The Love Boss

by Aurora Peridot

  “To a job well done,” I said, raising my daiquiri.

  “Cheers,” Edgar said and we sipped our drinks. “You are now officially a private detective. Or at least a junior detective. Or maybe just a detective’s really helpful eye candy.”

  “Hey there,” I complained. I splashed him and swam off before he had a chance to splash me back. Looking at him from the other end of the pool, I was suddenly disappointed to think that our trip was already over.

  Chapter 15 – Edgar

  In the first week Bernadette and I had been back from the Bahamas, our life had taken on a strangely comfortable routine. I’ve never had an assistant last long. They usually drove me nuts with their presence or they quit because they didn’t like working for me. But it was different with Bernadette. I actually found myself looking forward to seeing her in the office. I even gave her a key so she wouldn’t have to sit outside the office waiting for me to get in. I’ve never given anyone a key to my office, but with Bernadette, it just felt natural, like the right thing to do.

  And my office looked better than ever. I was so used to piles of magazines and papers everywhere that I almost didn’t recognize my neatly organized office with a filing cabinet that’s actually used to file papers. Bernadette even came up with a better system of accounting and tracking invoice payments. I’ve never bothered to be too diligent on that front, but then Bernadette showed me just how much money I was owed, and I was suddenly very interested in getting better at it. While I had never had an assistant for more than a few weeks before, I didn’t think how I could do without Bernadette.

  I came into the office to see Bernadette was already reviewing my calendar. I had given her access to it and a spare laptop I had. I didn’t have an official place for an assistant, so she was sitting on the couch that I usually reserved for clients. She was wearing a striped pencil skirt and white silk blouse with her hair up in its usual bun. Between that and the glasses, I had a very vivid image of being punished by a very sexy librarian for an overdue fine or speaking above a whisper. It wasn’t a bad mental image . . .

  “Morning, Edgar,” Bernadette said, shaking me out of my revere.

  “Morning.”

  “Your coffee’s on your desk,” she said, without looking up from the laptop. Bernadette had gotten into the habit of picking up coffee for both of us in the mornings, though I hadn’t asked her to since that first morning. I didn’t want her to feel like she had to, but I also wasn’t going to turn down fresh, hot coffee first thing in the morning. And she knew just how I liked it.

  “Thanks,” I said, taking my first long sip of the morning. The aroma alone helped wake me up and the coffee was strong and sweet, black with two sugars.

  “You have two meetings today, both with new clients. But the first isn’t till ten, so you got some time.”

  “You’re so organized,” I said, admiringly. Bernadette had set up my calendar and kept it with amazing precision. Previously, I only occasionally remembered to write down an appointment, and half the time I wrote them down on sticky notes I lost or I forgot the appointment altogether and was surprised when a client showed up.

  “Great,” I said, still enjoying my coffee. My prior mornings had often been frantic dashes around my office trying to find a certain paper or a magazine with a photo of a cheating celebrity, all done while I was seriously lacking caffeine. My mornings now were positively luxurious. I made a note to reflect the cost of coffees in Bernadette’s paycheck . . . along with a high enough salary that she would be significantly discouraged from going anywhere else ever. Business was good and my clients were often those with more money than sense, so I could easily pay her several times what she’d make elsewhere. In the rush to hire her and then the trip, we hadn’t actually discussed pay. I figured this would be a great surprise for her at the end of the week when she got her first paycheck.

  “Has Mrs. Coleman wired you her payment?” Bernadette asked. “I emailed her an invoice right after our trip when you said you sent her the photos. I don’t have your wire info, so I don’t know if the money has come in.”

  “Yes, the payment came in last night. She even gave us a bonus for getting the job done so quickly. In fact, we should celebrate. Let me take you out for drinks tonight. We can get real champagne. Did you know that only champagne from the Champagne region of France can be called champagne? Everything else is just technically sparkling wine. Let’s go out for real champagne tonight. My treat for your help with the case.” I waited for a response. I realized I was holding my breath and let it go. I desperately wanted Bernadette to say yes. I hadn’t seen her outside the office since we returned and I really missed the let-your-hair-down woman I had gotten to know at the resort. Sure, I told myself I was only inviting her out tonight for a professional celebration, but I still desperately wanted her to go.

