FOURTEEN
EMBYR
I feel saddened as I leave Casen’s house this morning. We’ve spent close to every day together this week and now I am leaving for three days to New York for the Event’s Conference. The past five days have been emotional, to say the least. Casen and I are working on getting over all the bullshit we’ve gone through, and even though sometimes I feel as though he may not have forgiven me completely just yet, I know we are making progress. We’ve spent every evening eating dinner together when he isn’t at the station and every night in bed. It’s been a whirlwind considering that just two weeks ago I was pretty sure I would never get to be near him again. I’m so thankful that he was willing to start over.
As I walk into work to meet Derrick before we take a town car to the airport, I smile thinking about Casen and my conversation the other night. He still thinks about marriage and kids with me. I was honest when I told him I never thought about having them until he mentioned it. Maybe I didn’t think I was worthy. That seems dark, but it’s how my mind functioned for the past ten years. Now that we’re together, and I’ve made the necessary changes to better my life, I feel strongly enough that I can have that happily ever after. I crave it now more than I ever have before. It’s a crazy thing to transition from an angry, jaded girl to a mature, future driven woman. It has been a long time since I’ve felt happy.
“Embyr.” Derrick greets, walking into my office while I set up my away message for email. “You ready for a weekend, just the two of us.”
I pause, mid-type, on my email. “I’m excited to visit New York and learn a few new things on how to make our events better.”
“Hmm.” He ponders it for a moment before tapping my doorframe twice with his fist. “Well, the car will be here in fifteen minutes. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
He leaves me to finish up. I set up my voicemail and then punch Casen’s number in.
It rings twice before he answers. “Hey, sexy.”
My teeth secure my lip as I try not to smile. “Hey.”
I hear the city streets in the background. “Getting ready to leave?”
“Yeah, I just came into the office to do a few things before I head out to the airport with Derrick.”
I can hear the sigh Casen emits. I know he isn’t excited that it’s just my boss and me, and I haven’t brought it up all week. “I wish it wasn’t just the two of you.”
The receptionist is at my door. “Town car is here.”
I look at my watch, noticing it’s early, and I nod to her.
“I know, Casen. I’m not either but it’s for my job and you have nothing to worry about.” I collect my purse and shut off my computer but need to hang up since we’re on my office phone. “I forwarded all my travel information to your email if you need it, and I’ll call you once I land.”
“Okay. I’ll just go home and be miserable on my weekend off without you.” He tries to gain sympathy.
“Okay, think of me.” I smile. “In the shower.”
“Embyr.” He warns. “I’m walking home from the station, not the time to get me riled up. I didn’t even get to see you last night to get one more fuck before you left.”
“On my knees.” I continue. “Unzipping your pants.”
“Fuck.” He groans, and I envision him sliding his hand down his face. “I’m going to come to your work and bend you over your desk.”
“Can’t!” I laugh. “I gotta go.”
“Tease!”
I giggle harder. “You love it!”
Two and a half hours, an upgrade to first class, and six inappropriate texts from Casen later, I am in my seat ready to take off for New York. I’m glad this is a direct flight but flying first class isn’t a bad gig.
“I thought the company only allowed business class for flight travel.” I question as we begin to taxi on the runway. Derrick is in the aisle seat, allowing me the window, which I prefer. I love to watch the world beneath me float away.
“I splurged on the upgrade for us.” He takes the last few inches between our hands and obliterates them by intertwining our fingers.
Jolted, I pull back from him, pretending that didn’t just happen and look out the window. “Thank you.” I half-heartedly thank him.
That one small move has turned the entire atmosphere of the trip. It went from a nice weekend, learning new ideas for my career to the possibility of having to fend off my boss – again. He is nowhere near the kind of dirtbag Patrick was, but I still feel very tense. So much so that my fists have white knuckles and because this is a work trip I can’t ask the flight attendant for a drink. If it comes down to it, I’m going to have to shut down Derrick. I thought our talk after Trin’s party would have done the trick. I guess not.
God Casen would lose his shit if I told him.
