The One of Many

by M. Jane Early

  I took a deep breath. “I told you, he doesn’t do commitments, and I don’t do casual relationships.”

  “Shit, with him? I would,” she teased.

  I smiled. “No, you wouldn’t. You’re mad at Aaron for the same reason,” I reminded her.

  She tilted her head from side to side in agreement. “So, you don’t want to be casual because…?”

  “Because I already know I’d fall hard for him.” I looked down at my hands. “It doesn’t matter. He’s still the boss. Even if I dated him, the floor would buzz.”

  “No different from what’s going on with Gwen right now.”

  I looked at her. “What?”

  “She’s pining hard for Powers.” She got up and faced me.

  “Didn’t he tell her it wasn’t gonna happen?”

  She walked towards the door. “I don’t think she cares. I’ll see you in the conference room,” she said over her shoulder.

  A few minutes later, I walked into the crowded room. David was at the head of the conference table, watching me as I walked in. Everyone had taken all the seats, so I hung back against the farthest wall and leaned, crossing my arms.

  “Thanks, everyone, for taking time out to join me. I wanted to start by saying thank you to every one of you for working so hard on this relaunch. We’re still on schedule and pushing forward. Ms. Hallston and Mr. Dumas have been hard at work with their teams, putting together the packages for TV, internet, and social media.” He met my eyes and my entire body warmed.

  “I’m a firm believer in rewarding hard work, but since we’re so close to the launch, I thought we could make what I had in mind a working retreat.”

  I furrowed my brow and looked over at Yvette, who glanced at me.

  “I’ve made plans to take everyone on the floor to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in two weeks.” Everyone turned to one another in shock. “Now, remember, this is a working trip, but I figured we might as well do it in style.” Powers locked eyes with me and smiled, while the room erupted with quiet discussions. A heavy exhale escaped me.

  “This is Jennifer Raskin from HR,” he called the room back to attention. “She’ll fill you in on the details. Jennifer.” Powers retreated to the side of the room and gave the HR rep the floor. While everyone around me was giddy with excitement, my stomach was in knots.

  Mexico and David terrified me. All it would take was one drunken night, and I’d be putty in his hands. These kinds of trips were notorious for employees hooking up with each other, then when they returned to reality, the fantasy would wear off, and they’d deem the hookup a mistake. I didn’t have the heart to go through all of that—not with Powers.

  When the meeting was over, we all filed out. I got caught behind Gwen and her friend Julie, also from accounting.

  “We are definitely hooking up in Mexico,” Gwen mused.

  “It’s not like there won’t be an opportunity. Nothing but romantic beaches and alcohol.” Julie laughed.

  Gwen was making a full-court press for David, using Mexico as her opportunity to do so. I walked to my office and closed my door, leaning against it. Thinking about the two of them together made me nauseated. I had no right to be as upset as I was… He wasn’t mine.

  Fourteen

  Trevor had us meet at a club by the Santa Monica pier the night of his birthday. We were three potent drinks in when the shots showed up. He invited damn near everyone from the office. Even Jeremy showed up. We stood around a tall table while Trevor counted, “1, 2, 3.” We all threw back a shot of tequila. I grabbed a lime and sucked on it. The dizziness in my stance told me there was too much alcohol working through my system.

  “Okay, no more,” I said.

  “No way, Hallston. Tonight is for you too.” Trevor poured us more shots and raised his glass. “To the new and best marketing manager on the ninth floor. Salute.”

  The warm liquid coated my throat as I slammed the shot glass on the table. “Seriously, I’m done,” I said and shook my head.

  Yvette and Aaron were next to me. He stood behind her and whispered something in her ear, making her giggle. When he turned and started talking to Jeremy. I tapped Yvette’s arm.

  “I thought you dismissed him?” I whispered in her ear.

  “He came over last night. He’s ready to see where this goes.” She shrugged.

  “Alright, girl. If he acts funny again…”

  “Oh, I will kick his ass out with a quickness.” She laughed.

