Macy appears in my doorway. “I ordered supplies for Mackenzie’s desk per Matt’s request.”
“Great.”
“I have your calendar printed for next week and I’ve started to schedule your team lunches. Anything else you need me to do?”
“I’m good. I appreciate how you keep my life together for me.”
“It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
“Should we hug now?” I ask, laughing.
“Yeah, that’s probably enough sentiment for a while. I’ll get back to work.”
“Me, too.”
I answer emails and read through my mail, painfully aware that I’m going to see Mackenzie again in just a few days. I don’t know what it is about her that gets to me. It’s more than her looks. She has something different than most women I meet. If I know what’s good for me, I’ll stay away from her. I need to think about my reputation now that I’m a partner. It’s the only thing that matters.
The vibration of my cell phone across my night stand causes me to wake from the deep sleep I was in. I roll over and grab it, blinking several times while my eyes adjust to the bright light of the screen. I see three text messages waiting for me.
Sis: I need your help.
Sis: Seriously, Brayden? It’s not that late.
Sis: Stacey is here and we can’t get all her stuff in the house. Please call when you can.
I dial her number.
“Finally!” Ariel answers.
“Why didn’t you just call instead of texting?”
“Were you sleeping?”
“Yes, I’m exhausted. I’ve been going to bed early for the past few days.”
“Sorry. I’m used to you being up and thought maybe you had a girl over.”
“No girls here. Just me.” I sit up in bed and run my fingers through my hair. “Stacey is there?”
“Yeah, she pulled in about thirty minutes ago and she has more stuff than we thought. She needs to return the trailer early in the morning so we need to get her stuff out. Can you come over?”
“Yeah, of course. Just give me a few minutes to throw some clothes on.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
I pull myself out of bed and brush my teeth quickly. After running some water through my hair, I throw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and head out the door to get to my sister’s house. At least it’s Friday so I can sleep in this weekend.
I get to Ariel’s quickly since there is little to no traffic at this time of night. Pulling up, I see the little trailer in the driveway and my sister and Stacey standing on the front porch. I park and get out of the car.
“What’s going on here?” I ask.
Ariel and Stacey look up at me and smile. Ariel walks forward. “We can’t get Stacey’s dresser in the door by ourselves.”
“Well, glad I showed up then.” I flex my bicep and we all laugh.
“Thanks for coming,” Stacey says.
“I said I would.” I look inside the trailer and see the dresser and a few more boxes. This shouldn’t take very long at all. I wrap my arms around the piece of the furniture to gauge how heavy it is and decide I can do this by myself. I haul it in the house and down the hall to the guest bedroom that is now full of boxes. I set it down against a wall then head back out to grab the remaining boxes while the girls grab beers for all of us. After I bring in the last box, I join them in the living room.
“Thanks for doing all that,” Stacey says to me.
“No problem. Is that all the stuff you had?”
“Yep, just my clothes, my books, and a few other important things. My grandmother gave me the dresser so I wanted to bring it.”
“She wanted to put the stuff in storage,” Ariel says, “But I insisted she save her money and keep it here. I have room for it.”
Stacey smiles. “That helps a lot.”
We sit quietly for a moment.
“Do you live far from here?” Stacey asks.
“Not too far.”
“Thanks again for coming over.”
“Sure.” I glance over at the pretty girl. This is one time I can assure Ariel I won’t pursue her friend. There is zero spark happening between us. I stand up. “I should probably get going.”
“Okay,” Stacey says.
“I’ll come by tomorrow and take you both out for lunch, how does that sound?”
“Sounds good, bro,” Ariel says.
“You good with that?” I ask Stacey.
“Sure,” she says, smiling big.
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
“Good night,” Stacey says. “Thanks again for helping.”
“No problem.”
Stacey seems nice and the kind of girl I should be interested in, but I just can’t make myself feel anything. I like my women with a little more edge and sex appeal. Stacey is obviously not the right girl for me.
Sitting at lunch the next day, I glance across the table at my sister and her friend. In my mind, I compare the two women- my sister, who has a modern bohemian vibe that is very fitting with the San Diego lifestyle, and Stacey, in her jeans and sweater looking every bit like a girl from the Midwest. To the outsider, we must be an interesting trio.
After we order, I decide to engage Stacey in conversation.
“So,” I ask, “You’re in social work?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because people need help sometimes.”
“I guess so,” is my response.
“Stacey was always trying to save the planet,” Ariel adds. “It’s one of those things that’s really cute about you.”
Stacey grins. “I’m not trying to save the world. I just get a lot of fulfillment out of lifting someone up when they really need it. Someone’s gotta do it.”
“Yeah, so this is funny- the playboy ad exec and the girl next door do-gooder.” Ariel laughs.
I shoot a look at my sister. “What label should we put on you?”
“At the rate I’m going, cat lady is starting to sound about right. Aren’t we quite the threesome?”
