by Jenny Lynn
“Who?” I asked, wondering if Tabitha had been worried and stopped by to check on me.
“I don’t know but he’s seriously hot and he’s seated at a table in your section, the one in the corner,” she said nodding to a section partially obscured by the bar. I smoothed my skirt and apron then walked over, stopping in my tracks when I saw a familiar face look up from his phone at me.
“Hello Breanne,” Nicholas said with a smile as I approached him. “How are you feeling?”
“A bit hungover and a lot foolish,” I admitted. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see how you were doing,” he told me plainly. I looked at him, confused.
“Why? I mean, you’re clearly a nice person but why do you care about some waitress you don’t even know?”
He shrugged. “Maybe I want to get to know the waitress better.”
I looked around, a couple had just been seated in my section. “I’m sorry Nicholas but I have to work. Is there something I can get you?”
He stared at me a moment, then scanned the menu. “I’ll have a glass of the Bordeaux and the tuna ceviche, please.”
I nodded then walked away, feeling awkward. It was much more intimidating serving him when he was alone. I brought drinks and menus over to my new table, then picked up Nicholas’ wine from the bar and brought it over to him. My section was still relatively quiet, so I lingered a moment.
“Thank you,” he said when I placed the wine down.
“You’re welcome,” I replied, then I hesitated over what I was about to say next. “Nicholas, I don’t want to make any assumptions, but I think you should know that I’m not dating right now in case that’s what you’re interested in. I’m busy with school and I work so much…”
He nodded. “I understand, and if I’m honest with you I’m not dating either. I was just handed a company to run, and I have a lot of hobbies that keep me active.”
I nodded, at least we understood each other. But there was still a nagging feeling tugging at my subconscious. Why then was he actively seeking me out? I looked towards the kitchen and saw my orders sitting on the counter. I brought the couple their meals and refilled their water, then dropped off Nicholas’ food. He thanked me again, and I went over to a new table in my section to take care of them. I glanced over at Nicholas and he was frowning down at his phone, typing out a message. He speared a bite of his food and slipped it past his lips, then returned to his phone. I worked, trying to keep my focus and stop from being distracted by his presence but it was difficult. From his broad shoulders to his handsome features, he was not easy to ignore. When I saw that he was done and watching me, I went over.
“Is there anything else I can get you Nicholas?”
“Yes,” he told me. “But I have to admit I don’t quite know how to ask.” I looked at him, suddenly feeling warm and self-conscious before he continued. “A family friend is getting married in California next weekend. I already told you I didn’t date, but if I go solo my family will spend the entire weekend trying to set me up with women they think would be perfect for me. I really want to avoid that fate, so I told them I was bringing a date. Only, I don’t have a date. So I’m hoping… you’ll go with me.”
I blinked, entirely caught off guard. “But I work next weekend,” I told him.
“Call in sick or get someone to cover it,” he told me with a slight shrug of his shoulders. I tried to keep the annoyed tone out of my voice.
“I can’t just do that, I need to work to pay for rent and school, Nicholas,” I said with a measured tone. He really didn’t get it, but with his family’s money how could he? I bet he never stressed about bills.
He nodded. “I appreciate that. How about this, have someone cover your shifts and accompany me. As my date officially, but when we’re there we’ll stay in separate rooms. In exchange I’ll cover all of your expenses and pay you two thousand dollars.”
I stared at him in disbelief, my jaw dropping open. “I’m not a prostitute, Nicholas.”
His expression softened. “This isn’t like that Breanne. Your time is valuable, and I’m asking for you to take a weekend away from your life. For helping me, I can help you pay for some of your expenses like school. It’s a win-win situation.”
I shifted on my feet. “I don’t know,” I began reluctantly.
“Think about it,” Nicholas told me, placing cash and a business card down on the table. “Give me a call next week if you’ll consider going with me. We would leave on Friday. I really hope you say yes, you’d be helping me out more than you know.”
He stood up and walked away before I could say another word. My head was spinning but I didn’t have much time to process what had just happened, one of my tables was looking over at me waiting for me to walk by. I picked up the business card and the cash, realizing that yet again Nicholas had left me a generous tip.
4
My week returned to normal life; classes, studying and work, but in the back of my mind Nicholas' offer nagged at me. I was sitting in class, taking notes and listening to the lecture, when suddenly it would pop back up in my mind no matter how hard I tried to push it away.
During the break between my morning and afternoon class I was in my usual place in the library studying when Tabitha found me. She dropped into the seat beside me and glared, I suddenly remembered I still hadn't responded to her message.
"I shouldn't have to stalk my friend to get her to talk to me, you know," she admonished.
"I'm so sorry," I told her. "I just got distracted and forgot to get back to you."
"Well that must mean you have something juicy to share! Spill it!" she said excitedly.
From the next table someone looked over at us, placed a finger against their lip and shushed us. I bit my lip, embarrassed, then pointed at the door. I gathered my things and Tabitha followed me outside. She pulled me towards a cafe and we sat down.
"Coffee or tea?" she asked me heading for the counter.
