by Mia Kayla
He scanned my body, and I pulled the pillow closer to myself.
“I’m sure I can find it for you,” he said, giving me the most devilish look.
“Gross! This is not some sort of challenge, weirdo.” I got up, grabbed his arm, and dragged him toward the door. “This conversation has ended, and so has this night. Thanks for hanging out with me.”
“I’m kidding, Beth,” he said, laughing as I pushed him out the door. “I’m just kidding. I’m teasing,” he continued.
“I don’t care. I’m tired, and I want you out. Out. Out. Out.” I pushed at his back with both hands.
As I started to shut my door, he caught it with his hand and peered in.
“You know, I can find it.” He winked.
“Ew,” I said, scrunching my nose. A look of repulsion crossed my face.
As I closed the door, I heard laughter emanating down the hallway.
It was six thirty in the evening when I looked up from my computer. The office was silent as everyone else had left for the day. My brain was fried, working on the same proposal for the last four hours, and I still had so much more to do before tomorrow’s meeting.
I couldn’t work anymore in the office, so I packed up my laptop and headed out the door. For a change of scenery, I decided to go to the local bookstore and finish my proposal. Walking down the street, I felt my bag vibrate. I rested the laptop bag against my hip and searched for my phone, which was annoyingly at the bottom of my bag.
“Hey, it’s me. What are you doing?” Kent asked.
“I’m on my way home to change and go to the bookstore. I have tons of work to do,” I huffed. “I have a meeting tomorrow, and I need to get this proposal done.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes. Barnes and Nobles?” Kent asked. “Where’s Mr. Perfect?”
“Mr. Perfect is out tonight with clients—again,” I sighed.
One of the things I adored about Brian was his motivation, his drive for greatness at work. But his hardworking self, was putting a damper on our dating life.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” he said before dropping the line.
“Alright, see you soon,” I replied.
Thirty minutes later, sitting at the coffee shop of the bookstore in jeans and my Bowlesville High School T-shirt, my eyes were glued to the computer screen when I felt a tug on my high ponytail.
“Sandwich?” Kent offered, plopping down on the chair in front of me and dropping it on the table.
I gave him my biggest smile. “And that, sir, is why we’re friends,” I said, pointing to the sandwich wrapped in plastic wrap.
“From the beginning, I knew this was the key to your friendship. You ate that pancake at that diner as if you hadn’t eaten for days.”
“Shut up, and give me my food,” I sassed.
“You’re welcome.” He pushed the sandwich toward me and took another one out of the brown paper bag. “I hope they are paying you overtime.”
I made a face. “Yeah, right. I’m salary, not hourly, and boy, they’ve been working me to the bone.” I took a bite of my sandwich and sighed. “What?” I asked, noticing his expression as I took an overly large bite of my sandwich.
“You know, you make strange sounds when you eat,” he said, a dimple emerging on his cheek.
“Because it’s mmm-mmm good.” A piece of turkey almost fell out of my mouth, but I saved it with my tongue. “So, Mr. I Don’t Have a Job But I Have All the Money in the World to Do What I Want, what did you do today?”
He held up one finger as he finished chewing his food. “Well, I got up whenever I wanted, which was ten thirty, and then I went out for breakfast, went shopping, talked to my mother, went to the gym for a couple of hours, got a massage, and relaxed a little at home before I came here.”
“Must be nice.”
“It is,” he said without reservation.
“Well, sorry, some of us have to work for a living,” I said before taking another overly large bite of my sandwich. “And now, I have to get some work done. Do you want to grab a book or a magazine or something?” I asked, dropping my food and adjusting my laptop in front of me.
He positioned his chair to sit right beside me. “I’m interested. What are you working on?” His eyes observed my screen as I began to type on my computer.
“We have this new client. They want us to fund a buyout of their competitor,” I said, looking at the numbers on my computer.
“Well, what’s the cash flow of the company? And how much debt can the company handle?” he asked, scanning my screen in front of us.
