by Scott, Lisa
Chuck came over and punched Tom in the arm, and Shelby jumped up from her seat. “Finally, we can stop pretending you two aren’t an item. Do you know how hard that was? Jenny threatened to put Super glue in my lipgloss if I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.”
Jenny piped up from her cubicle. “It’d be kinder than a few staples to the lip. I’m considerate like that.”
Jillian strolled out of her office and crossed her arms. “Isn’t this…amusing.”
Joy pulled her hand away from Tom’s. “It’s not like we’re the first couple here. Jenny snatched up Nolan days after he started.”
“It’s hard to find a man who appreciates my humor,” Jenny said. “And my love of desserts for lunch.”
Nolan stuck his head out of his office. “And I do. I really do. You two may have had sex for lunch, but Jenny and I had pecan pie.”
“Oh, my God, it was so good!” Jenny gripped the edges of her desk in dramatic ecstasy.
Tom nodded. “And Charlotte dated Tristan before she married that other guy.”
“His name is Sean,” Charlotte’s voice drifted from one of the cubicles.
“So, you really can’t complain, Jillian,” Shelby said.
“I’m not complaining.” Jillian laughed, although it sounded more like a cackle if Joy had ever heard one. “Why would I care?” Then she went into her office and slammed the door.
“Shit,” Tom mumbled.
Joy shrugged. “She’ll get over it.”
But Joy didn’t know about some of the conversations Jillian had had with Tom. Still, it was possible Jillian would finally give up on him. After all, he would never date his boss, let alone one who was married with a boyfriend on the side.
After the workday ended, Tom walked Joy out of the building. It was so nice to leave together instead of leaving her behind. “Look what I found pinned to that damn bear in my office.”
Joy unfolded a note. “We’re all so happy for you both.” She smiled. “Guess it wasn’t the best kept secret. But this feels like a new start. Like great new things are going to happen.” She smiled up at the sun.
Seemed like a bad idea to mention his concerns about Jillian. “Let’s go out to dinner again.”
“Will you stay with me after?”
“At your place?”
She nodded. “I’ve been wanting to wake up in your arms for a long time.”
“I’ll grab some clothes, then pick you up.”
“But not pajamas. Don’t bother.”
***
Joy had been ignoring her sister’s phone calls since canceling plans on her the night before. Tara had left six messages, and Joy could imagine what they said. But when she returned home, she listened anyway.
First, “Seriously? You’re giving this guy a chance? We need to talk.”
Then, “That was a joke text, right? Surely you jext. You are not dating Tom. I won’t allow it.”
“Jext?” Joy said to herself. Totally stealing that.
“Call me. There is the hottest guy at the bar. He’s got one dimple, just like you like. See what else is out there. Don’t settle for Tom!”
“Joy. You. Are. Killing. Me. Where did I go wrong? How did I fail you as a sister?” This message went on for a few minutes, and Joy only half listened to the sobbing and scolding while she opened her mail.
A message of sniffling and unintelligible words was next.
Fine. No sense in putting off the inevitable phone call.
Her sister answered on the first ring. “Tell me things looked different in the morning. You sobered up. Did he drug you? Get you drunk?”
Joy sat on her bed. “No, he came over and I told him I wanted more than he was giving me. I was ready to end it, but he said that’s why he came over. Because he wanted more, too.”
“I forbid it.”
Joy laughed, kicking off her shoes and flopping back on the bed. “You can’t forbid it. This is my life.”
“Mom would’ve forbidden it.”
Joy’s heart sank. “Pulling the dead mother card is a low blow, Tara. And you’re wrong. Mom always wanted us to live our own lives, mistakes and all.”
“Warts and all is how she put it, and Tom is a wart for sure.”
“She would’ve liked Tom.” Joy believed that.
“Whatever. Don’t come crying to me when he breaks your heart.”
“I have a good feeling about this.”
Tara said nothing.
“Listen, I know you’re just trying to help. Thank you for that. But I like him. A lot. Don’t worry about me.”
“I have to.” Tara’s voice was a whisper. “Who else will?”
“Tom will now. I need to be with someone. I want to be with someone who cares, and he does.” She reached for her pillow and hugged it.
“I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” Tara said.
***
Joy was right. Things were on the upswing. Everything was going great with Tom during their first week as an official couple. But when Jillian called her into her office, Joy tried to remember the location of the flashdrive containing her resume.
“Come in, sit down. It’s been a while since we’ve talked,” Jillian said.
“We spent ten minutes last week talking about which red nail polish is best on you.”
“That wasn’t talking. It was chatting.”
Joy faked a laugh. “Right.”
“Listen, my friend over at the modeling agency tells me their receptionist has booked so many modeling gigs for herself, she’s quitting. And they’re looking to hire someone new. Someone who will be the first person clients see when they walk in. And I may have mentioned to them that you’re fabulous.”
Joy popped up from her seat. Then sat down. “Oh, my God.” She covered her mouth with her hands.
