Chapter 4

Anna

“Darlin’, this doesn’t even look like you,” the bouncer said as he looked at my fake identification.

The funny thing was that the picture on the ID was me, just all the information included was false. It didn’t help that I looked young, and that meant we might not be getting into this club.

“Well, it’s me,” I said nonchalantly as I tried to play it cool.

“Sorry, I can’t let you in. Everyone else is free to go in,” the large man said firmly.

“Seriously? That’s me on there, how could it not be?”

“You don’t look like a ‘Pam,’” he said with a chuckle. “Come on now. I’ll let you have the ID back, but you can’t come in.”

Reluctantly, I took the ID and turned to walk away. My friends Rebecca and Amy followed, but Summer and Patrick had already gone into the club. Knowing Summer, she wasn’t about to leave a club just because I couldn’t get in. We sent them a text message about where we were heading next and hoped they would decide to come find us.

“Sorry, Anna. It sucks that you’re not old enough yet,” Rebecca said.

“It’s okay, I’ll be twenty soon enough. How about we just go to Club Lively? I know it’s got a little bit of the older crowd now, but at least they don’t bug me about my ID there.”

“Yep, let’s do it,” Amy said as she threw her hands up in the air.

Amy had been pre-gaming with a flask of her own vodka, and she was ready to party. She was able to drink more than any of us and hated how much it cost to buy drinks in the club. I wasn’t much of a drinker but certainly didn’t pay for my drinks very often.

“I can’t wait to just get out on the dance floor and let some steam off,” I said as we loaded into an Uber.

“What steam do you need to let off?” Amy laughed. “Your daddy pays for everything, and you don’t have a job.”

“My mother wanted to talk to me about anal sex,” I said flatly. “Can you even imagine? It was so embarrassing.”

“What the hell? Why?” Rebecca asked.

“Because she was trying to prove how she was open and willing to talk to me about anything. I seriously couldn’t even look at her for the rest of the day. It was crazy.”

“Maybe she just wants to make sure you are having fun with all your boy toys,” Amy said as she took another sip from her flask.

“What boy toys? I don’t have a boyfriend or even a reasonable prospect at this point. I’m so single I feel like one of those old spinsters.”

“Yeah, and in that dress, you look like one,” Amy joked as she pulled on my body—clinging dress and let it slap back against me. “My grandma has one just like this.”

We all laughed at the insanity of what she was saying. My dress looked damn good. I had on this black body-hugging dress that showed off every one of my curves. It was fun to get dressed up and go out with my girlfriends and Patrick, and just party and dance. But I wasn’t delusional—partying wasn’t exactly the best place to meet guys, and that was about all I’d been doing lately while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with myself.

As we pulled up to Club Lively, I saw the bouncer who was normally there and knew we’d be able to get in just fine. I’m not sure if he knew how old I really was, or if he even cared, he just liked to flirt with us and let us into the club when we flirted back. It was a small price to pay to make it into the club.

“What is it with bouncers? Why are they all twice our size?” Amy laughed as we walked up to Jerry.

“Hey, Jerry. How are you?” I asked as I gave him a quick hug. “Is it busy tonight?”

“It’s picked up since earlier, but not sure it’s the crowd for you girls.”

“Whatever, I’m all about finding a sugar daddy,” Amy joked as she started to strut into the club.

“Thanks, Jerry,” I said as he let the three of us in without checking our ID’s.

“I’ll come say hi later, have fun.”

As I made my way into the club with Amy and Rebecca, I felt my phone vibrating in my purse. Normally, I wouldn’t have bothered to check it, but since Summer and Patrick were still at the other club, I wanted to answer and make sure they got over to us. But it wasn’t my friends, and instead, it was my father calling, so I backed out of the club and stood around the corner as I answered his call.

“Hey, Dad, what’s up?”

“I know you said you were going to the movies with your friends, but I just wanted to tell you Mr. Hartley agreed to hire you as his temporary assistant. It’s just for a few months, but it will give you some great experience for your college applications.”

“Really? He agreed?”

“Yes, it’s sort of a favor to me so please do your absolute best.”

