by Lydia Rose
Steven nodded at Rachel. “It’s seems like she’s wasting her time in your office. I know a lot of people who own some very large tech companies. I could get you an interview.
Alexandra smiled. “That’s very kind of you, but I’m happy where I am.”
Rachel waited for her father to push, but instead he smiled and stood up. “I’ll check on our lunch.”
“I am so sorry, Alex. I don’t know how you kept your cool.”
“It wouldn’t have done any good to get mad. If I did, it would have given them another reason not to like me.”
Rachel took Alexandra’s hand. “I’m crazy about you, Alex. No one is going to convince me of anything other than what I feel. Okay?” she asked, cupping Alexandra’s chin.
“Okay,” Alexandra said with a smile.
“As soon as lunch is over, we will be out of here. I promise you.”
As they sat in the large dining room, Alexandra felt so out of place. The chandelier over her head must have cost more than she made in ten years. The china was just as beautiful as the food on the plate. Alexandra ate her food slowly, hoping not to be interrogated again as she had been outside. She was so lost in her thoughts that she never heard her name being said. “Excuse me,” she finally said, looking up.
“I asked your age?” Roberta asked. “If you don’t mind my asking.”
“I’m thirty six years old.”
“You’re a beautiful girl, I’m surprised you’re not married.” Robert continued.
“Never been married, since the law only changed a few years ago.” Alexandra shrugged.
Rachel looked at Alexandra and smiled. “Alex was waiting for us to meet.”
“Have you asked her to marry you already?” Roberta asked, almost standing.
Alexandra’s mouth opened.
“Mother, would you please stop?” Rachel stood up. “Alex, are you finished eating?”
“Yes,” she said, already out of her chair.
“Don’t go, Rachel. We’re only trying to get to know Alexandra.” Roberta insisted.
“You can get to know someone without interrogating them.”
“Don’t be mad, Rachel,” Steven said.
“It was very nice to meet you both. I hope to see you again,” Alexandra said, but her mind was screaming. I hope not for a long time.
Rachel took her arm and led Alexandra out of the house. In the car, she apologized. “I am so sorry, Alex. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Rachel, it’s okay. They’re just trying to protect you from someone not worthy of their daughter.”
Rachel pulled over and took Alexandra’s hand. “I am so lucky to have you go out with me. I’m the one who isn’t worthy to have you in my life.”
“Rachel, we only started dating on Friday. You don’t know if I’m worthy of anything.”
“Honey, I’ve known you for months now. I know you to be a kind and considerate person who loves her family. Look what you’re doing for Tracy. Most people wouldn’t take a cousin in to live with her. Especially, in such a small apartment.”
“Anyone would do that, Rachel.”
“My parents would never take in a niece or nephew under those circumstances.” Rachel pulled away from the curb. She didn’t need to ask where Alexandra wanted to go. Rachel drove to Alexandra’s apartment.
They got out of the car and walked together up to Alexandra’s door. Alexandra put the key in the lock and turned. “I’m sure Tracy is still at work if you’d like to come inside for a while.”
Rachel nodded and followed Alexandra.
“Would you like something to drink?” Alexandra asked.
“No thanks,” Rachel said, still seeing the sadness in Alexandra’s eyes. “What can I ever do to make up for today?”
Alexandra looked at Rachel and took the seat next to her on the couch. “I’m fine, Rachel. There’s nothing you have to do.”
Rachel nodded, but she didn’t believe that Alexandra was fine.
Tracy came into the apartment a few minutes later. “Hi, you two.”
Alexandra stood. “How is your new job?”
“Great, and they feed me, too.”
“Is this job going to give you enough time to write?” Rachel asked.
“Yes. I’m only working three days a week. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’ll have the rest of the week for writing.” She looked at the two women. “How was your weekend?”
“Good.” Alexandra answered for both of them.
Rachel stood. “I guess I better get out of your hair.”