Jillian nodded, smiling. “Give them a call.” She passed over a business card.
Joy rushed around the desk to hug Jillian. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“No problem at all.”
“What kind of notice do you need from me if I leave?”
“I’ve got an ad out already.”
“Oh. Wow.” Joy left, clutching the card, and hurried to Tom’s office.
“The modeling agency is looking for a new receptionist, and Jillian recommended me!” She jumped around in a tiny circle.
Tom’s face was blank for a moment, then he smiled. “That’s wonderful. Maybe we’ll get to use you in an ad.”
“I can’t believe she’d do that for me.”
“I can.”
Joy cocked her head.
“We just announced we’re a couple. And she suddenly finds you a new job?”
Joy crossed her arms. “You’d leave in a flash if you got a new job.”
Tom walked over and put his arms around her. “I’m really happy for you. I’m just going to miss you. The receptionists over there don’t take lunch breaks. They eat at their desks. If they eat.”
“We can still see each other after work. You’re pretty busy during the day.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “It’ll be fine. Congratulations.” But something in his eyes made her think he wasn’t being honest.
***
Joy scheduled her interview with TK Models during her lunch break the next day. It was the first lunch she hadn’t spent with Tom in six months. But those lunches weren’t so critical to her now that they were a couple all day long. Every day. She squealed a little as she walked across the hall.
Jacques, the owner, wanted her to start the following week—and a clothing allowance was part of the benefits package. “We want you to look your best. You’re the first face our clients see when they walk in. And many times they fall in love with that face out there at the reception desk and insist on hiring the girl for their campaign.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“Can you start in a week?”
“I’ll talk with Jillian.”
“Excellent. Welcome to TK Models. Who
knows where this move will take you?”
She headed back to work. This must’ve been what people meant when they said they were walking on a cloud. She was certain if she lay back she’d just glide back to the office in the air. She had ten minutes left in her break, so she went to Tom’s office.
Jillian was there, leaning against Tom’s desk, laughing about something. She stopped when Joy walked into the room. “Oh, Joy. How did it go?”
“Great. They want me to start next week. Is that okay?”
“That’s perfect.”
Jillian pushed away from the desk. “Tom, we’ll talk more tomorrow.” She left the office and fluttered her fingers at Joy.
“What was that all about?” Joy asked.
“There’s a meeting for all the branches in New York next week. She wants me to go.”
“Who else is going?”
“Her.”
Joy’s heart got stuck in her throat. “Just her?”
“Yeah.”
“Huh. Should I be worried about this?”
“No.”
She forced a smile. “Okay. How about dinner tonight to celebrate?”
“Absolutely.”
***
The office staff threw Joy a fabulous party after work Friday. They had a giant cake. “Since you probably won’t be allowed to ever eat cake again once you cross to the dark side of the hall,” Jenny said.
“They’re probably going to make you lose weight,” Shelby said. “I heard the receptionist you’re replacing is so small she shops in the children’s section.”
Tom was behind Joy and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Joy is perfect. They’re lucky to have her.”
“It’s interesting how she got the job right after you guys went public with your relationship,” Shelby said.
No one said anything.
“We’re going to miss you so much,” Jenny said. “I hope our new receptionist likes pranks. You’ve been very a cooperative participant.”
A tinge of sadness hit Joy’s heart. She liked these people. And she loved being able to look up throughout the day and share a smile with Tom. But her dreams of becoming a model were a step closer. And things wouldn’t change that much. She was only just across the hall.
***
Tom loved watching Joy be the center of attention. She had a smile for everyone and was obviously touched by all the gifts. It was going to be a different place without her here, for sure. And that damn fish was probably going to die in days without her.
“What are you going to do about Jillian?” Chuck asked Tom. “The two of you alone in New York?” He whistled.
“I’ll just turn her down.”
“Because she takes no for an answer so often.”
“She’s testing me. I announce I’m with Joy, and she wants to tempt me. I can handle it.”
“I don’t know. She’s already shipping your girlfriend off across the hall. I think you’re more than her regular target. You’re a challenge. A woman like her lives to win a challenge,” Chuck said.
Tom looked at Jillian and she winked at him from across the room.
Shit.
***
They had business class seats for their trip to New York, and even though the flight was less than an hour long, Jillian managed to fall asleep against Tom’s shoulder. As the plane landed, her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him, smiling. “That was nice.”
It was remarkable that no one had filed a complaint against Jillian over the years. Maybe no one had ever been bothered by her behavior.
“What time is our first meeting?” Tom asked.
“Noon. Tomorrow.”
“So, we’re here a day early?”
“To soak in the city, my friend. I’m going to do some shopping, then we’re going to grab dinner and a show. We deserve it.”
Tom was relieved to see they had separate rooms—with no connecting door between them. He caught up on some phone calls while Jillian was out and rehearsed ways to say, “I’m flattered, but I’m in an exclusive relationship.”
At dinner, Jillian scooted her chair closer to his. “Mmm, this champagne is excellent. Try it.” She handed him her glass, but he held up his hand.
