Chapter 9

When Angela told Steve Thursday night that she was having dinner with Thomas on Friday night, he was not happy about it and didn’t even try and pretend to be.

“Baby, I don’t think that’s a great idea. I think he’s got it bad for you and this will just give him more ideas.”

“What do you propose I do? We’ve been friends for a long time. I can’t just cut him out of my life.” She understood Steve and Joanne’s concern, but it was getting frustrating to always have to defend her other friend. Steve sighed. She knew that he wanted to tell her that she just absolutely could not spend an evening alone with Thomas. She also knew that he wouldn’t do that. If he forbid her, she would do it just to prove he wasn’t the boss of her. He was a strong, dominant man and she liked that for the most part…but she was also a strong woman and she wasn’t going to be told what to do. Steve was intelligent enough to figure that out.

She knew that he wasn’t jealous of Thomas. That was good because he had less than nothing to worry about. But he was worried about her safety. She knew that Thomas was harmless, no matter how much of an ass he could be at times. Tonight was his last chance to act like the man she always thought he was and Thomas knew it. He wasn’t going to screw up. She didn’t want him to screw up. She wanted her friend back.

“I don’t want you to cut your friend out of your life,” he said at last. “I just wish I didn’t get such a bad feeling about the guy. I have really good instincts about people baby and my instincts are telling me that something is way off there.”

She didn’t doubt his instincts, but she had to wonder if his feelings about her and the fact he didn’t like Thomas were coloring them. “I can see how you could come to the conclusion that he’s not a good guy. You didn’t see him before…when Blake died and he was there for me day and night. He never tried anything. He never asked for anything from me in return. He was just my friend and I feel like I owe the same to him in return. Sometimes I think he’s having a delayed reaction to Blake’s death and that’s why he’s been acting strangely. He loved Blake and I know that he misses him.

Steve nodded and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her hard, stealing her breath way. Then he said, “You call me if you need anything, promise?” She smiled and put her hand on the side of his gorgeous face.

“I promise,” she’d told him. They had made love then, and again this morning. She didn’t see Thomas when she went home to get ready for work and so far today she hadn’t seen him at the office. It was after three now, and the only other hurdle she had to get past today was the photo shoot for Candy Cosmetics. Kim was still insisting on going with her, or at least the last time Angela talked to her she was. As she gathered the files and paperwork she would need, she wondered what Kim’s angle was. Was she trying to catch her doing something she could fire her for? The truth be told, she was under contract, so whatever it was would have to be pretty bad.

When she got all of her things together, it was three-thirty. She still hadn’t heard from Kim, but she’d gotten a call from reception that the car was waiting downstairs. She was tempted to leave without her, but she knew Kim would have a fit, so she called her office. When Kim answered the phone she said, “Kim, we have to be at the Candy Cosmetics shoot in half an hour. Are you coming?”

“Oh is that today?”

“Um…yeah, it’s right now, actually.”

“I’ll be right down.” Angela took out her phone and called the CEO Hannah to let her know that they were running late. Hanna didn’t have her phone on, it went straight to voicemail. Angela was discovering that wasn’t unusual either. Hannah liked her privacy and if she wasn’t at work, she rarely answered her phone. Typically, she called every one back on her time table. Twenty minutes went by before Kim showed up. She got in the back of the town car with Angela and said, “It’s been a busy day.” Angela wondered if that was an apology, but she didn’t ask her. It was almost four-thirty before they got to the church courtyard at Olivera Street they were using for the shoot. Angela jumped out of the car and went straight over to Hannah who looked royally pissed.

“Hannah, I’m so sorry we’re late…”

“Do you know how busy I am, Angela? I don’t have time to stand around on a hot street waiting for you.” Angela’s eyes went to the canopy Hannah had been sitting underneath. It had misters all the way around it. It was set up in the shade and there was a battery operated fan. Hannah’s eccentricities usually amused her, but not today.

“I do know, Hannah, I’m sorry. I tried to call you… Kim wanted to come with me…”

“Hello, Hannah!” Kim was suddenly standing next to her with a giant smile plastered across her face.

Hannah looked over at the other woman. “Kim. Maybe you should teach your employee that the number one rule around here is that we’re all busy, so don’t waste our time.”

