Christian

“Who are you texting, bro? We’re trying to finish this meeting so we can go home,” Peter spoke.

“Digits.” I set my phone down.

“Is that the girl who sent you that weird text meant for someone else?” Jimmy asked.

“Yes.” I smirked.

“You two are still texting each other?” Peter furrowed his brow.

“Yep. Every day,” I replied.

“But you know nothing about her?” Jimmy cocked his head.

“Nope. Nothing.”

“Dude, seriously, why are you still talking to her?” Peter asked.

“Because I like to. She’s fun and a lot easier to talk to than half the women I date.”

“I bet she’s ugly as fuck.” Jimmy laughed.

Peter let out a laugh and pointed at him.

“So what? It’s not like I’m dating her. We’re just texting.”

“And you’re going to sit there and tell me that you’re not the least bit curious as to what she looks like?” Peter raised his brow.

“Nope. Not at all. She’s just someone I like to talk to via text.”

“Yeah. Okay, bro.” Jimmy laughed.

We ended our late night meeting and I headed home. The truth was I would love to know what Digits looked like. I was curious because she seemed to have such a great personality. But, unfortunately, I would never know because she liked keeping herself a secret. Nonetheless, she was a delightful distraction from the humdrum of the daily grind.

****

Eloise

After my relaxing bath, I climbed into bed with my laptop and began editing some of the engagement photos I took, for I promised the happy couple that I would have them ready by Monday. As I edited the pictures and stared at the images that so profoundly captured their happiness, my mind began to wander about the last two dates I’d had. Financial guy didn’t work out because I couldn’t get a word in edgewise beneath all the financial advice he spewed. Soulmate guy didn’t work because he wouldn’t shut the fuck up about how in love with me he was and the thought that we should get married. Maybe Match wasn’t a good way to do my research. I sent a text message to the rest of the five guys, unapologetically canceled our dates, and then proceeded to #Delete their asses from my phone.

****

Natalie sat on the edge of my bed as I sat on the floor in front of my full-length mirror and applied my makeup.

“I’m proud of you for cancelling those dates. I didn’t think you could go through with it,” she spoke.

“It’s not that I couldn’t go through with it.” I looked at her after meticulously applying my eyeliner. “They weren’t the right guys to interview.”

“Then who are the right guys to interview?” She narrowed her eye at me.

“The ones I’m going to randomly meet at bars, clubs, coffee shops, etc.”

She let out a light laugh. “What are you going to do? Walk up to them with your notebook and pen and ask them why they’re such douchebags?”

“Pretty much.” I grinned.

“Jesus, Eloise. Your issues go beyond anything I imagined.”

“Actually, I only have one issue and that is trying to get inside the head of a man.”

“Good luck with that. And when are you going to do this? You’re booked back to back with photo shoots for the next two weeks.”

“I can carve out some time. After all, I did have five more dates set up.” I winked.

She got up from the bed and grabbed her purse.

“Well, keep me posted and have fun tonight with Claire. Try to keep your interviews to a minimum. You wouldn’t want to embarrass her and have her co-workers thinking you’re a few stacks short of mental stability.”

“Thanks.” I scrunched up my nose at her.

As she began to walk out of the room, she stopped and turned around.

“Speaking of a few stacks short of mental stability, who the fuck is Mobile Man? And why haven’t you told me about him?”

I sighed as I rolled my eyes.

“She told you?”

“Of course she did. But the problem is that YOU didn’t tell me.”

“It’s no big deal. He’s just a guy I’ve been talking to. Two strangers texting each other. That’s it.”

“It’s weird, Eloise. You don’t know his name or anything about him, yet you talk to him. He could be some murderer or kidnapper for all you know.”

“He’s not.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s a nice guy. He’s in business and he’s always attending meetings.”

“What did you tell him you do?” she asked suspiciously.

“I told him I was in the social media relations business.”

“Like I said, a few stacks short of mental stability,” she sighed.

“Get out of here so I can finish getting ready.” I threw one of my pillows at her.

She gave me a sly smile as she left the bedroom.

****

The cab pulled up to the tall building on East 89th Street and Claire and I climbed out.

“Nice building,” I spoke as I looked up at it.

My phone dinged with a text message and when I took it from my purse, I noticed it was from Mobile Man.

“Hi there. I realized we didn’t touch base today. Everything good?”

The doorman opened the door for us and Claire told him we were here for the Christian Blake party. He politely smiled and told us to take the elevator up to the 29th floor and he was in apartment B.

“Is it weird that I’m really nervous?” Claire asked as we stepped off the elevator.

