by Ryan Michele
My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach, and my ego went sailing through my apartment like a deflating balloon as I read her text. I didn’t know what to say back to her. So I fired off the first thing that came to mind.
Mason: Yeah, you’re right. I’m sure it’s for the best, and hey, we have some great memories, Ev. I won’t keep you up any longer. We both need our sleep. I’m sure I’ll see you around at the office.
I didn’t even bother to see if she was going to reply. I was hurt and wallowing in my own self-pity.
The next day when I returned to work, I wasn’t prepared for Everly to hardly glance my way like we hadn’t spent the week together. Like we hadn’t had the greatest sex of my life. Like she wasn’t the woman I’d buried myself balls deep inside of her sweet pussy bareback.
I wasn’t sure if she was avoiding me because she had regrets about it all, or if maybe it was easier for her to pretend nothing had happened between us, but everything changed for me the moment I kissed her.
No matter what I did to distract myself, memories of the cruise pushed their way to the front of my mind. She was all I could think about. Her gorgeous curves. The way she smiled at me when she didn’t realize I was watching. The way she felt in my arms the first time we kissed. The taste of her lips. The feel of her body fit perfectly against mine.
It all came rushing back, and I didn’t want to give it up. I didn’t want to give Everly up, but what choice did I have? She made her feelings pretty damn clear in her text. She didn’t want to pursue a relationship with me. I wasn’t worth the risk for her, which fucking sucked because for her I wanted to risk it all. I wanted to be all in. She made me think about the future and what I really wanted. It took two to make it work, and I couldn’t do it on my own.
By day two I couldn’t focus on my work. It was eating at me, not being with her. I had to do something, but I wasn’t sure what. I needed a plan. Samantha was her best friend. I called her into my office.
“I need your help.”
“Okay… What can I do for you, boss man?” She sank into the chair across from my desk, eyeing me suspiciously. I didn’t blame her. I had no idea what Everly had told her, if she had told her anything at all, but she did know that I’d gone on the cruise; hell, she instigated the whole thing.
“Everly.”
“What about her?”
“I’m in love with your best friend, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
Her jaw dropped. She closed her mouth, then opened it again. “Does she know this?”
I shrugged. “Hell if I know, but she won’t talk to me. She avoids me.”
“Everly is a complicated woman who respects her job and yours too.”
“I get that, but there has to be something I can do.”
“There is. You can make a grand gesture.”
“Dumb it down for me. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Ev’s a successful woman and a girly girl. She watches cheesy movies. You know the romantic over the top can’t live without you, you complete me type stuff. And in all those movies there is one thing they all have in common.” She paused as though I was supposed to have a clue what in the hell she was talking about. I stared at her, blank faced. I didn’t know what she wanted from me.
“Um…” I gaped at her, waiting for her to finish the thought she was in the middle of.
“The grand gesture. You know, the guy or girl always does something to screw up and run the other person off, but in the end they decide they want to win them back, so they go all out and make some great plan on how they will get the love of their life back. You need the big guns. Pull out all the stops. What’s keeping you from being together? Your job? Talk to one of the higher ups and tell them ‘Hey, I love this woman. True love always conquers all.’”
I snorted at that. Maybe Samantha had been watching too many damn movies.
“I’m just saying. Think about it.”
“I will; thanks for your input, Sam. I mean it.”
“I am her best friend. I know her better than she knows herself. Think romantic. And I’m just saying it isn’t like everyone hasn’t noticed the two of you being gone on vacation the same week and returning with matching tans. For two smart people, you’re both pretty oblivious.” She laughed and stood.
I gave her a nod and leaned back in my leather chair. Hell, I knew what I was going to be doing that night, and it involved pizza, beer, and fucking romance movies.
I glanced out in the office and got a view of Everly strutting toward the copy room in this black skirt that hugged her hips and ass so damn perfectly it made my goddamn balls ache. I watched her, unable to tear my gaze from her as she moved fluidly. All I could think about was getting her naked again and making her mine. I grabbed my phone from the receiver.
“Get me Mr. Harper’s secretary.”
“One moment, Mr. Jones.”
“Thank you.”
“Mr. Harper’s office. How can I help you?”
“Yes, this is Mason Jones from the third floor, head loan officer. I’d like to schedule an appointment with Mr. Harper as soon as possible.”
“One moment please while I check his schedule.” God-awful elevator music played over the line. “Sir, you still there?”
“I’m here.”
“He has an opening next Thursday.”
I couldn’t wait that long. “He doesn’t have anything sooner than that?”
“I can put you on the list, and if there is a cancellation, I can do my best to get you in sooner.”
“Please do. Thank you.”
“No problem. I have you down for Thursday, but if anything comes available before then I will be in contact. Have a good day, Mr. Jones.”
“You too. Thanks.” I hung the phone up and let out a sigh. I wanted Everly Woolsworth, and I was going to do whatever it took to make that woman mine.
The grand gesture.
She wouldn’t know what hit her when I was through.
