5. Brielle
Chapter five
Brielle
A mani leaned in to shake Josh's hand. “Hey, I'm Amani.”
“Josh, nice to meet you.”
I tried to hide the smile on my face when I realized he was just as nervous as I was.
Amani pulled him toward her, making him fall into her. He wasn’t expecting it, clearly.
“If anything happens to her, I will kill you.”
“Amani…cut it out,” I whispered with a laugh.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. He looked at me and back at her. He chuckled. “Noted.” He yanked his hand away, and she looked at me with the proudest smile before kissing my cheek. “Have fun, babe.”
It was about a twenty-minute drive from my parents’ house to the wedding venue. He came around and opened my door like the gentleman I knew he was. He offered me his arm and guided me toward the garden where the ceremony was taking place.
Vines with various flowers covered the altar, while a waterfall flowed behind it. The chairs all had beautiful white covers. It was like something out of a fairytale. I was taking mental notes for whenever my sister decided to settle down, and I had to help plan hers.
As the night went on, I loosened up a bit. Josh even got me to dance to a few songs. He seemed preoccupied with his phone, but I like to fidget with mine when I’m nervous, too, so I chalked it up to that. He wasn’t introducing me to many people, but I tried not to let that bother me.
“You sure you don’t want a drink? It’s free.”
I smiled. “I am positive. I don’t drink. I don’t like the taste of it, that’s all.”
“Oh, come on. Try this one. It’s really sweet.”
He held it out to me, and my smile fell at his forcefulness. “Josh, I’m really okay. I don’t want it, but thank you.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
He picked up his phone and opened a text, so I excused myself to the bathroom. I was suddenly getting uncomfortable again, and I just needed a minute to breathe.
I sat on the toilet and texted Amani. She assured me she was still close. Just knowing she was there was enough.
I heard the click of a few sets of heels entering the bathroom. I put my phone in my clutch and was about to flush the toilet when they began talking.
“Did you see the girl with Josh?”
“Yeah. That isn’t Shannon, is it? I thought she was blonde.”
“I don’t know. I’ve only seen one picture of her, and it was a side view, but she seems to be keeping her distance.”
“She is stunning. I hope it isn’t her, because then I can get her number.” Both the girls laughed, making me blush. I’m sure I would usually be flattered, but my mind was too focused on who the fuck Shannon was.
I can’t believe I found myself in the stereotypical situation of being in the bathroom stall when the people outside the stalls began talking about me, not knowing I was in there.
I wasn’t sure if I should flush and walk out there or wait for them to leave.
They made the decision easy for me by drying their hands and leaving.
After I returned to the table, Josh was nowhere to be found. I sat down and waited. After ten minutes had passed, I took my phone out and texted him.
Where did you go?
Josh (Canada Boy)
On my way back. Had to take a call. Sorry.
The moment he sat down, he smiled at me. “Sorry about that. My friend called and needed me for a second, and I—”
“Who’s Shannon?” I cut him off. I wasn’t asking out of jealousy. I have no claim to him whatsoever. I just needed to know what was going on.
“Why…who told you about Shannon?” He looked scared.
“So there is a Shannon? Who is she to you? Some girls in the bathroom were surprised I wasn’t her.”
He looked around nervously before looking back at me. “She’s…um, a girl from back home. We…dated.”
“Dated, past tense, or are you dating currently?”
He didn’t say a word. A few seconds later, I got up. That was my sign. I don’t have time for bullshit like this. If he can’t be honest, I want no part of it.
“Enjoy your night, Josh, and whoever Shannon is.”
Once I got outside, I texted Amani.
“Brielle, wait.”
“I am leaving, Josh.”
He stumbled a little while walking up to me. “Please. I just wanted to have fun and forget about her for a day.”
I looked at him curiously. “Is she your girlfriend?”
He nodded.
“Why not bring her?”
He put his hands in his pockets. “I don’t know. I just—”
BEEP BEEP
I looked over and saw Amani pulling up. She didn’t lie when she said she was close. I put my hand on his arm. “I think we can safely assume we’re done being friends. Have a nice life, Josh.”
I never did let him finish what he was going to say. But I also didn’t care.
I arrived at the gallery the next day, and my boss, Dax, and I were the only ones running the opening. I was grateful Shane wasn’t working so I wouldn’t have to discuss the wedding. As much as I wanted to regret going and wasting my night, I didn’t. I was weirdly relieved.
“I got that first date out of the way. Who cares if it sucked? I did it. I probably won’t do it again, but at least I did it,” I mumbled as I placed the last finger sandwiches onto the food table.
“Did what?” Dax asked.
Just then, I realized I had said that out loud and laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry.” A blush crept up my neck. “I was thinking out loud.”
He smiled. His stark white teeth stood out against the tan color of his skin. “No worries, think out loud any time you want. I like hearing your voice. You don’t talk nearly enough.”
