Chapter 4

Jana

These reviews are the pits. I have been slaving away since seven am, and I feel like I haven’t even made a dent. However, as much as I hate them they are vital to the companies we work with. If they don’t know how to fix their issues, they will not only harm the environment but face some staggering fines from the government. Some of them, like the one I was currently staring at, would be shut down immediately, so they needed these comprehensive review packets back ASAP.

I paused for a second and looked down at my phone as it vibrated against the desk. It was Megan sending me pictures of the cake she finally chose. It was gorgeous just as I assumed it would be, though her girlie excitement over the wedding has definitely surprised me. Megan is ruthless and driven, not taking the time to really focus on what she calls the trivial things in life. I guess falling in love with Mr. Big Shot has definitely softened her quite a bit. I liked it though; it fit her well.

The phone started ringing in the background, and I glanced up as the receptionist looked over in my direction. She looked slightly confused and put the caller on hold. I watched as she stood up from her desk and walked over, leaning in to whisper.

“There is a Jason on the phone for you,” she said, with knowing eyes. Jason had been in here a few times picking me up for lunch, so he wasn’t a stranger in the office.

“Ugh,” I cringed. “Tell him I’m in a meeting. Please?”

“Sure,” she said chuckling.

I watched intently as she went back to her desk and picked the phone back up to deliver the news. She laughed slightly at something he said and scribbled on a piece of paper. When she had hung up, she walked by my desk, dropping the paper in front of me that read, “He’s charming!” I smiled to myself thinking about how good he was with words, especially to the ladies. With a shaking head, I tried to go back to work, but my mind was stuck on Jason. Why would he be calling? After talking to Megan, I couldn’t get the feeling of hope from my chest. Maybe he really had changed, and maybe, just maybe, it was because of me. As I stared at my work, not lost in my own thoughts, I couldn’t help but feel guilty for not answering the phone. It was pretty crappy of me to screen his call; he wouldn’t have ever done that to me.

I sighed and pushed the file to the side. There was no use in even pretending like I was going to be able to concentrate now. I glanced over at my phone about ten times before sighing and picking it up. There was no way I was going to have this conversation with the rude roaming ears in my office, so I logged out of my computer and walked to the company courtyard. It was almost cold outside, and I wrapped my sweater tightly around me as I walked outside. I looked at the phone for a second and then pressed his contact. I held it to my ear, nerves starting to bubble up inside.

“Hey there,” Jason answered, seeming calm and collected.

“Hey, sorry I couldn’t take your call, I was crazy busy at work,” I said, lying of course.

“It’s cool, screening my calls, I get it,” he responded chuckling. “Actually, I won’t keep you long. I wanted to find out if you were busy tonight. I thought maybe we could get together over dinner and talk about our matrimonial duties.”

“Our what?” A small panic spread through me.

“You know, since you’re the Maid of Honor and I am the Best Man,” he explained.

“Oh,” I said letting out a sigh. “Uh, I don’t know I’m pretty busy.”

I knew it was nothing more than an excuse to hang out with me, but I wasn’t sure if I was flattered or put off. I did have to admit that the sound of his voice was familiar and comforting. I kicked at the rocks under my feet as he took a minute to think about what he wanted to say next. There was definitely a huge part of me that wanted him to fight me out of bailing.

“Look, I acted like a complete idiot the other night,” he said, his voice turning serious.

“You think?” I wasn’t mad, but I wasn’t going to let on that I actually thought it was cute.

“I don’t know what came over me. I saw you, I’ve missed you, and then your boyfriend came over and started talking to me. I don’t know. I had too much to drink, but that isn’t an excuse,” he said, mumbling to himself. “The point is, I’m sorry.”

“Well, first off, he definitely isn’t my boyfriend and two, thank you for your apology, it’s really mature of you. I appreciate it, honestly,” I said, deciding that continuing some charade of anger was pointless.

“So, let me make it up to you while you explain to me what the hell it means to be a Best Man,” he said laughing. “I am completely lost, and I don’t want to screw this up, Ryan is like my brother.”

“Well,” I replied. “I guess I’m going to have to eat anyway and we do actually have some things to go over. Okay. Fine. Pick me up at my apartment at six. And you’re buying.”

“Duh,” he said laughing. “What kind of guy would I be if I went Dutch? To be honest, it took me a few days to get the courage up to call you. I didn’t want you to release hell on me again.”

“Well, I can’t make any promises,” I said chuckling thinking that his timidness was really sweet. “But I will do my best to keep the fire from escaping.”

“I very much appreciate that ma’am, and I’ll do my best to keep my drink in my glass,” he said with an English noble accent that made me giggle.

“Alright, well I have to get back inside. I’ll see you at six. Don’t be late,” I said sternly but flirtatiously.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied in that deep voice that always made my knees weak.

When we hung up, I stood in the sanctuary staring down at the black screen on my phone. All kinds of emotions were running through me from nervous to anxious and even a little excitement. My initial reaction was to call Megan, but I really should keep this to myself until I figure out just what this dinner means. I knew she would have a great pep-talk, but she would also fill my head with dreamy visions of the future, especially since she was caught up in the ever after dreamland of wedding planning. Instead, I tucked my cell into the back pocket of my dress pants and took in a deep breath of the cold air.

My desk stood out as I walked back in, and though I knew I had to finish what I was working on before leaving for the day, all I really wanted to do was rush back to the apartment and find something perfect to wear. I drug myself back to the wooden cell and did my best to get the work done as fast as possible without doodling hearts on the corners of the paper. When I was done, I packed up quickly and dropped the finalized report in my boss’s mailbox, glad he was gone for the day. I jetted out of the building, escaping the glances from my co-workers, and hopped in a cab. I had to get my hair done, and wardrobe picked out before he got there. I wanted to meet him at the car because I knew I might not be able to escape those big brown eyes if I invited him in.

I stood in front of my bed looking at the different options of clothing. Do I wear the professional, I just got off work, outfit? Do I go casual and play the, ‘Oh I didn’t know we were going anywhere fancy’ card? Or do I slip into this dress and show off exactly what I knew he was looking for? I sighed and turned toward the mirror looking at my body. One thing I knew for sure, I was definitely wearing this matching bra and panty set, you know, just in case. The last thing I wanted was to make one of my spur of the moment life choices and be stuck standing in front of him in cotton undies and a supportive and conservative bra. Nope, instead, I was going with the red lace thong and matching push-up bra, telling myself it was definitely a practical decision.