I pulled out my phone and scrolled through all the texts. At the very end of the list, I saw it. Jurnee Messer. “Fuck!”
“Okay, now I’m confused.” He leaned forward and rested his folded arms on the desk in front of him.
“I sent it to all the other females in my phone. I never thought to unselected her. I didn’t check. Shit!”
“Oh, you are screwed.”
“I still don’t understand why she is out with Alan.” I was already typing a new text.
Anderson - This has been a terrible mistake. We need to talk. Where are you?
“Well, when you told her you didn’t want to hear from her–”
“It wasn’t her that I wanted to not hear from!”
“My mistake. When Jurnee received the text from you stating you didn’t want to have any communication with her ever again,” I glared at him for his clarification. “She asked to be removed from your team. I assigned Alan to work with her, as he has the most experience.”
“Why would she think I didn’t want to talk to her after the weekend we had?”
“Because you sent her an asshole text.”
Dragging my hands over my face, I looked up from my phone. “That’s what she said?”
“Anderson, she was pretty upset yesterday. If you aren’t serious about her, why did you take her back to your parent’s place? By the way, Jurnee didn’t know who your family was.”
I was typing out a text to Martin. “What?”
“I think she has to be the only woman on Earth that doesn’t believe in Googling people. Something about not wanting to invade people’s privacy or something.”
Looking up from my phone, “Did you tell–”
He sat back in his chair. “Soraya was there. What do you think?”
“This is so fucked up.” My phone rang, and I looked down to see my mother’s face. “Jesus, this is not how I saw this day going. Sorry, Graham. I have to take care of this.”
“Think about what I said, Anderson. Don’t hurt her. Soraya will kick your ass.”
Waving, I was almost to Sadie’s desk when I heard him chuckling. If I wasn’t so focused on explaining what happened to Jurnee, I’d go back in and kick his ass.
“Martin!” I shouted as I got within eyeshot of his desk. “Get on the phone with Alan and find out where they are. Text me the info immediately. Do not think about coming in tomorrow if I don’t have their location in the next twenty minutes.”
“Anderson, your mom called.” He was solemn. Something was up.
“What?”
“Madeline took a pretty bad fall off her horse this morning. Your mom said she’s been trying to get a hold of you.”
My phone slipped out of my hand. “What?”
“She’s back home already. I’ve already ordered a big huge bouquet.”
BAM!
My head met the edge of Martin’s desk as I came up from grabbing my phone.
This is not how I saw this day going.
28
Jurnee
The interior was as dreary as the exterior. Alan pointed out how much more space we could get for the same dollar amount in an established building. Surveying the area near the windows, it seemed strange how dark the area was on such a sunny day.
“With the cost savings in rent, we could redesign the interior into exactly what you envisioned.”
“This location wasn’t on the list of potentials.” Anderson’s voice caused me to spin around too quickly, and I had to reach out to steady myself. “Alan, there has been some mix-up. I will continue to work with Jurnee on this project.”
My surprise morphed into anger. “There has not been a mix-up.”
“There has been a mix-up, Jurnee.”
The dip in his voice annoyed me. This was the Anderson I met in the booth on my first day in the city. We were working, but he was making this personal. “I requested the change.”
Alan stood up a little straighter and crossed his arms over his chest. I wanted to punch the smirk off his face. No part of me signed up to be in the center of a pissing match with the two of them.
“Would you please excuse Jurnee and me?” Anderson’s harden facial expression and body language gave no hint of pleasantries. “We need to have a conversation.”
“I have a few more places I’d like to see today.” Alan checked his watch.
“I’m afraid this can’t wait.” Anderson had my elbow in his hand and gestured for me to join him in another part of the space. “Why don’t you head back to Morgan, and I will drop Jurnee off as soon as we finish?”
Part of me wanted to object, but I didn’t. Instead, Alan tossed up his hands and headed for the exit. Once he was out of earshot, I jerked out of Anderson’s grip.
“Before you get angry–”
“Before?” Are you freaking kidding me? Before! “I was in a meeting.”
“With Alan.”
I tilted my head at his tone. “Yes, I was in a meeting with Alan discussing a potential location for the coffee shop.”
“Ha. This is not a potential location for your coffee shops. I can assure you of that.” Usually, he had every reason to be arrogant, this was not one of those reasons.
“I don’t care. Even if I was meeting to determine whether to put a movie theatre in this very spot, it’s not alright for you to bust in and declare you want to speak to me. I wouldn’t do that to you, and I won’t allow it to be done to me again.”
“You’re right, but this is not what Graham and I envisioned for–”
“Again, this was a meeting between Alan and me.”
“The text you received yesterday wasn’t intended for you. I sent one group text to all the females in my phone. Your number wasn’t supposed to be on that list. Apparently, it was.” Anderson moved into my personal space and stared down at my lips like he was fighting not to kiss me.
His words replayed as I navigated through the thoughts shooting through my mind. “I was in a business meeting.”
“In the wrong location. With the wrong person.” He took a step closer.