“Wow, I really can’t believe he agreed,” I said as I tried to find the words.

It was terrifying and exciting all at the same time. Jason was so much of what I wanted in a man that I could hardly imagine being around him every single day. The sexual tension between us would likely kill the two of us if we didn’t give into it sooner or later. But my heart raced out of control because I’d been so forward with him only because I didn’t think I’d actually get to work with him, so I’d teased him because he’d always said no. I wasn’t prepared for the news my father gave me, and I certainly hadn’t expected Jason to agree to have me as his assistant.

“He was very reluctant, but he’s doing it as a favor for me.”

“Oh, he was reluctant?” I asked disappointedly.

“Yes, I don’t think he was excited about the idea at all. But that doesn’t matter now. He has agreed, and I need you to keep an eye on things. This business deal has gotten a little more complicated, and I’ll need you to keep your eyes and ears open.”

“Dad, I don’t know what I’m keeping them open for,” I said as my nerves started to take over.

“Just anything unusual. I don’t want them tricking us or trying to steal from us,” my father said bluntly.

“Would he do that? I thought they were helping you guys out? I really don’t know much about this stuff at all, Dad. Maybe I shouldn’t take the job,” I said as my nerves started to get the better of me.

“Anna Marie Cook, I just put my reputation on the line to get you the damn job. You’re not backing out now. Did you really even want this or was this just some line you gave me? You said you wanted to go to college, was that a lie too?”

“No Daddy, it wasn’t a lie,” I totally lied to him. “I’m excited about the job opportunity, I’m just scared too.”

That wasn’t a lie. In fact, I was terrified of what I’d managed to get myself into. My flirting and dirty talk was fun because I knew Jason was always pushing me away. The fun of it was that I knew he wasn’t going to agree. I could push the envelope more and more, and he always said no. Even though he clearly wanted me, or at least I thought he did, he always turned me down. It was part of our thing, but now that a door was figuratively opening up, I was pretty scared about what would come next.

“Well, you haven’t worked before, so it’s normal to be a little scared. I think you’ll do great, though. It’s a good opportunity for you.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled.

“It’s only for a few months, and it will give you a great opportunity to see if you really want to pursue your MBA. Plus, I could really use your help with keeping an eye on things while we go through with this merger. Okay, honey?”

I wanted to say no. I wanted to back out and just forget all of this had even happened. I’d obviously pushed things too far, much farther than I’d thought they were going to go. Sometimes I did go a little too far like when I’d insisted I wanted to be a professional ballerina and forced my parents to sign me up for a summer dance program. After only one dance class, I was thrust into an eight—week intensive program that was horrible. It was by far the worst summer of my life. Yet I’d begged my parents to get into the program so they refused to let me quit, and I was stuck there for the summer.

I knew there was no way out for me now. My father had gone out of his way to get me the job, and even Jason had gone out of his way to say yes. I was stuck with it and going to have to make the best out of things. But I did have one last option, one last idea that might save me from taking this job.

“I understand, Dad. I think it will be fine. I’m sure I’ll love it. But since Mr. Hartley lives next door, it might not be appropriate for me to work with him. I hadn’t thought about that before. You know… I’d see him all day, and he’s right next to us at night. He’d probably get sick of me, and we wouldn’t get along.”

“I thought about that too. I think we should go ahead with your plan to move in with your friend Patrick like you had asked about last winter.”

Shit.

“You said he was too wild for me to live with, and you didn’t want me living with a man at my age.”

“Yeah, but now that I know he’s gay, I’m okay with it. Plus, it will give you a chance to be independent, and I know how much you’ve wanted that.”

“Really? You’re okay with me moving in with Patrick?”

“Yep, I’ll even cover rent for you two for a few months. I’m sure that will help him out too. This is going to be great Anna, you’re going to have a job and your own place,” my father said with a level of excitement I did not share at all. “Okay, we can talk more later. Enjoy your movie.”

