by Vicki Green
“So, your boss is a man, huh?” So many things I want to say right now but no words come out. “Guess he’s pretty nice to have bought you lunch on your first day.” I watch the spoon enter his mouth, his lips forming over it. Lucky spoon! He pulls it out, and I stare at his throat as the delicious liquid makes its way down. “Does he do that for all new employees or just the ones he wants to fuck?” He gets another spoonful and puts it in his mouth. My mouth drops open at his words.
“What? Why would you say that?”
He acts like what he said was nothing as he spoons up some more soup. I might have just lost my appetite. “Oh, no reason. Just seems odd that he’d buy you lunch, especially since you took yours with you.”
My feelings are now all over the place. How can he be so sweet one minute and then turn around and be a jerk the next? I pick up my spoon and forcefully drag it through my bowl. “He was just being nice, Caylan. It’s my fault about not saying anything about having my lunch. He didn’t know.” I plunge the spoon into my mouth. Damn, that’s actually really good. I wonder what else he put in it.
“Hmmm,” he responds while eating another bite.
I tilt my head, spoon raised. “Are you…. Jealous?” My mouth turns up. Well, this has never happened before. Maybe because I’ve never really had a boyfriend but still. I kinda like it. Sort of. He sets down his spoon on his plate and wipes his mouth with his napkin.
“Me? Jealous. Nah. I just think it’s kind of strange, that’s all.”
“Mmhmmm.”
I watch him as he fights a smile. “Okay. So maybe a little bit.”
“Aha!” I pick up a cracker and take a big bite. “Jealousy doesn’t fit you, baby. But I liked it – just a little.” He laughs and I take another bite. After we stop laughing, we have a nice comfortable silence while we finish eating. This is so foreign to me, sitting around with a man, being comfortable enough not to feel like we have to talk. He insisted on cleaning up and told me to go get in bed so I did. Unfortunately, after a full stomach and the long day I had, I got a little too comfortable and fell asleep before he came to bed.
The next morning, instead of sending me off with a packed lunch, he slid an envelope into my purse as he kissed me goodbye. I felt sick to my stomach again when I woke up, but by the time I ate the breakfast he made for me, I felt better. After parking my truck, I make my way into the front door at work, feeling on top of the world. A new job, the man of my dreams, how could I not? Nothing can damper my spirits today. I begin to hobble towards the hallway and notice the horrible woman at the front desk doesn’t even look at me. Sheesh! Anyone could walk in here and she wouldn’t even notice. I get just past her desk, thinking I’m in the clear, when I hear my name.
“Good morning, Miss Hadley.”
I stop and turn my head. I didn’t even know she remembered my name. “Uh, morning.” I’m almost to the hall, feeling like it’s my only hope for escape when I stop suddenly as she pops up before me. “I hope you had a good first day yesterday.” I nod, smile and start to hobble around her. She’s really making this difficult. Can’t she see I’m on crutches? She moves the same direction I do. Ugh! “Nice flowers you received. He seems like a very nice person.” Oh, my! Her eyes light up and I try not to roll mine. I stop and wait for her to either continue or let me pass.
“Yes. My boyfriend.” I punctuate boyfriend for her. “He is very sweet. Now if you don’t mind….” I start to move again and she matches my move. Shit! Are we playing checkers?
“He’s a very lucky man to have you as his girlfriend.” Oh, my God! What? Is she gay? Not that I have anything against gays but I really kinda love my boyfriend. Love. There’s that word again.
“Thank you. Now, I really need to get to my desk.” I smile, trying to move around her again. Finally, she steps out of my way.
“Oh! Sorry.” She turns and starts to walk back to her desk. Thank God. “Have a great day,” she yells behind me.
I didn’t know I could hobble that fast with these damn crutches but I make a hasty getaway.
I get to my desk, sitting down in my chair and stowing my crutches on the floor against the wall, then tucking my purse into my left bottom drawer. I almost forgot about the envelope. My mouth lifts into a smile. Caylan.
“Good morning, Miss Hadley. Are you okay to begin this morning?” I look up to see Emily, which I found out is her first name but I still call blonde woman in my head, standing in front of my desk. “I have a meeting for an hour first thing.” What a change. After Mr. Madden talked to her yesterday, privately, she’s been all nice and accommodating.
“Yes.” I smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“Good.” She sets down a folder on my desk. “Here’s the receipts from yesterday that were faxed in and some appointments that need to be updated in Mr. Madden’s schedule. If you wouldn’t mind.”
I blink a few times. “Sure. No problem.”
She smiles, nods, and walks away. Guess I made a good impression yesterday. One thing about me – I’m a very fast learner. Guess she figured that out. I turn on my computer and as I wait for it to boot up I decide to open the envelope. Inside is twenty-five dollars and a note. I can’t hold back my smile as I unfold it and begin to read.
My love,
I’ll miss you today.
Here’s some money to buy your own lunch.
Play nice again today, I know you can.
I’m so proud of you.
See you at home tonight.
