by Lia London
“No, I know, but she feels more like family than a job.”
A long silence followed, and Willa tensed.
“Willa, is this because she’s your old boyfriend’s grandmother?”
Why had she told Melina about that development? “No. He wasn’t my boyfriend. We were just really close.”
“You had the hots for him,” countered Melina.
“Only a little back then, but if you saw him now…” Willa wriggled her toes happily. “Seriously. He’s worth taking a very long look at.”
“But you’d rather spend time with his grandma than go clubbing with your best friend?”
“It’s complicated.”
“That’s a social media dating status. Not what you tell your best friend.”
“He kissed me.”
“Girrrllll!”
Willa held the phone away from her ear, grinning while Melina squealed and cheered on the line. When the noise died down, she hazarded pulling it back. “You done?”
“Why haven’t you already told me how amazing it was?”
“Because it was…” Willa didn’t know how to express her reserved interpretations of the kiss.
“Don’t tell me he kisses like a slobbery dog. I hate that.”
“No, no. Nothing like that.” Willa blushed. “No tongue.”
“No tongue?”
Willa pounded the mattress with her palm. “Mel, focus! I’m not going to give every gory detail of—”
“Gory?”
“Mel! Shut up! Listen.” Willa drew a deep breath. “I’m afraid he’ll push me away again.”
“When did he ever push you away?”
Willa slumped. “Well, he didn’t really. He just sort of dropped off the planet for ten years with no explanation. I don’t know what happened then, and I don’t want it happening again.”
“Oh.” Melina’s pause weighed a ton. “Like Orrin?”
“Right.” Willa sniffed, feeling a sting in the back of her eyes.
“But you never went after him back then either.”
Willa ground the heel of her hand into her forehead. “No. I was a stupid eighteen-year-old, too insecure to chase after a guy going to a different college. I just…”
“And what about now? How hard are you trying?”
Willa sighed. “That’s just it. I can’t. He’s rich now.”
“And that’s a bad thing? Rich didn’t faze you last time.” Melina made a strangled groan. “I swear, girl, you’ve got handsome, rich men all around you. What are you made of, and can I get some injected into my DNA?”
“Yes, but they leave me.”
“Orrin left you. Mac hasn’t left you since… Okay, Miss It’s Complicated.”
“If I chase hard after him now, won’t he think I’m just after the money?”
Melina’s sigh caused static to scratch Willa’s ear. “Then you’d better figure out how serious that kiss was.”
Mac – a few days later
Mac stared at the logo for EcoTech Industries gracing the three-story brick building and braced himself for entry. Though he loved his work in theory, it had grown increasingly difficult to focus on assigned projects, first because of the horror of his mother’s death, and then because of the resurging daydreams about Willa. The commute out to Gramma Elfie’s house had also proved cumbersome, and he wanted to be closer to her. Which meant closer to Willa.
He pushed open the shiny glass doors and breezed past the receptionist sitting behind the tall counter. “Hello, Rosemary. How are you today?” From this angle, her platinum blonde hair reflected the glare of the overhead lights.
“I am great, so great.” She gave him a coy smile. “Hey, I’ll walk with you to your office. I’ve got something for Duff.” She stood up, smoothing her skirt over voluptuous hips.
In the elevator, Rosemary didn’t take advantage of the space, instead standing close enough that their elbows touched. For the seventeenth time, he pondered why he’d never responded well to her obvious flirtations. As the boss’ niece, it could be either advantageous or disastrous depending on the outcome. For the seventeenth time, he decided that although her body was a total knock-out, he knew conversation would run dry quickly, and even a red-blooded American male needs someone to talk to as well as hold.
Besides, now there was Willa. He allowed himself a few seconds to relive their last encounter.
The elevator door opened, and Mac strode down the hall. Rosemary kept pace, even in her high heels, and then leaned with a calculated pose on the doorjamb of the office he shared with Duff.
“You two are such a funny pair,” she remarked. “You’re all lean and muscly, and he’s all wobbly fat.” She waved her finger at their desks. “And you’re Mr. Clean, and Duff is Mr. Spacey.”