I shot him a shocked look. “I thought your major was business management?”
“It was. I minored in finance. Beth, I went to Princeton. You know that, right? I’m not dumb,” he said, sounding offended.
“No, I never said that. It’s just that you surprise me,” I said, turning toward him. “Tell me again why you don’t want to run Plack Industries. You’re a smart guy. It’s already a successful business. It would take a dummy to run it into the ground, and you just said you’re not dumb.”
“Let’s not start now, Dad,” Kent said, slightly moving away.
I didn’t know why I’d pushed him, why I’d wanted to motivate him to run his father’s company, to take over. Maybe a big part of me knew his potential for greatness.
I rested my hand on his arm. “I’m not your dad, Kent, but I see you surprising him, too.”
“I’m content just the way I am.”
“I know, but why be content when you can be happy? And why be mediocre when you can be great?” I said, raising my voice. “Don’t you want to be like me and conquer the world?” I said, exaggerating with my hands, making that dimple reappear again.
He shrugged. “Why change something that is working just fine? Like I said, I’m fine just the way I am.”
My phone started ringing, which broke up our conversation. I glanced at the number on my phone and a radiant smile crossed my face “Hi,” I said. “You got out early from your client call? I’m at Barnes and Nobles. Kent is here with me. He came earlier.”
“Oh. So, he just wanted to hang out?” Brian asked.
I furrowed my brow at his tone.
“I don’t know. He wanted to come. He even brought me food. Okay, so you’re coming here soon?”
“Yeah. It won’t be soon enough. I’ll be there.”
Kent looked at me as I hung up.
My cheeks were hurting from the smile on my face. “You’re finally going to meet him! I talk about you all the time.”
“Do you now?” he asked, raising one eyebrow. “So, what do you tell him about me?”
“I tell him that you are a spoiled brat who doesn’t like to work.” I took out my makeup bag and started applying mascara.
He watched me as I started on my makeup routine.
“What?” I asked, noting the amused look on his face. “It’s still the beginning. I want to look cute.”
“Women,” he muttered, shaking his head.
Ten minutes later, I felt strong hands on both of my shoulders. I glanced up at a blond-haired looker in a navy suit and blue shirt that brought out his eyes.
“Hey,” I said, smiling up at Brian.
He leaned down to give me a kiss on the lips. It lingered longer than normal, sending the butterflies in my belly in a frenzy. I was the first to break away.
Kent smiled up from his Time magazine, and then he stood and offered his hand. “Kent Plack. You must be Brian.”
“Hey, buddy,” Brian said, taking his hand with a firm grip. “Yeah, Beth talks about you all the time.”
“And you, too. The perfect guy,” Kent said, making my face flush.
I gave Kent the evil eye as he sat down, before turning to Brian. “So, how was your client call?”
Brian pulled out a chair and sat with his elbows on his knees. “It’s a tough sell. There are a lot of other banks calling on Taper Corp,” he said, cranking his neck from side to side. “But if I win this one,
that will make my quota for the year, and my year-end bonus will be nice and fat. And the perfect guy might get the perfect girl something nice for Christmas,” he said.
“Taper Corp?” Kent asked.
“Yeah. Do you know about the company?” Brian asked.
“Somewhat. I’ve heard of them.”
“They’re expanding internationally, and they are outgrowing their current bank,” Brian said, holding my hand atop the table. “I’m going to have to work hard to win this deal. I want this one,” he said, looking at me.
“You’ll win it.” I said, confident that my man would land the deal. I rubbed the top of his hand with my thumb as our eyes locked.
I glanced at Kent when he moved to stand and crumpled the sandwich paper bag in his hands. “I should go. I have another engagement tonight.”
I stood up and gave him a half-hug. “Thanks for the sandwich and for keeping me company,” I said, pulling back and giving him my cheesiest smile.
Kent shook his head in amusement. “Bye, Beth.”
