by Hazel Kelly
My chest felt tight. “Even Will?”
“More like with the exception of Will.”
“So you don’t know what you’re talking about?”
“The only reason I can’t prove it is because the guy is super private, but I can’t see why he wouldn’t be a freak like all the others.”
I looked down at my toes. “Maybe he’s gay.”
“Oh my god you like him!”
“Of course I do. He’s a nice man.”
“No. I could tell by your face that you don’t think he’s gay.”
“No. I don’t think he’s gay. But I’m still never going to sleep with him.”
Jackie scowled at me.
“He’s my boss, Jackie.”
She leaned her head back and dropped a handful of Skittles in her mouth.
“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have this sweet job that I need so bad. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize it. No matter how hard it is.”
“More like no matter how hard he is,” she said, covering her full mouth.
I shook my head. “I want him to think highly of me. If I spread my legs I’d just be like every other woman he meets all day every day. I want him to know I’m different.”
“I know what you’re saying makes sense. It’s just not nearly as interesting for me.”
I laughed. “Sorry to be such a bore.”
“It’s okay.” She took out her ponytail and put it back up.
“If I don’t blow it, this job could get me out of deep shit.”
“And your Mom’s place.”
“Exactly.”
She sighed. “All right. I know you’re more into losers anyway.”
“It’s not that I’m into losers. I just seem to attract them.”
“And then fall for them.”
“Which is why I’m not sleeping with anyone until I get my career going.”
“So lame, but whatever.”
“I might not even get to keep this job much longer if I don’t think of something amazing by Friday.”
“Why? What’s Friday?”
“I’m going to dinner with Will to tell him my concept for the party.”
“Dinner?”
“Yeah.”
“Sounds serious.” Her face was so smug I wished I could reach through the screen and slap her.
“It’s part of my raffle prize. Plus he’s too busy to do it any other time.”
“Are you sure? That sounds pretty suspicious to me.”
“That’s what he said anyway.”
“And he hasn’t done anything else that seemed unprofessional or flirtatious?”
I wasn’t sure if I should tell her. She could be so incorrigible.
“Ella?” She leaned in towards her camera lens. “What are you not telling me?”
I looked down at my toes and tried as hard as I could to sound matter of fact. “He did get me flowers.”
“What?! Why?”
“Just as a welcoming gesture, I guess.”
“Like a dozen yellow carnations or a big ass medley in a glass vase.”
“A big ass medley.”
“Oh my god. This is by far the most exciting thing that has never happened to me!”
“Settle down. I’m sure he gets everyone flowers when they start. Why wouldn’t he? It’s not like he can’t afford it.”
“True.” She rested her chin in her hands. “So let me make sure I’ve got this straight. He hired you even though you have no experience. Then he got you a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. And now he’s asked you to go to dinner with him on Friday?”
“At his favorite restaurant.”
She clapped her hands in front of her. “At his favorite restaurant!”
I screwed the lid back on the polish.
“You know what? You’re right. I think that sounds like totally normal boss behavior. He clearly has nothing in mind except for his career. I want to apologize for implying he might be having any impure thoughts about you whatsoever.”
Her sarcasm was so thick I half expected her to choke on her words.
“I hope you have a very professional dinner on Friday, and I’m sure if he does anything that impresses you it will be entirely coincidental.”
“Are you done?” I asked. “I don’t appreciate being mocked.”
“I just can’t wait for you to call me and tell me I was right.”
“Don’t hold your breath. That won’t be happening.”
“Oh Ella. Poor naïve, Ella.” She shook her head. “You better be careful.”
“Or what?”
“Or this guy will wreck you.”
“He’ll do no such thing,” I said, scrolling over the end call button. “But I have to go or I won’t get to keep my job or your fantasies alive.”
“Please do then.” She puckered her lips. “Mwah. Chat soon.”
After ending the call, I grabbed the single flower that was lying on my nightstand and brought it to my nose. If I closed my eyes, it still smelled as lovely as if the whole bouquet was surrounding it.
Jackie was a pain in the ass- my favorite pain in the ass- but still a pain. At the same time, part of me hoped she was right. Part of me wanted Will to want me even though I knew it wouldn’t make anything easier. Even the thought of his five o’clock shadow made my insides curl. But I needed to focus. Because if I couldn’t come up with an idea that would impress him by the time we had dinner, my job- and the opportunity to get to know him better- would be over before it even began.
Chapter 12: Will
I couldn’t remember the last time I was so excited for a meal, and since I ate at Capulets at least twice a week, I knew it wasn’t the food that had me all worked up. I couldn’t wait to see Ella in a softer light. Maybe she would relax a little around me outside the office. Maybe she would stop acting like I was about to bite her. Not that I didn’t want to, but it bothered me that she seemed to sense it somehow.
