4
Lia met Eric Nettles the day before Halloween. She arrived a little late to a reception at the Zurtech House, wearing a black strapless dress falling just above her knees. She was looking around to see if she could spot Claudia when she saw him. He was seated at a small round table by himself, watching her as he puffed on a cigar. When she met his eyes, neither of them looked away. Within seconds he was at her side.
“You’re new.” It was more of a statement than a question, but she nodded. “And you have amazing eyes.” He held out his hand. “I’m Eric Nettles.”
“Hi.” She smiled as she returned his handshake. “You work with Claudia Kelly.” She remembered her name from his file.
“For now.” He didn’t release her hand, his eyes continuing to meet hers. “Are you going to tell me your name?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She smiled. “I’m Lia Merrick.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lia Merrick.” He released her hand, but continued to stand a bit closer than socially appropriate, the male appreciation undeniable as his eyes feasted on her face.
She recognized him from the picture in his file. He was the Chief Operating Officer at Buznet, the largest wireless communications company in the country and, at forty-two, still single. He had dark hair, graying at the temples, brown eyes and a pleasant looking face.
“And what do you do for Zurtech?”
“I’m still learning.”
“Is this your first reception?”
“No. I believe…” She paused, squinting as she thought back. “This is my fourth.”
“I suppose that means I’ve missed at least four, because I would definitely not forget you.” He glanced towards the bar across the room. “What can I get you to drink?”
“A Coke.”
“A Coke?” He pulled head back. “You need something stronger than a coke.”
“I do?”
“You do.”
“I don’t think so.” She smiled to take any bite off her words. “I’d really just like a Coke.”
It was past 4:00 a.m. when Lia arrived at her mother’s house, and as she tried to quietly close the front door, her mother’s voice startled her from behind. “Where have you been?”
Lia spun around, a hand moving to her chest. “You scared me.”
“Where’ve you been? It’s four a.m.” Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stood in a white robe.
“I went out to breakfast.”
“Until four? I was worried sick. I’ve sent you numerous texts.”
“I’m sorry.” Lia slipped off her jacket and turned to the closet. “We lost track of time.”
“We?”
“I met someone,” Lia said after hanging her jacket. “And we started talking and the next thing I knew it was three forty-five.”
“A man?”
“Yes, a man. He was so nice and easy to talk to. I feel like I’ve known him a lot longer than one day. Can you watch Taylor for me Saturday night?”
“Saturday?”
“Yes. He has tickets to some play opening at the Kennedy Center.”
“Yes. Of course I can watch her.”
Lia’s desk phone was ringing when she arrived at the office at 10:15 the following morning. She quickened her steps, hoping to answer before it switched over to voicemail. “Hello?” She set her purse on her desk.
“Did I tell you how incredible your eyes are?”
“About a dozen times.” She smiled as she sat down. “I just got in.”
“I figured. This is the third time I’ve called. You neglected to give me your cell number. Do you have lunch plans?”
“Today?” Her mind was spinning. She’d barely slept.
“Yes, today. It’s seventy degrees. I know the perfect spot for a picnic.”
Her eyes swung to Stan Hall’s office. “I don’t know what my boss—”
“Stan won’t mind. I’m an important client. Do you want me to call him and tell him we have a meeting?”
“No! Let me think for a second.”
“I don’t have a second. I’ll be at your office at noon.”
Eric Nettles looked even better in the light of the day, and as Lia watched him in Stan Hall’s office, laughing at something her boss said, she suddenly couldn’t wait to be alone with him. And he was right. When Stan led him to her cubicle several minutes later, he didn’t seem to mind that she was going off to lunch with Eric. “Don’t worry about coming back today, Lia,” he said. “Enjoy the nice weather.”
“No, that’s okay. I can get a few more hours of work in after lunch.”
“Don’t bother.” He turned to Eric, clearly indicating his decision was final. “Nice to see you.” The two men shook hands and then Stan walked off.
“You look incredible,” Eric said as soon as they were alone.