  I laughed too, even though the room was spinning.

  She locked eyes on something across the room. “Oh my god,” she said. I turned in the direction she was looking.

  David Powers walked in, casually dressed and unbelievably gorgeous. I held my breath.

  I grabbed Trevor’s hand. “You invited Powers?” I asked, horrified.

  “Well, yeah. He’s a part of the team, and the man is paying for us to go to Mexico. The least I could do is invite him out.” He rolled his eyes as he turned away.

  I exhaled as David made his way to our table.

  “Evening,” he said and nodded at everyone, then shook hands with Trevor. He watched me for a moment, then looked away. Gwen maneuvered to David with the speed of a lion hunting an antelope. She leaned in and whispered something to him. He smiled, then focused on her.

  I angled towards Yvette. “Bathroom,” I said and took her hand.

  She followed as I stumbled to the restrooms behind us.

  “Why is he here?” I whined and leaned on the sink.

  “Are you okay?” Yvette stood by me.

  “I didn’t want to see him tonight. Every time I turn around, there he is.” I placed my head in my hands and rested my side against the wall.

  “Farren, pull it together.” She grabbed paper towels from the dispenser on the wall and wet them.

  I swayed a bit. “I’m drunk.”

  “Yes, you are,” she said, patting my face with the cold, rough, brown material that was a paper towel in name only. “And you need some water and some air. Listen, don’t worry about Powers. You’re here to have a good time, remember?”

  I nodded.

  “Come on. You can dance with Aaron and me.” Yvette took my hand and led me out the door towards the bar. I glanced back at our table. No one was there except for Julie and Yvette’s boyfriend. Scanning the room, I saw everyone on the dancefloor. David was near the stairs, dancing with Gwen. I clenched my jaw.

  “Hey, can you get her some water, please?” Yvette asked the bartender. He grabbed a bottle of water and set it in front of me. She paid him while I unscrewed the top and took a long, satisfying drink. She waited with me for a few minutes until a song she liked came on.

  “I’m gonna grab Aaron and dance. Are you okay?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I’m going to go stand outside.”

  I stood and looked over my shoulder, watching Gwen grind her ass against David. The liquor in my stomach churned as I moved through the surrounding crowd, finally finding the door to the patio.

  My head throbbed because of the tequila and noise in the club. The slight chill in the air helped my clarity return. I needed to go home soon. The last thing I wanted was to stand around all night watching David with Gwen. I took out my phone and tapped my screen, but it didn’t wake.

  “What the hell?” I tried to turn it on. The low battery indicator showed. “Shit.”

  “Problem?”

  David stood in the open doorway, closing the heavy iron door behind him.

  It was amazing; the instant he was in my vicinity, my heartbeat raced, and my temperature rose.

  I lifted my device so he could see. “Phone’s dead.” I turned back towards the ocean view.

  He came to my side. “Were you trying to call someone?”

  I shook my head. “I was gonna get a ride home.”

  He stepped in front of me, crossing his arms, and leaned on the railing. “I told you if you needed a ride, I’d give you one.”

  “I’m not your responsibility,
David.” I couldn’t look at him.

  He came closer and put his hand on the side of my face, forcing my head up. “You could be.” His beautiful eyes pleaded.

  I moved his hand away. “I told you, nothing’s changed.” I staggered away, then faced him. “I’m not good with being in your lineup.”

  “Farren, just give it a chance,” he begged.

  “I know my limits, David. All you’ve done is kiss me…and I can’t stop obsessing about it—about you.” I wanted to stop myself from saying it, but the alcohol in my system won that battle.

  He walked towards me. “You don’t think I think about you?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t do that.”

  “What?”

  “Act like you care about me.” I started to walk away.

  He grabbed my hand and turned me towards him. “I do care about you.”

  I stared at the stubble on his chin, unable to meet the eyes that haunted me.

