The Hourglass

by K. S. Smith

  His body fell back into the chair and I decided to let Luke plead his case, knowing full well it would never change our opinion of him. “Savannah, you were my go to girl, the one constant thing besides work that I had in my life. I knew that every Friday night I could count on you to help me forget the stress of the job and get my weekend started.”

  Sucking in a deep breath he forged on. “And Brooke, you were everything I wanted in a relationship. The perfect woman to take home to introduce to my family.” Running his fingers through his tousled hair, he stood and began pacing, again. “Hell, is it so wrong of me to just wish the two of you were molded into one person? That way I’d have the perfect woman.”

  Looking to Brooke, he went on. “Sweet, innocent and so willing to fall in love.” Then he looked back over at me. “And a damn goddess in the bedroom, yet still able to grab life by the horns and enjoy one hell of a crazy ride.”

  I watched as Brooke rolled her eyes, she grasped the bottle of champagne that was chilling in the silver ice chest. Brooke popped the cork and took a swig straight from the bottle. Lunging at her, Luke knocked it out of her hands and to the floor, letting the liquid pool and foam on the carpet. “Why are you drinking? You’re pregnant!”

  I made a funny face, just now realizing that Brooke had yet to tell Luke it was all a sham just as she belly laughed. “Oh please, you think there’s any way I’d let your offspring grow inside of me? You must be crazy. It was just another way Savannah and I were getting back at you for everything you’ve done.”

  I’m not sure if Luke was relieved or worse off after this realization, but the expression on his face led me to believe it was the latter of the two. “Don’t be upset Luke, I mean it would have been so much easier on the two of us if we could have just cloned you and split you in two, but I don’t think stem cell research is that advanced yet.”

  Luke gaped at me as I turned his words back around and used them against him. “Oh and by the way, Hourglass thanks you for your generous donation of fifty grand, be sure and have the check to me Monday.”

  Anger took hold of Luke’s face. “Fifty grand, you expect me to come up with fifty goddamn grand in twenty four hours?”

  Caressing his cheek softly, I smiled. “Of course I do, sell your Range Rover. Hell, sell your body for all I care. All I know is come Monday morning there damn well better be a check in the amount of fifty thousand dollars made out to Hourglass Charity Auction sitting on my desk.” I popped his cheek twice with my hand. “Understood?”

  His head hung. “Yeah.”

  I grabbed Brooke’s hand and led the way out of the hotel room, leaving Luke Wellington to wallow in his own self-loathing and to think about the consequences that his actions were going to have on his future dating life.

  Monday morning, Brooke and I rode together into the office and rushed out of the elevator, straight into my office. Stopping dead in our tracks I lifted the crisp white Nike envelope off of my desk, ripping it open, out fell a light blue personal check from the operating account of Lucas A. Wellington in the amount of fifty thousand dollars. Brooke and I jumped up and down in excitement; Monica was going to be thrilled with this donation. Now we just had to pray that his check didn’t bounce.

  “Ladies, I hate to interrupt you from whatever it is you are doing bouncing around this office, but Monica would like to see you both, right now.”

  We glanced at Monica’s assistant and then back at each other and Brooke whispered. “I don’t think I can feel my legs.”

  Gripping her shoulders, I shook them. “We’re fine, I’m sure she’s furious at our performance, but we just got her the biggest donation in auction history, there’s no way she’s going to fire us.” I turned on my heels and followed Monica’s assistant, Brooke following me.

  When we arrived in her office, Monica’s back was to us, and her shoulders were rigid as she banged away on her computer. I cleared my throat. “You wanted to see us?” I asked, trying not to sound worried.

  Her chair turned faster than a category five hurricane, and then she stood, slamming both hands down on to her desk. The vein in her forehead throbbed. “What in the hell was that ridiculous fiasco of a show the two of you put on Saturday night? I should fire you both right now for not only embarrassing me, but embarrassing Hourglass, right along with our biggest sponsor, Nike.” Brooke tried to chime in, but there was no stopping Monica when she was on a roll. Whipping her finger into the air she stopped Brooke. “Shut up, both of you. I don’t want an explanation. In fact I don’t even want to see your faces.”

