“You did?” Ethan said, but it wasn’t a question by the way he looked at me.
“I hope you don’t mind. We just ran into each other. I thought it might be safer, for Natalie, to not wander around the city alone. I hope we’re cool.”
“Yeah…yeah,” Ethan nodded quickly. “Thanks.”
“Well, Natalie,” Drew said, turning to me. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night. And Ethan,” he said, looking at him and extending his hand again. “It was good to meet you.”
“Same here,” Ethan answered, quickly shaking Drew’s hand.
Drew smiled at me again and then he was gone, quietly shutting the door behind him, leaving just Ethan and I in the quiet apartment in a sea of awkwardness as he began unloading the bags.
“What’s all this?” I asked, looking at the noodles and pasta sauce.
“I thought I’d make you dinner…to make up for being an asshole.” He didn’t look at me as he unpacked and I didn’t know what to say. “I didn’t expect to come home from the market and find you and that guy together.”
“We just got home. We were only here a few minutes,” I said and I knew I sounded defensive.
“It just surprised me is all.”
“You’re not upset, are you?”
“Upset? No,” he said as he pulled out a bag of salad. “Confused. Yes.”
“Confused about what?”
“Why your boss was here in our apartment. Alone. With my girlfriend,” he said and I couldn’t deny part of me enjoyed his jealousy.
“He was just being nice. I was alone and he found me at the park by myself looking completely pathetic.”
“Did you have a good time with him?”
“Yeah, I did,” I answered and his lips remained in a straight line as he continued unloading the groceries. “You’re not mad are you?”
“I’m fine,” he said, but then he stopped, staring down at the counter before looking at me again. “It’s my own fault. He wouldn’t’ve had to be there for you if I had been.” He set down the tomato he’d pulled out and walked towards me. I felt his presence beside me a moment later, heavy and obvious, and then I felt his hand on my lower back before reaching up and brushing my ponytail away from my neck so his breath was warm against my ear. “I’m sorry, Natalie. I’m sorry for what I did today. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I did and I’m sorry. I love you and I hate when I hurt you.” I felt his warm lips on the skin of my neck a second later. “I thought I was doing the right thing when I offered to work the extra shift. I thought I was doing right by us, but I wasn’t. It should’ve been me taking you out today, not your boss, but I’m glad you had fun, even if it wasn’t with me. I just want you to be happy and I’m so sorry I’m not making you happy.”
I felt my eyes grow warm as I listened to him. He hadn’t meant to hurt me. I turned around slowly, so I was facing him and I took his hands in mine.
“You do make me happy, Ethan,” I said, reaching up and kissing him softly. “I just miss you.”
“I’m right here.”
“You know what I mean,” I sighed. “I miss you. I miss being with you. I miss talking with you.”
“I know it’s hard right now. It sucks actually, but it’s not always going to be like this. It’s just for a little while. I promise.”
“I was just really looking forward to today,” I said, a tear escaping my eye. He reached up and wiped it away and smiled.
“I was too. You might not think so, but I was. I thought the extra money would help though. I worry about taking care of you because I feel like I’m not doing a very good job.”
“You’re doing a fine job,” I said with a little smile, trying to erase the worried look in his eyes. “I love that you think you have to take care of me.”
“I love you, Nat. I hope you’ll put up with me a little while longer.” He kissed me on the forehead and I smiled up at him when he pulled back.
“We’re doing fine,” I assured him. “We’ll be fine. We’ll eat Ramen noodles and spaghetti o’s for a while, but we’ll survive. I guess I kinda freaked out this morning.”
“You had every right to be pissed off at me.”
“I’m sorry for how I reacted. I’m sorry I stormed off like that and for what I said…” I began, but then he put his finger over my mouth so I wouldn’t say anything else.
“Let’s just forget about this. I wasn’t thinking when I did what I did, but can we get past this?”
His brown eyes looked so soft and sincere and he reached up, brushing his fingers lightly over my cheek before pushing a piece of hair that had escaped my ponytail behind my ear.
