Cross Your Heart (An Emerson Novel Book 2)

by K L Finalley

  While quietly clapping, Jacqueline leaned into Jack's right side and said, "It's a Netty, not a Wetty."

  While clapping and smiling, Jack retorted, "What the fuck ever. I was on a roll."

  "It was a really nice campaign speech. I almost thought of voting for you."

  "Hmm, I might try that next."

  Jacqueline teased, "I think you'd be great over at Waste Management." He elbowed her.

  As the clapping started to subside, Grant opened the doors to the conference room to reveal a cake. "Come on up here, Clementine. We got a cake for you. Thanks for all you do." With that, Jack patted her on the back and left the conference room.

  Jacqueline smiled as he passed her. "I've got the rest."

  "Thanks. I'm gonna go lie down in my office until it's time for our meeting."

  "Okay." As Jacqueline stood there, speaking to the staff members as they poured out of the conference room doors, Mallory approached her. She stood to Jacqueline's side waiting for most of the room to empty. Recognizing that she was there, Jacqueline said, "What are you doing staring at Grant in meetings?"

  "What are you doing staring at me staring at Grant in meetings?"

  "I was just scanning the room."

  "Uh huh," and she snickered and left the conference room.

  Grant was in the atrium between Jack's office and Jacqueline's office when the room cleared. She walked to him. "Grant, I'm fairly certain that what happened in the conference room today should never ever happen again." She leaned into her office door and pushed it open.

  Behind her, Grant sulked in, "Sorry. I was just making sure all the preparations were made. I wasn't playing a game or watching a movie or whatever."

  "Grant! I mean all of those damn mismatch chairs that look like they came from your back porch. That's the room we use for Board meetings." Anger was filling her body. "I know that we have to move the table out for full staff meetings, but there has to be a better setup than a hundred chairs you found at a thrift store."

  "That's all I could find."

  "Buy some. We are a multi-million-dollar company. You got a cake the size of pickup truck. Can we get some new fucking chairs?" She was pounding her right hand into her left hand. It was not often that she lost her temper at work anymore, but there were still occasions for the temper she had sought to wrangle. "Is that too much to ask? Let's do a chair inventory. Research chairs, desks, and tables in other conference rooms. Make that your project. Get with the building people and make that happen. Will you do that for me?"

  Unfazed by Jacqueline's outburst, Grant saluted. "Sure. I can't wait. I'd love to do a whole redesign. I can absolutely get on top of that."

  "All right." Shooing him out of her office, "Go get the fuck on top of it." She watched as Grant spring back to his desk.

  For a moment, she thought that she might have been rude to him. Before she could decide if she should apologize or not, the door opened. "What is Grant getting on top of during company hours?" Clementine entered. Wearing a pair of dark jeans, a black button up, and velvet ivory blazer, Jacqueline wondered if she should have human resources send a reminder about business casual attire. "Thanks for the big hurray. I know it was all you."

  "All me? You did all the work. You got the award. We just wanted to congratulate you." Jacqueline was still semi-seething. She wanted to tell Clementine it wasn't a good time, but the new Open Door policy ensured that the employees could have access to her at almost any time. With a hard swallow, she sat up in her chair hoping this interaction would be brief.

  "I do love a good Wetty," she said slyly.

  Jacqueline shook her head and apologized, "I'm sorry about Jack's mistake."

  "It's cool. It was funny."

  Jacqueline began to clean her glasses. "So, any big plans tonight to celebrate?"

  Clementine removed her non-prescription black horn-rimmed glasses and began wiping them against her jacket sleeve. "Oh, I was thinking of going down to a bar we both know and picking up a girl we both..."

  "What is wrong with you? I mean, honestly. Why can't we ever just have a regular conversation? This is a big day for you. I was trying to be happy and supportive, but you're in here with jokes."

  "I'm sorry. I'm just fuckin' with you. I'm on cloud nine. After all of this time, I've been given the chance to really do what I do best. You have given me a great opportunity. I'm not part of some bullshit team. I lead the damn team. I didn't do a redesign. That site is my design. And, now, I got my Netty for it. I'm so stoked. I couldn't be happier." Clementine was up from the chair. She was walking about Jacqueline's office.

