by Keys, Hazel
“A lot more than you ever were before,” Tristan remarked. “I haven’t seen you two yell at one another in a week!”
Brad couldn’t help the smile that started to spread across his face. It was true, they hadn’t really argued over anything in the past week. In fact, their work relationship seemed to be going better than ever. A few minutes later Brad and Tristan walked into Rachel’s small office and started on their meeting.
“Good morning gentlemen,” she greeted amicably. “Shall we get started? Tristan, I believe you said that you wanted to go first?”
Tristan immediately took her cue and pulled up his next report to show Brad. “As you can see, ever since we started using Rachel’s drawings on the platforms, traffic to the actual RushIt site has increased by twenty-four percent in just four days! Which is unheard of. We’ve even got some feedback from on Yelp and Facebook.”
“Really?” Brad asked, impressed. “Like what?”
Tristan picked up his Ipad and began to read the comments. “One user says: ‘Love the new interactive catalogue! The drawings are super cute, and I love that the women in them are not all model-thin. Being a plus girl myself, I like seeing things available in my size online. Wish you guys had a store front!’ Another one says: ‘Love all the choices on the new catalogue! Cute and very interactive.’”
Tristan read three others before Brad put up his hand. “That’s incredible,” Brad congratulated. “Excellent job you two.” He took the reports from Tristan and told him that he’d be sure to mention the excellent progress to Ryan later that day. Once Tristan left, Brad shut the door to Rachel’s office and pullled her into his arms.
“You’re incredible you know that?” He told her. Before she could answer his lips came down on hers in a dizzying kiss. He loved the way she melted into him instantly.
“You were right,” he admitted, “about the models. They don’t all need to be thin.”
Rachel smiled at her victory. “Told you so,” she said playfully. Her hand slid seductively between them, boldly cupping Brad’s crotch. He growled in response, but didn’t stop her. “Maybe I should get a prize?” She suggested.
Brad chuckled, and shook his head. He loved how serious and professional she could be in one moment, and then light and coy in the next. “You know what? You’re absolutely right. You do deserve a prize.” He looked over at the door to make sure it was still closed, and then turned back to Rachel to give her a quick kiss on the lips.
“Stay the night with me tonight,” he told her, running his fingertips down her back. “We can have a proper sleepover, and you can let me make up for falling asleep on you last night.”
Rachel laughed, recalling how quickly he’d passed out after she had gone down on him. She had actually found it adorable. “Deal,” she said, nodding her head. A knock on the door stopped them from carrying the conversation even further, and after a final quick kiss, they parted, and Brad took a seat on the opposite side of Rachel’s desk.
“Come in!” Rachel called, trying to sound as normal as possible.
Bella popped her head in, a wide smile on her face. “Good morning Brad!” she piped. “Good morning Rachel! Sorry to interrupt, but Brad we have an IT issue that I need you to sign off on.”
Brad nodded his head and turned to Rachel. “Finish this later?” He asked, not able to withhold a wink.
“You got it boss,” she said with a smile.
~
It was six-fifteen when Brad was finally turning off the little lamp on his desk. He had told Rachel that he would try to be done with work by four, and that had backfired badly. He hoped that he would get used to the juggling of titles soon, he thought, or else he was going to lose one, or even both of them. Sighing, he picked up his briefcase and started locking up the office.
Relax, he told himself. It was the weekend, finally, and Rachel was only one twenty-minute car ride away. Still, by the time he had reached his car he was feeling even antsier. As he threw his briefcase into the back seat, he saw that his gym bag was still there. Yoga. He hadn’t been to a class in over four days now. He pulled up the class schedule on his phone and saw that there was a meditation class ready to start in fifteen minutes. If he kept his car parked and just took a brisk run to the studio he would be there just in time to change and start with the class. Quickly he grabbed his bag from the car, locked it, and started jogging towards the class.
