He didn’t sound creepy or weird at all. The jury was still out on a workaholic. Clicking on his picture, I bit my lip as I waited for the image to expand on my screen. Dana gasped.
“Wow. He’s hot.” She drooled.
Ness snorted. “Ha, if that’s even him in the photo. It could be an internet image or whatever.”
I was sharing her skepticism, but the picture certainly looked genuine. He had blonde spikey hair, and his red t-shirt allowed part of a sleeve tattoo to show on his impressive arms. It made sense that he’d be rather well built considering all the machinery he would be working with day in and day out. I scrunch my nose up and cringed with uncertainty.
“I don’t know. Should I write back?”
Dana continued to bounce while Ness simply raised her eyebrow at me as though it were the most ridiculous question she had ever heard. Taking the laptop in my own hands, I balanced it on my knees and sent a reply.
“How does this sound? ‘Hi, James. Nice to meet you. As you can tell, I’m Charlene. I’m twenty-six, and I work in London. I think a chat would be great. Here’s my email.’”
Ness stood and walked over to the kitchen counter before turning and leaning her back against it.
“And here’s how a date with James would go.”
She cleared her throat loudly. “Hi, Charlene. I’m James. I know, I know, I look nothing like my picture. I’m actually forty-six, live with my parents, and work as an office clerk. That picture is of my son. Now, where can we go and have sex?”
Dana threw a cushion at her. “You are so pessimistic, and you always believe that people must be inherently bad. Don’t you ever get tired of being such a damn buzz kill?”
“No, and here’s why. One, it keeps me safe to always be suspicious of everyone. Two, guys like James are looking for a quick bunk up and nothing else. Oh, maybe a free meal and a night on your sofa. And three—“
Abruptly cut off by the door swinging open, Ness looked relieved and immediately made her way over to an exhausted and extremely over-worked looking Adam.
“Thank God! Someone who can talk some sense into you.”
Adam dropped his briefcase and marched over to the refrigerator for a bottle of water. He barely even acknowledged the harpie yelling after him.
“And then, she gets a message from a guy who wants to ‘chat.’ I think we all know what that really means. Tell her she’s nuts, Adam. Please, I could use the voice of reason.”
Turning to face her, Adam pulled his glasses from his face and raked his hand over his eyes. He looked stressed, and I could see his whole body visibly tense with every word that left Vanessa’s mouth.
“Vanessa, I have no idea what you’re going on about, but I really don’t have the energy for one of your moments. So please, in English, give me the cliff notes.”
“Charlene is online dating! And one creep already wants into her underwear.”
Pushing them back onto his face and with his head down, he peered at me over the top of his glasses with a raised brow.
“Really? Isn’t that a little desperate, Charlie?”
I tilted my head to the side and gave him a concerned look. “Are you okay?”
He nodded. “Tough day. Anyway, don’t change the subject. Are you really going to try online dating?”
Now I was the one shrugging. “It’s not as though I have a whole lot left to lose, is it? Clearly, the old fashioned way didn’t work out so well for me. Maybe I can find my match on the internet. I mean, he has to be out there somewhere, right? My dream guy—the one that I was meant to be with all along. The one that really is the other half of me. I’m tired of losers, arseholes and cheaters. I want my Prince Charming, and if I have to trawl through some frogs to get him, I will.”
Dana let out a long breath. “That’s so romantic.”
Adam grunted and stared at me. “Yeah, well, good luck with that. I’ve been chasing princesses for years waiting for my queen.”
He took a large mouthful of water and headed for his room, slamming the door behind him. Ness and Dana shot me a puzzled look.
“I don’t know what that was about, but I do know that I’m trying this online dating thing. I’m not saying I’ll find my future husband, but I might at least get a good lay out of it! I’m beginning to think by the time I get a hot man on top of me, I’ll be too old to remember what to do with him.”
Ness laughed. “There’s a lot to be said for a little of what you fancy. Fine, if you really want to give it a try, go ahead. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I nodded and gave her a quick salute. “Yes ma’am.”
* * * *
After the girls had left, I quietly made my way to Adam’s room. His reaction and mood when he’d come home had me worried. Adam was always so calm and cool; it was never a good sign to see him worked up. Something had to be seriously wrong. Pushing the door open gently, I pressed my palm against the wood.
“Adam? What’s going on?”
Wearing a white t-shirt and some sweatpants, he was laying on his bed with his forearm resting over his eyes.
“Nothing. I’m fine, honest.”
I rested my head against the doorframe and stared at him. Dropping his arm, he held his hand out and gave me a smile. Without hesitation, I hurried over and lay beside him. He pulled me close and held me tightly in a warm embrace. I wasn’t sure what was wrong, but he obviously didn’t want to discuss it, and I wouldn’t press him. With my head on his chest, I listened to Adam’s breathing. I could feel the broad and muscular movements beneath me, and it was soothing. His eyes were closed and after placing a small kiss on my forehead, he quickly drifted off to sleep. I moved to leave, but his arm held me tighter, keeping me in place. I’d never known him to be so clingy. He needed me, and tonight, I was happy to be his comforter. Snuggling in, I breathed deeply and drifted into a comfortable and deep sleep.
