Chicks, Man

by J. D. Hollyfield

  I slap my hand against the wall, silencing her rambling. She jumps, and I almost bring her tiny body to mine. “You know damn well what I’m talking about, Hannah. The supply closet. You and me. How’d you do it? Switch the plan with Ben so you could be the one to be in that room? Did you plan that all along? Set me up so you can get me to fuck you? What was it, Hannah? Did you get what you wanted? My hands, my tongue, my—”

  “Ah, there you are!” Both our heads whip to the right to see Mr. Matthews standing at the end of the hallway. I causally step away from Hannah, trying not to set off any fatherly alarms. “Hello, Mr. Matthews. I was just asking Hannah how the rest of the internship went. Smart girl, your daughter.” I smile kindly, sticking out my hand. He makes his way to us, and I shake his hand as he slaps his free hand to my back.

  “She sure is, Levi, and I can’t wait to see what storm she creates at the office. Luckily for you, you’ll get to witness my little baby at work.”

  Hannah gasps. “Wait—what? Why would he see me at work?”

  I enjoy watching her mouth fall open, staring down her father. She hasn’t been told.

  “Levi is our newest top resident lawyer. I’ve been trying to snatch him since he passed the bar, but he wanted to make sure he earned his position. He came on board about six months ago. Doing a stellar job. Couldn’t be happier with his performance.” Her dad smiles, and she turns back to a shade of white.

  “Wh-What?” she barely whispers, her eyes tracing over to me. I offer her a grin, the satisfaction of her shock pleasing me. I knew she was coming home to work with her father—and she’d be starting as my paralegal. Little Hannah Matthews wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps, but to do so, she needed to start from the bottom. Learn all the tedious stuff before she worked her way to the bigger jobs. That’s where I stepped in. Her father came to me a few weeks back asking if I would allow his daughter to shadow me. Help her learn the ropes. Teach her. Mentor her. Little did Mr. Matthews know, I had already taught his daughter a few things. I more than happily accepted the challenge.

  “That’s right. And come Monday, I get the pleasure of being your mentor and teaching you all my tricks.”

  The poor girl looks almost sick. I worry she might barf on my brand-new shoes, but she’s too polite for such a blatant act.

  “It’ll be a great pairing. You’ve both known each other since you were little. It will be easy working together. I actually look forward to it.” Mr. Matthews offers another fatherly pat to my back and steps away. “Burgers are done. Baby girl, your mom wants to say a speech before we eat. When you two kids are done chatting, make your way outside, okay?” She nods, and we both stare at her father’s back as he retreats. Once he disappears outside, I aim my searing eyes back to her just as she ducks and tries to escape.

  “Not so fast, sweetheart.” I grip her bicep, pulling her back to me. “You were about to tell me something?” Her eyes resemble those of a scared kitten. I’m ashamed to admit I’m turned on by her timidity. Her doe eyes, bright with embarrassment. I’m tempted to talk dirty just to watch her cheeks explode in flames of discomfort.

  “I have nothing to say to you.” She sticks her chin out, but can’t hide how badly she’s trembling. I take a step toward her, forcing her back against the wall. Leaning in, I speak low. “We had sex, Hannah. Against my will. I would have never fucked you if I knew it was you.” My words turn sour as they leave my mouth. I didn’t mean them the way they came out, but the damage is already done. The hurt washes over her gentle features. Her bottom lip begins to quiver. Fuck.

  “That came out wrong. You know what—”

  I don’t get to finish because she lifts her foot and kicks me in the shin. Dammit with that move. “Ouch! What the hell, Hannah?”

  She pushes past me, but not before stopping to face me. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to, but if I did, I would also regret doing anything with someone as cruel as you. You’re definitely not the person I held in such high regard years ago, but I only have my horrible judge of character to blame.”

  With that, she flees down the hallway and out to the backyard.

  Hannah

  Five in the morning is here before I’m ready, and my alarm starts to blare. I slap the snooze button and throw my blanket over my head. I’ve barely blinked by the time the alarm goes off again. There’s no way that was nine minutes. I hit the snooze once more, flipping onto my back, trying to pry my eyes open. Big day. First day. Huge day. So huge, I manage to fall back asleep because my alarm wakes me up once again. “Ugh, the devil’s device,” I groan and flop to my side, shutting it off.

