Come with Me (Let It Be Me #2)

by Tiara Bosh

  “Last one!” Paul shouted in reply, raising the bone, causing everyone to laugh again.

  “Can we ask everyone to help clear the tables when you’re done,” Will announced. “We will begin in fifteen minutes!”

  Ben stood up, and started to collect the plate of Liz. Maron also stood up to do the same, getting Dana’s plate.

  “Oh you don’t have to,” Liz said quickly.

  Ben shrugged. “It’s okay, I’m heading there anyway.”

  “Thank you,” Liz said, still looking uncomfortable.

  “You’re welcome,” Ben said, walking away.

  He just brought the paper plates and cups to the nearby trash bag when Will announced they were going to have a Bingo game. The people cheered, knowing it was going to be fun.

  “And for the kids, we have set up face paint booths,” Sarah said. “Adults who also think like kids, of course, are welcome to have their face painted too once the kids are done.”

  Everyone laughed. Paul raised his hand jokingly.

  Ben walked back to where Alex and Kayla were seated as they participated in the Bingo game that ran for the next couple of hours. Everyone had a card to play with. From his seat he could see Liz and once in a while he would find himself looking at her. She was clearly enjoying the game and looked right to be there with everyone.

  After the bingo game, snacks were served and the kids had their faces painted. Ben saw Liz volunteer to face paint Adam’s face. When one of Steve’s daughters saw, she also had her face painted by Liz. She was great with kids and just about anyone.

  His original impression of her was wrong.

  Everyone stayed to help clear the place up after the day’s event. Ben stayed, along with Alex and Kayla. The kids pitched in too. Ben was proud of the values RHS wanted to instill in their employees and their families.

  “Kayla and I are going to grab some dinner,” Alex told him half an hour later, with Kayla at his side, when the others have said goodbye. “Join us.”

  Kayla nodded in agreement.

  “I think I’ll pass, but thanks,” he said. He felt like just going home and relaxing for the little left of the weekend.

  “Okay, if you’re sure. We’ll go ahead then.”

  They shook hands, then Ben leaned to kiss Kayla on her cheek.

  Just then Ben’s phone rang. He checked to see it was Alex’s agent.

  “It’s Louis,” he informed Alex. He answered then waved as Alex and Kayla walked away towards the school entrance.

  Louis talked about a new movie that Alex would be perfect for. Enjoying the silence of the field, Ben stalled as he listened to Louis ramble on. Louis spoke about an endorsement for Alex, and even squeezed in a scoop about another A-list actor who was caught cheating on his wife. It was some minutes before he started walking towards the school entrance so he could make his way to the parking lot. He realized how fast the place has been cleared. He didn’t see anyone else in the vicinity.

  “Sure just send over the script,” he told Louis, as he walked.

  He was about to update Louis about the latest correspondences with Jeremy Stephens when he caught some movement at the corner of his eye. He moved closer until he recognized who it was.

  “Louis I’ll call you again later,” he said, ending the call.

  He walked towards the school steps.

  “Liz?”

  “Hi, Ben,” she said, slightly startled. She was seated on the school steps. He noticed she has changed to jeans and a grey hoodie since it was getting cold. “Why are you still here?”

  “Had a phone call,” he replied. “Do you need a ride?”

  “Oh, no need. Thanks,” she responded, shaking her head. “My boyfriend’s pick me up. I guess he’s just running late.”

  Ben nodded, but he could see the same air of irritation and touch of unhappiness in Liz’s face that he saw earlier that day. He checked his watch. It was a little past five, and it would be getting dark soon. He couldn’t see anyone else around. He couldn’t leave her; yet he had to be careful as not to scare her.

  He had to think quickly.

  “Good thing you’re here,” he blurted out. “I wanted to discuss with you the foundation’s possible next project.”

  Her eyes lit up, and Ben thought he made the right call. He sat down on one of the steps – not too close to her – resting his forearms on his knees.