“That’s not the point.” I placed both hands on his chest and gave him a shove. “I wouldn’t interrupt you in a meeting to discuss something personal.”
He took a step back, and I exhaled. “I submit that the personal issue already impacted the business you were conducting. However, I hear you, and I will try not to do it again.”
That warranted a dramatic eye roll. “I went to Graham and asked that Alan take the lead after I got your text.”
“You weren’t supposed to get the text. So, we will explain it, and we’ll be back to where we were.”
“Jesus, Anderson! You’re doing it again. You don’t get to control this. You don’t get to control me.”
“Time out.” He made a T sign with his hands. “Has it even registered that I didn’t mean to send you that text?”
My eyelids blinked rapidly as his words sunk in. “You don’t want me to delete your contact information?” He shook his head no. “You didn’t mean thanks for the memories? Because that was all kinds of shitty–”
He shook his head no and brought his lips within inches of mine.
I tried to not smile. “You told all the women in your phone to delete your number.”
Anderson smirked as the smile I struggled to contain broke free. “I love your smile.”
“You do?”
“Yep. I do.”
Pressing my hands into his chest to prevent him from making contact with my lips, it took effort to remember I was supposed to be angry at this man. “Anderson?”
“What?”
“I think I should continue to work with Alan.”
“This was all a misunderstanding. Jurnee, you know that we should work together on this project.” He took me into his arms, and there was no desire to fight him.
As we hugged, I asked, “What about after work?”
“We’ll do a lot more of that practice dating.” I closed my eyes and tried t
o pull away. Anderson held me tightly to his chest. “Actually, no more practicing. Have dinner with me tonight, for real.”
29
Jurnee
Every piece of clothing that I had brought for my month-long adventure in New York was spread out over the two hundred and fifty square foot apartment I was subletting. The sad truth was, even if I had all my clothes from my closet in Michigan to choose from, I’d still have nothing to wear on a date with Anderson Douglas.
Five pairs of pants fanned out with only a couple of inches separating them lay across the pulled-down Murphy table. Thirteen tops in the form of tanks, blouses, t-shirts, and workout tops were sprayed over my full-sized bed arranged by type, again with only a few inches separating them. A bookcase that held baskets filled with the belongings of the Spartan Alum who rented me the place now had four skirts tossed on top.
Jurnee - I have nothing to wear.
Derrick - Who are you, and how did you get into my best friend’s phone.
Jurnee - Date with Anderson
Derrick - Ahhhhhhhhhh
Jurnee - If you aren’t going to help… leave me alone to stress about this on my own.
Jurnee - Seriously! I’m kidding. HELP ME!
The ringing phone was met with a flood of relief and jeans being tossed in the air. Laughter was all I heard. I should be able to charge him for the level of entertainment this situation provided.
“I’m going to hang up.” The laughter on the phone got louder. “Or I’ll just wait until you’re done.”
“I’m almost done. You have to admit, this is hilarious.” His voice was muffled as I slipped my top on over my head.
“No. No, I don’t have to admit anything of the sort.” I removed the top and tossed it back on the bed.
“Jurnee, you’re the least clothes-focused person I’ve ever met. For you to be this worried–” He stopped mid-sentence.
“He’s…” Flopping on the bed, I caught my reflection in the mirror. “What can he possibly see in me?”
“You finally Googled who you’re dating?”
“No. But Soraya and Graham shared the information with me on Sunday after I went over to their house crying about the text Anderson mistakenly sent me.”
“And?”
I close my eyes and push out the words swirling around my brain since I got his text. “Derrick, I’m not good enough for him.”
“Jurnee Joplin Messer! I never want to hear those words come out of your mouth again. And clear them out of your thoughts as well. From where I’m sitting, it looks to me like Anderson Douglas is the lucky one.”
“Because my family is estimated to be worth over ten billion. That’s billion with a B.” I pushed all my hair back off my shoulders. “I can totally see why he would be the lucky one.”
“This is a side of you I’ve never seen.”
“I beg to differ. You’ve seen my insecure side a lot over the tenure of our friendship.” A heavy sigh escaped me.
“Insecure, sure, maybe. But dreadfully stupid is a whole new thing.”
“Remind me why I thought you were my best friend.” I glanced back toward the mirror.
“Because anyone else would let you sit in your dumb thoughts of not good enough, and I won’t. If this was about money, Anderson would be taking someone else out tonight. But he–”
“He could–” I tried to interject, but Derrick wasn’t letting up.
“Anderson is into you, and that is scaring the shit out of you. You’re searching for reasons to make this fail before it even starts because of past hurt. I’m not going to let you sabotage the best thing that has happened to you since I met you. Your fears have nothing to do with his family money, nor your lack of family money. It has to do with you being completely smitten by someone who is equally smitten with you.”
“But–”
“So, put on the soft pink blouse that ties in the back with your black slacks that zip on the side. Then slip on the black strappy heels that you hate because they’re too high. Do that smokey eye that you’ve practiced and go have the best date ever.”