  Happy to see Clementine excited by her success and not trying to talk about her personal life, Jacqueline stood up as well. She walked from behind her desk and sat on the desk's edge, "Hey, I'm really proud of you. When we were doing the interviews, after only a few minutes of talking to you, I knew that you were exactly what we needed. You have the energy and the vision to do great things. Now, I would love to see you have a long career here at the Sun, but I know you. I know that we're just a springboard onto to bigger and better things. And, I want that for you. I don't want it anytime soon, but I want that for you."

  While Jacqueline sat poised on the corner of her desk, Clementine stopped pacing about her office and barreled towards her. Before Jacqueline knew what was happening, her face was met with velvet. Clementine had hugged her. Wrapped in her cocoon, Jacqueline wanted to shake loose, but she chose to ride out the embrace. "Thanks, man. I really do love you and love working for you. We should go out sometime."

  Jacqueline inched back behind her desk, "Sure, maybe we can catch a game or have dinner or something."

  Clementine laughed. "No, Grandma. I mean, we should go out. You remember what it was like to go out, don't you? Lights? Dancing? Women? You've only been dating for a few months, right? How have you already forgotten what it was like to go out?"

  "Okay. That's where this ends. You have a cake to eat and I have a meeting with Jack. Keep your eyes open for an email that Grant will be sending. I think there's another surprise." Jacqueline picked up her folio and headed out of her office. When she reached the door, she turned and waited for Clementine to follow.

  Passing by her, Clementine said, "I'm gonna get you to go out with me. Just you wait."

  "With baited breath," she replied as she placed her folio against her chest and batted her own black eyelashes.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Paige was motionless. She leaned against the corner of Mallory's desk thinking of the right words. She was aware that word choice would be paramount. She needed to help Mallory overcome what she'd just witnessed. "Mallory, I'm sure it was nothing. Come on. She did just get a big award."

  "But, did you see that hug? Who am I kidding? Everyone saw that hug. The wall is made of glass."

  "Mallory, it looked like a congratulatory hug."

  "Yeah, the kind that Jacqueline doesn't give."

  "She was probably caught off guard. You know, Clementine."

  "And, that's what worries me,” Mallory was rubbing the makeup from her forehead.

  "I wouldn't worry about it."

  "How can I not? Tell me that."

  "Because Jacqueline isn't like that."

  "Like what?"

  "Secretive or untrustworthy."

  "That's easy for you to say. You aren't there when her phone goes off and she hides it. I know it's pictures that are sent to her. I don't know who sends them or if it's more than one person."

  Paige was stunned. She was not sure what to say. "Honey, have you asked her about them?"

  "Of course, I have. She doesn't lie. She tells me that she has had the number for years. She has given it to people for business and pleasure. That she isn't in contact with those women anymore, but that they still contact her. She says as soon as the pictures or texts appear that she deletes the conversation and blocks the number. I have seen her do it, but it makes me sick to my stomach every time the damn thing goes off."

 
"Why doesn't she change her number?"

  "Too many business contacts have that number. She has had it for years. And, really, would it matter if one of the people sending pictures or invitations was an employee?"

  Paige sighed. "Try to relax. I am sure that it's nothing. I don't know why I want to say this, but, honestly, I don't think that Clementine is her type."

  Mallory hit her with the stack of papers on her desk. "Gee, that makes me feel better."

  Paige placed her hand on her shoulder. "You guys are coming tomorrow night, right?"

  "Of course, we'll be there. Do you want us to bring anything?"

  "Good spirits and open hearts."

  "Okay. That's enough, Glenda the Good Witch. I've got work to do. Skedaddle."