“Is it okay if I make you dinner? Spaghetti and meatballs and a spinach salad.”
“One of my favorites,” I smiled.
“Now, just go sit down and relax and I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready.”
“Okay,” I said, reaching over and touching his arm before I walked into the bedroom to change.
“I love you, Natalie,” he called to me from the kitchen and I just smiled as I slipped out of my jeans and into a comfortable pair of sweats.
“I love you too, Ethan,” I called back, wanting to put the morning behind us, but then my smile faded as I thought back to Drew and his hand on my knee and I didn’t want to think about what might’ve happened had Ethan not walked in.
Ten
“So,” Court sang as he slipped off his coat the next morning. “How was your weekend?”
I’d already been working for a half an hour when Court strode in with a smile on his face. He’d obviously had a good weekend. He hung his coat on the rack and sat at his desk, looking over to me, waiting for my reply.
“It was good. Yours?”
“Fabulous,” he grinned. “Went clubbing, caught a show at Central Park.”
“Sounds like fun,” I said, looking up and smiling at him.
“How was the museum with your beau?” he grinned as he waited for his computer to boot up. I’d told Court all about my weekend plans and he was obviously waiting for a report.
“The museum was great,” I said, omitting the fact that my beau had not accompanied me.
“What’d Ethan think?” he continued to pry, never one to skimp on details.
“He wasn’t able to go,” I said, keeping my eyes on the report I was looking over.
“Why not? You were all excited to go. What happened?”
“He had to work.”
“Bummer. You should’ve called me.”
“Even if I had, it sounds like you were too busy to go,” I laughed.
“I would never be too busy for you, Natalie. I can’t have you getting lost in the big city. Mr. Saben would not approve of that.” He gave me a playful wink before focusing on his computer.
“Is there something wrong with your eye?”
“Are you alluding to my wink?”
“I am. Why’d you wink at me?”
“You know.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You’re blind or completely naïve or you just love playing dumb, but I see the way our Mr. Saben eyes you and the soft spot he has for you.”
“He doesn’t have a soft spot for me,” I said quickly, but as I thought back to that moment on my couch when I couldn’t stop looking at his lips, I thought maybe he did.
“Oh no?” he said, swinging around in his chair in a quick, dramatic fashion and then straightening his tie before leaning forward to talk to me. “You see that desk you’re sitting at? That chair your ass is parked in? That computer screen you stare at all day?” he asked with a sly grin and I nodded. “You should’ve seen what Drew did to the guy who occupied it before you.”
“What’d he do?”
“Tucker was his name. The dude only lasted three weeks. Couldn’t do a damn thing right in Drew’s eyes. The guy wasn’t actually half bad. Didn’t matter to Drew though. He was gone almost as soon as he started. You, however,” Court said, his eyebrows bouncing up and down. “You can’t do anything wrong and I think a lot of that has to do with the way your ass looks in that pencil skirt.”
“You’re crazy, Court. Certifiably,” I said, glancing back to the report.
“I wish I was. Take advantage of it though, honey,” he said, swinging his chair back around and I just shook my head, ignoring him.
The morning flew by and Drew had yet to make an appearance. I was gathering my things to head to lunch with Court and Anna Beth when he finally walked into the office.
“Good morning all,” he said as he set his briefcase on my desk and popped it open.
“It’s nearly 12:30,” Court piped in.
“No matter,” Drew said, dismissing him.
“We’re just heading out to lunch. Care to join us?” Court asked.
“No. Thanks though. I’ve got a lot of work to catch up on,” he said, reaching into the briefcase and pulling out a book. “Here, Natalie,” he said, handing it to me. I took it, staring down at it:
The Complete Life and Pictures of Vincent Van Gogh.
“Thanks,” I said, feeling my cheeks flush and I wondered if anyone else noticed too.
“You seemed pretty enamored with Van Gogh at the museum and I found this in my library. I thought you might like to read it.”
