel pulled up to the restaurant and shut the engine off. This time her hand did touch Alexandra. “I’m not holding it against you. Helen and Callie drank more than you did that night.” Rachel laughed. “They just didn’t fall asleep because they’re used to drinking.” Her hand came off of Alexandra’s arm. “Let’s go get something to eat,” she said with a smile.
The waitress came over after the two women were seated. Alexandra said. “I’ll have a burger and a vanilla shake.”
Rachel smiled. “I’ll have the same, but with a black and white shake.” Looking at the menu she asked. “How about sharing an order of fries?”
Alexandra nodded and once the order was placed, she tried to relax.
“So are you going home for Thanksgiving?”
“Since you’re closing the office Wednesday through Sunday, I am. My mom is going to be disappointed that I’m not coming home for Christmas, but that’s fine with me.”
“Alex, if you need more time at Christmas, you can have it.” Rachel offered.
Alexandra shook her head. “It’s not necessary, Rachel. My mom always has the tree up for Thanksgiving and I’ll bring my gifts with me.” She shrugged. “So it really isn’t necessary.”
“If you’re sure, Alex?”
“I’m sure, but thank you.”
“You have fit in so well with our little group. You’re kind to the patients and Helen and Callie are crazy about you.” Rachel lowered her eyes. “I am too.”
“I am so thankful for finding this job in your office. I couldn’t be happier.” Alexandra chuckled. “And look what Callie did for me,” she said, fanning her hand over her hair and face. “Who knew?” She said with a deep sigh.
“The beautiful woman was there all along, Alex.” Rachel’s smile widened. “Callie just made you believe it.”
Alexandra felt herself turning red. “I’m far from beautiful, but I think my family will be the most surprised.”
“Besides seeing your family, are you looking forward to colder weather?”
“That is the one thing I’m not looking forward to,” Alexandra said with a laugh. “I hate the cold and that’s why I stayed in California.”
Rachel smiled as Alexandra relaxed. The food was delivered to the table and both women dug into their food.
“I love these hamburgers,” Rachel said as she swallowed her first bite.
“The milkshakes are great too.” Alexandra looked up. “It doesn’t take much to please us, does it?”
Rachel laughed. “No. We’re both cheap dates.”
If only this was a date. Rachel is so down to earth. No one would look at her and think, yeah, that’s a doctor sitting across from me grabbing those fries with her fingers.
Once they finished dinner, Rachel drove them back to the office to Alexandra’s car. “Thank you for having dinner with me,” Rachel said as they got out of the car.
“Thank you for inviting me. It was fun.”
“We will have to go on another cheap date again after the holidays,” Rachel said with a wide smile.
Alexandra nodded with a smile. “Sure. Good night, Rachel.”
“Careful going home, Alex. See you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Thanksgiving week was hectic at the office, as Rachel tried to see all her patients before the office closed for the week.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you to the airport?” Helen asked. “I really don’t mind.”
“Thank you, Helen, but I’m just going to take a cab.” Alexandra insisted.
“How are you going to get home Saturday night?” Callie asked.
“I’ll take a cab.”
“When is your flight getting in?” Helen asked.
“I don’t get in until nine.”
“I could pick you up.” Helen offered again.
“It’s not necessary. I appreciate the offer, but it’s no big deal to take a cab.”
“If you change your mind, just give me a call,” Helen said.
“Thank you both for your concern.”
Rachel stood off to the side listening to the conversation. She would have offered to drive and pick up Alexandra at the airport if she would have let her.
“So are you flying out on United?” Rachel asked joining the conversation.
“Uh, huh.”
“Are your parents picking you up?” Rachel asked.
“No. I have a rental reserved.”
*
Alexandra had just left Newark Airport and was on her way to her parent’s home. It was cold and cloudy, but at least it wasn’t raining or snowing. As she pulled into her parent’s driveway, she saw that her sister Mary was already at the house. Alexandra walked in the front door with her suitcase. The gifts she brought with her could wait until later. “Hello.” She called from the foyer.
Her mother and sister came out of the kitchen. Her mother held open her arms. “Hi, honey. I’m so glad you’re home.” Alexandra squeezed her tight before kissing her cheek over and over again.
“Mom, don’t hog her.” Mom stepped away and let Mary greet her sister. “It’s good to have you home,” she said squeezing her tightly. As she released her grasp she looked at her sister. “What have you done? You look fantastic.”
Alexandra touched her hair. “I had it cut. Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Mary said, coming over and touching the ends. “Your make-up is great too. You really are a California girl now.”
Alexandra laughed. “The weather is better than it is here. When I left last night, it was seventy degrees.”
Alexandra’s father walked into the kitchen. “Alexandra,” he said coming over and hugging her close. “We’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed all of you too.”
“So you’ll move back home?” Her mother asked hopefully.
“No, Mom. I have a good job and I love California.”
“It’s just so far from us. Your sister misses you so much.”
“Leave her alone, Mom. Alex has her own life out in California.” Mary grabbed her arm. “Come on, I’ll help you with your things.”
The two girls went up to their old room. As Alexandra unpacked, Mary laid on the bed and began her questions. “So who is she?”
“Who?”
“The woman that you changed your hair for?” Mary asked leaning on her hands.
“There is no one, Mary. One of my co-workers did this for me.”
“Does she like you?”
“I think her husband and son might have something to say about that.”
“So you’re not seeing anyone?”