Ten
“So,” Court sang as he slipped off his coat the next morning. “How was your weekend?”
I’d already been working for a half an hour when Court strode in with a smile on his face. He’d obviously had a good weekend. He hung his coat on the rack and sat at his desk, looking over to me, waiting for my reply.
“It was good. Yours?”
“Fabulous,” he grinned. “Went clubbing, caught a show at Central Park.”
“Sounds like fun,” I said, looking up and smiling at him.
“How was the museum with your beau?” he grinned as he waited for his computer to boot up. I’d told Court all about my weekend plans and he was obviously waiting for a report.
“The museum was great,” I said, omitting the fact that my beau had not accompanied me.
“What’d Ethan think?” he continued to pry, never one to skimp on details.
“He wasn’t able to go,” I said, keeping my eyes on the report I was looking over.
“Why not? You were all excited to go. What happened?”
“He had to work.”
“Bummer. You should’ve called me.”
“Even if I had, it sounds like you were too busy to go,” I laughed.
“I would never be too busy for you, Natalie. I can’t have you getting lost in the big city. Mr. Saben would not approve of that.” He gave me a playful wink before focusing on his computer.
“Is there something wrong with your eye?”
“Are you alluding to my wink?”
“I am. Why’d you wink at me?”
“You know.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You’re blind or completely naïve or you just love playing dumb, but I see the way our Mr. Saben eyes you and the soft spot he has for you.”
“He doesn’t have a soft spot for me,” I said quickly, but as I thought back to that moment on my couch when I couldn’t stop looking at his lips, I thought maybe he did.
“Oh no?” he said, swinging around in his chair in a quick, dramatic fashion and then straightening his tie before leaning forward to talk to me. “You see that desk you’re sitting at? That chair your ass is parked in? That computer screen you stare at all day?” he asked with a sly grin and I nodded. “You should’ve seen what Drew did to the guy who occupied it before you.”
“What’d he do?”
“Tucker was his name. The dude only lasted three weeks. Couldn’t do a damn thing right in Drew’s eyes. The guy wasn’t actually half bad. Didn’t matter to Drew though. He was gone almost as soon as he started. You, however,” Court said, his eyebrows bouncing up and down. “You can’t do anything wrong and I think a lot of that has to do with the way your ass looks in that pencil skirt.”
“You’re crazy, Court. Certifiably,” I said, glancing back to the report.
“I wish I was. Take advantage of it though, honey,” he said, swinging his chair back around and I just shook my head, ignoring him.
The morning flew by and Drew had yet to make an appearance. I was gathering my things to head to lunch with Court and Anna Beth when he finally walked into the office.
“Good morning all,” he said as he set his briefcase on my desk and popped it open.
“It’s nearly 12:30,” Court piped in.
“No matter,” Drew said, dismissing him.
“We’re just heading out to lunch. Care to join us?” Court asked.
“No. Thanks though. I’ve got a lot of work to catch up on,” he said, reaching into the briefcase and pulling out a book. “Here, Natalie,” he said, handing it to me. I took it, staring down at it: The Complete Life and Pictures of Vincent Van Gogh.
“Thanks,” I said, feeling my cheeks flush and I wondered if anyone else noticed too.
“You seemed pretty enamored with Van Gogh at the museum and I found this in my library. I thought you might like to read it.”
“I would. Thanks,” I said, sliding it into my bag.
“You’re welcome,” he grinned and then closed the briefcase and walked into his office and shut the door.
When I looked up, Court and Anna Beth were both staring at me.
“Ready to go?” I asked nonchalantly, sliding on my coat and grabbing my purse.
“Uh, yeah,” Court said, motioning for Anna Beth to follow.
We walked quietly to the elevators and remained silent as we made our way down the street to the deli Court liked so much. I could tell Court was dying to say something, but he kept his comments to himself until we were sitting at a table eating our sandwiches.
