Unstuck

by Liliana Camarena

  “That’s weird,” said Jameson and everyone glared at him “no, I mean most people like the getting together with the family and don’t give a crap about the decorations,” he shrugged and everyone kept on glaring at him. Even Stuart.

  “I never had a very warm family, maybe that’s why I don’t look forward to Christmas,” I said as if it was a normal thing but now everyone was staring at me like I was some wounded puppy “Oh, it’s ok,” I said and no one changed their looks “I’m used to it,” still the same “I have you guys now,” I smiled and everyone nodded and relaxed.

  The dinner was great, we had sweet potato soup, and Mushroom stuffed Beef Tenderloin with truffled wine sauce and a side of creamed spinach. Not a big, fancy, 7 course meal but it was great for Christmas. When the dessert was presented everyone made uhhs and ahhs because it was beautiful. It was covered in black fondant and had white Christmas trees painted by hand; when served it looked stunning because it was a red velvet cake. All the colors of the decoration were in the cake and I felt in heaven.

  Patrick asked everyone to move back to the living room for dessert. I looked at him and mouthed thank you because I knew he was doing that because I loved dessert in front of the tree.

  “I have one more thing,” I said getting up from the coach where I was sitting with Regina “ok, no, two things,” I said and ran to the kitchen to get a tray with one of the last touches.

  “This is some especial treat,” I said putting the tray on the coffee table, “It’s chocolate eggnog,” I said, giving the cups to everyone. “With whipped cream,” I smiled and everyone took a sip.

  “I must say,” said Stuart giving another sip to the eggnog, “this is extremely good,” he nodded.

  “Wow. Stuart likes something,” said Jameson and everyone laughed. Stuart didn’t seem too amused.

  “I have something to go with the eggnog,” I said getting up again and going for a bag that I’d hidden behind the tree “It’s not something to eat though,” I heard tiny disappointed groans.

  “I wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for me. I have nowhere to go during the holidays and you have taken me in, a complete stranger. So I had this made for you,” I said taking out gifts for all the 6 of them. They opened them in silence.

  “Lucy...” said Elaine as she saw what I had given them. It was a framed picture from Thanksgiving. A picture I had taken with Regina’s cell phone but had asked her to send to me. I knew that they were almost never together on a Thanksgiving dinner so I thought they would like it. “This is so... thoughtful dear. You are indeed perfect,” she said hugging me. Indeed? Who had said I was perfect?

  Patrick got up and hugged me “I know what you are thinking,” he whispered “I said you were perfect,” I had to close my eyes not to cry. I looked up at him and smiled.

  “Get out of my head,” I said and he laughed.

  The night went on as we drank some more eggnog because really, you just couldn’t say no to it and then everyone decided to leave because some of them intended to work the next day. I was saying good bye to everyone when Stuart out of everyone stopped and grabbed my elbow lightly “You are good to my brother, Lucy,” he was serious but I knew he meant what he said “he seems happier,” he looked up to see if Patrick was anywhere near us.

  “I’m just doing my job,” I smiled weakly.

  “This,” he said looking around “was not only doing your job. You care about him and he would be a mess if you were to leave,” he nodded “Thanks for everything,” he said and just like that left. What the actual fuck? He had never said more than 2 words to me and suddenly he comes and tells me this? He is one weird dude.

  I was talking to Jane when I saw Patrick walk by and I resumed my talk.

  “Tired?” I asked when I saw him laying his head on the couch. That fucking couch, the one that saw us do things that shouldn’t be legal between boss and employee, and maybe they actually weren’t.

  “A bit,” he said looking at me in the foyer. I wasn’t going over there. Nope, not moving from where I was. I wasn’t about to perform a sequel to the previous night movie. “Are you going to bed now?” he said with a smile that told me that knew exactly why I wasn’t moving from where I was.

  “Yes, I need to rest,” I nodded and I finally went down the stairs and walked towards the door that lead to the backyard (acres of land).

  “You deserve to,” he nodded.

