Page 11 of Jilted Jock
“What is it you do?” He did a once over of my outfit that somehow made me feel bare despite the long skirt and blouse I wore. “School teacher?”
“I’m an executive assistant at an accounting firm.”
“Executive assistant,” he said it like he was trying out a new word.
“Are you making fun of me?”
“Nah, sorry. Corporate words are such a mouthful. I never understood why they have to be so pretentious. Chief Executive Officer, what a bullshit title.”
I laughed despite myself and he smiled back. It was the first genuine smile I’d seen out of him and as soon as I had the thought, it disappeared. Pity.
“Anyway, thanks for letting us stay last night.”
“You’re welcome. If you’ll just lock the door on your way out?”
He nodded, and I took one last look at kitty and left.
The small accounting firm I’d worked for the last three years was like a haven. The beige walls and ugly carpets were reassuring in a way that I couldn’t explain. Nothing changed around here and that made me feel secure.
Flipping on the lights as I entered the office, I went straight for the break room to get the coffee going before people arrived. I was the first one in and often the last to leave, but I didn’t mind. It gave me a chance to put everything in order. Lights, coffee, water the plants, feed Harry’s fish, and then check messages.
All that before seven-thirty a.m. When DJ’s assistant arrived a few minutes later, she dropped a coffee at reception.
“Good morning,” Bobbi said cheerily. “Is he in yet?”
“No, you’re the first one.”
She shrugged off her coat, dropped her purse on the counter, and dug through it for her lipstick.
“How was your weekend?” I asked, knowing she’d have something eventful to tell me. She was always going somewhere, trying new restaurants, and meeting new people.
Her eyes lit up. “Saturday night we went to a new club opening in LA. You’ll never guess who we ran into.”
“Who?”
“Charlie Hunnam’s girlfriend. At least, I think. It was dark and really crowded.”
“And Charlie?”
“Not with her.”
I laughed and she shrugged.
“What about you; how was your weekend?” She touched up her lipstick and fixed her blonde hair into a braid.
I hesitated to tell her about Finn, but some part of me wanted to confide in someone I knew I could trust. Having a brother that was a famous soccer star, even if it was only for a short while, meant those around me didn’t typically get worked up over fame and status. Bobbi would be excited, but I knew she’d never tell a soul.
“Actually, I met a celebrity this weekend, too.”
“How and where?” I tried not to be offended by her shocked expression. She wasn’t wrong to be surprised. The few places I frequented weren’t conducive to celebrity sightings.
When I finished telling Bobbi the story of how I met Finn, her face beamed with excitement. “So, he didn’t get married?”
“Really? That’s the first thing you have to say after hearing that heartbreaking story?” I tossed a pad of Post-Its in her direction. “You could sound at least a little sad about it.”
“One more smoking hot eligible bachelor in LA – no, I’m definitely not sad about that. What’s he like?”
My mind wandered back to the first time I laid eyes on him. “Sad. Angry. He bought her a kitten as a wedding present. This adorable white Bengal that is totally attached to him. You should see them together.”