“You don’t have to rush off,” Tracy said, but Alexandra remained quiet.
“I’ve got some things to do before work tomorrow.” Rachel walked to the door and waited for Alexandra to follow.
Alexandra’s hand went to Rachel’s arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” She leaned in and kissed Rachel’s mouth softly. “Good night.”
“Good night,” Alex.” Rachel looked at Tracy. “Good night, Tracy.”
“See you soon,” Tracy said with a smile.
The door closed leaving Alexandra and Tracy alone.
“Did something happen between you two?” Tracy asked moving closer to Alexandra.
“No. We had a good time together.”
Tracy chuckled. “Somehow I don’t believe you.”
Alexandra sighed and sat down. “I met Rachel’s parents.”
“And?”
“They didn’t think I was good enough for Rachel.”
“Does Rachel think that?”
Alexandra shook her head. “She said no.”
“Well, then that’s all that matters. You know how families can be. No one is ever good enough for their kid.”
Alexandra smiled. “I guess you’re right. You should have seen their home.” She put her hand to her head.
“Isn’t it a little soon for Rachel to take you home to meet the family?”
“It was an accident. We were next door with a friend of Rachel’s when her mother recognized her voice. They live next door to each other.”
“All that matters is what Rachel says and not her parents. Remember that. Okay?”
“How did you get so smart so young?”
Tracy laughed. “It’s just common sense.”
Alexandra stood. “I think I’m going to take a shower and read for a while before I turn in. Good night, Tracy.”
“Good night, Alex.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Monday morning, Rachel was doing her rounds thinking about Alexandra the whole time. She felt better when Alexandra sent her a text last night. “Miss you.” Rachel smiled when she read that text. Her response was. “Miss you too, love.” By the time she got to the office, her thoughts had worn her out. She sat at her desk when Helen walked in.
“Hey, doc. How’s it going?”
Rachel looked up from her computer screen. “Good. How are you, Helen?”
“Did you and Alexandra go out this weekend?” Helen asked impatiently.
Rachel nodded.
“How did it go?”
“Great until she met my parents,” Rachel said with a sigh.
“Why would you introduce Alexandra to your parents already?”
“It wasn’t intentional.”
“You know how critical they can be.” Helen knew it first hand from meeting Rachel’s family over the years.
“I know. They were appalled I was dating as they put it, ‘the help.’ Rachel held up her fingers in a quote, as her head shook back and forth. “They kept asking question after question. I was amazed that Alex remained so calm, but I knew she was fuming inside.”
“She seems okay. Alexandra’s been smiling all morning so maybe your parents didn’t scare her away.” Helen touched Rachel’s hand in reassurance.
“I hope not, Helen. Alex is the best thing that has happened to me in years.” Rachel followed Helen out of the office and walked over to the front office. “Hi,” she said as she stepped behind Alexandra.
“Hey,” Alexandra said, turning in her chair. “You look tired.”
“I didn’t sleep very well last night.” Rachel admitted, but kept her eyes averted.
“Me either.” Alexandra smiled. “Can I see you tonight?”
Rachel’s eyes shot up with a smile. “Yes.”
“Then get back to work, doctor. You’ve got a room full of patients to see,” Alexandra said with a smile.
Before Rachel walked away, she leaned over and said. “I so want to kiss you right now.”
“Me too.” Alexandra laughed as she pushed Rachel out of her office.
In the afternoon, Alexandra got a strange call. “May I speak with Alexandra Angelo?”
“This is Alexandra.”
“Hello. My name is Michael Peters. I own a firm in San Francisco and I understand you may be interested in a job in computer science.”
“Mr. Peters. I don’t know who told you that, but I am happy with my job and living in Los Angeles.”
“But the position pays very well. I understand you are very qualified.”
“Thank you, Mr. Peters, but I am not interested.” Alexandra disconnected the call. Her head shook knowing why she had received the call and who was behind it. Rachel’s parents thought if she moved away from their daughter, they would not have to worry about her. Alexandra went into the break room for a bottle of water. Alexandra was mumbling as she reached for bottle.
