Heartbreaker

by J. Dorothy

  I suck in a breath and open the door a fraction to see who’s there. And it’s Bennett. Bennett dressed in tux, and looking more smouldering than I’ve ever seen him.

  “Well if it aint, James Bond, himself, wotcha doin’ here then?” I put on my best British accent and Bennett rolls his eyes.

  “Hey, funny girl. I’m here, because I’m mad at you.”

  He does looks a little mad, now I look at him properly. He’s only been mad at me one other time and that’s when I tried to set him up with Lucy. That didn’t work out so well. Bennett got over it, because that was the night I was attacked, and being hurt kind of overrode his anger. But Lucy only came into the bar a couple of times after that and I haven’t seen her for weeks. I’ve learnt my lesson though; there will be no more attempts at match making Bennett with anyone. He can throw out his own line when he's good and ready.

  I scrunch my forehead, mulling over what I’ve said over the day in my texts to him. Nothing comes to mind.

  “That doesn’t make any sense at all,” I say.

  “How so?” He crosses his arms over his chest, not asking to come in.

  “Well, for one thing, if you are mad, you probably wouldn’t want to see me, and for another, I don’t really get why you’re mad in the first place. But whatever it is, can you hurry up. I only have five minutes till my hot date.”

  Bennett, pushes open the door of my apartment and strolls in, taking off his jacket and putting it over the arm of my couch, then loosens his tie and undoes the top button of his white shirt.

  “Well, come in, why don’t you?” I say, a bit peeved he didn’t believe me on the hot date excuse.

  He sits and swipes a handful of m&m’s then puts the whole lot into his mouth.

  “And make yourself at home while you’re at it.”

  He leans back and puts his arms behind his head. “Thanks.” He grins.

  “Bennett, don’t you have somewhere to be tonight?” I’m still standing tapping my foot. I glance over to the TV and see a preview of Big Bang’s new episode.

  “Your hot date?” Bennett queries, gesturing to the screen.

  “So what if it is? Now, are you going to tell me why you’re here and not at your soirée thingy?”

  Bennett chuckles. “Soirée? I love it. You’re so refined, Bales.”

  I give up, yank off my coat and plonk down next to him, taking the bowl of candy out of his reach. If he’s going to stay then he can live with my TV fix for the week, minus my m&m’s.

  I huff and puff, trying to get comfortable on my side of the couch. I intended snuggling up with my new blanket, stretching out. Bennett can be such an ass.

  He lifts his legs one at a time and props them on the coffee table, lying back a bit further, getting even more comfortable. I hate the way he’s so cagey and takes his time telling me things.

  The episode starts and I try to focus on the show, but my mind keeps mulling over why he’s here, but I don’t cave and ask him outright. He loves that. Likes to play with me like a cat plays with a mouse before he eats it. I decide birthday and all, I’m not playing tonight.

  We watch the first episode and then the second. I’m not enjoying it, like I usually do. I can’t stand it any longer. I kick Bennett’s foot off the coffee table. “Listen, if you’re not going to talk to me, and your mad at me, can you do it somewhere else, you’re killing my good time.”

  Bennett arches a brow. “Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?”

  My birthday? Why is he mad about that?

  “Um … I don’t know. It’s no big deal.” I blush a little, I really hate any fuss. After mom died, Dad and I always kept our birthdays low key. Mom was the one, who loved to make a big deal, and we indulged her, but after she was gone we couldn’t bring ourselves to get enthused. Cam always took me out and bought me thoughtful gifts, and that was enough. Now with him and mom out of the picture, I don’t want to celebrate. Doesn’t seem right, somehow.

  Bennett shakes his head. “Well, it’s a big deal to me. We’re friends right?”

  I nod.

  “Friends and family are the ones you celebrate birthdays with, right?”

  I shrug. “I guess.”

  “So, you were going to let your only friend in Chicago, go out, without you, on your birthday, so that days later, when he did find out it was your birthday—which he would have done by the way—he would have felt like the biggest ass.”

  Now I do feel rotten. I bite my lip. “Sorry. I really didn’t think much about it.”

