“I do like the guy. It’s just his lack of the ‘hustle’ gene made us late for court earlier this week. It’s difficult enough keeping up with my own workload. Constantly following up with David is draining. But I didn’t mean to come across so harsh before. I’m sorry.” Nicholas kissed my forehead and then closed his eyes.
“At least he’s pleasant. Which is more than I can say for Daneen,” I muttered.
Nicholas opened his eyes again. “Yeah, she’s a bit of a snob. But she’s harmless.”
“If you say so,” I said, turning around again.
His arms encircling me, Nicholas said, “I say so.”
“Uh-huh,” I mumbled.
Nicholas chuckled and gave me a light squeeze. “Just try to shrug her off. It’s because of her that I’m not working right now.”
“That’s what I keep telling myself.” I refrained from mentioning my certainty that Daneen wished it was her in the bed with him and not me.
CHAPTER 20
I FLIPPED ANOTHER PAGE and muttered, “Fuck.” My biggest fear had been realized. Despite myself, Cut on the Bias had me hooked. It read like a Lauren Weisberger novel: fast-paced, sophisticated and much to my displeasure, well-written. I hoped her editor was responsible for that part. Or better yet, maybe a secret ghost writer would come out of the woodwork demanding the credit. And the main character, Jacqueline, was actually relatable. I had no idea how a completely unlikeable author could create such a sympathetic and believable main character. “Unless she’s a good writer,” I said out loud to myself as my phone rang. I put the book on my night table and picked up my phone. “Hey Bridge. What’s up?”
“You sound sad. Should I be asking you that question?”
“No, I’m fine.” Better to get my mind on something else than continue to bash Hannah’s writing skills when the worst thing I could say about Cut on the Bias so far was that her supporting characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. I probably would have given them more distinctive personalities and maybe included additional information about their lives. “How are you?”
Bridget let out a deep exhale. “I made an appointment with Jonathan.”
“An appointment?”
“I thought about what you said and decided I wanted to be alone with him and see what happened. But I didn’t want to ask him on a date. That would be too weird.” Bridget giggled, sounding a bit embarrassed. “So I asked if he had some time to talk to me about expanding my business. He’s an entrepreneur too, but he’s been at it a few years longer than me. I thought it was a good and believable excuse.”
“And what did he say?” I held my breath.
“He said ‘absolutely’ in that laid-back stoned voice of his,” Bridget said with a giggle. “Anyway we’re going to meet at Two Little Red Hens Bakery tomorrow afternoon.”
I smiled to myself. “Great!” It was nice to see Bridget excited about a guy for a change, even if the guy was my first boyfriend and backup shag. It sounded like a plot line of a chick lit novel. Although we’d probably get in a big fight over Jonathan if this was a book. “So what’s the plan?”
“There is no plan. I figured I’d play it by ear and see if we have chemistry first.” Bridget stopped talking for a beat. “Why? Should I have a plan?” She sounded nervous.
“No, I was just wondering if you did, that’s all.”
“Nope. No plan.”
“Well, no plan sounds like a good plan to me.”
“Good,” Bridget said, sounding relieved.
“Let me know how it goes, okay?”
“Of course. I’m nervous. Do you get nervous around Nicholas?”
I sat back against my headrest and closed my eyes, thinking about Nicholas. “I used to big time, but not anymore. Sometimes, when we’re talking and I watch his face muscles move, I feel like all of the air has been sucked out of the room and I want to kiss him so badly, it hurts.”
“Aw. That’s precious, K.”
“Yeah…” I heard a beep and looked at my phone as a text message popped up from Nicholas. “Working late with Daneen and the slow paralegal who shall remain nameless. Could really use some secretarial support here.”
“Speak of the devil. He’s working late with Daneen tonight.”
“Sorry Kim. It’s just work.”
“I know. And David the paralegal is with them so there is no danger of unkosher behavior.”
“I hate to break it to you, but it’s called a three-way,” Bridget said, laughing.