Love you,
Caylan
I smash the note against my chest and sigh. My heart fills with love. I can’t wait to get home. Now, this day is gonna drag. I place the money and note back into the envelope and tuck it back in my purse. I could feel angry about his jab with buying my own lunch but I can’t. It’s his way of telling me he’s still jealous and I still like it. I make busy work of updating Mr. Madden’s schedule and am now halfway updating the receipts in their billing software. It’s a fairly easy process, just time consuming. I’ve answered a few tech support calls and have taken a few messages for him. So far, I haven’t seen him yet and Emily hasn’t returned from her meeting. An hour? Try three. Oh, well, it’s almost lunch and I’m starving. The phone rings and I answer, feeling great.
“Madden Design Creations. How may I help you?”
“Are visitors allowed to come and have lunch with you or take you out?”
I bite my lower lip as I smile. “Well, I’m not sure of the policies, sir, but I can ask.” I can hear the smile in his voice. My heart beats frantically with the sound of it.
“Good. Do that and let me know.”
“Very well, sir. I’ll let you know as soon as I can.”
We say goodbye just as Mr. Madden rounds the corner from the hall, walking towards me. Huh, he wasn’t in his office the whole time. “Good morning, Miss Hadley.” Well, he sounds chipper. He smiles as he continues to walk to his office but stops with his hand on the handle of the door and looks at me. “There will be a meeting in the conference room in fifteen minutes. Everyone will attend.” He winks at me, making me feel uncomfortable, and walks into his office, closing the door behind him.
“How are you doing on those?”
My head snaps to Emily. I’m surprised I didn’t hear the clicking of her heels. “Oh. Almost done.”
“Good. We have a meeting in fifteen minutes in the conference room.” She races around her desk, leaning down and shuffling papers and folders around.
“Yes, Mr. Madden told me.”
She looks up, her eyes wide. “He’s in there?” She cocks her head towards his door.
“Yes. Just a minute ago.” She resumes her organizing. “Emily? What’s going on? Should I be worried?” Time to see if she’s really being nice or just doing it because of Mr. Madden.
She hurriedly walks around her desk and practically runs over to mine. She bends down and looks around. My eyes shift around too. This is so strange. “Rumor has it that Mr. Madden has partnered with a
huge company that not only does the construction of office buildings but also manages the design, new clients, and all the equipment. They have a new project that is starting by the gulf and from what I understand it’s huge!” she says excitedly. “This is a huge opportunity for Madden Design Creations and he’s going crazy about it.”
“Okay. I guess that’s huge. So, is it okay to have visitors in for lunch or am I allowed to go out to lunch?” Her priorities may be a little different than mine.
Her eyes widen and then lower. “Yes. Yes of course. Now, get a notebook and follow me to the conference room. We can’t be late!” She hurries off to her desk and grabs a pen and notebook. “Come on,” she says as she jogs back to my desk, her excitement starting to catch. I grab my pen and a notebook, then pick up my crutches and pray to everything that’s holy that I don’t fall trying to carry everything.
The conference room is full by the time we get there. It’s a small room with a large oval table with chairs surrounding it. I hobble in and almost drop my notebook on the way. A man stands from his chair and offers it to me, placed right next to the empty chair at the head of the table. I smile and sit down, putting my notebook and pen on the table, thanking him. He takes my crutches and leans them against the wall behind where he’s standing. That was nice. I guess not everyone is standoffish here. Mr. Madden walks in quickly and sits down in the empty chair.
“I don’t want to waste everyone’s valuable time so I’ll get started. Madden Design Creations has been offered to partner with Daniels Corporation in a very large project for a new office building by the gulf. This is very big for us.” Excited murmurs ensue all around me. “I’ve accepted the offer.” The talking all around becomes louder. “Now, here’s what that means for you.” He looks at me and then at Emily, standing against the wall behind me. “Emily? You and Irish will be heading up the tech support area and will be scheduling almost everything. There will most likely be a lot of late hours and even some weekends.” I turn my head and see Emily’s smile is big. I look back at Mr. Madden and nod. “We’ve also been given a prime spot in the new building so we’ll be moving in once the project is complete.” Now everyone is more than excited. “So, while my team is working on the project, everyone will begin to pack up the building so we’ll be ready to move once our new space is open. That’s it for now. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I know you all will help get it done.” I look around as everyone starts walking out of the room, still talking excitedly about the news. “Irish?” I look at Mr. Madden and smile. “Don’t worry about anything until after your surgery. You need that time. Okay? Things are about to get crazy around here and I need you more than ever now.” I nod and just keep smiling, not really knowing what to say. “Good.” I watch him get up and leave the room. Guess I’d better get busy and I need to let my lunch date know what time to pick me up.
Chapter Nineteen
Caylan
I pull into a parking space, excited to be taking my girl out to lunch. I walked this morning to Pops again and talked to Mimi and then went to the gym and did my physical therapy. My arm feels stronger already. I get out and make my way to the front door, cringing inside at seeing that woman at the front desk again. I shiver. To my surprise when I walk in a different woman is sitting behind the desk.