Kim looked at Angela and for a fraction of a second Angela thought she was going to admit that them being late was her fault. That thought was gone as soon as she opened her mouth.

“We’ll talk about it, Hannah, I promise.” Angela almost couldn’t control herself. She wanted so badly to tell Kimberly what a bitch she was being. She and Hannah were beginning to develop a good working relationship and Kimberly seemed to be going out of her way to ruin it. She bit her tongue almost in half and then she said, “Are you ready to get started?” Kim and Hannah had their heads together whispering and giggling. She could only imagine what Kim was telling her. She couldn’t believe that at one time she’d had so much respect for this woman. She’d even wanted to emulate her. Things change rapidly sometimes. When they finished their girl talk, Hannah looked up at Angela and narrowed her eyes, “I’ve been ready,” she said. “Let me go make sure the air conditioning in the trailer kept my models from melting.” Once she was gone Angela looked at Kim and said, “Gee Kim, thanks for backing me up.”

Kim smiled a thousand watt smile at her and said, “That’s what I’m here for.” Angela had to take another deep breath and ask God for patience.

The shoot went smoothly after that. Angela had her ducks in a row and other than making her late, there wasn’t a lot more Kim could do to ruin it. She did have to endure riding back to the office with Kimberly and that was a chore in itself.

“You know Angela, you and I never got together for that drink we talked about having. Are you so threatened by me that we can’t be friends?”

Angela nearly choked. “Threatened by you? Why on earth would I be threatened by you?”

“I just assumed that was the problem. We seemed to be getting on so well and then as soon as you found out that I had history with Steve, you haven’t wanted much to do with me.”

“Maybe I have an issue with you sending my boyfriend naked photos of yourself.” Angela knew she shouldn’t engage her…but after all, Kimberly brought it up.

Kimberly laughed. “Oh those were just in fun and not even meant for Steve. I was sending them to another friend…the numbers got mixed up or something.”

“Or something,” Angela said.

Kimberly looked annoyed and said, “Surely you aren’t suggesting I sent them to him on purpose, are you? I don’t think calling your boss a liar is the healthiest thing for your career.”

“I wouldn’t think I’d ever have a boss who would be sending out naked selfies so this is a new experience for me. I’d appreciate it if you and I can stick to work from now on and leave our personal issues out of it.”

Kim smiled. It wasn’t pleasant. “Of course we can,” she said. “If that’s what you want.”

“I think it would be best.” By the time they got back to the office and Angela got home she was so angry and frustrated she was shaking. She had no idea how she was supposed to make it through an evening with Thomas now. One more uncomfortable situation and she just might scream.

**

Thomas left work at the same time Angela and Kimberly left for the photo shoot. He got home and showered and shaved and once he was dressed he began preparing the chicken. He had been looking forward to this all week. Tonight was the night that Angela would be his, body and soul. As he was putting the chicken in the oven, his phone rang. He looked at the face and with disgust, put it to his ear. “What do you want?”

“Jeez man, I just wanted to know if you needed any more GHB. I got a delivery of some good stuff today.”

“Is the “stuff” you gave me the other day “bad” stuff?”

“No, of course not…”

“Then I’m good. Don’t call me again. If I need you, I will call you.”

“Okay man, chill.”

“Fuck you!” Thomas ended the call and slammed the phone down on the counter just in time to look up and see Angela standing there. Fuck! How long has she been there?

“Hey, what was that about?”

“Telemarketer,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve told him twelve times I wasn’t buying but he won’t stop calling. How was your day?” She rolled her eyes.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I think I’ll take a shower while dinner is cooking.”

“Good. Hey, let me fix you a glass of wine to take with you. It’ll relax you.”

“You may be right,” she said. Thomas got a glass out of the cabinet. He poured her a glass from the bottle he already had opened and swirled it around before he handed it to her. He watched…a little nervously as she took a sip. She closed her eyes and let it settle. “Thanks,” she said. She looked back at the bottle and said, “I thought you weren’t drinking tonight.”

“I’m not. I opened it for you.”

She looked skeptical but said, “Okay, I’m going to shower and I’ll be out in a bit.”

“Take your time,” he told her. “We have all night.” What a night it was going to be, he thought.