- Chapter 1
“I can’t go any faster Bella.”
“Well we have two hot guys waiting to dance with us, so I think you should try.”
“I’m going. I’m going. Why don’t you go say hi to your Dad upstairs or something? I’ll work faster on my own. I’ll come up when I’m done.”
“Alright. But 15 minutes, tops!”
“Ok.”
Elizabeth Cleveland, or Liz, was always working and her best friend Isabella Wellington was never working. It was the one thing the two of them always could count on. Luckily Isabella, Bella, was so busy with her socialite life that she hardly noticed how much Liz actually worked.
Liz finished up her work in the filing room of the WellBright Law Firm, and then headed up the elevator to the top floor. She hated going up to the boss’s floor and only did so when Bella was there. Bella’s father, Harrison Wellington was a partner in one of the largest law firms in New York City. Although, Bella and Liz had been friends for two years, Liz still did not feel comfortable around her father. There was something about that man that made her knees weak.
Harrison Wellington was one of the youngest partners of a successful law firm in all of New York City. He became partner at only thirty-two years old. For the past seven years he had lived and breathed his business. But he always made time for Isabella when she wanted to see him. He was intimidating to Liz, not just because he was her boss. Harrison was insanely handsome. Liz found it hard to even look him in the eyes because he intimidated her so much.
As the elevator ascended to the top floor of the building, Liz could feel her heart rate quickening. There was just something about this man that made it hard for her to breath. She stepped off of the elevator and sat in the reception area.
“Ms. Cleveland. You can go inside. Ms. Wellington is in there.” The impeccably dressed blonde secretary said.
“No thank you.” Liz was perfectly fine sitting in the lobby and waiting for Bella.
The secretary picked up the phone, but Liz could not hear what she was saying.
Suddenly Bella came bursting out of the large mahogany door.
“Come say hi to my father Liz.” She says with so much excitement that Liz couldn’t bear to say no. In fact, most of the time when Liz was around Bella she found it hard to say no to her.
Bella was three years younger than Liz, but so much better with all the social aspects of life. Which she should be, Bella spent her entire life socializing with people and Liz spent it trying to survive.
“Elizabeth, how do you like working here?” Harrison asked as Liz walked into his office.
“It’s good. Thanks again for the job.” Liz briefly looked up and smiled at him.
She thought a short glance at him would be safe. But instantly she felt the red hot heat start to fill her cheeks. His deep blue eyes just penetrated to her soul, it was impossible not to feel the electricity shoot through her body. Liz was sure this was not a mutual feeling. She was just a school girl with a crush.
“Well that’s good. Bella says you are living with your boyfriend off campus now? No more dorms for you?”
“I couldn’t afford it. It’s cheaper off campus.”
“Yes. I bet it is. See Bella, this is what a responsible young woman does, pays attention to the costs of things.” Harrison jokingly nudged his daughter.
“Oh Dad. I couldn’t work as hard as Liz. I think I would actually die.”
“Yes, I think you would.” Harrison winked at Liz when he said this.
“Ok well Liz should we head out?”
“Yes.” Liz said, so relieved to be able to leave this office.
“You girls be safe tonight. I’m heading to Boston for a week, but if you need anything I’m just a call away Isabella.”
“I know Dad. We will be safe. Don’t worry, I’m with responsible Elizabeth.” Bella hugged her father and Liz made a straight line for the elevator. It was amazing after knowing Bella for two years now Liz still felt weak in the knees around her father.
It wasn’t like Harrison was a fatherly looking guy though. At thirty-nine years old, he was still very young. He was tall, probably close to six feet two inches. His dark brown hair always impeccably styled with just the right amount of length so you could see the natural waves. His chiseled jaw line and deep blue eyes made him the dream guy that thousands of girls wished they could take to bed.
Liz wasn’t interested in taking him to bed; he really was out of her league. Not to mention he was her best friend’s father. But Liz couldn’t deny that he was the guy she had always dreamed about. Not just for his looks either. He was a great father to Bella, despite getting a divorce a few years earlier. Harrison was very involved in Bella’s life and always there for his little girl.
As the elevator doors closed Liz finally breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced at her reflection in the shiny elevator doors and can see the bright red blush of her cheeks. It always happened when she was around Bella’s Dad.
“Geesh Liz, why are you so mean to my father all the time?” Bella jokingly says.
“I’m not mean!”
“I’m kidding. But you never want to be around him. He’s a nice guy.”
“Bella, he’s my boss now. It’s just a little weird.”
“Whatever…I’m texting Matt and Wade to meet us at Roxy.”
“Yes, I could use a night of drinking and dancing. But one of these days your Dad’s going to find out you have a fake ID and kill you.”
“Oh Liz, I’ve got him so wrapped around my finger.” Bella smiled a sly grin. Liz knew what she said was true. Although Liz was twenty-two and legally could get into the dance club, Bella was only nineteen and would have to use her fake ID. It made Liz more nervous than Bella though, she didn’t seem to have a care in the world. Well, she really didn’t have to worry about much in this world. Not like Liz had to.