That’s when the devil himself waddles in. Bill Fleming is a balding man with a tire around his mid-section and an anvil for a heart. Since I’m the closest one to the doorway, I’m the one who has to deal with his leering. Of course, since he’s a short man, I’m sure he would probably say my breasts are at eye level and he isn’t trying to stare.
“People!” he barks after he checks out my modestly-displayed cleavage. “I hope you all took time to read my email this morning. Our third fiscal quarter was abysmal. Abysmal! Until you get caught up on billing, we’re cutting salaries and canceling your bonuses. Maybe that will light a fire under you to make sure your accounts are up to date.” He taps on the door. “Only Angela is caught up, and that, my friends, is how you make partner some day.”
She winks at him, and I vomit a little in my mouth.
My stomach is in a free-fall.
Because now is probably not the best time to relinquish clients.
Except I can’t wait any longer. Not if Josh and I are serious.
24
Josh
Snapping my laptop closed, I look up and breathe in the stale smell of old popcorn and spilled soda.
The Sellwood movie theater is one of America’s oldest single-screen theaters. Built in 1925, this is a useless throwback compared to the huge multi-screen complexes that have recliner seats and the latest in technology. Everything is small, sticky, old.
It would be easier to raze it and build anew. That’s what I was trained as an architect to do—build anew.
But I love the challenge of working within the design constraints—working within the system, basically, to get the job done my way. I think it’s more interesting, more in tune with the urban environment. I love to update buildings to make them more efficient and eco-friendly, like my loft.
As I walk around, I check the measurements for the seating. Hanging out in a vacant theater in the middle of the day feels strange. Normally you get to a seat and stay there, experiencing the visuals and the sound. I imagine the new seats will be luxurious so people will want to settle in for a two-hour movie. After all, it’s what’s on the screen that matters—the other world they enter into while watching it.
Like my blog. It’s a fantasy, not real.
Speaking of fantasies, I pull up Evie’s number when I realize the theater manager is running late.
She picks up after the first ring. “Hey, handsome.”
“How’s my girl?” It feels so good to call her that.
“Missing you. This week has been insane. I take care of a few things on my to-do list only to have ten more piled on my desk. This billing situation here is out of control.” She growls, and it’s adorable. “At this rate, I won’t leave my desk until the new year. If only I didn’t have a mortgage. And student loans.”
I frown and place my messenger bag on the ground. “Sorry to hear that, baby. You know, if you need some money, I can float you until—”
“No, Josh. Do not finish that sentence. Even if they reduce my pay, I’ll make it. I do not want your money.”
It’s not every day I get turned down when I offer someone cash. Even Tiffany, with all of her family’s wealth, would never have turned me down if she were in Evie’s position.
Although I’ve paid her attorney’s fees, I don’t think they’re as high as they should be considering the work she did. Since we’re dating, I think she’s being overly cautious with her billable hours, which is bullshit because I want to pay what I owe.
But now is not the time to bring it up. I don’t want to upset her any more than she already is.
She’s quiet for a moment. “We need to meet with Malcolm about our situation. Maybe early next week. I know we’re both anxious to… resolve this.”
Resolve this. In other words, find me another attorney.
Shit.
I can hear the worry in her voice, and while there’s nothing more I want than to be open about my relationship with her, I’m guessing getting me off her client list won’t help her financial situation.
With a sigh, I rub the back of my neck. “Baby, that can wait.” God, did I really just say that? “Look, get through your workload, and once things ease up there, we can handle this together.” In a few weeks, things will calm down for her, and we can move ahead to get me reassigned at her firm.
“Are you… are you sure?”
“Evie, I hate that you’re stressed out. Let me drop off some dinner. You have to eat.”
“You’re so sweet. It’s okay. I packed enough this morning when I made my lunch so I won’t starve.” I can still feel the tension radiating off her. “I don’t mean to take this out on you. I swear I’m fine.”
I lower my voice. “I can think of at least one way to work out the tension.”
A little whimper escapes her. “I wish. Unfortunately, I’ll be here late tonight. And tomorrow. Every day this week.”
“You need someone to walk Chauncey?”
“No, honey. Thank you for offering. My neighbor is planning to stop by each evening until I’m not chained to my desk.”
“I’ll still see you this weekend, right?”
“Absolutely. Attorney-client privilege,” she jokes.
It’s good to hear her laugh. “Do I get boyfriend privileges too?”
“For wining and dining me and my best friend? Absolutely.” she whispers. “You get the all-access pass. Anything you want.” Her voice, low and sultry, sends all the blood south. I groan as images of my naked girlfriend scroll through my mind. Her mouth parting when I push into her, those gorgeous tits bouncing with every thrust. The way her nails dig into my ass when she comes on my cock.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, uh, thanks for giving me a hard-on in the middle of the day.”
She laughs, and it makes me smile. I’m finding I’d do anything to make this girl smile.
It sounds like she pulls away from the phone. I can hear her talking in the background, and when she returns, she sounds rushed. “I’m so sorry I need to go, but I wanted to let you know that Kendall and I are really looking forward to Sunday. Is Drew still coming?”
“I’ve reminded him at least twice this week, so he’d better be there.”
The moment she gets off the phone, I miss her. This is going to be a long damn week.
A few minutes later, as I weave my way past broken seats taped off with yellow caution tape, the theater manager finally pops his head in the doorway, silhouetted in the bright lobby. After apologizing for making me wait, he holds out his arms, gesturing to the expansive seating area. “Can’t wait until you make this baby shine.”
“Neither can I. Bet you’ll have a killer premiere.” I start envisioning coming with Evie on my arm.
“We will. We’ve been working with Gary the Gossip to get a film festival going.”
My dream skitters to a halt.
Well, damn. So much for attending the film festival. Not with that slimeball presiding over it. Just this morning, he published a piece about my breakup with Tiffany and how I’m now “dating a mystery woman.” Like anyone gives a shit about that.
Fuck. I should’ve warned Evie about Gary’s post. Not that he wrote anything specific about her, but I know it’s weird to see “news” online about your boyfriend if you’re not prepared. I let out a breath, debating whether this will stress her out more.