by Lydia Rose
“I love it. I can see why it’s one of your favorites. I hope Kate and Jack get together. Kate’s character deserves someone who will treat her right.”
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see,” Alexandra said with a grin.
After Love Actually finished, Rachel sat back and laughed. “I can see why you love these movies. They were great. I’ll have to tell Nat about them. We usually spend Christmas Eve watching old Christmas movies.”
“You could have asked her to come too.”
“I should have said that we talk through the movies. I would never have gotten to enjoy these films.” Rachel looked at Alexandra with a smile.
“Are you going to your parents’ house for Christmas day?”
“Yes. They have a beach house in Malibu and we always spend it there.”
“Not too shabby,” Alexandra said with a whistle.
“Would you like to come?” Rachel asked quickly.
Alexandra wanted so much to say yes, but she knew she couldn’t. Everyone would think she was Rachel’s girlfriend and then when they found out she worked for her, it would be awkward. “Thank you, but I have plans.”
“Spending the day with friends?”
Alexandra shook her head. “No. I volunteer at the VFW serving lunch to the homeless.”
“Great. Now you made me feel like a terrible person because I’m going to spend the day at the beach.”
Alexandra laughed and as she did, Rachel saw she was still wearing the necklace. “If my family was here, I would be spending it with them.” She touched Rachel’s hand. “So don’t feel bad.”
“Okay. I feel a little better,” Rachel said with a smile. “I better get going. I still have a few gifts to wrap for tomorrow.”
“Thank you for bringing the food tonight.”
“Thank you for the movies. I enjoyed myself.” Rachel put her coat on. She looked at Alexandra’s mouth for just a second before she leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Alex,” she said before hugging her close.
“Merry Christmas, Rachel. Enjoy yourself tomorrow.”
Once Rachel left, Alexandra said to the empty room. “See, we can be just friends,” shaking her head. “Yeah, right. I wanted to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss me. You are in so much trouble,” she said with a shake of her head.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was the beginning of February and Alexandra’s relatives were on the way to deliver their daughter to her care. She was looking forward to spending time with Tracy because it had been a lonely January. Rachel spoke with her in the office, but she never asked her to share an evening together again. Of course, Alexandra didn’t ask her either. It seemed they both knew that they had to keep their distance from each other.
Saturday morning, Tracy and her family arrived at her apartment. “Hello, everyone,” Alexandra said, opening the door to her apartment. “Uncle Tom and Aunt Angie, Tracy, it’s good to see you.”
“Alexandra,” Aunt Angie said, hugging her niece. “It’s good to see you too.”
“Let me show you where you’ll stay.” Alexandra led them to her bedroom.
“Alexandra, we can’t stay here. Where will you sleep?”
“A friend of mine loaned me an air mattress. I’ll set it up in the living room. Tracy will be on the couch.”
“We can get a motel to stay in. It’s only for a few days,” her Uncle Tom said.
“Don’t be silly.” Alexandra turned to Tracy. “There’s a dresser in the living room for you and I made room in the closet for you.”
“We can’t thank you enough for doing this for Tracy.” Aunt Angie took Alexandra’s arm. “She has money to pay for rent and food.”
“It’s not necessary, Aunt Angie.”
“Yes, it is.” Uncle Tom added.
“We appreciate you watching out for her and if she gives you problems, you let us know.”
“Oh, Mom. Don’t be so dramatic. I’m twenty-two years old and I’m not a baby.”
“I know, sweetie,” Angie said, patting her daughter’s hand.
“I thought we could go to lunch and take in some of the sights while you’re here,” Alexandra said to them.
“We’d like that, Alexandra.” Angie smiled. “Unless we’re keeping you from something else.”
“My weekend is free. Let’s get you settled and then we can go.”
*
They all had lunch and then she drove her family up the Sunset Strip, stopping at different sights, and then on to Beverly Hills. They ate dinner at the Farmer’s Market, and then headed back to the apartment. Alexandra promised to take them to Universal Studios on Sunday.
