Chapter Eleven
Janie
“Thanks for coming over, Anabel.” I hugged her tightly as she handed me a cup of hot tea. “You’re the best.”
“I’m not sure I’m the best, but you know I will always be here for you, Janie.” She gave me a sympathetic smile and we sat down on the couch. “Sparky, shoo.” She said to the dog as he ran up to her and sniffed around the plate of cookies she had in her hand.
“Sparky, go to your bed.” I said and grabbed a cookie. “Ugh, I just don’t know what to do. Dylan wants to go out again tonight, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. He seemed really cute last night and he was a good kisser, but there’s something about him that seems a bit off.”
“Then that’s a sign, Janie. Just walk away.”
“I want to have some fun.” I moaned. “I need to just date and have fun. I feel like Dylan could be good for that.”
“But what about Nate?” She asked me softly. “You hooked up with him last night. Do you still have feelings for him?”
“No.” I almost shouted. “No, not at all.” I shook my head and swallowed hard. “It’s complicated with Nate.” I sighed. “I don’t even know what I think or feel anymore.”
“Janie, I think that you need to take a step back from both of these guys.” She said slowly. “I think they are both bad news.”
“Nate is just my friend. Why would I step back from him?” I said defensively. “Yes, we had a weird past, but we got over that. We have a special relationship.”
“Uh huh.” She sighed. “You know how I feel about that. I don’t think Nate is a good guy, Janie. He is disregarding your feelings.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.” I grabbed another cookie. “Nate is fine and so is Dylan. Both of them are great. Well not great, but they are giving me what I need right now.”
"I don't understand why you always need a guy, Janie.” Anabel sounded frustrated. “Forget these fools. Neither of them are worth it. Dylan's a player and Nate's a selfish jerk. He always has been." Anabel shook her head. "Move on."
"You don't understand." I gulped as tears started to fall. "I just want to feel like I’m desirable. Like I’m worth it. I can’t just move on from Nate. He’s not selfish; he’s just a guy. He cares about me. He really does.”
“Yes, he cares about you in his own way.” Anabel acknowledged. “But ultimately he is selfish. He cares more about his own needs. Or he wouldn’t have stayed over last night and tried to have sex with you. Janie, you guys haven’t hooked up in ages.”
“We were both just feeling it. It’s not his fault.” I protested. “Nate means so much to me. And Dylan is really hot and fun. I just want some attention for once. I want to feel beautiful. I want to feel like someone wants me. It was nice last night to know that not just one of them, but both of them, wanted me. I felt amazing. Like I was special. I just want to feel special to someone. Like I’m worth it. Just once."
"You are worth it, doll. You're amazing. Everyone who has a brain can see it. But these two guys aren’t after you because they see how special you are. They just want to get laid. It’s almost like some sort of power play. Honestly, I don’t even know how you can even forgive Nate. How dare he have his friend contact you, like you need the help. Then get mad when you go on a date."
“I just don’t understand him.” I sighed. “I don’t get what he wants from me.”
“I don’t even think he knows.” She mumbled under her breath. “Guys are weird. You will find a good guy, girl. You will find a guy that can commit. You will find a guy that will want to make you his.”
"So why can't they see I’m worth it?" I stared at her, trying to stop the tears from falling now. "Why can't they see I'm worth it?" I was saying they, but I knew I really meant Nate. If he thought I was so great, why didn’t he want to be with me? In a real way. Not just an in the bed sort of way.
"I don't know, Janie. They're stupid?" She shrugged and then pulled me in for a hug. "Never doubt yourself. Please."
"It's so hard. I don't understand."
"Janie. Stop." She pulled away slightly and looked me in the eyes. "Don't let them make you doubt yourself."
"I just feel so stupid. I thought that Nate cared. He was my friend. One of my best friends. How could he do this to me?" I could feel myself feeling teary-eyed again. “I’m an idiot. I thought I could handle this. I thought that I could just make-out and hookup, but I can’t. Not with Nate. I feel like I stirred up all my old emotions.”
