“Jurnee, let’s get the hell out of here and go get our day drunk on with the girls.” Soraya declared from the doorway.
“Yes, Ma’am.” The pout on Anderson’s face was not lost on me. “The boss’s wife has spoken. I’m out of here.”
37
Anderson
Bryan - Page Six
Otis - Fuck! Which one of us?
Eric - Shit!
Otis - Fuck!! Where is he?
Eric - Morgan’s
Bryan - Any word from his parents?
Otis – Jesus, I hope not. His dad will go to any length to protect his assets.
Eric - I don’t think he’s seen it. He was meeting with Graham all morning. Shit!
Bryan - Someone needs to warn Jurnee. She should talk to Faith. It’s going to explode.
Otis - I’ve got her number.
Bryan - Call her!
Eric - You better wait for Anderson to call.
“Martin.” Scanning the Post, I froze when I found Jurnee’s smiling face staring back at me like it had during the entire dinner. The picture was taken through the restaurant’s window, and it wasn’t lost on me that the photograph had captured the moment she had placed her hand on mine.
Anderson - Fuck! This is from a few days ago. I thought I was careful.
Bryan - Hey, Man. They don’t have her name yet.
Anderson - That’s just a matter of time.
Bryan - Does she know?
Anderson - No way. She just left the office for lunch with Soraya.
Otis - A, she needs to know.
“Martin!” I shouted as I continued to examine the blurb that accompanied the pictures. Mystery Girl… fuck!
Bryan - Introduce her to Faith. If this gets crazy, she’ll need someone.
Otis - A, you knew this was coming. Have you guys talked about the press?
Otis - Man, the only way this goes away is if you start the rotation again.
Eric - That would definitely help.
Bryan - Like Jurnee is going to go for that. If you’re serious about her, it’s time we put a plan in motion.
Anderson - FUCK
Otis - Jurnee is amazing, but you have to be positive you want to do this. Once we put it into motion, it can’t be stopped.
Martin slipped into his seat across from my desk. “You yelled?”
“My parents are–”
He held his hand up, “Your mother has already called. She said she’s been trying to reach you and wondered if your cellphone was working.”
“Shit.”
“I told her you were in negotiations with a potential new client all day but that I’d let you know she’s called.”
“Shit.”
“Also, the Post called to ask for any comment on your new budding relationship.”
“Shit.”
Anderson - Rents called. Martin told them I was in meetings all day.
Eric - Dude, that only buys you about five hours.
Anderson - Fuck.
Bryan - You have to talk to her before the press gets to her. This is it.
Otis - Sorry man, but B’s right. You need to decide if she’s worth going all in.
Eric - The engagement party would be a great time to do it. Bryan’s new album, Otis’ movie, we could ramp both up and introduce Jurnee to our world. B, can we move it up?
Otis - We don’t have a month.
Bryan - It’s up to Anderson, but we can make it happen.
Eric - They won’t if they stay out of sight, but you have to talk to Jurnee.
“Anderson, got a minute?” Alan stood stiffly at the doorway with a scowl on his face.
“Shit.” Martin looked from me to Alan and back. He wasn’t going to leave until instructed, and I had too much going on at the moment to ask him to leave.
Anderson - Shit is falling apart everywhere. Need to focus on work. The plan is a go. Move the party if possible. She’s the one!
A calm came over me as I placed my phone face down on my desk in front of me. Martin smiled, probably sensed the change in my mood. He was very good at his job.
“Alan, sorry about that, we have a lot going on. Please join us.”
“I’d like to have a moment alone.” He didn’t move.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Alan. Martin and I have a lot to do before a conference call. Can you get Alan on my schedule–”
My assistant activated his iPad to check my schedule.
“Cut the bullshit, Anderson!” He snapped as he took the seat next to Martin. “You know I’m here to talk about the Lotta Love project.”
Martin tapped on his iPad, pretending he wasn’t thrilled to be in the room for this conversation.
“Look, Alan. Graham thought I could–”
“Ha! That’s a good one. Graham thought. You’ve been following Jurnee around like a puppy since she stepped into this office.”
“Um–” Martin started to speak.
“This is how it’s going to be moving forward. I will work with Jurnee on scouting and securing the shop locations for the first two waves. The two of us will work together on opening said locations. Once they are operational, and Jurnee is comfortable, I will transition the project to you to assist her in opening the third wave. Questions?”
“Graham approved this change?” Alan knew the answer to the question before he asked.
Martin rushed to his desk to answer the phone. It puzzled me how he could hear the phone ring when I never did. When I asked him about it once, he told me it was his job to hear the phone ring.
“Anything else?” I flipped open a folder that Martin had left on my desk earlier.
“She’s not ready for this.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe what I heard.
“Jurnee, she isn’t ready for this project.” He stood up and leaned on the front of my desk, “She doesn’t have the capacity to work at this level. This project will fail.”
Slowly, I closed the folder and crossed my arms. “I haven’t known Jurnee very long, but I wouldn’t bet against her for any amount. Guess this is why Graham was eager for me to take this portion on the project over.”
