Already Designed

by Xavier Neal

  A man pushes the glass door open and adjusts his tie on the other side. He gives me a nod and shoots Hope a wink.

  She stifles her smirk while shaking her head at him.

  Before I can stare for too long, Astin’s voice summons me, “Kadence.”

  My attention snaps her direction just in time to catch a glimpse of her diamond engagement ring glistening in the sunlight.

  You don’t think they were….No….Did I just wait for ten minutes because they were having a quickie in the office?!

  As soon as the two of us are settled at her desk, she leans back in her leather chair and offers me a small nod. “My apologies for being late. My fiancé…,” the sentence seems to dangle in a familiar way, “was having a hard time taking no for an answer.”

  Oh yeah. That was definitely midday booty. And as much as I hated having to wait an extra ten minutes after driving two hours, I’m not even mad. She works all the time. Unusual hours and rarely is allowed a few moments to herself because she runs the company. I understand needing to get love in where it can fit. Reminds me of Levi’s movie schedule. I’ve only been able to see him twice since he left.

  “It was unprofessional to keep you waiting.”

  I give a kind smile. “It’s fine. Really.”

  “Great. Then let’s get right to business.” Astin rearranges a few objects on her desk and my attention does its best not to focus on the three cover photos she moves to the edge of it. “In a few weeks I will be releasing a press statement that we are expanding. We recently acquired four smaller imprints, which will put our publishing company’s size as a whole in the top fifteen in our country. Within the next few years I plan for that to be the top ten in the world.”

  Might sound ambitious, but I’m pretty sure if anyone can make it happen, it’s her.

  Angling my body so I am less tempted to continue eyeballing the photos, I exclaim, “That’s great!”

  “We will now have a fantasy and sci-fi imprint. We also have a mystery division that will also include suspense and thriller. Our mainstream romance section will be expanding in volume significantly, however, we will be adding a clean romance and teen romance imprint as well.”

  “Wow.”

  “This will require an internal change and restructuring. I will be announcing this in house the same day as the press release. Things have been remodeled to have heads of entire departments that will be in charge of supervising all the genres.”

  Oh joy. A new middle man. One of the things I liked most was the fact I reported directly to Astin. Not sure how I’m going to feel about some random asshole who is probably brand new to the company, swooping in and demanding I jump over hurdles just to demonstrate they are in charge.

  “Which is what brings us to why you're sitting in that chair, Kadence. As much as I would love to keep you as a designer, I can’t.”

  “What?!”

  “It’s not a move I can afford.”

  “But I-”

  “You’ve been here four minutes and glanced at those photos six times.”

  Busted….

  She slams her finger on top and drags them into my direct view. “What’s wrong with them?”

  I touch each one in sync with their answer. “Spacing. Misspelling. Shadows.”

  “Precisely. And you knew that the first time you looked at them, didn’t you?”

  A shrug escapes. “Yes, but-”

  “It’s why I need you as the director of the company’s graphic’s division.”

  My jaw bobs uncontrollably.

  “There will be pairs in each genre underneath you to deal with the initial spot checks and rejections, but once they pass that level of approval, they’ll come to you. You will not let them cross my desk without perfection because if you do I will demote you down to part time coffee girl in the mailroom.” Astin’s eyebrows lift in question. “Am I making myself clear?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good because I can’t imagine anyone else strong enough or smart enough to handle the level of responsibility you’re being given.”

  That’s a compliment, right. She’s complimenting me?! Do you realize in the history of my career here, she’s never once said anything that sounded close!? Maybe she should schedule a little nookie at lunch every day. Or at least the days I have to come in.

  “Your salary increase will take effect as soon as the paperwork is signed.” Astin moves the cover images out of the way to place her tablet and a stack of paperwork in front of me.

  My eyes immediately zone in on the six-figure income. “Is this a typo?”

  “Not at all. It is actually just the initial change. Quarterly raises will go into effect assuming we meet the projected profit and of course assuming you survive the new stress.”

  I give her a solid look. “Oh, I will.”

  Her lips twitch a smirk. “You can prepare for an overhaul of your current schedule. You will be expected in bi monthly conferences with me personally and all the other directors, monthly meetings with each genre division, and at least two yearly conventions. Compensation for the increase in meetings will come in the form of a nice corner office with a great view, in our new building. We will begin moving into that next week.”

  Wait…My own office? I don’t want my own office. I don’t wanna come in every day. I don’t wanna drive two hours each way to make that happen. And I damn sure don’t want the alternative. I’m not looking to be farther from Levi. Hell, if anything I’m looking to be closer! We’re already discussing moving me into his place when he gets home. Cons! So many cons to taking on this new position. Does the notoriety and pay increase truly outweigh the negatives? Can I fight this? Hell, I can at least try to.