As soon as Kent was out of sight, Brian turned to me with a sly smile. “So, that’s Kent, huh?”
“The one and only,” I replied, glancing back to Kent’s retreating back.
“You never said he was very good-looking.”
I shrugged, trying to play it off. “Eh, he’s okay.”
“Beth, I don’t usually say this, but that is one fine-looking man. I’m sure you noticed those two girls ogling him during our conversation.”
“Maybe they were ogling you,” I said, inching my way toward him. I placed my hand on his lap. “I ogle you all the time.”
“That’s all that matters,” he said, placing his hand on top of mine. “Just friends, right?”
“For the millionth time, yes! Kent and I are just friends.”
“All right. So, what are we doing now?” Brian asked, changing the subject at my tone.
“Working.”
“Sounds like a plan. Can I work on you at your place?” Brian said, leaning into me.
“No, like, really working. I have to get this proposal ready for my meeting tomorrow,” I said, moving toward my computer.
Brian reached over and squeezed my knee.
I laughed. “No, really, I have to finish this,” I said, pushing his hand off my leg. “You’re too much of a distraction. I think you’d better go.”
“And here I wanted to enjoy the view all night,” he said, leaning over to give me another kiss before standing up to leave.
When I looked at the clock, it was nearly eight. That gave me one more hour before the bookstore closed. Time to get working. I placed both hands on my forehead and focused on the screen.
Sitting at my desk the next day, I had a small smug smile on my face because I was satisfied with our team meeting. My boss’s boss had been impressed by my recommended frame of the deal. I’d laid out a reasonable structure, benefiting the client but also protecting the bank from losses, should any occur.
When my phone rang, I knew who it would be.
“Hey, Kent,” I said in my cheery voice. “What’s for lunch today? Oh, Caroline wants to join us. Is that okay?”
“Beth, can you meet me after work? I can’t do lunch today.”
I sat up straighter in my chair at the tone of his voice, which was hoarse and low.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, rough night. Please. Jimmy’s Tap after work,” he prompted.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, just meet me after work at Jimmy’s,” he said.
“I’ll be there,” I replied.
I dropped the phone and stared blankly at the receiver, sensing something was definitely wrong.
Throughout the day, my mind drifted to Kent. I truly hoped he had been just hungover, but the sadness in his voice concerned me.
Right before the end of the day, my manager stopped by my desk. “Hey, great job today. Everyone was impressed by the newbie. You were quite prepared, and I have to commend you for that,” Renee said, resting against my cubicle. “You know of our expansion out on the East and West Coasts? We’re trying to spread out our talent from here. Brian already got offered a position on the East Coast. I know you just moved here, but I’d like you to consider moving out west to be on my team.”
My insides were singing at her high praise, and to even be considered for a spot in the expansion meant that I was on management’s radar as a good employee. “Thanks Renee. That means a lot. I’ll definitely take it into consideration, but I’m happy here so far.”
When Renee left, my thoughts shifted to Brian
I turned to Caroline. “Hey, when did Brian get offered New York?”
She peered at me from her screen and stopped typing. “I don’t know. Two weeks ago maybe. Didn’t he mention it to you?” she asked before dropping her head back to her computer.
“No,” I replied.
“He’s not one to brag. Plus, I heard he didn’t take it.”
“Oh…he didn’t?” I released the breath I’d been holding in. We weren’t serious yet but I had hopes that we would slowly get there.
“Hey, I heard about your deal today. Good job. Way to impress the bigwigs,” she said, giving me a thumbs-up over her cubicle.
The smile slowly crept back up my face, and I put thoughts of Brian behind me.
I stepped into Jimmy’s Bar Tap, still high from Caroline’s and Renee’s praises. Walking into the bar, my mood immediately dampened when I saw Kent slouched over the counter, looking at the wine glass in his hand.
As I approached the bar, he peered up from his spot, his eyes showing defeat.
I immediately rushed to his side and wrapped my arms around him. “Oh my God, Kent, what’s wrong?”