“What the hell was that?” Court jumped in after he’d taken his first bite.
“What the hell was what?” I asked.
“Don’t play coy,” Court continued. Anna Beth was quiet, but I could tell she was just as curious as Court. “The book. I’ve worked for Drew for three years and he’s never given me anything, not even a damn napkin at lunch. You’ve been here three weeks and he’s giving you a book from his personal library. This just proves my point from earlier.”
“How’d he know you like Van Gogh anyway?” Anna Beth added.
“Yeah. What’d he mean by you seemed pretty enamored with Van Gogh at the museum?” Court asked.
I sighed and set my sandwich down, thinking how I would address their questions so they wouldn’t read too far into anything.
“I went to the MOMA with Drew.”
“What?” Court exclaimed, slamming his sandwich down. “I thought you went alone.”
“I was going to, but then I ran into Drew at Central Park. He was jogging there and I told him I was going to the museum and he offered to go with me, so we went to his apartment so he could…”
“Whoa!” Court jumped in. “Hold up! Did you just say you went to his apartment?”
I cringed, realizing I should’ve left out that little detail. Court was going to have a field day with this bit of information.
“Don’t get so excited, Court. He had to shower and get ready. He couldn’t go all sweaty.”
“Hmm, Drew all sweaty. I think I could get used to that,” Court said, grinning and Anna Beth smacked him on the arm.
“Get over it, Court. Drew’s straight,” Anna Beth said and then turned her attention to me. “What was it like?”
“What was what like?”
“His apartment!” Anna Beth exclaimed. “I’ve often wondered what it’s like.”
I just shook my head from embarrassment.
“It was an apartment,” I answered.
“Bullshit! Don’t give us that!” Court exclaimed. “Don’t be condescending.”
“Tell us,” Anna Beth said, leaning in eagerly and I sighed again.
“It was an insanely fabulous apartment. Huge and modern. Immaculate and perfect. Does that suffice?” I asked sarcastically.
“Was it weird? Being there, with him?” Anna Beth continued.
“Not really. I forgot he was my boss for a while actually. He was so laid back. It was fun.”
“So, the rumors were right then,” Court said with a smirk.
“What rumors?” I asked.
“Well,” Court began with an impish grin. “I’m really not one to gossip.”
“Excuse me?” Anna Beth said, almost choking on her sandwich. “You’re the king of gossip.”
“Well, maybe not the king. Perhaps the prince,” he grinned and I just glared at him.
“Just get on with it, Court. What rumors?”
“Well,” he began. “This all goes back to our conversation earlier,” he said, looking at me knowingly. “I suppose I should tell you I heard Drew was pretty adamant about you getting the position.”
“That’s not a secret. He told me he told Leslie to hire me.”
“He did?” Court said and I could tell my revelation had put a damper on the dramatics of his story.
“Yes. He said he’s a good judge of character and thought I’d be a good fit on his team.”
“A good fit on his team?” he sa
id with a flamboyant laugh. “More like he’d be a good fit in you.”
“You’re disgusting!” I exclaimed and I couldn’t help feel a little offended. I knew Court liked to joke, but his last comment was over the top.
“You’ll soon learn that I know everything that goes on in that firm and the rumor mill has it Mr. Saben himself told Leslie to stop conducting interviews once he sat in on yours. There were supposed to be a couple more days of interviews, but they stopped once yours was over.” Court had a mischievous grin on his face and the way his left eyebrow raised made him look devilish.
“Shut up,” I said. “Don’t be ridiculous.” Drew had told me he’d asked for me to be hired, but he hadn’t told me the interviews had stopped right after mine. I could only imagine how that had gone over with Leslie.
“I’m not being ridiculous. I’m telling you what I’ve heard.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I guess he was impressed with your credentials,” he said and then stared at me with the other eyebrow raised. “Or he was impressed with what he saw.”
“Now you’re just being an asshole,” I said with a quick glare in his direction.
