3. Meghan
THREE
Meghan
I t's finally Friday and after an… interesting start to the week, I’ve finally managed to put the interaction with Mr. Jackson Sr. behind me.
I don’t know what happened while I was in the file room, but whatever it was cast a shadow over the office, over Mr. Jackson and I, for the rest of the day. He was quiet and barely looked at me during our interactions.
Work has kept me busy with reports, organizing case files and putting the finishing touches on the firm's Christmas party that’s happening tonight.
As I’m replying to an email from a prospective client, the sound of an incoming text message chimes from my phone. Finishing the email and pressing send, I pick up my phone and read the message.
Alex
I’ve found the PERFECT dress for you. It’s going to look stunning and you’re going to have everyone’s jaws on the floor at the party tonight! I can’t wait!!
I re-read it and let out a frustrated groan. Alex has been my best friend since we were five-years-old and she has made it her life’s mission to get me to step out of my comfort zone as often as possible.
Alex is full of not-so-bright ideas and constantly suggests I wear clothes that I wouldn’t normally wear, even knowing why I choose to dress the way I do.
She thinks I should show off my figure and bask in the attention, but I have no desire to do that. Yes, I’m older and wiser now, but I prefer to be out of the spotlight.
Alex is bold and not afraid to be her true self, no matter what. I’m the complete opposite, always worried about what others will think and how they might judge me or what they might try and make me do.
For unknown reasons, one night when we were having cocktails and a pamper night, I drunkenly agreed to let Alex pick my outfit for the Christmas party.
I’d been telling her—for the millionth time—all about this thing between Mr. Jackson and me and how I wished he would initiate the first move because I wasn’t likely to.
She told me that I should seduce him with a sexy outfit at work. Stupid, drunk, Meghan had said I should do it at the Christmas party, and now here we are with sober Meghan having to be the responsible one and put a stop to these plans.
If I’m being honest, it was six months ago, and I’d forgotten about it. More like I wished she had forgotten about it. But the party’s tonight and she clearly didn’t forget because she’s found a dress for me to wear.
Sometimes I hate that she knows me so well, because if she’d given me more notice, I’d have been able to get out of this. Putting my phone on the desk in front of me, I drop my head into my hands as I try in vain to think of a plan.
Urgh, if I can’t convince her it’s a bad idea, I’m going to have to wear whatever she’s picked out for me and I’m terrified it’s going to be a sexy Mrs. Claus costume or something equally bad. I wouldn’t put it past her to have picked a costume rather than a dress.
One year, she tried to get me to dress as Catwoman for a Halloween party... latex suit and all. I said no to that idea before she bought the outfit, but if she had, I have no doubt I would’ve been guilted into wearing it.
Alex is very convincing when she wants to be.
I put the kibosh on any costumes being picked out by Alex going forward after that. Well, that was until the night I agreed she could pick my outfit for the Christmas party.
Picking up my phone, I type out a response.
Meghan
It’s okay, you can return it.
I think I’ll just wear my black dress tonight anyway. It’s appropriate for a work party .
Pressing send, I put my phone down as I open the next email in my inbox. The dress I'm referring to is calf length with long sleeves and a collared neck. It’s a perfectly suitable outfit for a work function. It doesn’t reveal any part of my body except a slither of calf–and calves aren’t sexy.
I’ll accessorize it with a pair of modest heels, some light make-up, and maybe even wear my hair down. I smile to myself as I get an image of the outfit in my mind.
The sound of my phone vibrating on my desk pulls me from my thoughts.
Alex
NO!
You agreed to let me pick your outfit.
You told me yourself that it was time you get over this crush you have on him.
This is your chance!
Meghan
I vaguely remember this conversation. You surely can’t hold it against me?!
I was drunk, Alex!
Alex
I can, and I am!
You’re wearing the outfit I’ve chosen for you.
End of discussion.
I stare at my phone as the dots dance across the screen, waiting for her message to come through. I’m nervous, not just about the dress but because I’ve had a funny fluttery feeling in the pit of my stomach nearly all week.
