AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A few months after I moved to Cincinnati, I realized the fastest way out was up, through a man. I met Ron the dentist while I was waitressing. He sat in my booth, morning after morning, at Bob Evans. A few weeks into our flirting, he slipped me a card and told me he’d love to fix my smile. How romantic. But I needed my crappy teeth fixed, straightened, whitened, and whatever else. And he was lonely, so it worked, for a bit.
Another way up was through an executive. Mr.Howe was my first corporate boss, a big step up from waitressing made possible by my newly straightened teeth and a Ron-sponsored professional wardrobe. Mr.Howe was grossly overweight and headed a real estate company. He thought he was god and acted as such. I showed him respect and a lot of thigh, and he doubled my salary.
The one good thing he did was talk me into getting my GED, said I’d look more professional on my résumé. And he was right, I suppose. I probably would have stayed there longer if his wife hadn’t been such a Bible-thumping, mean-spirited, white-pantyhose-wearing bitch. As if I’d want to touch him. I wouldn’t. But I had two long years there, learned all the computer software an executive assistant needs to know about, and earned my GED before I cashed my very generous severance check, hopped in my car, and moved to Columbus.
Truth be told, I googled John Nelson after I read a list of the hottest CEOs in the city. Yep, that’s shallow. Guilty. But I’d already worked for a beast of a man. I wanted to have somebody good to look at all day. Sue me.
So there I sat in front of Sandra’s sleek glass desk, hoping for an offer to support the cute guy I’d googled, or any good-looking executive at EventCo because I didn’t know who was hiring. The job description simply read: administrative support for an executive. That was something I knew I could do. I liked the vibe of the office, the company’s mission. When I walked into the soaring lobby, I felt nothing but possibilities. I mean the lava lamps everywhere were a little much. Everyone said they were Kate’s idea, some sort of environmental branding. Whatever. The place was trendy, cool. Like me. I’d met all the executives, except Kate, in a series of brief speed-dating sessions. I still had no idea who needed help.
“We would like to offer you the position as John Nelson’s executive assistant.” Sandra pushed a white folder across her desk. “The details of the offer are in the packet. We’ll need an answer within the next twenty-four hours.”
“Mr.Nelson?” I was pleased I’d rocketed to the top of the résumé pile and landed the job. But surprised? Of course not.
“Yes. Any other questions?” She glanced at her phone, signaling my time was up.
I opened the folder, saw the offer, tried to keep from screaming, and said, “I’ll take it.”
I didn’t know at the time that I’d take him, too, although I must admit the thought did cross my mind. Look, men can only be dislodged from unhappy relationships. Period. If they’re happy with the first, there will be no second, I’m telling you. But I didn’t start this. He did.
John rolls to his side. My head still rests on his arm. “It was a nice idea for you to bring us here. I know you meant well.”
I did. Sort of. “Finally glad we’re here? This is our special place.” I kiss the tip of his nose and snuggle into his chest.
“I am, but there are a lot of loose ends to tie up. With going public and all the employees, it’s a tough time to be away.” John pushes himself to a sitting position, effectively ending our cuddle time. “I’m just not sure this is working.”
I stare at him as we both turn to see another group of hikers coming our way.
What did he just say? “John? What’s not working?”
He blinks. “This vacation. But let’s make the most of this. We’re here. Let’s enjoy today and then we’ll go back home.”
“Sure. I just thought you’d wrapped everything up. I thought all you needed was time with me.” I am right. He knows it. I wonder if he knows that I know what he’s been doing with his extra time.
“It’s been busy, crazy busy.” John pulls at a clump of prairie grass and rubs it between his hands. He nods at the group of hikers who pass by us. He waits until they’re a few feet away before speaking. “It was the biggest deal of my life. It needed all my attention. It was for everybody—you, Ashlyn, Kate, the employees.”
“Whatever.” It comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. “I wanted it to be about us, you and me.”
He chuckles. “Of course you did.”
This isn’t a joke. “We need to get going. I have lunch reservations at the Chop House.”
I’m kicking myself for letting my anger recede. I was lulled into complacency by his arm around me, by a cuddle in the meadow and a trip down memory lane. I was transported to our engagement: the warmth of the sunshine, the bubbly zing of champagne, the huge diamond ring he slipped on my finger. Like a dream. It really was.
A dream I made come true. Let me tell you, though, it wasn’t easy. Again, there’s this misconception that the next wife just has it so easy. We bat our eyelashes and like magic, a successful husband appears.
Don’t believe it. It was work getting to that meadow moment. At first I was happy with my new job in the big city. I found a charmingapartment in German Village, leased a new car, and was feeling pretty empowered. I was a young professional woman launching her career in a new city, far enough away from my old Kentucky home that the past was just that. I was Rachel fromFriends, Carrie Bradshaw in a smaller city. And I had a couple of dates those first few months in town. I did. With men, or boys really, who were all just out of college, self-centered, and sex driven. Blech.
I went to work at EventCo the next morning, happy to have escaped the clutches of yet another gangly twentysomething boy, and there sat John. Bespoke business suit. Hair graying at the temples. Blue eyes framed with crinkles. He’d smile at me like I was a burst of sunshine or a hidden treasure, not like a girl he’d like to fuck. And that’s when I knew. I needed to find someone just like John. He was my type, only unavailable.
After about a month on the job, I asked him if he had any single friends he could connect me with. I stood at the door of his office. Waiting for a response.
He looked up from his computer and tilted his head. “For what?”
“For a date, silly. I’m new to the city, and all I’ve met on my own are gross young guys. I want to find a successful older guy. Like you,” I said.
“Like me, huh?” He smiled. And I felt it. A zing, a current running between us. “I’m one of a kind, Tish.”
“OK, well someone almost as handsome and successful as you then,” I said, laughing. “Will you think about it? Please?”