“I am not. You obviously don’t know Mr. Andrew Saben very well.”
“No, I don’t. Would you like to fill me in?”
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Vasser,” he said, leaning in closer with anxious anticipation. “Now, Anna Beth, make sure to add any details you feel relevant,” he said, looking over at Anna Beth who just rolled her eyes. “Okay, here we go. Mr. Andrew Saben is one of New York’s most eligible bachelors, I mean, you’ve seen him.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I interrupted. “He and I actually discussed this yesterday. You’ve got some exaggerated ideas about him. He’s just a regular guy. New York is huge and full of guys with more money and power than Drew. And yet you claim he is one the city’s most eligible bachelors for some reason. He’s not famous. I may not have known you long, Court, but I do know you like to embellish and Drew isn’t as rich or powerful as you believe. He’s just an architect for God’s sake. I’m not saying he doesn’t have money, but I don’t think it’s to the extent you think.”
“Now who’s the delusional one?” he said, openly scoffing at me. “Anyway…that doesn’t even matter. You and I both know he could have anyone he wants, but no one’s managed to tie him down and you want to know why?”
“Why?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest and leaning back in my chair.
“Because he’s a playboy,” Court said matter-of-factly.
“A playboy? What year is this? 1955?” I laughed.
“Fine. You don’t like my choice of words, let me put it in terms you may understand better. He’s a playa,” Court said in his best thug voice.
“I’m not surprised at that. Why shouldn’t he be? But what does that have to do with me?”
“Your Midwestern purity and innocence is refreshing, Natalie,” he grinned.
“Don’t insult me. I may be from Iowa, but I’m not stupid.”
“I never said you were. I think you’re far from stupid. You’re just a bit naïve to the ways of the big city.”
“What is your point?”
“My point is, I do believe Drew Saben noticed the attractive red head and wanted to get to know her better.”
“Drew has been nothing but nice and professional to me,” I said and nearly stumbled over my words as I thought back to yesterday in my apartment and knew I wasn’t being entirely honest. “So, whoever you heard that little rumor from has too much time on their hands. And frankly, I find it insulting that you would even entertain the rumor,” I said, not wanting to think I’d only gotten the job because of my looks, which I never thought were that impressive anyway…certainly not to catch the eye of one of New York’s most eligible bachelors, as Court had put it.
“You are too much,” he laughed, taking another bite of his sandwich.
“Would you help me out here?” I asked, looking over to Anna Beth who just smirked.
“It is a little peculiar,” she finally piped in. “I mean, Drew’s never even bought me lunch since I’ve been working here and he spent the whole day with you and brought you a book from his personal library.”
“I think he felt sorry for me because Ethan bailed on me. I’m sure he would’ve done the same for you,” I said defensively.
“I highly doubt that,” Anna Beth said and I couldn’t tell if she was joking or if she was annoyed. “He’d probably wave, say hello and be on his way. I doubt a day at the museum and lunch afterward would’ve happened, and he sure as hell wouldn’t have invited me to his apartment.”
“What was I supposed to do? Tell my boss no thank you when he asked me?”
“I’m not saying that,” Anna Beth answered.
“If I may interject,” Court said and Anna Beth nodded. “What I believe Anna Beth is getting at is that the treatment you have been shown by our boss is not typical, so just remember that.”
“I will,” I mumbled, almost wishing I hadn’t run into Drew in Central Park or at least not told Court and Anna Beth about it. It could only mean trouble.
Eleven
“Excuse me, Natalie.” I looked up the next morning and saw Leslie standing at my desk. It’d been an uneventful day since I’d arrived, but as I looked up at Leslie now, I had a feeling that was about to change. She hadn’t said much to me since my arrival. I knew she didn’t like me. It was as if she merely put up with me and she looked annoyed as she stared down at me, holding a piece of paper in her hand. “Did you place this order?” She handed me the paper and I looked down at it. It was a purchase order I’d filled out and filed, exactly the way Court had showed me.
