Cori planned on yoga pants and a sweatshirt, but when she returned to the bedroom, still in her robe and hair in a towel, she found a spring dress laying on the bed with a note.
C-
I wasn’t sure about shoes and accessories because I’m a man (this is where I pound my chest), but I thought this dress matched your beautiful emerald green eyes. Wear comfortable shoes. We’re going exploring. I’ll be back with breakfast in a few – sadly, the eggs didn’t make it.
-N
Chuckling at the sad face he drew after the death of the eggs comment, and focusing on the heart he added before his initial, she hugged the note. She had been feeling a bit foolish about her reaction to finding the clothes, but his note suggested he had moved beyond it, so she would too. Exploring in New York City with Nick Blackthorne – this would be interesting.
With a little time on her hands, she played in the closet, trying different shoes and accessories to complete the look Nick had set out for her. Most women might take offense to a man picking her clothes, but she found it endearing. The idea that he picked the dress he did, a beautiful one at that, spoke volumes.
With a pair of white floral print flats and a matching handbag, and a few simple gold chains, she was ready in her sassy spring dress. She made her way to the living room and saw Nick standing in the kitchen, unloading a bag full of what had to be breakfast. His attention was immediate, and he finally shook his head when he realized he was staring.
“That dress was made for you,” he said, “Do you…like it?”
“Very much. You have great taste.”
“No, you’re just…beautiful.” He was staring again, and based on her blushing cheeks, it was both awkward and noticeable.
Sitting on the counter were two large coffee drinks in to-go cups. “You went all the way to the coffee shop by the office?”
He was putting a breakfast bagel sandwich on a plate when he replied, “No, but I thought about it. I did get a white chocolate mocha and ham and brie bagel, exactly as you like it.”
“If you didn’t go to Lilley’s shop, then…”
He smiled, proud of the confession he was about to make. “I called them. I asked what you usually get. Since there wasn’t enough time to get there and back, I just went to the shop on the corner.”
“Wow, very resourceful of you, and thoughtful. Thank you.”
“I figure now that we are living together, we’ll figure out each other’s likes and dislikes rather quickly.”
Breakfast was their do over and set the pace and tone for the rest of their weekend. Cori hadn’t done much exploring since being in New York. She was always too busy with school, then work. Nick took her on an adventure, though. They quickly started to learn each other’s likes and dislikes as they made their way through much of the city’s big must-see landmarks. From museums to parks, Time Square to a carriage ride in the park, they did it all ending with a romantic dinner before they took in a Broadway show.
It had been a long, busy day, but one full of joy and laughter, and maybe a few snorts at bad jokes. They ended their day with a late-night hotdog from a street vendor on their walk home. If this was the world Nick wanted her to feel comfortable in, she was going to fit right in.
***
Monday morning started with yet another hard-on, after dreaming all night about Cori, and a flat mattress that clearly popped sometime in the night. He’d have to thank the dogs for that one. Since his bed was no longer, they had snuggled up in bed with Cori. Once again, he wished for a moment – oh, to be one of those dogs.
After a quick trip to the restroom to get the extension of himself under control, he returned to the room. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he gently woke her, to which she responded with a soft, sweet smile. A smile he could get used to seeing every morning.
“Hey. Want to ride into work together? Since we’re going to the same place, I mean.”
“Makes sense.” She smiled.
“Okay, you take the bathroom first; I’ll start breakfast.”
And that started their new morning routine together. Up early, breakfast together at the table, overlooking the city, while discussing their daily agenda. Like a real couple. They were getting good at this.
On the ride to work, Cori decided to send a quick text to James. It had been a few days since they talked, and that wasn’t like them at all. Fake fiancé or not, she needed to make time for him. A quick text asking how he was doing, how the play was going, and that they needed to have lunch as soon as he got back was sent and had a quick reply.
You are all over the internet and social media, even here in Ohio – lunch may not be long enough.
When she read his text, her heart sunk, and she went online to see what he was talking about. It didn’t even take Nick’s full name for the search bar to pull up all of the stories James had been referring to. The list was endless, as were the pictures of them from early Saturday to them walking into their building late at night. Where had the pictures come from, and why hadn’t she noticed anyone taking them? She thought the paparazzi was brutal – she hadn’t seen a one.
“Nick. We’re everywhere. How did this happen? Where were all of these people? Our whole Saturday is…right here! On the internet!”
He looked over her shoulder, shaking his head. “There are always photogs out snapping pictures, but that is…more than usual. I’m typically not that interesting…they were tipped off.”
“Winnie?”
“Probably. It’s a little odd though; why would she want us to get attention? She did us a favor, really…the ruse is really working.”
“Maybe so they’re also paying attention when it’s all over – so that can be plastered everywhere, too,” Cori said, sadly. She didn’t want to think about what happened after the Hamptons, but it was their reality. This was temporary.
Two morning coffees became three; Nick was hooked and she loved it. The couple entered the building, and the volume went to near mute as all eyes shifted to them. It seemed everyone had been on the internet and were curious themselves.
Putting on a show, so as not to disappoint, Nick kissed her sweetly and went on to the elevator that went to his floor while Cori went to see Tony. With her previous week’s meeting rescheduled for today, she only had a minute to catch him up and told him to check the internet if he had any questions – it was all there.
When she exited the elevator, her audience was immediate. She heard whispers and saw the smiles but kept her head up and charged on to her office. Once the meeting commenced, the weirdness wore off, and her team was back at it, planning and delegating. Cori’s focus was slightly pulled a different direction, for the time being, but she would still knock her proposal out of the park with her team’s help.
At the meeting’s conclusion, Cori had asked if there were any questions, and there were plenty. All about her and Nick. She felt bad, lying to all of them. After all, the relationship was temporary.
On cue, Nick exited the elevator as if it were planned for him to join the question and answer session. He addressed Cori’s team with a hello and answered most of their questions by walking behind her desk and giving her a kiss. She excused them all from the meeting, officially, letting them know she would be available should they have any questions or run into problems.
When the door closed behind the last employee, Nick asked, “How about lunch today? You in?”
“As much as I’d love to, I can’t. I am a bit behind on my proposal and planned on working through lunch.”
“We can do that. I’ll order in. We’ll have a working lunch in my office. I can help, if you’d like.”
“Nick, this proposal is my try at the VP job. Wouldn’t that be a little like cheating if you helped me?
“My company, my rules?” he tried, with a swoony smile.
She laughed at his attempt to charm her, “It’s not right, and you know it. I want this job – more than you know – but I want to get it on my own – the right way.”
He respected that, admired it really. He was offering her an opportunity to bag the VP job, and she turned it down. “Fine. I won’t say a word then. See you at noon. We’ll eat in here.”
Before she could say one way or the other, he was out of his seat and out the door. He caught her watching his ass all the way to the elevator and tossed her a sultry wink that had her libido’s attention as the doors began to close. Caught – but she didn’t seem to care.
When noon rolled around, he was promptly exiting the elevator, food in hand, ready to dominate her work space with his larger than life presence. It seemed he had a good memory because he brought none other than Guido’s – exactly what she wanted. Though she needed to work, they spent the hour talking and laughing, not working.
She didn’t complain though. When he left her office, it was with a kiss and promise to see her in the lobby at five. Never one to leave on time, she suddenly liked the sound of that. Maybe it had to do with having someone to go home with.