by James Hold
“Eva, get on with it.”
Elliot was sitting on the edge of my bed running his tie through his fingers. I knew he was nervous, just as he knew I was stalling. But I couldn’t stop myself. For the hundredth time since we’d arrive in Los Angeles, I kept asking myself the same question.
Just what exactly was I doing here?
“Fine.”
I sighed before heading into the oversized bathroom just off the main suite. Even I had approved of the reflection that greeted me in the mirror. I decided to keep it simple. Black suit, white shirt, low heel pumps. I’d even managed to get my hair to behave. I grabbed my lipstick from the bag beside the sink and was twisting it open when I heard a low moan coming from the other room.
“Eva, you’re killing me. We’ve got to go.”
I wanted to laugh at Elliot’s impatience, but decided against it. I dabbed on the lipstick, making sure to smack my lips together loud enough so he could hear me as I walked into the room. Elliot was still on the edge of my bed with his head in his hands.
“Hey,” I closed the distance between us in less than a second. “You ok?”
“Fine.” His voice was muffled as he rubbed his face. “Slowly turning to dust here, but otherwise, I’m fine. You done?”
“Done.” I took a step back as he stood. Elliot studied me until I was the one fidgeting. “What?”
When he didn’t answer, I crossed my arms over my chest. “If you don’t say something, I’m going back into the bathroom and locking the door. This wasn’t my idea, Eli. Besides, you only gave me two days.”
“You look fantastic.” Elliot grinned as he took my hand to spin me around. “I’m just surprised. You clean up good.”
“Well. I clean up well.” I grumbled. “You’re just saying that so we can get going already.”
Elliot handed me my purse with a laugh. “Let’s go. I don’t want to be late. You can play in the bathroom later.”
The hotel Theia Productions had put us up in was one of the fanciest places I’d ever been to. As we walked out into the lobby, bright L.A. sunshine beamed down on us from the open skylights. Living Barbies and buffed up Kens dressed in burgundy hotel uniforms greeted anyone who crossed their paths. It was beautiful. But I couldn’t find it in my heart to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. My stomach had returned to its knot-like state. I knew why. It wasn’t because of the meeting.
I was sure this was the end. Things were changing for Elliot. No matter what he said about me tagging along with him, this was his deal. His meeting.
His future. One I was sure would be taking place without me in it.
A valet was pulling up as we came through the lobby doors in a silver convertible. I know nothing about cars, but I knew this one was impressive. Sleek and shiny despite being parked under the entry way. I was so sure it’s owner would come bounding out behind me that I fell in step behind Elliot to get out of the way. You can imagine my surprise when the valet handed the keys over to my companion.
“Sinclair dropped it off for you this morning, sir. He said to tell you hello.”
“Sinclair?” I couldn’t stop myself from staring at Elliot as he tipped the valet and gave him his thanks. “Who is Sinclair? An intern for your dad?”
“House manager.” Elliot mumbled as he opened the passenger door. “Ready to go?”
“Your daddy has a house manager?” I dropped my purse onto the floorboard as I slid into the seat he offered me. “What’s a house manager? Is that like a butler or something?”
His only response was to close the door. I watched as he came over to the driver’s side and decided to drop it. I knew from experience Elliot didn’t like to talk about his life in California, though God only knew why. So I turned my attention to the city scenery as he pulled out into the street.
Elliot returned to good spirits two turns and ten minutes of fighting L.A. traffic later. He turned down the radio and glanced over in my direction.
“Still scared?”
“Petrified.” I shifted in the seat so that I could face him. “I know we’ve avoided it, but what can I expect? What should I say?”
“Say what you want.” He shrugged. “You’ve already got the job if you want it, Eva. We’re only here to work out the details.”
“Ok. That doesn’t help me.” I found a tiny thread on my suit jacket and tugged. “What did you tell them about me?”
I didn’t miss the flush rising at the tip of his ears. He cleared his throat and changed lanes to make another turn before I got my response.
“I told them the truth.” Elliot kept his eyes on the road. “I told them you studied History at UGA, so you’re a great researcher. And I told them how great you are with new technology.”
“Why’s that important?”
“Come on, Eva, you know how these shows work.” Elliot shook his head. “Research is crucial to understand what you’re dealing with. Not to mention how much audiences love to hear about the gory details.”
“Yeah, yeah. I get that part.” I released the thread and dropped my hand. I’d unravel the whole damn thing with my luck. “But the technology?”