Mac smiled at their shared space. Every nook and cranny of the shelves between their workspaces teemed with stuffed Star Wars characters. “It’s a tech geek thing. We love our sci-fi.”
Rosemary slid the manila envelope she’d brought onto Duff’s desk. Turning to eye Mac with unveiled desire, she said, “If you need anything, call me.” She shimmied her shoulder a little.
“Right. Thanks.” Mac made a point of placing his attaché case on his desk without looking up at her.
“Anything.” She slinked back out.
Mac pulled back the rolling office chair and sat down with a heavy whump. He dropped his forehead to the desk.
“That bad, huh?” A deep, friendly voice boomed. “You get motion sick from the elevator, or did Rosemary lay it on too thick?”
Mac rolled his head to face the bear of a man who filled the doorway. “Hey, Duff.”
Hiking up his pants, Duff leaned back against the office door to shut it. “Between you and me, Rosemary goes into overdrive whenever you’re around.”
“She’s Fitzberg’s niece. What’re we going to do?”
Duff sat down with a creak, and seconds later a stuffed Yoda doll appeared around the side of the shelf. “Stink you must. Unattractive you should become if safe you will be.”
Mac snorted. “Okay. Except I might want to attract a mate when I’m not within Rosemary’s pheromone range.”
Willa – a few days later
“Got any plans for tomorrow night?” asked Mac.
Willa shared a desperate grimace with Melina, who sat watching her like a hawk as she spoke on the phone, her dramatic eye make-up and copper brown skin only adding to the effect. “Oh, Mac. I do! My good friend Melina and I are doing a Ladies’ Night Out with Elfie.”
He laughed good-naturedly. “Okay, sounds fun. Can I come?”
“Of course not!” Willa smacked her head. Why or why had she not thought about the possibility that he might ask her out? “No chance. It’s top-secret fun. Estrogen only.”
“Make sure Gramma takes her replacement therapy, then.”
Willa laughed loudly. “Okay, I will. Were you wanting to get together for anything?” With Melina watching, she was careful not to let her eyes or voice get too dreamy.
“Oh, I’ll be in touch. You have fun with Gramma and your friend.” He hung up before she could find another angle to prolong the call. Dropping the phone in her lap, she looked at Melina expectantly.
“Well?”
“Well what? That was Mac.”
“I figured,” said Melina, flopping back so that her black hair splayed in a crown around her. “Your pupils were dilated, and your cheeks were flushed.”
“They were not!”
“And I could hear the saliva sloshing in your mouth. I’ve got to see this guy. Is he really that hot?”
Willa closed her eyes and nodded several times. “Lava.”
“If you say so.” Melina sat up and folded her arms. “So, what’s this exciting Ladies’ Night Out that you’re having that’s somehow worth turning down a date with Mr. Hot-Lava Man?”
Willa sagged, knowing in advance how lame it would sound. “A picnic in the park.”
“Are you serious?” Meli
na groaned. “With cold pheasant and cucumber sandwiches?”
Willa snickered. “And parasols and corsets.”
“Women with brown skin don’t use parasols,” said Melina. “And women with ribs or internal organs don’t wear corsets.”
“Stop being a whiner. Elfie’s not that old. It’s going to be fun. We’ll eat all the things we’re not supposed to, like fried chicken and M&Ms, and we’ll let her ride on the swings and slides in the playground.”
“Again, are you serious? Are you trying to break her hip or something?”
“I will totally be careful with her at all times. I’m not talking about doing underdogs or going down headfirst.”
Melina rubbed a point between her eyes. “And this is supposed to be fun because…?”
“Because Elfie is a crack-up and you’ll love her.”
“Uh huh.”
“And because I need to make sure she’s on my side about winning Mac without him thinking I’m after his money.”
Melina’s bored look transformed to a knowing grin. “I see. This is a family outing.”
Mac – the next day
“Duff, what am I going to do?” Mac’s forehead flopped to his desktop with a whimper.
