Alice's Book Club

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Jared

The show was spectacular full of lights and glamour yet the only thing I could see was her breathtaking smile. I had seen her smile at work but, its never been like this it was nice to see her genuinely lose herself. "HubaHuba, who is this cutie" I barely notice the announcer Jasmine speak to me. "His name's Jake" Alice answered for me, "Oh is this your boyfriend?" Jasmine teased "Yes" I replied earning whoops and hollers, and a stunned look from Alice "Oh my, you better not let him get away" Jasmine laughed "Let's give a hand to the cute couple" she announced earning applause. I looked at Alice and notice she was confused, I prayed that I hadn't come on too active the last thing I need is to scare her away.

Alice

Okay did he really just say what I think he did? My mind was racing at his latest confession, this whole time I have been in a state of disbelief, I mean how can I believe that someone like him would want a someone like me. My heart and mind were going a mile a minute, in moments like these, I wish I could be one of those girls that seize opportunities. I hope I could be the person that just took a chance and say 'to Hell with the consequences,' but I can't be that girl not with Bruce and not with the things I've seen and been through. I gave up on over-thinking the moment and settled my mind to enjoy the show, I mean I don't get many nights like this and I don't want to waste the evening.

Jared

I f****d up, I f****d UP!! I kept yelling in my head while we rode downtown. I kept trying to think of the right thing to say the right something to fix this, but all I can think is that I f****d up. "Oh let's go to Rita's " Alice suggested pointing out the window" I nodded and find a place to park, luckily we found a close spot and walked to the stand. She ordered her favorite Mango Gelato, and I got a simple lemon. "Alice, I'm sorry" I apologized abruptly, I felt foolish I had years of experience wooing women and helping clients and even charming CEO's, but this woman took me back to my awkward high school days. "For what?" She asked innocently licking ice cream, "For coming on as strong as I did, I shouldn't have made you feel uncomfortable and say I was your boyfriend" I replied. "Yeah, that was unexpected. Jared why are you doing this?" she asked "Doing what?" this time I was confused, has she never been on a date before?

Alice

"This why now are you being sweet and taking me out, and bringing me donuts. I'm not the type of person that can pick up on the subtle and I don't have the energy and or time in my life to play pull and push I need to know why this is happening now?" I asked, I felt the same fear I had when my crush found my notes about him in middle school, he cruelly teased and picked on me. After tricking me into thinking he felt the same, it wasn't until after he took my first kiss that I realized the truth. "Full disclosure, I found your email open on your desk and read it. I know I shouldn't have, but I briefly saw my name and needed to know how you felt. To my surprise, it was the exact same way I did. So your email inspired me to take a chance and ask you out. I was thrilled when I found out how you felt, but I never took the chance to say sorry for invading your privacy or pushing too hard." he explained "Jared-" I began to speak "Alice, I am sorry for pushing you into a corner, but make no mistake that is the only thing I am sorry about. Everything else has been incredible, I wish I had just been upfront earlier, but well I'm sure you know why I would have reservations about hitting on an employee...' he smiled, reminding me of the s****l harassment cases we have had plague our company. '...Alice, If you give me a chance, I think I could be a pretty good boyfriend, but I can no longer just be your friend" He finished "Jared, I have a son who isn't going anywhere. Bruce isn't a rowdy client or a disorderly employee, he's my kid".I said "Yes a kid I have had the privilege of watching grow over the years, I don't have much experience with him outside of work, but I'm willing to try" He smiled "Okay, let's try" I felt my heart pound once more, I extended my hand to shake when he promptly kissed. Please let this work.

Alice

The ride home was far too quick, but I guess from all the laughing and talking time flies. It wasn't long till Jared walked me to my door and tried to get a kiss, "Not on the first date" I denied him, "Fine then you're worth the wait" He said leaving a peck on my cheek. I floated into the doorway with a huge smile on my face. "Mommy's Home" Bruce ran to me, with arms open wide, I picked him up and spun him around. He began to talk about the pictures he drew and how much fun he had with Auntie Charity and Dee. I wish I could say I listened to every word, but I was still soaring from my night with Jared.

Monday came slower than I had wished I was excited to see Jared or Mr. Maverick. I had promised myself I wouldn't let our new budding relationship destroy our professional one. "Good morning Mr. Maverick" I walked into his office ready to read his agenda and saw him sitting reading off the screen. "Good morning Gorgeous" He smiled, causing me to blush "No flirting at work" I replied failing to hide my smile. "Aww your no fun" He replied. I began to read him his schedule and took down notes of what needed to be changed and added, I went down to the cafeteria to see if any donuts were left. Then I ran into Polly, she was one of the agents I had assured when Jared didn't need me. She was a skinny, beautiful Hispanic woman with long Blonde hair and green eye's, it was easy to see why she got so many good reviews she was everything you would want in a woman. " Hey Polly" I greeted only to get sneered at. I walked to the cafeteria brushing off the feeling when I ran into the other secretaries I hadn't spent a lot of time with most of them but when we did talk we were cordial. "Hey everybody" I greeted to get the same sneers and uneasy looks. I quickly found a donut and walked to my elevator. I saw more agent's and secretaries on the way, but none bothered to greet me. I got back to my desk and saw a chat window appear from one of the secretaries and saw a picture of Jared and me sitting outside the Rita's I felt my blood run cold and in seconds multiple chat windows popped open with one ugly word after the other. SLUT. w***e. GOLDDIGGER. I laughed at my own foolish predicament what made me think I could be happy.