Page 4 of Hidden Desire

“Excuse me,” the woman stated, approaching their table. “Don’t I know you?” She tilted her head, and Stassi heaved a sigh. It was the same line that people liked to approach her with. It was a great opener, but Stassi wouldn’t fall for it.

“You probably saw her in a magazine,” Ariel blurted up. Stassi tossed a look in her direction. She couldn’t believe how sometimes Ariel could be so gullible. It wasn’t anyone’s business, especially this strange woman.

“That’s probably it. You modeled for Cirque, didn’t you?”

Stassi gave a sheepish nod. “Wow! I feel like I’m in the presence of a real-life celebrity.” Stassi wanted to roll her eyes, but that would be blatantly rude. Another song played up front, and she considered turning to it, but not without first getting this woman to leave the table. “I love your work,” she said.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” Stassi began. “But I really was just getting ready to leave. Busy day tomorrow and all.” She checked her pocket for her phone and wallet, then turned to the woman. “Sorry,” she said again.

The woman frowned. “I see. I was hoping I could get just one dance.” She tilted her head. “It can be a quick one.”

Stassi glanced in Ariel’s direction, but Ariel looked down at her phone like she wasn’t really gawking at them moments earlier. Stassi turned back to the woman. “Can’t hardly dance with you when I don’t know your name.”

“Talia,” the woman said, sticking her hand out in Stassi’s direction. Stassi shook it and nodded her head. “And yours?”

“Stassi,” Stassi mumbled before following Talia onto the floor. The up-tempo song played just a few feet away from them. They danced, and Stassi was careful not to look in the woman’s direction. She was beautiful, curves, and all-natural. But Stassi didn’t want this kind of distraction. When the song ended, she nodded. “Thanks for the dance.” As she attempted to leave, Talia grabbed her arm and pulled her to her.

Stassi protested, “You said a quick one.”

The woman shrugged. “One more won’t hurt anything.” Stassi turned to her table, and Ariel had a grin on her lips. Stassi shook her head, then smiled and nodded, falling into the slow dance with the stranger.

She didn’t make eye contact as they danced. Talia didn’t seem to mind as she cozied closer to Stassi, getting into her personal space. When the dance ended, Stassi was ready to exit the dance floor.

“Thank you for the dance, but tomorrow will be busy, and frankly, I’m beat.”

Talia hurried after her. “Can I at least get your number?” she asked.

Stassi turned and gave a slight smile. “It was nice and all, but the truth is, I’m kind of seeing someone, and they wouldn’t appreciate me giving out my number.”

Talia frowned. “Fair enough. It was fun anyhow.” She shrugged and walked away. Stassi turned on her heel and saw Ariel with an arched eyebrow.

“Why’d you lie to her?”

Stassi shrugged. “Maybe because I’m not interested. Besides, you know I don’t mix business with pleasure. She was only interested because I’m a model. That’s all.”

Ariel snickered. “You two could make a hot couple.”

Stassi rolled her eyes. She knew what she wanted, and a one-night stand wasn’t that. It might work if someone were interested because of who she was on the inside, but she was just fine on her own. They left the club and headed to their cars. Stassi pulled out her phone to see if her dad had ever responded. When there was no message, she pocketed her phone and reached for her car door. In time he would get her that money. He was probably just in the middle of something and couldn’t respond. She would try him again later.

Sage

Sage paced back and forth for what felt like hours. Perhaps, more like minutes, but the agony had slowly sunk into her gut. The sound of voices pierced through his office door. She hesitated and glanced over at the oversized desk. “Is his meeting nearly finished? I was supposed to be here at ten. It’s fifteen after, and there hasn’t been one break in the conversation that’s going on behind that door.” She waved her finger towards Noah Benton’s office. He was LA County Hospital's CFO and ignored the staff like they were some deadly disease.

“He’ll be with you in a minute,” Gina stated. It’d been the same thing the receptionist had repeatedly replied with when Sage asked the question.

Sage sighed and began pacing once more. Back and forth. Back and forth. She had started counting the squares on the carpet until they slowly gave her a headache. She groaned as another minute passed, then another, then ten minutes. She had to be clocked in, and if it weren’t for the fact that he had promised her a meeting, she would have rolled her eyes and gotten over it. It was now down to the principle of the matter.

Sage looked over her notes. The employees’ demands were displayed one by one. More pay. More benefits. More time off. Better supplies. Getting paid for Overtime. The list went on, and the staff signed every demand. They wanted action, and Sage was there to ensure they got it. She closed her eyes, kept pacing, then hesitated and turned to Gina.

“They will be finished at any moment,” Gina interrupted.

Sage nodded and plopped down in a chair that sat against the wall. She checked her watch, cringing. At this rate, she would have five minutes to state her case. If even that. As time ticked by, she continuously checked her watch until she shook her head and stood up. It was at the point of sickening. He was putting her off, and this would have to wait another day.

“Will you check his schedule and let me know when I can meet with him again.”

Gina shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s pretty busy.”

“Clearly,” Sage mumbled. She folded the list and slipped it into her pocket, waiting for Gina to peruse his schedule. The door clicked open, and Sage grabbed the list. Noah and another man exited the office.

---