  “Time to get up, baby girl,” Mom sings as she opens my door. I pop up, confused at why I was sleeping in the first place, and glance at my clock.

  Shoot! “I’m awake!” I jump up and spring out of bed ten minutes behind schedule. How did I fall back asleep! I practically had one foot hanging out of my covers. Ugh. I race through the shower and quickly blow-dry my hair. I wanted to straighten it so it looked perfect for my first day, but my “I need more sleep” illness took that option away from me. I twist it into a neat-as-I-can bun and pin it tightly to my scalp. I laid out my outfit last night—well, I laid out my entire week, but I wanted to be prepared, and look professional. This is the day I have been dreaming about. I’m starting at Matthews and Associates.

  Grabbing for my computer bag, I throw the strap over my shoulder and race downstairs, where my mom is pouring a cup of coffee for my dad.

  “There she is. Ready for your big day, baby girl?” Dad chirps, folding his paper and setting it on the kitchen table.

  “Yes, extremely.” I sit down as my mom sets a plate of eggs in front of me. I thank her and wait for my dad to take a sip of his coffee before I bring up the speech I practiced all night long. The speech where I ask, without sounding like I’m begging—which I am—to be mentored by someone other than Levi.

  I was shocked—no, I was floored—when my dad said Levi works at his firm. Not that I keep track of him…okay, I have a Google notification on his name, but still! My dad’s firm? How was I not informed? I followed Levi from afar as he went to college on a full scholarship, when he turned down his opportunity to go pro, and then went off to law school. When the notifications stopped coming through, I assumed, once he was out of the sports spotlight, his name became irrelevant, hence the lack of notifications. It was then I started to lose track of him, which wasn’t the worst thing, since my obsession was a bit out of control. I needed to grow up and put my time and heart into someone who wasn’t my brother’s best friend. When I did what I did, I thought that’d be it. Our paths, with the exception of Kip’s wedding, hadn’t crossed in years, pretty much since he fell off the grid, why would it start now? I know I was naive in thinking I wouldn’t see him at one of Kip’s get-togethers or a family function now that I was home, but never this soon. And at my dad’s firm. My firm. And to top it off, he’s my mentor!

  This is a disaster.

  I’ve worked my butt off to land a job after college at Matthews and Associates, and it’s not because my dad owns the company. It’s been my dream since I was little to follow in his footsteps, apply to law school and work side by side, making him proud. But now… This... Him! Not going to happen. And to imagine working with him? Naive isn’t even the best word to describe how I’ve been about Levi. I couldn’t believe what a jerk he turned out to be. Putting him on a pedestal like he was this great guy all girls dreamed about. He was just another jerk with a well-seasoned act—and he proved it with his cold remark.

  A part of me couldn’t blame him. I had deceived him. Set him up. But I was truly doing him a favor. Sleeping with Rebecca Fritz would have been way worse. At least I thought. But to insult me and say he would have never had sex with me hurt. Then again, why was I shocked? I was no one special—nowhere even close on the radar of girls Levi Dent dated. They are all beautiful, popular. I am a plain Jane, short and mousy. My hair is a hot mess on a good day. My
eyes are too big for my face. I’m not on Levi Dent’s radar—pfft, or anyone’s, for that matter.

  “Um…Daddy? I want to talk to you about Levi,” I start off, then jam some eggs into my mouth. I don’t want to appear nervous, which I certainly am.

  “Ah, yes. Good ol’ Levi. What a pair you two will make. He’ll take good care of you,” he replies, taking another sip of his coffee and flipping the page of his newspaper.

  “I’m sure he would, but I was wondering if there was anyone else who would be able to let me shadow them?” I ask, stuffing my mouth some more.