"He's the worst. He should have known better. Nate was thinking with his little head." Anabel sighed. "And as to this Dylan, he sounds like a psycho. You need to cut them both off. Trust me. You're better off without them."
“I can’t do that.” I made a face. “And I kinda told Nate at lunch yesterday that I would go to Belize with him on vacation.”
“You what?” Anabel screeched. “Are you joking?”
“No.” I felt slightly embarrassed that I’d said yes. “I know, I know. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest decision. You should come as well.”
“No thanks.” She shook her head and then sighed. “I’m going to ask you something and I want you to be one hundred percent honest with me, okay?”
“Okay, this sounds ominous.” I made a face at her. “What do you want to know?”
“Do you still have feelings for Nate?” She stared at me with a knowing look and I could feel my body start to shake.
“No, of course not. What do you mean?” I looked down at the floor, my heart racing as I denied having feelings for my best friend.
“So, I don’t quite believe you.” She sighed. “I know this is hard for you, Janie. I know you don’t want to think that you still have feelings for him.”
“I don’t.” I said quickly. “They faded in college after he treated me so poorly. We’re just friends now.”
“Janie,” She sighed. “I don’t know that you ever really got over him.”
“What are you talking about?” I glared at her, feeling myself starting to get defensive and mad.
“I’m just saying that you and Nate have had a really weird relationship and I’m talking about after you reconnected. I saw this coming a mile away. You’ve always had this weird tension. Personally I think he takes you for granted. He doesn’t know what he wants and I think he kinda drags you along.”
“Drags me along how?”
“I feel like you’ve still got hope that one day you guys will be together.”
“No, I don’t.” I shook my head.
“Uh huh, sure you don’t. Anyways, I think that you have two options here.”
“What do you mean? What two options?” I asked her confused.
“So option one, which is the option I think you should take is this. Cut Nate out of your life. Move on and get rid of him.”
“What? I can’t do that.”
“You can and I think you need to. He’s not just a friend, Janie. Yesterday proves that. And if you’re honest with yourself you know you want more.”
“What’s option two?” I cut her off.
“You play all your cards and see what Nate wants.”
“What do you mean?”
“He takes you for granted.” She said. “He has some sort of feelings for you. I don’t know what they are. So now, you can push him and see. Flirt with Dylan Go out with Dylan. Flirt with Nate too, but keep it cool and casual. See what he does. Is he going to shit or get off the pot?”
“Eww, Anabel.” I made a face at her.
“You know what I mean.” She said seriously ignoring me. “If you still have feelings for Nate, which I think you do. You have to force his hand. We have to make him feel like he could really lose you. He can’t have all these women on the side and then you as a best friend. And now possibly in his bed as well.”
“I don’t know.” I swallowed hard. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
“If Nate came to you tomorrow and told you that he loved you. If he told you that he wanted to be with you. What would you say?”
“That would never happen.” I said, but I knew by the butterflies in my stomach that I would love if it did happen. I would be floating on cloud nine if Nate came to me and told me that it had finally hit him that I was the one and that he wanted to be with me forever. God, it would be everything I ever wanted. I sighed as I realized what that meant. Anabel was right. I still wanted Nate. A part of me was still in love with him.
“I’m right? Aren’t I?” She gave me a look. “You still want him.”
“So what do I do?” I groaned. “Ugh, this is such a hot mess.”
“I mean, I think you should find an awesome guy and leave Nate in the dust.” She said and then laughed at my expression. “But I gather that’s not what you want.”
“No, no it’s not.”
“And now be honest, you don’t really want a hookup, do you?”
“I don’t think so. I don’t know.” I said, though deep in my heart of hearts I knew. I didn’t want a hookup. Not at all.
“Well, right now, you’re going to play it light and easy.” She looked thoughtful. “You’re going to make Nate think that you’re all about fun. And hookups and you’re going to make him jealous as hell.”