“Yes. Why would you be nervous? He’s your boss.”

“Exactly!” She lightly hit my arm. “He’s my boss! I’ve never seen him outside of the office.”

“Calm down. He’s just a person like you and me,” I spoke as I knocked on apartment B and replied back to Mobile Man.

“Hi! Everything’s great. Out with my girlfriend right now. You?”

“Good to hear. It’s been quite a busy day. Having some people over. Catch ya later?”

“Catch ya later!”

Some guy, a really cute guy, dressed in all black with blonde wavy hair answered the door.

“Hey, Claire.” He smiled as he kissed her cheek. “Come on in.”

“Hey, Peter. This is my girlfriend, Eloise.”

We both looked at each other strangely.

“I think I know you.” He pointed at me.

“I feel as if I know you too.” I cocked my head but couldn’t for the life of me remember where from.

“Wait a minute. You’re that girl from Hellcat Annie’s.” He smiled.

I glared at him for a moment. Shit.

“Claire, who’s your boss?” I asked.

“His name is Christian Blake. Why?”

I gulped.

“Hello, Claire,” his voice spoke from behind.

“Christian.” She turned around and he lightly kissed her cheek.

His eyes diverted their attention over to where I was standing as he looked at me from head to toe.

“Eloise.” He took hold of my hand and brought it up to his lips. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Christian.” I gave a light nod and smile.

My stomach started to flutter and my skin started to heat.

“You two know each other?” Claire asked in confusion.

“Eloise and I briefly met at Hellcat Annie’s not too long ago. I had no idea she was a friend of yours.”

“And I had no idea he was your boss,” I spoke.

“Okay. Wow. This is weird. I need a drink. I’ll be right back.” She walked away.

“Would you have come if you had known I was Claire’s boss?” He slyly smiled.

A waiter walked by with a tray of champagne glasses sitting upon it. Taking one, I smirked, “I don’t know.”

He chuckled as he took a sip of the drink he was holding.

“Please excuse me. A friend of mine just walked in.” He placed his hand on my arm and it felt like it went numb.

I swallowed hard before bringing the tall glass of bubbly up to my lips. I couldn’t believe he was Claire’s boss. His smile, his charm, and overall appearance made me weak in the knees. But I needed to remember that he was a serial dater, according to Claire.

“Why didn’t you tell me you met him?” She came up behind me.

“How the hell did I know he was your boss?”

“But you didn’t even tell me that some guy approached you that night.” She pouted.

“It was a brief encounter. He bought me a drink and asked for my number.”

“And you didn’t give it to him?” she asked with amazement.

“No. Because according to our dear friend, Natalie, he’s the type I would fall for head over heels instantly. Plus, I got that whole player vibe feel from him.”

“That is true. He does date different women all the damn time. I honestly don’t know how he keeps them all straight. I’ll be right back. One of my co-workers just walked in.”

As Claire went off to talk to her co-worker, I walked around Christian’s apartment, taking in at how lovely it was. What caught my attention were the white oak floors with the subtle tinted beige walls that made the living space look larger than it really was. His furniture was colored in blacks and beiges, giving off the modern urban décor style vibe. Walking over to the three-oversized floor-to-ceiling windows, I took in the dramatic city and river views, which were picturesque.

“Beautiful view, isn’t it?” I heard Christian’s voice come up behind me.

“It definitely is.” I brought my champagne glass up to my lips. “So tell me, Mr. Blake, how does someone your age have his own advertising firm?”

“Well,” he smiled, “my partners and I have talked about owning our own firm since we were kids.”

“Your partners?” I cocked my head.

“Yes. Peter and Jimmy. We started our firm, Blake Group, three years ago.”

“Please tell me if this is too personal, but if you’re all partners, why is your name the only one on the doors?”

He chuckled. “That’s because I put up the majority of the money for the company after my grandfather died.”

“Ah. I see.” I lightly smiled. “From what I can tell, your company seems to be doing very well for only opening its doors three years ago.”

“Our company is doing extremely well. We’ve worked very hard and put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make it happen and a success. A lot of sacrifices were made, but nothing that I’ve regretted. Tell me about you. What do you do?”

“I’m a freelance photographer.”

“Interesting.” He smirked. “What do you photograph?”

“Whatever people hire me for.” I smirked back. I’ve done a few small magazine shoots, but mostly it’s weddings, engagements, anniversary parties, and birthdays.”

“I’d love to see your work someday.” The corners of his mouth curved upwards.

I swallowed hard because every time he smiled, it sent my body into a blaze of fire. This was not good. Not good at all.