  “Astin, I prefer working from home. Is that still a possibility?”

  “Are you negotiating?”

  I answer before my brain can convince me otherwise. “Yes.”

  “Good. It would concern me if you weren’t willing to put your own wants on the table. I can agree to let you continue to work from home under the following conditions. During the week I will expect conference availability from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M.. You will be required to come in for at least one of the director’s meetings each month as well as the one with the heads of each division, though we can arrange them to be the same day. If you fail to comply with these guidelines I will put you on probation that dictates being in the office every day. Do we have a verbal agreement to which I will have added to your contract immediately?”

  It’s fair. I can do this stupid drive a couple times a month, especially if it means I get to stay in South Haven. This compromise seems ideal.

  “Yes.”

  “Excellent.” Astin extends her hand for me to shake.

  Afterwards, she puts a call into Hope to contact legal to draft the addendum, instructs me to call her if I have any questions, and dismisses me with her infamous curtness.

  Once I’m on the highway headed home, I debate whether to try to call Levi first or my best friends.

  He’s most likely on set or sleeping, since they’ve been working sixteen hours a day….As much as I wanna tell him the news, I kinda wanna do it face to face. I love seeing the way his eyes light up when he’s excited for me or proud. It’s adorable.

  The call to Henley rings twice before she answers. “Finally run out of musicals to sing along to?”

  “Never. You home?”

  “For now.”

  “Anyone else there?”

  “Ri is here shouting at Sports Center.”

  “No Lani?”

  “Work.”

  And Maddie’s Christmas gift was banishment. No. It’s a complicated story that isn’t mine to tell. But believe me, it’s a doozy. I’ll call her later to pass on my good news. Of course I still talk to her! Yup. Adrianna and Lani too. We’re not picking sides no matter how much Henley demands it. We can sadly sympathize with both. The three of us refuse to accept the idea our lifelong sisterhood is over, but I’ll be honest. It sure the hell
is starting to feel that way.

  I politely instruct, “Take me to Ri and put me on speaker.”

  There’s some slight shuffling followed shortly with, “Talk.”

  “I’ve got news.”

  “Are you pregnant?” Adrianna jokes.

  “No.”

  Now would totally be a shitty time for that to happen. I know it’s on my five-year plan, but how about we save something to happen a little later down the line? Seriously? Do you need me to sit down and show you the pros versus cons of getting pregnant at this point in my relationship and my career?

  Henley hums. “Are you trying to get pregnant?”

  “Ooo! Oooo! Say you’re trying to get pregnant,” Adrianna eagerly commands.

  “Why do you two suddenly want me to be knocked up?”

  “We may or may not have spent the morning shopping for Ri’s sister’s baby shower….”

  The confession causes me to roll my eyes.

  Adrianna quickly adds, “And since I don’t like her or her other hellions enough to visit more often, having a baby closer to home would be so much better.”

  More excitement takes over Henley’s tone. “Think about how much fun it would be if you-”

  “No,” I interrupt her girly tirade before it can start. “I called to tell you both I just got a job promotion!”

  “What!?” They shout in unison.

  “Yeah! For legal reasons I can’t give you the good details, but I can cross make more money and move up in my career off the list of things I wanna accomplishment in the next five years.”

  “And since you can cross off fall in love with Mr. Right, sounds like we may be getting a niece sooner rather than later,” Henley smugly states.

  “Preach,” Adrianna sings out in the background.

  Switching lanes, I sigh, “You’re both just gonna skip the whole congratulations thing? The way to go best friend?”

  “Congratulations,” Adrianna promptly announces. “It’s long overdue and we’re both really glad your company finally sees how valuable you are.”

  “Like she said, Kady, long overdue.”

  Isn’t that the case with most people’s careers? You spend a ridiculous amount of time getting overlooked prior to your one sparkling moment that shoots you to the top? I know it’s hard for the two of them to understand considering one is a starlet and the other the CEO of her own company and co-owner of another, but still. They’ve gotta remember what it’s like to be patient when waiting for the big break.

  “You call Levi yet?” Henley’s question snatches me out of my own head.

  “Kinda wanna tell him in person.” My confession is met with girlish snickers. “He’s just so animated when I’ve got good news. His eyes get really big and he hugs me too tight. It’s all very adorably overdramatic.”

  Matching gag sounds escape them, yet Adrianna suggests, “You should surprise him with a visit.”

  I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth.