“What if he doesn’t care?”
“We both know he will care, but it’s what he decides to do next is what matters.” She paused for a minute. “You know what, let’s all go to Belize. You, me, Nate, Dylan. You’re going to flirt up a storm with Dylan. Make Nate think you’re so into him.”
“Dylan seems nice. I don’t want to use him.”
“Dylan’s a jerk.” She rolled her eyes. “From what you’ve told me about him, he sucks.”
“I haven’t told you much about him.” I laughed. “He seems hot and fun to me.”
“Janie, don’t be mad at me because I only say this out of love, but you really need to be able to read men better.” Anabel said with a small smile. “You are a beautiful, funny, smart girl, but when it comes to men you just seem to have no litmus test. These guys don’t deserve you. Not Nate and definitely not this loser, Dylan.”
“You don’t even know Dylan.” I shook my head at her.
“I can tell from his pics, his messages and what you told me about your date that he thinks with one head.”
“Anabel.” I started laughing. “You sure are using the word head alot tonight.”
“Don’t get me started.” She put her teacup down on the coffee table. “I need a stiff drink.”
“Sure, what do you want?”
“What do you have?”
“Uhm, maybe some beers from the last time Nate was here.”
“I guess I can drink a beer.” She jumped up. “You want one?”
“Nah.” I shook my head. “I had enough to drink last night.”
“Okay.” She walked away and then stopped and looked back at me and gave me a warm loving smile. “I just want you to know that I love you, Janie. I want you to be happy. I never want to see you as sad and depressed as you were after what happened with Nate in college. You might not remember it, but he nearly broke you. You were depressed for months. I could barely get you out of bed. I was so worried for you. He made you doubt yourself.”
“He’s not the same person now.” I interrupted her, tears in my eyes at the worry and concern in her voice. I defended him earnestly, not wanting to be reminded of how I’d felt before. How he’d made me feel not good enough. How he’d made me feel ugly. How he’d made me feel like there was something wrong with me. Like I’d been too clingy or weird or something. It had hurt me and yet, somehow when we’d reconnected I’d been able to forget all of those old feelings. “He was young then. He didn’t know he was breaking my heart.”
“Maybe not.” She said. “And maybe he’s changed. But I still think he’s a selfish prick. He knows you’re not a casual sex girl. He never should have tried that on last night. He had to know it would stir things up.”
“Maybe he didn’t realize?” I shrugged.
“Maybe.” She sighed. “He was jealous and he reacted. Let’s see if his jealousy is because he has real feelings or if it’s because he wants what he can’t have.”
“You’re scaring me, Anabel.” I frowned. “I don’t know that I want to play these games.”
“It’s either this or walk away.” She gave me a look. “And we both know you’re not going to walk away.”
“I’m not going to walk away.” I agreed. “So I hookup then?”
“Yes, you hookup.” She grinned wickedly and then came running towards me. “I just had a great idea.”
“Oh?” I blinked at her. “Aren’t I the one that normally has the great ideas? Also, aren’t you getting a beer?”
“I’ll get it in a second.” She collapsed next to me on the couch, her eyes sparkling. “I don’t know what’s come over me, but I know exactly what you need to do in Belize.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“Get your phone now.”
“Oh?”
“You’re going to make a phone call.”
“A phone call.”
“We’re about to get this party started.” She winked at me. “Just you wait, Janie. This is going to be absolutely crazy.”
“What are you going to have me do?” I said, slightly nervously. “I’ve never seen this side of you before, Anabel.”
“Neither have I, but I think it’s been waiting to come out of me all my life.” She laughed and sat back. “Grab your phone now. I need you to make two calls and this is what I need you to say.”
Thank you for reading The Hookup. The sequel to The Hookup is The Takedown and it is . For exclusive teasers and updates, please .
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Prologue
Friday, 1am
Hey, you online?