  Bernadette frowned and my heart sank. “I would, but I’m kinda seeing someone tonight. My ex has been trying to get me to talk to him for a while, so I said I’d meet with him.”

  “Seeing your ex. Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked. “I mean, he’s probably your ex for a reason.” I felt an almost physical pain to know Bernadette would be seeing another man tonight, especially an ex-boyfriend.

  “It’s not really a date,” she said. “He’s been texting me a lot saying he never got to explain himself. We broke up on pretty bad terms. I stormed out after seeing him with another woman. It was just dinner, but still. Anyway, I feel I need to hear him out, at least so I can get closure.” I could tell there was more to the story, but I didn’t press her for details.

  “Sure,” I said, trying to sound casual. “You do whatever you need to do. Maybe a raincheck another night.”

  “Thanks Edgar. A raincheck sounds great. We’re meeting at Tigre, a new place downtown. I can let you know if it’s any good.”

  I felt a surprising rush of anger at Bernadette’s ex. Whatever he had done left her feeling hurt and unsure of herself, I saw that much in her eyes when she talked about this guy. I couldn’t believe there was a man who would do such a thing to this woman. If I was dating Bernadette, I sure as hell would treat her right and make time for her, lots of time. Lots of time to take her out for drinks and to nice restaurants and to go dancing and then more time to go home and spend the rest of the night screwing. I would give her the attention she deserved. If only the situation was different, I thought wistfully.

  Of course, it couldn’t hurt to check this guy out, just to make sure he wasn’t going to hurt her again. I waited till she left at the end of the day, then grabbed my keys and headed to my car.

  Chapter 16 – Edgar

  I looked up the location of Tigre on my phone and headed out. It turned out to be an upscale bar with a great wine menu. It was dimly lit and the drinks were overpriced, but I could immediately tell why her ex had chosen this location. It was an intimate place, quiet enough to actually hear the person you’re with. I can’t stand bars with loud music and screaming drunk people, but I ached to think about some sleazy ex-boyfriend trying to wrap his arm around Bernadette as he tried to explain away his misdeeds.

  As I entered, I scanned the room. After a moment, I spotted Bernadette with a young man seated in a corner table. I was more than a bit pleased to see that they were sitting across from each other, not next to each other at the booth.

  I was annoyed at how handsome he was. He looked like an upscale male surfer and model. His blonde hair was slicked back and he was sporting a rich tan. He was far more muscled than me, and even though I considered myself strong, I’m sure I could never take him down in a fair fight. He wore an expensive dark grey suit. Although Bernadette had a softer look than him, they made a very sharp looking couple. I suddenly wondered if Bernadette preferred the formal business look over my more casual attire. I thought self-consciously about the dickies and polo shirt I was wearing.

  I saw the man lean in to Bernadette. Afraid he was trying to kiss her, I made my move before thinking about re
percussions.

  “Bernadette,” I called, as I strode toward the table. It had the effect I had hoped for. Bernadette snapped her head up to see me. She looked a bit confused, but smiled and waved to me. I made my way to their table.

  “Edgar, I didn’t know you were planning to come here,” she said. The look of surprise on her face was mirror in her voice.

  “I hadn’t planned on it,” I said, somewhat truthfully. “But after you mentioned coming here, it just sounded so good, I had to check it out myself.”

  “Who is this?” the man asked Bernadette, his voice was smooth, but icy.“David, I want to introduce you to Edgar, he’s my boss. Edgar, this is David.”

  “It’s good to meet you, Edgar,” David said as he shook my hand. His grip was firm, almost to the point of being painful, as if he was trying to prove his dominance. “I bet my Bernadette here was pretty thankful you gave her a job.”