“Thank you so much, Alexandra, for taking us to see the sights. California is very beautiful and the weather is so nice,” Aunt Angie said. “If you don’t mind, I think Tom and I are going to turn in for the night.”
“Go ahead. I’m sure you all are tired from the long drive.” Alexandra plugged in the air mattress and then made the bed. “Tracy, your sheets are in the top drawer of the dresser. If you want the TV on, go ahead.”
Tracy made up her bed and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. “Good night, Alex. Thanks again.”
Alexandra walked toward the bathroom. “You’re welcome, Tracy. Good night.”
As Alexandra got ready Monday morning to go to work, her aunt and uncle packed up their things for the flight home. “I left the number of the cab company by the phone. Call them this morning so they’ll get here in time to take you to the airport.”
“Mom and Dad, I could take you.” Tracy offered.
“I don’t want you getting lost. The next time we come, you should know your way around,” Tom said to his daughter.
“Okay, okay.”
Alexandra put on her coat and hugged her aunt and uncle. “It was good to have you here.”
“Thank you for letting us stay here. We had fun.”
“Tracy, if you need me for anything, you have my cell number.”
“I’ll be fine, Alex. Go to work.”
Alexandra walked into the office expecting to be the first one there, but the light was on in the break room. “Good morning, Rachel.”
Rachel spun around. “Morning, Alex. How was your weekend with your family?”
“Good. I gave the tour of the area and they had a good time.”
“What are you carrying?” Rachel asked seeing the bundle in Alexandra’s arms.
“Callie loaned me an air mattress.”
“You all stayed at your apartment?” Rachel asked, shocked.
“Yeah. I didn’t want my aunt and uncle to spend money on a hotel.”
“That was very nice of you. So your cousin is all moved in?”
Alexandra nodded. “I just hope I don’t have to worry about her going out drinking at night.”
“It sounds like she’s determined to make a go of it in the industry, so I don’t think you’ll have a problem.”
“I hope so.”
“Have you read anything of hers yet?” Rachel asked.
“No. I think I’ll ask her to show me tonight.” Alexandra poured her coffee. “Suppose it sucks? What do I do?”
“I think you are going to have to be honest with her.”
“Easy for you to say.”
Rachel laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Helen asked as she walked into the building.
“Rachel was just telling me that if my cousin’s writing sucks, I should be honest with her.”
“Good luck with that,” she said with a laugh. “How was the air mattress?” Helen asked.
“Comfortable.”
“I borrowed that once when I had family in. No one complained either,” Helen said with a laugh.
At five o’clock Alexandra called Tracy. “Hi Tracy. Do you want me to pick up something for dinner on the way home?”
“Nope. My mom made a lasagna this morning. We also changed the sheets on your bed and did laundry.”
“You didn’t
have to do that, but I appreciate the lasagna. As I remember, your mom makes a fantastic lasagna.”
Tracy laughed. “I’m not a bad cook either. We can discuss the menu for the week and I can prepare dinner for us.”
“That will be great, Tracy. I’ll see you in a half hour or so.”
“Sorry to overhear your conversation, but it sounds like you’re happy with your house guest,” Rachel said cheerfully.
“I am, and my aunt made a lasagna before they left for the airport today.” Alexandra licked her lips.
Rachel unconsciously licked hers at the same time.
“Why don’t you come to dinner? I’m sure there is a whole tray made.”
“I don’t want to impose,” Rachel said, slightly blushing.
“You will not be imposing. See you at six,” Alexandra said, not waiting for Rachel to argue.
Alexandra walked into the apartment dropping her coat on a chair. “Hey, Tracy.”
“Hi, Alex. Dinner will be ready shortly.”
“I invited my boss over for dinner. I hope you don’t mind?” Alexandra asked, walking toward the kitchen.
“It’s your apartment, Alex. Please don’t think because I’m here that you can’t have people over.” Tracy turned her back. “If you ever want me to make myself scarce just let me know.”