“I did. Drew needed some supplies.”
“We don’t use this vendor. We haven’t in two years.” Her voice was curt and accusatory and she grabbed the paper back from me.
“I’m sorry. I’ll redo it right away.”
“During your interview, I told you this job is fast paced. I don’t have time to look over every little thing you do. As office manager, I expect everyone to do their job.”
“I said I was sorry, Leslie. It won’t happen again.”
“I hope it doesn’t,” she said, turning to leave, but then I heard a deep clearing of the throat and I saw Leslie’s eyes drift behind me. I turned around to see Drew standing there and he didn’t look happy.
“Leslie, a word please,” he said, walking past us and she followed him. Court and Anna Beth were looking at me wide eyed and we were all silent as we strained to hear what Drew was saying to Leslie in the next cubicle over. I couldn’t hear everything, but I heard bits and pieces about not speaking to me the way she did and to cut me some slack since I was new. I could tell she was trying to protest, but he wouldn’t let her and a few moments later, Leslie was walking quickly past my desk, her eyes straight ahead and then Drew returned too, stopping at my desk.
“We need to go to the site,” he said flatly.
“Is everything alright?” I asked and I realized I shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t my place to ask personal questions. He wasn’t my friend. He was my boss.
“I just need to go, Natalie.”
“Okay. I’ll get my things. What should I bring?”
“Just a notepad. Meet me up front in five.”
Before I could answer, he was gone and Court and Anna Beth exchanged questionable looks and I just rolled my eyes.
“Stop reading into this,” I hissed at them, but they both smirked. “Whatever,” I said as I grabbed my notepad and walked quickly to the reception area where Drew was waiting for me, looking every bit the dashing businessman in his black trench coat.
Once outside, he hailed a cab. He held the door open for me and I climbed inside. Drew gave the driver our destination and the cab pulled away into the busy New York traffic. I was quiet as we drove and Drew was doing something on his phone, which was luckily keeping him occupied. I be
gan doodling on the notepad, a bunch on nonsensical swirls that eventually covered a third of the page before I realized how juvenile I must look.
“Trying to recreate Starry Night?” Drew asked after ten minutes of silence, and he got closer, peering over my shoulder at the notepad.
“Uh…no,” I said, clicking the top of the pen so the tip retracted. I clipped it to the top of the notepad and stared ahead.
He just nodded and went back to his phone. He seemed thoroughly engrossed in what he was doing and was silent the rest of the ride.
The quiet continued as we climbed out of the cab once it had pulled up to a field. Drew paid the driver and I couldn’t help but notice the hefty tip he included in the fare. I couldn’t imagine what it must be like to throw money around like that.
Drew closed the door and I followed him to the middle of the field. He stood, looking around, taking everything in. He looked serious and deep in thought and I could only wonder what he was thinking about.
“Write this down,” he said suddenly and began rattling off architectural terms that I had no idea the meaning of. He spoke quickly and rushed and when he was done he ran his hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. “Did you get all that?” he asked.
“I think so,” I said, looking over my notes. He came over and took the notepad from me and his eyes flittered over my handwriting.
“Good,” he said and then handed it back to me and then he started looking around again.
“I’m sorry if I’m overstepping my boundaries,” I began hesitantly. “Is everything alright? I’ve no clue what I just wrote down, but you seem a little frantic.”
He raised his eyebrow and he looked annoyed.
“I’m not frantic,” he said defensively and then shook his head, sighing. “I’ve just hit a road block I’m trying to find my way around.”
“What kind of road block?”
He didn’t say anything, but he walked over to a stone wall and sat down. I wasn’t sure if I should follow him and I stood in my spot for a moment before walking over to him and sitting down.
“I spoke with Mr. Tashawa today and he’s not happy,” Drew began.
My Tomorrow Page 10