Chapter 12
Sitting at my desk, I let out a long and frustrated groan. I’d been searching for the band Regina set me after for almost two months, and I was getting nowhere fast. All I seemed able to find out was that the drummer was a little bit of a player and the bass player was from Michigan. The lead singer and guitarist was a total mystery. The hottest of the whole group, I’d assumed he’d have been their selling point. I trawled social network sites, the media, and endless calls were made to various bars. Regina had failed to note the name of the establishment where she had first seen them, and this meant I now had a list of over three hundred of them in that area. I was coming up blank.
The sound of Regina’s heels clicking on the wooden floors pulled me from my hopelessness. Standing in my doorway, she smiled.
“So, tonight’s the big date, huh?”
I nodded. “If you can call it big.”
“How long have you two been exchanging emails now? Three weeks?”
I smiled back at her. “Something like that. He seems normal, and he has a great sense of humour.”
Walking in, she sat on the edge of the sofa and rested her elbows on her knees.
“What’s the plan? Dinner? A movie? Hot and rampant sex?”
I chuckled. “Actually I have to go running with Adam first. I promised I would, and I keep procrastinating.
She rolled her eyes. “I never could understand the allure of running. All that sweat, racing pulse, and panting. I can think of at least three other things, or people, I could do to get me into that state. But, for the record, I have noticed how … healthy you’re looking these days. Doctor Dishy must know what he’s talking about.”
I had to agree. Adam’s regime and strict prohibiting of junk food in the apartment had left me on a diet of salad, chicken, and grilled meats. Granted, I was still trying to come up of new ways to make the meals more exciting, but they were certainly having the desired effect so far. I wasn’t quite back to my slender self yet, but I was determined to get there. However, there were only so many ways you could cook an asparagus.
Furrow
ing my brow, I gave Regina a regretful look. “I can’t find that band, Regina. I’ve hunted all over, and they’re just nowhere. I can’t even find their name. I’m so sorry.”
She sighed. “Well, shit. I really thought there had to be something about them out there. They were phenomenal. I wish I could remember the name of that damn bar.”
Stopping, she gasped and quickly got to her feet before hurrying through to her office. I pushed my chair away from the desk, walked over, and leaned on the doorframe. I watched as she frantically burrowed through stacks of paperwork, rummaged in her handbag, and threw the contents of her draw on the floor.
“Aha! There it is.”
Holding up her hand in triumph, she was clutching a crumpled and somewhat dirty napkin. I stared at her in confusion. Waltzing over, she beamed at me, took my hand, and pressed the napkin into my palm.
Unravelling it, I grinned.
“Benny’s Bar and Grill?”
Regina nodded enthusiastically. “That’s the bar I saw them at. There is an address and phone number on the back of the napkin. Call them and see what you can find out. If they try to be shady, offer them some cash. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get that band on our books.”
Quickly returning to my desk, I set about gathering all of the relevant information. When I finally got through to the bar, they didn’t seem too keen to hand over their best act. I had to explain that I wasn’t some other venue trying to steal their band away. After a lot of flirting, negotiating, and offering the man on the other end of the phone a considerable amount of gratitude money, he finally gave me the details.
Leaping from my seat with excitement, I squealed with pleasure. Yes, it really was the small things in life that pleased me, but this was my big chance! I had a name, contact number, and even the names of the entire band. The guy was so grateful for that large donation; he even gave me a brief history. Totting in my five inch heels over to Regina’s office, I pulled open the door and grinned at her.
Her floor was still covered in debris. Sitting at her desk, she looked up and mirrored my expression.
“You found them?”
I nodded. “Yes! Quick, pull up that picture again!”
She quickly began typing and clicking at her laptop and as the photo enlarged on the screen, I began introducing Regina to our possible new addition.
“Regina Littman, meet D.O.A. The drummer, from what I could find out, is called Nick. The bass player is Eric, and that hot, sexy little piece of man meat at the front there, is Oliver Green. The guy on the phone said they’re his best act. I had to sweeten him up with a large payment, but I managed to get a phone number.”
Holding out my hand, I showed her the scribbled black pen on my palm. She quickly placed a big kiss on top of it; leaving me with red lipstick marks.
“You are a genius! Now, get on the phone and call the L.A office. I want Denise and Nicola on this immediately! The two of them appear to have a talent for making these hot rock boys stars. I’m sure once you show them who they’re working with, they’ll bite your hand off.”
I laughed. Denise and Nicola were the biggest, dirtiest flirts in the company. There had yet to be an act for them to meet where one of them didn’t end up in bed with. But they knew the business better than anyone, else and their results spoke for themselves.
* * * *
The commute back to my apartment seemed to be the quickest it had ever been. Maybe it was the impending dread of my run with Adam or the buzz of excitement of tracking down my first official project at R.J. Littman. Either way, I was now feeling as though I could take on the world.
Within fifteen minutes of entering my apartment, I had changed into my sweats, eaten an apple for energy, and was now sitting down to check my mail. As I opened my inbox, I held my breath. There was only one message, and it was from James. Great, he must be writing to cancel.