Inside he waved a greeting to the receptionist, and went right on back to the locker room to change. He was just coming out with his mat when a little blonde ran into his chest. Instantly his arms reached to hold the woman steady, and saw that it was Summer.
“Summer! Hi. Sorry, I’m running late for class.” He apologized, trying to maneuver around her. She stepped in his direction, blocking his path.
“That’s okay,” she said in a perky fashion. Though she was aware of his hurry, she acted as if they had all the time in the world to chat. “I was actually just talking with the other girls about you. We hadn’t seen you in a few days. Where have you been?”
“Work has been crazy,” Brad told her, forcing a polite smile on his face. “Are you going to class?”
It looked as if she had actually just finished one, but Summer nodded her head yes all the same and followed him into the class room. Since they were so late, they had to find a space in the back, and put their mats so close together that it looked like one large one. Trying not to be bothered by it, he sat cross-legged on his mat, closed his eyes, and took in a long, deep breath.
Immediately he started to feel better, despite Summer still talking into his ear about her week and her troubles. When the instructor started the class, he shushed her into silence, and Brad couldn’t help but smile. He was happy someone could do it. The next hour of yoga did exactly what it was supposed to. Brad felt all of his stress melt away after each pose, and by the end of it, he was able to bow and whisper ‘Namaste’ with sincere feeling along with the rest of the class.
Unfortunately, as soon as the class was over, Summer asked him out for a drink.
“That’s really kind of you to ask, Summer. But I’m already running late to pick up Rachel and”-
“Rachel?” She asked, interrupting him. A look of jealousy flashed in her eyes, but only for a second. “Who’s Rachel?”
“You met her,” he told her, walking towards the locker room.
“That brunette that knocked over the blocks?” She asked, sounding shocked.
“Yep, that’s the one. See ya, Summer.” He turned to walk away, but she grabbed his arm, and pulled him back.
“Brad, please,” she said, her voice and eyes begging.
Brad stopped trying to walk away. “Summer, what’s wrong?”
Tears started to well up in her blue eyes, and looked as if they were going to spill over any minute.
“I have no friends,” she said, the confession coming out in a rush. “I don’t. I only know my husband and he’s never home! You’re the only one here that’s nice to me, and I really, really need someone to talk to. Please,” she implored. “It’s a rare night for me that I actually have a sitter. Just come and have a drink with me.”
Brad felt a soft spot begin to form for Summer in his heart. Looking up at the clock, he saw that it almost eight. He’d call Rachel after drinks and let her know that he was on his way. She would understand, of that he was sure.
“Okay,” he said, nodding his head. “But only for a little bit. I’m already running late.”
Chapter 16
Rachel
“Why do you keep looking at your phone?” Bella asked, nudging Rachel’s shoulder. “Brad not calling you?”
Rachel looked up at Bella, bewildered. “What do you mean?” She asked, trying to sound innocent. It didn’t work.
“Please,” Isabella sighed, coming out of her room wearing a very fetching dark red cocktail dress. “Everyone in the office knows your boning.”
Rachel gasped, and stood up. “We are not boning! I m
ean, at least not yet we’re not.” She sat back down, checking her phone again. “He hasn’t wanted to have sex yet. He wants to take things slow.”
“And uh, where is Mr. Old-fashioned?” Isabella asked, taking a seat on the ottoman in front of Rachel.
A look of discomfort passed over Rachel’s face. “He was supposed to be out of work at four. He was going to go clean his place up, and I was supposed to be spending the weekend with him,” she confessed. “But it’s almost nine now, and I haven’t heard from him.”
“Aw hon, don’t worry,” Bella said, wrapping her arm around Rachel’s shoulder. “I’m sure he’s just finishing up work.” Her eyebrows perked up, as if she just got a brilliant idea. “Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t you come out with us? We’re going to that O’Cleary’s place beside work. You can just text Brad that you’re there and then meet him at the office parking lot. What do you say?”
“What about my stuff?”