I was going to prove to Jane Lynn that I loved her daughter. She’d never accuse Everly of paying me to be her stand in ever again by the time I was through. Every time I thought about that day and the conversation, my blood boiled. After Drake’s wedding wasn’t the time or place for that crap, even if it was true.
I had gone on that cruise with the intention of having fun and flirting a little, but what I got in return was something better.
I found love. I found the girl I wanted to anchor myself to for life.
16
Everly
Everyday I Arrive At Work With Good Intentions And A Great Attitude … Then Idiots Happen
I stared at the clock willing it to move. The clock ticked, but for me time seemed like it was standing still. It was Friday, and the week had been dragging by. Every second that passed by seemed like it lasted an hour.
No matter what I tried, I failed to focus. Every time I looked at my computer screen or any of the paperwork scattered on my desk waiting for me, the letters and characters seemed to blur together becoming a jumbled mess.
What I wanted to do was call out sick, go home, open up some wine, and chill on the couch with Mooch, all the while eating junk while watching cheesy movies.
Heartbreak. It was eating me up from the inside out. I didn’t expect letting Mason go to hurt so damn bad, but it did hurt, festering inside and making me miserable without him.
Sleep wouldn’t come at night because I missed him and his warmth laying next to me. Since we’d been back from our trip, I’d done everything I could to avoid crossing his path. A chicken shit was what I was. Afraid that if he cornered me I’d confess my feelings for him and ruin both our careers.
He’d probably despise me if that happened. Mason had worked hard, and I didn’t want to be the one who screwed things up for him.
I knew he was in the running for a promotion. The vice president of the company had some health issues and would be stepping down. They were looking to fill the position by
hiring within the company and doing it soon.
I couldn’t afford to be selfish and blow this for him.
And yet, I kept glancing toward his office door wondering so many things—was he thinking about me too? Did he miss me too? Did the week we shared mean as much to him as it did me? Would we ever get our timing right? Would we ever pursue something more? Did he have regrets? Was he lost to me forever?
All these thoughts were making me crazy, spinning their webs. I lost track of the amount of times I picked up my phone and stared at our last text conversation. Temptation dangled in front of me. Just pick up the phone and call him. He invited me to dinner, and I shot him down. I didn’t have a choice, or did I? Do something, I mentally slapped myself. Put yourself out of this misery.
I glanced at the clock again. Finally lunchtime. Relief flooded me, some reprieve.
Samantha and I were meeting up. She had been gone this morning; she had a gyno appointment and something about getting her IUD removed. Somehow the strings poked her man’s dick every time they had sex, and needless to say it was painful.
I grabbed my purse and hurried toward the elevator, praying Mason wouldn’t be going out for his break. I’d managed to time my comings and goings perfectly all week. I stepped inside and pressed the button for the lobby, letting out a deep breath I’d been holding the moment the door closed. Home free, this time.
“So what did the doctor do about your little problem?” I questioned Samantha, downing my soda then scooping up the best salsa ever onto my chip. Samantha ordered ahead thankfully, so we’d have time to eat and chat. There was much to go over.
“Well, apparently, sometimes the strings are too long and can cause irritation. She snipped them, and hopefully next time Greg and I get it on I won’t scratch him.” She crunched then chewed.
“That’s good. No man wants a scratchy dick.”
“Duh. Sex had gotten so awkward; I was losing my mind with what it could be. I mean, I adore him, but if there wasn’t an easy fix, I don’t know we would last much longer.” She waved a hand, dismissing the importance of what she had just said. “Anything exciting happen at work today?"
“Um, does it ever?” I laughed, letting go of the sex talk.
The server brought our food. We were sharing chicken fajitas for two, but honestly they gave us so much food it would feed four people easily. All the more to drown my sorrows in. Nothing like good Mexican food to calm the soul.
She shrugged and started building her fajita, the smells wafting over to me. “I don’t know. I just thought maybe you’d ran into Mason or something.”
“Don’t you start on me.” Samantha had been riding my ass all week for turning Mason down for dinner. I glared, taking a bite of my food.
“What?” She mocked innocence, eyes wide. Something wasn’t right.
“Come on; out with it. I know you. You did something. What was it?” I narrowed my gaze on her, swallowing. She better not have ruined our lunch.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Right…” I trailed off and glanced out the window, contemplating what it could be.
She changed the subject. “So how far along is Kelsey anyway?”
“She’s still in her first trimester. It’s still early, but Jess is already wanting to start planning her baby shower.”
“That should be fun.”
“Maybe, but you know how Jess gets. Knowing her, she’ll want to hold it somewhere weird and force us all to eat kale cupcakes.” I shivered at the thought as Sam laughed, knowing it to be true.
“Your little sister is pretty strange. Are kale cupcakes even a thing?” she asked, inhaling another bite.
“Hell if I know. If they aren’t, she’ll make up something else disgusting and guise it under the pretense it’s good for the baby.”
Samantha laughed. “Well, you got to give her credit. Jess is very passionate.”
