Chapter 6 Savannah
SAVANNAH
Jupiter is a hot spot. It has an industrial feel, with hanging exposed lightbulbs, inventive cocktails, and a menu that changes with the seasons.
I’m relieved when the bar menu presents a few options that are heavy on carbs.
The place is bustling, but the acoustics in the place mean that I can still have a conversation with Elodie where we sit at the bar.
She eyes the bartender, and I smirk, since she’s so obvious. I nudge her leg under the table with my heeled shoe. She yelps.
“Hey, what was that for?”
“To stop you before you drool.” I pick up my espresso martini for a sip.
“Thanks. I should probably watch myself, but the guy has tattoos on muscly forearms, and it’s my weakness. Plus, I’m a single mom who hasn’t had sex in a long time.”
I laugh in understanding. “You’ll find a guy to sweep you off your feet in life and the bedroom. Anyway, I’m happy to be out for a drink.”
“Oh yeah?” She lifts her wine glass. “Everything okay, other than your favorite boss?”
“I guess so. I’m almost done with my degree, the weather is warming up, and my family is hanging in there.
That reminds me, I need to check the calendar and use some of my vacation days.
I want to head back to Everhope and take a few days off to relax with them.
” The city is great, but I grew up in a small town, and it always feels cozy and relaxed when I visit.
“That would be great. You deserve it since you work your ass off in everything you do. I’m curious if your boss is checking out your ass in the process.” She grins and gives me a knowing look.
For some reason, I chose not to tell her that he has already seen my ass. Relaying the event will make it too real, admitting joy.
“Stop it.” I smile. “Maybe he does, or maybe he doesn’t.” I use my hand to display myself, but I believe that I have the answer.
She bursts out with a laugh. “Oh, please, you’ve really stepped up your work outfits lately. Don’t get me wrong, you’ve always had a great sense of fashion, but now? I don’t know, it’s the little things. A new shade of lipstick or something.”
I shake my head. “Absolutely not.” Or maybe. Attraction does things to people, and I’m not blind; I’m positive it’s mutual, but I still think he’s despicable. “I want to get to work and do my job.”
“Is that at least exciting?”
Tipping my head to the side, I quirk my lips out because it doesn’t take much thought to admit the truth.
“Actually, the work itself is more interesting. I loved working with Charles, but Julian’s workday is more fast-paced; his insight is needed on so many things, and when he’s on calls with people, then the ruthless asshole persona kind of makes sense. ”
“That’s good, at least.”
“Yeah.” I brush past the subject and raise my hand to catch the attention of the other barman, who lacks tattoos, much to Elodie’s dismay.
“I need food. Otherwise, this drink will hit me hard, especially if we do another round.” As he approaches, I slide the menu closer and scan it.
I’m dying for fried mozzarella sticks, but this place is more sophisticated than that.
Hell, my drink alone costs the same as buying new lingerie…
Why is that even my point of reference? Quickly, I turn to the barman and flash a wide grin.
“What can I get you ladies?”
“Yeah, uh, let’s do the stuffed mushrooms for now, but we’ll be back for round two. Thanks.” I set the menu down and return my full attention to my friend, giving her a bright smile.
“At least, you’re entertained. My team is kind of boring.
I have a cat lady, a guy who plays some medieval game all night, and another guy who is barely awake thanks to a new baby.
Not to mention that out of the office, my life is attached to a kid who hates carrots and wants to play educational cartoons on a loop. ”
"They're educational, luckily." I sip my drink and set down my glass, twisting the stem.
"I might be entertained, but unlike Charles, who has a doting wife, I’m sent on pointless errands: dry cleaning, power bar restocking.
" Elodie smirks at my list, then gulps down the rest of her drink. "He hates bagels, so at least I don’t have to remember that. I swear, if he could, he’d probably ask me to get on my knees and shine his shoes. "
Elodie nearly spits out the last of her wine, and her eyes drift over my shoulder.
“Well, you are my personal assistant.” The familiar smooth voice has a hint of swelter, and everything inside of me sinks.
A long moment of stiff silence casts over us before Elodie croaks as she stands. “This is probably my cue to leave and wish you both happy tidings. Bye.” She swipes her jacket off the back of the chair. “Mr. Haven,” she greets him politely before fleeing.
I can’t protest or say goodbye—she leaves too quickly. I feel embarrassed and uneasy knowing Julian won’t let this go. When he takes Elodie’s seat, his smug look confirms it.