  “I don’t think she’s your Bernadette,” I said before I could stop myself. “And I certainly didn’t do her any favors,” I added. “Bernadette has been a great asset to my business.”

  David smiled, but his eyes were cold. I refused to look away. If he wanted some sort of macho pissing contest, I’d give it to him. I was not about to let him take back Bernadette, not if I could help it.

  “Since you’re already here, do you want to join us for a drink?” Bernadette asked.

  “Babe, we were in the middle of a discussion,” David interjected, his voice dripping with condescension.

  “And we can finish it later,” Bernadette hissed. She seemed relieved to see me.

  “I’d love to,” I said.

  David wedged himself between Bernadette and myself as we piled into the plush corner table. I tried not to be irritated at his possessive behavior. But as I was getting into the booth behind him, I caught a whiff of a very feminine smell on him. I had been in this business too long to think I was imagining things. Nonetheless, I fell over into him, pretending to lose my balance.

  “So sorry,” I said as I righted myself. David shrugged it off, but I had my answer. I had taken a deep inhale of him when I was near him, and he most definitely smelled like roses and sandalwood. It was also nothing like the lilies and freesia that Bernadette wore. That meant one of two things. One—David had a fetish for wearing women’s perfume, rare but harmless. It happened, but not as often as option number two—David was getting very physical with another woman. If he was trying to win back Bernadette, it wasn’t because he had given up other women. Just the thought of him hurting Bernadette again made my blood boil. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would risk losing the most amazing woman I had ever met.

  “Right, Edgar?”

  I turned to Bernadette, realizing she had been talking to me. I had been too wrapped up in considering what, or who, David was doing.

  “What?” I asked dumbly.

  “I was just saying that you don’t believe that two people can really be together without cheating. And that’s kinda why you got into this line of work.”

  “Yeah, that’s right. There is almost always one person in a relationship who is a terrible cheater.” I looked right at David. He flinched, but ever so slightly. Bernadette was oblivious to it, but I saw it.

  “I don’t think that’s true at all,” said David, quickly regaining his suave demeanor. “I was just telling Bernadette how I think we should get back together because there is no one I would rather be with.” The threat in his voice was clear, but it also gave me the proof that this man was a liar. Now I just had to prove it to Bernadette.

  We got our drinks and talked for a little while. I tried to hide my disdain for David in small talk. Soon, I was sure I’d be able to expose him and free Bernadette. Would she want me if she realized that she should never get back together with David? I dared to hope that maybe there was a chance.

  After a rather short time, David drained his glass and said he had to go. Bernadette looked surprised.

  “But I thought you wanted to explain things,” she said, looking at him with her big green eyes.

  “I know, darling, but now doesn’t seem a good time,” David said, looking hard at me. “We can talk another time, besides it’s so busy at work, I have to get back to the office. But I think this is a good first step for us to get back together. I’m willing to do whatever it takes for you to know that and trust me again.” I noticed he didn’t make eye contact with her when he said this last part. That was a telltale sign of lying.

  “Sure, I guess we can talk another time.”

  “And I would much rather be enjoying your company than at work, but duty calls,” David said and reached out to shake my hand. “It was good to meet you Edgar.” Again, his hand crushed mine, but I didn’t flinch.

  “Pleasure to meet you, too,” I lied. I will destroy you, I thought. David left the bar and I watched him leave. I was so angry to think about what he was going to get away with, but I had an idea. I could provide Bernadette proof that her ex-boyfriend was a lying scumbag. I knew I probably should ignore it. It wasn’t my business to get involved in my assistant’s love life. And yet, Bernadette was so much more to me than just an assistant. And no matter what, I wouldn’t let her get hurt again. David already hurt her one too many times.

  “Actually,” I said. “I should head out too.”

  “Why?” Bernadette asked, surprised. “There isn’t anything at the office that can’t wait till tomorrow. Come on, one more drink.”