  God, I would love to see him. Spend the weekend with him again. Have spontaneous sex in his trailer and giddily watch him completely give himself over to his job. Watching him act for television was an entirely different experience than it has been watching him film this movie. He truly embodies whichever character he’s taken on. Witnessing it first hand is exhilarating, but being away from him during the process is excruciating. It doesn’t matter how many pictures of my meals I send him or how often I bury my face into the pillow that faintly still smells of his cologne, the ache seems never ending. I need it to end…even if it’s only for a couple of days.

  “Fifty bucks says he’d love that!” Henley practically shouts.

  “I think we’ve got a plane free,” Adrianna offers with a hint of pride in her voice.

  Oh yeah. That company she is now co- owner of? It’s a private airline. Reserved primarily for high dollar clients looking for luxury in the skies the same way she delivers it on the ground.

  “Do it!” Henley encourages. “Do it! Fly out there, fuck him like crazy, and come home Monday refreshed and ready to be the new whatever it is you are gonna be.”

  My head bobs back and forth, still on the fence.

  This is crazy….I never do shit like this. There are always too many reasons not too! In fact if we sit down and write it out….No. You know what? Forget it. He’ll love it. I’ll love it….I’m doing it.

  “Book me a flight, Ri.”

  “Yes!” Adrianna victoriously shouts from the other end of the phone.

  “It’ll be yo’ duty to spend the weekend gettin’ that booty.”

  “Workin’ that dick like a porno flick.”

  Their childish antics burn my cheeks. “What the hell is wrong with the two of you?”

  They erupt into laughter.

  “We like to see you blush,” Henley answers between gasps of breath.

  “You can’t even see me!”

  “No, but we’ve spent the majority of our lives together.” Adrianna struggles to gain her composure. “We know what that face looks like down to the tiny vein in your forehead that throbs when we’ve been laughing at you for too long.”

  Don’t check! It doesn’t happen.

  On an annoyed grumble, I inform, “Hanging up now.”

  The sound of their laughter is cut off by the Bluetooth noise that appears when I end a call.

  Aside from the two of them saying shit just to get a rise out of me, this day has been incredible! Free coffee this morning on my way to work. Almost no traffic during the commute. A job promotion and now the weekend with the love of my life. And you know what else? I have no doubt this weekend is only going to get more incredible because that’s just the default way I feel when I’m around Levi…Incredible.

  Chapter 15

  LEVI

  An unexpected sharp pain appears between my ribs. I groan in discomfort and roll onto my back in hopes of alleviating it. Unfortunately, it appears again, on the other side causing me to grunt over the continued irritation.

  “Fuck, you haven’t been this hard to wake up since The Hellcats won the NBA championship five years ago.”

  The sound of Marlz’s voice shifts my eyes open.

  “I’ve been poking your ass for the last fifteen minutes.”

  What can I say? I’m tired. And knowing what it’s like to have Kady sleep beside me in this bed makes it that much more difficult for me to do it without her.

  Dragging my body up to a sitting position, I reach for my phone as I ask, “Why are you trying to wake me up? Did I miss a call from Kady?”

  He tucks what looks like a cigarette behind his ear. “Does your phone have an outlet for your dick or somethin’? I have never seen you this fucking obsessed with it before.”

  I key in my password. “Not obsessed, Marlz.”

  “Beg to differ. Had I not seen that thing tucked in bed beside you I’d be asking you about your other new cyborg upgrades.”

  Disappointment sweeps over me at the sight of no missed calls or new texts.

  She had a meeting today with her boss in Highland. She wasn’t sure what it was about, but she was extremely nervous. She even texted while waiting for her boss to call her into the meeting. I was hoping she would’ve let me know by now that she had no reason to worry but….nothing. Think she’s still there? Maybe it turned into a day conference thing or something? Maybe she had to tend to some training? Hell, maybe her boss took her to a late lunch to give her the recognition and appreciation she deserves.

  “Like does your new cyborg status come with a dick upgrade?”

  His comment lifts my attention to him.

  “Does your new dick have at least three vibrating speeds?”

  “Did you really fucking wake me up just to say this shit to me? I gotta be in wardrobe in like three hours, dude. Let me get some sleep.”

  Having Marlz come to hang out for the week served a dual purpose. He was looking to avoid responsibility, and I needed a damn distraction. I was flirting with the line
of obsession. The frequent way I would stare at my phone willing it to ring anytime I was near it had me concerned. I’ve been in love before, but the way I feel about Kadence? It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. She basically fucking owns me. All of me. My thoughts. My actions. My soul. You know how people get home sick when they’re away for too long? Well, that’s what is happening to me except I don’t miss my house on the beach. I miss my brown eyed girl. Great. Now that song is going to be stuck in my head. Eh. Guess it beats the shit out of the Hairspray soundtrack I’ve been secretly falling asleep to.