9. Chloe
9
Chloe
The afternoon flew by. Working at Daniel's place wasn't that bad. While Michelle cleaned herself up, Daniel and I sat in his home office, pouring over work. It was just before dinner time before he offered to drive me back home.
As we pull in front of my apartment complex, I turn to Michelle.
“Don’t forget to add those other color combinations to your room. I’ll text you a few ideas.”
“Okay, thanks! We still have to set up our ice cream date, you know.”
“How about we FaceTime after dinner tonight?”
“Sounds like fun,” she pipes, raising her hand for a high-five.
Against Daniel’s stern glare, Michelle and I exchange phone numbers. He should give Ms. Rose a chance because I’m sure nobody else will give him the time of day.
Cold, grumpy, raw-tongued, and bossy. All the wrong traits a man can have.
But he’s also strong, protective, and smart.
No, Chloe.
I probably should have listened to Amber’s advice on not taking the job. I guess I thought I knew better.
Then again, where did her relationship advice get me? A dating site profile that acts like a magnet for psychos who think I only like to hook-up.
As I’m lost in my thoughts, Michelle waves goodbye to me from the back seat of the car, her face lighting up like a summer morning. I blow her a kiss in return. Seriously, how did Daniel end up with such a sweet kid? His late wife must have been an absolute diva to counterbalance his chaos. Michelle has this sparkle, this pure joy that feels almost magical.
I think about the crazy turn of events that unfolded today. From the misadventures with Emerson, to Daniel saving me like a modern-day knight, the unexpected detour to Michelle’s school, and now, the relief of being home.
I’m actually shocked that Daniel stepped in to protect me like that. He doesn’t exactly give off warmth or the ‘I’ve got your back’ vibe, especially with his nose always buried with work, snapping at everyone.
I’m no damsel in distress, but who wouldn’t relish being rescued every once in a while?
His attitude and the disrespect about it after were the worst, though.
Nope, not happening.
Just then, I realize how much I don’t want to end up in that kind of situation ever again. I grab my phone from my purse, open my profile, and click delete. I’m done with men. My lady parts can grow rusty for all I care. I’m happy to close up shop and die alone.
The wits in me for terrible dates are entirely exhausted.
With that, I watch Daniel’s car drive away and am about to enter the building when I hear a squeal from above.
“Look who’s dating her grumpy boss.”
My eyes narrow into slits when I see Amber standing by the window, spying on us.
“Say that again, and I’ll change the locks to our place the next time you’re out.”
“Yeah, yeah. Good thing I’m making popcorn,” Amber laughs. “I’ll need some for this story! Hurry on up.”
The scent of butter envelops our living room. I kick my shoes and step onto the plush rug.
Comfort, happiness, and beauty are the three major themes of our apartment. The décor of my home evokes the feeling of being in a tropical oasis. Fitting since my last name perfectly reflects my identity—Summers.
Our cream walls with blush accents complement the light brown couches and the forest green rug. A painting of a beach with coconut trees hangs on one wall, while a tall faux banana leaf plant stands at the end of the room.
“How did you even know we were outside?”
“Eagle eyes, girl.”
“So, you’ve been perched by the window all day?”
“I missed you.” She opens the oven to bring out the popcorn.
I shoot her a deadpan look. “You’re such a liar.”
She bursts into laughter. “Find my friend, remember? It was getting late so I checked in.”
She grabs a bowl, pours the popcorn, and drizzles powdered milk.
“I made it with honey,” she smiles, pushing the bowl to me.
I dig my palm in, grab a handful, and shove it in my mouth. It’s delicious.
“So, what have you really been up to?”
She lowers her voice. “Sasha asked me to be on the lookout for her.”
“You mean Richie’s girlfriend?”
“Shh.”
“No way. Why?”
“She thinks he’s cheating and wants me to be the one to help her catch him in the act.”
I choke back a laugh. “What if he’s sneaking in while you’re here on the couch and not by the window?”
“Then oh well! I can’t sit at the window all night! I have other things to do, like finding out how you got Mr. Bossy Pants to drive you home.” Her eyes gleam with anticipation.
I take another mouthful of popcorn. “He saved me from a disastrous date and then we went back to his place.”
Her eyes almost pop out of their sockets.
“Wait, that didn’t come out right.”
“You went on a date…with him? I’m so confused.” She coughs from almost choking on her popcorn.
“No. Well, yes, but not with Daniel. With a psycho catfisher from the dating app you set up for me.”
“How did that happen? And why am I just now finding out about this?”
“Well, he asked me to go to lunch and I liked what he looked like in his pictures.”
“Let me see,” she says, reaching for my phone.
I sink into the couch, devouring more popcorn. “I already deleted it.”
“Jeez. Was it that bad?”