Cringing at the thought, I said, “That’s a visual I didn’t need. Thanks, Bridge.”
“Ha ha. Sorry. Besides, you said Nicholas doesn’t even like David.”
“Which means he’d spend more time on Daneen. At that unpleasant thought, I’m out of here.”
“Bye!”
I texted Nicholas back. “What kind of support were you thinking? Need assistance inserting documents into the scanner?”
Less than ten seconds later, he responded, “Oh, I’ve got a document to insert in your scanner if you know what I mean ;)”
Giggling, I responded, “Only if it’s a large document.”
“Oh, it’s very large, babe. Getting larger by the second.”
I shook my head and started laughing. I only hoped Daneen was looking over his shoulder as he was texting me. I bet she wished Nicholas would insert his document in her scanner.
***
The following morning, I was reading Cut on the Bias at my desk. I was waiting impatiently for the book to jump the shark so I could write a genuinely unfavorable review. I still thought Hannah could have better distinguished the secondary characters and if I was her editor, I probably would have cut out a few unnecessary scenes, but as it stood, the book was at least 4 flutes-worthy. I was relieved it wasn’t flawless but it was pretty darn good, especially for a debut novel.
“Ahem.”
I lifted my head from the book and into the tired eyes of Daneen. It looked like she had tried to compensate a lack of sleep with extra makeup, but I could still see dark circles. Adopting an annoyed tone to match hers, I said, “Yes?”
“Rob wanted me to ask if you were busy.”
“Um…” I tried to stall while I figured out what she wanted.
Daneen cocked an eyebrow. “He said if you were doing something for your book hobby…”
Interrupting, I said, “You mean my blog?”
Brushing me off, Daneen said, “Whatever. Yeah, I guess. Anyway, he said if you had time, you should go to Starbucks and pick up coffees for us.”
My face burning, I narrowed my eyes at her. “There’s free coffee in the pantry.” And Rob had never, in close to three years, asked me to fetch coffee for him.
Daneen shrugged. “We were hoping for something better than the firm’s crappy coffee. And stronger. I was here practically all night with Nicholas.” She stopped talking and looked me dead in the eyes as if inviting a reaction.
I was dying to tell her I knew David had been with them too, as well as mention the string of dirty text messages Nicholas and I had exchanged while they were supposedly working so hard. Instead, I stood up and walked into Rob’s office. I felt Daneen follow but gently shut the door behind me before she could enter.
“Really, Rob?”
Rob raised his head from the stack of documents he was reviewing. “Wha—”
“You want me to fetch you guys coffee from Starbucks? What’s next? Picking up your laundry? Or worse, doing your laundry?”
Rob’s lips curled up in amusement.
I felt my fingernails biting into my palms as I clenched my fists. “It’s not funny. First you leave me out of a friendly group lunch and now you’re having me run errands for you I never had to run before.”
Rob raised his hand. “May I speak?”
I placed a hand on my hip. “If you must.”
“If you wanted to join us for lunch, you should have. I just assumed you wouldn’t be interested. You know you’re always welcome.”
Rob pursed his lips. “I thought you wouldn’t mind an excuse to leave the office. You could read while in line.”
“That’s not what I asked.” I crossed my arms across my chest. I felt like a petulant child for droning on about this but I couldn’t help myself.
Rob leaned forward with his elbows on the desk. “Neither of us wanted to drink the firm’s coffee but we’re too busy to take a break. Daneen suggested I ask if you had time. I thought you’d be happy for an excuse to get out of the office.”
The truth was I didn’t mind taking a walk if it meant leaving the building, even if was to pick up coffee. But I hated the fact that the request came from Daneen. And I knew it was a power-play on her part. But if I said that to Rob, he’d think I was crazy. Or maybe he’d take me seriously, but the last thing I wanted to do was add more stress to his day. He was working his tail off and had more important things to do than play mediator between Daneen and me. “Fine,” I grunted. “I’ll pick up the damn coffee.” I held up my hand. “Money?”