Bella shrugged. “Come get it in the morning. Nothing wrong with using his shampoo and toothpaste until then. I bet he’ll find it cute.”
Rachel thought about it for a minute and nodded her head. “Okay,” she agreed. “I could use a drink to my mind off of things. Just let me get changed real quick.”
Ten minutes later they were all crawling into a cab and heading towards the office. Rachel had started to feel a little better, having more to do than just stare at her phone and wait for a response, and by the time they reached the office she was laughing with the Bella’s, like they normally did when they all went out for a girl’s night. When they all got out of the cab, Bella gasped, and wagged her finger towards the parking garage.
“See! There’s Brad’s car. I told you he was just busy at work.”
Rachel breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled. She felt silly for worrying, and after sending a quick text to Brad to let him know she was near, she slid her phone into her purse and walked the Bella’s into O’Cleary’s.
“Hey there,” Martin greeted when they walked in. “I remember you ladies. Welcome back!”
“Thanks Martin,” Bella returned with a wink. “Do you have a booth for us?”
“For the prettiest girls in my bar? You bet ye arses I do. Follow me.” Martin led them towards a corner booth full of already hammered frat boys.
“All right, ye wastes of space. I’m cuttin’ ye off. Get te hell out!” Martin decreed, pointing towards the door.
“Aw, come on man. Can’t we stay?” One said, his words slurring all over the place.
“Hell no,” Isabella said, speaking up before giving Martin the chance to. “It’s our turn. Move it!”
This time none of the boys dared to complain, and they all silently filed out of the door and towards the exit. Martin looked over at Isabella, clearly impressed.
“Ye ever want a job in me bar let me know,” he told her. “First rounds on me.”
Giggling, the women took their seats and chatted while they waited for their drinks. A few minutes later, Martin came back with two cosmos and a beer. Rachel was shocked that he remembered, and thanked him for his consideration.
“Isn’t a problem,” he assured her. “I remember because Brad told me afterwards to never serve him a cosmo again.” He and the girls laughed, and then he hiked his thumb over his shoulder. “Do ye want me te let him know you’re here?”
The Bella’s immediately stopped laughing, and Rachel felt a stab to her gut.
“He’s here?” She asked, not bothering to hide her confusion. Martin nodded his head.
“Aye. He came in with a blonde about an hour ago.”
Martin continued talking, but Rachel couldn’t hear him anymore, not past the sound of her own hammering heart. Was Brad not as good of a guy as she thought he was? Who was he with? And why had he not even tried to call her to tell her he’d be late. On trembling legs, she stood up, and made her way to the back of the bar.
“Rachel,” Brad said, getting up out of an empty booth, looking genuinely happy to see her. “What are you doing here?”
“You never called,” she explained. “And the girls invited me out to pass the time. Why didn’t you call?” Her heart was so confused. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or upset, but she told herself to stay calm and hear him out.
“My phone died,” he told her, pulling her into his arms for a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it until after I got out of work. I was feeling a lot of stress, so I decided to go to yoga and I ran into”-
“Me,” A familiar voice said. From behind Rachel stepped out Summer. She walked boldly over Brad, and put a claiming hand on his shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind,” she said, her voice dripping with cattiness. “I needed a shoulder to cry on, and Brad was more than happy to accommodate.” She leaned her head against Brad’s arms, and smiled challengingly at Rachel.
“I see,” Rachel bit out. Her heart was beating out of her chest and she was feeling short of breath. It was then that she realized that she liked Brad a lot more than she had thought. She didn’t want to share him, especially with a conniving woman like Summer. If Brad couldn’t see that she was playing him, she wasn’t going to try make him see either.
“Well,” she said, taking a breath. “I’m sorry for interrupting your date. I’ll let you two be.”
“Rachel, wait!” Brad said, shaking off Summer from his arm. “She just needed a friend, that’s all!”