  “Tomorrow?” I asked and he got up and walked towards me “We are working here. We do need to work but we can do it here,” I nodded and turned to open the door but he took me by the elbow and made me turn around. FUCK. F-U-C-K. I didn’t want a talk or anything too deep. That definitely came out wrong.

  “Mistletoe,” WHAT? I looked up and indeed, there it was fucking mistletoe. I had specifically asked Jane for no mistletoes wanting to avoid this. I looked back at him and whispered “Mistletoe,” he nodded and kissed me. It wasn’t a passionate, I want to rip your clothes and see you naked kind of kiss, like the one from last night, and it was a sweet kiss that required a minimum amount of tongue. I kissed him back and it was over, too soon, too brief but perfect.

  “I asked for no mistletoes,” I said looking at Patrick that still had his hands around my face.

  “Regina placed it in here,” he said smiling

  “Oh,” I whispered.

  “I think she is sending us a message,” He said and I just shook my head.

  “Good night, Patrick,” I said smiling

  “Good night, Lucinda.”

  The holidays were proving to be a very difficult season, especially for Patrick and me. We worked really hard to end the year with every single deal closed and focusing on MBU. The IT team managed to have the pilot course up and running so we would be ready on January 5th to launch it among May, Inc. personnel. Work wasn’t the difficult part; we seemed to be attracted to each other in more ways than one. I had tried really hard to avoid all physical contact but it had been impossible. When we were together, we had the constant need to touch each other in some way or another; hold a hand here, accidentally brushing a knee, hugging just because we laughed at something really funny ( we did find a lot of things funny, that wasn’t made up). We were always touching, but no kisses, yet.

  At first, I tried to avoid contact until we had a very long talk about what was going on between us. It seemed we had a kissing fest whenever the occasion arose and that was ok, I’d come to the conclusion, but we needed to define what was going to happen to those moments. I was ready to take that step and have a real talk about it but Patrick never showed interest. However, his interest on being close to me increased and I couldn’t fight it anymore, not that I fought it for long. I liked being close to him but it was more that we were horny. I knew it, Patrick knew it, and we were just playing stupid, really.

  “So, New Year’s,” I said in his office after getting him unstuck for the 5th time that very day.

  “Yeah,” He nodded and I knew he was pretty distracted “Where are you going?” I said laying in front of him 10 invitations to 10 different parties.

  “I have no idea, Pepper. Where do you want to go?” He asked and I looked at him confused.

  “Why do you ask me?” I asked crossing my arms.

  “Well you are coming with me wherever I decide to go, don’t you?” he seemed to be in a mood.

  “You are in a bad mood. Can we talk about this later?” I asked getting up from the chair.

  “No, sorry, I’m distracted,” He said and I just looked at him “sit,” I took my seat back.

  “Come with me to any of the parties. To… this one,” He said grabbing a purple invite “That’s for Stuart’s party in NY,” I said and Patrick immediately put it back.

  “No, boring, ok this one,” he grabbed a red one.

  “That’s from e-course at Stinson’s house,” He shivered and put it back.

  “Ok, wherever I choose to go! C’mon Pepper, spend New Year’s Eve with me,” He was actual
ly begging.

  “As friends?” I asked. I had to. We couldn’t keep pretending we weren’t having some kind of thing going on.

  “As friends, co-workers… whatever you want us to be,” he said in a suggestive tone. I hated him. I wanted to jump at him.

  “Ok,” I nodded “As friends.”

  “Good,” he grinned.

  “You still have to choose a party,” I glared at him.

  “You choose. I don’t care about the party,” he shrugged. I sighed.

  “What about Regina’s?” I suggested.

  “Where’s it going to be?” He asked untying his tie a bit. I took the turquoise invite and read it.

  “Your father’s hotel,” I said and looked up to him.

  “Ok, let’s go to Regina’s party then,” I nodded and got up “I got to RSVP. It's tomorrow,” I walked to the office.

  “Thanks for coming with me, Pepper,” he had this voice that I couldn’t resist “I want to go with you too,” I sighed and walked out to my desk.

  “Harriet, what are you doing on New Year’s Eve?” I said as I sat on my desk and looked for a number on the invite to confirm our attendance.