Rob smiled, reached into his wallet and pulled out a fifty. Handing it to me, he said, “Buy yourself something too. And maybe a rice krispy treat to get you out of your funk.”
“Okay, but I draw the line at taking actual drink orders. No Vanilla Lattes or White Chocolate Mochas. You’re both getting Venti coffees and you can add cream and sugar here.”
Saluting me, Rob said, “Aye Aye, Captain.”
When I walked out of his office, Daneen was outside talking to Nicholas. She glanced at the bill in my hand and gave me a satisfied smile. “I’ll have a …”
Pulling a “Daneen”, I swung my hand in her face dismissively. “Rob already told me to get everyone a Venti coffee. Black. Cream and sugar is in the pantry.” I turned to Nicholas and tried to ignore his furrowed brow, “Do you want me to pick you up anything?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m good. You going to Starbucks?”
Avoiding eye contact with Daneen, I said, “It appears that way.” I walked over to my chair and put on my jacket before facing them again. Nicholas was looking at me with a confused expression.
“Will you be able to carry them yourself? Want company?” he asked.
Daneen and I both looked at Nicholas. She appeared equally startled by his offer to join me. He probably didn’t like the idea of dating the office gopher.
Recovering quicker than me, Daneen said, “That would defeat the purpose, Nicholas. We asked her to go so we could work.” She grabbed him by the elbow and started leading him into Rob’s office.
“Thanks for the offer,” I said to their backs.
As I walked the three blocks to the closest Starbucks, I clenched my teeth and let my high heeled pumps roughly hit the pavement with each brisk step. I fantasized about punching Daneen in her non-existent gut and tripping her so that she fell and her pointy chin hit the floor and bled all over the carpet.
By the time I walked into Starbucks and took my place in line, I was out of breath and my feet hurt. I let the air out of my cheeks and, one at a time, slipped my feet out of my pumps for relief. I instinctively reached into my bag for Cut on the Bias since reading always had a calming effect, but put it back since that particular book was unlikely to do the trick. I was unaccustomed to waiting in line without the distraction of a book and so I counted how many girls ahead of me were taller. All of them. I ordered two Venti coffees for Rob and Daneen and a skinny vanilla latte with whip for me. I had my hand outstretched to pay the barista when I asked for a blueberry scone at the last minute. Careful not to spill the coffees, I walked back slowly and enjoyed the spring air.
I placed the cardboard tray on Rob’s desk and handed him the change. I removed my latte and the scone and said, “Here you go.”
“Thanks Kim. You’re the best,” Rob said.
I rolled my eyes.
Daneen took a sip of her coffee and snarled. Batting her eyelashes at me innocently, she said, “Is there any milk or sugar?”
Don’t say anything you’ll regret. Don’t say anything you’ll regret. I silently counted to five.
“I’ll get it,” Nicholas said. He stood up. “I have to use the bathroom anyway.”
I followed him out into the hallway. Once outside, I said, “Do you really have to use the bathroom?”
Nicholas nodded. “Yeah.”
“Cuz I can get the stupid milk and sugar.” I didn’t need him to come to my rescue.
“It’s not a problem.” He smiled. “I need to stretch my legs and give my eyes a rest anyway. Been looking at those documents for too long.”
“Just go to the bathroom. I can handle it.” I turned on my heel and began walking to the pantry.
“Kim!” Nicholas said, catching up to me.
I stopped walking. “What?” My heart was beating quickly for no apparent reason.
Frowning, he said, “Are you okay?”
I sighed. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to wait on us you know.”
I shrugged. “You do your job and I’ll do mine.”
Narrowing his eyes, he said, “C’mon now.”
“You’re right,” I whispered. It wasn’t his fault I’d been relegated to coffee girl.
Placing his hand on my shoulder, he said, “You sure you’re alright?”
“I’m fine.” I smiled. “Stop by my desk on your way back, I have something for you.”
He eyed me suspiciously. “What is it?”
“You’ll see when you stop by. Now go pee before you have an accident.”
Laughing, he said, “I’m going!”