“On your knees? Hmm, highly inappropriate, Ms. May.” He indicates to the barman, and I’m not sure why.
My eyes set on him, doing my best to show that I’m unaffected by whatever taunt he is about to throw my way. “And what brings you here, dear boss?”
“You’re a smart cookie. Many people from the office come here after hours.”
I raise my brows at him. “You mean for happy hour? That’s what normal people call it. I’m not sure happy is in your vocabulary, though. And you most certainly are not like us normal people.”
He leans his elbow on the bar. I notice he ditched his suit, blazer, and cufflinks at the office. The casual style suits him too well. My body instantly reacts—which is a damn problem.
“Happy is very much part of my vocab. I’m just waiting for the moment to use it. And to answer your question, I’m here because I ordered food to take home.”
“Didn’t want me to do that for you?” I flippantly wonder.
A whiskey is set before him. I might ask how the barman knew, but it's Julian—he’s likely friends with the owner, or a regular, brooding in his corner, plotting how to scorch the earth.
“What? Place the order or cook for me?”
We are going to go in circles with our tit-for-tat, it seems, and I accept that, which is why I grab my drink and lift it to my mouth. “I’m positive my cooking wouldn’t be up to your standards.”
“Why? You’re a bad cook?”
I swallow, pleased by the perfect vodka-to-coffee ratio. “No. I prefer family-style meals, right down to the meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”
He leans back and doesn’t hide that he appraises me up and down. “You don’t seem like someone who lives off of meatloaf.”
My face warms; that was his way of giving a compliment. It's not so bad that it's about my looks, especially when he could have any model on his arm—and, more importantly, has already seen me naked.
“No, I don’t.” Right on cue to dodge the past indiscretion, the universe delivers my appetizer. Crap, with Elodie gone, how will I eat all this? “Instead, I eat vegetables covered in a cheese nobody knows.”
“You’re going to eat all of that alone?” He appears skeptical.
“I was sharing, but my boss scared away my friend.”
Julian leans back on the stool, taking his drink with him. “I’ll help you finish that.”
I freeze, and my eyes meet the dare in his. “That would mean you have to stay and be blessed with my company.”
He shrugs. “And? I promise not to bring up work.”
I slam my hand on the counter and pretend to search. “Who is this? What have you done with my boss?”
A natural smirk hits a little different on the sexy front. It’s… soft and honest. “Give me a break. I’m starving, and I was forced to look at photos of a baby’s birthday party when I was done with a meeting.”
“Yeah, that is rough,” I reply dryly and stab a mushroom with my fork before moving the plate in his direction.
“I knew you were studying, but Charles mentioned once that you’re almost done with your degree in business administration.”
I’m surprised he’s bringing it up, actually astonished. Mostly because he sounds genuinely interested. “Uh, yeah.” Suddenly, it dawns on me. “I guess you know that Charles, in his desperation, told me that the company will pay off any of my student debt.”
“He did. Desperate is a little harsh, but kudos for the sentiment.”
I gawk at him. “It’s an incentive not to quit or get fired.”
He shakes his head gingerly. “Nah, you don’t want either because you are a perfectionist.”
I fan myself. “My goodness, Julian Haven just gave someone a compliment.” He only stares at me, his face stoic.
“I just need to hand in my last paper to finish my master’s.
Hopefully, I’ll put it to good use. I’m still figuring out what that means for my career.
” I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear, shyly.
Talking about non-work things with him feels odd, but it makes him seem more down to earth.
“That’s good. Not going back to your hometown to marry a farmer and cook meatloaf every day?”
I chuckle. “No, that’s not my calling, but I’ll visit Everhope.
It’s special—everyone knows each other, and the coffee shop on Main Street is to die for.
There are always weekend events: markets, music, town barbecues.
” I point at him. “We don’t eat meatloaf, just amazing chicken burgers or rib eyes.
” Talking about Everhope, I can’t help but beam.
“As much as I love it, I wanted to spread my wings, and I feel like I’m in the right place on my journey now.
Still, I won’t rule out returning for good. "
“Your parents visit?”
My body subdues, and my smile disperses, causing me to grab my martini for a sip to brace myself.
Clearing my throat, I look at him. “Uh, my parents aren’t in the picture.
” I nibble the corner of my lip for a second or two.
“Dad passed when I was a baby, and my mom wasn’t meant to be one, hence why she left when I was six. ”