  My dad drops his paper and glances at me. “And why would you want that? Levi is the best for the job. He’s becoming well respected at the firm, and being a longtime friend of Kip’s and close to this family, I thought he would be a great choice for you.” God, he is making Levi into a saint. Seems like my dad has his naive blinders on too. “Plus, there are a lot of eager men at Matthews and Associates. I don’t want anyone trying to take advantage of you. You’re a pretty girl. I have faith Levi will protect you and keep all those boys away from my baby.” He smiles, then his attention is back on his paper while I try not to choke on my eggs.

  My dad offers to give me a ride to the office, but I don’t want to show up pegging myself as the boss’s daughter. I mean, I am the boss’s daughter, but I want to stand on my own two feet. So, I drive behind him. Because there’s really only one feasible route to his office. I check in with the front desk, letting them recognize who I am, and Vanessa, the receptionist, walks me back to HR. I meet with Melanie, the head of human resources, who has me sign all my papers and gets my picture and badge. By mid-morning, I am officially a real employee at Dad’s firm, and Melanie is walking me over to my new desk and wishing me well.

  “But…wait, what do I do now?” I ask her back as she leaves me at my bare desk.

  “You wait for me to tell you what to do.”

  I whip around to see Levi standing in the doorway of the office right behind my desk. You have got to be kidding me. I narrow my eyes as he stands there, his arms crossed over his chest, looking absolutely stunning in a fitted black suit.

  “Please tell me you’re visiting someone else’s office,” I say in a not-so-friendly way.

  Levi shakes his head, not bothering to offer me any kind gesture in return. “Can’t do that since this office belongs to me.” He pushes off the doorframe and eliminates the space between us. I take a hefty step back, hitting the corner of my desk. “Jesus, Hannah, I’m not going to bite you,” he snaps as he brushes past me, placing a manila folder on my desk, then whips around to face me. “Listen, I’m not happy about this either. But this is what your father wants. I’m sure we can manage to work together without any scheming. Before long, you’ll be on your own and out of my hair.”

  I can’t fight the gasp that escapes my parted lips or the hurt in my eyes. He catches it, and it makes me even more upset to give him an ounce of satisfaction that he’s gotten to me. I clench my hands into fists, trying to control my building anger. “You know what—”

  “No, you know what...” He bends down, his face too close to mine, “you had no right to do what you did. Do you even comprehend what kind of trouble I can get in if Kip finds out? Your father?” His warm breath hits my face as fury pours from his words. He’s angry. And I get why. I didn’t think past myself. But it doesn’t excuse his harsh treatment.

  “I thought—”

  “Hey, Levi.” We both cock our heads to see a woman, blond and flawless, standing next to us, smiling all sweetly at Levi. He pulls away from me, replacing his snarl with a casual smile. “Hello, Becca. How was your weekend?” he asks as polite as can be.

  Becca giggles and flips her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, it was the same. Boring. Would have been more exciting if you had joined us on Saturday. The party was a huge success.” She licks her over-glossed lips, taking her eyes off him to scan me over, then moves her attention back to him.

  “Sorry I had to miss it. Becca, this is Hannah Matthews, Jim’s daughter. She’s starting with us today as my paralegal. Hannah, this is Becca. She works in records.” Becca turns to me, and with minimal effort, waves in my general direction. “Hey,” she says lamely, then brings her attention back to Levi. “Well, it was good seeing you. Definitely have to lock you in for next time.” And then she’s off.

  We both stand there in silence, unsure what to say. When I open my mouth to make an attempt at defending what I did, he brings his hand up. “Don’t. Let’s give you the tour.” He starts to walk away, and I wrap my fingers around his thick bicep.

  “Wait.” The moment my fingers touch him, he freezes. I panic and pull back. He whips around, his eyes on fire. “I’m…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you. It’s just that…I already learned the building. I don’t need a tour,” I reply, pulling my eyes away, looking anywhere but at him. I fidget with my hands, and I can’t stop pulling at my pencil skirt that suddenly seems too short for an office environment. Levi’s eyes follow my hands, but continue to travel down my bare legs, slowly making their way back up. The moment he lands back on my eyes, he slams his lids shut, raking his palms down his face.

  If I wasn’t mistaken, Levi Dent just got caught checking me out.

