“Please sit down, Dirk.”
“You know I could’ve had your job.”
“If you could’ve, you would. The board hired me.”
He sat down with his arm hanging over the back of the chair. I pegged him to be about forty-two. I remembered his type in college. Handsome thinks he’s God’s gift to women. I noticed he didn’t have a wedding ring on and it didn’t surprise me. I also observed him rubbing up against one of the female assistants and making lewd comments. He was a liability even though no one reported him yet.
He swiped his hand through his thick brown hair and fixed his ice blue eyes on me. “Why am I here? I have a campaign to finish.”
“You’re here because I want to get to know my employees.”
“You already did that.”
“You’re right, I did, and you’re a liability. I need to terminate you.”
His eyes flashed anger, and he sat up straight, banging his fists against the edge of the desk. “You can’t fire me. I have a contract.”
I kept my cool. “You violated your contract by sexually harassing the employees.”
“Bullshit. I heard about you. I got a friend who used to work at Tailwind. You’re a frigid bitch. You come into the office screaming sexual harassment to get rid of people. Maybe you need some sexual harassment. I bet that pussy hasn’t been fucked in a long time.”
He stood up, and so did I. Dirk was close to a foot taller than me, but I wasn’t afraid. Jay taught me well, and I wouldn’t be intimidated or pushed around the way I had by JJ Wentworth.
I pointed at Dirk. “You’re fired. Leave my office and the building.”
He approached, and I pressed my intercom to call my assistant, Diane. She buzzed as I backed away from Dirk rounding my desk. The door burst open just as my knee connected with his balls. He crumpled to the floor, and Diane snickered. I was breathing heavy as Dirk moaned with his hands clasped over his genitals. A few seconds later, security came into my office.
“You want to press charges?” security asked.
Dirk croaked from the floor. “I fucking do. This bitch kicked me in the balls.”
“He was getting ready to attack me.”
“We can figure that out.”
They hauled Dirk to his feet and pushed him out of the office to escort him from the building. I plopped down in my chair as the knowledge of how close I came to being attacked sunk in.
“Are you alright, Miss Stone?” Diane asked.
My breathing began to return to normal. “I will be. For now on, you need to sit in with me.”
“He deserved it. Fucking asshole.”
I plopped down in my chair. “Did he harass you?”
Diane was a very pretty young woman with auburn hair and hazel eyes. She couldn’t be more than twenty-three, and it wouldn’t surprise me that she faced her share of sexual advances.
She nodded. “He touched me inappropriately.”
“You never reported it?”
“I didn’t think they would believe me. Other women reported it to HR, and nothing was done.”
“I see I have a bigger problem than just upper management.”
“I’ve worked here for a couple of years, and not a lot was done.”
“I’m going to need your help. I was hired to clean this nonsense up.”
By September, I’d cleaned up a good part of the problem at Charge. Charles Amick and the rest of the board were thrilled that I was restoring the reputation of the fifty-year-old company. I spent long hours in my office, putting out fires and making deals.
My entire attitude had changed, living in Manhattan. I dressed better and still commanded the respect I deserved, even with showing a hint of cleavage or wearing a form-fitting skirt or dress. My employees didn’t fear or hate me. I was a better version of myself.
Austin never came out to visit Edith in August. He was busy with preparations for his wedding in December. It pained me that he planned to get married the same month we had. I had no idea why he would do that. I asked Edith when I took her out to lunch.
“Jessie wanted a winter wedding. She wanted to wear a long-sleeved dress and have a Christmas theme. Austin seems open to whatever she wants. I wish you would come with me.”
“I can’t. I’m happy for him, but I don’t want to see him married.”
Edith gently banged her small fist on the table, jarring the silverware. “If you would just tell him you still love him.”
“I couldn’t do that. He’s happy. What kind of person would I be if I barged in and wrecked that?”
“I don’t think he’s happy. He gave up with you.”
“I don’t know why.”
“You hurt him, and he’s stubborn. He gets it from his mother’s side.”
I laughed at that since Edith was on Austin’s paternal side.
She joined me. “It’s true. If his mother hadn’t nagged, my Clayton would still be alive.”
“I’m sorry, I’m at a loss here.”
“Did Austin tell you anything about his past life?”
“I didn’t want to pry. I thought it was too painful for him.”
“Marlene wanted to go to some art show in Long Island. She nagged Clayton until he agreed. The roads were slippery, and they plowed across the divider and into a truck. They were killed instantly. I only thank God the boys weren’t with them.”
I put my hand over my mouth. “That’s horrible.”
“It was, but at least the boys had us.”
There was so much Austin hadn’t told me. It would’ve been a mistake for us to get married without knowing each other’s pasts. He knew mine, but I knew very little about his. Edith was the one that was revealing things I never heard before.
“They were lucky.”
“You never talk about your parents.”
“I think they feel I’m a big disappointment. I’m not a doctor like them, and I never wanted to be.”