“Oh, stop,” Stacey says. “You are far from that.”
“True.” Ariel continues laughing. “I don’t even have a cat.”
I glance over at Stacey, who smiles softly and looks out the window.
“What’s going on with you?” I ask Ariel.
My sister starts talking about her purchasing job at the high end department store she works for and I quietly eat my chicken tacos while the girls chat the time away. Then Stacey addresses me.
“So tell us about your new promotion, Brayden.”
“I was promoted to partner of the firm I work for.”
“What does that mean?” she asks.
“Basically it means that I now oversee the people who do my current job. I make sure new accounts are coming in, I wine and dine potential clients and keep existing ones happy. If I have to, I come in and execute the close.”
“So, you’re the boss?”
“Yes, of a division. Not the whole company. I’m only the second non-family member to have the position of partner.”
“Brayden has been a rock star in his own department leading to this promotion,” Ariel adds.
“Oh? What department?”
“Health and Beauty,” I say.
“Do you like that area?” Stacey asks.
“It suits me. Some people have said that I have an innate ability to know what a woman wants to hear.” I grin and take a bite of my black beans.
“I’m pretty sure that’s accurate,” Stacey agrees.
“If I play my cards right, it’s only up from here. Eventually, I’ll open my own agency.”
“It’s awesome you’re so ambitious,” Stacey says. “I’m happy for you.”
The check comes and I pay our bill then escort the ladies back outside. It’s turning out to be a gorgeous day, nice and sunny. Putting the top down on the car, I take the scenic trip back to Ariel’s place so we can enjoy the weather.
While we drive, I look over at Stacey a few times, her blond hair blowing in the wind. She’s looking around at everything like a tourist and I think it’s kind of cute. Her casual dress and sweet demeanor make her seem more like a teenager than a grown woman. There is something so pure about her. She seems like she is really nice and kind to others. Qualities I could use a little bit more of in my life. I just wish I wanted it.
“Good morning, Brayden.”
I look up when I hear Mackenzie’s sultry voice fill my office and every nerve in my body just woke up. I feel sucked in by the force field her presence generates. I sit up a little straighter and smile.
“Hey, Mackenzie. Welcome. How is everything going so far?”
“Great. Matt’s been showing me around and everyone has been very nice.” Matt stands next to her looking downright uncomfortable.
I grin. “Good to hear. Are you getting settled in?”
“Slowly. Fortunately, I was able to get all my files and contacts out before I told my boss I was leaving. She told me to go right at that moment so I had a few days off before I got here.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. I bet they were pissed.”
“The director counter offered, but I told him my decision was made.”
“Well, we’re honored you chose us.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
I look at my colleague as he shifts back and forth, eyes locked on the floor.
“Can I talk to you for a moment, Matt?” I ask.
“Yeah, sure.”
“I’ll just step out,” Mackenzie offers.
“What’s going on with you? You look sick,” I say to Matt.
“Dude, she’s fucking hot. You should’ve told me that.”
“Why does that even matter?”
“Just so I was prepared. I almost fell over when I went downstairs to pick her up. She freaks me out.”
“Freaks you out? How?”
“She’s a goddess. She’s like every man’s dream woman.”
“All I care about is that she can do the job. That’s all you should care about, too.”
“Did you hit it already, boss?” he whispers. “You can tell me. I’ll bow down before you right now if you did.”
“No, I did not hit it. Get your head in the game, Matt. Stop thinking with your dick.”
“Right. Okay.” He rubs his forehead. “I’m cool, but fuck.”
“Get it together.”
“I will. I got it.”
“Good. Take her downstairs and act professional.”
“I will. Don’t worry.”
“Okay.” We walk out and see Mackenzie chatting with Macy. She looks up and smiles at me. Yeah, she is fucking hot. I feel Matt’s pain.
Matt clears his throat. “I can show you the rest of the office now, Mackenzie.”
“Great. Really nice meeting you, Macy. I appreciate that you helped me speak to Brayden in the first place.”
Macy smiles. “No problem. Glad it all worked out.”
Mackenzie turns to me. “I hope I’ll see you around.” Her tone is business, but her eyes are saying something completely different.
“You will. We’ll set up lunch once you get settled in.”
“Sounds good.”
Matt and Mackenzie walk away and just as I am about to go back into my office, Macy stops me.
“Excuse me, mister. Did you forget to tell me something about Mackenzie?”
“I don’t think so.”
“How about the fact that she is beyond gorgeous?”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Let’s see. Brayden James and gorgeous women, hmmm.”
“I hired her because she is talented and we need her, not because of what she looks like. I’m sure it is helpful to her in her work, but her appearance wouldn’t matter if she sucked.”
“Okay, that’s true. I should give you more credit.”
“I would appreciate it.”
“She seemed nice. Very gracious.”
“She is.”
“I feel like there is more to her than what we see, though.”
“Isn’t that the case for everybody?”