Opening it, I smiled.
From: James
Re: Tonight
Message: Hi, Charlene. Just wanted to say that I can’t wait to meet you later. I’ve booked us a table at Bistro Valentino for seven o’clock. I’ll be in jeans and a black shirt with a rose on the table. Looking forward to it.”
Relieved that I wasn’t getting stood up, I smiled. Pushing the laptop away from me, I made my way to my bedroom and began rummaging through my wardrobe for my trainers. When I pulled them out, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. They’d really never been used. I’d paid a fortune for them back in my gym-going and fitness freaking days, but when I met Brad, my time became so consumed with being in love, that I just … stopped going. People tell you that you put on a little weight when you’re in a relationship, but I had blown up like a balloon and been completely oblivious. I’d gone from a svelte and sexy size twelve to a size eighteen! How could I not have seen it? Blinded by love maybe, but the rapid expansion of my arse should have been a sure fire sign that something was up—my cholesterol, heat rate, and weight being the top three!
* * * *
Adam had texted me and told me to meet him at the park. I’d hardly seen him since that night I’d fallen asleep next to him. If I were the paranoid type, I would have said he was avoiding me, but considering he was still living in my apartment, I figured it was just a busy work schedule keeping him away. Either way, this was a great opportunity to talk and do a little exercise.
Walking over the small hill that led to the running track that ran through the park, I smiled as Adam’s tall and muscular physique came into view. He was jogging in place while stretching his arms above his head. His white vest was already damp with sweat around the neck and his black shorts revealed toned and very thick legs. I’d never noticed how … fit … Adam was. I knew he took care of himself, but damn! I should have been training with him sooner. If I had, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten so squidgy!
Looking around, Adam spotted me and grinned. Waving, I made my way over to him. His brow was dotted with beads of sweat, and for the first time in a long time, he was wearing contacts! I gasped and held my hands against his cheeks, forcing his face forward and down toward me. He gave me an odd look, and I think he presumed I was going to kiss him because he immediately turned and pecked me on the cheek. I giggled. Staring into his deep blue eyes, I smiled.
“You’re wearing contacts! You never wear contacts. What’s up with that?”
Pulling my hands away, he shrugged. “Just trying them out. Don’t they suit me?”
I nodded. “They look great. I’m just not used to seeing you without your frames, that’s all.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and glanced around.
“Well, shall we get started?”
I winced. “Be gentle with me.”
He grinned, draped his arm around my shoulder, and began propelling me forward. “Go hard or go home, Charlie. You want to get into shape, you have to work for it.”
I groaned and began jogging beside him, trying to keep up.
“I haven’t seen you around much lately. Is work okay?” I asked, trying to speak through the heaviness of my breathing.
He nodded. “It’s fine. Busy, but fine. What about you?”
I smiled and began telling him all about my triumph in locating the band Regina had been so eager to sign. He mirrored my enthusiasm.
“That’s great!”
He began to pick up a little speed, and our light jog was now a gentle run. I could feel myself getting out of breath already. My neck was beginning to sweat, and my pulse was picking up rapidly. I took a quick peek at my watch. Catching me, Adam gave me a puzzled look.
“You late for something?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. I have a date tonight.”
Speeding up again, he looked down at the pavement where our feet were now pounding at a brisk pace.
“With that guy from the internet?” he asked.
I nodded; unable to form words, I continued to try and keep up with him.
“I think you’re crazy. You’re young, at
tractive, intelligent, successful, and you could do so much better than some loser online! Jeeze, Charlie. You’re driving me nuts with your damn self-esteem crap. You’re just not willing to try. Always taking the easy option. Like this—running. You’re only doing it because you’re hoping it will get you the fastest results. Some things are worth waiting for. They’re worth all the work, effort, time, and patience. You’ve always been the damn same.”
I stared at him in shock. He was running so fast that I was sprinting just to keep up. My breathing was labored, my pulse was racing, and my legs were turning to jelly beneath me. Unable to focus, I began to feel dizzy. Halting my steps, I put my hands on my knees, bent forward and threw up. Adam stopped a few feet from me and jogged over.
“God, Charlene! Did you eat today?”
I nodded, and as I tried to regulate my breathing, I gasped and panted for air.
“When? What did you eat?”
I couldn’t form words. I was too busy trying not to die from exhaustion.
“Here, there’s a bench over there.”
Steering me to the grassy area across the track, he pushed me gently onto the wooden bench and sat beside me.
“I had a yoghurt for breakfast and a sandwich at lunch,” I panted.
He rolled his eyes. “That’s not enough. I told you to eat a proper meal.”
I groaned. “Got a habit of telling me what to do lately. Don’t you?”
His brow furrowed, and he stood abruptly. “Only when you don’t have the common sense to figure things out for yourself. I feel like I have to babysit you! And you know what, it’s always been that way. The Charlene Show has been a re-run in my life for the past twenty years! But it’s all the same shit. I’ve been taking care of you and watching you make mistake after mistake for too long. It actually occurred to me today that you are the only significant relationship I have ever had with a woman!”
Diary of a Dieter Page 11
