“Hello? Joel?” her voice picked up the phone on the second ring.
“Veronica. I’m so sorry to call you, but I couldn’t get ahold of anyone else and I don’t think I can drive myself to the emergency room.”
“Emergency room? Joel, what’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure. I got hurt at practice today, and we thought everyone was fine, but I don’t feel good. I’m kind of dizzy and my head feels a little off…”
“Joel, where are you?” Veronica’s voice came across the line with more than a little bit of anxiety coloring it.
Joel didn’t want to freak her out, but he’d started down this course and was kind of interested to see how it ended. “I’m at my apartment…”
“Good. call 9-1-1…”
“No, I can’t do that,” he protested.
“Why not? You just said…”
“I know, and I probably do need to go to the emergency room, but if I call the ambulance, it won’t be just them that show up. The news reporters will be here in droves as well. I don’t want to read about this in the morning news. Besides, it’s not that bad. Maybe it’s a minor concussion.”
“Oh! I didn’t even think about the paparazzi…”
“Look, I’m sorry to bother you. You’re probably still at work…”
Veronica took the bait. “Joel, I’m glad you called me. Hang on, and I’ll be there in…well, as soon as I can. If you start feeling too bad, call 9-1-1 and I’ll do what I can to minimize the news coverage once I get there. Your health is what’s most important.”
“So…you’re coming?” he asked softly.
“Yes.”
“Use code 0568.”
“For what?” Veronica asked.
“It’s the code to the parking garage. You’ll see my truck at the end of the garage, by the elevator. There’s a spare parking spot next to it. The same code works the elevator.”
“0568. Got it. I’ll be there soon. Are you sure you don’t want to call 9-1-1?”
“I’m sure, it’s honestly not that bad, I just want it checked out, and all my friends seem to be off with their families, or friends, or had a drink… Thanks, Veronica.”
He hung up the phone, grinning as he thought about how happy she was going to be when she discovered he was actually feeling fine. Better than fine, he was feeling hopeful for the evening. He wanted to sweep Miss Veronica off her feet and show her another side of himself. He didn’t mind using his wealth to turn the cards in his favor; he only hoped she would appreciate his efforts.
*****
Veronica closed the file on her computer and then sent a private message to her boss.
V: Sir, something has come up, and I need to go right now.
S: Is everything all right, Veronica?
V: I hope so, but a friend called and might need a ride to the ER.
S: Go. I’ll look over this draft tonight or tomorrow morning. Please call if you need anything.
V: Thank you, sir. I will.
She grabbed her belongings and then hurried down to the lobby. She was parked in her usual spot two blocks away, and she hurried to her car, mentally willing Joel to be okay as she also calculated in her head what streets were going to be the least busy this time of day. It was almost three in the afternoon and the traffic was starting to get congested as kids headed home from school. She finally decided the freeway was her quickest route and after several red lights in the middle of downtown, she managed to get on the larger road and head home.
Ten minutes later, she was pulling off the freeway and trying not to let herself borrow trouble. Joel hadn’t seemed too injured so there was no need to get upset. Still, she couldn’t help but be both relieved that he’d called her and concerned that maybe he was more injured than he’d let her know. It was a revelation to realize that she had feelings for Joel that were remarkably close to…love? Yes, she could easily see herself in love with the handsome football player and they’d only been on a few dates!
A few minutes later, she was pulling into the parking lot associated with the complex of buildings where Joel’s apartment was located. These were much higher-end living quarters than her own small nine hundred square foot apartment, but she didn’t dwell on their differences at the moment.
She pulled around to the covered parking garage, used the code Joel had given her and was surprised when the gates swung open. His truck was easy to spot as there were only four other cars in the enclosed space. She parked next to his truck and then used the same code on the elevator. She hadn’t thought to ask what floor he lived on, and she wasn’t at all surprised when it rose up to the penthouse before coming to a stop.
The doors opened, and she tentatively stepped out, looking around and then announcing her arrival. “Joel? Joel, it’s Veronica.”
“I’m in the bedroom. To your left, third door down.”
Veronica nodded and then headed that direction, noticing how neat and tidy his apartment was. Either he was a closet neat freak, or he had a housekeeper. Given he lived in the penthouse, her bet was on the latter. She reached the third door and turned the handle.
She stepped inside the dimly lit room and then gasped in shock when she saw Joel standing near a desk with a large bouquet in his hands. She glanced around, frowning when she realized they were in some office. Joel’s office.
