by Leanne Tyler
“Excellent.”
“And since it’s been less than twelve hours since the ceremony I’m going to give you the package price which means you only owe nineteen ninety-five.”
Alex reached for his wallet, but Sue placed her hand on his arm, stopping him. “I’ll get it.”
“No you won’t.”
“But—”
He placed a finger over her lips and shook his head. “Don’t tell me we’re going to argue over money and who pays for what?”
She sighed and let him pay.
“You two are so cute,” Gina said. “You had the same argument last night when she insisted on paying for the ceremony.”
Sue blinked. “I did?”
“Yes and he finally gave in because you said you wouldn’t marry him if he didn’t.”
“Sounds like I was being very aggressive last night.” She walked to the few chairs that sat along the wall and took a seat to wait. Opening up her purse she searched her wallet for the receipt and was shocked to find she still had Kimberly’s credit card on her. She’d have to return it as soon as she got home.
Alex came over and sat. He leaned toward her ear and whispered, “I liked your aggressiveess last night.”
Heat rose up her neck and face at what he meant. She swallowed. “Remind me never to do jello shots again.”
“I’m right there with you.” He took her hand in his and raised it to him mouth, kissing it. “I’ve got to get you a proper ring. You can’t wear the band if we are going to keep it secret so I think a setting with your birthstone will do nicely until I can get you a real wedding set.”
Her heart soared at his thoughtfulness and her love for him deepened. If she were a teacup filled with joy it would be over flowing at this moment. She really was lucky to have found him. The gris-gris warmed and she reached up to touch it. Had it really been the gris-gris that kept them together once they met? Or had it been the set of circumstances that followed? She couldn’t be sure, but whatever the reason, she had no regrets. “My birthstone is diamond.”
“You’re kidding?”
She shook her head. “But I’m an Aries which means I fall within that March to April scheme and Aquamarine is March and I’ve always favored it over the diamond, probably because I like the color. So we could fudge a little.”
“Okay then. Aquamarine with diamonds.”
“Here you go,” Gina announced coming over with the pretty DVD case. “I wish you both a long life together. And if you should wish to renew your vows one day we do have a discount for repeat customers.”
Sue laughed. “Thank you.”
They headed down the strip toward their original hotel to collect their luggage. Sue was amazed that the foot traffic was so heavy for a Sunday. She’d figured the town that never sleeps would at least take it easy one morning a week.
“Hey look,” Alex said, stopping in front of a store window.
It was a jewelry store and they had several pretty rings on display in the window. He opened the door and they went inside.
“You don’t have to buy me a ring here. We can wait until we get back to Knoxville.”
“No. We got married here. You’re getting a ring here.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
They searched case after case of diamond rings while the lone salesgirl helped another customer. When she finished, she approached to see if she could be of assistance.
“We’re looking for an aquamarine stone,” Alex explained.
“The gemstones are over here. Follow me.”
They crossed the store to a row of cases that had every gemstone from emerald to topaz in different sizes and settings. It didn’t take him long to point out a ring for her to try on. It was a triangle shape that the salesgirl called trillion cut and had a setting of small diamonds that curved like a snake over the aquamarine stone. The band was white gold and was luckily in her size so it fit perfect.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
She nodded, unable to speak as she stared at the ring he’d slipped on her finger. She continued to stare at it until he had paid for it and he ushered her out of the store.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you speechless before,” he said.
She clutched her purse, the envelope with the marriage certificate and the DVD case to her chest fighting back the lump in her throat that threatened to bring tears with it. She was really married to Alex Jones.
Chapter Sixteen
Sue curled her legs up on Alex’s couch and watched their wedding DVD for the fifth time since their flight got into Knoxville. Even after watching it so many times, she still couldn’t remember any more of that night than she had when she woke up yesterday morning.
He came in from feeding the dogs and sat down next to her on the couch. He didn’t say anything until the ceremony ended. “We need to go by your apartment and get your car so you can go to work tomorrow unless you’re going to stay there tonight.”
She nodded, pushing the stop button on the remote control and turning off the television. “I know.”
“Why do I hear a ‘but’?”
“Because I don’t know if I should stay there or here tonight. It might make it easier to go into work and face Keely for the first time, but on the other hand, I might not get any sleep either wishing I was here with you.”
“I could stay with you if that would make it easier?”
“No.” She shook her head. “The dogs need you here tonight. You saw how skittish Queenie was when you walked into the yard this afternoon. I’m afraid you being gone over the weekend was too soon for her. I’ll stay. And if Keely guesses anything tomorrow what should I tell her?”
“I’ve been thinking,” he reached for her hand. “I want to tell her. I think it will make it easier if she knows.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Good. I’ll call her and tell her we’re coming by.”
Before he could reach for the phone a knock came at the front door and he went to open it. “Keels, what are you doing here?”