“Good luck keeping her focused.” He blurted out as he headed for the door. “I don’t think you’ll have a third wave to hand over, but we’ll see. Keep me posted.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” But he was gone. “Dick!”
“Anderson, your mother really needs to talk to you.”
My head fell back, and I stared at the ceiling. “Shit!”
Martin stuck his head in the door, “I told her if it wasn’t an emergency that tomorrow would be better as the negotiations were not going well.”
“Thanks. That helps.”
“I’m good and deserve a raise.”
The text alert sound on my phone. “What now?”
Bryan - The plan has been activated. The engagement party is on. You’ll all need to be in L.A. by 8pm.
Otis - We’ve had a great run, guys.
Eric - Jesus Otis, we aren’t dying.
Otis – No, but the privacy of our group is
Eric - You’re a fucking movie star. There’s not much privacy.
Bryan - Eric, Otis is right. This will change things.
Anderson - It’s time. Faith deserves this too, and I’m not willing to hide my relationship with Jurnee.
38
Jurnee
The Tak Room was the New York City that I searched for in all the romance novels. The upscale romantic 1950s vibe mixed well with the lively jazz that seeped in at just the right volume. The patrons and staff all seemed to fit. Tugging on the front of my blouse, I didn’t fit.
“I’m underdressed for this restaurant,” I whispered to Soraya.
“It’s not the clothes. It’s the New Yorker attitude you’re sensing. You’re a New Yorker now. It’ll come.”
Glancing around the room, no part of me thought it would come. Whatever it was.
Relief washed over me as I caught my fi
rst glimpse of Genevieve and Avery. Both looked radiant with the autumn sun coming in from behind. Gone were the yoga pants and sweatshirts that they both wore while we had dinner and drinks in my backyard with Derrick. A ping of sadness traveled down me like someone looking over the room they grew up in for the last time.
Soraya and Avery hugged and whispered something to one another while Avery squeezed me in a tight hug. This was the closest I had felt to Michigan in almost a month. Soraya welcomed me openly, but seeing old friends made my heart smile.
“You’re looking very New Yorker.” Avery held my arms out as she eyed my wrinkled top. She pulled me in for a second hug and whispered, “I’m having a couple of outfits sent over to your apartment. Derrick has already given his approval.”
“You don’t have–”
“Shhh. Jurnee, don’t argue with me. I never argue with you about Spartan gear.”
“Touché.”
A waiter appeared as we settled into our seats. “Ladies, may I interest you in a cocktail as you review the menu?”
“Champagne?” Soraya scanned the table for any objections.
“Red tips,” Genevieve shook her head. “I haven’t seen those in a while. Everything okay?”
“Things are great. Sometimes, it’s good to remind them not to be stupid. Bollinger?”
“Is this about the new horse?”
“Genevieve, I don’t understand why you aren’t on my side on this one. Chloe loved him.” Soraya glanced at the waiter still waiting for an order.
“They have Taittinger from Reims.” Avery looked up from the menu. “We had it on the cruise. Soraya, we should get a bottle. It’s delicious.” Genevieve winked at me.
The waiter grinned from ear to ear as he listened to the two decide which bottle of expensive champagne to start with. They hatched an agreement that we’d try a couple bottles of each, and the waiter dashed from the table much cheerfully.
“It’s a lot of commitment for all of us. Are you willing to fly down to Florida every weekend for three months?” Genevieve’s eyebrows went up as her perfected side-eye was affixed on Soraya.
With skilled deflection, Soraya announced the reason for today’s lunch. “Jurnee has made Page Six.”
“When?” Avery and Genevieve exclaimed in unison as both reached for their phones.
Genevieve smiled at me, “How are you doing with all this?”
“Which? Signing on with Graham Morgan for a string of coffee shops, falling for a guy that the gossip columns are interested in, or moving to one of the biggest cities in the country?” I caught myself before reaching for a glass of water that wasn’t there.
Michiganders are used to having ice water on the table of a restaurant. It’s just what happens. You sit at a table, and someone places water in front of you. None of the restaurants I had been to in New York provided water to the table unless specifically requested.
“Let’s take it one at a time,” Genevieve smirked.
Avery tossed her hands in the air. “Negative. Let’s jump right to the ‘falling for a guy’ part. What have we missed?”
A smile that I could not rein in spread across my face. Shifting in my chair, I attempted to process what I had flippantly spewed out, but it was too late. Words were coming out.
The girls giggled, and that was it for me. “I think I really like Anderson.”
“He’s a very lucky guy.” The waiter placed a champagne glass in front of me and smiled warmly.
“He’s right.” Soraya began as the waiter completed the important task of filling all our glasses. “Anderson is lucky to have you. But there are some things you will have to adapt to being with him.”
“Like…”
“Page Six. Has he talked to you about the press and his family position in the city?”
“Well, I’ve been to his parent’s house so…” Sipping the champagne, I wiggled my nose as the bubbles made me want to sneeze.
“Whatever number you are thinking, you need to triple it. Anderson’s family has more money than the entire British Royal family, combined.” Avery smiled into her glass after another sip. “This brings back so many memories.”