“Thank you.”
“Always. I love you. GO!”
He disconnected. Turning on Spotify, the room filled with Post Malone’s invitation for a hundred bands and a bunch of bottles. My hips swayed as I brushed my upgraded replacement eyeshadow palette. Twenty-seven minutes later, I walked out of my sublet, already promising my feet I’d accept a ride home after dinner. It was on the train I realized said ride home would be in the morning. Tonight’s the night.
The entryway at Harry Cipriani’s had a relaxed elegance. Tables had a spotlight in the center while the soft light created an impression of intimacy. A heavenly mix of fresh-baked bread and garlic entwined, making my mouth water. This was the New York I had read about in my romance novels.
“New York has way too many restaurants for anyone to have a favorite.”
“But you have a favorite Chinese place—the takeout the other night?”
“Nope. I told you it was my favorite Chinese. I went to three different restaurants to pick up that spread.”
He chuckled when my mouth fell open. “I wanted to give you the best the city had to offer. You know, since you’re moving here.”
The hostess cleared her throat, and the earlier conversation with Anderson faded into the back of my memories, “May I help you?”
“I’m sorry. I was deep in thought.”
I felt a hand slide down my back. “Do tell.” Anderson flashed his sexiest of grins.
“Actually, I was thinking about you.” I pressed my back into his chest.
“Douglas.” He replied to the hostess who was patiently waiting for our attention, then whispered slowly in my ear. “We’re going to unpack that once we’re alone.” His lips brushed my ear as he spoke, “you smell amazing.”
His hand found its way to the middle of my back, making a shiver traveled through my entire body. Definitely a ride home in the morning.
“Yes, Mr. Douglas. We have your table ready. Follow me, please.” Anderson gestured for me to follow the hostess toward the table. His hand remained on the small of my back as we weaved through the crowded restaurant to the back corner.
“Will this be okay?”
“This is great. Thank you.” I answered, sitting at what appeared to be one of the best tables in the restaurant.
“Someone will be right with you to get your drink orders.” She announced before returning to her station at the front by the door.
“You look beautiful.” Anderson looked over at me.
“Thank you. You might not believe this, but I had no idea what to wear tonight.”
Anderson tilted his head in confusion as he scanned me from head to toe.
“Keep in mind, I only packed enough for a month.”
The frown that appeared surprised me. His eyes wrinkled, and he sat back in his chair. Silence. For the love of Christmas. Say something.
“Good evening, Mr. Douglas. Welcome back.” The waiter looked at me. “Hello. What may I get you to start with this evening?”
“I’ll try a Cool Lemon Breeze.”
“Very good. One of my favorites. And you, Sir?”
“Hendricks and tonic, please.” With a quick nod, the waiter was gone.
“Where were we?” I ran my fingers through my hair and draped it over my left shoulder.
“You were explaining how you only packed for a month in the city. Though, I would recommend you begin thinking in longer terms. Graham gave me your signed contract this morning. I’m not pleased that you requested to work with Alan.”
“Technically, I didn’t ask to work with Alan. I asked to not work with you, and Graham suggested Alan take over my project.”
“I expect that we will have another conversation with Graham and tell him you want to return to working with me.”
My face wrinkled at his words. “Yeah, I’m not going to do that.”
“What? Why?”
His hurt
response made me squirm in my seat. “Listen, I went to Graham Morgan’s apartment on a Sunday crying that a guy I like, that works for him, texted me that he didn’t want to talk to me anymore. He was gracious enough to fix the situation for me.”
Anderson tried to speak, but I put my hands up to stop him. “I know that the text was not meant for me, but I reacted, and those reactions have consequences. The last thing I want to do is go back to Graham and say: ‘never mind, we made up and want to work together again’. That’s not professional.”
“But…” The sadness on his face gutted me.
“Also, if we are going to be dating while I’m here, wouldn’t it be better for me to work with someone else, so we leave the personal stuff outside of Morgan?”
“Here we go.” The waiter placed the cocktails on the table and told us to take our time looking over the menu.
“I guess you could be right about it being good for you to be working with someone else. What do you mean ‘while you’re here?’” He sipped his cocktail and waited for me to reply.
A full minute later, I broke. “My sublet ends next week. I’ve emailed for a two-week extension, but she’ll be returning from Australia. She’s going to want her place back.”
“So, we need to find you a place. I have a few ideas–”
“I need to find a place that I can afford. Until then, I’ll return to Michigan. Alan suggested that I start looking next August, and I can work from there until we get closer to the opening date.”
“August? Michigan?” His unhappy face morphed into full-on disbelief. “First, that won’t work. This is why I should probably be on this project, at the very least. Second, why would you wait a year to move to the city when–”
I tilted my head when he stopped so abruptly. When he didn’t continue, I did. “Alan said I’m not going to be needed until September.”
“Alan is a fucking idiot. Does Graham know you are thinking about waiting until next year to move here?”
“I don’t know if he and Alan have discussed it, but–”
Mister Manhattan: A Hero Club Novel Page 14