Page 6 of Willows and Waterlilies

You know things are bad when your usually teasing cousin is being careful to be extra nice to you. I must look truly pathetic. Edith, the office mother, keeps coming by with cups of tea and packets of cookies that I don’t even bother to second-guess before eating. What care do I have for calories when it seems every player in the State is out to get me? Callie, my roommate, has been sending me countless messages, which means Nate’s already informed her of my humiliating heartbreak. I can’t blame him, she’s his best friend too. In fact, she was before I’d even met her. In any case, I don’t want to talk about it yet; it’s just too depressing to voice any of it out loud.

Just before I resign myself to turning off my laptop and slumping home to a night of chocolate, wine, and perhaps a large tub of full-fat ice cream, I’m graced with the presence of the big boss man, aka, my cousin, Cameron.

“Well, word of your sad sap of a cousin must have spread if you’ve come down to see me,” I sigh, to which he smiles with his perfect teeth. “Oh, God, don’t come down here looking like a major clothing brand model, it only makes me feel worse!” I grumble while taking a large bite of a cookie I don’t even want. I wouldn’t be surprised if I have chocolate chips caught between my teeth.

“Ellie, stop being ridiculous and come here,” he laughs before wrapping his arms around my shoulders. Cameron is the classic big brother type, the knight in shining white armor, and an altogether good guy. His little brother, Nate, is the court jester.

“Thanks,” I say half-heartedly, “even if this does feel like Deja-vu.”

“Men are pigs!” I hear Nate calling over to us as he steps out of the elevator.

“They are indeed,” I mutter to Cam, and he gifts me with a wink, knowing full well that Nate is by no means innocent to playing the field or breaking a few hundred hearts.

“You want us to go and kick his ass?” Nate asks as he gifts me with a kiss on my cheek.

“Yes, but don’t,” I reply when I finally haul my butt out of my chair, shutting everything down as I do so. “I take it you both have plans this evening?”

“Several,” Nate replies with a smug smirk.

“Inappropriate, little brother,” Cam snaps.

“Ellie knows I’m just kidding,” he says with a slap to his chest, “and both my plans are well aware of what this is. I don’t lead women on.”

“Bea,” Cam says to someone who appears to be hovering behind Nate’s broad frame, “are you ok?”

She shuffles forward, trying to remain as huddled up as possible. It’s not surprising the way Nate looks at her. The bastard even sighs when she walks up to him. He’s my cousin and I love him like a brother, but he sure is an asshole to that poor girl.

“I was just about to leave but someone stopped me at the door,” she says, ignoring her boss’ scathing expression, even though it’s not hard for her to miss. “Elijah Woods would like to talk to you, Ellie. I told him you might have left; I can always say I couldn’t find you if you would prefer?”

“Thank you, Miss Summers, you can go now,” Nate dismisses her like the Lord of the Manor. Cam and I both sit there looking utterly affronted on her behalf.

“Y-yes, of course,” she murmurs before turning to leave.

“Thank you, Beatrice, that was really kind and fast thinking of you,” Cam calls out, “you really are an excellent PA. I appreciate all your hard work.”

The two brothers glare at each other with the threat of an argument to come. Before that war of words can ensue, I grab my stuff and link my arm through Bea’s and begin marching us toward the elevator.

“Thank you, Mr Carter,” she gasps as I pull us across the room at a fast rate of knots, knowing how heated their arguments can get. Usually, he’d be telling her to call him Cam, but he’s too caught up in staring down his brother.

“Best we get out of here, Bea,” I whisper to her, “the Carter brothers battling for supremacy isn’t fun to be around.”

“I didn’t mean to…”

“And you didn’t, that was all Nate,” I cut in as the doors close on the two brothers. “Course, now I have to go and face this Elijah dude. What the hell does he want?”

“Who is he?” she asks with curiosity, dropping her usual nervous disposition.

“Long story,” I reply, “I’ll tell you when we go for drinks next week.”

“We’re going out for drinks?” she asks with surprise in her voice.

“Of course, we are,” I tell her with a smile, “I think you could do with a friend in this place. I’ll teach you how to stand up to my idiot cousin too.”

The door opens with a ping, and I suddenly remember that I’m about to face the man who ruined my otherwise perfect Valentine’s Day.

“I’d like that,” she says as we step outside and make eye contact with the insanely well-dressed man who is waiting just outside the entrance to the building. “Do you want me to hang around, or leave, or…”

“It’s ok,” I tell her with a firm nod, “you go, I’ll be ok… I hope.”

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