“Did you think you could keep me away?” she asked coming into the house. She took off her sweater and laid it across the armchair then she hugged him. “When Lucinda called and told me—”
“Lucinda called you?” Alex said, standing her away from him.
“When?” Sue asked.
“Does that really matter? I couldn’t stay away a minute more. I know you’ll want your privacy, but I had to come by.”
“Actually we were going to come see you.” Alex shook his head. “So Lucinda knows?”
“Lucinda knows everything. How it happened. When. I tell you it was like she had been watching you two through a crystal ball. No wonder you missed your flight home.”
“Oh my gosh. Everything?” Sue felt a twinge in her stomach at that thought. She knew the gris-gris had powers, but she never imaged Lucinda did too.
“Then Lucinda knows we aren’t telling anyone until after Kimberly’s wedding so we don’t steel away her glory.”
“No, she didn’t say anything about that.” Keely sat down on the couch beside Sue. “That’s an interesting ring.”
Sue held up her hand. “It’s until we can buy a real wedding set and I can wear the rings.”
“Nice.” Keely smiled. “I think you are being kind to not want to upset your sister.”
“It would hurt her deeply is she found out because she already thought I wasn’t happy about her getting married before me. Which I guess deep down I wasn’t, but it had nothing to do with her and Phil.”
“So will you be taking a few more days off?” Keely asked.
“No. I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Alex sat down on the arm of the chair. “We haven’t even talked about a honeymoon.”
“Well I have some news to share of my own.” Keely stood up and moved so she was standing before them. “Jama has decided to hire a new associate to help out while she is on maternity leave. Darren and I me
t with her today about this, and we agreed it made more sense to hire from within than to bring someone new on board. As much as I hate to lose my wonderful assistant, we’d like to offer you the promotion, Sue.”
She blinked. “Say that again.”
“Jama would like to offer you the job as account executive. You’ll work with me on accounts for now, but hopefully by the time I take maternity leave you’ll be ready to do the job alone.”
“Me?”
“Don’t sound so shocked. You’ve got the degree and the knowledge of Wright and Associates. You’re the perfect choice. Jama is only sorry she didn’t consider doing this sooner.”
“I don’t know what to say.” She glanced at Alex and he gave her thumbs up.
“Say yes,” Keely prodded.
“Yes. Yes.”
“Excellent. Our first job is to find a replacement for you and to hire you an assistant too. There’s an office on the fifth floor ready for you to move into. We’ll order your name plate for the door. So you need to decide if you are going to change your name to Sue Jones or stick with Sue Charles professionally.”
“Jones.” She didn’t blink an eye when she gave her answer.
“Okay.” Keely smiled. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
Sue stood up and hugged her. “Thank you for this opportunity.”
“You more than earned it.” Keely hugged back. “And it doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that you are now my sister-in-law. We’d already made the decision before Lucinda stopped by. Sister-in-law. I like the sound of that.”
Keely walked over to Alex and hugged him again. “I love you to pieces, you know that?”
“I’m feeling it,” he gasped as she squeezed him tightly.
“Sorry.” She let him go and stepped back, rubbing her eyes.
“Don’t cry, Keels.” He grabbed a tissue from the box on the end table and handed it to her.
“I can’t help it. I’m so happy for you.” She blotted at her eyes and then blew her nose. “Both of you.” She started crying again and Alex handed her the box.
“Take it with you for the drive home.”
“Thanks. I get so emotional since I became pregnant. I even cry at silly commercials.”
Sue came over to the door. “Are you okay to drive?”
“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” Keely dried her eyes and blew her nose again. “I’ll see you later.”
As soon as the door closed Sue turned to Alex. “O—M—G.”
He laughed and pulled her to him. “So how does it feel to be an advertising executive, Mrs. Jones?”
“I have no idea. I’ll let you know after I’ve spent a few days in my new position.” She shook her head. “I’m going to have my own office. My own assistant.”
“And more responsibility. Are you up for it?”
Nodding, she leaned her head against him. “I think I am.”
Sue hurried to catch the elevator up to the sixth floor the next morning, afraid she was going to be late. She hadn’t realized that traffic from Alex’s house was going to be so congested in the mornings. Plus both of them had tried to get in the bathroom at the same time which caused a problem. Alex had finally gone to the other bathroom down the hall so she could finish getting ready. She was certain they’d have similar problems getting ready at her apartment if he stayed over with her.
When the doors to the elevator opened, she saw Pamela and Veronica talking. They stopped and began clapping.
“Congratulations, girl!” Pamela called.
“I’m so happy for you,” Veronica said.
For a split second, panic swept over her. How did they know? Then she realized they were talking about her promotion. At least she hoped that was what Pamela meant.
“Thanks.”
Pamela motioned for her to follow her. “If you’ll come with me Darren and Keely are waiting for you in the conference room. Jama is going to Skype in for a short meeting.”
“Am I late?” she asked.