“Are you okay?” Rachel asked standing behind her.
“Fine.”
“You don’t look it.” Rachel moved closer.
“We’ll talk about it later.” Alexandra began to move to the doorway.
“Wait.” Rachel looked around and then kissed Alexandra’s mouth. They both smiled. “Feel better?”
Alexandra nodded. “Thanks.”
“No thanks necessary. That was my pleasure,” Rachel said before Alexandra could escape.
Before the day was out, Alexandra got another phone call. This job offer was close by and Alexandra listened. “Mr. Harris, did Doctor Benson call you?”
“Steven mentioned that his friend’s daughter went to Cal Tech and you might be interested in interviewing for a job.”
“Did he tell you to hire me no matter what?”
“Of course not. I have a business to run and I only agreed to interview you. Are you at least interested in speaking with me?”
Alexandra thought for a moment. As much as she loved her job, the prospect of doing what she had been trained for intrigued her. “Yes. I’m off on Wednesday afternoon.”
“Good. Can you come to my office at two o’clock?” Mr. Harris asked.
“Yes, sir. I’ll be there.” Once Alexandra disconnected the call she wondered what she was going to tell Rachel. Thinking again, maybe there was no need to say anything until she met with Mr. Harris. At five o’clock, Alexandra knocked on Rachel’s door.
“Come in, Alex.”
Alexandra poked her head inside. “How did you know it was me?”
“Because I know Callie and Helen left already.” Rachel smiled and held out her arms.
Alexandra moved into her arms and held on tight. “Ah, that feels so much better.”
“Rough day?” Rachel asked rubbing Alexandra’s back.
“Not too bad.”
“What were you pissed at earlier?”
“Oh, it was nothing. I just overreacted. I’m fine now.” Alexandra looked at Rachel’s face before she captured her lips. “So fine now,” she said, resting her head on Rachel’s shoulder.
“Why don’t you go next door and I’ll go pick us up something to eat?” Rachel asked.
“Why don’t we both go next door and order a pizza to be delivered.”
Rachel nodded with a smile. “So much better than my idea.”
They closed up the office and walked arm and arm to Rachel’s home.
The two women sat on the couch after eating their pizza. Rachel was rubbing Alexandra’s hands. “You know if you brought some clothes over here, you can spend the night.”
Alexandra laughed. “I have to go home some time.”
“Why?” Rachel asked with a laugh. “Do you want to go into the bedroom for a while?”
“I thought you would never ask.” Alexandra pulled Rachel up from the couch.
Their clothes came off quickly and their bodies came together on the bed in a crashing wave of passion. Their hands were frantically trying to dominate the other with touches, caresses. Rachel flipped Alexandra onto her back and her mouth found the swollen nipple. Her mouth made love to Alexandra’s body as her hands went lower to the place she knew would be wet with passion for her. Her moan confirmed her thoughts.
“Yes,” Alexandra moaned softly as Rachel’s hand teased the slick bud. Moving lower she inserted two fingers into her. Alexandra’s body came up to meet her hand. “Oh my god,” she gasped as her body just melted into Rachel’s. Her body tensed and she stopped breathing as the spasms began. Alexandra’s breath was released as her body crashed back onto the bed.
“Are you okay?” Rachel asked moving her body up to Alexandra.
Alexandra nodded breathing hard. “What you do to me.”
“Good?” Rachel asked.
Alexandra shook her head back and forth. “No. Great.”
Rachel’s mouth found Alexandra’s in the dark as Alexandra rolled her over onto her back.
*
The next day when Rachel found Alexandra alone, she asked. “Are you coming over tonight? I’ll cook.”
“How about if we both cook?” Alexandra asked.
Rachel smiled and nodded.
Alexandra told Tracy before she left in the morning that she wouldn’t be home that evening. She packed an overnight bag when she left the apartment.
