by Hazel Kelly
He sighed. “I hope so. I think they would be glad I’m not burdened by the stuff they had to worry about like paying for doctors or bills or food.”
“It’s amazing what you’ve accomplished.”
“I’ve done okay for myself.”
“That’s an understatement,” I said. “How far you’ve come is incredible. I mean- honestly- is there anything you still want that you don’t have?”
He didn’t say a word. He just locked his eyes on mine.
Chapter 8: Will
“See you in there,” Frank said as he walked by my locker.
I drank some water and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand. Then I pulled my sweaty clothes off, balled them up, and chucked them in my gym bag before wrapping a thin white towel around my waist and heading towards the steam room.
I looked around as soon as I ducked inside. Unfortunately, there was no one besides Frank inside which meant he would be happy to chat. Not that I minded his company. It was just that I had plenty to think about and my quiet time of late was in shorter supply than I would’ve liked.
Of course, all I did when I was quiet was get distracted by thoughts of Ella. Did she have any birthmarks in sexy places? What shade were her nipples and did they change color when she was aroused? How much longer was she going to make me wait before she let me taste her?
Then again, maybe some casual chat wouldn’t be the worst thing. Getting a hard on when I was alone was one thing. God forbid I got hard thinking about her when I was in the steam room with Frank. He’d never let me hear the end of it.
“Nice timing,” he said as I made my way over to his corner of the room.
He was sitting up on the third tier of tiled steps where he could really break a sweat. I found it hard to breathe up there but decided to leave my comfort zone a little and take a seat on the second tier.
“Why’s that?”
“Some fat bastards just left. I could barely enjoy myself with their sweaty upper lips in here.”
“Jesus, Frank. Like your shit don’t stink.”
“All I’m saying is there should be rules about back hair. This is supposed to be a gentlemen’s club.”
“So how’d you get in?”
“Ha Ha.”
“Good game today, anyway.” I let my legs fall apart. Unlike Frank, though, I kept my towel on.
“Don’t be patronizing.”
“I’m not. You really brought it during that second game.”
“One of these days I’m going to whoop your ass and rub your face in it.”
“I’m looking forward to that day,” I said. “I heard a pig’s going to take flight around that time.”
Frank shook his head. “You’re on a roll today.”
“Maybe next week I’ll play left handed to make it fair for you.”
“You can play with your left hand?”
“No.”
Frank groaned.
I leaned my head back and smiled. “Did you start teaching Robby to play yet?”
“He wants to play football. Like in his video games.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Does he have better hand eye coordination than you and Becky or should you just enroll him in drama now?”
“He’s ten.”
“Now’s the time to start him dancing if you want to have a proper Billy Elliot on your hands.”
“Fuck off.” Frank let his head fall against the wall. “He’s not gay.”
“Neither was Billy.”
“Whatever.”
I enjoyed a moment of silence.
“Becky wants another one.”
“Another kid?”
“Yeah.”
“Shit.”
“I know.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Stall.”
“Good plan. Solid.”
He shrugged.
“Maybe you should just give her one. It’s not like you can’t afford it.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You get to do whatever you want all the time. You never have to eat fish sticks for dinner or do homework or listen to the sound of a twelve year old torturing a cello.”
“True.”
“It’s not that I don’t love my kids, Will. You know I do, but there’s more to life.”
“I understand.”
“I want to take my wife on a cruise someday where children aren’t allowed, ya know?” Frank pulled the towel from around his neck and wiped his forehead. “I don’t bust my ass every day so I can spend the rest of my evenings eating corndogs and checking for monsters under the bed.”
“You’ll miss it when they grow up.”
“I’m sure I will. While Becks and I drink wine in Napa Valley and toast to our freedom.”
“So what’s the problem? Another kid will postpone that dream for you?”
“Pretty much.” Frank put his spare towel back around his neck. “And it would be one thing if we were really discussing it as husband and wife, but-”
“That’s not what’s happening?”
“Of course not. She’s wrapped her head around this idea- for all I know her sister’s pregnant again or something- and she’s not going to let it go.”
“Until she gets what she wants.”
“Bingo.”
“That’s women for you,” I said, wondering what Ella meant when she said she was inexperienced. Did she mean she’d only ever done it in the missionary position? That she’d never had a cock in her mouth? Maybe she’d only ever experimented with women? She did go to an all girl’s school. Then again she’d been adamant that she wasn’t a virgin.
“You know what I really want?” Frank continued.
I wiped my sweaty forehead on the back of my hand. “What’s that?”
“For you to share in my misery.”
I laughed.
“Seriously, we used to have so much fun complaining about our wives, and I feel like you don’t have anything to complain about anymore. It’s harming our friendship.”
“Too bad.”
