25. Alexandra
Alexandra
I know I made a lot of jokes at the ball, but actually, bringing my art supplies to The Edward Corporation building is blowing my mind. I got here bright and early, the only other person at the office is Stacy, and I can already tell I’m going to love everything about her.
She met me in the lobby when security called up to her and escorted me personally to my office with a bright smile glued to her face. I’ve been unboxing my things since.
This office is huge. It’s a corner suite with floor-to-ceiling windows on two of the full walls.
My door is glass with a blurring feature.
Stacy said it’s for when I’m working on private client material.
Apparently, the boys bring clients to the building for regular meetings and with this new location, they have clients that are closer like Family Farms, and continue to build their new client list within this location.
Ryder is surprisingly good at his job from what Stacy told me.
A light knock on the door has me spinning towards the sound, almost dropping my lavender plant.
James stops right at my threshold. “You snuck out of bed.”
I lean against my clean white desk. “It’s my first day at a new job. I couldn’t be late.”
“I think your boss would understand.” He crosses the room to stand in front of me.
I place my hands on his chest. “I don’t want him to think less of me. I’m a hard worker. Plus, I’m excited to start working on my clients’ new designs.”
“ Your clients, huh?” His cedar scent is intoxicating and I almost forget what we are talking about.
“Wha—Oh yeah. Stacy logged me into my new work email, and Jake already sent me some ideas he wants me to work on.” I flip my screen around on the desk to show him.
James barely glances at the message before hovering above my lips. “I’m happy you’re excited, Babe. Next time, wake me up so I can come with you.”
“Deal.” His lips brush mine, and I pull on his sweater to get him closer.
He backs out of my hold easily. “Nope. You have unpacking to do.” I look at my mess of boxes and push my lip out in a pout.
He laughs at me. “I have a coffee run to go to. My new employee negotiated good coffee as a work requirement.” He shrugs and walks backwards out my office door while I squeal in delight.
Damn, this is going to be a great job.
I’m waiting outside Brick Stone Pizza when I see Ashlyn making her way down the sidewalk. “You made it! Where’s Jaz?”
She hustles over to me in her stiletto heels. “Dunno. She just said she would get a ride from someone in her class.”
A sports car screeches to a halt in front of the entrance. A tall man in glasses with a grey button-up shirt steps out, walks around the front of the car, and opens the passenger door while we stand stunned. A black jean leg pops out, followed by the rest of our best friend.
“What the—” Ashlyn gapes.
“Thanks for the ride, I’ll see you later.” Jaz waves at the man.
“Anytime, Jaz. You know I don’t mind.” He jogs around to the driver’s side, waving again to our Jaz before jumping in and peeling off like he’s in a race.
“Hey, guys!” Jaz says as she walks up to us. “You didn’t have to wait outside.”
“Uh … What was that?” I ask, still trying to figure out what happened.
“ Who is that!” Ash yells at the same time.
“What? Him? That’s just Lenny. He’s working in the same research building as me.” She cocks her head to the side, eyeing us.
“Does Lenny drive you around often? I thought I was your taxi bitch?” Ash pretends to be offended.
Jaz throws her black hair over one shoulder, and rubs at her neck. “Yeah, sometimes. I usually have a lot of research to do at various locations, so he drives me to collect samples and do studies most days.”
“Most days!” Ash’s mouth almost hits the floor. “How am I just hearing about this? I thought we were close?”
“What?” Jaz asks.
“Are you guys dating?” I ask what Ash really wants to know.
Jaz doubles over laughing, she can barely breathe.
“Excuse—me? Lenny? Jesus, no. We are just doing research in the same area. Not the same actual study, but our samples are located near each other, so we are saving gas by carpooling.” She pulls the front door to the pizza place open.
“You two are wild. Me and Lenny? Get real. ”
I look at Ash, and she shrugs at me. Cool, we’re both oblivious.
We follow behind her into the building and back to our regular booth.
We’ve been coming here weekly since we first became friends.
The owner, Dom, gives us a free appetizer every time we show up because we remind him of his daughter who moved to Europe a few summers ago.
He’s been our adoptive dad ever since those first few weeks when he started stopping by our table to get the latest girl drama.
He says girls have the best views on life, and he misses the daily entertainment from his daughter, so he likes stealing a bit from us when we’re around.
Dom peaks over the back kitchen window at our table before waving. We wave back and slide into our spots.
“So, tell us, how’s the office?” Ash asks after she slides in next to Jaz.
“Amazing. Honestly, this all feels like a fever dream. Am I dreaming? No, don’t tell me.” We decided to meet for lunch on my first day. I’ve already gone through a bunch of client debriefs and prepped content to make this week and it’s only noon.
“You’re a nut job. But I hope you’re loving it. You deserve this. All of it.” Jaz says.
“Yeah, we know your mom gets a little wild about the art scene, but we’ve seen your work for years.
We know how talented you are, you just needed the right person to finally see it.
” Ash looks at me with her wildness creeping in again.
“I guess it’s a good thing, everything that happened when you quit.
You know, finding Taylor at your apartment and everything. Maybe we should send him a card.”
“Ugh. Why do you have to remind me!” I ball up a napkin and toss it at her, but she dodges it.
“Hey! I’m just saying, maybe it wasn’t so bad. You know, carpe diem and all that jazz.”
“What?” Jaz whips her head up from the menu.
“Not you, you dummy.” Ash rolls her eyes. “No one listens to me.”
I laugh and pat her hand. “It’s okay. I know what you mean. Everything happens for a reason. Even if it sucks in the moment.”
Dom rushes over and places water glasses in front of each of us, sliding an overflowing basket of breadsticks in the middle with a cup of cheese.
“Yesss! We love you, Dom!” Ash yells, while Jaz and I beam, diving for the bread.
“Best day ever, ” I say as I inhale my breadstick with cheese.
“Better than the cabin?” Ash asks around her bread.
I give her a death glare. “Okay, whatever, second best.”
We all bust out laughing and try not to choke.