  “I don’t do hookups, David. I’m not built like that. But that’s all you do.” He didn’t speak. I glanced away, frustrated. I needed to make him understand. I finally looked him in his eyes. “I’m not okay with sharing you,” I whispered.

  He cupped the side of my face with his hand, gently pulling me closer. His subtle, clean scent mixed with his leather jacket was comforting, making me want to bury myself in it. His darkened eyes bore into mine. The heat of his mouth was warm on the tip of my cool nose.

  He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine and whispered, “I wouldn’t want to share you either.” His light kisses were powerful and made me want him more than if we were full-on making out.

  I broke his hold and backed up. “I can’t do this.” My back hit the door. I found the handle and opened it. I glanced at David’s beautifully frustrated face for a moment, then walked through.

  The club was louder than before, more crowded. I walked along the side of the wall and found a place to sit on a couch in the dark. My nerves were shot, and my head was on fire. My mission became finding someone responsible enough to take me home who wasn’t David Powers.

  He came in from outside and looked around. He walked forward while Gwen rushed towards him and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the dancefloor.

  I stayed on the couch until my equilibrium returned to semi-normal. I stood looking for a familiar face and found Jeremy standing at a table nearby.

  “Hey,” I said, approaching him.

  He leaned in. “Hi! Having fun?”

  “Not really. Could I bother you for a ride home?” I said in his ear.

  “Yeah, sure.” He set his beer down. “Are you ready to go now?”

  “We could stay for a little while longer.” I wobbled.

  “Clubs aren’t really my scene. C’mon.” He put his hand on the small of my back and led me forward.

  I glanced at the dance floor, then the bar. A few people from work were still there, but most everyone had gone. I didn’t see David or Gwen.

  Once we got outside, Jeremy turned to me. “I’ll go grab my car, just wait here.” I nodded and stayed near the building for support.

  A few people from inside opened the doors, pushing me forward inadvertently. I looked to my right and saw David and Gwen standing on the curb. She was hanging on his arm, his hand around her waist. The Mercedes came around the corner and stopped in front of them. Powers tipped the valet, then opened the passenger door for her, laughing as she sat. He gracefully walked around to his side and got in. My heart dropped.

  I walked to the edge of the sidewalk and watched David’s car disappear into the night.

  Fifteen

  I walked into work after the weekend, resigned that I needed to grow up. I turned him down; he’d moved on. It was no longer my concern about what David did. Hooking up with Gwen showed me his true colors—playboy until the end. He had probably offered her the lineup proposal, and she, of course, wouldn’t hesitate to take it. My determination wouldn’t allow me to feel bad anymore. We had both made our choices.

  Late in the morning, he knocked on my door. “Hey.”

  I didn’t look up. “Morning.”

  He walked in farther. “Did you make it home okay Friday?”

  I glanced at him. “Yeah, I got a ride.” I kept typing.

  “Good.” He put his hands in his pockets and waited. “If it’s alright, I’ve ordered lunch for you, me, and Nick so we can have a meeting about where we are. I have some issues we need to address. It’ll probably take most of the day.”

  I looked up and sat back. “Okay, that’s fine. Is there anything you need me to bring?” I answered with no signs of flirtation or familiarity. I was his employee, that was it.

  He furrowed his brow. “The estimates from the media consultants we talked about last week.” His tone said he wanted to know what was up.

  “No problem.” I leaned forward again and stared at my screen.

  He walked closer. “Are you okay?” he asked in a soft voice.

  I exhaled and nodded, trying to smile. I clenched my fist in frustration before typing again.

  After a few moments of examining me, he spoke, “I’ll send you a calendar invite with a time.” He sounded concerned but turned and walked out of my office anyway.

  I stopped typing and closed my eyes, leaning back in my chair. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a game to him. He was used to getting the woman he wanted. Now that I had clarified I couldn’t be in his company like he wanted, he had found someone who was more than willing to be that to him. As angry as I was, I was even more disappointed.

