Daring Desires

Working for the Weekend

Austin

*tick*

*tock*

*tick*

*tock*

I listened intently to the clock on the wall. I had worked straight through the last three weekends, and I had big plans this weekend.

Sleep.

I was beginning to feel more and more each day like I’d been hit by a bus.

“Ari!” someone screamed.

I looked up to see a head pop over one of the cubicles. The woman had precisely curled dark red hair that stood out from her silk emerald top. Instinctively I squinted my eyes to try to decipher who she was and who she was yelling at.

“Sir,” my assistant pulled me swiftly from my thoughts.

“Yes, Charlie?” I said a little too shortly.

“I’m sorry. Was I interrupting?” He said briefly.

“No, I’m sorry my mind is elsewhere. What did you need?” I said much more kindly.

“Sir, Mr. Deegan wants to meet this weekend to talk about the new Stanton account. I told him you were booked up per our discussion earlier, but I just wanted to double-check.” Charlie had a face of concern, but never wanted to disappoint me.

I sighed toying with the notion of canceling my plans. Quite literally plans I had to make in order to have time off. I wrestled internally and finally decided. “No,” I stated confidently, “please let him know I am indeed all booked up and I’ll meet with him first thing Monday morning.”

Charlie smiled, “Good for you sir.”

As Charlie walked back to his desk I added, “that means no work for you either.” Charlie laughed and turned quickly.

“I also have unchangeable plans sir,” he said with a wink and a little skip.

When I worked, Charlie worked, so I knew he needed a break just as desperately as I did.

Looking at the clock I knew I had only a few minutes to get to the lobby, Jessica would be here any minute and lord help me if I was late to meet her. I waved to Charlie and quickly slipped into the executive elevator. The one real perk of being on the fortieth floor was this elevator was three times as fast as the rest and only stopped on the fortieth floor and the lobby. I made it down in about thirty seconds and texted Jessica to let her know.

-Headed down now. See you in 30

I also quickly texted my driver so he could pull the car around.

-Just finishing up. 5 min

As I stepped off the elevator, I rounded to the front of the building. I was almost out the door when I remembered I had to leave a message about my absence with Harold at the front desk. I turned swiftly and walked briskly back towards the lobby.

A high pitch squeal jolted my senses. I didn’t even realize she had ran into me until we were chest to chest. Well, chest to face. She peered up at me, and looked. . . Puzzled?

“Uh, excuse me,” she said so softly.

I looked at her so dainty and adorable. Her light blonde hair was striking and her light blue eyes pierced through me.

“Are you okay?” I asked genuinely concerned. Admiringly I was trying not to laugh. She looked quite frazzled, and I’d only ever seen her before confident and self-assured.

“I think I’m fine. I just can’t move,” she said with her cheeks turning just slightly pink. admitted sheepishly. I really hadn’t realized I was holding her so tightly, much less six inches off the ground. My face felt hot as I set her down ever so gently like a priceless vase. I tried to form some kind of thought, some response standing there in this awkward space. Instead, I found myself intoxicated by the smell of vanilla and strawberries that lingered on my suit from her hair.

I managed to stammer out, “Instinct, I didn’t want you to fall.” I gathered myself and cleared my throat, “Are you sure you’re okay?” I smiled slightly. It humored me a little that she has was having a little trouble finding her words, since I was as well.

“I haven’t ran into any other walls lately. That was one heck of a way to end the week.” she said with a sarcastic undertone and a small laugh. That was the quick wit I was more accustomed to with Ari. She was always professional, but her personable style and humor tend to win over clients quickly. Bring stunningly beautiful and impressively smart helped too. I was on my game now too though.

To meet her sarcasm I replied, “A wall, huh?” raising an eyebrow to question her meaning.

I could tell my joking demeanor caught her off guard harder than running straight into me.

She quickly retorted, “you’re just really . . . hard.”

At that, I just couldn’t hold back, I laughed whole heartedly and stated purposefully, “Well, thank you for the . . . compliment.” I paused and drew out the word compliment just as she had struggled choosing the word hard.

She seemed to let out the breath she had been holding during our entire conversation and quickly responded, “Have a good weekend,” before rushing around me at the door.

I must have still been smiling when I reached the front desk because Harold looked up rather quickly.

“Well that’s new,” Harold said with a grin.

“What’s that?” I replied.

“You smiling,” Harold said simply, “you should do it more often.”

He chuckled pleased with himself as a explained my weekend would be completely booked. He took down the information and . . .

“AaaauuuuussssTIN!”

Instinctively Harold and I both cringed slightly. In fact, hidden by my frame Harold even rolled his eyes. I shook Harold’s hand and winked before turning around quickly.

“Jessica, what a surprise,” I stated flatly, “I told you I’d be there in thirty minutes.”

“I don’t like to be kept waiting,” she retorted gruffly.

I followed her out the doors to the town car waiting. I thought about how unpleasant this dinner would be. I thought about endless grief from my mother. I thought about finally getting some sleep tonight. Mostly, however, I thought about vanilla and strawberries.