  “I’m watching the countdown on TV,” she said looking at her computer’s screen.

  “Here,” I gave her one of the invites we had gotten. It was the yellow one and it was for a party that was going to be hosted by socialite/actress/fashion icon and was going to be held in a club “Have someone take you there, have fun,” she looked at the invite and smiled.

  “Thank you, Lucy, but who would want to go with me,” she seemed hurt by the thought.

  “Who wouldn’t?” I smiled “Jeff,” I said to the first guy in her age range that pass by “would you like to go with Harriet to one of Mr. Maynard’s events tomorrow night?”

  “Sure,” he smiled and turned to look at Harriet “What time?” Harriet seemed quite excited and I let them arrange the date I had arranged for them. I felt good.

  I realized the RSVP date was a week ago so I just phoned Regina instead.

  “Lucy,” she said bubbly as ever “how are you darling? How is my brother treating you?” I had to smile.

  “Everything’s good, Regina.”

  “What can I do for you?” she asked I could hear she was out somewhere “I know we are past the RSVP date but...”

  “You are coming to the party!” she squealed and I laughed.

  “Yes indeed. Patrick wanted me to confirm his attendance,” “You are coming too, right?” she sounded a bit sad.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Of course you are,” I could picture her jumping up and down “I’ll have your seats saved,” “Great, then, see you tomorrow.”

  “Until tomorrow,” I heard her sing sang and I hung up. I needed to go shopping. I hadn’t gone shopping because I didn’t know what I was doing on New Year’s Eve but now that I did I needed an outfit.

  “What kind of party is Regina’s party,” I asked going into Patrick’s office. I saw him sitting on the black leather couch looking out the window.

  “What do you mean?” he asked looking up to see me.

  “What kind of dress should I buy?”I said closing the doors and walking over to the chair in front of his desk.

  “Oh, cocktail,” he said shrugging.

  “Fancy cocktail?” I asked and he nodded.

  “Ok,” I said getting up from the desk but something caught my eye “what’s this?” I asked taking a frame from the desk.

  “That’s us,” he said yawning.

  “I know it’s us. What is it doing in your desk?” I was freaking out. It was the Santa picture and it was sitting on his desk on a beautiful frame.

  “I like that picture,” he shrugged, got up from the couch and took the frame from me returning it to the desk.

  “People might get the wrong idea, Patrick,” I said in a pleading voice.

  “Ok,” he said changing the frame to the bookshelf behind his desk “less suspicious,” he gave a huge grin.

  “Ugh! I’m going shopping for a dress,” I told him turning around “I’m going with you,” he said grabbing his jacket.

  “No, you are not. I am shopping, for a dress. I might take me hours,” I was exasperated.

  “I went shopping for Christmas decoration, I think I can survive shopping for a dress,” He smiled and opened the door for me “besides this place is dead,” he walked out after me.

  “Harriet, you can leave now,” he said to her and she was very thankful.

  “You know, I think I hate you a little right now,” I sighed while picking up my stuff from my desk.

  “I don’t care,” he smiled and I grunted.

  “I don’t know, Stacy. This seems like too much,” I said raising my voice a little so she could hear me from the speaker phone while I did my hair.

  “No, it’s not, Lucy. You are going to a party and that’s that,” “That sounds like a date,” I was a bit nervous about the whole thing.

  “In that case you two have already gone in a lot of dates. C’mon just go and have fun,” she put it so simple.

  “It’s not that simple,” I said while admiring my hair in the mirror “nothing between us is simple anymore.”

  “I think it’s pretty simple, Lucy, you are the one that complicates it all,” she was frustrated by this point.

  “Maybe... anyway, I got to go. My hair is done I just have to get dressed,” I said going near the phone and turning off the speaker.

  “Ok, just…. Relax… for one damn night, Lucy. Relax and have fun. Let the night flow,” I nodded.

  “I’ll try. Have a great night, Stacy, and say hi to Nick for me “I said “I’m here,” I heard his voice.

  “I know you are, nosey ass,”I smiled.