Alexandra left for Rachel’s house leaving her behind on the phone in her office. She brought her bag in and looked in the refrigerator for what Rachel had planned for dinner. Seeing the steaks on a platter, Alexandra took them out to season.
Rachel came in the back door a few minutes later and walked into the kitchen. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said before taking Alexandra into her arms.
“Me too,” Alexandra said as their lips separated. “How about a baked potato with the steaks?”
“Sure. I also have asparagus that we can grill.”
“Go get changed and you can heat up the barbecue.” Alexandra had already changed from her work clothes into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.
Rachel walked into the bedroom and smiled when she saw Alexandra’s bag. She quickly changed and came back out to the kitchen. Alexandra was just taking the potatoes out of the microwave when Rachel came up behind her. Her hands rested on Alexandra’s waist as her lips went to her neck. “I saw your bag.”
Alexandra turned around and looked at Rachel. “Is that okay?”
Rachel smiled widely. “Always.” Her mouth went to Alexandra’s lips. Their kiss deepened until Alexandra pulled away.
“Dinner first, then dessert,” she said, pushing Rachel toward the backyard.
“Slave driver.”
“Well, you’re the slave driver at work and I’m the slave driver at home.” Alexandra liked the sound of her calling Rachel’s house home. It made her heart tighten how quickly this woman had worked her way into her heart.
“I’m going.” Rachel picked up the platter that held the steaks and potatoes.
“I’ll bring the asparagus out in a few minutes.” Alexandra began to season the vegetable and wondered if she should tell Rachel about the phone calls. She worried how Rachel would take the news of Alexandra possibly leaving her office. By the time she walked outside, she decided not to say anything until she met with Mr. Harris.
After dinner, they took their place on the couch. “Did you bring clothes for a couple of days?” Rachel asked as she nibbled on Alexandra’s ear.
“No. Just for tonight.”
Rachel stopped her exploration for a moment.
“Honey, I
have things to do. I have laundry and a houseguest. I’ll stay over Friday night.” Alexandra rubbed her hand across Rachel’s arm.
“Will you stay for the weekend too?”
Alexandra smiled. “Yes, honey, I will.”
That’s all Rachel had to hear, and she went back to exploring Alexandra’s neck.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Wednesday afternoon, Alexandra found herself sitting in the office of Richard Harris. He looked over her résumé without commenting. After a few minutes, he took off his glasses and put them down on the desk.
“I see you really don’t have much experience in this field.”
Alexandra began to open her mouth, but Mr. Harris raised his hand.
“As I was saying, you don’t have much experience, but I see you do have the degree required to work here. I do think you would fit right in here.” He went through what the job would entail and the salary and benefits.
Alexandra listened and took some notes while Mr. Harris went into detail. “Can I let you know tomorrow sometime?” Alexandra asked cautiously.
“Of course. I want you to be sure you really want the job.” He stood up. “If you decide to accept the job, how soon could you start?”
“I would have to give notice to my current employer. So two or three weeks.”
“That will work.” His hand came out. “It was good to meet you Alexandra.”
“You two, Mr. Harris. Thank you.”
Alexandra sat in her car wondering what she should do. The job was what she dreamed about when she first started college. Then Rachel entered her mind. Would she be upset? Would she break up with her if she took the job? Alexandra found herself driving toward Rachel’s house without thought.
Rachel opened the front door surprised. “I didn’t think I would see you tonight.” Her smile was wide. “Come on in.”
Alexandra entered. “Thanks.”
“Is something wrong?” Rachel asked seeing Alexandra was still in her dress clothes.
“Can we sit and talk?” Alexandra asked, leading Rachel over to the couch. She saw Rachel swallow hard.
“Are you breaking up with me?” Rachel asked barely above a whisper.
Alexandra turned and cupped Rachel’s face. “No, honey, I’m not. I hope you won’t break up with me after I tell you something.”