“I would. Thanks,” I said, sliding it into my bag.
“You’re welcome,” he grinned and then closed the briefcase and walked into his office and shut the door.
When I looked up, Court and Anna Beth were both staring at me.
“Ready to go?” I asked nonchalantly, sliding on my coat and grabbing my purse.
“Uh, yeah,” Court said, motioning for Anna Beth to follow.
We walked quietly to the elevators and remained silent as we made our way down the street to the deli Court liked so much. I could tell Court was dying to say something, but he kept his comments to himself until we were sitting at a table eating our sandwiches.
“What the hell was that?” Court jumped in after he’d taken his first bite.
“What the hell was what?” I asked.
“Don’t play coy,” Court continued. Anna Beth was quiet, but I could tell she was just as curious as Court. “The book. I’ve worked for Drew for three years and he’s never given me anything, not even a damn napkin at lunch. You’ve been here three weeks and he’s giving you a book from his personal library. This just proves my point from earlier.”
“How’d he know you like Van Gogh anyway?” Anna Beth added.
“Yeah. What’d he mean by you seemed pretty enamored with Van Gogh at the museum?” Court asked.
I sighed and set my sandwich down, thinking how I would address their questions so they wouldn’t read too far into anything.
“I went to the MOMA with Drew.”
“What?” Court exclaimed, slamming his sandwich down. “I thought you went alone.”
“I was going to, but then I ran into Drew at Central Park. He was jogging there and I told him I was going to the museum and he offered to go with me, so we went to his apartment so he could…”
“Whoa!” Court jumped in. “Hold up! Did you just say you went to his apartment?”
I cringed, realizing I should’ve left out that little detail. Court was going to have a field day with this bit of information.
“Don’t get so excited, Court. He had to shower and get ready. He couldn’t go all sweaty.”
“Hmm, Drew all sweaty. I think I could get used to that,” Court said, grinning and Anna Beth smacked him on the arm.
“Get over it, Court. Drew’s straight,” Anna Beth said and then turned her attention to me. “What was it like?”
“What was what like?”
“His apartment!” Anna Beth exclaimed. “I’ve often wondered what it’s like.”
I just shook my head from embarrassment.
“It was an apartment,” I answered.
“Bullshit! Don’t give us that!” Court exclaimed. “Don’t be condescending.”
“Tell us,” Anna Beth said, leaning in eagerly and I sighed again.
“It was an insanely fabulous apartment. Huge and modern. Immaculate and perfect. Does that suffice?” I asked sarcastically.
“Was it weird? Being there, with him?” Anna Beth continued.
“Not really. I forgot he was my boss for a while actually. He was so laid back. It was fun.”
“So, the rumors were right then,” Court said with a smirk.
“What rumors?” I asked.
“Well,” Court began with an impish grin. “I’m really not one to gossip.”
“Excuse me?” Anna Beth said, almost choking on her sandwich. “You’re the king of gossip.”
“Well, maybe not the king. Perhaps the prince,” he grinned and I just glared at him.
“Just get on with it, Court. What rumors?”
“Well,” he began. “This all goes back to our conversation earlier,” he said, looking at me knowingly. “I suppose I should tell you I heard Drew was pretty adamant about you getting the position.”
“That’s not a secret. He told me he told Leslie to hire me.”
“He did?” Court said and I could tell my revelation had put a damper on the dramatics of his story.
“Yes. He said he’s a good judge of character and thought I’d be a good fit on his team.”
“A good fit on his team?” he said with a flamboyant laugh. “More like he’d be a good fit in you.”
“You’re disgusting!” I exclaimed and I couldn’t help feel a little offended. I knew Court liked to joke, but his last comment was over the top.
“You’ll soon learn that I know everything that goes on in that firm and the rumor mill has it Mr. Saben himself told Leslie to stop conducting interviews once he sat in on yours. There were supposed to be a couple more days of interviews, but they stopped once yours was over.” Court had a mischievous grin on his face and the way his left eyebrow raised made him look devilish.