“No. They’re getting the computer set up for Jama’s call. They brought pastries and coffee so I hope you’re hungry.”
She wasn’t because Alex had brought her breakfast in bed. The gesture had been sweet, but had led to them both staying in bed longer than they should. Something she’d have to try to avoid in the mornings to come unless they wanted to jeopardize their jobs.
Pamela knocked on the conference room door before she opened it and showed Sue inside. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“We will. Thank you, Pamela,” Darren said, pulling a chair out at the conference table. “Won’t you have a seat?”
Sue sat and Keely handed her a folder. “These are forms you’ll need to fill out today. Jama will go over them with you and answer any questions you might have during the teleconference. We’ve got coffee and pastries. Would you like any?”
“Coffee would be nice.”
Darren brought a mug over with sugar and creamer packets. “Do you have any questions for us before we get started?”
“What happens when Jama and Keely are back from their maternity leaves?”
He smiled and sat down in the chair beside her. “This position isn’t temporary. It’s permanent. It’s yours as long as you want to work here.”
Keely nodded and opened up the folder pointing to the contract where it listed her salary.
“Wow, that is more than I even imagined.”
“This is a starting figure. There will be bonuses and other supplemental pay associated with accounts you land to top off your salary from time to time,” Darren explained.
“Wow.” Sue sat back in the chair. “This is so overwhelming. I feel like I’ve been on a rollercoaster ride for the last few days and the ride keeps getting better and better.”
“Life can be good at times,” Keely agreed.
“Good morning.” Jama’s voice came from the computer on the table. “It is so good to see the three of you. I miss being there.”
“We miss you being here too, sis,” Darren said.
“You look wonderful, Jama. How are the twins?”
“That is sweet of you to say, Sue.” Jama tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “The twins are doing really well. I hope to bring them by the office to show them off soon.”
“I can’t wait to see them.”
“You should come by. Keely can bring you over. In fact, let’s plan to do lunch here later this week.”
“That sounds good,” Keely said.
“We have much to celebrate. Your promotion and you getting married. Darren told me how you and Alex eloped while in Vegas.”
Sue felt her cheeks warm. “Yes, we did.”
“Let’s get started while the babies are napping. I never know for how long. If you’ll open up the folder, you’ll see the contract. It lists your position, salary, and spells out the company policies. You signed a similar document when you began working for Wright and Associates. Read through it and if you have any questions give me a call later. The next set of documents talks about compensation and the benefits package. This is different than what you already have in place. Again, read through it and if you have questions let me know. All associates have annual leave, personal days and sick time built into their contract. It is up to you how you use these days each year. I encourage you to try to take a vacation each year when possible. I learned my lesson by not doing that.”
“Your office will be on the fifth floor. You’ll have your own assistant as soon as we can hire someone and you’ll eventually get your own accounts to work on after a three month training period. We have confidence that you can do the job and I’m pleased that you are willing to take this step. Do you have any questions?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Good.”
A wail came over the speaker and Jama leaned forward, bringing a whimpering James back into view with her. From the computer screen, Sue could see his red face and it sounded like he was snorting he was so mad. Jama bo
unced him, but it did no good.
“Sorry. He’s wet and I’ve found if there is one thing he hates it is a wet diaper. I need to go change him. If you should have any questions that Darren or Keely can’t answer do call me.”
“I will.”
“Bye.” The video screen went black.
Darren looked at his watch. “I have a client waiting. I’ll pop by to see you later this afternoon once you’ve settled into your office.”
“Okay.” Sue nodded.
“Come back to my office with me and we’ll run through plans for this week and what you’ll be doing. You can also gather your things from your old desk to take down to your new office.” Keely stood. “I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about this new working arrangement.”
“So am I.” Sue picked up the folder and her coffee and followed her down the hallway.
“Pamela is going to fill in as my assistant until we get someone hired. I’d like you to sit in on the interviews. I feel you will have a better insight into who will be right for the job having a first-hand knowledge of what it will take to be my assistant.”
“Sure.”
When they turned the corner, Sue was surprised to see her sister waiting at her desk. “Kimberly, what are you doing here?”
“I came to see you. I called you several times last night, didn’t you get my messages? I even went by your apartment this morning, but your neighbor across the hall said you didn’t come home last night. I really was afraid you still hadn’t returned from Vegas.”
Sue sat her coffee and the folder on the desk and gave her sister a hug. “I’m sorry to have worried you. We got back late yesterday afternoon. I should have called you. And I did go home, but I guess my neighbor didn’t notice I was there.”
“I’ll be in my office when you finish,” Keely said.
Sue nodded. “I won’t be long.”
“You’re busy. I can see that. I just had to make sure you were all right.”
“I’m perfect. I got offered a promotion. I’m no longer Keely’s assistant. I’m an account executive. We were just in a meeting about it.”
“That’s wonderful!” Kimberly squealed and hugged her. “That’s a nice picture of you and Alex.”