  “One of our sponsors is donating a sizeable lot in New Jersey. Initially I was thinking a walk-up, but maybe you could check it out and see the possibilities. We would like to know what your suggestions would be.”

  Liz nodded eagerly, grinning. “Sure, I could do that,” she said.

  “Great,” Ben said, smiling. Her excitement was contagious. “I’ll be getting the lot plan this coming week. You can schedule a site visit. Kayla is also volunteering to help out so once you come up with your suggestions we can run it by her and you could coordinate on the best use possible.”

  “Sure, I’ll do my best,” she said.

  Knowing he had to say something since her boyfriend wasn’t around yet, Ben started rambling about all the projects RHS has completed so she would have an idea how they came about finalizing the design brief for each one. It crossed his mind that she must have already heard about it all, but she seemed to be interested. She was also asking some questions.

  He was in the middle of talking about how they found the site for the school project when Liz’s phone buzzed with a new text message. She excused herself to check. Ben noticed her become tense again when she read the message.

  “Jack’s here,” she said, and looked at Ben apologetically. “I’m sorry, I have to go. Maybe we can discuss it when you’re in the office?”

  Ben nodded; glad for her that her boyfriend has arrived. “Sure, no worries, sorry if I was rambling.”

  “Oh no,” she said quickly. “It was interesting. And I’m excited.”

  “That’s great,” Ben said, smiling.

  Liz stood up, and Ben followed suit. They heard a rumbling of pebbles. Ben turned to see a white Toyota pull up the drop-off.

  “Good night, Ben,” she said, now distractedly, as she jogged down the steps. Ben watched as she quickly walked to the passenger car door. A man stepped out of the driver’s seat but Liz didn’t wait for him to approach her side of the car as she got into the passenger’s seat.

  The boyfriend briefly looked at Ben before getting back into the car. Ben didn’t get a good look at Liz’s boyfriend, but Ben noted the boyfriend didn’t seem so apologetic that he was late and had Liz wait.

  Ben walked away before the Toyota drove off, assured.

  At least Liz was already safe.

  Chapter 11

  Liz

  “Just bring me home, Jack,” Liz said in the car as she secured the seatbelt. “I lost my appetite.”

  “Liz…”

  “I don’t demand a lot of your time, Jack,” she said, exhausted and disappointed. “That should have been perfect for you, but apparently still not enough.”

  “There’s the potential promotion,” Jack reasoned, as he drove.

  “Then what, when you get promoted, will I still see you then?” she asked, voicing out what she thought the last time.

  “Don’t be like that, Liz,” he said.

  “And you know what keeps crossing my mind?” Liz asked. “When I told you about the dinner with my parents you were on board immediately and never forgot about it. And you picked me up on time. It makes me wonder.”

  “What are you trying to say?” Jack said gravely after a pause.

  “You tell me, Jack,” she threw back. She couldn’t quite spout out that she was thinking that he was just after her father’s name and didn’t care all that much for Liz. Her pride couldn’t handle saying it out loud.

  He was unable to respond.

  “And who was that guy?” Jack asked, a bit suspiciously.

  Liz turned and looked at him incredulously. “Are you seriously asking me that? My g
oodness. Good thing Ben was there or I would have been waiting there alone in the dark. For you.”

  “I’m sorry, Liz,” he said.

  Liz remained quiet as Jack drove towards her apartment for the next minutes.

  Emily’s words echoed in her brain.

  For how long can you take it?

  It seemed like she has just about had it.

  When Jack parked the car in front of her building, Liz knew she had to say something.

  “I think we should end this, Jack,” she said, trying to control the shaking of her voice.

  “Liz, no…” he pleaded, reaching for her hand, but Liz pulled her hand away.

  “I’ll make it up to you,” he said.

  Liz shook her head. “It will always be like that – you having to make up for something. It’s not very fair to me, Jack,” she said. “I didn’t do anything wrong, so I don’t think I deserve this.”