  Monica closed her eyes momentarily, taking in a deep breath, then releasing it as she did her best to calm herself down before she sat back down in her oversized office chair and smoothed her jet black pencil skirt. Between gritted teeth, she went on. “Get out of my office, get out of this building, and get out of this damn town, because if I as much as even hear either one of your names again, I’m going to kill you both. Consider yourselves on a week-long, unpaid leave of absence. I need time to figure out what I’m going to do with the both of you.”

  Brooke’s eyes were utterly terrified when she glanced over at me, only becoming worse when she saw that my confidence was absent as well.

  Trembling, I shuffled up to Monica’s desk and placed the check from Luke in front of her, then turned and beelined for the door before she changed her mind and fired the both of us on the spot.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Brooke

  AS WE BOARDED the opulent and elegant cruise ship in New Orleans, I couldn’t help but worry about my job. Everything I‘d spent years working toward, was teetering on a tight rope. “Are you sure she isn’t going to fire us?” I asked, allowing my nerves to show.

  “Oh Brooke, stop worrying so much. Is she pissed? Hell, yeah. But we just handed her a check for fifty thousand dollars and we’re leaving town like she asked. She has to blow off some steam, but ultimately we are the best in our field and she wants the best,” came Savannah’s confident response as she strolled onto the gangway. Savannah crossed through the entryway onto the ship, pausing long enough to take in the colored glass and ornate furnishing, attracting plenty of male attention in her short white shorts and hot pink camisole top.

  “Here, drink this,” Savannah instructed as she thrust a colorful fruity frozen dink into my hand. “And when you’re done, wave that little plastic card in your hand and order another. Keep doing that until you forget Hourglass and Monica Vincent,”

  With a smile I did as instructed and before long, we had set sail and were enjoying our vacation on the sea as we headed for Mexico.

  The next night we both got all dolled up and made our way to the main dining room. Taking a seat at our round table that seated eight, it was clear we discovered ourselves in a mix of people. Across from us an old couple was celebrating their seventy-fifth wedding anniversary. The very thought of spending seventy-five years with a man and still look that much in love was beautiful. Also with us was a newlywed couple, two girlfriends partying after a divorce, and us, rejoicing in the destruction of Lucas Wellington and the fact we kept our jobs. For now.

  “Stop right now,” Savannah grumbled in my ear.

  “What?” I asked, confused.

  “That. I see you thinking. I see you worrying.” Savannah waved her hand in the air to signal a bartender. “Shots, we need four shots, whatever the house special is for the night please.” She flashed a big smile at the guy that guaranteed us some strong glasses of liquid bliss.

  By the time we were in the nightclub, I was loose and free, dancing without a care in the world, and enjoying every second of it. I wasn’t ready for new strings to tie me down, and I was thinking Savannah was on to something with her anti-relationship motto.

  As two large hands wrapped around me and gripped me by my hips I felt my body sway with him to the music, keeping myself cradled within his hips. Savannah was mid spin when she spotted whoever had taken hold of me, and the mischief in her eyes told me I wouldn�
�t be disappointed. As his hands raked down my slinky skin-tight dress I twisted so that I could face him and wrap my arms around his neck. Looking up at eyes the color of ice, I couldn’t help but think how intoxicatingly handsome he was. Oh yeah, I could work with this.

  When the next song came on, the beat of the music had us grinding into one another, dripping in sweat. “Drink!” I called over the thumping music, as I pointed to the bar. I needed something to quench my thirst and the heat growing inside of me. Leading me off the dance floor, he kept my hand laced with his and we wound our way through the bar crowd till we arrived at the counter.

  “What would you like?” he asked leaning in close enough that I could feel his breath on my face, see the lust filling his eyes, and taste his lips. My body was propelling itself forward as the last thread of my fuzzy brain fought the urge to succumb to passion and kiss him.