Alex’s message comes through and does nothing to ease my nerves.
Alex
I promise we will have shots before we leave, so you can be drunk enough not to care what anyone thinks!
Tapping the side of my phone with my index finger, I take my time trying to think of a way to get her to let me off the hook.
If I was having a conversation like this face-to-face with her, I’d pout and flutter my eyelashes in an attempt to get my way, although that hasn’t worked for me since we were teenagers and I’d wanted to borrow her favorite winter boots, which I ruined.
Racking my brain for solutions to my predicament, I think over a couple of options. Maybe I can get ready before she comes over… No, that won’t work. We’ll leave work together because we live in the same building in Brooklyn, so she’ll come straight to mine to get ready.
About two months after starting at the firm, an apartment became available in Alex’s building. I’d been searching for a place within my budget for a month, so I had to snap it up. I love that I have my own space and my best friend is just floors away. Although, it’s no help right now.
I could pretend to be sick and say I can’t go. No, that won’t work either. She’d offer to stay home and look after me. I’ve worked too hard on organizing this event, and it’s not fair to ruin her night. I need to show my face.
Before I can come up with an excuse to not wear the outfit she’s picked, Alex responds.
Alex
Got to go, you-know-who is coming.
See you in the lobby at four.
Alex’s boss Belinda, or you-know-who as Alex calls her, doesn’t tolerate cell phones being used during the workday, even for emergencies. She tried to fire someone once for taking a call when their wife went into labor. Thankfully HR stepped in and put a stop to it.
I release a sigh, resigning myself to my fate, because this is Alex and she’s as stubborn as they come. None of my tricks or excuses will work on her. I type out a reply to let her know she’ll have no further arguments from me.
Meghan
Fine, but there had better be at least ten shots before I even step into it! See you later.
Alex works on the twenty-fifth floor and is an associate in the property division of Jackson and Partners.
We may work for the same firm, in the same building, but we don’t get to see each other that much during the day. Because of this, we go to and leave work together most days.
Even though Alex could move out and find a better place closer to work in the city, she’s stayed in our rundown apartment building because if she moved we wouldn’t see each other as often. I’m lucky to have her as my best friend. She’s been there for me through thick and thin.
Putting my phone down, I get back to my inbox with the worry of what Alex has picked out for me in the back of my mind.
I manage to get through half of my inbox before my phone vibrates across my desk, breaking through the quiet in my corner of the office. Glancing at the time on my monitor, I decide I might as well take an early lunch. Mom is displayed on the screen, and I snatch it up as I connect the call.
“Hey Mom.”
“Hi baby, I just wanted to see how you’re doing. Is now a good time?”
“I’m good. You called at the perfect time, I’m just going to take my lunch. How are you?”
“I’m a bit sick, but otherwise I’m okay, sweetie. Are you busy today?”
“What do you mean, you’re sick?” My worry is evident in my tone.
“It’s nothing, just a bug or something, so I’m getting plenty of rest.”
My brow pulls into a frown and a knot of worry forms in my stomach.
She sounds kind of… distant. I don’t entirely believe that nothing is wrong.
Whenever she’s been sick, sh e’s powered on through, taking care of the house and my dad.
I make a mental note to call him and get a real answer on how she’s doing.
“So long as you’re getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids. How’s Dad?”
“He’s good. Busy with work but you know him, he can never say no. We’ve been talking about him retiring, but I know how much he loves what he does.” She chuckles before breaking into a fit of coughs.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just swallowed the wrong way. It’s your Christmas party tonight, right?”
“Yeah. Alex brought me a dress and I’m worried what it’s going to look like… You know what Alex is like.”
“I’m sure she’s taken into consideration your feelings. But even if she hasn’t, I know she’d only be looking out for you.” My mom laughs as she tries to reassure me.
My parents don’t know everything that has happened to me. I don’t know why I thought it would be a good idea to try and get my mom to see my point. She’s always with Alex, trying to get me to live my best life.
We chat for a while longer before she breaks out into more coughing and says she needs to lie down. As soon as we hang up, I shoot a quick message off to my dad.