  Bennett picks up a pretzel, steals a big gulp of my coke and reaches over me to grab a handful of candy. “Didn’t think about it, huh? So what’s with the pity party for one?”

  “It’s not a pity party,” I grind out through gritted teeth.

  “Bales, I agree it’s a really pitiful pity party, but it definitely is one. Oh, and September 25th if you’re wondering.”

  I throw a handful of m&m’s at him. “You’re a pain in the ass. And noted.”

  “Takes one to know one,” he mocks and throws the candy back at me, grinning.

  I catch it, and stick it in my mouth. “How did you find out, anyway? I never told anyone.”

  “I turned up at the bar to have a drink with you, before I went to the—soiree,” he chuckles and I scowl at him. “When I found out you weren’t working tonight, and Ted said you had to finish a major assignment, I knew something was up.”

  “Of course, James Bond, spy extraordinaire…, still doesn’t explain how you found out.”

  “I asked Ted to check your birth date on his employee records.”

  “What? Isn’t that confidential information?”

  “Normally, yeah, but he was pissed at you too.”

  “Great. Thanks Bennett. I don’t need my already grumpy boss pissed at me.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it.”

  “No. You wouldn’t.” I cross my arms, more than peeved now. My birthday well and truly ruined. I turn off the TV and grab the two bowls of tainted treats ready to throw them in the trash.

  “Where are you taking those?” Bennett asks.

  “Pity party over. Now you can go home.”

  Bennett smirks, which annoys me even more. “Don’t you want your birthday present?”

  “No.” Because I really don’t. I’m too angry.

  “It’s a good one. I bet you’ll like it.”

  Considering he hasn’t got a bag or a box with him, I’m wondering what the heck it could be, but knowing Bennett it’ll be something I don’t expect.

  “I got you a new job.”

  Shut the front gate. A new frigging job!

  “Bennett!” I shout out.

  “You start Monday.”

  “Monday? But I already have a job.”

  “It pays twice as much as you're earning now, and it has benefits.”

  My mouth is agape. I don’t know what to say. This is too much. First he talks me into this apartment, which, if I’m honest, rocks, and I’m so glad he did. But a new job.

  “Bennett, you have to stop this. I’m a big girl I can take care of myself. I can get my own job.”

  “I know you can. But a position came up in the office, and I knew you’d be perfect for it, so I asked Dad if he’d hire you and he said yes.”

  I’ve only met Bennett’s dad on one occasion. He’s really nice and easy going. I liked him immediately. But I can’t believe he’s giving me a job without an interview or anything.

  “What about applications and interviews? There must be a procedure even your dad has to follow.”

  “Yeah, well that’s the good thing about being a partner, Dad can make on the spot decisions sometimes, and one of the girls left unexpectedly, so you’d be helping us out by taking it.”

  “What is it, exactly?”

  “Office administration, mostly. But as I said it pays well, and has medical and dental with it. Also you get a big fat bonus check quarterly, if you perform well.”

  I plon
k myself on the couch, and set the bowls of treats back on the table. Bennett grins and takes another handful of sweets.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Thank you Bennett, you are the best boss of the universe ever. Will be enough for now.”

  I shove him. “I really can’t believe it. So, does that mean I’ll be working with you?”

  “Not really. We’ll be on the same floor, but you’ll be working for a new guy who’s also coming on Monday. His name’s Andy Anderson.”

  I let out a giggle. “Andy Anderson. Are you kidding me? Sounds like a puppet on Sesame Street.”

  “Yeah, well he’s no puppet, believe me.” Bennett frowns a little.

  “You know him?”

  “I know of him. Has a bit of a reputation from what I hear.”

  “Oh.”

  “Don’t worry Bales, he’s very professional at what he does, but steer clear of anything else.”

  “I don’t think that’ll be a problem. I don’t have any aspirations of finding my Christian Gray or anything stupid like that.”

  “Who?”

  “Never mind.” Why is it that girls are the only ones who read that book?

  Bennett puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. “And hey, happy birthday, beautiful girl.”

  I snuggle into his side and Bennett switches the TV on again. We both lie back and relax, watching and laughing, finally enjoying my birthday night. My head is abuzz with excitement over my new job, and I’m still smiling thinking about my boss’s name. Andy Anderson.