  I think.

  Because I’m not technically sure what a guy looks like checking me out.

  “You may know the building, but you don’t know the people. The routines. Schedules. It’s important to grasp that. What happens when there’s an emergency and you don’t have time to take the elevator? If you need a signature notarized and the one you need is not around, who is their back up notary? That kind of stuff. Now, let’s go.” He changes his course, and without waiting for me, heads toward the elevators.

  As if no deceiving supply closet sex had happened between us, Levi, the gentleman, kindly escorts me through each department, introducing me to the people I need to get familiar with. John in accounting, Frank in IT, Rachel in legal administration—which will be my biggest asset since I’ll be working with her once I’m out from under Levi’s shadow. There’s Sue, the legal secretary, and her daughter, Heather, who works as the law librarian, and Braydon, first-year associate. Braydon is super friendly with a nice smile. He started only a few months ago and is quickly moving his way up. He hands me his card, offering his services anytime I need them, and I thank him. Before I even finish our conversation, Levi pulls me away. I try snapping at him, telling him how rude it is, but he just says, “You’re not here to land a date, Ms. Matthews,” and continues to introduce me to more staff.

  Matthews and Associates is filled with employees. Marketing, paralegals, technical assistants, I can go on. By lunchtime, my head is spinning trying to remember everyone’s name, their titles, and how, when, and why I’ll need them. I can’t even hide the stress covering my face at how much information was just fed to me.

  “Relax, you don’t need to master everything on the first day,” Levi states as we make it back to my desk.

  “Sure I do. I want to succeed. I need to know—need to remember.” I grab for my bag in search of a pad and pen. I need to get these names and titles down before I forget. I get out my notebook, but Levi shuts my bag and pulls my arm away. I frown, my brows drawing together as I ping him with a quizzically stare. “What are you doing?”

  “Relax,” he says, slow and calm. His voice soothes my overworking mind. I stop in my tracks and stare down at his hand still wrapped around my arm. He catches what has my attention and quickly lets go. “Listen, I want to start over. I’m not this person I keep showing you. I’m not normally such an ass.”

  I stare at him, wondering about the change in him. I nod, letting him understand I get it. I normally don’t go around tricking guys into sleeping with me either.

  “It’s fine,” I say, wanting to brush it off. If we never had to bring up the whole supply closet again, I would be just—

  “But I need answers, Hannah.”

  And there goes th
at hopeful theory.

  “What happened…it was fucked up. I’ve known you since you were practically out of diapers. Your brother has been my best friend since we were kids. It shouldn’t have happened.”

  I go to open my mouth, but I’m not sure what to say. He’s right. It shouldn’t have. Even though it’s been the only thing I think about—the only thing that settles in my mind when I lay in bed at night. It’s a movie on repeat behind my eyelids every time I close them. It may have been the best thing to ever happen to me, and it shouldn’t have happened.

  “Say something.”

  It wasn’t a mistake. “I know. It was a mistake. I shouldn’t have done it, but I did it because I—”

  “There you two are.” My dad’s voice interrupts, and I jump, dropping my pen. “Nothing!” I spit out, whipping around to my dad, who’s smiling, his brow arched in confusion at my outburst.

  “Nothing what, baby girl?”

  Levi steps forward. “She meant she has nothing for lunch. We were just discussing what to eat. We’ve had a busy morning. She was able to conquer the entire first two floors of departments. I think she and Rachel really hit it off.” Levi’s smile matches my dad’s, and I take a deep breath, offering him my silent thanks.

  “That’s fantastic to hear! Lunch is at Savino’s. Both of you, my treat.”

  Levi

  Walking back to my office from a long litigation meeting, I want nothing more than to lock myself in my office and take a few swigs of the top-notch bourbon I keep stashed in my bottom drawer for high-profile clients. Hannah is not at her desk, but I can smell her lingering scent of flowers and sweet vanilla. I push past the urge to grab the pale pink cardigan hanging over her chair and press it to my nose. Making it into my office, I shut the door behind me, startled when I notice movement toward my desk. Hannah is sitting in my chair.