Chapter 1 #4
“I would’ve been, I guess, had my parents not died. We’re all super close. A bunch of stray cats all thrown together. My sisters are super special. Accomplished and successful. They’d never have to work two jobs. I’m the dummy of the group.”
“Working two jobs doesn’t mean you’re not accomplished. School teachers should be paid more.”
“You’re sweet to say so,” she said.
He didn’t say anything, just stared at her, as if he couldn’t decide if she was for real or not.
“What?” she asked.
“You’re unusual, that’s all.”
“Unusual good?”
“Very good.” He further loosened his tie. “What’re you doing at that club?” he asked. “For real. ”
She explained about her student loans and then Sophie’s accident. “I make more during my weekend shifts than I make in a week teaching.”
“That isn’t right.”
She smiled at him, hoping to coax the frown from his face. “It’s not—but who said anything about right or fair? I get paid to run around in my skivvies and bring drinks to guys like your client. Men still run the world, Jed Marsh.”
“Men like my father.”
“I suppose you could say that, yes,” she said. “But I don’t spend time feeling bitter about what isn’t in my control. What I can do is save my friend from financial ruin by slinging some drinks, so that’s what I’ll do.”
“Does your family know about your job at the club?”
She shook her head. “No. They wouldn’t approve of me running around in my bathing suit serving drinks. My principal at the elementary school doesn’t know either.”
“Is it weird having a secret like that?” he asked.
“Yes.” She took a moment to find the right words.
“There’s this whole part of my life I can’t share with them.
I mean, Rif and Marty and the girls are true friends who look out for me.
I wish I could tell Mom and the girls about them, but I can’t.
I can’t take the look of disappointment in their eyes. ”
The car slowed and came to a halt. They were probably stopped at the light that turned onto Highway 202. She lived in a suburb called Sammamish. Soon, they’d pass through downtown Redmond, then turn right on Sahallee Way. She wished the drive would never end.
“Do you mind being an only child?” So far, they’d talked about her. He was good at asking questions, drawing her out, but she wanted to know more before it was time to say goodbye.
“I always wanted siblings,” he said. “My mother, especially, is intense. So much…too much attention and expectations. Most of the time I feel like I’ve failed her. ”
“Is she hypercritical?”
“You could say that, yes.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he grimaced.
“And then there’s my dad. He’s one of these old-school types, who parents like a football coach.
Not the good kind like Pete Carol, but the ones who yell and bully their team into submission.
” He tugged on his ear and looked away. “Anyway, enough about that.”
“Did he physically bully you?” she asked, too curious to keep her mouth shut.
“Sometimes he roughed me around, yes. Nothing serious. Just some boxing of the ears, that kind of thing.”
“That’s awful. Children should never be hit.”
He smiled gently. “Nah, he made me tough.”
“What’s it like working with him?” She imagined working for a man like that would be rough for anyone, but especially for a son.
He rattled the ice around his glass. “Hard.”
“I’m sorry.”
He lifted his gaze to look at her. “I must sound like a monster.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Poor little rich boy with mean parents, who has his own driver and a business worth millions of dollars.”
“Money has nothing to do with how good a person’s life is or isn’t.
” She touched her fingertips to his knee before snatching them away.
Why had she touched him? Who was she right now?
So free and talkative and touching a man she didn’t know.
But you do know him , a voice in her head whispered.
You’ve known him all your life . “The only thing that matters is supportive family and friends.”
He watched her without moving a muscle. “Do you really think that’s true?”
“I do.” Transfixed by his gaze, she also froze. A current passed between them.
After a few seconds, he broke the silence. “Sometimes, I think about walking away from it all—giving up my place in the business and going out on my own. But to do what? I’m not really good at anything except nurturing client relationships.”
“Aren’t there a lot of jobs like that?” she asked. “Businesses who need good salespeople?”
“I suppose. I don’t know. I’ve felt like there are no choices in my life that haven’t already been made.”
“There’s always a way to reinvent yourself.” She touched his knee again. This time his hand covered hers before she could snatch it away.
“Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?” he asked.
She pulled her hand back to her own knee. “I can’t. I have to work.”
“Sunday then?”
She looked at his earnest, sweet face. Where were the red flags she usually got with men? Nothing but white flags, one after the other.