Still, how could I not be eager? After wracking my brain, I realized that I’d slept with every single woman that I’d ever brought there. There was just something about the place. It was like all I had to do was wait for them to get wet over dessert, and then just be there at the right time. And I had a good feeling that Ella had never been anywhere like it before. Her face was going to beam from the excitement of just being there and if I was lucky, the dessert spoon wouldn’t be the only thing she felt like licking.
Ugh. I could hardly stand it. Ever since she agreed to accompany me, I’d had to up my workouts to twice a day just to stay calm. Still, even as the sweat rolled down my body, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was so sexy and she didn’t even know it. If it didn’t make her such an irresistible challenge it would’ve pissed me off that she was so oblivious to her own charms. But when I was done proving to her how sexy she could be, she would be changed. There would be a swing in her hips after I had her, and I would know it was there because of me.
Most of the time, all I had to do was suggest a woman give herself to me. I didn’t even have to ask politely. Scratch that- even if I did ask- it was never politely. And still, they always said yes. But Ella was different. She was skittish. I could tell by how often I unintentionally made her blush that if I came on too strong she might panic before she realized what a good thing it could be for both of us.
Maybe it was some sort of midlife crisis bullshit, but I wanted her to beg for it. I wanted to hold out until I knew that she would be up for whatever I asked of her. I wanted to build enough suspense that when the time came, she wouldn’t be able to say no to anything. She’d be blinded by lust, paralyzed by desire. Then I could have her any way I wanted her.
Which was the only way I wanted her. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to control myself once I had my chance. So she had to be ready and willing. She had to be open minded before she spread her legs for me. Because restraint wasn’t my strong suit, and I had no intention of practicing it with her.
I jumped when the phone
rang. “Emily.”
“Laura’s on the phone for you.”
“What does she want?”
“To talk to you I think, but I could ask her-”
“Don’t be a smartass. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Speaking of smartass, could I have a word when you’re done speaking with her?”
“What about?”
“The new girl.”
I feigned ignorance. “Which new girl?”
“Ella Riley.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Perhaps we could talk about this after you’ve spoken to Laura.”
“Right. Of course. Put her through.” I waited for the beep. “Hello.”
“Hi Will. It’s me.”
“How’s your Dad?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.
“Still hanging in there.”
“And the Corbett Suites on the fourteenth?”
“Just waiting on the reed diffusers.”
“The what?”
“They’re almost done.”
“Good.” I looked at the clock. Why did Emily want to talk about Ella? “What do you want then?”
“I was wondering if you might like to have lunch this afternoon?”
“Can’t.”
“I mean lunch lunch.”
“Not today.”
“Why?”
“I’m swamped.”
“But you’re never too swamped for-”
“Well there’s a first time for everything isn’t there?”
“Is something wrong? You seem cranky?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Have you been working out?”
“Of course I’ve been working out. I’m just cranky because I told you I was busy and you’re still on the phone!”
“Excuse me. Sorry to call and offer you no strings attached sex. I’m so out of line I-”
“You are out of line, and it’s not no strings attached is it? It’s all about the strings with you, and I don’t have time for it right now.”
“Fuck you, Will.”
“No you won’t. Not today.” I hung up the phone and smoothed my tie down. Frank was right. Screwing my ex-wife was only going to end in her fucking me more than she already had. I took a deep breath and picked up the phone.
“Will?”
“Now is a good time.” I hung up and waited for her to knock and enter. “Have a seat, Emily.”
“Thanks.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“I’m concerned about Ella.”
“Why?”
“Well for one thing, she has zero experience even going to elite parties, much less planning them.”
“Everyone has to start somewhere.”
“She didn’t even know what a fondue pot was.”
I squinted at her. “Go on.”
“She interrupted my work day to ask me what it was in one of the pictures.”
I shook my head. “Emily.”
“Yes?”
“Did she really not know what a fondue pot was or was she asking about the one they had at the Blessington Wedding in 2010.”
She looked down at where her hands were clasped in her lap and then looked up. “Well, it was that fondue pot but-”
“I don’t think that’s really fair then, do you?” I put my elbows on my desk. “No one would know that was a fondue pot unless they were there. It had a live swan on top of it for Christ sakes.”
Her mouth formed a straight line.
“Why don’t you like her?”
“I don’t know. I just think she’s too-”
I cocked my head. “Too what?”
“Young, I guess.” She crossed her legs.
I was touched. Emily was jealous. Which was hilarious because I employed her partly because I found her completely resistible, and I didn’t want to be one of those guys who had to train a new secretary five times a year.
“To have all that responsibility,” she added.
“Remember when I hired you?”
“Yes.”
