And I want to feel what it’s like on the other end when he finally has his win.
Me.
11
ELODIE
Walking into Jupiter, I inhale a sharp breath as I begin to unzip my coat. The room is filled with the noise of people talking while indulging in an after-work drink.The location is prime, which is why it attracts many from nearby offices. Later, it turns into a dinner spot. The warehouse vibe with hanging lightbulbs sets the tone for sophisticated yet trendy. It also radiates a glow off people’s faces. In some cases, their moody glare, too.
When I notice Hayes in the corner, his shirt sleeves rolled up, his expensive watch on display, and his blazer ditched, it seems he has already daggered his eyes into me.He can’t be happy, as I’m a little late due to an email that had to go out to chase a client’s billing. I sent him a message, but why else does his gaze seem heavy on me right now?
I’m wearing the same clothes as I did earlier, just might have popped a button and gone for a darker shade of lipstick. Approaching the table, I feel his eyes dragging me closer until our contact breaks when Matt from compliance and Jody from logistics look up with smiles. Both are a bit older than Iam and have been at the company longer. At least, this set-up wasn’t a ruse. A legitimate meeting.
But I do notice their drinks are nearly empty.
“Hey, Elodie, survive the email crisis?” Matt asks with a smile as he makes space for me at the high-top table. He’s always friendly and is recently engaged to his girlfriend, whom he met in college. That fact is important; otherwise, I’m not sure Hayes would be so relaxed. I have the feeling he has become possessive of me.
“All fine,” I say, and hang my coat on the back of the chair.
“I’m about to leave. I have a 7AM client call tomorrow and still need to catch the train to the suburbs,” Jody explains as she quickly takes one last sip of her drink, which seems to be a gin and tonic.
A waitress quickly pauses next to me, and I order the same, and she buzzes away. I also make a mental note to double-check the bar that one particular bartender isn’t working tonight. He gave me his number a while back. I did nothing with it, as I wasn’t into the dating scene then. The last thing I would want to add to the night is seeing Hayes overreact about it, because I think he must feel this sense of possessiveness. I feel it, too, when it comes to him, and I’m not sure I’m entitled to it.
I sit down to join them, across from Hayes. “Downer’s Grove, right?” I ask Jody.
“Yeah, it’s an easy ride, though. But I want to see my husband quickly before he heads into his night shift.”
Hayes leans in. “You mentioned he’s a doctor, right?”
Jody beams a smile, clearly proud. “Yeah. A pediatrician here in the city. Finally finished his residency and all of that. We’re actually thinking of moving closer because of his work. But with his hours and the car, he can fly into the city ifthere’s no traffic. Plus, we get more house for our money, space and parks, all that.”
“I totally get that. I’m from a small town, and the value of a good park is underestimated,” I agree.
Matt grabs his coat and stands, confusing me. I’m losing Jody—him, too? “Leaving already?”
“I also have that meeting invite for the 7AM call. I’m hoping my manager emails to say we don’t need to be in the office and can video call, but I’m not feeling that lucky. Better call it an early night.”
“Completely fine. We’ve spoken enough, and you both have given me some great insights for the upcoming project,” Hayes assures them with an easy smile. A façade where that smile conveys to them that he is relaxed and relatable, but to me, he’s calculated.
I bite my lip, growing a little frustrated. It would have been nice to bounce ideas off others and see Hayes’s approach to work—does he listen, offer constructive feedback, encourage others? Instead, my suspicion that this was all a plan has been proven correct.
“Definitely consider applying for the coaching program. Really home in on your strengths for personal development.” Hayes does sound genuine.
Jody zips up her coat and seems happy. “Thanks. I didn’t think about the program until we talked about it. It’s on my mind now.”
“Thanks for the talk. Sorry to dash,” Matt says.
“You’ll both be okay getting home?” Hayes double-checks.
Jody nods her head. “Yeah, Matt and I are both heading to the station, so we can walk together.”
“Alright, otherwise I can arrange a ride,” Hayes offers.
"No need," Matt confirms, glancing at me. "Good luck discussing work. He’s not that bad—promise," he teases.
I keep a false smile fixed while resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m sure. Have a good night,” I tell Matt and Jody as the waitress approaches and quickly sets my glass down.
We all say goodbye, and they leave. I watch them disappear into the crowd by the door before turning my sharp gaze to Hayes. “They don’t have a 7AM meeting, do they?”