  Chapter 11

  Jacqueline was outside loading Mallory's overnight bag into the trunk of the car when she exited her house. They had had dinner with Jack and Misty on a few occasions. In all the prior dinner dates, Mallory had worn her work clothes to their house. Dressed in her business professional outfits, she said that she felt underdressed and out of place. Misty was a model. She had started her as a child model doing commercials and print ads. The exposure spring-boarded her to pageants. After winning Miss Georgia and participating in the Miss America pageant, she did fashion modeling for years. Now, in her early thirties, she had returned to her roots in commercials and print advertisements in national magazines and websites. She was stunning. Her long, thin frame and straight blond hair made Mallory reevaluate her look and body. She wondered what Jacqueline thought of Misty and feared that she might be comparing her to a former Miss Georgia. Anytime she addressed her concerns with Jacqueline, she said not to worry; but, Mallory was distressed. She wanted Misty to know that under the striped blouses and dress pants that she was attractive. Therefore, she had planned that this dinner would be the occasion to prove that. Tonight, Mallory had Jacqueline drop Zoe off to Lauren and Josh's while she rushed home, jumped in the shower, reapplied make-up, and curled her hair. Her long, red locks that had sat inside a pencil-made bun, for most the afternoon, would cascade down her back tonight. And, it was going to be a very visible back.

  When Jacqueline stood up from leaning into the trunk, Mallory was approaching her with a maroon glittery clutch that caught the sun's last lights. She was wearing a flowy, cranberry top that exposed her well-defined collarbone and dipped down her back to that space above her bra line that always begged to be touched. The bow that decorated the back of the shirt appeared to be the only seam that might be holding it together. Mallory had paired the top with slim fitting black skinny jeans and a pair of black ankle boots. Jacqueline closed the trunk and stared for a moment. After some thought, she said, "Maybe, I should have done more than change my shirt."

  "You like?"

  "Of course, I like, but I'm wondering why I haven't seen this outfit before."

  "You stopped taking me out."

  Walking to open her door, Jacqueline said, "Well, this is a good way to remind me to do that more often." As Mallory sat down, Jacqueline leaned in for a quick kiss. Her attempt was thwarted as Mallory had begun to apply red lip stain. "Okay, do you need to tell me something? Do you want to be with Misty?"

  "Of course not. But, this bitch isn't going to keep showing me up."

  Jacqueline trotted to her side of the car. "You know, she's not showing you up. Jack only has eyes for her and I only have eyes for you. There's no battle for attention. There's no competition."

  "She doesn't think that I'm hot."

  Jacqueline giggled. "Baby, she will tonight."

  ~~~~~~~~

  As they left Clearwater, Jacqueline groaned and yawned.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Oh, yeah. I'm just tired. It has been a long day."

  "Yeah, who knew that you'd planned a whole party."

  Wiping her eyes, she said, "I didn't plan any of it. Mia told me that she heard that Clementine was going to get the award. Grant was in my office. Before I could make any plans, he said that he would take care of it. I hadn't thought of it anymore until late that afternoon. He had the damn giant cake ordered, the table was being moved, and that damn lunch was planned. It was like the President was coming. All I did was text Jack and ask him to come in. It seemed like a good show."

  "Yeah, the whole day was about her. How could she not enjoy it? She got a meeting, a cake, an email, lunch on the company, and a hug from the Managing Editor." There was silence. Mallory did not turn to look at Jacqueline. She sat in her seat checking her mascara, but she could feel Jacqueline looking at her. "Did you think that I didn't know?"

  "There wasn't anything to know."

  "You hugged her."

  "I didn't and I wouldn't. She hugged me. You know me well enough to know that I didn't hug her." Make-up was still being applied. There was no eye contact, but Jacqueline continued to look in her direction. Nervously, she said, "Mallory, I'm serious. I absolutely have zero interest in her. I think she is amazing at what she does, but, very often, I want to strangle her."

  "I don't think that's what she's hoping for with you."

  "I hope you're just joking."

  "I don't think you want her, but I do think you need to watch yourself with her."

  "She doesn't want me. I can promise you that."

  "Then, what does she want?"

  "I don't know. I think she just likes to start the fire for the sake of feeling the heat." Jacqueline reached over and placed her hand on Mallory's thigh. "I love you. And only you."

  "I know that and you know that I love you," Mallory stopped checking her face and returned the car visor to its upright position. She looked at Jacqueline and said, "But, does Clementine know that I'll fuck her up?"

  "If she doesn't yet, I get a feeling she may find out."

