Chapter 5
“Can you believe he said that?” Layla looked up from sorting the HDMI cables in the conference room back to her friend, Carolyn, leaning against the conference table.
She shouldn’t have started this conversation.
She didn’t have time to rehash her exchange with Elijah from the night before.
Of the four technicians she supervised in the IT department at the corporate office of the Leisure Hotel Group, three were out thanks to a nasty cold circulating through the department.
As the supervisor she didn’t typically have to set up the conference rooms for the upcoming meetings, but she didn’t want to leave the remaining person on her team struggling to get everything set up for the various department and committee meetings happening that day.
She still had to set up the main conference room for a committee meeting in an hour.
But when Carolyn walked in and asked “what’s up” she’d blurted out what Elijah had said the night before faster than a traitor offered a bribe.
“Yeah, I can believe it. I mean he basically said what you already suspected. The man isn’t looking for romantic love.
He’s looking for someone who conveniently fits into his life.
” Carolyn said in true “let’s get to the point of things” fashion.
A skill that helped her quickly resolve disputes as the HR director.
She adjusted the frames of her stylish, black glasses and placed a hand on her hip.
She wore a simple black jumpsuit and a bright yellow blazer which accentuated her short, curvy figure.
The ample strands of gray in her curly hair made her look sophisticated rather than matronly, and at fifty-two, Carolyn would slice anyone who dared to call her matronly.
Layla scoffed before plugging the correct HDMI cord into the conference room’s laptop. “I mean…yeah, I guessed that, but for him to say it. The man really doesn’t know how to let loose and have fun. I still can’t believe he’s in a fraternity.”
“Men are simple. The quicker you accept that the happier you’ll be.
All men want someone to just slip into their lives and cater to their needs.
I could have told you he thought of you because you live next door, your kids get along, and you’re attractive.
It sounds like he’s smart enough to realize that type of relationship wouldn’t work with you.
Which, for a man, that type of intuition is rare.
So tell me, are you upset because he was honest, or because you’re attracted to him and wanted him to say he couldn’t resist you? ”
“Look here Madam HR Director, don’t try to that trick of getting me to admit to being wrong.”
Carolyn shrugged but grinned. “It was worth a try.”
Layla chuckled and checked to verify the laptop screen was mirrored on the projector screen. “Yes, I am attracted to him, but I also accepted that the two of us would never get together.”
Carolyn crossed her arms. “Then I don’t understand why you’re upset.”
“The problem is he’s so principled and buttoned up that he’s not living life. I wouldn’t care, but his daughter has noticed and she’s worried.”
“Homegirl, we’re into drama free relationships not solving problems,” Carolyn said with a snap of flawlessly manicured fingers.
Layla took a deep breath before nodding.
“Look, I get it. I do not want to sign up for a project. It is not my job to help Elijah figure out how to have fun in his life. Despite all of that, we are friends. I do care about Sabrina and it was sad to hear her talk about her dad that way. Even if we never get together, I do want him to be happy. Everyone at least deserves that.”
“He has to figure out what happiness is for him.”
“He’s a traditional kind of guy. I think he’s even more buttoned up because of his divorce. He doesn’t want to make Sabrina feel abandoned, so he’s extra cautious about everything. He’s trying to protect her, but she’s seeing it as her being a burden for him.”
Carolyn sighed. “It’s hard for kids to understand what parents are going through. But you told him, so now he knows. Now it’s on him to make the necessary steps.”
“True. Can you believe, he said he never liked Aaron.”
“What’s the surprise there? I told you Aaron was a bad idea when you said he got upset that you couldn’t talk to him because you had to go to a meeting. I still don’t understand why you stuck with him as long as you did.”
“I was horny and the sex was good enough to ignore his bad habits. Two things that have taken down people stronger than me for centuries.” She took the flash drive with the pre-loaded presentation for the meeting out of her pocket and stuck it in the laptop.
Carolyn laughed. “I hear you, but can I make a suggestion.”
“Sure.”
“Just like I tell employees who come to me to resolve a disagreement. Most of the time a problem is due to a miscommunication or a failure to communicate. If you are truly interested in him, then maybe you should tell him how you feel. See if he just sees you as a fifty-cent bottle of water or a six-dollar bottle of water.”
Layla shook her head and held up hand. “Hold up, I’m not a fifty cent anything.”
“Hear me out. A bottle of water changes price depending on where it’s sold.
At the grocery store a bottle is on average fifty cents each because there’s tons of water there and easily accessible.
But the same bottle of water is six dollars at the airport because the location increases the value.
Both are convenient, but how much will you pay for convenience?
So what if he thinks you’re convenient, how much does he value that convenience.
Show this man that you’re worth a lot more than just a friend his daughter gets along with. ”
Layla nodded slowly as she thought about what her friend said. “First you told me not to sign up for a project, but now you’re telling me to show this man I’m an airport bottle of water?”
“Years in HR have taught me when to recognize the signs when someone is considering doing something they probably shouldn’t.
You’ve been interested in this man since you met him, and he’s given you a hint that he may be interested, too.
As a friend, I should at least remind you that if you go down that road know that you’re bringing a lot to the table. ”
Layla knew she was a catch. Even if her ex-husband and later her ex-boyfriend hadn’t realized the same.
As soon as she recognized that she wasn’t being appreciated in a relationship she left.
She refused to end up in a relationship like her mom.
Unhappy, unappreciated, with unfulfilled dreams. She liked and was attracted to Elijah, but if he didn’t see her as anything other than an easy fix in his life, then she wouldn’t be with him either.
She smiled at Carolyn. “I appreciate that you see me as more than a fifty-cent bottle of water.”
Carolyn stood up from the conference table. “Girl, we’re not just any old six-dollar bottles, we’re sparkling water. Show that man your sparkle.”