“Yes, I’ll have dinner with you on Sunday.”
“Rif’s ordered me to send flowers tomorrow, which I will do for the privilege of taking you to dinner.”
“Rif worries too much.”
“I like knowing there’s someone looking out for you there.” He flapped his hands apologetically. “Not that you need a man to do that for you.”
“I don’t, but I get your point.” She smiled to ease his mind.
The car turned. Soon, they’d be at her apartment. She didn’t want the night to end. How was that possible when she’d only just met him?
“What’s your favorite flower?” he asked.
“Tulips.” They’d been her mother’s favorite. One of her fondest memories was going to the tulip festival with her parents. Rows and rows of reds, yellows, purples, as far as the eye could see.
“What color?”
“Any will do, but I love pink,” she said.
“Good to know.”
The sound from the car’s engine changed. They were climbing the hill toward downtown Sammamish.
“What’s your favorite food?” he asked.
“Simple. Bland,” she said. “I eat like my kindergarteners.”
He laughed. “Like fish sticks and French fries?”
“Chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese, if you want to know my absolute favorite.”
“I’ll be sure to take you to a place with a kid’s menu.” His eyes sparkled, teasing her.
The car slowed and then stopped. “We’re here, I guess.” She set her glass over near the bucket of ice. I wish we weren’t , she thought.
Thomas opened the car door and backed away, waiting for her to exit.
“Wait, let me help you out,” Jed said. He set aside his glass, then scooted toward the door, hopping out and then offering his hand.
Once she was out of the car, Thomas disappeared back inside.
“May I walk you to your door?” Jed asked.
Her apartment building was nestled amongst a bevy of businesses, including a bank, pho shop, music store and a few others.
On the first floor of her building, the café’s closed sign hung in the doorway.
They’d open at six—just a few hours from now—and serve mouthwatering comfort food.
The smell of pancakes, maple syrup and coffee would drift up to her apartment.
She pointed to the second floor of the apartments. “I’m in 2A. Above the café.”
He nodded and indicated for her to go ahead. “Right behind you. ”
She took the stairs slowly, partly because she was exhausted and a little light-headed from the drink but mostly because she never wanted this night to end.
When they reached her apartment, she pulled her keys out of her bag and unlocked the door. She left it open slightly and turned back to say good night. His eyes glittered in the dim light from the lamppost below.
“May I kiss you?” he whispered, so softly she wondered if she’d made it up.
“Yes.”
He brushed her still damp hair from her cheek.
She held her breath as he brushed his lips ever so softly, like the wings of a butterfly, against hers.
Despite the gentleness of the kiss, a spark of desire rushed through her.
She had to hold herself back to not throw herself into his arms and demand more.
Jed was too much of a gentleman for that. “Good night, beautiful Alissa. I’ll see you on Sunday.” He reached into his jacket pocket and handed her his business card. “Please text and we’ll work out details.”
She shook her head. “How about if you just type my number into your phone?”
“If you insist.” He pulled his phone from his pocket.
She rattled off her number.
He typed into his phone. “Done. I’ll text you tomorrow.”
“Thank you for the ride. And good night.” She slipped into her apartment before she embarrassed herself by asking for another kiss.
Inside, she locked and bolted the door, then stood against it, breathing heavily, listening to his footsteps descend the stairs.
Oh my God , she thought. I can’t wait to tell my sisters and Mom about this night.
But she couldn’t unless they knew the truth about her second job. She instructed herself not to think about all of that and, instead, just bask in the moment. He’d kissed her. They were going out to dinner on Sunday. She hugged herself and smiled. Could she have just met her future husband?
The next morning, she woke late. A light flashed on her phone. She reached for it as the events from last night rushed back to her. A text from an unknown number flashed on the screen. It was Jed. Had to be.
Can I help you get your car to the shop today?
She’d been so blissed out that she’d almost forgotten about her stupid car. She stretched, then sat up straighter to type a message back to him.
Thanks, but I’ll have to have it towed to the shop.
God only knew how much that would cost.
A return text came right away. That car might not be worth salvaging. Have you considered buying or leasing something new?
She typed back. Don’t you need a big down payment for that? As you say, it’s not like I’m going to get a good trade-in on that piece of junk.