  “You might need some time to think,” Jack said. “You’re mad at me now, and it’s my fault. But maybe we can discuss tomorrow how we can work it out.”

  Liz shook her head. “I’ve been thinking about it for weeks now. I tried, really, but I’m sorry I can’t do this anymore.”

  Knowing nothing else could be achieved if she stayed, she gathered her stuff and said, “Goodbye, Jack.”

  She quickly got out of the car and ran into her building before Jack had the chance to follow her.

  She rushed up to her apartment. She took the stairs four flights up and as she reached her door, she was catching her breath not because of tiredness, but because of the mixture of emotions choking her.

  Managing to unlock her door, she entered the comforting confines of her apartment.

  And that was when she burst into tears.

  * * *

  “You should have called us yesterday,” Emily said.

  “Yeah! We could have had one of our sleepovers,” Brian agreed.

  They were in Liz’s apartment, sulking over a couple tubs of ice cream and potato chips in her living room. Liz called her friends that morning to break the news, and they suddenly showed up in her apartment when they both got out of work, bearing the mass of junk food. She truly appreciated it.

  She was doing better than she expected though. After the short bout of crying the previous night, she felt better. She blamed it on the fact that she somehow knew for a few months that her relationship with Jack was dying. What was left was some emptiness in her. Of course she did love Jack, and they did share some good times together. She would have to adjust to not having him in her life anymore.

  Kayla shrugged. “I needed some time to let it all process. Yesterday was such a long day, I had so much fun in the family day, but the day still ended in a sour note.”

  “Did he call today?” Brian asked.

  Liz nodded. “He called this morning, but when I spoke to him, I didn’t feel anything. I couldn’t find any trace of hope in me that we would still get back together.”

  “So it really is the end,” Brian said.

  Liz nodded, pretty sure of herself.

  “Has Jack accepted it?” Emily asked.

  Liz shrugged. “I think he’s gotten it that I’m serious. I hope he won’t push it anymore.” Jack was persistent this morning when they spoke on the phone, and he even sent flowers to her office. She had to call him again lunchtime to ask him to stop.

  “Let us know if he becomes a problem, okay,” Brian said.

  Liz nodded. She really hoped not.

  “Tell us about the family day,” Emily prodded, taking a spoon of salted caramel ice cream.

  “It was wonderful,” Liz gushed, remembering yesterday’s events. “The kids were adorable. Everyone was so participative. I truly felt I belonged.”

  “That’s great,” Emily said supportively.

  “So what happens in a family day?” Brian asked. “Obviously we don’t have those in Bergdorf Goodman.”

  Liz managed to laugh.

  “We had games in the morning – you know, the usual parlor games that the kids would enjoy,” Liz described. “I joined the egg and spoon race and the caterpillar game. In the afternoon we had a bingo game, and I got to face paint some of the kids’ faces.”

  “Was Alexander there?” Brian asked.

  “Of course,” Liz replied. “He’s great. You’d sometimes forget he’s all famous.”

  “That’s hard to imagine,” Emily said, giggling.

  “He and his girlfriend are great,” Liz gushed. “They’re fun and down to earth. Imagine, they both helped in clearing the place afterwards.”

  “Wow,” Brian said.

  “And remember the other boss I told you about?” she asked Emily. “The one who seemed unwelcoming when I started.”

  Emily nodded.

  “Hey what’s that about?” Brian asked.

  Liz told briefly told him about it.

  “Is he cute?” Brian asked.

  “He actually is,” Liz admitted.

  “You should let me know once there’s a job opening in the foundation,” Brian said, bobbing his eyebrows.

  “Bri…” Liz said, giggling.

  “So is he still unwelcoming?” Emily asked.

  “He was pretty nice to me yesterday,” Liz said. “So I think I’ve finally gotten everyone’s approval already. I hope by the time my six-month probation would pass, they all agree to keep me.”

  “There’s not a doubt that will happen,” Brian said.

  Emily nodded.

