Racing For Love

Chapter Seven: Paige

I can't believe I'm in Everett's car right now, and not just any car, a freaking Jaguar. I'm embarrassed that he is driving me home, because now he probably thinks of me as some loser without a car and he's going to see the tiny little apartment I live in. 

The drive is awkward at first, neither of us knowing what to say. I do my best to think of something to say to break the silence but nothing interesting comes to mind. 

"So, how long have you been working in the industry?" I ask. 

He looks at me like he almost forgot I was in the car. 

"I grew up with horses. My Father was a trainer. I learned a lot from him. I got my experience working for other people but I broke out on my own when I was nineteen."

"So young! That's really incredible!"

"It wasn't without it's struggles. I didn't become the trainer I am overnight. There was many times I thought about quitting but my love for the horses is what kept me going."

"Yeah, I get that. Horses have gotten me through the toughest times of my life."

"You're pretty young yourself to have had a tough life."

"I've had a good life, just tough times. I lost both of my parents three years ago. If I didn't have horses and my other passions, I honestly don't know where I'd be today."

"I'm very sorry to hear that Paige. How did they die? If you don't mind me asking."

"Car crash"

Another awkward silence follows. I don't like talking about that, I don't even know why I brought that up. The guilt of it all still eats me up every day. I really need to work on controlling this tongue of mine.

"What are your other passions then?"

"Ah, I love to bake and paint. Reading is also another love of mine, though baking is what takes over when I'm stressed or nervous. Chelsea loves that!" I laugh. 

"Chelsea?'

"She's my roommate and best friend."

"I see."

We turn onto my street and I feel a hint of sadness that the drive is coming to an end. He parks the car and looks at me. Would it be weird if I kissed him? Yes! 

"Thanks for the ride Everett. I'll see you tomorrow."

I unbuckle my belt and move to leave the car but he grabs my hand and stops me. 

"Have dinner with me?"

"What? Now?"

"Why not?"

"Well it's getting late and I'm covered in horse s**t!"

Oh my God did I really just say that? He's laughing at me.

"Another time then maybe?"

"Maybe...I'll see ya!"

I can feel his eyes on me as I walk to my apartment and the path seems to extend in front of me. When I get inside I  hear him take off and I release the breath I didn't even realise I was holding. Chelsea comes out of her bedroom in her scrubs.

"You're home earlier than usual."

"Everett drove me home."

"Oh my God, I knew it! Did you f**k him?"

"Chelsea! Of course not!"

"Ugh, so boring!"

"He asked me out for dinner though."

"What?"

I laugh at her reaction and run to the bathroom to have a shower, Chelsea still shouting at me behind the door. I turn the water on and strip from my dirty clothes. The hot water feels so good running over my body and I finally come out of the fog that Everett managed to put me in. 

I get into my pyjamas and head to the kitchen to make some dinner. 

"Have you eaten?" I ask Chelsea who's in the living room. 

"No, I was waiting for you to make me something delicious."

I roll my eyes and shake my head. That girl would starve if I wasn't here. That, or she would be twice the size from living off take away food. I search the pantry and the fridge and quickly whip up and creamy chicken and mushroom pasta.

"What are we watching?" I ask as I sit next to Chelsea on the sofa and hand her a bowl of pasta. 

"The Blue Planet."

Chelsea and I have always loved watching documentaries. I find it so fascinating to watch other species of animals, see how they behave. So different to us, and yet in a lot of ways very similar. 

Chelsea can't help but to ask me about my car ride with Everett. She almost drops her pasta when I tell her he has a Jaguar. 

"Girl, if you don't f**k him, I will."

After a couple of hours of chatting and watching TV, I find myself struggling to keep my eyes open. 

"I'm heading to bed, good night."

"Sweet dreams babe." Says Chelsea with a wink. 

Sometimes I think she's worse than the men she talks so badly about. She can be so crude but nobody would be able to guess by looking at her. 

I sink into bed and my mind immediately drifts to Everett. I can't believe he asked me for dinner. Would I have had the guts to say yes if I wasn't in my work clothes?

It doesn't take long until I can feel myself drifting off to sleep.

                                                                                        ***

I dreamt of Everett last night. I dreamt that we were out at dinner and I was embarrassed to be in my jodhpurs, but when I looked down I was actually completely naked. Everett and every other person in the restaurant started laughing at me. I woke with a fright and had to double check my surroundings. 

The train ride seems extra long this morning, a lot less fun than riding in a Jaguar too. 

I make myself a coffee when I get to the yard before going to see Everett. His secretary is here already, she hasn't said two words to me since I started working here. She seems like a real b***h if you ask me.

"Everett already has a coffee!" She spits out when she sees me. 

"Lucky I made this for myself then isn't it!"

Her face goes red with anger but she returns to typing furiously on her computer. 

"What is her problem?" I ask Everett as soon as I'm in his office. 

"Who?"

"Your secretary! I've met snakes that are friendlier than her."

He laughs so hard at my comment that he has to hold his stomach.

"Crystal, she's definitely her own type of person but she's good at her job."

"Really? I thought secretaries were meant to be the friendly face of a business."

He laughs again at what I've said and I shake my head. I'm glad I don't have to deal with her more often. 

"I'm glad I'm so amusing to you. What's on the agenda today?" I ask. 

"I've a small list here for you, then I thought you could accompany me and Big to Tally Ho Stud."

"Seriously? Is he breeding today?"

"Yeah. It will be artificial insemination, the owners of the race horse Bonnie Lass want him to sire a foal to her."

"Wow, she was a brilliant race horse. A good foal will come from those two for sure. Big is actually my favourite horse here."

"Is that so? He happens to be mine too, he's my big baby. If you want to be his favourite though, you have to bring him some pink ladies."

"Thanks for the tip!"

"When will you have dinner with me?"

Whoa, is he really asking me that here? It feels so inappropriate, in his office of all places. I promised myself I wouldn't let myself be affected by this man and now I'm getting butterflies because he's asking me out for dinner. 

"Say yes Paige. It's just dinner."

'But you're my boss Everett. Wouldn't that just complicate things?"

"It doesn't have to. You're interesting Paige and I want to know more about you."

"Really?"

"Yes! Now, have dinner with me, please?"

Why on earth does he find me interesting? This is way too much. Of course I want to have dinner with him, I want to do a lot more with him that just eat, but he's still my boss. I really don't want to lose this job. 

"Maybe." I say and snatch the list from his hand, getting out of that office as quickly as possible.