“Now what?” Mac could tell Duff’s mouth was full.
“Office Barbie.”
“Rosemary?” Duff wheeled himself into full view, his eyebrows jumping. “Did she make another move?”
“I didn’t even see it coming. She asked about my weekend plans.”
“Uh-huh?” Duff gestured for Mac to continue.
“She stripped me of all my excuses before I knew I needed one.” Mac rolled his head to one side and glared at Duff’s comically eager face. “What are you so happy about?”
“Did she get all sexy?”
“Only at the last second, when she invited me to go out for drinks with her tonight at the Prickly Palace. I was so surprised that my mouth fell open. She took that as a yes and disappeared into Fitzberg’s office before I could get out of it.”
Duff leaned his elbows on Mac’s desk. “How sexy did she get?”
“You’re not helping.”
Duff pointed a finger with a knowing nod. “Rosemary’s the kind of woman who only wants the bright stars. You’re the best guy we’ve got, so …” He shrugged.
“Lucky me.” Mac groaned.
“If you get lucky. Sounds like you will.”
“Duff, stop drooling on my desk. This is serious.”
Kicking to propel himself backwards, Duff raised his hands in the air. “You really don’t want to try Rosemary on for size? I mean, she actually chose you out of all of us.”
Mac hoped he wasn’t being egotistical when he thought the choice wasn’t hard. He didn’t deem himself a perfect catch, but the other software engineers at the company made the nerdy stereotypes look generous. He just had the striped suspenders and the pressing need for a shave.
“She’s Fitzberg’s niece. Get serious, Duff. How could that ever end well?”
“Can’t you just tell her you made a mistake when you see her later?”
“She’s in meetings for the rest of the day. If I don’t show up tonight, what’s she going to tell Fitzberg?”
“Just call her.”
Mac glared at Duff. “Do you have her private cell number?”
“Oh yeah. Star 9 isn’t going to reach her after hours.” Duff gave a grudging nod. “I have a plan. I’ll be right back.” He waddled out of the room.
In the quiet office, his mind went to a matter more pressing than Rosemary’s advances: the kiss with Willa, as clumsy as it was, hadn’t ended with a slap or an “Ew, Mac! What were you thinking! You’re like my brother!” Maybe he hadn’t grossed her out. Maybe she was thinking of him a little differently? She’s sighed and smiled, right?
Pulling out his phone, he tapped open the speed dial contacts. Wonder Willa topped the list. If he texted her, the conversation might go on too long and attract Duff’s nose. He’d make a quick call about… Did he need an excuse?
“Hey, Willa. I’m just calling to check in on Gramma Elfie.”
“No, you can’t come tonight.” Her reprimand came with a layer of laughter.
“I’m not calling for that.”
“Why didn’t you call Elfie directly?”
She didn’t want to talk to him. “Oh, well. You know old people. They don’t always tell you everything with quite the same clarity as an objective outsider might.” As soon as he said it, he worried it had come out wrong.
“I don’t know.” Willa chuckled. “Most of them can go on for hours about their ailments, and she’s pretty dang lucid.”
She didn’t get mad about the outsider line. “Yeah, she’s a smart one. Any sign of this feeble little thing Aunt Laila was talking about?”
“Trying to get me fired?”
“No, no.”
“She’s fine. Of course, I don’t know what the base line was, but she just lost her daughter. That’s got to take its toll. Otherwise, it’s typical aches and pains in her joints and back. She gets winded easily, but she’s a spry old gal. I really like her.”
Even with the mention of his mom’s passing, a tentative happiness bloomed in his chest, pushing a warm feeling up into his cheeks and making him smile. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
“Is that all? I mean, should I be checking in with you on a regular basis for her, or…?”
“Sure, if you want. That would be great.” Why did his voice crack? “Every day or so, if you want…”
Duff burst into the room. “Problem solved, Lover Boy. Two on one for you. I got Candy to come, too.”
Mac almost dropped the phone. “What? How is that—”
“It’ll be great. Rosemary, the boss’s niece and Candy the CFO. You can’t get better connected than that! And both are very attractive!”