It feels like something more is happening with her.
Mr. Jackson comes strolling into the office a little before four. His navy-blue suit jacket is draped over one arm, with the other holding his briefcase.
I take a moment to look him over. He really is a beautiful man, with a well-defined jaw, high cheekbones, and a straight nose that gives him model-like features.
I could drown in his stunning blue eyes.
His hair is messy from having run his fingers through it during his day and is a sign that court might not have gone as well as he hoped.
As he walks past my desk, I suck in a breath and pretend to be typing out an email.
My eyes are unfocused as I randomly mash the keys on my keyboard.
I’m grateful that he doesn’t stop like he sometimes does for a run down of his day.
As he walks into his office, I release the breath I’m holding at the sound of the door clicking shut.
Finally able to focus on the screen in front of me, I finish up the report I’ve been working on all afternoon and load it onto an email to send to the finance team to pick up on Monday.
Checking that I don't have any urgent items to finish before the end of the day, I finalize a file for a new client and shut down my computer.
Gathering my belongings, I make my way over to his door, dragging in a deep breath before knocking lightly. Greeted with a muffled call to enter, I open the door and am immediately assaulted by his woodsy, masculine scent as I try my hardest to keep my thoughts focused.
He’s busy typing away on his laptop as I walk into the center of the room.
I take the opportunity to allow my greedy gaze to roam over him again.
His jacket is long gone and the white of his shirt is a stark contrast to his tanned skin tone.
I don’t know why, but with his burgundy tie tugged loose and his top button undone, the urge to lick the space exposed there is strong.
My self-control when it comes to him is becoming harder and harder to control .
Having allowed myself to have my fill, I rest my gaze on the framed photo of the New York skyline that hangs on the wall behind him as I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose.
“I’m heading out now. Do you have a minute to go over the schedule for Monday?” I ask.
“Sure, we’ll be quick.”
I move toward the chairs in front of his desk, taking a seat and pulling my notebook from my purse.
“Okay, at eight you have a conference call with Mr. Evans. The call is to discuss the class action suit that came in on Wednesday. At ten you have a call with a Mr. Monroe.” I push my glasses up again. “He’s?—”
“He’s a friend. I know why he’s calling,” he replies, almost bored.
“Oh, okay. At eleven I’ve scheduled you some final prep time for the Dixon and co. trial that starts at two. I’ve kept you free for the rest of the day.” I lift my gaze from the notebook to him. He’s staring out of the window.
At the silence that’s building, he turns to me. “Okay, thank you. You can head off now. ”
I stand, my focus on fitting my notebook back in my bag. “Will you be making an appearance at the party?” I have no idea why I just asked him that. It shouldn’t be of any concern to me if he comes or not.
I’m met with silence. Begrudgingly, I bring my eyes to his face and am captivated by his striking blue eyes, staring back at me. Studying me. I want to fidget and ask what he’s looking at, but my tongue is heavy in my mouth and I can’t get a word past my lips.
Sitting behind the mahogany desk, he’s leaning back, assessing me, with one elbow on the arm of his chair, his chin resting on his fist. The air is hot and electric as we stare at each other.
The world could end, and I would have no idea that it did.
I flick my tongue out over my suddenly dry lips.
His eyes dart down to my mouth before he blinks and a slight smirk flits across his face.
My eyes are focused on his full lips and when he opens it to talk, his straight white teeth sparkle back at me.
“Yes, I’ll see you then,” he replies. “Oh, and Meghan? I’m going to need you to book us some flights and a hotel for a week on Monday. We’re heading to Miami to meet a prospective client and we’ll be gone for two nights.”
I nod in response before heading out of his office, making my way to the lobby to meet Alex. In the year that I’ve worked for him, we’ve never had to go away for a client meeting. They’ve always come to us.
Two thoughts run through my head as the elevator descends to the lobby: one, I need to figure out how to book the travel arrangements and two, for two nights, it’s going to be just Mr. Jackson and me.
My gut is telling me something is going to happen tonight, but I can’t tell if it’s a good or bad thing.