“Shut up,” I said. “Don’t be ridiculous.” Drew had told me he’d asked for me to be hired, but he hadn’t told me the interviews had stopped right after mine. I could only imagine how that had gone over with Leslie.
“I’m not being ridiculous. I’m telling you what I’ve heard.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I guess he was impressed with your credentials,” he said and then stared at me with the other eyebrow raised. “Or he was impressed with what he saw.”
“Now you’re just being an asshole,” I said with a quick glare in his direction.
“I am not. You obviously don’t know Mr. Andrew Saben very well.”
“No, I don’t. Would you like to fill me in?”
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Vasser,” he said, leaning in closer with anxious anticipation. “Now, Anna Beth, make sure to add any details you feel relevant,” he said, looking over at Anna Beth who just rolled her eyes. “Okay, here we go. Mr. Andrew Saben is one of New York’s most eligible bachelors, I mean, you’ve seen him.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I interrupted. “He and I actually discussed this yesterday. You’ve got some exaggerated ideas about him. He’s just a regular guy. New York is huge and full of guys with more money and power than Drew. And yet you claim he is one the city’s most eligible bachelors for some reason. He’s not famous. I may not have known you long, Court, but I do know you like to embellish and Drew isn’t as rich or powerful as you believe. He’s just an architect for God’s sake. I’m not saying he doesn’t have money, but I don’t think it’s to the extent you think.”
“Now who’s the delusional one?” he said, openly scoffing at me. “Anyway…that doesn’t even matter. You and I both know he could have anyone he wants, but no one’s managed to tie him down and you want to know why?”
“Why?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest and leaning back in my chair.
“Because he’s a playboy,” Court said matter-of-factly.
“A playboy? What year is this? 1955?” I laughed.
“Fine. You don’t like my choice of words, let me put it in terms you may understand better. He’s a playa,” Court said in his best thug voice.
“I’m not surprised at that. Why shouldn’t he be? But what does that have to do with me?”
“Your Midwestern purity and innocence is refreshing, Natalie,” he grinned.
“Don’t insult me. I may be from Iowa, but I’m not stupid.”
“I never said you were. I think you’re far from stupid. You’re just a bit naïve to the ways of the big city.”
“What is your point?”
“My point is, I do believe Drew Saben noticed the attractive red head and wanted to get to know her better.”
“Drew has been nothing but nice and professional to me,” I said and nearly stumbled over my words as I thought back to yesterday in my apartment and knew I wasn’t being entirely honest. “So, whoever you heard that little rumor from has too much time on their hands. And frankly, I find it insulting that you would even entertain the rumor,” I said, not wanting to think I’d only gotten the job because of my looks, which I never thought were that impressive anyway…certainly not to catch the eye of one of New York’s most eligible bachelors, as Court had put it.
“You are too much,” he laughed, taking another bite of his sandwich.
“Would you help me out here?” I asked, looking over to Anna Beth who just smirked.
“It is a little peculiar,” she finally piped in. “I mean, Drew’s never even bought me lunch since I’ve been working here and he spent the whole day with you and brought you a book from his personal library.”
“I think he felt sorry for me because Ethan bailed on me. I’m sure he would’ve done the same for you,” I said defensively.
“I highly doubt that,” Anna Beth said and I couldn’t tell if she was joking or if she was annoyed. “He’d probably wave, say hello and be on his way. I doubt a day at the museum and lunch afterward would’ve happened, and he sure as hell wouldn’t have invited me to his apartment.”
“What was I supposed to do? Tell my boss no thank you when he asked me?”
“I’m not saying that,” Anna Beth answered.
“If I may interject,” Court said and Anna Beth nodded. “What I believe Anna Beth is getting at is that the treatment you have been shown by our boss is not typical, so just remember that.”
“I will,” I mumbled, almost wishing I hadn’t run into Drew in Central Park or at least not told Court and Anna Beth about it. It could only mean trouble.