  “Thanks, guys,” Liz said, thankful for their support.

  Her friends must have found it boring listening to her about work, but they smiled at her encouragingly.

  “The silver lining is, things are going great at work for you,” Emily said, squeezing Liz’s arm.

  “Yeah,” Liz agreed. She then turned to Brian. “So what’s the latest with you and Dave?”

  Brian beamed, and immediately hid his smile. Liz knew Brian well enough to know he was holding back. It dawned on Liz he must have been hesitating to talk about the new guy he was dating when Liz just broke up with Jack.

  “Hey, as you can see, I’m not really all fragile right now. So go ahead and talk about Dave,” she urged.

  Brian looked at Liz for a second before starting to speak. “He told me he isn’t seeing anyone else.”

  “That’s great!” Liz said, genuinely happy for her friend. She hasn’t met Dave, but seeing how happy Brian was, was enough for her. Brian has been through some rocky relationships over the past few years. She didn’t want to see him get hurt again.

  “So if you girls are up for it, we can have drinks with him this weekend,” Brian said slowly.

  Liz and Emily looked at each other and grinned. Having Brian introduce Dave to them was a huge step. There have been guys from his past that Liz and Emily never met.

  “Of course we’re up for it!” Emily said.

  “Okay, I’ll arrange it,” Brian said, a bit shyly.

  Liz and Emily shared another look, probably sharing the same thought that Brian was truly in deep.

  “And you,” Liz said, pointing at Emily with the spoon she was using for the ice cream. “Maybe I could focus on your love life. We shall try to look for a nice guy for you.”

  “Yes, we should,” Brian said. “Unfortunately most of the guys I know are obviously gay.”

  They laughed.

  Liz ransacked her brain if she knew of a good guy then Ben suddenly popped into her brain. But then he’s her boss and she didn’t even know if he was single. Dana has never mentioned anything about him.

  “Then we should find you one this weekend!” Liz announced, forgetting for a moment her worries.

  Chapter 12

  Ben

  “I just parked here at the office,” Ben said, holding the phone to his ear, as he took off his seatbelt. “I just need to pick up some documents for a meeting tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay, Mrs. Goldstein said she will have dinner ready by seven,” Alex said. />
  “Sure I should be there by then,” Ben said, checking his watch to see it was a little after five.

  Ben just came from a series of meetings that day. He had to maximize his time since he and Alex would be in New York for only a few days before they had to go back to L.A. He had to pass by the RHS office to get some documents for some meetings he had with sponsors the following day.

  Running up the stairs to their office, he took two steps at a time, looking down at the steps rather than where he was going.

  It was only when he heard an “Oh” that he looked up, startled, and found Liz at the landing, looking down. She had her purse and her coat.

  “Liz, hi,” he said. He hasn’t seen her since the Family Day a couple weeks back. They’ve only corresponded a bit via email and phone calls regarding the lot he was having her check out.

  “You’re back,” she said, offering him a smile.

  “Yes for a few days,” he said, taking the few steps up until he was only three steps away from the landing.

  “Do you always take the stairs?” he asked.

  Liz nodded shyly. “Only when I’m alone,” she said.

  Ben nodded, quite surprised. He hasn’t encountered anyone from their office – or even anyone else from the building – who chose the stairs over the elevator.

  “I’m working on the feasibility study,” she informed him. “I should be done with it this week, then I can submit a report.”

  “Ah yes, sure, that would be great,” he said. He had already emailed the details of the site location the week after the family day. He insisted she bring Will along when she would visit the site. She already told him over an email message last week that she and Will have already visited it.

  He took a mental note to visit the site himself tomorrow.

  “Henry has also already approved the arrangements so far for the fund-raising. I included you and Alex in the email loop.”

  “Right, I was able to read some of them,” he said, nodding. “It’s all good.”

  “Okay thanks. I’ll go ahead then,” Liz said.

  “Yes of course,” Ben said. “I’ll just wait for your report then. Thanks.”