“I get to keep my job, and so does everyone else?”
“I suppose so.” I know Joanne won’t be happy with the update, but I don’t really care. “Though at some point I want the actual truth as to what happened.”
“You got the truth according to me…” She puts her fingers behind her back, and I raise a single eyebrow.
“Did you cross your fingers, Katherine?”
“No.” She jumps up. “So do we have a deal. I’ll be your dinner date, and I get to keep my job?”
“I suppose. Just as long as we both understand that nothing untoward happens again.”
“Yes, Sir!” She salutes me. “You have my word.”
“Why do I find that hard to believe?” I sit back and shake my head. “I’ll text you the details for tonight. Be ready around 7 pm and wear something nice. My driver and I will pick you up.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She winks at me. “I’ll wear something fitting for a dinner date with the great Jack Heathcliff.” She winks at me. “The wanna be sexiest man alive.” She looks so goofy and beautiful standing there, teasing me, and all I want to do is jump up and pull her into my arms, but I know betterthan to do that. I only hope that this wasn’t going to be my worst idea ever. I had a feeling that Katherine was going to spend the evening hamming it up.
Chapter Eleven
Katherine
“I am so sorry, Katherine.” Cora’s voice is grateful as she apologizes on the phone. I’ve never heard someone sound so close to hysteria in my life, and I actually feel pretty sorry for her. “I don’t know what happened. I thought I deleted the file, but I must have deleted the wrong one.” She sounds like she’s ready to cry, and my heart swells for the old lady. I’m grateful for her apologies, but I’m really trying to get prepared for the evening and want to concentrate on my appearance. I’m hoping that Jack’s jaw will drop once he sees me. Not because I want him to want me, but more so that he can see what he can’t have. I know it’s a bit twisted, but I’m not going to question myself.
“It’s fine. These things happen.” I don’t really know what else to say as I reapply some red lipstick and slip my heels into a pair of Jimmy Choo’s that I’ve borrowed from Willow. “The good news is we all still have our jobs.” I pat the powder against my face and stare at my reflection. I look cute, sexy even. “But I have to go now, Cora. I’ll see you in the office next week.”
“Yes, dear, and I’ll make sure to bring you my famous chocolate chip, pecan, and mushroom cookies.”
“Did you just say mushroom?” I ask, wondering if I’d heard her correctly. Was she losing it?
“Yes, portobellos. They add that special something. I’ll make two dozen just for you.”
“Oh, yay, thanks!” I hang up quickly before she offers to bring me red pepper and banana milkshakes, too. I hurry into the living room and spin around in the red dress, showing off my moves to Willow and Brielle, who are getting ready to go to a movie. “How do I look?”
“Stunning.” Brielle’s eyes widen in admiration as she gives me a once-over. “Actually, what’s a word that means more than stunning?”
“Ravishing,” Willow says as she looks me up and down. “Beautiful.” There’s a note of sincerity in both of their voices and I am so grateful that I am surrounded by women who lift me up.
“Thanks, girls. I guess I’ll keep you both as my best friends.” I grin at them. “You don’t think the dress is too slutty, do you? It’s a little short, and I know that the top is a little low. I don’t want Jack to think I’m trying to seduce him.”
“He’ll wish you were,” Brielle says with a laugh as she pulls out her phone and takes a photo of me. “And then he’ll try to seduce you.”
“He’ll be so lucky,” I growl. “I am off-limits to the likes of Jack Heathcliff,” I say with as much vigor as I can muster, though I don’t even believe the words myself. There’s something about the way the man looks at me and makes my heart beat that tells me that I would be mere putty in his hands. I hate that feeling. Knowing that he’s no good for me, yet still wanting to be taken by him. There’s a part of me that hasn’t forgotten the very first time we met. The way he’d made me feel seen. The way he’d made me feel like a woman. The way I’d felt like I was a vixen. The way I’d wanted him.
“You’ll meet someone much better than him, anyway. We both will.” Brielle says wistfully and rolls her eyes as she stares at her phone.
“What is it?” I ask her, surprised by her expression. “Who’s texting you?”
“Levi. I guess he’s going on some trip soon, so I can’t stand working for him right away, but he says not to worry because as soon as he’s back, he’ll be ready for me.” She sips her water and stretches her legs out. “Like I’m just here waiting at his beck and call.” She sounds pissed, and I wonder why.
“I mean, you kinda are,” Willow says and then presses her lips together after Brielle gives her a dirty look. I feel like there’s more to the story than she’s letting on, but just as I’m about to ask her a question, my phone beeps.
“It’s Jack. He’s here.” My heart races as I realize I’m about to spend the evening pretending to be his date. At seventeen, this would have been a dream come true. Now it feels like I’ve signed up for the worst decision of my life. “Bye, guys,” I call out to my friends as I leave the apartment. I have to remind myself that this isn’t a real date. Jack Heathcliff is my boss. He’s a jerk. He’s the last man I would ever be interested in. “Get it together, Katherine,” I mumble to myself as I step into the elevator. My heart is racing like I’m on my way to my wedding, and I know I need to get it together. Whatever happens tonight is not real.
“Hey, Katherine. It’s good to see you looking so ravishing and divine.” Jack is waiting right outside the entrance as I walk out of the building. He looks incredibly handsome in his gray shirt and dark pants. The way his eyes light up when he sees me alsomakes me feel slightly giddy, and I’m annoyed that my body has this instant attraction to him.
“I would say it’s good to see you as well, but I would be lying.” I tease Jack as he looks me up and down, making my heart flutter at the intense way he is gazing at me.
“Ouch, I guess I should feel offended by that.” He grins like he’s anything but offended.