Yeah. I’m here. What’s up?
Just wanted to see how everything is going? You’re moving soon right?
Yeah, in two days. Ugh. I’m so nervous.
Don’t be nervous, Pippi Longstocking. I’m sure you’re going to do great.
Yeah. How’s everything on your end?
Okay. Just looking for a job. You know how it goes.
I sure do, Mad Max. Is your dad still not talking to you?
Nope.
I’m sorry. :(
No worries. It is what it is. What about your mom? How’s she taking your move?
She just wants to know if I can still help her with rent. That’s all she cares about.
Aww. You’re doing the right thing. You need to live your life for yourself.
Yeah, I guess. I just feel so guilty. You’re up late though. Don’t you have to work at the library tomorrow?
Yeah, but I couldn’t sleep.
Aww, I feel ya. I’m so glad we met Mad Max. Well, kinda met. You know what I mean.
I know what you mean.
I just want you to know that just because I’m moving doesn’t mean I won’t be here for you anytime you need to chat.
I know. Same here. Just because you’re moving doesn’t mean I won’t be here for you.
I’m glad. You’re one of my best friends. That feels weird to say because we’ve never met and I don’t even know where you live. But you are.
You’re one of mine as well. As weird as that sounds.
Do you think we’ll ever meet?
I don’t know. It feels safer this way. We can be completely honest with each other. We can open up about any and everything without any judgment. I think that’s important.
Yeah, you’re right. Night Mad Max.
Night Pippi Longstocking.
Ttyl.
Ttyl.
Chapter One
Pippa
“Knock Knock,” I said before I could stop myself. The man standing in front of me at the coffee shop was busy texting away on his phone and completely ignoring the barista that was ushering him forward. She’d been motioning to him for about two minutes and he still hadn’t noticed her. I wondered what was so important on his phone that he couldn’t tear his eyes away for even a second. “Knock knock.” I said again, louder, tapping him on the shoulder with my fingers.
“Sorry what?” His eyes moved up from his phone and his gaze turned to me with a derisive look. His blue eyes were a light sky blue and he glanced at my fingers in disgust, as if I were some sort of leper.
“I said knock knock.” I mumbled, taken aback by his handsome good looks. He had dark brown hair and some light stubble along his chiseled jawbone. He was about 6”2 and towered over my 5”8 frame. I swallowed hard as I stared at his luscious firm pink lips.
“Knock knock?” He raised an eyebrow as he stared at me, his lips turned up slightly, and not in a smile.
“The barista is calling you.” I snapped, feeling stupid and hot and bothered. Why had I said knock knock? What was I? Ten?
“So you let me know that by saying knock knock?” He asked quizzically, his eyes boring into mine as if I were a dumbass.
“I wanted to get your attention.”
“What were you knocking on?” He asked again. “Asides from my shoulder?” His eyes moved to his right shoulder and so did mine. He was wearing a tailored navy blue suit and the shoulder line was creased perfectly.
“It’s a joke, I obviously wasn’t knocking on anything.” I rolled my eyes, annoyed by this handsome rich stranger. I didn’t need his arrogant attitude right now. Entitled prick.
“But what was the joke?” He sneered. “All you said is knock knock.”
“You know what...” I stared at him for a few seconds. “I’m over this and you.”
“You’re over me?” He asked once again giving me a sneer. “What exactly are you...hey.” He frowned as I pushed past him and walked up to the counter.
“I’ll have a plain bagel with cream cheese and a small black coffee please.” I placed my order and turned my head back to look at the handsome arrogant stranger, who was staring at me with displeasure and narrowed eyes. I gave him a small catty smile before I turned back and handed the shocked barista a $5 note and moved to the side.
“You can’t just push in front of the line, lady.” The man glared at me as he walked up to the counter. I turned my face away from him and ignored him. I wasn’t going to let him ruin my already crappy day. I shouldn’t even be in this coffee shop right now. I barely had any money and no job. I should be drinking tap water and eating ramen noodles until I had an income. I had $500 to my name now that I’d rented a room out. $5 was a lot to be spending when you only had $500 to your name.