“Now that you’re just fucking your ex without having to deal with any of the-”
“I’m not doing that anymore.”
“What?”
“I’m no longer seeing Laura in that capacity.”
Frank was momentarily speechless.
“You were right,” I said. “I was being ridiculous.”
“Wow.”
“She doesn’t really know that yet in so many words, but we are effectively divorced now in every sense.”
“She doesn’t know?”
I shrugged. “I’ve just been blowing her off. Eventually I’ll have to tell her.”
“So she’s offered you sex and you’ve turned her down?”
I nodded.
“Do you want to have a baby with my wife, and I’ll bang your ex to keep her happy?”
“Thanks for the offer, Frank, but I think I’ll pass.”
“You’ve got my number if you change your mind.”
“Yep.”
“So who’s meeting your needs then?”
I bit my tongue.
“C’mon, Will. A guy like you doesn’t just go around without making sure his needs are met. Who is she?”
I couldn’t decide if it would be a mistake to tell Frank. One two many whiskeys and he would tell Becks and then everyone would know. Even Laura. And I didn’t really care what anyone thought, but Ella might not appreciate being the subject of locker room gossip. Not that there was much to tell. After all, I’d only kissed her and fingered her, and as awesome as it was, that hadn’t really qualified as news since I was in junior high.
“Is she married? Is that why you don’t want to say?”
I opened my eyes and looked at him. “No, Frank. She’s not married. You know how I feel about that.”
“Oh right. Sorry.” He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees
. “So there is someone.”
Damn.
“Who is she?”
“There’s nothing to tell really. The relationship is purely platonic at this point.”
“Oh my god you like her!”
“What are you talking about?”
“The last time you didn’t kiss and tell was when you first met Laura.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes it is.” He leaned back again and ran a hand through his sweaty hair. “You’re in trouble, Will.”
“I’m not in trouble.”
“Yes you are. You won’t even tell me who she is? That’s a bit overprotective, wouldn’t you say? You’ve gone all papa bear on me. She must be pretty special. ”
“She is, but I don’t how things are going to play out yet.”
“Are you bringing her to the gala?”
I opened my eyes. “The gala?”
“Yeah. The Winter Gala they have at The Isthmus every year. I can’t remember what the cause is but-”
“It’s for the Children’s Hospital.”
“Yeah, that’s the one. Are you bringing her to that?”
“I don’t know what to say, Frank.”
“What do you mean?”
I turned my head to look at him. “I mean that’s the best thing you’ve served up all day.”
Chapter 9: Ella
My new job was tough. Before I started, I had no idea what I was getting into or how many international companies held corporate meetings and events at the Abbott. It took me a whole week just to learn about the accounts that already existed and what our most important client’s demands were.
After a few hours reviewing the records, nothing surprised me anymore. There was a Japanese company that required their meals to be catered from a specific restaurant that wasn’t even in the city. There was a Norwegian firm that expected any room they were using to be kept at a specific temperature. There was even a record exec that converted one of the suites into a studio twice a year for anywhere from forty eight hours to four weeks.
It was insane. But it was also insanely exciting and I loved the pace of it and how rewarding it was to meet the outrageous demands these people had. I enjoyed being part of an organization that operated at such a high level. It was the job I always hoped I’d have someday. I just never could’ve predicted that someday would come so soon.
After a week and a half in my new position, I was leaving the hotel and the concierge flagged me down so he could give me a letter. It had my name written on it in a rushed scrawl that I recognized as Will’s. I didn’t want to act excited to open it in front of Paul so I thanked him in my most professional tone and tucked it in my purse.
When I got back to my Mom’s apartment, I went straight to my room and pulled it out.
Ella,
There’s a Winter Gala this Thursday to benefit the Children’s Hospital. It’s always tastefully done, and I think it would be a good networking opportunity for you. I would ask Emily, but you look better in a dress.
Thanks in advance for your excellent company,
Will
Ps- My good friend Alistair is expecting you at ten o’clock on Thursday morning at his store on Fifth Avenue. He will sort you out with something suitable to wear. Don’t be late. He can be a bit of a diva.
I stared at the note not knowing what to make of it.
It certainly didn’t have a strictly business vibe, though he had addressed the fact that the event would be enjoyable considering my professional interests. At the same time, it seemed suspiciously like he was inviting me as his plus one. Which was sort of flattering since he could’ve asked anyone.
Of course, part of me was offended that he would assume I didn’t have anything to wear even if he was right. The gala appropriate section of my wardrobe was looking very sparse. Unless I got invited to one that was being sponsored by J. Crew. Which seemed unlikely.
I sat on the edge of my bed, pulled out my phone, and Googled “Alastair + Fifth Avenue.” My jaw dropped. By his “good friend Alastair” he obviously meant Alastair Freaking Costello. I was sure that was what he meant, especially considering the diva comment.