“I don’t know if this is picnic attire.” She glanced down at her dress.
“It’ll be fine for my picnic.” He trailed his fingers down her arm. “You’re perfect.”
“Eric?” Claudia appeared beside them. “I thought that was you.”
“Hello, Claudia.” He turned from Lia. “How are you?”
“Fine.” Her eyes moved from him to Lia, then back. “What are you doing here?”
“Taking Lia to lunch. How come you didn’t mention you had a new coworker?”
“I didn’t realize that was part of my job description. May I talk to you alone for a minute?”
“Sure.” He touched Lia’s arm. “I’ll be right back.”
Lia watched them walk off, surprised at Claudia’s displeasure. She was still pondering her reaction when Eric returned a few minutes later.
“Ready?” He was smiling as he approached.
“Is everything okay?” She picked up her purse.
“Yes.” He put a hand to the small of her back as they began walking. “Everything’s fine.”
The “perfect spot” Eric chose for their picnic was the backyard of his very posh home in Great Falls, Virginia, located on a prime piece of real estate along the Potomac River.
He’d evidently called ahead because after parking his Porsche in front of his six-car garage, he led her off to the right of the house and down a cobblestone path that wound them through a cluster of trees and then on to a stretch of perfectly manicured lawn about half the size of a football field with spectacular views of the river. To their right, laid out on the grass, was a red-and-white checkered blanket weighted down on each corner with a small gray stone, and in the center was a larger wicker picnic basket.
“This is beautiful,” Lia said softly as she set her purse on the blanket and looked off towards the river.
“I like it,” Eric said from behind her as he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Isn’t this better than work?”
She nodded, liking the feel of his hands. It had been so long since she’d felt the touch of a man. “I love the sound of the river. It’s so soothing.”
“It is. If I open my bedroom windows, I can hear it while I’m going to sleep.” He turned her until she was facing his house, lifting one of his hands from her shoulder and pointing towards a balcony on the second floor, his chest pressing into her back. “That’s my bedroom.”
The house was almost as spectacular as the view with a modern design, comprised of numerous levels with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. “Wow,” she said. It was the first thing that came to her mind. “It’s incredible.”
“You like it?”
“Of course.” She continued to admire his house. “It’s beautiful. How long have you been here?”
“I had it built a little over two years ago.” He stepped back from her, and Lia instantly missed his warmth. “How about some wine?”
She turned back to the blanket and watched him kick off his loafers, then lower himself down. “Are you planning to join me?” His eyes were alight with amusement.
She smiled. “Yes.” She followed his lead and began to remove her shoes. “You live in this huge place by yourself?”
“Not exactly.” He reached into the picnic basket and retrieved a bottle of white wine. “I have a housekeeper and, as I’m sure you’ll agree after tasting this lunch, an excellent cook.” He removed the cork and poured two glasses of the clear liquid.
“It’s still awfully big even for three people.” She sat down on the blanket beside him.
“I didn’t build it with the intention of remaining alone.” He held out a wine glass, his eyes meeting hers.
“Oh.” She felt her face heat up and prayed silently she wasn’t noticeably blushing as she brought the glass to her lips.
Like the night before, the afternoon seemed to disappear as they talked and ate a delectable assortment of foods, including roasted chicken salad, cheese and crackers, fruit, an assortment of pâtés and pastries.
“What time is it?” Lia asked hours later. They were lying on the blanket together and she was curled into his side, her head resting on his chest.
“It’s four.”
She closed her eyes, wishing he said 3:00 p.m. “I’ve got to go.”
“No. Don’t go.” He tightened his hold on her. “This is too perfect.”
“I know, but I have to take my daughter trick-or-treating.” She sat up and pushed her hair back from her face as she stared off towards the river. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a relaxing afternoon. “This was so nice. Thank you for inviting me.”
He rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Can you come back later?”
“No,” she said, part of her wishing she could. “I can go to the Kennedy Center with you Saturday night, though. If you still want me to.”