“May I help you?” Her smile is genuine, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Yes. Miss Hadley please.” She nods and picks up the receiver of the phone. “Oh. Can you indulge me and tell her that her lunch date is here?” Her eyes light up and she nods again. I listen to the one sided conversation and smile. She sets it down and smiles. “She’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Thank you kindly.” I walk over, not really needing my cane as much now so I feel more like my old self without it, and sit down in the small lounge area. True to her word, in just two minutes Irish walks out, her crutches making a soft sound on the tile floor. I stand and walk straight to her, capturing her mouth. “Come on. There’s a small café just a couple of blocks over.” Her smile is huge as I lead her to my truck.
Once seated in a booth in the corner of a very small and quaint café, a waitress comes over with glasses of water and gives us a few minutes to look at the menu. “So, how’s your second day going so far?” She looks up and smiles.
“It’s actually going really good. We had a big meeting. I guess our company is gonna be partnering with this really big corporation to head up a big project. I was put on a team to help out a lot. Unfortunately, it means I might be working some late nights and weekends, after my surgery.”
I reach across the table and take her hand in mine. “Whatever you need to do, I’ll support you.” I bring her hand up and kiss the top then thread my fingers through hers as I rest them back on the table. “What company is it?”
The waitress takes that moment to return and takes our orders. Irish takes a drink of her water and looks at me, such excitement in her eyes. I’ll do anything to support her but I have to admit I’ll miss her even more with her working longer hours. But if it makes her happy, then I’m happy. “It’s a Daniels Corporation? I’ve heard of them but don’t know that much about them. I think I’ll look them up on the web tonight.”
“Hmmm, I’ve heard of them. Quite a bit lately.”
She looks at me curiously. “Oh, yeah?”
I squeeze her hand. “Well, you can talk to Jen about it tomorrow. Apparently, she works for one of their hubs in Georgia. That’s one of the reasons she’s coming here. She’s meeting up with the main people on the project at Daniels Corporation. A Bria Daniels? We’re supposed to have drinks with both of them on Thursday night at Pops.” Her eyes widen and a smile creeps across her face.
“Oh! Nice. Now I’m even more excited!”
The waitress brings our food and we have a very nice lunch. I hated taking her back to work, missing her already, but I have a play date with Gregory. I’m really starting to get sad about him leaving tomorrow. It’ll be the last time I get to hold him since they’ll be leaving early in the morning. Maybe forever. My heart might be breaking a little.
My day ended up going in waves of emotions. Happy for Irish, loving our lunch date, then sadness as I hold Gregory for the last time. That night I was feeling a little down, thinking about it, but Irish felt it and she ended up taking care of me for a change. She ran us a hot bath, nestled into me as I laid behind her. She washed me, comforted me, even though she didn’t know why. I wanted to tell her but we still haven’t talked about kids and I didn’t want to spoil her great mood more than I already had with my solemn one. She never asked me what was wrong. Was just there for me. Made me love her that much more.
I’m anxious the next day. Jen should be here this afternoon. I’m picking her up from the airport and can’t wait to hold her in my arms. I’ve missed her so much. This morning, Irish decided to take a briefcase to work saying she needs to start working a little at home from now on and while she’s laid up after her surgery to get ahead on her new project. I admire her for her dedication. Another swell of my heart for her. I tucked a note inside when she was getting dressed, something I love doing. I hope it adds to her day. Maybe I’m just wanting to remind her just how much I love her, miss her, and thankful we’re finally together.
Jen’s flight was delayed by a half an hour so my anxiousness became greater as I sit in the airport waiting. I get a text from Irish and smile, helping me get through the uneasiness I’m feeling.
Irish: Thank you for the note. I loved it! You make me so happy!
Smiling, I fire off a reply.
Caylan: U make me happy. I love you.
She hasn’t said it back to me but that’s okay. I know she does. Can feel it. She will in her own time. I know it. I don’t want to pressure her to say it. I can tell when we make love, can tell by the way she looks at me, touches me. They finally announce that Jen’s flight has landed. Thank God. I stand and wait at the area where she’ll walk from, the anticipation killing me at this poin
t. Tons of people walk out but no sign of her. Finally, red hair peeks out from the masses and my heart flips. “Caylan!” she screams, jumping up to see me from behind a few people. She breaks free from the crowd and I catch her with one arm wrapped around her waist. “God! It’s so good to see you!” She kisses my cheek, smiling. I set her down and grab her hand.
“Let’s go get your luggage. I’m so happy to see you, sis.”
I lead her to the baggage claim and grab her bag for her then take her to my truck. She talks a mile a minute on the drive to my apartment. She tells me about Mom and Dad, how excited she is to meet Irish and this Bria girl from work. I can’t get in a word but I’m happy to listen. I missed her so much. We’ve always been close. Actually, my whole family but Jen and I were inseparable through our younger years. It was hard for me when I left, as well as missing the rest of my family. “So! When do I get to meet the woman who finally settled you down, captured your heart? I can’t wait to meet her. She must be really special.”
I look over at her and smile. “She is. She’s a spitfire. Kinda reminds me of you.” She laughs.