“I already did, so what do you want to do about it?” I sassed back at him, not sure where my bravado was coming from. I was shaking inside, but I think my general frustration at life was coming out and giving me courage I never knew I possessed.
“Wow, you don’t look the sort to pick a fight in a coffee shop.” He said and all of a sudden he started laughing. His face completely transformed from that of arrogant prick to just completely handsome and charming. I ignored the stirring of lust in my stomach as I gazed at him. This was no time for me to be gaining a crush on a stranger in a coffee shop.
“I don’t look the sort to have a black belt in karate either, do I?” I moved my arms quickly in imitation of a move I’d seen in a Karate Kid movie and narrowed my eyes at him.
“No, you don’t.” He looked thoroughly amused now. “A black belt comedian, huh?”
“You got it.” I said and then I smiled because this was the most ridiculous conversation I’d ever been in in my life. A warm feeling spread through me. This was part of the reason I’d moved to New York. I wanted a different life. A crazy life. Maybe not this crazy, but it was different to my everyday norm.
“Well nice to meet you...” His voice trailed off and he gave me a questioning look, waiting for me to supply my name. I stared back at him and just stood there silently. Did he think that just because he wanted to be nice now, I was going to be all oohey and ahhey with him? Wrong.
“Wish I could say the same.” I gave him a sweet smile before grabbing my coffee and bagel. “Seeya.” I said as I tossed my long back hair and headed out of the coffee shop without looking back. I was grinning to myself as I walked along sipping my coffee. I looked at the bright lights of the city and a thrill of exhilaration ran through me. I was finally here. I was in New York City. I was going to make my dreams come true. My excitement lasted for all of ten minutes as I trudged along the packed streets, on the way back to my new accommodation. I wasn’t looking forward to going home. My home was not part of the dream I’d envisioned. But I knew I had to just take it one day at a time. Things would get better. I’d only been in the city a week now. Everything would change soon.
***
“You’re going to be fine, Pippa. I promise you everything is going to work out.” My best friend Stephanie tried to convince me in her most enthusiastic voice that I hadn’t just ruined my life.
“How can you promise me that?” I whined as I sat on my twin mattress in the corner of my ratty little room. I could barely even call it a room. I was pretty sure that it had been a closet at some point. “Why oh why did I move to New York City?” I groaned into the phone. “What was I thinking?”
“You were following your dreams.” Stephanie’s peppy voice made me laugh. She was really trying her best to make me feel better about myself. I knew how hard it was for her to fake it for me. She was a naturally even more pessimistic person that I was.
“Ugh, I’m a fool.”
“You’re not a fool. And don’t you have an interview tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I do. I don’t even really know what the job is for though.” I closed my eyes and attempted to stifle my sigh. Steph was silent on the other side of the phone and I knew she was trying to figure out how to cheer me up.
“So how is your new place?” She asked. “That must be cool right? You’ve got your own place in the big Apple. This is your dream girl and you’re living it.”
“I don’t exactly have my own place.” I said slowly, as I looked around the dark moldy room I’d just moved into earlier that morning. “I’m renting a room in an apartment.” If you can call it a room, I wanted to moan and cry. I shifted on the thin mattress that was covered by a thin white sheet on the hardwood floors. I tried not to look at the floor too carefully. It was scuffed and sticky and I didn’t want to know what the sticky substance was. Not right now. I’d figure it out tomorrow, after my interview. I’d tidy up as best as I could and make the best of my little dungeon.
“Do you like it?” Steph’s voice was low. “Is it safe? If it’s not safe you have to let me lend you some money, Pippa.”
“It’s safe.” I said confidently, though I really had no idea if it was or not. I didn’t want to worry Steph and I definitely didn’t want to borrow her hard earned money. She was my best friend and I intended for our friendship to last forever. I didn’t want money to be a factor in our friendship at all and I knew how easily it could come between friends and family.