I scrolled through my phone book and found Will’s number. I couldn’t help myself. I had to text him.
“Is this a date?” I hit send and fell back on my bed. The paint was cracking across the ceiling and there was a circle of water damage in the corner of the room over the door, but I couldn’t help but smile.
After all, on Thursday, I would be styled by a famous designer and then escorted to a gala by the best date the city had to offer. I didn’t know what I was doing with him, but I wasn’t having a bad time. It especially made me feel good that even though I told him I wasn’t going to sleep with him, he still seemed keen to spend time with me. Which meant he either genuinely enjoyed my company or he didn’t really believe I meant it.
Which made two of us.
My phone rang and I sprang upright. But it wasn’t him.
“Jackie, baby, how are ya?” I asked in my best New York accent.
“Somebody’s in a good mood.”
I shrugged. “I suppose I am.”
“How’s the new job?”
“Great. It’s exhausting, but I’m loving the challenge.”
“And the paycheck I’m sure.”
“Yeah. It’s nice to have some money rolling in.”
“Looking forward to the day I can say the same,” she said. “My starting salary out there isn’t going to be what I thought it was.”
“Oh Jackie, I’m sorry. Don’t worry.”
“I don’t know if you’ll still want to live with me when you find out what I can afford.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I want to live with you. I don’t care where we live as long as it’s not in this condemned building my Mom lives in.” I looked at the clock when I realized how loud I was talking, but my Mom wouldn’t be home for at least an hour.
“Really?”
“All that matters is you get the heck out here.”
“You might have to pick a place without me. I don’t think I can afford to come out there just to help you look.”
“If you trust me to find a place, I don’t have a problem with that.”
“Then start looking and keep me posted.”
“Okay,” I said. “Will do.”
“And please tell me if you decide to marry your boss or something instead so I don’t get my hopes up.”
I laughed. “Yeah, right. That’s not going to happen.”
“Too bad. I bet you could set me up with a nice place then.”
“Yeah. Probably in any major city you wanted.” I propped a pillow up against the wall and scooted back against it.
“What’s going on with that anyway?”
“Nothing much,” I said, eyeing the note on the bed.
“Tell me the truth. C’mon. I’m dying for some good news.”
“He invited me to a gala this Thursday.”
“A gala?”
“I think it’s just a fancy fundraiser.”
“What are you going to wear?”
“I don’t know yet. I guess he’s arranged for his friend Alastair to give me something from his store on Fifth Avenue.”
Silence.
“Jackie?”
“I’m sorry. Did you just say what I think you just said?”
“I don’t know what you heard.” I slid my heels off and watched them fall to the floor.
“There are only two Alastairs that have stores on Fifth Avenue.”
“You would know that.”
“Obviously. I live for fashion.”
“I forget sometimes.”
“So you get to meet Alastair Costello on Thursday?”
“I assume so. Why? Who’s the other Alastair?”
“Pembroke,” she said. “But he’s too old to be a friend of Will’s. Plus, if he was sending you there it would be to fit you for an engagement ring.”
&nbs
p; I felt my stomach twist. “Then it must be Costello.”
“I think I just came a little.”
“Jackie! Oh my god.”
“Sorry.” She exhaled. “I really want to be happy for you, but I’m just jealous as fuck.”
“You’re making me nervous.”
“You should be nervous. He’s a legend. Oh my god what if you really hit it off and he wants to bring you out with all his celebrity friends!”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. Besides, I’ll probably be too nervous for the gala to relax.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ll be a total fish out of water.”
“Screw all those people. Have a good time. Seriously. For me.”
“There’s something else I haven’t told you.”
“I hope it’s that I’m invited to meet Alastair, too.”
“I wish.”
“What is it?”
“I think you were right,” I mumbled.
“What was that?”
“I think you were right.”
“About what?”
“About Will wanting to be more than just colleagues.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
“After the Christmas Party we were having a night cap, and things got a little out of hand.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
“No.”
“What then? Did he kiss you?”
“Yeah.”
“And? Did you like it?”
“Of course I liked it.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“I freaked out.”
“What do you mean you freaked out?”
“I left.”
“You what?!”
“I left.”
“You left?”
“Yeah. Like I ran out of the room in a panic.”
“Just cause he kissed you?”
“Well he tried to do more. He touched me…”
“Down there?”
I swallowed. “Yeah.”
“Did it feel good?”
“I don’t know. It felt like- like my insides were on fire and like I was going to pee myself at the same time.”
She started to laugh.
“It’s not funny!” I said. “I never felt like that before.”
“Whoa whoa whoa. What do you mean you never felt like that before?”