“The paranormal field relies on technology. It helps us hunt out the spirits and document their existence.”
“So we’re back to that again?” I shook my head. “Eli, you know ghosts don’t actually exist right? I know you like to think so, but that doesn’t make them real.”
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
“You never did answer my question.” I tilted my head to study his profile. “What did you say that made them want to fly me out to L.A.?”
The blush was back. I managed to keep my eyes on him until he gave up and sighed.
“Fine. I told them how attractive you are. Pretty blonde girls going to dark scary places make for good television.”
“So you only want me because of my looks.” I raised an eyebrow, but made no other moves to look away from him.
“No.” Elliot stopped at a red light and stared at me. “How could you even say that? I think you’re smart. You can handle yourself. And you’re not scared of anything. It has nothing to do with your looks.”
“Uh huh.” I grinned. “You think I’m pretty.”
Elliot turned his attention back to the red light, flicking on the turn signal in the process. “We’re here. Can you pass me the badge in the glove compartment?”
“You’re changing the subject.”
I was still grinning as I retrieved the badge for him. He was right. We were here. Elliot maneuvered the convertible into the underground garage of an impressive high rise, stopping only to show the badge with his picture on it to the security guard stationed at the entrance. Within minutes, we were parked and walking inside.
“You’ll do great. I know you will.” Elliot tucked my hand in the crook of his arm. “You can be a real charmer when you want to be.”
“You still think I’m pretty.” I teased as we came to a stop in front of the elevator. I pressed the button and the doors opened immediately. As we stepped inside, Elliot reached out to choose the floor we were going to.
“Keep this professional please. I don’t want them to get the wrong impression of you.” Elliot moved to give the other passengers room. I didn’t realize how close he was behind me until I felt his breath against my ear as he whispered.
“But yes, I do. I always have.”
I shivered despite myself as the elevator began to rise. I chastised myself in silence for the happiness I felt. There was nothing between me and Elliot other than our friendship. I knew this. Besides, I had to be careful. My fears of him leaving me for better things were still very prevalent. They were at the forefront of my mind when the elevator slid to a halt and the other three got out. When the doors closed again, I turned to Elliot.
“Eli.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. I wanted to tell him what I was afraid of. I needed to tell him. I couldn’t understand why this was so hard. But the words wouldn’t come as those damned doors open
ed again.
“We’re here.” He put his hand at the base of my back and led me out into the hallway. I wanted to grab him. Tell him everything going through my head at that singular moment, but I didn’t. Instead, I let him lead me through the lobby to the receptionist’s desk that dominated the far wall.
“Misty!” Elliot exclaimed at the pixie woman who was more interested in her Facebook page than us. She flipped around in her chair with a smile so big, it lit up her entire face. “Where’ve you been hiding?”
“Turks and Caicos, darling. It’s the only place to go when escaping L.A. these days.” She slid out from around the desk and threw herself into Elliot’s arms for a hug. “You’ve come back home! It’s so good to see you!”
“Misty, this is Eva McRayne.” Elliot disentangled himself and turned to me. I bit my lip as I nodded at the woman. “We’re here to see Connor.”
“Oh, of course you are. The entire office has been talking about the return of the prodigal son.”
“Does she even know what that means?” I hissed against Elliot’s arm as she returned to her side of the wooden desk and started chatting into the phone.
“Play nice.” He nudged me in the ribs to keep me quiet. “She’s been here forever.”
I tried to keep my face neutral, but it was hard. The image of that harpy throwing herself at Elliot was playing on repeat in the back of my mind, but I was adding things to it. Satisfying images like how I could have jerked her off of him.
Elliot leaned against the desk until the harpy put down the phone. She was simpering like a puppy for my friend’s attention. “Connor said to come on in. He’s in Conference Room Four.”
“Thanks Misty.” Elliot awarded her with another smile before returning his hand to my back. “This way, Eva.”
Elliot led us through an impressive maze of cubicles until we reached a thick wooden door. He stopped, took a deep breath, and knocked.
“Come in.”
A man’s voice filtered through. I had the desire to grab Elliot. Beg him to return to Georgia with me where our lives were simple. I wanted him back in the place where I’d met him. Come to know him.
It was much too late for such protests. Elliot opened the door to the meeting room where his future would change forever.
I could do nothing more than follow.
Chapter Three