Before I could even read into that statement, I heard a throat clearing.
An artist, whose pieces were being shown, needed Dax’s attention. He excused himself and gave my shoulder a slight squeeze from behind as he passed me. He leaned down and whispered so only I could hear, “We will continue this later. You can tell me all about your date.”
I jumped, and a rush of embarrassment flushed my cheeks. I nodded. Although it scared me briefly, that small gesture made my stomach flutter.
I continued setting up the refreshments and then returned to the office to change my shoes. There was no way I was walking around setting everything up in my heels. I only wear fancy shit when I have to. I’m more of a converse and leggings kind of girl.
As more potential customers arrived, time flew by. An older gentleman who was deciding between a painting and a sculpture for his wife for their anniversary pulled me aside to ask some questions. Dax came up beside me a moment later.
“Doesn’t she have an amazing eye, Fred?” Dax asked.
I looked up at him, then back at the gentleman, whom I could only assume was Fred.
Fred smiled at me. “She does. She was helping me decide, but now I think I may need both.”
“I certainly think Margie would love both,” Dax agreed.
Fred let out a hearty laugh. “You drive a hard bargain, but because of this young lady here, I believe you are right.”
“Oh, that’s so great. Let me take you to the back and get the paperwork started,” I said.
The men nodded to each other, and Dax leaned toward my ear and whispered. “Great job, love.”
Love?
I have never heard him use that type of endearment to anyone before.
Did I like it?
The rest of the night went off without a hitch, and I ended up helping sell nine pieces, for a total of twenty-two pieces sold. I went to the office to change out of my heels and back into my Converse before cleaning up.
I opened the door and there stood a shirtless Dax who was also just about to slide his open pants down his thighs. I immediately turned away and began to apologize.
“Oh my God! I am so sorry. I didn’t think anyone was in here.” I rolled my eyes as my cheeks heated to an almost intolerable temperature.
He chuckled. “Brielle, it’s fine. It’s just a shirt. It’s no different than seeing me in a bathing suit.”
“But I’ve never seen you in a bathing suit. You’re my boss.” What the fuck? Why did I say that?
He let out a low chuckle once again. “Very true.” I heard him rustling with his pants. “But it’s no big deal.”
I waited a few more seconds until I heard him coming toward me. “The room is all yours, love.”
I turned, trying to hide my flushed cheeks with my hair. “Thanks, I just wanted to change my shoes.”
I looked over at him when he didn’t immediately respond. He had a grin on his face, like he was waiting for me to look at him. “See you out there.”
I nodded.
I need you to kill me. I just walked in on my boss practically naked.
Amani
OMG OMG. The hot guy? What did he say?
He told me it was no big deal. He said it was like seeing him in a bathing suit. I mean, he’s not wrong, but it was so fucking embarrassing. I turned around like a little girl.
Amani
OMG I bet u are red as fuck right now… send me a pic to commemorate the moment.
I fucking hate you.
Amani
No you don’t. Now send it or I’ll come there and take it myself.
I sent her the picture because I knew she wasn’t joking; she would show up here and embarrass me even further.
Of course, when I lifted my hand to take the selfie, Dax walked back into the room.
“Sending a picture to your boyfriend?”
It sounded like a statement, but I think it was a question.
“I don’t have a boyfriend, so no. My best friend wanted a picture of my embarrassed face from walking in on you.
” My cheeks heated once again. “And now I’m even more embarrassed that I just admitted that to you.
Please ignore me for the rest of the day. ”
We both laughed.
“Brie, it would be impossible for me to ignore your cute face even if I tried.”
I hesitated as I walked out the door into the main showroom area. “That didn’t exactly help the embarrassment, but thanks for the compliment.”
I heard the wheels of his chair run across the floor as he sat at the desk.
“Anytime, love.”
I don’t know what is happening with this “love” business, but I need to figure out why I like it so much.
I finished cleaning up and checked in with Dax before clocking out, to make sure he didn’t need anything before I left. I knocked this time.
“Come in.”
I took a quick breath to calm my nerves and pushed the door open.
“I’m all set out here. Do you need anything else before I call my Uber?”
He looked up in surprise. “Your Uber? You didn’t drive?”
“My roommate has my car. She met someone at a party, and I told her to stay and have fun and that I would Uber home. No biggie. I didn’t want to call until I clocked out in case they arrived quicker than normal.”
Dax checked his watch. “I can take you home if you’re willing to wait ten more minutes. I am almost done with the paperwork.”
I shook my head. “Oh no. That’s not necessary, but thank you. I am perfectly fine getting a ride.”
He smirked. “Yeah, from me.”
I started to protest again, but he cut me off and looked back toward his computer. “I’ll meet you out there in a few minutes,” he said.
I smiled and nodded. “Sounds good. Take your time. I am not in any rush.”
He smiled again without looking back at me. “Good to know.”