"Green tea please," I told her. In a few minutes she returned with two steaming cups and placed one down in front of me. I wrapped my hands around it, absorbing its warmth.
"Now spill it," Tabitha demanded as she raised her cup to her lips and took a sip.
"I don't even know where to start," I told her.
"How did you run into each other?"
"Well," I began. "Eric was there, with a date. He came up to me and said some pretty horrible things. Nicholas was walking past, recognized me and stepped in."
Tabitha clapped her hands together. "I bet the reaction on Eric's face was priceless!"
I laughed. "It was pretty good. Nicholas invited me to sit with him and have a glass of champagne. He was there with his sisters, brother in law and a friend. Honestly, listening to everything they were talking about, I felt so out of place. When he introduced me he completely skipped over the part that he met me because I was his waitress. Maybe he was embarrassed, I don't know."
"Then what happened?" Tabitha asked leaning in closer, her eyes focused on me.
"I told him I needed to find my friend, then I left and caught up with you."
"But he walked you out later that night, I saw you."
I squirmed slightly, reliving the moment in my mind. "Eric came and found me when I was waiting outside the bathroom, no one was around. He tried to kiss me, I was pushing him away but he wouldn't stop. Nicholas showed up and threw him against a wall, then walked me out. He told me I had too much to drink and to go home, I was feeling shocked so I didn't argue with him. He put me in a taxi and that was that."
"Wow I can’t believe Eric did that. But that's it with Nicholas? No lingering moment, no kiss?" Tabitha asked leaning back in her seat.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you," I said with a laugh. "But I don't think he sees me that way."
"What makes you so sure?"
"He told me he doesn't date," I replied with a shrug.
"He said that at the bar?"
"No, at the restaurant yesterday," I corrected he
r. As soon as I said it I bit my lip as Tabitha's eyes lit up.
“Wait a minute - he came to see you at the restaurant? Okay Breanne, clearly he likes you. You can’t deny it.”
“That’s not what he’s looking for, honestly,” I told her. “And actually, I’d like some advice.” She nodded and leaned forward, I continued. “He asked me to go to a wedding with him this weekend, told me that he hates how his family is always trying to set him up and that it would be better for him if he had a date. We would stay in separate rooms and he’s not expecting anything of me.”
“That sounds reasonable. He’s an eligible bachelor from a good family, I’m sure going without a date would open him up to a lot of unwanted attention.”
“That’s not the awkward part,” I began, then winced. “He offered to pay me two thousand dollars. He told me I would be taking the weekend off work and should be compensated for my time.”
Tabitha nodded. “I can see that making you feel awkward, but honestly I think it’s reasonable. You would be doing him a favor, and taking time away from your job that you need to pay for school. And really, can’t you use the money?”
I sighed and looked down at my phone. It was almost time to start walking to my next class on the other side of campus. “I need to get going,” I told Tabitha as I stood up.
“Promise you’ll tell me what you decide, I need to know,” she said.
I nodded then picked up my bag and walked away. As I made my way through the halls I thought about her reaction. It made me feel better about the fact that part of me was considering it. Nicholas had given me no reason to think he was a creep, and Tabitha was right. I really could use the extra money. Was getting paid to go on a weekend vacation to California really the worst thing that could happen to me? I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Sandra.
I need to head out of town this weekend. Can you cover my shifts?
I found my seat in class and got my notebook out when my phone buzzed.
Sure, no problem Breanne. I’ll let Mark know.
So that settled that. I was free for the weekend, and headed out of town. I tried to focus on the lecture, taking notes and participating in the discussion. The class was history of psychology and I found it interesting how far we had come over the centuries, wondering if in the future we would look back at our current processes and treatments with shock. The afternoon flew by until it was time to go home. I had a pile of laundry to do as well as four chapters to get ahead on. My life could be exhausting at times, but now there was no way I could say it was dull.
When I got home I tossed my bag onto a chair and went over to the couch, opening my laptop. The screen sprang to life as I typed into the search bar a name that I was curious to know more about; Nicholas Blackstone. The results began popping up. His father Simon Blackstone had recently passed away, naming him in charge of Blackstone Enterprises. It had come as a surprise to many in the industry who expected Liam, Nicholas’ brother-in-law, to take over. Blackstone Enterprises had investments in a variety of industries but from what I could make out based on my limited understanding of the sector, Nicholas was focused on medical technology research and development. This had been his area of focus before he took over from his father, and he seemed determined that it was an important area for the future of the company. In interviews he came across as ambitious and driven, knowledgeable despite his young age.
Drifting away from the professional, I started digging into his personal life. His family was wealthy and he attended a number of high profile gala events. I scrolled through photos, he looked tall and handsome in tuxedos and three piece suits, his dark hair pushed back and his piercing blue eyes looking straight into the camera. He didn’t seem to smile much at formal events, keeping his expression stern and serious. I recognized his sisters when I looked at a family portrait, his father was a handsome man, he looked like an older version of Nicholas. It seems he had died fairly young, in his early sixties, from a heart attack. His mother Nancy was breathtakingly beautiful, a tall socialite with a cascade of blonde hair. It was apparent she took great care in her appearance. They were an attractive family.