“Remember how no one else would because you’d been at home raising your children for so long that people thought you couldn’t handle a fast paced environment?”
“Yes.”
“And so much responsibility?”
She pushed her glasses up her nose. “I do.”
“Aren’t you glad I gave you a chance to prove yourself?”
“I am very grateful.”
“And if you didn’t step up, you would’ve understood if I let you go, right?”
“I would’ve.”
“This is no different, okay?”
She nodded.
“Okay?”
“Why her though? Of all the inexperienced girls in the city who like to go to parties, why her?”
I chose to ignore her snarky tone. “Are you asking me because you’re genuinely curious about my hiring process?”
She swallowed. “Of course.”
“Ella Riley’s Mother is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. She’s the kind of woman that goes the extra mile, takes pride in her work, and is willing to make enormous personal sacrifices in order to excel at her job.”
Emily pursed her thin lips.
“So I decided to give Ella the benefit of the doubt.”
“That makes sense, Will. I’m sorry I questioned you.”
“It’s okay. I appreciate you having my back as always. You know you’re my number one asset so I’m glad you didn’t hesitate to come to me.”
She smiled.
“No matter how ridiculous your concern was.”
Emily looked down at her feet.
“But I know how much work you put into the Christmas Party every year, too. So you have every right to be concerned about whether she’s the right woman for the job.”
“Thank you. That’s all it was.”
“I’m meeting her on Friday to hear her concept for the party. If I feel that she is in any way in over her head or incapable of pulling this off without distracting you from your other responsibilities, I will not hesitate to find a replacement.” I sat up in my chair. “Does that sound fair?”
“It does.”
“Good. You can go.”
She stood up and made her way towards the door.
“And play nice, Emily. It’s your job to make her feel as welcome here as I made you feel.”
“Will do, sir.”
When she closed the door I put my head in my hands. I hoped I wasn’t being an idiot. And more than that, I hoped Ella would impress me. I didn’t want to have to choose between her and a killer party when I wanted both things very badly.
Chapter 13: Ella
I had to redo my makeup twice when I was getting ready. I kept putting on one too many coats of mascara, and I didn’t want it to be obvious that I wanted to look pretty.
However, I figured there was no harm in wearing something a little less conservative so I went to Macy’s with my gift card and picked out something that was form fitting without being too revealing. After all, I didn’t want Will to think I was always as serious as I was at work. The dinner was supposed to be a prize, and prizes were supposed to be fun. Or so I kept reminding myself.
I was actually so nervous the cab driver asked me if I was okay. That’s when I realized I needed to relax. I was getting too worked up, and if I continued down that path, I was liable to choke on something again. Or worse. So I took a few deep breaths and practiced telling Will my concept for the Christmas party in my head. Then I pictured him being blown away by my creativity and saying that hiring me was the best decision he ever made. Which made me feel a smidge better.
When I got out of the cab, though, I was nervous all over again. The restaurant didn’t look like the kind of place that served sandwiches. I just hoped it wouldn’t be one of those places where everything on the menu was impossible to pronounce. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself.
As soon as I saw the hostess, I focused on making
my way towards her while doing my best to ignore the surroundings so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. It was just a restaurant I kept telling myself. He was just a man. There was no reason to freak out.
“Good evening Miss.”
“Hi,” I said, looking past her at the crème colored, candle lit room.
“May I have your name?”
“Ella,” I said, admiring the far wall which featured a fresco of the balcony scene from Romeo & Juliet.
The woman scrunched up her face. “Are you here to meet someone, Ella?” The woman looked me up and down like it was up to her whether I was allowed in or not.
“Oh, yes!” I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. “Oops. Sorry. I’m here to meet William Abbott.”
The tip of her nose seemed to lower by several degrees. “Welcome to Capulets, Ella. Any friend of Mr. Abbotts is a friend of ours.”
I really didn’t think friendship was in the cards for us, but I appreciated her changing her tune.
“Allow me to show you to your table.”
“That would be lovely,” I said, dropping in line behind her.
“Is this your first time here?” she asked over her shoulder.
“It is, yes.”
“Well you’re in for a treat.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.”
She turned around. “It’s Claudia.”
“Nice to meet you.”
She led me through a wooden archway into a smaller dining room. I saw him right away and felt my breath catch in my throat even before he stood up. It was like everything went blurry around him and he was the light at the end of the tunnel.
At some point, Claudia disappeared, too, and I arrived beside the table.
He leaned forward and touched his cheek to mine. “Hello Cinderella.”
I felt my heart swell in my chest. “Hello, Will.”
He pulled my chair out and I sat down.
When he took his seat across from me, I think I actually salivated a little.
“Did you find the place okay?”
“The cabbie did,” I said, pulling my shawl off my shoulders and draping it on the chair behind me.
