Chapter 2
Sallie
Nothing gets me off on a bad foot Monday morning than a slow coffeemaker and an inbox full of emails. Luckily, Brewcifer only acted up the first time today, because I definitely went back to refill my mug a time or three before I finally had my inbox cleared out.
Jack is an investment genius; he was dabbling in stocks and bonds when I met him in college, and to see how he’s turned that into a successful business is amazing. It’s also been fortunate for me; I get to benefit from his success with a solid career I enjoy (most days).
I suppose I’d better head in and see what favor Jack wants.
There is very little I’ll say no to my best friend about, especially since I’ve been in love with him for years, and I kick myself constantly for making it clear we were only friends back in college.
He’s never tried to make a move; now I fear it’s too late to do anything about it.
Giving myself a mental shake, I grab my notepad and a pen and head next door. No sense in dwelling on that right now. I haven’t figured out how to fix it in the past five years; I’m not going to fix it today.
I rap on Jack’s doorframe to get his attention. “Ready for that chat, boss?”
“Ugh, do you have to call me that, Sallie? We’ve been friends a lot longer than we’ve worked together; it just feels wrong,” he responds, looking up from his computer with a grimace.
“Sorry, sir, but your name is on the bottom of my paychecks, so I think the title fits,” I say with a sassy shrug as I plop down in his crazy comfortable guest chair.
Giving him my most professional expression, I wait to see what he needs my help with.
What comes out of his mouth next isn’t at all what I was expecting.
“I need you to be my date at the mayor’s Halloween Costume Ball this Friday,” Jack rapid-fires out as a blush creeps up from under his dress shirt collar and spreads across his cheeks.
And if that isn’t a bit of a shock, as I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jack less than one hundred percent confident and comfortable in any situation.
“Okay…” I drawl out with a slow blink, not fully understanding what the big deal is. I’ve accompanied him to many business functions before.
“You’d be coming as my date…not my assistant, Sallie.
” Jack pauses, running his hands through his shaggy blond hair, messing up his neatly styled coif in yet another uncharacteristically anxious gesture.
“Look, I told the mayor I’d be attending when he cornered me at a function last week, and when he mentioned looking forward to meeting my ‘special someone,’ I didn’t correct him.
Apparently word has gotten around that I’m seeing someone, and there has been talk in our networking circles,” he grumbles with an eyeroll.
“All right, Jack, I’ll help you out, but you are definitely coming over Saturday to help with my new Halloween decorations.
And you do realize that everyone at this event knows I’m your assistant and best friend; it’s going to be hard to pull off a ‘sudden’ romance.
We’d better figure out our story now and practice looking ‘in love.’ What about costumes?
” I finally come up for air and grab my coffee mug, taking a healthy drink while I look at Jack expectantly.
“Wear whatever you want, Sallie. Halloween is your favorite holiday; I have seen your costume collection. Whatever you wear will blow everyone away,” Jack responds with his usual dimpled smile.
Seriously, how am I supposed to play his doting girlfriend for a night and not let on that I’m crazy in love with my best friend?