“Deeper than that. She seems mysterious to me.”
“She can keep her mysteries to herself as long as she does the job she told me she could do. The presentation she did for me was impressive and her close rate is amazing. If she has the same success here, we’ll be doing very well.”
“I’m glad she’s here, then.”
“Me, too.”
I walk back in my office and sit down. Every time I see or hear Mackenzie I feel like the air got knocked out of me. Every man in this office is going to be panting after her and I know it will drive me crazy to hear she is dating someone. Even though I have no right, I don’t want anyone else to have her. My gut tells me that Mackenzie doesn’t mix business and pleasure, though. I really hope I’m right about that. It will keep us both safe.
My phone rings and I see it’s Ariel. That’s weird. She never calls me at work.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Brayden. Are you busy?”
“Not too busy for my little sis. What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to tell you something. Just cuz I thought you should know.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“It’s about Stacey. She’s really into you. Like really.”
“What does ‘like really’ mean?”
“I heard her talking to someone on the phone about you. She was telling whoever it was that you are perfect. She said so perfect you’re almost not real.”
“Okay, so I’m perfect.” I laugh, but stop when I realize Ariel is not.
“You laugh, but I was in her room with her last night and saw a notebook on her nightstand where she was writing Stacey James in it over and over. That’s high school shit.”
“Um, okay, that’s a little weird, I’ll give you that, but I don’t think it’s worthy of getting worried about. Sounds like she just has a crush on me.”
“Maybe. I just think you should be aware of how much she likes you.”
“I doubt I’ll even see her again unless I come to your place for some reason.”
“Just be aware.”
“I will. Thanks for the head’s up.”
“Talk to you later.”
I hang up with Ariel and shake my head. Writing my last name with hers? Not cool. I hope it’s just an innocent fascination and nothing more.
I decide to go down to the lobby to get a cup of coffee. On the fourth floor the doors open and a blond girl who looks really familiar steps on. She looks at me for a second and I look at her, too.
“Do I know you from somewhere?” I ask.
“Maybe,” she says and smiles.
“I do, I know it.” I just hope she wasn’t some random chick I hooked up with.
“Sydney Sheldon.”
I’m sure there is blank expression on my face while I try to place the name of how I know this girl.
“We went to high school together. I was in your English class all four years. I wrote your papers and let you cheat off my tests.”
“Oh my god, Sydney. That’s right. I totally remember you.”
“Good to see you, Brayden.”
“You work here?”
“Yep. I have for about two months. I was gonna come up and see you, but I wanted to make sure you had time available on your calendar.”
“Small world. You’re in advertising?”
“Yes, I’m an assistant to Tory Jacobowitz.”
“Oh, in automotive?”
“That’s right. It’s nice to bump into you.”
“Where are you going? I was gonna grab a coffee. Do you have time?”
She shrugs. “Sure. I was just taking a break.”
“Great.”
The elevator doors open and we walk out. From what I remember, Sydney is prettier than she was in high school, but otherwise unchanged. She always had a tom
boy vibe and I never knew of any guys she dated. I think I remember taking her out once as friends. Vaguely. All I really remember is that she was shy, smart, and sweet enough to let me copy off of her more than once.
“So, you made good, huh?” she asks. “Partner, right?”
“Yeah. I’m really happy. I worked hard to get it. No cheating.” I wink at her. “Please order what you like. It’s on me.”
“Thanks.” She turns to the barista. “I’ll take a cappuccino, please.”
“I’ll have one, too,” I say. We sit at a little table near the coffee cart. “Work is going well for you here so far?”
“Yes, it is. Tory is pretty awesome. She’s really smart and I’m learning a lot. She said we’ll evaluate a promo for me at the six month mark.”
“Were you always into advertising?”
“No. I went to college for journalism, but I took marketing and advertising as a minor. I tried my hand for a few years in the journalism field. It’s not for me.”
“Well, I hope advertising is kinder to you.”
“So far, so good.”
Three women walk by and wave at me. I smile back and then quickly return my attention to Sydney. Now that I’ve been promoted, I’ve been keeping my roving eye to myself. Mostly.
“I hope you’ll come up to my floor sometime and if you ever need anything, let me know. If I can help, I will. After all, if it wasn’t for you, I might not have passed English.”
Sydney laughs. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” She looks down at her watch. “Ooh, I should get back upstairs.”
“Thanks for sitting for a minute. Good to see you and catch up.”
“You too, Brayden. I knew I’d bump into you eventually.”
“Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.”
Sydney walks off while I finish my coffee and catch up on the daily industry news. I look around the lobby of this modern building, taking a moment to let it sink in—all the good that is in my life right now. I got the promotion, a great team, and a comfortable life. Life is pretty good right now and I don’t plan to take any of it for granted.
“Morning, Macy,” I say as I walk towards my new office. “Anything good happening around here?”
Chasing Desire Page 10