“Met any cute guys yet?” Steph asked and I groaned again. Steph was addicted to love and that was always foremost on her mind.
“Steph, I’ve been here for 24 hours. I haven’t met anyone.” I laughed as I spoke. “And that’s the last thing on my mind.”
“What? It should be the first thing on your mind. All those hotties.” She sighed. “You’re so lucky.”
“Lucky?” I asked, questioning her choice of words. “Why am I so lucky?”
“Because you’re totally going to meet some rich hottie and get married and become a famous movie star and...” Her voice trailed off. “You know, just have the best life ever.”
“I’m grateful for your positive thoughts, but right now I just need to get a job.” I sighed. “And have some sort of life period. I don’t even need the best life.”
“You deserve the best life.” She said and my heart melted. “I miss, Pippa.”
“I miss you too, Steph.” I could feel tears welling in my eyes. “Promise you will come and visit me soon.”
“I promise.” She said. “Have you spoken to Mad Max since you’ve moved.”
“Nah. No internet service yet.”
“I bet he’s worried about you.”
“Nah, he’s fine.” I said, but smiled. “You don’t think it’s weird that I’m such close friends with some online dude I’ve never met?”
“Nah, it’s kinda romantic in a way.” She sighed wistfully.
“It’s not romantic.” I rolled my eyes at the phone. “We met on an al-anon website. He’s like my little brother.”
“Is he though? Is he really? You guys tell each other everything.”
“Not everything.” I said honestly. “You know that. Anyways, I don’t even know what he looks like.”
“So send him a photo.”
“I don’t want to.” I sighed. “I don’t want to know what he looks like and I don’t want him to know what I look like. What we have is pure now. It’s really sweet and innocent. What if I was attracted to him? That could ruin everything.” I said the words out loud that had been festering in my head for the last two years.
“Or it could be the beginning of something beautiful.” Steph said. “It’s like a movie or something.”
“It’s really not.” I giggled. “Stop being such a romantic. Life is never so sweet.”
“It could be.” Steph said earnestly. “It really could be.”
“I miss you, Steph.” I sighed. “I wish you were here.”
“I miss you too.” She said and then paused. “Actually I can come and visit if you want me too.”
“I’d love you to come and visit, but I don’t really have anywhere for you to stay?”
“What about your room? I always used to come up to UCF and stay in your dorm when you were in college. It would be like a mini-college reunion.”
“Yeaaaah.” I said slowly, not wanting to tell her just how unlike college staying with me would be. In college, I’d lived in a cool sunny off-campus apartment with two pools and a gym. This was a far cry from that and with it being December; it was all gray and snowy in New York City. Snow was romantic if you had a nice log fire and someone to cuddle with. When you were living in a small, drab apartment on the upper upper west side with no heater and pet rats, it was far from cozy.
“Well think about it. I’d love to come and visit.” Steph said, her voice suddenly cheery. “Maybe I’ll move to New York as well.”
“That would be really cool.” I said honestly. “I’d love to have you here, but what about your job?”
“I think that there are secretarial jobs everywhere.” She laughed. “And you know I’d really love to be a chef. That’s my real dream. I feel like I’d have a better shot in New York than I do in Orlando.”
“That is true. That’s why I moved here.” I said, suddenly remembering all our high school phone conversations about our dreams of moving together to NY or LA to pursue my dream of acting and her dream of being a top chef. “Think about it.”
“I will. Good luck tomorrow. Let me know how the interview goes. And if you speak to Mark, tell him I said hi.”
