Page 12 of A Night To Remember

“Let me look on my list to make sure your name is there, otherwise someone will have to let you in.” He scanned his clipboard and nodded. “Yep. Here you are. Welcome aboard and good luck to ya.”

Her nerves were jumping as she walked through the security door after being buzzed in. Laura had taken her on a tour earlier in the week so Charlie would know where everything was today. Since her friend was in a meeting this morning, Charlie would have to wait until later to find her and thank her for the millionth time for helping her get this job.

In addition to Charlie’s giving birth, Laura was also a catalyst in prompting Charlie to make her decision to move to the D.C. Metropolitan area. Within a week of that heart-to-heart with Laura, Charlie had packed up and sold her home, much to her parent’s disapproval. They didn’t think it was right that she should take off with such a small child and go to a place where she had no family support. Charlie would hear none of it. It was her life and she had Kristy to think about. She felt a fresh start for the both of them would be a good thing.

If someone had told her three years ago she could love someone as much as she did her daughter, especially after losing Paul, Charlie would have laughed. The child brought joy to her life every single day. Kristy looked just like Charlie, down to the heart-shaped beauty mark at the corner of her little mouth. The only difference between mother and daughter was Kristy’s golden brown skin and pale blue eyes.

At the mere thought of her pretty little girl, she smiled. Each step she took toward her new job, her new life, made her hope with all her heart that she’d made the right decision for her and for Kristy.

“Fresh meat in the accounting department.” Steve leaned over Jake’s desk.

“Do you have to start this early in the morning? I take it you’re referring to the accounting supervisor position being filled. I’m sure anyone is an improvement from the employee who previously held that job. From what Brian tells me, the last person didn’t get the job done,” Jake said, not really paying attention to his vice-president and best friend. Steve was a perpetual skirt chaser and Jake was not in the mood to be baited right now.

“That’s not what I was talking about and you know it,” Steve said undeterred. “You should see this one. She’s a looker. Brian didn’t tell me that the lady he hired was so hot.”

“He wouldn’t. Brian is gay remember?”

“Well if I were a homo, this one would make me change my mind.”

“Really dude? That’s not cool. I’ve told you countless times not to call Brian a homo. Steve, you’re thirty-six years old. Grow up,” Jake growled.

“Take it easy, my friend. First of all, you know I like Brian. I just don’t understand how he would rather stick his dick in some dude’s ass when there are all those sweet pussies out there waiting to be plundered.”

“And this coming from a guy who likes anal sex,” Jake said rolling his eyes.

“With women. Besides, if there’s not pussy to go along with a nice tight ass, where’s the fun?”

“I don’t care who he’s with as long as he’s competent at his job. Is there ever a time when you’re not thinking about pussy?” Jake and Steve had been friends, but sometimes Jake wished Steve would lose that frat boy mentality.

“No, and you’re one to talk, Jake. You’re the same age as I am and you go through women like I do underwear.”

“Maybe so, but I keep my work life and my private life separate. Just be careful, Steve. Remember the last girl you dated in the office.”

Steve shuddered. “I still can’t believe that psycho keyed my car. How was I supposed to know the girl was unbalanced?”

“Exactly. You don’t know. You’d be better off leaving the ladies from the office alone,” Jake advised.

“I’d take your advice if this one wasn’t so special. I’m telling you, Jake, this lady is something else. She could be the next Mrs. Suarez.”

Jake rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Yeah, right. Don’t you mean the next ex-Mrs. Suarez? Doesn’t the fact that you already make one hefty alimony payment each month tell you something, not to mention your broken engagement?”

“Aw, come on, man. They were a couple of trial runs for the real thing. Besides, as of next month, I’ll no longer have to pay alimony. Jennifer has found some other sucker to marry her. He makes me look like a pauper and, as part of the divorce settlement, the payments cease when she remarries.”

“Congratulations,” Jake muttered dryly, “but I wouldn’t rush into another failed relationship so quickly if I were you. Look, I have tons of work to do, as I’m sure you do as well. I hardly have time to listen to you talk about your next conquest.”

“Lighten up,” Steve taunted. “When did you become so uptight, pretty boy?”

Jake hated when Steve called him pretty boy. Steve never let Jake live down the fact that he had done some modeling on the side, while he attended college for a little extra cash. Modeling had not been his cup of tea, but the money had been decent.

“Call me pretty boy again and you’ll be swallowing your teeth,” Jake threatened.

“Don’t you at least want to know what she looks like?” Steve asked eagerly. He reminded Jake of a puppy in a pet store window competing to be purchased.

“I’m sure I’ll see her around eventually.” Jake shrugged, not taking his eyes from his computer.

“Fine, but when you see her, back off because this one is mine.”

“I’ll try to hold back the urge,” Jake responded sarcastically. The office fell silent for a few minutes but Jake could feel Steve’s stare. Steve wouldn’t go away until he let him say his peace.

---