Page 52 of Festive Flings

I offer them both my warmest congratulations before excusing myself. Owen will be picking me up soon and I want to look exquisite for him, which is no small task. Something Billie said has my mind ticking overtime about my own future. About my own happiness.

Can I be brave enough to ask for what I want and need in the future?

~ Owen ~

I finally get out of the meeting with the CEO and Human Resources, and I am completely pissed. No matter how much I negotiate, the one thing I want more than anything is denied.

I want the firm to relocate Jamie with me, but they are not biting. I get it; I sincerely get that there is no financial sense in relocating my PA; they would simply fix me up with a new one once I settle into the New York office. But I don’t want another one. I want Jamie; I will always yearn for her. So if they want me, she has to be part of the deal.

I reject their job offer, and the stupid bastards offer me another twenty percent pay rise on top of the increased salary the new role commands. What good is all this money if I don’t get to be with the woman of my dreams? It simply isn’t worth the sacrifice I will have to make. No amount of money is worth leaving Jamie behind.

The irony of the whole situation isn’t lost on me. I prayed that Jamie would be mine and now she is. I also worked hard to secure promotions in my career that would see me able to settle with a family by my mid-thirties. And yet, one is going to come with the sacrifice of the other.

They can take my career. I am not giving up Jamie. I have waited and waited for her to be ready and there isn’t a chance in hell I will put an expiry date on the beautiful union that is growing between us.

“I am sorry, Mr. Cosgrove. No deal. I am not going without her. If you want me that desperately in New York, you will do whatever you can to give me what I want. I don’t want more money; well, not for me. Arrange it so Jamie has a position as my PA and I will relocate in the new year. If not, you will have to find someone else.”

When I get back to the office I hope for an hour alone with Jamie. I have been fantasising about fucking her over my desk, and with Tim absent, this is the best opportunity we will get.

Disappointment washes over me when I read her letter telling me she is taking her flexiday, but I am quickly laughing when I read her text messages which detail exactly how she is going to be spending her time. She even sent an explicit one that graphically described how she is going to shave her pussy for me.

I am standing to attention, making a massive tent in my work pants, and my date with Jamie is still a good few hours away. I envisioned surprising her with news of her new job offer and I had imagined us celebrating back at my apartment with champagne and nakedness, but I guess that was too ambitious of me.

After a quick shower, I begin to get ready. Tonight, we will both be dressed up because that is the dress code. Jamie and I are going to the OXO Tower restaurant. The OXO Tower is a prominent building near the Thames, and the views from the restaurant are said to be second to none. With all the lights on for Christmas it should be pretty spectacular, and I know Jamie will love it. London will look amazing tonight when the sun sets and the city comes to life.

It is the ideal place to have a date because of its position in the South Bank cultural sector of London. If we want, we could walk around Trafalgar Square or go on the London Eye. However, there is no reason to go anywhere but the Tower itself. It is also home to arts and crafts and the first couple of floors are bursting with prestigious vendors selling their unique creations; from paintings to sculptures to vintage clothing and jewellery, there is an array of beautiful makes to be seen and bought. There is also an award-winning gallery we could wander around if we have the inclination.

The restaurant is a Michelin star eatery, and it's somewhere I have wanted to go for a long time, but this is special. I didn’t want to go there with just anyone. I am excited to be sharing this with Jamie. I just wish I wasn’t in such a crappy mood about work. I can’t seem to shake it and it’s annoying me that I have looked forward to this night with Jamie, and now my shitty mood could ruin it.

I decide to drive tonight; the wine selection is said to be amazing but I know if I have a drink, my mood is likely to sour even more, so I’m sticking to soft drinks.

I pull up outside Jamie’s apartment and I’m surprised to see her sister's café is bursting with customers. It's never open this late usually. I don’t see Jamie approach me, but when she calls out to me, my mood instantly lightens. “Oh, baby! You look amazing! Let’s skip dinner and go upstairs, eh?” Her face lights up when she laughs at my compliment.

“Sod off, Owen. I’m starving, and you promised to feed me first.” I can’t help but be happy when I am with Jamie, so I try to push all work related matters from my mind and enjoy my date with my girl. “Besides, I didn’t go to all this trouble for you to just take it all off me.”

She twirls in front of me, giving me a full view of her dress, which scoops low on her back; any lower and I would see the crease of her ass. Her hair is starting to grow out now, too, and she has styled it so it falls in waves around her shoulders. I loved her long blonde hair but when she broke up with her ex she cut it all off into a short smart bob, which looked nice too. I am hoping I will get to see those long blonde tresses again. I kiss her possessively. “I am so proud to have you on my arm tonight, Jamie. You are stunning, my love.”

I drive us to Coin Street, where the OXO building is located, and Jamie tells me about the drama that happened with Tim this afternoon. “So, he’s getting married? Wow, that’s kind of fast, isn’t it.” I’m quick enough to notice the crestfallen look on Jamie’s face. I could kick myself for being so callous, but marriage is a big deal to me. I only want to do it once, so I want to get it right. The thought of rushing into something makes me break out into a cold sweat.

She replies with a tight smile, the one she uses when she doesn’t want to upset people, and I do my best to make it better.

“I’m happy for him. We’ll invite them to dinner next week to celebrate, eh, if you like?” That raises a proper smile from her.

“Like a double date? That would be great, Owen.”

When we arrive at the building, I open the car door for Jamie and take her hand. I want to be close to her; I want everyone to know we are together and she is mine. She is luminous; she shines like a beacon of hope and happiness, and I am completely besotted with her. Every time I see her, my feelings grow deeper and deeper. If Tim feels a fraction of how I feel, it's no wonder he put a ring on his girl.

We take the elevator to the eighth floor and are shown to our table; it’s a window view and Jamie gasps when she looks out at the London skyline that lights up with festive cheer. We order our starters and talk away about places we’ve been and places we want to see when the maître d’ brings over another couple to sit at the table beside us.

Jamie groans with dread and displeasure, so I peer around to find the source of her dismay. A loud, whiney voice grates down on my nerves. “But I wanted the window seat, Carl! Why didn’t you book a window seat?”

I can’t fucking believe it. Jamie’s ex is here and they are going to be eating at the table next to ours.

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