Chapter thirteen
“Wecan’tstartthephoto shoot yet. A member of the graphic design team is coming to oversee.”
Tony groaned while Jake leaned back in his chair. Fran, their producer, had spoken. They were going to have to sit there and waste time for someone from graphic design, when he could be doing something more important. Like researching where to take Olivia on their next date. Maybe that new laser tag place? Or the ramen restaurant? He hadn’t even realized he was smiling until Tony spoke.
“Well, at leastsomeone’s in a good mood this morning.” he sneered. “What’s new?”
Jake turned and his grin grew wider. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Come on, something’s up with you.”
Just a lot of orgasms yesterday. And the night before.
“It’s not exactly new, Tony.” How much did he want to say to the gossip king?
“Whatever it is, I could use some of it.”
“It’s not like that. I’ve been seeing someone.” It slipped out before Jake realized what he was saying. He must be really feeling good if he was spilling personal information at work.
“No way! I had no idea.”No shit.Normally, he wasn’t stupid enough to talk about his personal life. Jake was off his game work-wise, and it was all thanks to his girl. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks …” Jake’s voice trailed off as the click-clack of a familiar high-heeled gait sounded down the hallway. Emerging from the darkness into the studio, Olivia strode in wearing a blue form-fitting dress that made her eyes pop and his mouth water. She fired a sly smirk his way as she walked over to the photographer.
“I’ve got a surprise for you on Monday,”she’d said Saturday. He’d begged for a clue, to no avail. She must have known she was working on the new promotions for their segment.
“Dude. Pick your jaw up off the floor. Didn’t you just say you were taken?” Tony was speaking in his ear. Jake closed his mouth and checked his chin for drool. Tony squinted at Olivia. “She looks familiar.”
Jake said nothing, but his heart started to pound. The hot lights seemed to be making him sweat more than usual. Thankfully, the photographer signaled for them to start, saving him from having to answer. What felt like hours passed, and Jake was positive he’d never smiled so much in his life. Olivia stood behind the camera, and it was a good thing, because Jake’s eyes would have flitted to her constantly. When the photographer called a break, Tony and Jake went over to the makeup stand for a quick touch-up.
The lights weren’t as blinding behind the makeup stand. And Olivia was close enough for Jake to pick up on her rainfall scent. She was so beautiful and confident. He watched her, bent over the monitor, speaking low with the photographer. It was clear she was in her element.
“Wait a sec. Jake, don’t we know her?” Tony elbowed him in the ribs, then called out. “Hey, aren’t you that nerd girl from the picnic?”
Jake’s blood turned to ice. The makeup artist patted his face with a fluffy brush, but he didn’t even feel the bristles on his face. This couldn’t be happening. Gulping, he sat helpless as Olivia turned to face them down.
“Itisyou! So this is your department, huh? Did the mothership not come for you yet?”
God, if only Tony would shut up. Should he say something? No, that would give them away.
Her arms crossed, and his ice queen stared Tony down until he squirmed before turning to walk away. “Break’s almost over,” she called out over her shoulder.
Jake had to shush Tony several times during the next barrage of photos. What did he care if they’d seen Olivia at the picnic?
“Loosen up, Jake! Don’t force it.” Rob the photographer called out. Olivia slid into view behind him. Jake’s face lit up. “That’s it!” shouted Rob as the flash went off. But wait, Olivia wasn’t smiling. She was glaring right at him. What the hell? It was Tony who was being a jerk. Why was she mad at him?
Jake had warned her Tony was an asshole. But what stung most was Jake’s silence. It was clear now how seriously Jake wanted to keep their relationship a secret. What could Tony do anyway? He wasn’t Jake’s boss. But Jake was so afraid of Tony finding out and making his life miserable that he wouldn’t even stand up for her as a human being? He didn’t have to say he was dating her.
Oh crap. Was she even really his girlfriend? They’d never agreed to labels.
Olivia’s stomach threatened to reveal her lunch. Her friends were wrong. This wasworsethan Chad. He’d just sat there and let his co-anchor insult her. Why had she agreed to secrecy? No one who made the decisions in the graphic design department cared if her boyfriend was on television. His reasoning had been full of holes from the get-go. No, this had all been about his need to keep them a secret. Not hers. She never should have agreed to it.
He could keep his nerdy interests hidden and still stand up for her. Boyfriends weren’t supposed to be the source of your pain, or let you get walked on by their asshole coworkers. A true partner would be your best friend. And had herrealfriends been there in his place, Tony wouldn’t have been able to keep speaking.
Olivia quietly seethed throughout the entire shoot, her skin crawling with humiliation. Once it was done to her satisfaction, she thanked Rob and headed for the hallway, making her way back to her desk.
“Olivia! Wait up.” She whirled around. Jake was jogging toward her, looking over his shoulder. He probably wanted to be sure no one saw them together. Fury flared behind her eyes, but she wouldn’t let him see her cry.
“Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Abernathy?” Betrayed, she gave him her iciest glare. She really just wanted to drop behind her cubicle walls and hide for the rest of her day.