“Thanks for coming.”
Joel was standing in the middle of the room, a pair of dark dress pants on and a black dress shirt, the neck unbuttoned, and the sleeves rolled up, revealing his muscled forearms. His hair was damp as if he had just gotten out of the shower, and he was looking at her with such warmth in his eyes that she could feel it across the room.
She stared at him and so many things went through her head at one time. Joel’s not sick. Joel’s so gorgeous it hurts to look at him. Joel doesn’t need a ride to the hospital. Joel’s really good looking so why is he interested in me? Joel’s not hurt…Wait! Joel’s not hurt!
“You don’t look like someone who needs to go to the ER,” she informed him, staying by the door as she glared at him. “What’s going on here?”
Joel smiled at her and stepped forward. “I’m sorry, just a slight ruse to get you here. I couldn’t think of another way to get you out of work, and I wanted to surprise you.”
Veronica was annoyed, and it was quickly turning into anger. “I can’t believe you lied to me…”
“I just stretched the truth a bit. I actually did take a hard hit today at practice, and my head does feel a little funny because of that and because it’s been missing you.”
He was smiling at her so charmingly that some of Veronica’s irritation with him started to fade. “So, you what? Made up a reason to need my help to get me over here?”
“Yes.”
“You couldn’t just, you know, have asked me out to dinner?” She tried to stay angry but was failing.
“I guess. But that’d been less…dramatic. Besides, maybe you wouldn’t have been in the mood for dinner.” He stepped forward and held out the flowers. “These are for you.”
She took them and nodded. “Thank you. So, what am I missing? We’re standing in an office.”
Joel smirked at her and then grinned broadly. “I wanted to be standing in the bedroom, but I was afraid you might misinterpret why I called you over here.”
“Oh, yeah, I probably would have. So, if not to get me into your bedroom…”
“We’re getting off the subject. I have a surprise for you.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“The best. So, we need to go back down to the parking garage.”
“We’re going somewhere else?”
“Yeah, you okay with that?”
Veronica’s head was spinning with indecision. She should be at work, not standing in Joel’s apartment. She wasn’t dressed for anything but work, and she’d left several projects sitting on her desk…
Joel walked to her and took her hand in his own, rubbing his thumb across the back
of hers. “Veronica, please, come and spend the rest of the afternoon with me?”
She looked into his eyes, and emotions flooded her. Little arcs of electricity traveled from her palm where he touched her and ran up and down her arm to her spine and beyond. The feelings she’d become aware of on the drive over kicked back into gear and she found herself unable to do anything but nod. “Okay. The flowers should…”
“I have a vase of water sitting on the kitchen counter. We’ll put them there before we leave, which we need to do right now.”
Veronica let him stick the flowers in the vase and then accompanied him to the parking garage. He helped her up into his truck and then proceeded to drive them across town. Veronica kept quiet as she watched where they were headed, trying to figure out what he was up to. Joel hummed along with the radio and glanced at her from time to time.
Veronica grew more confused once she saw they were heading into the town’s second airport — the one used for private planes mainly. She couldn’t remain quiet anymore and asked, “Joel, where exactly are we going?”
He grinned and turned off the road and into the parking area by a hangar advertising Branson’s Tours. “I thought we could take a spin over the city.”
“A spin over the city?”
“In a helicopter.”
Veronica was floored. Never in her life had she been subjected to such an extravagant gesture, and she was unsure of how to respond. “You want to take me up in a helicopter? One you’re flying?”
Joel laughed and shook his head. “No, I don’t have a pilot’s license. Branson there does, and he has a luxury helicopter all ready for us. You game?”
Veronica eyed the making opening the hangar door and then nodded. “Okay. I’ve never been in a helicopter before.”
“You’re going to love it.”
He was right. He helped her put her seatbelt on and then pointed to the window. “Watch.”
She did so, laughing when the helicopter slowly lifted off the ground. The feeling was so different from taking off in a plane. She loved how smoothly the helicopter glided through the sky. His hand rested on her back as he looked out the same window with her, and at that moment, she felt so connected to him.
“What do you think?” Joel asked next to her ear.
“It’s…fun. Thank you.”
“I wanted to share this with you. Look, over there. You can see all of the different colors.”
Veronica looked out and felt happiness fill her soul. Seeing the city from this perspective was so unique, and when Joel produced a tray of strawberries and a bottle of champagne, she felt utterly overwhelmed, but in a good way.