  “You,” I replied, feeling bold. In slow motion, he closed the gap and pulled me tightly to his body. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I clung to him and let myself just enjoy the moment as the sexual tension grew between us.

  “My room or yours?” his husky voice asked as he carried me toward the exit.

  “Yours. I’m not sure I can even find mine at this point.” My voice slurred, the drinks having caught up with me.

  Outside the club, he slammed me against a corridor wall, molding his mouth to mine and sliding his hand up the hem of my skirt, just close enough to tease the root of all my problems. “Yes, please, touch me,” I choked out.

  “Brooke Reid!” Savannah shrieked. “No! No!” She shoved the eye candy off me as he looked on at us both, thoroughly confused. “This isn’t you. You will regret this.” Taking my hand Savannah led us back to our room, determined to have the best friend powwow I knew I could expect from her.

  Once we were in the room, she handed me a glass of water. “Chug.”

  “Savannah, I don’t get the big deal, I’m trying your method. Fun times, no strings.” I smiled as I sipped my water.

  “No Brooke, that’s not you. Don’t let Luke change you. You know what I learned? That I wanted more. I am tired of just sharing a bed with a man. I’m ready to share my life with one. Just not my best friend,” she teased.

  “You’re right, there is a man out there, I’ll find him when it’s time,” I agreed.

  The rest of the days were spent soaking up the sun and enjoying the many features the cruise ship had to offer. For the sake of my pride, thank heavens I never ran in to the eye candy again. The time away was exactly what I needed to forget the pain and rage I felt toward Lucas Wellington and find myself again.

  As I slipped into Savannah’s car to head to work, I couldn’t help but feel the dread wash over me. “So this is it, time to face the music,” I said calmly, having made peace with it all. When we got to the office Monica’s assistant instructed us to come to her office first thing. Walking in my stomach felt like a million butterflies had taken flight.

  “Good morning ladies, I trust you enjoyed your time away judging by your tans?” she asked looking at us over the rims of her eyeglasses. Savannah and I both just nodded, unsure of what response she wanted and not wanting to slit our own throats.

  “So I’ve come to a conclusion about your employment here at Hourglass. I’m not going to lie. I want you both here, you know exactly what I expect, and I never have to wonder about the quality of work I will get back.” Both of us let out a huge sigh of relief, we were safe.

  “But!” she began, pushing her red rimmed eye glasses to perch on her head so she could glare at us. “Your behavior at the auction was unacceptable, so I am leaving the fate of your jobs in your hands.” The smile spreading across her face told me this was going to be an obstacle course like none other.

  “As you know I am gathering sponsorships and ad contracts for our winter issue, and I’ve heard about a winter clothing company that has recently taken off in the fashion industry. A contract worth millions,” she emphasized, slamming her hands down on her desk to ensure she had our attention.

  “The CEO has agreed to a meeting this morning but has also expressed concern regarding you two since he was in the auction at the invitation of Nike. You will both go to this meeting to meet their Director of Marketing, be on your best behavior and woo her on why to sign with Hourglass. Come back with a signature, or come back with a box for your stuff, it’s up to you. Now go!”

  We jumped up and raced to the conference room, each carrying the files Monica’s assistant had provided us with in order to learn everything we could about the company’s designs. They were an up-and-coming clothing company that focused on outdoor wear, specifically known for their ski gear being fashionable and warm.

  Strolling into Worthington Squared, we both felt confident in our presentation, determined to keep our jobs and nail this meeting. Ms. McCall greeted us at the main lobby, dressed in a pair of slacks and knit top. She looked so casual that I worried we were overdressed.

  “Thank you, ladies, so much for meeting me today, I apologize that Mr. Worthington cannot be in the meeting, but I imagine if we proceed forward he will want to meet you.”

  “Well, we certainly plan to have you completely interested in Hourglass before this meeting is over,” I said with determination as I took a seat at the conference room table. Within thirty minutes, I was pretty sure we’d sold her on Hourglass and was breathing easier knowing I’d have a job tomorrow if my instincts were correct.