“I still want you to. Come here.”
She took his hand and let him pull her down beside him, and then he was kissing her and she was kissing him back, and for a moment she forgot she needed to get home. But Taylor was waiting and that somehow managed to penetrate through the haze. “I have to go,” she said breathlessly, pulling away and managing to sit up.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come back later and listen to the river with me?” He sat up beside her and ran the back of his fingers down her arm. “I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but I can’t tonight.” She met his lips for a brief kiss, and then as she met his eyes, knew he was going to be the second man to ever make love to her.
“Good morning,” Lia said as she walked into her mother’s kitchen Sunday morning. She’d attended a play at the Kennedy Center with Eric the previous night and then spent the night at her mother’s.
“Good morning.” Elaine lifted her eyes from the Sunday paper. “What time did you get in?”
“Late.” She poured herself a cup of coffee before joining her mother at the table.
“Did you have a nice time?”
“Incredible.” Lia recounted every detail of their date, from their dinner at a Georgetown restaurant to the play, and then to late-night drinks at a jazz club in Adams Morgan. “He’s amazing, Mom. I’ve never met anyone like him. He treats me like I’m the most special woman in the world.”
“You are special,” Elaine said.
“You’re my mother,” Lia said before taking a sip of coffee. “You’re supposed to think that. He treats me a million times better than Ned ever did.”
“That wouldn’t be difficult,” her mother pointed out dryly.
“That’s true.” Lia took another swallow of coffee. “I just really like him.”
“I know, but you have to be careful.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Lia frowned. “You don’t even know him.”
“That’s true, but you’re very vulnerable right now. You’ve been through a lot and I just—I want you to be careful.”
“Careful about what?”
“Honey,” Elaine began, reaching out and covering her hand. “Don’t get defensive. I’m happy that you’re excited about him. I just know how lonely you’ve been these past couple of years. I don’t want you to jump into the first relationship that comes your way.”
“Why don’t you like him?”
“I don’t like him or dislike him,” Elaine said. “I don’t know him.”
“Exactly, so why are you being so negative?”
“I’m not. I just want you to take this slow.”
“There’s something you’re not saying. You’ve been negative about him since day one.” Lia leaned back in her chair. “Why can’t you just be honest with me?”
Elaine slowly lifted her gaze to Lia’s. “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes.” Lia nodded. “I really want to know.’
“I think a man who makes it to forty-two without getting married isn’t interested in getting married.”
“And you think I am? My divorce was just finalized. And anyway, you’re wrong about him. We discussed this last night. He said he was putting in so many hours trying to get his company off the ground he neglected his relationships, and then the next thing he knew he was forty years old.”
“You said he’s forty-two, Lia.”
“I know how old he is, Mother. And I think I’m smart enough to realize when someone is lying to me.”
“Okay.” She returned her eyes to her paper. “You asked what I was thinking and I told you.”
“So if he was divorced he’d be perfect?”
Elaine sighed as she lifted her eyes. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Elaine wasn’t the only one concerned about Eric’s intentions. When Lia arrived at the office Monday morning, Claudia was waiting for her in the cubicle she shared with Carmen. “What’s going on with you and Eric?”
“Why?” Lia set down her purse.
“I don’t think he’s right for you.”
“How could you possibly know that? You barely know me.”
“I know Eric,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, clearly not wanting their conversation overheard. “He’s a player, Lia.”
“A player?” She was completely lost.
“Yes. He likes to sleep around.” She lowered herself into Carmen’s chair and waited for Lia to sit down before continuing. “He likes the chase.”
“The chase?”
“Once he gets you into bed he’ll lose interest.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
“Me?” She seemed taken aback by the question. “No. No, I didn’t sleep with him.”
Lia knew she was lying. She’d probably dated him and still had feelings for him. “But you know other women who have?”
“He’s a predator, Lia,” Claudia said, meeting her eyes. “Trust me on this.”