“Rachel is just my boss,” Alexandra said, touching Tracy’s shoulder. “And about you making yourself scarce, I don’t think you have to worry about that. Let me put together a salad to go with dinner.”
“Already done. Why don’t I get you something to drink and you can relax.”
“I think I’ll go jump in the shower and change into comfortable clothes.” Alexandra went into the bedroom and took off her work clothes. By the time she came out of the bathroom, she heard voices coming from the kitchen.
“Oh, here she is now,” Tracy said.
Rachel stepped out of the kitchen with her. “Hi. I came over a few minutes early. I hope you don’t mind?”
“Of course not,” Alexandra said, taking in the casual comfortable jeans and sweater Rachel had on.
“Tracy was telling me some of her stories. I told her I would love to read what she has written,” Rachel said, taking a sip of the wine Tracy had poured her.
Alexandra noticed the glass in Tracy’s hand was identical to Rachel’s.
“Here, Alex,” Tracy said, handing her a glass of soda. “I didn’t know you didn’t drink,” she added.
“Never acquired a taste for the stuff,” Alexandra shrugged and glanced at Rachel.
“A glass of wine will never hurt you,” Tracy said with a chuckle. “Rachel was just telling me what a wonderful employee you are.” Her eyebrows raised slightly and she saw the blush starting on Alexandra’s face. “Well then, let me go check on the lasagna. Why don’t you two sit down at the table?”
Alexandra and Rachel walked over to the table. Before Alexandra could reach for her chair, Rachel pulled it out for her. “Thanks,” she said, taking her seat.
Tracy brought over the tray and set it in the middle of the table.
“That smells wonderful,” Rachel said, leaning toward the lasagna.
“If you think it smells wonderful, wait until you taste it.” Alexandra took her napkin and rested it on her lap.
After dinner, Rachel and Alexandra offered to clean up since Tracy had put the dinner together. “Tracy, why don’t you go dig out something for Alex and me to read when we’re done in here?”
“Sure.” Tracy went into her briefcase searching for just the right thing for them to read. She listened to the two women laughing in the kitchen and smiled.
“Let me put the coffee on and you go start reading,” Alexandra said, taking the towel out of Rachel’s hands. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Rachel went out to the living room and Tracy handed her manuscript to her. “I want you to be honest with me. If you don’t like it, just tell me. I know I have to get tough skin if I’m going to make it in this business.”
“Okay,” Rachel said as she started reading.
“There’s dessert in the refrigerator,” Tracy said as she came back into the kitchen. “Go sit with Rachel and I’ll get us set up.” She pushed Alexandra out of the room.
Alexandra watched as Rachel was intently reading from the pages in her hand. She took the papers that were laid on the cushion next to her and sat down. They read for the next ten minutes before Tracy called them to the table.
As soon as Alexandra and Rachel finished dessert, they carried their coffee into the living room and read for the next hour. Rachel looked up at the clock in shock. “I better get out of here and let you two get some rest.” She turned to Tracy. “I really like what I’ve read so far and I hate that I can’t read more.”
“You can take that with you,” Tracy said smiling.
“Do you have another copy?” Rachel asked.
“Everything is in my computer. I could print another copy for Alex if she wants.”
“Yes, I would. I want to go to bed and finish reading it,” Alexandra said anxiously.
“Okay, I’ll go print another copy. Rachel, I’m happy to have met you and come back to dinner anytime.”
“Oh, don’t say that, Tracy. If you are half the cook your mom is, I’ll be begging at your doorstep each night.”
Tracy took Alexandra’s arm. “It would be our pleasure.”
Rachel looked at Alexandra. “Thanks again for inviting me. I’ll see you tomorrow. Tracy, I hope to spend more time with you.” She put her coat on and picked up the manuscript. “Good night.”
“Good night, Rachel.” Tracy called, already printing the pages for Alexandra.