“Ugh.” Mac held the phone to his ear. “Hey, I’ve got to go, but …” What could he say? “Let’s talk again. Soon.”
“Right.” Willa hung up, and Mac put the phone down, trying to grasp what Duff had done.
He shook his head. “What were you thinking?”
“It’ll be fun.”
“Did you forget I don’t even drink?” One of the few facts he knew about his father was that he’d been an angry, sloppy drunk, and he had no desire to tempt fate by adopting any of the man’s vices.
“Oh.” Duff bobbed on his heels. “Yeah, right. It’ll be kind of awkward if you’re sober for all of this.”
Mac returned his forehead to the desk and groaned.
Willa – seconds later
Rosemary? Candy? Had the man in the background said something about two attractive women—both well-connected with the boss—to date Mac at the same time? The thought sickened her. Mac had never seemed the type to go after cheap thrills. He was too grounded. Too sincere. Was this some kind of sick corporate ladder-climbing thing?
Was this what had happened with Orrin?
“Ugh. Men.” She threw the phone down and tried to quell the nausea. How could she have been fooled so badly twice in a row?
Mac – later that night
“I’m really not into this dating scene,” groused Mac into the foam of his on-tap beer. He hadn’t taken a sip, nor would he. It was just a prop to fit in. The Prickly Palace, with its vague cactus and oasis motif, was everything he hated about singles bars.
“This is more of a desperate scene,” agreed Duff, sitting sideways on the barstool with some difficulty.
“I really don’t want to do this. I’m not looking for love.” Technically, he was, but right now, the object of his would-be love was on a top-secret Ladies’ Night Out.
Duff pushed aside his beer, his eyes on the door. “Don’t look now, but Rosemary has arrived.”
Mac glanced over his shoulder and froze, his stomach clenched in an instant knot. “Oh. My.”
“She’s holding nothing back,” whispered Duff.
“She’s barely holding
anything in.” Mac gripped the edge of the bar. The tiny little red number Rosemary had poured herself into was working like a stop sign for the men in the bar, shutting down their ability to chew peanuts and brag at the same time.
“There you are.” Rosemary’s voice tinkled as she fluttered her fingers at Mac. She sidled her way in between Mac and Duff with only a passing smile to the latter.
Mac jerked backwards, alarmed by the press of her fleshy chest against his arm. Swallowing hard, he plastered a friendly grin on his face. “Hi Rosemary. Why don’t you have a seat?” He indicated the stool on the other side.
“Don’t mind if I do.” She rounded him so closely that her hips dragged his knees in an arc after her. Making an arch-backed show of getting into the stool, she kept her eyes locked on his. “I’ve been wondering when you’d finally ask me out.” She leaned in, placing her hand on his thigh.
He had to clear his throat to speak. “I’m pretty sure you’re the one who asked me.”
“I read your mind,” she said, giggling and angling to offer him a better view of her cleavage.
Mac blushed from the knees up. “Can I order you something?” He turned his body away from her, searching past Duff for the bartender.
Mac felt Rosemary’s hand on his right shoulder. “A Red Hot, please.”
He opened his mouth to call the order and caught sight of Candy working her way up to the bar.
“Well hello, Mac.” Her normally bland expression sharpened as she eyed Rosemary, then Duff.
Rosemary rested her chin on Mac’s shoulder. “Oh hi, Candy. Mac’s buying me a drink.”
“Oh?” Candy’s brow crept up.
Mac squeezed his eyes shut and chewed his tongue. This was such a bad idea. Bad, bad, bad.
He turned a sheepish grin on Candy. She probably thought he’d lost his mind. Office gossip would run wild now. Was she mad? Amused? Executive accountant-types never seemed to have discernible personalities.
“What say we get a booth?” Duff’s voice bubbled with humor. “Much cozier.”
Mac hesitated. “A table, maybe?” He flourished his hand. “No one gets trapped that way. Like me,” he added under his breath to Duff. He pointed at a table for four, and they made their way across the floor.