“I will.” I laughed. “I’ll call you as soon as I’m done.” I hung up the phone then and then lay back on my pillow and sighed. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. The beginning to my dream was not going as planned. Not at all. But tomorrow was a new day. I’d kill it in the interview and I’d get the job. Hopefully. And maybe I’d even get to flirt with another hot guy. That would be cool. I smiled to myself as I thought about blue eyes from the coffee shop. I wondered what his story was and I wondered what he’d thought as I’d left the coffee shop. I bet many women didn’t treat him like that. I started laughing as I pictured the shocked look on his face as I’d said, “seeya.” It had made my day. It had really made my day.
Chapter Two
Pippa
Hey, you there?
Hey Max. How’s it going?
I’m okay.
Just okay?
You know how it is. How’s the move?
Okay.
Just okay? :)
You know how it is! :)
So tell me more. I need to be entertained.
You need to be entertained? I need to be entertained. I’m not sure if I made the right decision moving.
What do you mean?
It’s complicated. I don’t really want to talk about it right now.
How’s your mom?
Haven’t spoken to her. I paid up her rent for 6 months before I left, so she’s good for now.
You’re a good daughter.
Am I?
Yes! You’re a good person, Pippi Longstocking. The best.
You’re too sweet, Mad Max. So how’s flying going?
Great. I should get my license soon.
That’s so cool. You’ll be a proper pilot before you know it.
Yeah. It will be really cool.
Maybe one day you can come and fly to see me.
Yeah, maybe.
Sorry. I know we agreed we shouldn’t meet.
Don’t be sorry. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to meet as well.
Is it weird that we don’t even know what we look like?
Does that matter to you?
No. You know me better than that, Max.
Yeah, I know. So tell me more about your awesome new home. I want to know all about it.
Except exactly where I live. Haha.
Real names, locations, photos. None of that are relevant. Right?
It’s just kind of hard to tell you about my life without being able to go into details sometimes.
I’m sorry.
Don’t be sorry. I understand why we’re keeping personal information like that to ourselves. I just wonder about you sometimes, you know?
I know...
Did I make you mad?
You could never make me mad, Pippi Longstocking.
Good. Hey, I have to go now. Interview. Talk later?
Okay, sounds good. Good luck.
Byeeee.
Bye.
I pulled on my only nice navy blue blazer and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I didn’t look like a professional, but I looked smart enough. My black pants were as crease free as I could get them and my white shirt was crisp and clean. My long black hair hung around my shoulders, wavy and sleek and my face looked as pretty as I could make it. I didn’t look like a Hollywood star, but I had a natural beauty. Some days I appreciated my long black hair and brown eyes and some days I thought about dying my hair blonde or red and just completely transforming myself. Maybe then I’d be discovered. Walking down the street or just sitting in a coffee shop or something, like really hot beautiful girls.
“You are beautiful, Pippa.” I looked at my reflection again and repeated the mantra that Steph had taught me to say. She’d read some self-help book and supposedly if you told yourself the things that you wanted other people to see in you, you would start to really believe those things about yourself. “You’re so hot, Pippa that you make ice melt.” I grinned at myself as I winked at my reflection. I grabbed my handbag and headed to the door so that I could leave and head to my job interview. It felt very weird to be headed to a job interview when I had no real idea what the job was, but the ad had said the hours were flexible and there was potential to make 6 figures. That was huge. 6 figures? I’d be rich. I almost didn’t care what I had to do. Well, almost. I hurried out of the apartment and walked down the stairs as quickly as I could in my high heels. I grabbed my phone to call Steph. I needed a pep talk before the interview and she would know how to make me feel better.
“What’s up buttercup?” She answered the phone right away.
“You sound cheerful.” I said. “What are you up to?”
“Right now I’m eating ice-cream and brownies.” She said, her voice muffled. “And they are absolutely delicious.”
“Oh my God, I hate you right now. I want ice cream. I want brownies.” I moaned as I walked into the street and started the trek to the bar. “My feet are killing me. These heels are not comfortable, at all.”
“Aww.”