  Little do I know, I won’t be laughing at him, or his name for long.

  FiFTeeN

  ______________________________________

  So my first official week working for Cam and Dad is nearly over. I check my cell and see that it’s nearly six. Wow, the time has flown. I have a few things to finish up before heading home. I’ve loved every minute of this week. It’s been so nice to get my head into something else, other than the troubles of my life. I haven’t really thought about any of my past much. Gives me hope that I can, and will, heal in time.

  The other plus has been my limited communication with Cam. Seems I can work for him without having to see him and be mentally and emotionally tortured. He texts most of his instructions or sends emails. All professional and short, which suits me just fine. He only came into the office once to pick up some contracts, which I had ready for him, so he didn’t stay long. Caught me messing around with Candy Crush on the computer, though. I was waiting for an email from Dreik and decided to take a five minute break, to indulge in my new addiction, when Cam turned up. I quickly swivelled the screen around, but I’m pretty sure he saw it. He didn’t say anything, but that’s just typical of Bailey Ryan’s life. Constantly being caught out.

  Dreik has been really good. I thought there might be bad feelings, but I’ve spoken to him on the phone a few times and he’s always pleasant and polite. I figure he might feel guilty for messing up Dad’s finances and is actually glad to hand the work over to me. Bennett has been on the phone every day, helping me out when I have a question about tax laws and accounting procedures.

  Dad’s away this weekend. The first time in a long time. His friend, Beau talked him into taking the boat out on the lake for a weekend of fishing. I’m glad he’s relaxing. He deserves some R&R after putting up with me for the past month. I haven’t exactly been Little Miss Sunshine, but I’m trying. He stocked up the cupboards before he left, and I’m looking forward to the pasta and sauce he made and put in the fridge. He thinks I won’t cook for myself, which is so true. I’d be living on bread and cheese for the weekend, if it was up to me.

  I asked Bennett what he was doing, thinking he might like to come visit and see Gerry. He was cagey as usual and made up some lame excuse about having to go out to his Dad’s place for a family get together. Not sure what’s up with him, he’s been all about business when I call him, but he’s hiding something, I know it. Gerry refused to tell me anything either, after I finished my session the other night, she didn’t keep her promise and left me hanging. It’s now my new mission to make her cave. Hers and Bennett’s possible blossoming romance is the best news I’ve had in ages, and I want all the juicy details to savor and swoon over.

  I decide to give her a call and see if she wants to share my carb dinner, on her meal break.

  I press her contact and wait. After a few beeps, I get sent to voicemail, which is strange. Gerry always answers, I think she worries I might lose the plot or something if she doesn’t. Says it’s her professional Dr Phil responsibility to be available at all times. I decide to call the shop and see if she’s caught up with a customer.

  “Hello, Hocus, Pocus, can I help you?” It’s Taliah, Gerry’s sister.

  “Um ... hi, Taliah, it’s Bailey, I just wondered if I could speak to Gerry, I couldn’t reach her on her cell.”

  “She’s not here. She’s gone away for the weekend.”

  “She has?” That surprises me, she never said anything, just that she was working.

  “Yeah, gone out of town or something. I don’t know. All I know is, I have to take up the slack and it’s going to be one of our busiest weekends ...”

  She goes on and on and I tune out, my mind filling in the blanks. Bennett cagey and evasive about his weekend, Gerry out of town for the weekend. Oh, now it all adds up. I smile, so pleased for them both.

  I cut into Taliah’s ranting, “Um … yeah that’s a bummer. Hope it goes well. I’ll talk to you later.”

  I end the call and immediately press Bennett’s contact. He’s in so much trouble.

  “Hey, pretty girl,” he answers.

  “Hey, yourself. So, since you won't come and visit me. I thought, I’d come and visit you this weekend.”

  “Oh. Um … I ah, I …”

  “Don’t you want to see me?” I say, while suppressing the urge to giggle.

  “Of course. It’s just, um … mom won't expect you and well she likes to know numbers for catering. You know how she is?”