Alexandra walked Rachel to the door. “Good night, Alex.”
“Good night, Rachel.” Alexandra closed the door and turned seeing Tracy standing there smiling. “What?”
“Are you two seeing each other?”
“She’s my boss, Tracy. I told you that.”
“Yeah, that’s what you said, but there’s something there. I like her.”
“She’s a good friend,” Alexandra said softly.
“You should go for it, Alex. I don’t think you’d get any push back from Rachel,” she said with a grin.
“If it doesn’t work out, what do I do then?”
“You get another job, but she’s too nice to not give it a shot. I think you would be crazy to let your soul mate walk out the door.”
Alexandra laughed. “My soul mate. You are more of a romantic then I am. You’re funny.”
Tracy handed the manuscript to Alexandra. “If I found someone who is sweet and nice, then add a doctor, I certainly wouldn’t let him walk away.”
“I’ll see you in the morning. Good night, Tracy.” Alexandra waved over her head and went into her bedroom.
“Good night, silly.”
Alexandra could still hear Tracy laughing once the door was closed. She put on her pajamas and began reading again.
The morning came too soon as far as Alexandra was concerned. She had no idea what time she fell asleep. The manuscript was strewn on the bed and the light on her end table was still on. She got out of bed and went in search of coffee. As she opened her bedroom door, she smelled the coffee brewing. “I love you, Tracy,” Alexandra said as she walked into the kitchen. “I am so tired.”
“I guess you were reading late?”
“I was, and I finished the story.” After taking a sip of coffee, Alexandra walked up to Tracy and put her hands on her cheeks. “I loved it. I can’t believe you wrote such a beautiful story. It made me cry, and I think that’s when I finally fell asleep.”
“I’m glad you liked it. I hope Rachel did too. Now I just have to figure out how I can get that into hands of someone in the industry.”
“Don’t go crazy. We’ll figure something out.” Alexandra picked up her cup. “I’ve got to get ready, but you can do some research on the computer.”
“Should I expect you home about the same
time tonight?” Tracy asked.
“Tracy, you don’t have to cook again. We can eat the leftovers.”
“There’s so much and I don’t mind making something else for tonight.”
“Okay, look in the freezer and take something out. I can help when I get home.”
“Go get dressed. Do you have a microwave at the office?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll give you a piece of lasagna for lunch.”
“Would you give me enough for four people? I don’t want to leave out my co-workers.”
“Good. This way we won’t be eating lasagna for a month.”
*
Alexandra arrived at the office with her care package. She walked into the break room to put the food away.
“Is that what I think it is?” Rachel asked standing behind Alexandra.
Alexandra jumped. “You scared me,” she said, turning around. “I thought I was alone in here.”
“What’s wrong? You’re not usually so skittish.”
“Well, I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Alexandra admitted.
“Neither did I. You couldn’t put it down, could you?”
“No. Did you finish it?” Alexandra asked, moving closer.
“I just did. Wasn’t it great?”
Alexandra nodded. “I thought so, but I didn’t know if I was prejudiced because she’s my cousin.”
“Oh, no. Tracy is good. She’s very good. I’m going to call Michelle this morning.”
“You are?”
“Sure, and if you get tired of Tracy living with you, you can send her to live with me for a while. She was telling me about the dishes she’s going to make you.” Rachel licked her lips. “I love Italian food.”
“The offer stands. You can eat dinner with us anytime.”
“So did you bring lasagna for lunch?” Rachel asked, smiling.
“Enough for all of us.”
“You two women are going to spoil me.”
“You’re worth it,” Alexandra said, before her brain kicked in. The phone began to ring and she left the room quickly.
Rachel stood there smiling as she watched Alexandra run away. I’m worth it. Wow. Rachel knew the smile she wore would be with her all day.
Later in the morning, Rachel came out of the break room with her coffee. She stood there in the hallway staring at Alexandra before moving to her office. Rachel sat down in her chair and Helen walked into the room.