“Perhaps we shouldn’t talk about those memories at lunch, Avery.” Genevieve’s face flushed several shades of pink while I scanned my memory for a time when I’d witnessed Genevieve embarrassed. Never.
“There is no way we are going to talk about our cruise when our girl has made her debut.”
“Correction. I’m the mystery girl. I wouldn’t call that a debut.”
“How did Anderson react?” Soraya slid the question in between sips of her bubbly.
“He didn’t mention it.” Yeah, why hadn’t he mentioned it?
Avery looked at me as she took a drink. “How was he at the office?”
“A jerk. He went behind my back to Graham to have me work with him instead of Alan.”
The girls stared at me like I had a booger hanging out of my nose. I brushed my finger over my nose and continued. “Normal. He was normal.”
“He hasn’t seen it yet. There is no way Anderson Douglas would still try to play house with you after seeing the paper.”
“He wasn’t trying to play house, Avery.”
“Jurnee, she’s right. The first time Graham and I were on Page Six, he flipped out. I had a full security detail assigned to me that day.”
I stared at Soraya. There had been nothing in my life that had prepared me for this conversation. “Security?”
“Oh, honey. You guys really need to have the talk.” Genevieve stated, and I watched as Avery and Soraya nodded their agreement.
“Fine.” Lifting the second glass of Champagne to my lips, “Is it time to talk about the cruise yet?”
39
Jurnee
Sunshine beamed through the windows of Anderson’s bedroom as summer’s last-ditch effort to hold its dominance over autumn. Greeted with a good morning kiss, Anderson asked if I was feeling well after yesterday’s afternoon of champagne and girl talk before he slipped out for his morning swim. The smell of the coffee he placed on the nightstand next to me worked its addictive magic.
Replaying the events of the night before, I sipped the hot coffee and snuggled back into Anderson’s bed. An uncontrollable smile took hold as I pieced together how I went from day drinking with the girls to making love to Anderson for the first time. Anderson had said we should probably have an important conversation first, but I was filled with expensive champagne and arousal. It had to have been the right thing to do as I was having no morning after freak out.
Sensing an opportunity, I snuck onto the terrace off Anderson’s bedroom to take pictures of Rover’s plastic toy basket. An idea to have toy boxes made for each of the terraces hit me on the way back from the farm. Fortunately, I had just the person back home who had the woodworking skills this project would require but I would have to request a rush to have them done when the new piglet was old enough to join Rover.
Finding the warmth of the morning sun relaxing, I sat on a decorative bench and leaned against the wall sipping my coffee. The grandeur of the space had been overwhelming in the beginning, but the more time I spent in his parents’ home, the more it began feeling like a house, not the gazillion dollar mansion it really was.
Home. The shape and scope of that word had been evolving little by little every day. Last night had shattered the remaining bit of my wall. He said he wanted me to reconsider staying at his house so that I could wait to sell my place in Michigan. Hearing Anderson’s voice through the window made me smile. As I was getting up to join him inside, I froze when I heard my name.
“Her name is Jurnee Messer. Messer.”
I retook my seat on the bench under the window. As a good Midwest girl, we were taught never to eavesdrop. But as an adult making a life-changing decision about my future, there was zero chance I was moving from this spot. He continued his conversation, and I continued to listen.
“She’s from Michigan.”
/> Not being able to hear the person on the other side of the phone line was immensely frustrating, but I continued to listen.
“Yes. He ran the basic check.”
Background check?
“Dad, I’m just having some fun. No need to worry.”
“Yeah.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll be more careful.”
“They won’t. She doesn’t come up on any Google search.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“It doesn’t mean anything. Trust me.”
A punch to the gut hit and allowed you time to buckle over and feel the pain. This one got stuck in the punch position. The tingles that covered my arms weren’t like the ones I had experienced the night before as Anderson slid inside of me for the first time. These tingles were the precursor to my heart breaking.
My hand trembled as I set the coffee cup on the nightstand and slipped into one of the casual outfits Anderson had delivered to the house while I was laid up with my ankle. Trying to not make any sounds, I headed to the stairs, knowing the elevator’s ding might alert him of my pending departure.
I pulled out a sheet of paper from my bag and scribbled a quick note.
Not feeling so well. Going to head to the apartment to sleep it off.
The morning air felt different on the sidewalk than it had on Anderson’s parents’ terrace. The warmth and comfort I had felt were replaced with a cool breeze that slapped my tear-soaked face as I walked briskly to the train station. One step in front of the other, that was how I would make it home. Home.
An hour later, I stood in the closet-sized sublet. Most of my clothes were still in the bag that Anderson and Eric had packed in an effort to move me into Anderson’s house. What a fucking joke that was. Hell, what a fucking joke I was.
I reached into my bag for my phone to call Derrick and remembered it was on the dresser in Anderson’s bedroom charging. SHIT! A call would have to wait. My laptop would have to do. With one single goal in mind, I searched for a car rental while I tossed my remaining belongings into a second suitcase. I had packed my clothes so carefully only a month ago to come to this city. Now, I just threw and stuffed articles of clothing in every which way.
Mister Manhattan: A Hero Club Novel Page 19