Chapter 23

Mariah

Things are going great. The other realtors seem to like me (making Jacobs the odd one out), and Mr. Drive is the one who brought me here in the first place, so I’m obviously on his good side. I try not to think too much about the question I put to him earlier, and instead tell myself that he’ll let me know the answer soon. I hope.

And for now, just being around him is nice. Wait, what?! Shit, I’m still doing it. Still thinking about him the way I was in the staff restroom, rather than how I should be seeing him now, as my boss. For a second, I swear I’m back in the office bathroom stall, feeling that sensation of my tingly pussy as I play with myself while thinking about him.

Fuck. I take a gulp from my glass to wash the fantasy away. It works, at least for the moment. And even if it hadn’t, the ringing of my cell phone would’ve.

Who the hell is calling me -

“Shit.” That one escapes my lips for real.

“Something wrong, Mariah?” Gage asks.

“No,” I mumble. “Sorry, just need to take this call. Be right back.”

I duck outside and answer. “Hey, Sterling.”

“Why am I only hearing your voice say hello and not seeing your face here for your shift, girl?” Sterling’s definitely not thrilled with me right now, and I can understand exactly why. My second shift at the diner was supposed to have started half an hour ago, and I’ve managed to completely forget about it.

“I am so sorry!”

“Unless that’s an ‘I’ll be there in five minutes to deliver this apology again in person’ apology, I don’t wanna hear it.”

“Sterling, I really am sorry! The head of the company where I just got my other job – he invited me out for drinks with colleagues and I totally lost track of time.”

“So, you’re telling me that not only are you missing a shift, you’re drinking instead?!”

“Yes.” I mutter. No reason to lie now, I guess.

In the background of the call, I hear Elle’s voice. “Don’t listen to him, hon, he’s drinking whiskey out of a coffee cup right now!”

“Elle! Hush!” Sterling’s tone is less angry now, though. “Okay. New jobs, new everything… some things’re bound to slip through the cracks occasionally. Just make sure the next thing you forget isn’t your Thursday shift.”

“Got it. Thank you.” My heartbeat’s slowing closer to normal now.

“And Mariah?”

“Yes?”

“I’m giving Elle all your tips.”

With the sound of Elle’s laughter in the background, Sterling hangs up.

Wow, was that close. Even with both these jobs falling into place as well as they have, I’m still struggling to make ends meet enough until my first official paychecks come through. I really could have used the tip money from the diner tonight.

I feel momentarily guilty again, but remind myself: I’m not here to work in a diner. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but what’s more important? Making inroads with the head of the real estate company where I’m suddenly on my way to a career, or doing one measly closing shift at the diner?

It’s only then that I realize just how tipsy I am. That drink was strong, for sure. Delicious, but strong. I should probably call it a night before I have too much to drink and say something stupid. In other words, quit while you’re ahead, kid.

I’m about to head off down the street when I realize I can’t leave without saying goodbye. Especially to Wesley. Wait, what? Where did that thought come from? I’m kidding myself, I know exactly where it came from. But I can’t do anything about it. Right? He’s my boss.

I’m not sure how long I stand there debating internally about unmentionable things, but my reverie gets broken when the door behind me swings open.

“Mr. Drive, hi!” I call out, as soon as I see him. Wesley’s standing there in his suit, a smile on his face and my purse in his hand.

“Everything okay, Mariah?” he asks. “You left your purse inside and I wanted to be sure you didn’t run off on m - on us.”

Did he just stop himself from saying “me”? “Wanted to be sure you didn’t run off on me?” I have to be imagining it.

I take my purse from him. “Thanks. I was about to come back in and say goodnight to everyone.”

“You’re leaving so soon?”

“Quit while you’re ahead, right?” I say without thinking. “Not that - I’m not quitting, I just meant - I mean, things seemed to be going well in there and I didn’t want to overdo it and press my luck.”

“I understand.” He pauses, then comes closer. “Are you sure that’s all? It seems like something is bothering you all of a sudden.”

I try to tell my brain to stop, but it won’t. He’s almost too perfect, it says. He’s kind, and strong, and sexy… and he’s trying to take care of you. Let him.

“I’m not just your boss, Mariah, you know. I’m a person too. And your friend. I hope. Now. Can I help?”

That does it. I spill about my two jobs, about missing a shift and how I’m barely making ends meet here in the city on my own. “But I really love this job. I do, and I can be great at it. I promise. There’s just - a lot happening all at once.” If that isn’t the understatement of the year, then I don’t know what is.

Wesley’s face softens as he rests a hand on my shoulder. I don’t shy away from his touch. “Mariah, I had no idea. Well, there is one thing I can tell you that might make all of this a little more bearable.”

Looking up at him, I half-expect it to be a wordless kiss. From his lips to mine.

“I’ve been thinking about your request since you made it,” he says, that gentle smile playing across his features again. “And I’ve decided to grant it. There’s an open house scheduled with us tomorrow afternoon, and I need someone to take the lead on it while I handle other business. So. You have an open house all your own, and a chance to prove yourself. Even more so than you already have.”

Now, I’m the one who has to restrain myself from kissing him. “Oh! Mr. Drive, that’s incredible! Thank you so much. I won’t let you down, I promise.”

“No, I expect you won’t.” He squeezes my shoulder and it’s like that simple touch causes an electric current zips through my body. “More importantly, I expect you won’t let yourself down.”