“I guess. Did I tell you about the big fight she and Casey got into about marriage?”
“No way? They’ve been together since like they were in diapers, right?”
“Something like that. Apparently, she doesn’t want to get married.”
“As in ever?”
I shook my head. “Nope. She says it’s just a piece of paper. At first, Casey agreed, but I guess he caught wedding fever cause the day after Drake’s wedding things exploded. I was afraid they were going to break up for good.”
Sam gaped. “I can see his point, though. That’d be pretty hard to hear and take.”
“Oh, I’m on his side for sure.”
We ate quietly for a few minutes until Samantha pulled her phone out. “Which one do you think looks like me?” There was a picture of two dogs at one of the local animal shelters. Both adorable.
“I mean, they’re dogs; not an accessory that looks like you. Are you wanting to get a dog? I didn’t think you were much of a pet person,” I questioned.
She shrugged. “I’m not, but I enjoyed having Mooch for a week. It got me thinking maybe I need a dog.”
“Well, both are adorable. What’s Greg think?”
Sam looked down to her phone, eyeing both the pets. “I haven’t asked him.”
“You live together,” I reminded her unnecessarily.
“I know that.” She smirked. “He liked having Mooch around too, but he’s been dropping hints that maybe he wants kids. I’m not ready for that, and having a dog could be good practice. You know, see how we manage sharing custody of an animal, and if he’s good at taking care of one. If we can raise a dog together, then maybe I’ll be more open to having his baby.”
“Good plan. Solid.”
“Ooh. We better get to work.” She glanced at her phone. It kept buzzing, and every time she looked at the screen, she had this weird, mysterious grin on her face. I paid my half of the tab and returned to work, hoping the second half of the day would pass by faster than the first.
Back at the office, I was surprised to find my sister waiting in my office.
“Jess, what brings you by?”
“Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” I closed the door, wondering what prompted a visit at work. She never came by to see me. I took my seat, and she sat in the chair on the other side of my desk. My sister kept chewing her thumbnail, a telling sign something ate at her. “What can I do for you, sister?”
“I need advice, and I don’t want to talk to Mom or Kelsey or anyone. I know you won’t judge me.”
“Okay…” I gave her a weak smile, wondering what the hell was up with her. First, all the fighting with Casey about marriage and now, whatever this was.
“So you know Mom instigated all that wedding talk between Casey and me, and well, he’s not letting it go.”
“Do you not want to get married ever, or is it that you don’t want to marry Casey?”
“I love him. I do; it’s just he wants kids one day, and I don’t know if I do.” Her face fell, and she stared at her shoes. “I … I don’t even know if I can have kids, Ev. I haven’t told anyone this, but Casey and I haven’t always been smart about protection, you know, and I don’t like putting anything into my body I don’t have to. I’m not even on birth control, and nothing. What if I’m sterile and it’s a deal breaker for him? What if he decides we’re over because I can’t give him the family he expects to have?”
“You aren’t practicing, you know, safe sex … condoms?”
Her head shook, and she shrugged. “I know it isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. For a while, I thought if it happens, then it’s meant to be, but it has been two years. He keeps pressing me about marriage and kids, and I freeze up or run off.
“You’ve got to talk to him and be honest. He deserves to know what’s going through that crazy head of yours. He loves you, and you know it could be him and not you. You guys have options and plenty of time to think about it.”
“Why do you have to be sensible and right all the time?” Jess fidgeted, twisting her fi
ngers in her lap. “I should let you get back to work. Promise you won’t say anything? Especially not to Mom?”
“Of course. But I want you to promise me that you’ll talk to Casey. He’s a good guy, Sis.”
“Yeah. I know. Maybe that’s the problem too.” She stood and moved toward the door. ‘Thanks for listening.”
“Always.”
Jess left, and I got busy with work until I started a new client and needed a file.
In the supply room, I needed a new expandable folder and, of course, the box they were in had to be on the top shelf.
Up on my tiptoes, I extended my hand and tried to reach the shelf without getting the step stool. It was stupid, but I could do it, dammit.
A pair of firm hands gripped my hips, the familiar scent of Dior wafted up my nose, and I couldn’t deny the smile stretching across my face when his warm breath fanned along the shell of my ear. “Allow me.”
Mason reached over my head, nabbing the file I was aiming for. “Here you are.”
Sucking in a deep breath didn’t help the nerves that flittered around me.
He held the package close to his chest as I turned to face him for the first time since we parted ways after the cruise. My heart hammered in my chest, and my pulse throbbed in my ears. I wasn’t prepared to see all the gorgeousness that was him.
His face still had that sun-kissed glow from the beach. My mind wandered back to the time on the boat.
I licked my bottom lip. “Hey.”
“Hi.” He smiled his signature panty-dropping smile, and it still had the same affect on me as before. Damn him.
“I’ll take that.” I held my hand out for the folder. He shifted, moving his arm up over his head, completely out of my reach.
“Come on now, Mason.”
His eyes bore into mine. “I’ll give it to you on one condition.”