Summer pouted, and stepped up to him again. “Oh come on, Brad. We both know that it’s much more than that.” She tried to move towards his face, but he stopped her with one hand and refused to let Rachel leave with the other.
“No!” He exclaimed, finally catching on to Summer’s little game. He looked back and forth between the two women, who both looked surprised at his outburst. Finally, after a confused moment, he spoke.
“You know Summer, Rachel tried to warn me about you. She did, and I brushed her off. I told her that you were a nice person, just lonely.” Summer tried to interrupt him, but he wouldn’t let her.
“You are married, okay? You’re married. That’s it. Final. I have no interest in you as anything more than a friend, and even if I did, that wouldn’t change the fact that you already belong to another person.” He turned to Rachel, his eyes imploring her to believe him.
“I want you, and only you, Rachel. I promise you I was only here to lend an ear.” He let go of Summer, and turned his full attention to Rachel. “I still want to spend this weekend with you,” he told her, taking both of her hands. “Do you still want to spend it with me?”
Rachel had two choices at that moment. She could either A, roll her eyes, flip her hair, and storm off back to her friends. The likelihood of her getting drunk and landing in another guys bed was likely, especially with the Bella’s spurring her on. Then on Monday she’d walk with her head high into the office and pretend that nothing between her and Brad every existed. She could become an ice queen, and rock it.
Or there was option B. She could see that Summer was a lonely, sad housewife, who not only needed someone to talk to, but someone that could actually love her, unlike her husband. She could dismiss the sad woman, take Brad’s offer, and though she might have some leftover bitterness about the whole thing, she could also potentially have some of the best moments of her life.
“Option B,” she said aloud.
Brad raised a puzzled eyebrow. “What?”
“Nothing,” Rachel quickly followed, shaking her head. “I meant yes. I still want to spend the night with you. Shall we go?”
Chapter 17
Bradley
Bradley reached over to his left and flicked the switch to the kitchen lights. The fan that hung above the small dining table illuminated instantly, and the blades of the fan started their lazy circles. Though she had been there the night before, Brad realized only then that Rachel was the first woman he’d ever brought to his home. He had girlfriends after his ex-wife, sure, but he would always go over to their places.
He took
in the outdated 1950’s kitchen, the off white tile floors, and the teeny tiny table that he and Rachel had just eaten dinner off the night before. It wasn’t the cutest kitchen ever made, he decided, but it was clean and organized enough. If Rachel didn’t like it then, well, that was all right.
“What do you think?” He asked her, helping her out of her jacket.
“I think it’s been a hell of a night,” she replied with a dry laugh.
Bradley choked out his own chuckle and nodded his head. “Yeah, it has. But I was talking about my house. Is it- I mean, do you like it?” He wasn’t sure why, but he realized right then that it was very important to him that Rachel liked his home. He wanted her comfortable there.
She smiled, and took a look around the small room. It led easily enough into the living room and study, and then towards the back of the house was the staircase leading up to the two bedrooms and bathroom. She didn’t go upstairs, but she peaked up the case. Finally, after an achingly slow perusal, she came back to the kitchen, where Brad was pouring them each scotch.
“I like it,” she said at last. “It doesn’t even look like a boy lives here.”
Brad felt relief flood through him, and he smiled at her genuinely. “My mom taught me how to clean. My dad taught me how to cook. Between the two of them I was taught how to be a pretty self contained guy.” He paused to hand her her drink, then asked; “have other guys you’ve dated not been very clean?”
Rachel chortled, almost choking on the liquid fire. “Are you kidding? The last time I dated a guy it was fresh out of college. He had no idea what a vacuum was or the importance of putting leftovers in fridge. And the bathroom! Ugh. He was living with three other dudes. How they had so much pubic hair on the toilet, I have no idea.”
Brad shivered. The image of such a dirty bathroom almost made him gag, and he could practically smell the mildew and body odor that must have come from the place. Even in college he hadn’t been that unsanitary!