  “Well, I think we should schedule another meeting with Mr. Worthington.” Her smile reaffirmed my growing confidence as she pushed a button on her lit-up phone. “Oh, and Savannah, are you free tonight? I just got word our photographer cancelled and we need a last minute fill. It would give you a great opportunity to meet some of the designers and see how we prefer to present our line.”

  Without a moment’s hesitation Savannah spoke up. “Of course!”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Savannah

  AFTER CLIMBING OUT of Brooke’s jeep, I leaned in and grabbed my favorite and most expensive camera, and then slammed the door. Inhaling the crisp air I pulled the camera up to my face and snapped a few pictures of the sun setting over the pointed mountains. A giant Chevy Avalanche nearly clipped me as it pulled into the parking space next to me. I dropped my camera, letting it dangle from the strap around my neck as I began in on the guy getting out of the huge vehicle.

  “Whoa!” I yelled. “Watch where you’re going, buddy. I’m sure there are plenty of other pretty faces we can hire for this shoot, but there’s only one Savannah Prescott.”

  The guy smirked and lifted his chin. “Sorry about that.” I grimaced at him as he turned his back on me and walked toward the building.

  Upon walking through the door of the original mountainside Worthington Squared store, I spotted Amber McCall. Unfortunately for me, she was talking to the man who’d almost cost me my legs just moments ago.

  When she spotted me she waved. “Savannah, please come on over, I’d like to introduce you to someone.

  As I approached, the man’s phone rang and he politely excused himself, stepping into a back room and closing the door. Amber placed her hand on my arms. “I’m sorry about that; I’ll have to introduce you to Mr. Worthington when he is finished with his telephone call.”

  My heart began racing at the realization that I’d just sealed my fate. Brooke was going to kill me for costing us both our jobs. There was no way this man was going to sign on with Hourglass after I just verbally attacked him at his own store.

  Amber’s voice pulled me out of my momentary mental lapse. “Savannah, we’re all set up out back. After all, we do have the most incredible view of the Colorado Mountains.”

  Escorting me outside, she introduced me to several in-house designers and the handful of models who I’d be working with. She went over the entire shoot and before I knew it, I was snapping away. The sun was radiating through the sky perfectly in spectacular shades of purples and pinks and the models
didn’t even need coaching. Obviously this wasn’t their first rodeo.

  Amber called a wrap on the first portion of the shoot and I clicked through my camera, admiring the pictures I’d taken when a giant, rugged man appeared next to me, practically taking over my personal space. Glancing up, I came face to face with honey brown eyes and a mouthful of pearly whites. Instantly realizing who it was I took my hands from my camera and jetted my hand out toward his. “Mr. Worthington, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m—”

  Before I could finish, he shook my hand, interrupting my introduction. “Ah, yes, the one and only Savannah Prescott. I believe we’ve met.”

  My cheeks flushed with heat. “Please allow me to apologize for earlier, I should have been paying better attention.”

  He laughed at my apology. “I almost ran you over and you are apologizing, I think it needs to be the other way around, besides, aren’t there laws about texting and driving?” When he winked down at me, a shiver took hold of my body and I rubbed my hands over my uncovered arms.

  “Are you cold?” he asked in a gentle, yet masculine voice that blasted over me like the blazing sun on a hot summer day

  I nodded. “I’m fine. I just need to get my jacket out of the jeep. Would you excuse me?”

  I turned and began heading for the jeep when he hollered over to me. “We’ve got plenty of jackets inside; why don’t you try one on? After all, I’d never hire someone to promote my product unless they’ve tried it first.”

  A smile spread across my face as I followed him back into the store. The lights inside the store seemed brighter now that the sun had set, and I was finally able to get a real look at the owner of Worthington Squared. Even with a large stature, his clothes hung well, and I could tell under the sweater and denim jeans that hugged his muscular thighs was a sculpted body, but not one to be found on the beefcakes at the gym. No, this was an outdoors man. His muscles came from skiing and hiking and all those other activities the Colorado mountain boys spent their days doing.