I stood there totally stunned as the conversation soaked in. In one phone call, I’d been pushed out of my house and forced to take a job. This wasn’t at all what my life was like. Normally, I got to decide when and where things happened. I got to spend the week alone at the house while my parents went on business trips. I did what I wanted, and they paid for it. Now all of a sudden, I was going to have a boss and an apartment and have to be responsible for myself. This was a lot to take in all at once.

“Anna, are you okay?” Patrick said as he and Summer pulled up to the club. “You look like you’re sick?”

“I just got a job, and my father said I can move in with you.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry,” Summer said as she gave me a hug.

Summer was my only other friend that could truly understand what I was feeling. Sure, I wanted to be an adult and didn’t want to live at home forever. But it was happening so fast. It was way too fast for me, and I wasn’t ready.

“I thought you wanted to move out?” Patrick asked.

“I did, in the winter, but I changed my mind. It’s nice being at home and having dinner made and the whole house to myself when they are gone. And there’s a housekeeper. I don’t know, it just feels like it’s all happening too fast.”

“What’s the job?” Summer asked.

“I’m going to be working for Jason Hartley, my super-hot neighbor and the guy who is buying into my father’s company.”

“Oh, you are? Girl, this is perfect,” Patrick said as he jumped up and down with excitement. “This is what you wanted. Right?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know. I think I’m in over my head.”

“Not at all. I’ll help you.”

“Me too,” Summer added. “This is going to be one hell of a fun time for you.”

“So, you think I can do it? I mean, working and all? I’ve never even had a job,” I said as we made our way into the club to find Amy and Rebecca.

“Yeah, I mean I wouldn’t want to have to work, but you can do it,” Summer said. “What exactly will you be doing? Like filing papers and answering phones or something? You can do that.”

“I’m going to be his personal assistant.”

“Ooooh girl, this is getting good. You’ll have so much access to the man that he won’t be able to refuse you.”

“I know, but I’m not sure I can keep that kind of confidence up around him. It was an act. I was playing. He actually terrifies me and makes me really nervous.”

“Do you want to be a virgin forever?” Patrick practically screamed as we stood in the club.

The people in our vicinity looked at me, and one guy even winked.

“Patrick, you don’t need to tell the world.”

“Why not? It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Actually, you should be proud of it. You’re not easy like so many other girls,” he said as he dramatically looked at our other friends. “At least you’re waiting for a guy you actually care about.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But, nothing!” Patrick exclaimed. “This is you growing up. We are going to get you a kick ass wardrobe, and you are going to be the best damn assistant this guy has ever had.”

“I doubt that since I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“You got a job?” Amy asked as she stumbled up behind me.

“Yep, she’s going to be the personal assistant for that super-hot neighbor of hers,” Patrick said. “And she’s moving in with me.”

“Oh, my father said he would pay the rent for our place for a few months to make things a little easier on us,” I said as we all gathered around.

The club was packed, but the crowd was a mix of older businessmen and late twenty—something women who were after them. It wasn’t the hip place it used to be, and hardly anyone was out dancing on the dance floor.

“Drinks are on me then,” Patrick exclaimed. “That’s awesome.”

Patrick got us a round of drinks, and we all made our way onto the dance floor to celebrate. We had our little corner of the floor all to ourselves, and it actually ended up being a pretty fun night. We laughed, danced, and talked until the late hours of the morning and didn’t have to worry about a crowded dance floor.

“Maybe we should come here more often.” I laughed as we waited for our Uber. “At least we got to hear ourselves when we talked.”

“And the guys pretty much left us alone, so that was fun,” Summer said.

“I thought you guys wanted men to hit on you?” Patrick asked a little confused.

“No, we like to hang out with each other. It’s not always about the guys,” Amy said as she let her head rest on my shoulder.

“Yeah, sometimes it’s just about friends,” I said.

“I’m going to pick you up tomorrow, and we can go shopping for business clothes,” Summer suggested. “You need to be sexy but professional. It’s a hard balance.”

“Okay, thanks, because I have no idea what to buy.”

“Neither does Summer,” Rebecca laughed. “I’m coming with you two. There’s no way I’m letting Summer pick your work clothes.”

“Deal,” I said as we pulled away from the club. “I’ll need all the help I can get.”