“I’m not a big champagne fan.” Which was a lie.
“Oh well. More for me. I’m fun when I’m drunk.” She giggled. “It’s part of the business.”
“Your husband doesn’t mind all your business? You’re away from home a lot.”
“We have an understanding. Lots of couples do.”
“What about your boyfriend?”
“Which one?” She slapped her hand over his. “Tom, I like men—hot men. It’s not something I keep secret. I wouldn’t have hired you if you were doughy and five-eight.”
“I’m a good junior account executive. I deserve to move up.”
“You do. And that’s why I might be willing at the meeting tomorrow to suggest that corporate move Bob from our Boston office to New York, and move you into his spot.”
“Seriously?” Something bad stirred around in his gut.
“Depending on how our weekend goes.”
He sighed. “Jillian, I’m not going to sleep with you.”
“You act like it would be a bad thing. Clients fly in from around the country for the pleasure. Here I am offering it to you with a job to boot, and you’re turning me down?”
“I don’t want to get a promotion that way. And I don’t want to ruin things with Joy.” He stood. “I’ve lost my appetite. I’ll see you at the meeting tomorrow.”
***
It was clear Jillian didn’t need him there. Most of the meeting was comprised of financial overviews that didn’t require input from him. But right as they were wrapping up, Jillian said, “One other thing before we leave. I promised the New York office one of our best employees for the account manager position here. And I’d like you to meet him. This is Tom Latham”
Tom froze.
“He’s been begging for a promotion for months, and here it is…my friend.” She patted his hand.
“Welcome to the Big Apple, kid. If Jillian says you’re good, I’ll take her word on it. When can we have him?” one of the bosses asked.
“We’re going to have to work that out and get back to you.” She looked at her watch. “And we really must be going or we’ll miss our flight.”
Once they got into the cab, Tom turned to her, hoping he wouldn’t explode. “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“You never said anything about the New York job for me. You said Bob was moving to New York.”
“I can’t work with you after that unpleasantness last night. We’d be seeing a lot of each other if you were promoted. Besides, this is what you wanted. A promotion to Account Executive Manager. Someone should get what they want. Why shouldn’t it be you?” Her smile was wicked.
“You know damn well why I wouldn’t want to leave Boston now.”
“Really, Tom. You’re going to turn down another promotion for a woman?” She shrugged. “Maybe you don’t have what it takes for this business.”
“Do I still have my job in Boston?”
“Of course. I don’t have much to do with the junior executives. I can ignore you just fine.”
“So who’s going to New York, then?”
“I guess we’re back to good old Bob.”
***
Joy sat at her desk in her new Tahari suit, tapping her pen on the desk to the beat of the song in her head. The silence in the office was the worst part. Joy was usually alone while she worked the reception desk, patching through calls and greeting the occasional client or model who came in, neither of whom had paid her any attention thus far. And she missed that darn fish. Watching it glide side to side in the big tank had been rather soothing. TK Models had several cacti in their lobby—something that needed no food and little water, just like their models.
She rolled her chair to the printer on the right side of her desk so she coul
d see through the doors at Dunner. Two of her old coworkers ran by, followed by two others shooting silly string. She grinned, wondering what prompted the attack. She watched for a few more minutes, hoping for a glimpse of Tom. He was due back from New York. When he didn’t show up by noon, she called him. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I just needed a day off.”
“I miss seeing you walk around across the hall. I watch, you know.”
He chuckled. “Naughty girl. Can you come over tonight?”
“Right after work.” She paused. “Are you all right? Did something bad happen in New York?”
He hesitated before answering. “We can talk about it later.”
Joy hung up with an empty feeling. She wasn’t even hungry for her carrot sticks.
***
When Joy left work, Jillian was leaving her office, too. “How’s it going over there?” Jillian asked her.
“It’s okay. It’s a lot quieter than Dunner.”
“Anywhere is quieter than Dunner. Maybe not a machine shop, but most places.”
“I miss you guys,” Joy said softly.
“Darling, it could be worse.”
“What do you mean?”
“At least your boyfriend is just across the hall. He could be in New York. He turned down the account manager position there.”
Joy stopped walking. “What? Why?”
“Because of you, I assume. It’s not the best move for his career, but you must be something special. You’re a lucky girl.” Then Jillian fluttered her fingers and hurried to catch the open elevator down the hall.
Joy couldn’t swallow the lump in her throat. She wanted Tom, but she didn’t want to hold him back. He had to take the job. He’d always resent her if he didn’t. This was what he’d been wanting for so long. She could hear him telling the story ten years from now about the time he almost moved up the corporate ladder. “But I had just started dating Joy…” She was not going to be the ending to his story.
***
After Tom opened his door, Joy walked right in and said, “What are you thinking turning down that job?”
“Jillian talked to you?”
“Yes. What are you thinking? This is exactly what you wanted.”
He rubbed his hand through his hair. “She had her reasons for offering it.”
“What?”
