What’s worse is that my once-a-night happy time has come to a halt. Imagine my surprise when my first night in New York, I settle into bed and reach for Mr. Squeal-A-Lot, only to be reminded I removed the batteries before I packed it. If I had gone to Nat’s at eleven pm and asked her for batteries, the skank would’ve given me that look. The one that says ‘I know what you need these for, you dirty Gertie’. Not to mention, she probably would’ve told Ash. Screw that.
Mental note: Buy a pack of batteries.
On second thought…
Revised mental note: Buy a bulk pack of batteries.
Maybe James can be my very own personal happy time friend. I must look into this, but not too far. I don’t want to end up being that girl. Or better yet, that employee.
Mental shudder.
Testing the waters, I wrap my arm around his waist and squeeze back, smiling up at him. “Back at ya.” I allow my arm to linger around his solid body, liking the feel of him very much. I expect a reaction of some sort, a change in demeanor even, maybe for him to stiffen in uncertainty or for him to give me sexy eyes, but I’m shafted. I get nothing.
Friendly James is just that. Friendly. So friendly that as I reach into my pocket to get money to pay for my cupcakes, James reaches over and pays for all three boxes without ever releasing his hold on me. I’m speechless, and quite frankly, I feel slightly uncomfortable about it. That is until he pulls me closer to him and utters, “Don’t be pissy. It’s just a welcoming gift.” Nose bunched in annoyance, I glare at him. He just smirks. “Welcome to New York.”
I take our bags full of cake and allow James to lead me out of the bakery. It’s close to six pm now, and I reach into my pocket to check the subway schedule. We walk in silence until I realize I’ve just missed my way home. “Crap. I gotta call my sister to come get me.”
“I can take you home.” I look up at him with a tentative look on my face. He drawls, “That is, if it’s not weird for you.”
Dude, he already knows where you live from your paperwork. What gives?
I guess so. But something feels off. My silence is making this awkward. “Um, sure. Only if it’s not out of your way.”
He asks, “Where do you live?” I prattle off the address and he assures me, “That’s actually on my way, so no biggie.” We walk down the street to the center’s parking lot. He walks over to red family sedan and unlocks it. I smile to myself. This is not the car I envisioned him having. When we’re both seated, he catches my smile. “What?”
I shake my head. “I thought you’d have a truck, or something manly.”
He shrugs. “This was my mom’s car.” Then he grins sheepishly. “My truck’s at home.”
“I knew it!” I clap my hands together and whoop.
We drive out of the parking lot. “Yeah, yeah. You win at life. Congratulations.”
I laugh out loud. “Oh my God, you’re, like, so funny.” As he drives, we talk about work. James explains tomorrow will be a busy day, as Wednesdays usually are. We talk, laugh, and joke, and it feels like only minutes before we’re at my apartment building.
He pulls into one of the free spaces and I free myself from the seatbelt. I smile over at him. “Thank you so much. I had so much fun this afternoon.” I think a moment, and admit reluctantly, “I have a lot of fun with you, James.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime you need help with something or don’t know where something is, let me know. I’m volunteering to show you around.” He pauses a moment before adding, “I have a lot of fun with you too. I didn’t know when I hired you I’d be making a friend.”
My heart swells. Before I have a chance to think on it, I lean forward and throw my arms around him. I hug him hard. “Me too. And you don’t know how much I needed a friend, so thank you.”
I feel him hesitate, but his arms slowly come around me. I rest my chin on his shoulder as he mutters, “You’re welcome.”
And that’s about the time a harsh knock sounds at my door. My heart jumps in time with my body. I squeak and turn around to see Ash staring into the car window. I wave and smile. He doesn’t smile back.
Oh hell. He’s pissed.
The car door opens, and my cupcakes and I are pulled outside. He growls, “Get inside. Now.”
What the hell? Where is this coming from?
James’s eyes fixate on Ash. He glowers at him and utters in false calm, “I wouldn’t do that again if I were you.” I’m so confused right now.
Asher stands just outside of the open car door. “Mind your own fucking business, jerkoff. You make a fucking habit of driving home your employees and getting touchy with ‘em in dark parking lots?”
Oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no! My eyes widen. I tug on Asher’s arm. “It wasn’t like that, Ash. God! You don’t even know him!”
But he doesn’t even hear me. He grins cruelly towards James. “I think you just lost your job, boss.” He points upward towards the security camera pointed directly at the car.
Fuck! He would dare!
…would he?
Panic turns me into a crazy woman. I pull Asher back by his arm enough to get him away from the car, and then I push at his chest with all my might. He finally looks down at me with a scowl. I push him again and snarl, “I am not my sister. You don’t have the right to pull shit like this! Get out of here, Ash! Just leave!”
Ash just blinks at me. “You serious? He’s fucking playing you, Lena!”
My body shakes with anger. I hiss through gritted teeth, “Not everyone is like you used to be, Ghost.”
The shot hits its target. His eyes widen a moment. He looks ready to attack me, but then a bored look replaces Asher’s concern. “You know what?” He starts to walk away. “Forget about it.”
I quickly look towards James. “I’m so sorry. He’s not usually like that. He was way off. I promise you you’re not going to lose your job.”
James doesn’t look at me. Jaw steeled, he looks down at the steering wheel and mutters, “He’s right.”
“What?” I’m shocked.
He looks over at me. “I said he’s right. I shouldn’t be treating you the way I am. I shouldn’t have put my arm around you today, and I definitely shouldn’t have put my arms around you just then. If anyone had seen us, I’d have been in deep shit. I’m sorry, Helena, for being so inappropriate with you.”