“You’ve accomplished so much.”
I sniffled. “It doesn’t matter; it’s not enough for them. They left me when I was a child while they traveled, taking care of people around the world.”
“You were by yourself?”
“I was with grandparents I barely knew. It’s why I do so much better when I’m alone. I’m used to it. Sometimes I wonder how good a mother I would’ve made since my own didn’t care much about me.”
“Austin said he thought you would’ve made a good mother.”
I froze with my wine glass in mid-air, “You didn’t tell him I was pregnant, did you?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t betray your trust. He told me that before you got engaged.”
“I feel worse now that I had a miscarriage.”
“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
“I just don’t want Austin to know.”
“I told you I wouldn’t say anything, although I think he should know.”
I shook my head and took a sip of my wine. We ate while Edith talked about visiting Roman for his daughter’s birthday. The little girl, Cindy, would be turning four in a couple of weeks. I would’ve given birth by now had I not miscarried. I wondered if I would’ve had a boy who looked like Austin with amber eyes and a gorgeous smile or a little girl who looked like me with golden hair and eyes the color of the Caribbean. I would never find out.
15
By the start of autumn, I made my mind up. I didn’t want to be alone, and Austin was never coming back to me. It was time for me to look for someone I could spend my life with. Since my dating history was sparse and I wasn’t very good at choosing the right men, I went to a dating service.
Luxe Match was a company I found on the internet right here in Manhattan. They matched high powered and wealthy people with their perfect matches for a hefty monthly sum. I filled out my psychological and personality profile, hoping I wouldn’t be too hard to match. Anabella Barrington, one of the very pregnant partners of Luxe Match, interviewed me herself.
She was a pret
ty young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. “Miss Stone, what exactly are you looking for in a mate?”
“Someone who isn’t too clingy. I like my independence, and I expect them to have their own. I don’t want to be attached at the hip. Intelligence is key and also a sense of adventure.”
“What about looks?”
“I prefer dark haired and light eyed men. Taller than me but I’m only five four, so I’m sure that won’t be an issue. They should care about working out. I like to work out a few times a week.”
“Any preference with career?”
“Yes. Someone who works in an office would be nice. Also, education is important to me. I have my MBA.”
“We have many men who fit your criteria. I can run your preferences through the system. Once we find matches, you can come in and chose which ones you’re interested in.”
I looked at the paper in my hands. “Your contract stated I get five dates?”
“Yes, or until you find someone you want to spend time with.”
“When will you know?”
“We should have matches by tomorrow. Are you free to come in to discuss?”
“Just call my office.”
“Very good.”
I pointed at her belly. “When are you due?”
“In a week or two. My husband wants me to stop working, but I have so much to do.”
“Is this your first?”
Anabella laughed, “This is my third. I have a little boy, Lucas, and a little girl, Rebecca. I think this is it.”
“Congratulations. I hope that’s me in a few years.”
“If we do our job properly, it will be. Lots of our clients have gotten married and have children.”
“That’s what I hope for. I don’t plan on growing old alone.”
“Trust me; I’m sure we can match you with several men from our database.”
“Please let me know when you do.”
I stood, gesturing for her to stay seated. She had enough problems standing when I entered the office.
“Thanks. I can’t wait for this pregnancy to be over. My husband wants a fourth, but I’m putting my foot down.”
I shook her hand and headed out the door. I hoped they could match me and soon. The loneliness I used to crave was grating on me. I needed a lover and friends. I would start with the lover.
“Samantha, tell me about your hobbies?”
I was sitting at dinner with a man I had chosen from the matches Anabella had given me. His name was Kurt, and he was a stockbroker with Magellan in the financial district. I chose him because he reminded me of Austin. He was tall, handsome, and had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. The only problem was that he bored me to tears. I tried to seem interested in our conversation, but once he would ask me a question, it would end up gravitating to him.
“I don’t really have any hobbies.”
“I rock climb and ski. You really should try them both. I’m pretty good, too. I’ve been skiing since I was seven and my dad took me rock climbing when I was thirteen.”
He droned on and on. I felt like stabbing myself in the foot with a butter knife to get away, but instead, I patiently listened. When the waiter asked if we wanted dessert, I politely declined, telling Kurt I was exhausted. I was supposed to pay the check since I had asked him, but he handed the waiter his credit card before I could fish mine out of my purse.
“Thank you. I would’ve paid.”
“I don’t allow women to pay for dinner, even if you did ask me.”
Outside, he hailed a cab for me and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. Before I got into the car, he looked me in the eye.
“This didn’t work out, did it?”
“Was it that apparent?”
“We have no chemistry, but I would like to be your friend.”
I smiled. “I would like that. I don’t have many since I just moved here.”
“Let’s have lunch sometime. You have my number.”
“Great. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I breathed a sigh of relief as I got into the taxi. The last thing I wanted to do was fight off someone I wasn’t compatible with. Some men didn’t know when to give it a rest. At least Kurt did, and I gained a friend.