When Lia met Kay for lunch, she was still stewing over her earlier conversation with Claudia. “Do you know Eric Nettles?” she asked as soon as they sat down.
“Eric Nettles,” Kay repeated, looking up as she thought. “Isn’t he a bigwig with Buznet?”
“He’s their COO. I met him the other night at a reception and he seems really nice.”
Kay smiled as she leaned forward. “Did he ask you out?”
Lia couldn’t help smiling as she retold the events of the past several days. “He seems so nice.”
“He sounds great.”
“And then this morning, the weirdest thing happened.” Lia recounted her conversation with Claudia.
“Yeah.” Kay scrunched up her face. “I wouldn’t take anything she says too seriously.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“Definitely not.” She shook her head. “This is the problem with the B2Bs. You’re in constant competition.”
“So you think Claudia likes him?”
“As a client,” Kay said. “I’m assuming he was one of her clients?”
“He is her client, but —”
“Not anymore,” Kay said. “He’s your client now.”
“What?” Lia pulled her eyebrows together. “Why?”
“That’s how it works. The elite clients have one B2B they communicate with—not two. If he has an issue with Zurtech, he’ll complain to you.”
“I wasn’t trying to steal him from Claudia. I just liked him.”
“It’s the way it works. There’s nothing to feel guilty about—it sounds like he went after you, anyway.”
“No wonder the B2Bs are so rude to me,” Lia said. “They’re probably afraid I’m going to steal their clients.”
“Probably,” Kay agreed, “but if you don’t, you’ll be fired, so…” She shrugged. “It’s not like you have much choice.”
“How did I not get this?” Lia felt stupid. “Bonuses are based on client satisfaction, so I clearly need clients.”
“I never mentioned this before because I like Claudia,” Kay began, her voice low, “but she gets around. She sleeps with a lot of men.”
“So you think she slept with Eric?”
“I don’t know. I know she tried to sleep with my husband.”
“You’re kidding.”
Kay held up her hands. “Before I ever met him. He was at a reception and he said she was all over him and even asked him if he wanted to go up to one of the bedrooms on the second floor.”
“Bedrooms? There are bedrooms on the second floor?”
“You didn’t know that?”
“No. Why are there bedrooms?”
“For the out-of-town VIPs,” Kay said. “It’s just a perk Stan offers.”
“It seems strange.”
Kay shrugged. “I don’t think so. It’s also convenient if someone has too much to drink. I know the B2Bs occasionally spend the night.”
“Hi.” Kathleen placed a tray on the table beside Lia. “You aren’t going to believe this.” She was looking at Kay as she sat down. “Stan just fired me.”
“Fired you or transferred you?” Kay asked. “You were transferred, right?”
“What’s the difference?” She picked up a carton of yogurt from her tray. “It’s not like I have a choice in it.”
“True, but fired means you’re out of the entire complex.”
“I’ve worked my ass off! This is unbelievable.” She tossed the yogurt back on the tray. “I don’t even know why I bothered.”
“What did he say?” Lia asked.
“Nothing. Just the standard, ‘It’s not working out.’ Can the two of you keep a secret?” Kathleen asked. “Because if what I’m about to tell you leaks out, Steven could get fired.”
“Steven?” Lia frowned in confusion.
“He’s Kathleen’s boyfriend,” Kay said.
“And he works in payroll,” Kathleen added, glancing around. “So can you two promise not to repeat what I’m about to say?”
Lia considered leaving, not sure she wanted to partake in office gossip, but she was too curious. “I promise.”
“I asked Steven to look at Carmen’s pay,” she whispered. “Her bonus pay last month was five thousand dollars.”
“No!” Kay breathed, clearly surprised. “He has to be wrong.”
“Afraid not,” Kathleen said, continuing to whisper. “I saw it with my own eyes. She’s made over a hundred forty thousand dollars so far this year.”
“Wow.” Kay set down her fork and leaned back in her chair. “That means she makes twice what I make.”
“Now do you believe Stan’s sleeping with her?” Kathleen asked.