  “It’s okay, I can ring her. She said I’m welcome anytime. I’m just getting on the bus now. I’ll be there soon.” I lift my legs and cross my feet on my desk, leaning back a little on my swivel chair.

  “You’re on the bus?” He sounds panicked. This is so much fun. Not often I get the better of Bennett.

  I pick up a pen and punch some keys on the keyboard to close the applications and switch the computer off. “Yeah. Should be there around midnight. Can you pick me up?”

  “I … I didn’t think you wanted to come back here any time soon, Bales. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Well, I thought about that, and despite my hatred of the place, I love you and miss you. And see, I just found out Gerry’s gone away this weekend, so I’m lonely. I need my best boyfriend.”

  There’s a pause. I know he’s worked it out.

  “You’re sitting in your office, aren’t you?”

  “No. Of course not, silly. I’m stepping on the bus. Boy, it’s crowded tonight. Everyone must want out of Hicksville real bad.”

  “Is that right. Let me hear what they’re all saying. I love bus talk.”

  “I can’t do that, it’s rude.”

  “Bailey Ryan you’re a pain in the ass.”

  “Well, you’re a big fat liar.”

  “Hey, I may be many things, but I’m not fat.”

  I laugh. “So, you and Gerry. Gerry and Bennett. I love it.”

  “She’ll kill me if she knew. We were trying to be discreet.”

  “Discreet my ass. You just didn’t want me nosing around. I told you after the Lucy incident, I wouldn’t interfere in your love life, and I meant it. Doesn’t mean I can’t be interested and want all the juicy details though.”

  “There aren't any juicy details. We’re taking it slow. Getting to know each other.”

  “I know. Slow and cautious is your new mantra. I’m just glad you’re finally moving forward. Gerry is the best, s
o you better take care of her, or I’ll kick your ass.”

  “I’d like to see that. Kick ass Bailey, sounds like a girl I’d like to meet.”

  That hits home for a moment. I realize I miss her too.

  “Have I been that much of a sorry ass,” I say with a hint of laughter, so Bennett doesn’t know how his words have affected me.

  “Yes. But with good reason, I’m just glad you’re getting back into fifth gear.”

  “More like third, but its progress.”

  “I love you, crazy girl. I’ll be there next weekend and give you some best boyfriend time, I promise.”

  “I love …” I don’t finish that sentence, the door handle turns and Cam steps into the office. I jolt in surprise and try to unravel my legs to get them off the desk, but lean back too far on the wheelie chair and lose my balance, toppling backwards, banging my head on something hard on the way down, I’m guessing it’s the shelf behind me. Great, just great, I think, as I lie there helpless like an overturned ladybug with a sore head.

  Cam comes around to my side of the desk and I try to right my skirt, which has ridden half way up my thigh. My head is pounding, and I can hear a muffled voice on my cell which I dropped beside me. God, this is so embarrassing, and I can feel the heat flame my cheeks. Cam bends down with a frown on his face. “Are you okay?” he asks.

  I want to melt into the carpet. I curse under my breath and try to get up, making a mess of it. Cam reaches for my arm and a jolt of warmth followed by a tingling sensation shoots right through me. This is the first physical contact I’ve had, when we’ve been alone, for two years. And I can’t believe how painful it is. It hurts a thousand times worse than I ever thought it would. I can’t hide the hurt on my face, and once I’m on my feet, Cam lets me go, like I’m a contagious disease he doesn’t want to catch. That stabs at me even more and I forget about my head and rub at my chest, trying to ease the ache that’s settled there.

  “Um … thanks. Sorry, “I say, though I have no idea why I’m apologising.

  Cam doesn’t respond and there’s an uneasy silence between us, he’s looking at me, still frowning. Then a pain of the epic kind shoots through the back of my skull and I wince. Shit, that hurts. I reach behind and rub my head. Uh oh! I can feel a bit of sticky moisture. Blood. Ew ... I’m not real good with blood. Especially after... Ugh. I promised I wouldn’t think about that. I need to sit before I faint in front of Cam again. God, he must think I’ve turned into a pathetic female who needs to be constantly rescued. So not me.