There was a magazine profile about the Blackstone heir, Nicholas, and the pictures had me raising my eyebrows in surprise. No wonder Liam and the lawyers had brought up Nicholas’ love of danger as something they worried about. There were images of him swimming with sharks, going skydiving, running with the bulls in Spain and parasailing over the ocean. It seemed Nicholas was an adrenaline junkie with an adventurous streak. I shuddered, looking at an image of him near a large shark, and told myself I would never want to try anything like that. He must be a bit off his rocker. But it all made sense, that his family likely had expectations for how he should live his life and his behavior. Going to a wedding by himself would lend itself to set-ups and awkward conversations. I could see why he thought asking me was a good idea.
I went over to my bag and dug around until I found his business card. I took in a deep breath for courage, then punched his number into my phone. It rang twice before he picked up.
“Hello,” he said, his voice smooth and low.
“Hi, Nicholas? This is Breanne.”
“Breanne, nice to hear from you. I hope you’re calling to tell me you’ve thought about it and you’ll help me out.”
“I did, and I will,” I told him. “So what should I pack and what do I do now?”
“Just text me your address, I’ll come by on Friday around five to pick you up if that works for you?”
“You don’t have to do that,” I told him. “I could just meet you at the airport, what time is the flight?”
He laughed, but I wasn’t sure why. Had I said something funny? “I’ll pick you up at five, remember to send me the address. See you then Breanne,” he told me.
“Okay, see you then,” I replied, then I hung up. It was done. I was going to spend the weekend with a stranger in California, be his date for a wedding, and for my trouble I was going to make a good chunk of my tuition. What could go wrong?
5
I met Tabitha downstairs as she got out of the taxi, carrying a heavy suitcase with her. I reached forward and took the handle for her as she struggled with it.
“Why is this so heavy?” I asked.
“I brought over a few things for you to try on that you can borrow. I know this type of crowd and I want you to feel like you fit in.”
I was touched by her gesture, but couldn’t help but feel a slight sting. This was just another reminder that I was going to be completely out of my element with these people. Well, at least now I would look the part. We headed into my apartment and I opened the luggage finding it half packed with designer sun dresses and shoes, as well as an Hermes bag. I shook my head at Tabitha.
“I owe you, big time,” I told her.
She smiled at me. “Just buy me a glass of wine with the money you make.”
I added a few of my own things to the luggage; my pajamas, toiletries, makeup and underwear. Tabitha grabbed my wrist, wide eyed.
“No, you are not packing those,” she said eyeing my worn sweatpants and checkered shorts.
“They’re for sleeping, what’s the big deal?”
She went over to my dresser and started rummaging around, pulling out a couple of slips and tucking them into my luggage, taking my comfortable things out. I raised an eyebrow at her. “Whatever idea you have going on in your head, it needs to get out of there right now Tabitha,” I told her. “We’re staying in separate rooms. There is nothing between us, I told you that.”
“Look,” she said with a sigh. “I know, but I just have this feeling. You’re an amazing woman, and any man that spends a bit of time with you is going to figure that out. I’m not saying that something is going to happen, but on the off chance it does I don’t want you to be left with grungy shorts or sweatpants as your only options. Got it?”
“If you say so,” I said shaking my head and zipping the luggage shut.
“I�
��m headed to dinner with my parents,” Tabitha told me. “Before I go is there anything else you need?”
“Yeah, did you happen to pack me any spare courage you had?”
She laughed and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Relax, you’re going to be fine Breanne. Try to enjoy yourself, it’s a free holiday. And when you get back I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
She pulled me in for a hug then headed for the front door, stopping a second to wave, then she was gone. Alone in my room with the luggage at my feet I suddenly realized this was really happening, and how incredibly nervous I was. He was going to be here any minute to pick me up. My phone rang and I snatched it up, checking the display screen. It was my mom.
“Hi mom, how are you?” I asked.
“Doing good, your dad and I just haven’t heard from you in a bit so I thought I’d check in. How are you doing?”
“I’m sorry,” I told her. “It’s been a hectic week. But things are going well. I’ve decided on a focus for my paper and I’m enjoying all of my classes.”
“I hope you haven’t been working too much. Your dad and I both wish we could contribute more to your schooling. We mailed you a cheque for books, make sure to cash it this time.”
“You don’t have to do that mom, really,” I told her. “I’m doing okay, you don’t need to worry about me. Save your money and take a nice trip somewhere with dad.”
“Well it’s funny you mention that,” she said. “We were thinking of taking a trip in a week or so.”
“Oh?” I asked, looking at my bag and wondering if I should pack any of my books. “Where were you thinking of going?”
“We thought we’d come to Chicago for a few days and visit you. Do you think you would have the time to show us around a bit? Just for a couple of days.”
There was a knock at my door and I snapped my head up, was it five already? “Of course mom,” I told her. “I’d love to see you and dad. Just let me know when and I’ll make the time. I’ll show you around and we’ll catch up. Listen, I’m sorry but I have to go. My ride is here.”