- Chapter 3
“Nice of you to show up for work,” Ricardo said with his usual chipper smile.
Liz felt the weird tension between the two of them and she knew things would have to be talked about before they could continue on with their work.
“Can we talk?”
“We didn’t have sex. I know that’s got to be what you’re going to ask.”
Instantly Liz felt the weight of the world come off of her shoulders. A huge sense of relief went through her. The worry that she might have slept with Ricardo had kept Liz from sleeping with Harrison in his hotel room. Liz couldn’t think of anything else until she knew the truth about that night.
“Oh my god. Yes, that’s exactly what I was worried about.”
“Let me just say this. If we had slept together…You’d remember it.” Ricardo said with a wink and a smile.
Liz couldn’t help but laugh. Ricardo was a really nice guy and in any other circumstance she would have totally dated him. But right now she was really happy with Harrison and was excited to have him in her life. She also hoped he wasn’t having an affair with his secretary. Because that thought still loomed since she saw that weird text message.
“Well, should we get back to work on this project. Maybe even kick a little butt?” Liz said as she got situated in her desk.
“Work? I’ve been working. Who’s the one here who has been out sick for the last two days? Hmmm.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I can’t hold my liquor.”
“So how did things go with your man? Was he pissed at you?” Ricardo said as he sipped on his coffee.
Ricardo didn’t know Harrison well at all, but he didn’t imagine any man would be very pleased with finding out his girlfriend had passed out in another man’s bed.
“When I got to his hotel and his secretary answered his hotel room door in her pajamas.”
Liz said as she started to organize her work for the day.
“Was he banging her?”
“I don’t think so. I had told him I would be there the night before. He says they were getting numbers to call the police and she was helping him.”
“Seems kind of shady to me.”
Liz thought so too, but she decided not to continue on with the conversation. Liz really wanted to just forget about everything and get back to work. They still had so much to do and so little time to do it in.
“Let’s go over that new mock up. I’d like to see about changing some of the colors.” Liz said as she tried to change the subject.
With that comment, the two went right back into work mode. They spent the rest of the day working solid until it was dark out. Liz was fascinated by how hard Ricardo worked; she had never worked with someone who liked long hours like she did. It was actually really nice to have someone just as dedicated to getting a job done well.
Liz got a call from Bella and finally paused from her work.
“How’s it going girl? Do you miss me yet?” Bella said with her high pitch chipper voice.
“It’s been busy. But I’m good. How are you? How is your summer?” Liz did miss Bella and she felt that empty spot in her heart instantly.
The two of them had been inseparable only a year earlier. But now with Liz working full-time and Bella still in school, they just didn’t get much time to hang out with each other anymore.
“Boring! I was thinking of flying out to hang with you if my Dad is cool with paying.”
“He just left, you should have just come with him.”
“Really? That totally sucks. He never keeps me in the loop on things. I guess I should call him more.”
Bella was still in college and lived on campus. Her father, Harrison, did his best to keep track of her, but Bella had a social schedule longer than even the most famous of celebrities. Liz and Harrison often joked that Bella could have her own reality show. It wasn’t just that she hung out with a lot of people; Bella was often in strange and unique situations that they both thought would make for interesting television.
“He doesn’t keep me in the loop all the time either,” Liz said quietly.
“What do you mean? What’s going on between you two?” Bella sounded concerned.
Although she had initially been against Liz and her father having a relationship, the pair were actually really good for each other. Bella had gotten over the awkwardness of their age difference and accepted that Liz and Bella’s Dad were a good couple. But the way Liz was second guessing the relationship worried Bella.
“We are fine. I just read a weird text message between him and his super hot assistance.”
“Yeah, she’s crazy pretty. Yikes. But I don’t think anything is going on. He’s crazy about you.”
“I don’t think anything is either. But there is just that weird feeling that he’s hiding something. It’s just got me worried.” Liz said as she packed up her things for the night and headed back to the hotel.
By the end of the conversation, Liz felt better about her and Harrison and she had agreed that Bella should come out for a visit. Liz knew Bella was great at keeping herself occupied and Liz would be able to work as much as she needed to. Plus it would just be nice to have Bella around to chat with and spend time with again. They hadn’t really hung out for months.
As Liz got back to her hotel room, she laid down and fell asleep almost instantly. She knew the second Bella arrived it would be very difficult to get any good sleep. Bella had a very difficult time going to bed anytime before sunrise. Liz thought about how much fun her and Bella would have when she arrived.
Liz just hoped she would still be able to get her work done. She also decided she should stay away from drinking for a bit since the incident with Ricardo.