Eloise

Drinks with Ron was interesting and dinner with Mark was very informative. Both seemed like nice guys. I didn’t want to overload them with questions right off the bat, so I discreetly snuck them in when the opportunity was right. By time I made it home, it was eleven thirty and I was exhausted.

Kicking off my heels the minute I stepped inside my apartment, I went straight to my bedroom and changed into my nightshirt. The whole time I was with those guys, Christian wormed his way into my mind. In fact, he was on my mind more than he should have been. It wasn’t just the sex I kept thinking about, it was the conversation we had after the wedding and the way he apologized to me. Does a man even do that? He did and he was sincere. I sensed it and I could tell by his body language and his tone. Maybe giving him a chance wouldn’t be so bad? No. No way. I wasn’t ready to go down that road again.

I grabbed my laptop and climbed into bed. After getting myself situated, I decided to check my email for my blog. My eyes just about popped out of my head when I saw that I had over a hundred messages from the past couple of days from women asking relationship questions and seeking answers. As I was reading a few of them over, my phone dinged with a text message from Mobile Man.

“I know it’s late and I’m sorry. How did your dates go?”

“It’s okay. I’m still up. They were very informative. How was the strip club?”

“Like any other strip club. I want to meet you, Digits.”

“You’re drunk, Mobile Man.”

“Maybe a little. Okay, maybe a lot. I think I’m drunk texting you.”

“Go to sleep and we’ll chat tomorrow.”

I waited for a reply that never came. He must have passed out. Rolling my eyes, I continued to read a couple more emails before drifting off to sleep.

****

The next morning as I was sitting on the couch editing some wedding photos, my phone dinged with a text message from Claire.

“Lunch today?”

“Sure. What time?”

“Noon. Come to the advertising agency and pick me up.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Because I really don’t want to run into Christian.”

“He won’t be here. He has a client meeting across town at eleven thirty.”

“Okay. Send me the address and I’ll see you at noon.”

As I was sitting in the back of the cab on my way to pick up Claire, I decided to send Mobile Man a text message.

“How’s the hangover?”

“How do you know I’m hungover?”

“You celebrated a birthday at a strip club. You’re hungover.”

“You’re right and I’m sorry I didn’t respond last night. I passed out.”

“I figured. Did you bring home any strippers with you?”

“Nah. None of them were interested.” He sent the winky face.

“Why? Were you using your douchebaggery moves on them?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t remember, lol.”

As soon as the cab pulled up to the curb of 276 5th Avenue, I paid the fare, climbed out, and stepped into the forty-one-story building. Taking the elevator up to the thirtieth floor, I stepped out and was greeted by a young blonde woman with bright red lips.

“Good afternoon, welcome to Blake Group. How may I help you?” She proudly smiled.

“Hi. I’m here to see Claire—”

Before I could get her last name out, I heard her voice coming from the opposite way.

“Good, you’re here. Just give me a second while I grab my purse.” She smiled.

She walked past me and I glanced down at my phone, replying to Christian’s text message.

“You probably didn’t offer them enough money.” I sent the smiley face.

“I hope not. I’m usually a very generous guy.”

I let out a light laugh.

“So you pay top dollar for sex?”

“Sweetheart, I don’t have to pay for sex. Woman give it up to me for free.”

I smiled, and as I looked up to see if Claire was coming, I saw Christian heading toward me with his phone in his hand.

“Eloise. What a nice surprise.” He smiled.

My stomach started to flip in a million different ways, causing an overwhelming nervousness to erupt.

“Hi, Christian.”

“How are you?” he asked as his eyes stared into mine.

“I’m good. And you?”

“Good. Are you here for Claire?”

“Umm. Yeah. We’re going to lunch.”

“Have a nice lunch.” He smiled. “I have a meeting across town I have to get to. It was good seeing you again, Eloise.”

“You too, Christian.” I politely smiled.

“You ready?” Claire asked as she walked up.

“You told me he wouldn’t be here!” I spoke through gritted teeth as I hooked my arm around hers.

“His meeting just got pushed back right before you got here. I didn’t have time to warn you. By the way, what the hell is going on?”

“What do you mean?”

We stepped out of the building and walked down to Ai Fiori because Claire was in the mood for Italian.

“Why are you behaving like that towards Christian? I really don’t understand it at all. I mean, I know he asked for your number and he’s interested in you, but you don’t have to avoid him like the plague. I already told him that you’ve been hurt a lot and you’re stepping away from the dating scene for a while.”

“What?! When did you tell him that?”

“The Monday after his party. He called me into his office and wanted to know about your previous relationship. Oops. Maybe I shouldn’t have told you that.” She bit down on her bottom lip.

“And you told him that I have had nothing but one failed relationship after another?” I narrowed my eye at her.

“I didn’t say that. I just said you haven’t been lucky in the relationship department.”

“Ugh. Claire!”

“What?”

I swallowed hard because I was about to tell her that I slept with her boss. I wasn’t sure how she was going to take it, but she had to know.

“We fucked in his bathroom.”

She let out a roaring laugh.

“I’m sorry, I swear you just said you and Christian fucked in his bathroom.”

I lowered my head and didn’t say a word.

“What the fuck, Eloise! Is that why you ran out of there so fast?”

I slowly nodded my head.

“How the hell did that happen and where was I? Oh my God, you slept with my boss!”

“It just did. He showed me where the bathroom was upstairs and then he was waiting for me when I was done. It just happened and believe me, I’m still in shock at myself for letting it. But, I ran into him the next day at the wedding I was photographing and he apologized to me.”

“Apologized? For what? Having sex with you?”

“Yes.”

“What man does that?” Her brows furrowed. “Listen, Eloise, you know I love you to pieces and I totally respect what you’re doing for your blog, but maybe you should give Christian a chance. There’s obviously a strong connection between the two of you.”

“And look at where connections have gotten me before. That doesn’t mean shit, Claire. Yes, two people can have a connection, but it doesn’t stop men from being jerks. It all comes down to a woman’s self-worth and value, and the more women put up with men behaving badly, the lower their self-esteem gets. We shouldn’t have to play games or be put through the ringer with these guys.”

“I agree. But maybe, just a small maybe,” she pinched her fingers together, “Christian is different. You could always just try him and then #Delete his ass. Isn’t that what you’re promoting?”

“Yes. But I’m not in any position right now to even be thinking about #Deleting someone. I’m far too busy with the blog and my work. Oh shit.” I pulled my phone from my purse.

“What?” Claire asked.

“Hold on. I have to send a text back to Mobile Man.”

She sighed and rolled her eyes as she sipped her glass of wine.

“Actually, it does cost you. You take them to dinner, drinks, and maybe a movie. That costs money. So the sex isn’t totally free, darling.”

“I was starting to think I scared you off.”

“Lol, sorry. I’m out and about. I’m sure you’re busy with work. Catch ya later?”

“Catch ya later, Digits.”

“FOCUS!” Claire loudly voiced as she pointed to herself.