Chapter 9
TROY
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see. It’s a surprise.”
I created this plan about five seconds ago. When I left Jing’s office with a slip of paper in my hand: the slip of paper they require you to sign when you enter a romantic relationship with a subordinate.
It’s not like I asked for the paperwork. Jing shoved it in my hands like I had no choice, like some kind of office-appointed Cupid, and I took it with the plan to shred it when I reached my office. A love contract is the last fucking thing I need, with my commitment issues.
But then the elevator doors opened and I saw her face. She looked sad, stricken, morose.
On her fucking birthday of all days.
“Why didn’t you take today off?” I ask as I lead her to the executive parking garage where my car has its own specific parking space right next to the stairs.
My name shines on a bronze plaque out front, taller and more ornate than any other.
Suddenly I feel embarrassed about the stupid thing. It’s too showy, too self-important.
Meanwhile I know for a fact that Laura drives an old pick up truck that appears to have been spray painted neon pink…and parks it in the back of the general parking garage because she’s constantly running ten minutes late in the morning.
“Why would I waste my PTO on some random day?” she shrugs.
“But it’s not a random day,” I argue. “It’s your birthday.”
“I only get two weeks of PTO per year and I wanted to save it up for something special.”
“Your birthday is special,” I argue in frustration.
She sighs beside me, walking at double the pace to match my own as I lead her to the passenger’s side of my car.
“Get in,” I order her. Her eyes widen. “Please.”
Her eyes widen even more.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that word before.”
“Yes you have,” I growl.
“No,” she says, bemused. “I haven’t. It’s…weird. I’m not sure I like it.”
“Get in the damn car, Laura,” I growl.
“There,” she nods. “That’s what I’m accustomed to. That’s familiar.”
She still isn’t getting in the car and I’m about to lose my mind. My personal pilot will meet us on the tarmac in fifteen minutes, and even though I pay him well, he and the crew aren’t going to wait on us all day.
“Laura,” I say. “I don’t know what combination of words I need to say to get you in the car. But if I can’t figure it out, I’m just going to pick you up and put you in here myself.”
“Where are we going?” she folds her arms. “Becauser right now you’re acting like some kind of serial killer abductor.”
“We’re going to Cabo,” I growl.
“Cabo, Mexico?”
“No, Cabo, New Jersey,” I snap. “Yes, Cabo. It’s nice. You’ll like it.”
“How do you know?”
“Because it’s Cabo,” I say in exasperation. “And it’s your birthday and you’re sad on your fucking birthday and I just…”
“I can’t travel out of the country at the last minute,” she argues.
“I’ll approve your PTO, if that’s the issue.”
She sighs, shaking her head.
“I have to go to my sister’s engagement party,” she explains. “Tonight. So I seriously can’t travel out of the country right now. Even if I wanted to. As nice as Cabo probably is…I can’t.”
Fuck.
There go all of my big romantic plans.
I pull my phone from my pocket, shooting some quick texts to everyone involved in this last minute excursion to tell them I’ve called it off. When I look back up, Laura is studying me.
“Are you trying to be nice to me?”
“Yes.”
“Because you want to make out again?”
“What?”
“You heard me. Is it because you want to make out again?”
I look around to make sure nobody is around. This woman has me teetering on the edge of control and I’m not sure how much longer I can hold on. Half of me wants to rip this stupid love contract in half. The other half of me wants to fuck her on it.
“Laura, I don’t even know what I want,” I say honestly.
“I just know I’ve been an asshole to you…
and that I’m unbelievably attracted to you, as well.
It’s about as mature as pulling a girl’s ponytail on the playground because I have a crush.
It’s stupid and reckless and I can’t decide if we should double down, or if I should stay away from you altogether. ”
I wait for her response, cringing at my own useless words. I sound like a man who doesn’t have a clue, which is exactly what I am.
She’s too damn good for me.
Laura smiles.
“Okay,” she says. “Well, I hate to break it to you, but most things in life aren’t black and white. Maybe we don’t double down…and maybe we don’t vow to never touch again, either. Maybe we just do what normal people do and go on a date, and see where things go.”
I hate this suggestion. It takes me a moment to realize why.
It’s because a simple date doesn’t feel like enough. I want more of Laura, more than a simple stupid first date. It’s the most obvious place to begin, though. It’s how relationships start.
“Okay,” I agree. “Tonight. I’ll pick you up at seven. I know a place.”
“Weren’t you listening?” she laughs. “I have an engagement party tonight. For my sister. And I’ve been told I should bring a date.”