  He set up lunch at 11:30 a.m. in the conference room. This meeting would consist of one man I couldn’t stand and one I couldn’t mentally or physically get away from. It turned out to be the accurate definition of a shitty Monday.

  Before our meeting, I went to the bathroom and closed the door to the stall. I laid the back of my head against the wall, trying to prepare for the meeting with David. This wouldn’t be easy, but I needed to power through. I had no other choice. The only way to move on was to buck up and do it.

  The door to the bathroom opened, and two familiar voices entered.

  “Tell me!” That sounded like Julie.

  “A lady never kisses and tells.” That was definitely Gwen.

  “Oh, please. Tell me what happened with Mr. Powers.”

  I stopped moving.

  “Maybe if you answered your phone this weekend…” Gwen mused.

  “Gwen!”

  “Okay. So, his car is like, really nice and superfast. We talked about Mexico and how excited we were to get out there. He asked if I had a boyfriend, and, of course, I said no. He was sweet and genuine. He walked me to my door, and I leaned in and kissed him. Julie, when I tell you his lips are softer than anything I’ve ever felt, I’m so serious.”

  I placed my hand on my stomach. Good thing the toilet was right there.

  “And? What happened then?”

  “I invited him in.”

  I took a sharp inhale.

  “Then?”

  “I didn’t sleep with him if that’s what you’re asking. I made him a drink, and we continued to talk. He left about an hour later.”

  “Are you going to see him again?”

  “I see him every day.” She laughed. “But we haven’t made any plans. I was going to invite him to dinner this weekend.” I heard what sounded like a lipstick cap snap. “One thing’s for sure, in Mexico, I’m going to make sure he comes back mine.” Their heels echoed as they moved across the floor.

  The conversation became muted as the door shut behind them.

  My imagination had gone wild over the weekend, thinking about what happened between Gwen and David. Finding out not only did they kiss, but he was in her apartment, presented a truth I wasn’t ready to face. This was Crew choosing Nina all over again. But this time, my foothold wasn’t anywhere near even ground with David.

  I stared at the mirror for a long minute before walking out of the bathr
oom towards the conference room.

  “Nice of you to join us, Farren,” Nick announced as I walked in a few moments later.

  I didn’t look his way while pulling out a chair and sitting. David’s stare weighed on me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I opened my computer and said, “Let’s get started.”

  A few hours in, I was on my third cup of coffee and fourteenth fight with Nick. We went from disagreeing about font to the blonde woman being prettier than the brunette, back to the color scheme. He was trying his damnedest to show me up with David in the room. He nitpicked every idea that came into his feeble mind. I even made some shit up to see if he would be receptive to any response. He wasn’t.

  “Nick, we’re not trying to be perfect right now,” Powers interjected. “We just need to be in the ballpark. I don’t think we need to attack every little detail.”

  “If not now, when?” Nick countered. “We’re going on this little excursion next week, then we have three months to launch. There’s a lot more that needs to be done. I’d personally like to get this ironed out.”

  “Feel free to skip Mexico if you don’t agree.” David’s voice had raised. “I can make sure you have access to the building so you can be here instead of Puerto Vallarta. Not a problem.”

  Nick backed off his forceful tone. “I just don’t think we’re taking this as seriously as we should be. This is a national campaign, and the stockholders are anxious.”

  “The stockholders are anxiously ready for change. The board is excited.” He leaned closer to the table. “So, why aren’t you?”

  I worked on emails to my team while the boys had their pissing contest.

  Nick was visibly uncomfortable with the CEO’s close proximity. “David, I just believe that if we can tone things down, it’ll go over better. Then we can make the commercials cheaper and less intrusive.”

  Powers stood and paced. “Nick, I’m not having this discussion again. Either get on board or let Farren run it.” He sounded angry. I’d never seen angry Powers. I eyed him for a moment.

  After a few minutes of silence, Nick stood. “I’m going to go get some air.”

  I kept typing.