“Yes, that one. Could you run and get us some more? One for the mayonnaise jar, here, as well,” I say, earning myself a snort from Janie and a happy, “Of course,” from her hovering coworker.
“So,” I draw out the word. Janie looks at me but says nothing. “C’mon, Janie, this is a bit weird. You work for us and we don’t know it? Aren’t youbestieswith the Cantons? Samantha?”
She inhales and exhales. “It was more so with Skye, your sister-in-law’s older sister. I mean, is, I am. And Sally, the younger…you know what? It doesn’t matter. Yes is the short answer. But I didn’t think Mellman’s Mayo was high up on your company flowchart. And, like I said, I…I didn’t want special treatment.”
“Even if special treatment means I can insist you’re overqualified for this,” I gesture at the costume. “And demand they have an intern take your place?”
She glares at me and pauses. I raise an eyebrow. Finally, she says, “Yes, even that.”
“Well, jig’s up now. I’m doing it anyway,” I get out my phone.
“No! Please, no. Then it’ll be weird at work if my bosses think we’re, uh,friendsand—”
“Janie,” I hold my chest and pretend to be hurt. “You wound so deeply.”
“Ugh, you’re so dramatic.”
Ooo, there’s some spark.
“And you’re immensely overqualified. I know that much. Plus, you’ve already been outed as my friend. Not sure how well you know Ellie, but you can assume your entire company already heard the news of us.”
She sighs, “Great.”
“It is great. Now, you can ditch the silly suit and come try all the free samples with me.”
She huffs, “Benedict, no. I’m,” she gestures around, “at work.”
“And I’m,” I gesture to the massive sign with my last name on it, “your boss.”
Those huge gray eyes roll, “More like my boss’s boss’s boss’s boss.” I don’t correct her. “Are youordering meto leave my post?”
“Absolutely, I am.”
“But I’m going to have to tell my co-workers and my boss and get someone to fill in and—”
I laugh, cutting her off. “I sent a message to my P.A. All the wheels went into motion two minutes ago.” Her nostrils flare like she’s actually upset about my offer. “Unless you would really rather stay here and do this than bum around Vegas, getting drunk and eating canapés?”
She stares at me.
My mouth falls open.
Bloody hell, she’s actually considering staying in a mayonnaise costume rather than faffing around with me.
She barely nods, “I’ll go change.”
“Brilliant.”
I can’t help but smile as I watch her waddle away.
Janie…huh, I don’t know her last name. Janie my…Sister-in-Law’s-Longtime-Family-Friend? Yes, that’s right. She has always been a bit of a mystery. We’ve seen each other at weddings and parties over the last few years. I’m sure we’re in group photos together.
She’s always a bit quiet. Uninterested. Witty when she wants to be and smart with numbers if I’m remembering right. She comes off rather cold, actually.
Bloodygorgeousthough.
I may not remember her last name or her occupation but no sane, heterosexual man could forget what Janie looks like in a bikini. Score one to my brother, and by extension me andhis fellow groomsmen, for having that week-long destination wedding in the Caribbean.
The attraction clearly doesn’t go both ways, but that’s alright. I appreciate things of beauty and puzzles and Janie is both. I just want to figure her out, maybe help her loosen up. Get her smiling, as is my specialty. And hell, I need to loosen up myself, for the first time in recent memory.