  ~~~~~~~~

  In salmon colored shorts and powder blue button up, Jack opened the door for Jacqueline and Mallory. He was a holding a half-full highball in his hand. "Greetings and salutations! How the hell are you two doing tonight?"

  "Well, I don't think that we're doing as well as you are Jack," Jacqueline teased.

  "Mallory, you look amazing. I had no idea all that was under there. What are you doing swimming in the deep end with this one?" and he pointed to Jacqueline with his cocktail hand. He never noticed the alcohol that sloshed from the glass onto the floor.

  A shadow fell upon the foyer as a long silhouette approached. Before Misty arrived, Mallory could hear the clank of her stilettos against the tile floors. Click. Clack. Click. Clack. Click. Clack. Then, there she was. Approaching Mallory with a confidence, there was the five foot ten former Miss Georgia turned swimsuit model angling for her. She had on jeweled, white stilettos and a skintight black romper jumpsuit with gold buttons. Of the seven buttons, only the bottom four were buttoned. The top ones were open, giving sight to her well-designed and very expensive bosom. With her arms outstretched, Misty approached Mallory, "Oh my God, I love your outfit! We're gonna have to get togetha and raid each other's closets someday." Then, she pretended to kiss Mallory on the cheek.

  "I love that jumpsuit. You're gonna have to let me borrow it," Mallory lied.

  "I've made some punch. Jacqueline, help me get some glasses of it for the ladies." Jack and Jacqueline left the foyer and headed to the wet bar in the den. Mallory closed the front door and followed Misty to the kitchen, the place where they normally sat and talked while they waited on dinner.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Mallory followed Misty through the foyer, down the hall, and into the kitchen. She had been to the house a few times. Jack enjoyed having dinner and a meeting with Jacqueline at the house every other week. In the beginning, Mallory had not come to these occasions. She had stayed home with Zoe, enjoyed a quick bite from a drive-thru, and watched television or painted her nails as she waited on Jacqueline's return. But, one late summer day, Jack was in the office. His door had been open and he saw Mallory leave Jacqueline's office. From across the hall, out his open d
oor, he screamed her name, "Mallory!"

  She was slightly stunned. The office was always buzzing with activity. It was the hum of work to be done, but rarely was there a direct yell of a single name. From Mrs. Pennington's desk, she peeked her head into his office. "Yes, Jack?"

  "Come in." Confused, she walked into his office. "Close the door." He had been lying on his leather couch. It appeared as though he might have been asleep only moments prior to her arrival. His white shirt was rustled in the back. He stood from the couch and she noticed that his hair was disheveled and the creases in his suit pants no longer existed in the back. In his black dress socks, he walked about his office. Stretching his back and combing through his hair with his fingertips, he said, "So, you were the one?"

  Unsure what that meant, "The one?"

  "Yes, my wife, Misty? Do you know her?"

  "We have made acquaintance a few times. When she has come to the office," Mallory was stumbling with her words.

  "My wife said that Jacqueline was interested in someone at the office. And, it was you, eh?" Mallory didn't speak. She blinked repeatedly. "Relax, Mallory, it's not a criticism. It's just odd. That's all."

  "Odd? What about it is odd?" Mallory did not like where she thought this might be heading.

  "Surely, you know that Jacqueline and I have our dinner and a meeting at the house every once in a while."

  "Yes, I know."

  "Well, why don't you come with her? I tell her all the time that she can bring someone. But, she doesn't. Then, I have to hear from Mrs. Pennington's gossip circle that you two are dating." Mallory must have looked stunned. "I thought Jacqueline and I were close. Is the relationship a secret?" He sat back down on the couch and tilted towards her as if to offer himself as a confidant. "Let me tell you this, if Pennington knows, I can guarantee that the whole damn office and her bridge team knows," he scoffed.