  I can’t have one more drink, I thought. Then I would lose my lead on David. Instead, I said, “I am starting to get a killer migraine, and I think I really need to go home and lie down.” I rubbed my temples to show that I had a migraine.

  “I’m so sorry to hear that,” Bernadette said, and I fought back a wave of guilt. “Want me to drive you home? I can pick you up tomorrow for work so you can leave your car.”

  “Thank you, but no. I’m fine to drive, I really am. I’ll roll my windows down and the air will do my head good. I’ll see you tomorrow”

  “Ok,” said Bernadette reluctantly. “Drive safe and text me when you get home.”

  “I will,” I promised. “And we’ll do a raincheck on drinks. Sorry again to cut out so soon.” And with that, I left the bar to go follow David.

  Chapter 17 – Bernadette

  I thought about the night before as I drove in to the office. It had been a strange evening, that was a given. David had not really told me anything new, simply that it had been a work dinner with a coworker. A hot, tall, skinny coworker, I thought. But David had seemed genuine about wanting to get back together and making it work. I was tempted. I missed being with him, but I still wasn’t sure if I could trust him. And then Edgar showed up. I couldn’t decide if I was glad or annoyed he had decided to visit the bar. I had enjoyed seeing more of him, I couldn’t deny that.

  Edgar was later than normal. I didn’t really mind at first, as he had given me a key to the office so I no longer had to wait on the sidewalk outside the office door anymore. And I was happy enough to have the office to myself for the morning. It gave me a good chance to get a few things organized before Edgar came in and messed up my carefully organized systems. It wasn’t that he meant to do it, he just wasn’t an organized person. I oscillated between feeling frustrated and thinking his absent-minded ways were kind of adorable.

  I was finishing writing out some invoices when Edgar finally came into the office. “Good morning sunshine,” I said brightly before I even looked up from my work. When I did, I felt a shock. Edgar looked awful. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hair was more mussed than usual. I realized he was even wearing the same clothes from yesterday and they were wrinkled and dirty.

  “What happened to you?” I asked, immediately concerned.

  “I had a bad night,” Edgar confessed. He plopped down on the couch and looked about ready to collapse.

  “Can I get you something? Coffee or Advil? Coffee and Advil?”

  “No, don’t bother
.”

  I wondered what on earth had given him such a bad night. I had to resist the urge to physically comfort him. I hated seeing him in pain, and it made me want to hold him close to me. I wanted to kiss him and make him feel better, but I realized how unprofessional that would be. Instead, I sat next to him on the couch.

  “Edgar, if you had such a bad night, maybe you should go home. I’m sure I could manage the office for a day, and I’ll call you if there are any real emergencies.”

  “I have to show you something,” Edgar said. There was a heaviness to his voice, and I felt another stab of anxiety. Whatever Edgar wanted to show me couldn’t be good if he was looking this bad.

  Edgar reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Without saying anything, he pulled up the camera and scrolled through the photos. Without meeting my eyes, he handed me the phone. I took it, confused as to why he was giving it to me. Then I looked at the photo on his phone. I stopped breathing.

  “Is this some sort of sick joke?” I croaked.

  “No, it’s not Bernadette.”

  The photo was of two people having sex. The photo had zoomed in on the couple through a window. The woman was beautiful with long legs and big breasts. She had rippling red hair, and I immediately knew she was the woman David had been getting dinner with the night we broke up. She was straddling a man. The man had rippling tan muscles and slicked back blond hair. He was squeezing the woman’s breasts and staring up at her with feral desire. It was David.

  “When did you take this picture?” I asked. My voice sounded as raw as I felt. David had assured me he wasn’t seeing anyone, and that he wanted to get back together.

  “Last night.”

  I felt myself cracking on the inside. I had been an utter fool for ever believing David when he told me he wasn’t seeing other women. There was a burning behind my eyes as tears threatened to pour out of me. A sudden pounding at my temples was making my head ache.