I grabbed a few individual containers of milk and half and half and a few packets of sugar, Equal, Sweet ‘n Low and Splenda from the pantry and tossed them on Rob’s desk without making eye contact with Rob or Daneen and walked back to my desk where Nicholas was waiting.
I handed him the blueberry scone. “I know you said you didn’t want anything but it felt wrong to get something for everyone but you.”
“I was actually thinking I could use something sweet. You’re the best.” He touched his finger to my chin and smiled. “Thank you.”
I loved and hated in equal measure that despite seeing him in the throes of passion in the double digits, he still made me blush shamelessly. “You’re welcome. Enjoy.” Motioning towards Rob’s office, I said, “And get back in there before Daneen comes looking for you. I’ve had about enough of her for one day.”
Nicholas shook his head and gave me an amused smile. “She’s not that…”
I could not bear the idea of him defending her. Again. So, holding my hand up, I said, “Shh…Go!” I flashed a wide grin to signify I was joking. Even though I wasn’t.
CHAPTER 21
THE THREE OF THEM SPENT the next few hours in Rob’s office, only leaving to go to the bathroom. I kept busy attaching backup to Rob’s client’s bills, but that only took me a little over an hour. I used the rest of the time to organize my review schedule. Only three books were in the queue before Cut on the Bias. I was dying to know how Jacqueline and Pierre were going to hook up. I knew they would eventually – hello, it was chick lit – but I could not predict how it would happen.
Since I figured Nicholas would be tied up with work into the wee hours and I hadn’t made any other plans, I decided it was a good night to go to the gym and run a few errands. When I glanced at the clock and saw it was past five, I thought about asking Rob if I could head out early since I didn’t have anything to do. He’d always been cool with it in the past unless he was expecting something to come in that would require my assistance. Under normal circumstances, it would be a no-brainer, but I was reluctant to ask while Daneen was in there because she’d probably come up with s
ome brilliant assignment for me to do, like cook a five course meal so the lawyers could work without being interrupted for dinner. And then maybe she’d comment to Nicholas later about how I led such a charmed life, what with having no real career to speak of. I decided the measly thirty extra minutes of freedom were not worth the bother. Twitter was a great time-sucker and so I began scrolling through my updates, stopping when one caught my eye from We Love Books calling for bloggers for a future blog tour of Cut on the Bias. Although I could liken my desire to organize Hannah’s blog tour with my desire to stick my head in a toilet bowl, I couldn’t help feeling slighted since Candy coordinated almost all of her client’s chick lit blog tours through Pastel is the New Black. Considering it had taken me so long to agree to even read the book, I couldn’t really blame her. I only hoped that some of the participating bloggers would find more fault with Cut on the Bias than I had so far. I glanced at my watch and groaned when I saw that I had barely managed to kill ten minutes.
I checked my phone when I remembered that Bridget’s “appointment” with Jonathan was that day, but there were no text messages. I wondered if maybe they were still together. Only one way to find out!
I sent her a text. “How’d it go?” and stood up to go to the bathroom. I didn’t actually have to go but figured it was another good way to waste some time and I still had twenty-three minutes before the day was officially over. (Twenty-seven minutes if I wanted to avoid the clock-watchers’ rush to the elevator at exactly 5:30.) Before I could put one foot in front of the other to walk around the corner, my phone rang. I kept walking and, smiling into the phone, said, “Hey! How was your appointment?”
“It was good! Jonathan was really helpful.”
Entering the bathroom, I repeated, “Really helpful, huh?” I bent down and checked the stalls for feet. “How so?”
“He gave me lots of advice for expanding my business. I told him I’ve been inundated with clients, which is great but I’m having trouble keeping up, and he suggested I consider hiring an assistant to help manage the administrative side of things. He also mentioned something about branding myself as a designer for the creative types, like authors and photographers since they already take up much of my portfolio. He thought if I focused on a particular industry, it might help me control my workload until I can afford to hire an assistant.” Bridget took a loud breath. “I’m babbling, I know.”
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