  “Have fun, Lucy,” I heard Stacy and then we hung up.

  Maybe Stacy was right and I needed to let the night flow. This was a night to have fun and I needed the fun and well, I always had fun with Patrick so, it was kind of perfect.

  I put on a backless, long sleeved, burgundy sequined mini dress and some gold pumps. I had done my make up a bit heavier because it was a party at night and had arranged my hair into some tousled waves. I thought I looked pretty ok for a night out. I sighed as I grabbed my purse and looked at the mirror. I tried to give myself a pep talk but it turned out that I suck at pep talks so I just went to the house to wait for Patrick.

  “Why are you doing this to me?” I heard Patrick the moment I step foot in the house.

  “What exactly?” I said as I closed the door and walked up to him.

  “Making it impossible to stay away from you,” he said putting his hands on my waist. I couldn’t look up because I was afraid we were going to kiss and never leave the fucking house.

  “Patrick,” I said in a warning tone.

  “I know. The party. Let’s go,” he said turning to the door and we left. I was glad he was the one driving because it would have been extremely difficult to ride together in a back seat without losing it.

  Once we were in the party an usher took us to our seats that were in the very center next to the dance floor. Everyone was in full party mode. There was a lot of alcohol flowing and very loud music. Patrick was in a great mood and we talked and talked and didn’t let anyone else bother us. A lot of people came to us to say hi to Patrick and then left but that didn’t change the mood we were in. We had been just us, no work, no tension; just a night out and it was amazing to get a glimpse of what we would be if there wasn’t a working relationship in the middle.

  Patrick actually asked me to dance but it was a mistake. He hates dancing and I am not very good at it but we had our fun. He grabbed me by the waist and put his hand behind my neck while we swayed to an unknown song. I was happy, he seemed ecstatic so I decided in that moment that I was going to let everything flow. I was tired of fighting the attraction I felt, tired of thinking so much, tired of telling myself that I didn’t want, need, to sleep with him.

  The DJ announced
that the countdown to the New Year was about to begin and Patrick ran to get us both a glass of champagne. We both looked at the glasses and made a face remembering what champagne did to us last time but we both smiled and paid close attention to the countdown.

  10…9...8... It began and I couldn’t help but think what would happen when we reached 0…5…4… Patrick grabbed me by the waist and made me turn to look at him. He was grinning, 3…2…1... Happy New Year!!!

  Patrick put both of his hands on each side of my face and kissed me and I kissed him back. I remembered my decision of letting things flow and I let the kiss grow more passionate, more intimate, more meaningful, more … just more than anything I have ever experienced. I didn’t want it to end but we needed to breath. Patrick smiled and lowered his head to whisper in my ear “Have you decided what you are going to do about that kiss?” He lingered in my ear and I felt every single part of my body react at this.

  I turned my head just enough to put my mouth against his ear and whispered “Yes,” Quickly he looked at me with a smile that wasn’t a happy one or a grin it was a fucking seductive smile that made me tingle everywhere. TINGLE, I wasn’t a tingler but apparently with Patrick I was.

  “Do you want to go home?” he asked putting his forehead against mine. I just nodded, real quick movement because I needed to say yes before my head would start making excuses. He smiled again “Regina arranged for us to have a couple of suites in here. Want to go now?” he asked again. Jesus, could he stop asking and just get over with it. I just nodded really fast and he grabbed my hand. We were practically running, we stopped at the table to grab my purse and then walked as fast as we could to the elevator.

  “I won’t kiss you right now,” he said once we were in the elevator. I didn’t say a thing because all I was thinking was WHY??????????????????????????? “There’s a camera in there,” He looked up and I nodded “I wouldn’t be able to stop at just one kiss,” I nodded again. I was sweating, I wasn’t thinking anymore.

  Once we got to our floor, the fucking last floor, Patrick guided me to one of the suites. He opened it and I could barely registered the size of the room because all of a sudden he was kissing me and trying to get out of his tux jacket while backing me to what I supposed was the room. I couldn’t help my hands, they were everywhere and I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted to scream because we weren’t fast enough in getting naked.