“Yep, like mixing vinegar with soda.”
“Ugh. So sorry.”
“He grabbed me at the cafe and demanded I return a hundred bucks. Turns out, his son told him I charged for hook ups.”
His smell returns to my nose, and I gag. Amber gets up to grab us some drinks.
“A kernel get you?” She asks as I put my hands over my mouth and nose.
“No. I was just remembering what he smelled like.”
“Oh, man.”
“Like old cheese, sewage, sweaty feet, you get the idea. Not to mention how he ferociously devoured all the food and spit while he talked.”
“Just horrible.” She dips her hand in the popcorn bowl.
“Right? Then to top it all off, the creep started chasing me down the street after I told him no a million times.”
“No way!”
“Yep.”
“What happened? Are you okay?”
I nod. “Believe it or not, the grump just so happened to pull up at the right time. I hate to admit it, but I think I kinda needed him. He heard the commotion on his phone—I guess I purse-dialed him.”
She grins. “Hmm. Sounds like he isn’t so icy after all.”
Yeah, right.
I scoff. “He told me I had ridiculous taste in men and that I wasn’t allowed to take a lunch break.”
Tears pool into my eyes. It’s a miracle I didn’t burst into tears when he taunted me about it repeatedly. I already felt foolish for jumping into a date with a guy I didn’t even bother to get to know over the phone first, and then he just kept pushing, taking me to another level of embarrassment.
“This sounds like a soap opera. You literally have the worst track record of any new employee at any new job.”
She erupts in laughter, holding her stomach and falling on the rug.
I kick her. “You’re worthless. What am I still doing with you?”
“I guess I deserved that.”
She’s right, though.
I throw a pillow at her. “You’re the one who got me in this mess.”
“I know and I’m sorry.” She sits up after calming down. “Your date deserves coal in his Christmas stocking and your boss deserves to be left in a desert with no water for scolding you like a child.”
“I’ll do the shopping and the driving,” I joke.
“You’d think they were best friends or something.”
My phone rings. It’s Michelle. “That’s my ice cream date calling. I’m sure she won’t set me up for failure like you.”
Amber throws the pillow back at me. “Ice cream date?”
“Since my traumatic experience today, yes. It’s supposed to make me feel better.”
I’m about to answer the FaceTime when I pause. I’m still dressed in work clothes, and I haven’t gotten my ice cream. Leaving Amber and the popcorn behind, I open the refrigerator, sifting through the mess to find some. I get my hands on a box of butter pecan ice cream. Perfect.
I rush to the bedroom to change into a fun Barbie T-shirt.
When I return, I already have two missed calls and another ringing.
“Who’s video calling? Amber asks as she settles back by the window.
Ignoring her, I answer, “Hey.”
“Hey. I thought you might have forgotten about me.”
“No,” I shake my head. “Never.”
“I like your shirt.” Michelle’s eyes glow. “I got something like that on my last trip to Disneyland, only it had Frozen characters on it.”
“Nice.” I smile. “You can wear it on our next dessert date. I have a feeling we’ll have a lot more of these.”
“What flavor are you having?” Michelle asks.
I take a scoop. “Butter pecan.”
“I’m having coconut. Dad added some extra shavings and some pieces of pineapple.” She angles the camera so I can see.
The image fills me with all the fuzzies.
Daniel can’t be that bad, right? It’s surprising how he dotes on his daughter, showing a tender side that’s in stark contrast to how he treats his staff. Just as Michelle turns the camera, Amber playfully pokes her head into the FaceTime, adding some humor in classic Amber fashion.
“Heeeey. How come I’m not invited? I love ice cream!”
“Hi, I’m Michelle. Are you Chloe’s friend?”
“Yep. I’ve known her forever,” Amber grins. “I’m Amber. You’re not trying to steal my bestie from me now, are you?”
Michelle giggles and drawls. “Nah. We can all be friends!”
“Right. Well, in that case, we can have some spontaneous dance parties. That just comes with the territory over here. Are you up for that?” Amber winks.
“Count me in!” Michelle chimes.
The three of us laugh. Amber leaves and Michelle and I chat about her room while we indulge in sugary bliss.
“Time for bed, sweetheart,” Daniel’s voice announces from a distance.
“Ok but say hi first.” Michelle turns her phone to him.
There he is, dreadfully handsome in a green T-shirt. His killer blue eyes stare back at me and quickly dart away.
He pops his face into the camera. “Hi Chloe.”
“Smile,” Michelle quips.
When his mouth curves upward, I see a genuine, heartfelt smile that lights up his eyes. In that brief second, the cold, stoic facade melts away, revealing a tenderness I hadn’t noticed before. His smile catches me completely off guard, making my heart skip a beat.
I wonder what else he’s hiding under that icy exterior.