Luxe Match sent me on two more dates through October, which were disasters. Both men were exactly what I was looking for, but I felt nothing for them. I wondered if I was subconsciously sabotaging the meetings because I really didn’t want to get involved with them. Anabella called me to discuss why I didn’t find them attractive.
“Our personalities didn’t mesh. I was bored.”
“Are you sure?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been doing this for a few years, and I can tell when someone is holding back. The personality profiles matched you almost perfectly. Is there someone else?”
“Excuse me?”
“It seems you’re trying to match these men to someone. An old flame, perhaps?”
I swallowed noisily. “That could be it.”
“You’re not open to finding a new mate.”
“I thought I was. I don’t want to be alone.”
“You can’t find someone unless you let the other go. It will never work. Comparing a former flame to other men is the worst thing you can do.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“I suggest you make up your mind as to what you want, then come back to me.”
“I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
“You didn’t waste my time. You paid for my time, but you’re not ready yet. We can refund some of your fee since you already went on three dates.”
“Keep it. And thank you.”
I hung up and put my head back against my chair, looking at the ceiling. Anabella was correct in thinking I was comparing my dates to Austin. He was all I wanted, but he belonged to someone else. Looming above my head was the fact that if we ever got together again, I would need to tell him about little almond. I don’t know how he would feel when I did.
Kurt called me as the work week was winding down. He had become a good friend over the past month. We went out to lunches and museums. I had a couple of dinners with him, and we talked about our horrible dates.
“Want to go to a bar with me tonight?”
“I don’t go to bars.”
“Come on. It will be fun.”
“Who’s going?”
“Ryan and Marc.”
“Marc doesn’t like me.”
“Marc doesn’t know you that well to dislike you. Stop being a wet blanket.”
“Fine, what bar?”
“Donovan’s on Broadway. We can meet at seven. Will you be out of work by then? I know your big CEO job keeps you busy.”
“Shut up. I’ll be out by six. I can go home and change.”
“Dress down. Jeans and a sweater.”
“Did you think I was going to dress up?”
“You did when we went out for burgers last week.”
“I’ll wear jeans and a sweater, now stop bugging me so I can finish my work.”
“Good. Talk to you at seven. I’ll be the tall, good-looking guy.”
I snorted. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
I heard Kurt laughing as I hung up the phone. He was fun, and I was glad we were friends. I finished my work and was out the door before 5:30. I hadn’t been to a bar to hang out in years. After I changed into a pair of tight blue jeans and a sweater almost the same color as my eyes, I went to the kitchen to have a quick bite to eat. Kurt didn’t mention anything about food, so I wanted to be prepared when the drinks started to flow.
I got to Donovan’s exactly at seven and looked around for Kurt, Marc, and Ryan. I found them by the bar ordering drinks. Kurt and Ryan hugged me while Marc nodded. The man didn’t like me, and it was apparent. I decided to change it up and get a beer. I felt like a kid in college again with a bottle of Sam Adams in my hand.
“Beer?” Marc said.
I took a small sip. “What’s wrong w
ith beer?”
“You don’t strike me as a beer type of girl, but there may be hope for you yet.”
He took a long pull of his Heineken and smiled at me.
I challenged him. “What does that mean?”
“Knock it off, Marc,” Kurt said.
He looked at Kurt. “She wants to know what it means.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“It means that you seem stuck up to me. You’re not better than anyone else just because you hold a CEO position.”
I frowned. “I never said I was.”
“But you act that way.”
“I’m sorry if I offended you,” I said sarcastically.
Kurt intervened and pushed Marc away so that he could talk to him. Ryan, who was a little taller than me, leaned toward me.
“He’s nursing his wounds.”
“What’s his problem?”
“His girlfriend dumped him for some big wig at a marketing company. He’s got a chip on his shoulder because of it.”
“So that’s my fault?”
“You’re part of the establishment.”
A couple of hours and four beers later, I was feeling a major buzz. We had settled at a table in the corner, and after Kurt’s talk with Marc, we were joking around with each other. He wasn’t so bad after he apologized.
“You’re drunk,” Marc said as Ryan and Kurt got up to go to the bathroom.
I slurred my words. “It’s been a long time.”
“It makes you more relatable.”
“It might make me throw up.”
“You need some water and food.”
The room was spinning slightly, and I felt dizzy. “I need a nap.”
Marc laughed and smoothed his honey blond hair off his forehead. He was cute with deep brown eyes and a dimple in his right cheek when he smiled.
“You want to go home?”
“I think so. I’m not sure I can make it alone.”
“I could take you.”
“You? You hate me.”
“I don’t hate you. I like you now that I know you better.”
“Let’s see if Ryan and Kurt want to go home.”
Twenty minutes later, and they finally showed up at our table with a couple of young women they met waiting for the bathroom.
Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology Page 182