He shook his head and exhaled a low sigh. “It’s over.”
I had to listen carefully because his voice was barely audible. “You’re scaring me. What happened? Tell me what happened,” I pressed.
“It was always just Dad, but now it’s my mom. I don’t know, Beth. I don’t know how this happened,” he said, his voice toneless.
My hug automatically tightened around his waist at the sound of him mentioning his parents. I didn’t say a word.
When I released him, he placed his head in his hands. “The trust agreement was just lying out on his desk as if he wanted me to see it. It’s been in the trust documents all along,” he said, his voice breaking. “I mean, I can’t do it. I can’t live the life they want me to live. It’s not me.” He dropped his head against the bar.
Through all his rambling, I couldn’t comprehend any of his words. “What happened?” I asked, rubbing his shoulder. “You can tell me.”
“The trust set forth by Grandfather stipulates everything…just everything. Married…” He let out a low breath and lifted his head from the bar. “Do you understand? I’m not entitled to anything. It’s over. I’m not entitled to the money until I am married.” He rubbed both hands down his face in frustration.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered.
“The trust stipulates that by the age of twenty-five,” his voice was coming out in hushed broken huffs, “I need to be married or else the money in my trust will go to…Plack’s designated charities.”
Immediately, I froze. Out of everything, I didn’t expect those words to leave his mouth. I could understand his parents taking away his trust fund to force him into running the business since he was the only heir. I could even see his parents taking it away because of his partying ways since they shouldn’t have to fund his outrageous habit. But I never expected this. Why?
Reading my mind, he continued, “I know they want me to be happy and to settle down. They want me to have a family. My grandparents were married for fifty years before they passed away, and my parents are going on thirty years. It’s over.”
“I don’t get it, Kent. Why not add in running the company? I mean, that’s what your dad has always wanted.”
“I don’
t know. Grandfather should have added that in there, too. Maybe he assumed that I would naturally take that course, but he also knew that I wasn’t the type to settle down.” He sighed heavily, hanging his head in defeat.
He tugged at his hair in frustration. “I don’t know what to do, Beth. I’ve played the conversations my parents and I have had over and over in my head. My mom has told me that they just want to make sure I’m okay. When they are six feet under the ground, they want to ensure that I’m taken care of and that I have a family of my own who loves me, so I’m not alone. There are not a lot of us, and one thing that has always been number one is family. Even though I’m mad, I can’t begrudge them for looking out for my best interest. But what they don’t understand is that it’s not me. It’s just not me, Beth. I can never, ever be the person they want me to be.”
“It’s okay, Kent. Everything will be okay,” I said, rubbing my hands up and down his back to console him. “Do they know that you’ve seen the trust agreement? Do they know that you know about this stipulation?”
“I have no idea.” He shook his head. “Beth, I’m with different women every week. I party with Luke every other night. Does that sound like someone who can take care of a family? Does it? I don’t know how to take care of anyone, except for myself, nor do I want to. I don’t know what to do.” He placed his head back down in his arms on top of the bar.
“It’s okay, Kent. Everything is going to be okay, I promise.” I wrapped my arms around his waist again and placed my head on his back as he continued to face the bar. “I wish I could help you,” I whispered. “It’ll be okay. Everything will be fine.”
He sat in silence as I kept my head on his back, rubbing my hands up and down his arms.
After a few minutes of silence, his head shot up to turn and look at me. With wide eyes, he squared his shoulders, faced my direction and placed both hands on my shoulders. “Beth…” he whispered. “Beth, you’re a genius. You can help me.” He stared at me like I was the air he needed to breathe.
My eyes now mimicked his, wide and questioning.
“Marry me, Beth.”
I slowly took in what he’d said, considering his words, the words that had left his mouth. My lips turned from a smirk to a full-on smile. He was still holding my shoulders when I started giggling. Then, it transformed to full-blown howling laughter.