Chapter Three
Cole
The Players Club
Cole
I saw her sitting in the corner of the reception staring at her phone and nibbling on her lower lip and I almost dropped the files that were in my hand. It was the girl from the coffee shop that had skipped in front of me. I’d recognize her long black hair and silky brown eyes anywhere. I walked back to my office and called the receptionist.
“Becky, who’s that in the office?”
“Oh some girl interviewing for a bar job, Cole.”
“Do you know her name?”
“Uhm, let me check, one minute. It’s Pippa. She’s interviewing with Jeff. She doesn’t have any experience though.”
“None?”
“No.” Becky’s voice dropped. “I think Susan must have scheduled an interview for her by mistake. She’s done that like five times this week already.”
“Hmm, why is that?”
“I don’t really want to say, Cole. You know I’m not a tattle tale.”
“Uh huh.” I frowned. I didn’t like my employees keeping secrets from me. “Will you ask Jeff to come to my office please? I want to talk to him.”
“Yes, Cole. Is there anything else? Do you want me to send Pippa away? She doesn’t exactly look like the sort that would fit in.”
“What does that mean?” I asked dryly.
“She isn’t really sexy or anything.” She said and I could feel myself getting angry.
“Send Jeff in.” I said and then hung up the phone. I was going to have to have a serious talk with Jeff about all of the office staff; they seemed more inept than capable, but today was not the day for me to rock the boat. Today, I needed to find out what was going on with Pippa. What sort of name was Pippa? My heart stopped for a second when I thought if what it was similar to. Pippi. Pippi and Pippa were very similar. But they weren’t the same. Different vowels at the end. I sat there for a few seconds thinking. A wave of sadness passed through me for all about a minute and then I opened up my email account. I clicked on the new mail tab and was about to type in a name when I stopped myself. Not now. I couldn’t message now. Now I had to concentrate on other things.
Knock Knock
“Who’s there?” I shouted out as I heard the banging on my door.
“It’s me, boss.” Jeff walked in looking cocky with his youthful swag and muster. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yeah, have a seat.” I nodded at him. “What positions are we hiring for? And more specifically what position is that girl in the lobby applying for?”
“What girl?” Jeff shrugged. “I’m not sure who’s next on the list.”
“Pippa something?”
“Oh.” Jeff thought for a moment. “I think she’s going for the dancing position.” He scratched his head and then shook it for a few seconds. “Actually maybe not the dancing position. I think maybe she applied the special assistant position.”
“Hmmm.” I gazed at him thoughtfully. The girl I met in the coffee shop was definitely not a good fit for the assistant position. She was way too mouthy and rude. The men in the club would not be happy if she was mouthing off to them and being rude. In fact, they would be personally offended and certainly would complain. There was no way in hell I could let her get that job. Not knowing what I knew. I couldn’t let her risk my business. Though I was curious as to how she would react to some of our customers more unique demands and concerns.
“I want to be a part of the interview.” I said, letting him know that I wasn’t just asking. “You can conduct the first part and I’ll watch via video and then I will come in when I see fit.”
“Oh?” Jeff looked surprised. “I didn’t know you wanted to be involved in the hiring process. Are you not happy with my work?” He looked worried for a few seconds. “Have I done something to upset you, Cole?”
“No, it’s not that.” I shook my head. “Though it appears that we’re having a problem with Susan.”
“Yeah.” His face flushed. “She’s been messing up a lot recently. I’ve got her on probation.”
“We can discuss her later. Right now, let’s focus on Pippa. Go and get me her resume. I want to have a look at it.”
“Yes, boss.” He nodded. “Anything else before I go and get it.”
“No.” I shook my head. “That’s it.” I watched as he walked out of the room and I wondered if he was wondering why I wanted to be part of this interview and not any of the others. I shrugged as I picked up my phone. It was none of his business. I was, after all, the boss. I could do what I wanted.
I was really curious to know what this Pippa was like in person. My interaction with her in the coffee shop had left me smiling. Women didn’t normally treat me like that. I liked a girl with a bit of verve.