“This is…well, I don’t really know what to say,” she told him as he opened the champagne and poured them both a glass.”
“I wanted to surprise you,” he told her, handing her a glass and then touching his rim to hers before taking a sip.
She watched his lips and felt her body heat with lust. She covered up her reaction by taking a hasty sip of her own champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose.
She took a bite of a strawberry and then another drink of champagne, letting the alcohol enhance the flavors of the fruit. “This is really good.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“What’s not to like? I can’t believe you went to this much trouble.”
“Believe it.” Joel moved so that he was sitting right next to her. He took her champagne flute from her fingers and set it back in the holder and then gently brushed her hair back, tucking I behind her ears. “You are so beautiful. I couldn’t stop thinking about you after you left last night. Look.”
He pointed toward the window, and Veronica sat with him by her side, his arm around her shoulders, watching as the sun finally set and the lights of the city came into view. She loved Boston and seeing it like this was amazing and so special. He handed her another strawberry, insisting on holding it to her lips while she took a small bite.
She chewed slowly, watching him with eyes that were both appreciative and just a little wary. She wasn’t used to being pampered like this, and she discovered she liked how it made her feel. She smiled at him and took the champagne flute when he handed it to her. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry I deceived you,” he murmured next to her ear. “I hope I didn’t get you into trouble with your boss?”
“No. It’ll be fine.”
“Good. I love seeing the city from up here. I’d love to take a tour like this over D.C., but the airspace is protected…”
“As it should be,” she agreed. “But that would be amazing. Seeing all of the monuments lit up at night from the air…that would be pretty awesome.”
“Guess we’ll just have to make do with the shots the government provides from time to time. Thanks for agreeing to come with me. I know we’ve only just met if you disregard high school, but I really did want to see you tonight.”
“Hey, Joel. You guys ready to head back yet?” the pilot’s voice came over the speaker.
Joel smiled at her and then picked up the phone hanging on the wall a few feet away. “Yeah, we’re good.”
He replaced the receiver and then joined her again. “Ready to head down?”
“Sure.” Veronica nodded and watched as he replaced the cover on the strawberries and put the opened bottle of champagne in the bucket. She finished her champagne and then handed it to him.
“Sit back, and we’ll be on the ground in a few minutes,” he told her softly.
She settled back into her seat, fastening her seatbelt once again. Joel did the same sitting across from her, and she turned her attention to the window.
They landed without incident, and she stood awkwardly while Joel and the pilot talked for a few minutes. Joel signed the bill and she happened to see the total and almost fainted. Five thousand dollars! That was more than she made in an entire month. She turned away, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. She’d thoroughly enjoyed being treated to something as unique as a helicopter ride over the city, but now she felt self-conscious and embarrassed. There was no way she could ever pay him back. This kind of opulence just wasn’t for her.
Suddenly, the enjoyment she’d felt earlier dissipated, and she was angry with herself. When Joel smilingly approached her, she tried to hide her feelings from him. He escorted her to his truck, and they headed back home.
“What’s wrong?” he asked after they’d left the small airfield behind.
“Nothing,” she murmured, pretending to be enthralled with the landscape outside her window.
“I’m not quite buying that. You’re unhappy. Why? Did you not have fun?” Joel asked.
“I did have fun…I guess I’m just feeling uncomfortable. I’m not used to…all of this.”
“Hey, I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, that wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to share this with you.”
“Joel, it just seems like so much money, and I could never…”
“I know, but I really wanted to share this with you and my wealth and lifestyle, they are just things that enabled me to do that with you today. They aren’t who I am.”
Veronica nodded. “I believe that you believe that, but our lifestyle differences could be problematic in the future.”
“Only if we allow them to be,” he told her.
He pulled into his parking garage and turned the car off and gave her one of his charming grins. “Want to come up for a bit? We could order some dinner in…”
Veronica shook her head. “I really should head home. The helicopter ride was very nice.”
“But?”
“I just need time to think. Thank you again.” She exited his truck and got into her own vehicle. He followed her, and he was still standing in the middle of the parking garage, watching her pull away when she glanced in the rearview mirror. She needed time to process everything and she couldn’t do that with him around. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter 9
The next day...
Ve
ronica’s phone beeped again, and she glanced down and then frowned. Another message from Joel. She swiped her finger across the screen. Message number four.
The Right Swipe Page 7
