“You know, too much steak will clog your arteries,” I tell Alex with a grin. He shrugs again, unconcerned.
“I’ve earned it today, I think,” he says mischievously. And I can’t argue with that. He has earned it today.
“This is a gorgeous view,” I say as I gaze at the Vegas horizon, with its skyscrapers and desert and dying sunshine.
“Not as gorgeous as mine,” Alex says as he stares at me. His words would be cheesy if it weren’t for the intense expression in his blue eyes. I inhale. Sharply.
“You know we’re good together,” he says as he sips his drink.
I don’t even bother to lie.
“Yes,” I answer simply.
“And your only issue is that we work together, correct?” Alex swallows his drink and motions for the waiter to bring him another.
I nod.
“Well, that’s an easy fix then,” he says, leveling his gaze at me. “You’re fired.”
Chapter Twenty-One
(Or: What the Eff?)
“What?” I squeak, staring at him in astonishment and horror. “No. I don’t want that.”
Alex looks at me in bemusement.
“I don’t mean that you’re actually fired right this minute. But I have a solution, if you’d like to hear it.”
I try to soothe my pounding heart, to get a grip on myself.
“Yes, I’d like to hear it, as long as it doesn’t involve me getting fired. I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at, Alex.”
“I know you have,” he nods. “And I’m not the only one who has noticed. Remember when I told you that headhunters have asked about you? One of them is my friend, Tom. The friend who found this job for me. He’s asked about you. Apparently, there is a job at a nearby winery that would be perfect for you.”
“A winery in Las Vegas?” I ask doubtfully. Alex smiles.
“Well, it’s a little over an hour away, across the California border. But it’s an easy commute.”
“And why would I switch jobs?” I ask a little heatedly. “I like what I’m doing now.”
“Well,” Alex says slowly. “It’s a vice president position. And it’s at a winery. You love wine. And if you take a better job, then you’re no longer working for me. Which means that our little problem is solved.”
I stare at him silently, trying to wrap my mind around his words.
“I do love wine,” I say absently.
“Yes, you do,” Alex agrees with a smile.
“And I would like a vice president position,” I say uncertainly.
“Yes, you would,” Alex agrees again. “And you deserve a vice president position. And unfortunately, your only path to getting that position at Zellers is through me—to take my job. And I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. So…”
“So this is a perfect proposition for me,” I sum up, looking at him.
“It would seem that way,” he says, sipping at his drink again. “But take your time and think about it. I’ve got Tom’s card. You can give him a call to discuss it, if you would like.”
I feel a little stunned. Everything seems to be happening so fast.
But I have to admit. Completely starting over, like Alex did, seems a little fascinating.
“You set this up, didn’t you?” I ask. “You contacted your friend, not the other way around.”
I can see on his face that I am right.
He shrugs. “I just put some feelers out there. You and I have had chemistry from the beginning. Once I was contacted by someone else about you, it gave me the idea to check. The position really is a perfect fit for you, Alli. You would be heading up the marketing department. It’s exactly what you do and do well. Plus, did I mention… you would be marketing wine.”
I sigh because he’s piqued my curiosity. It does sound perfect for me.
“I love wine,” I sigh. “Okay. I’ll call your friend.”
“Excellent,” Alex says with a smile, holding his glass up. “Here’s to new beginnings.”
There are a lot of promises in his smile and I know that he isn’t just talking about new beginnings with my career. I gulp and clink glasses.
“To new beginnings,” I say awkwardly.
Alex gazes at me.
“What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “You’re going to think I’m silly.”
“Probably not,” he answers. “Just tell me.”
“I have a problem now…with commitment. After I invested fifteen years of my life with Rick and he cheated on me, I find it a little disconcerting to just trust you with so many areas of my life. I guess I have trust issues.”
Alex nods slowly. And he is so, so handsome. I try to ignore that fact.
“I understand,” he tells me. “But I want you to know…I’m a trustworthy person. And I don’t expect you to trust me immediately. I expect to earn your trust. And I will, I promise.”
His tone is soothing and husky and it warms me. I smile. He already knows exactly how to talk me off of the ledge. He’s what I need.
We finish our dinner and check out of the hotel. He drops me back off at my car and kisses me soundly.
“I’ll call you later,” he tells me. I nod.
I go home, pour a glass of wine and do what any rational woman would do.
I get in the hot tub and call Sara.
She arrives thirty minutes later and climbs in with me. This time, we wear our swimsuits since Sophie is indoors.
“I don’t see what the big question is,” Sara announces after I’ve finished explaining. “He’s arranged for a chance for you to get a better job so that you can date him. And he’s eligible, handsome, sexy and perfect. At least, he seems to be. I can’t say for certain, since I haven’t personally met him.”
She pauses here, a long pregnant pause with her eyebrow raised.
“What?” I ask. “You can meet him. Someday. In probably forty years or so. I don’t want you to scare him to death.”
“I’m not a scary person,” she sniffs. “Seriously. It’s within my rights to meet him, Alli. It’s the only way that I can make an accurate judgment call on this.”
“I don’t need your accurate judgment call,” I tell her. “I think I’ve got this.”
“Then why did you call me, genius?” she asks. “You wanted my opinion, that’s why.”
“Maybe,” I acknowledge. “But I wanted it without you intimidating Alex for it.”
I take a long drink of my wine and lay my head back. Sara lays hers back too.
“Just trust me, sweetie. I won’t embarrass you. I simply have a handful of questions for the man. Besides, the man’s a big important VP hot-shot. I can’t intimidate him, I’m sure. Seriously. How bad could it possibly be?”
No one should ever ask a question like that.
I know that. I knew it when she said it and I knew it four days later when I wanted to kill her. Again.
********
“How do I know that you can keep your dick in your pants?” Sara asks conversationally over a dinner of take-out Chinese and expensive wine on my patio.
She, of course, is speaking to Alex. After pestering me all week, I finally agreed to let her have dinner with us tonight. And it was a mistake of the biggest possible kind. But Alex is taking it in stride and is even seemingly amused.
I’m even further impressed with him, if that is even possible.
Alex smiles at Sara. “Well, my dick is forty years old. It doesn’t have the energy to go venturing out of my pants into strange waters.”
She studies him. “Well, that would be a good answer, but Rick was almost the same age and his dick found the energy.”
Alex sighs good-naturedly. “I’m not Rick the Dick, though,” he points out.
I nod. That is a very valid point. This interrogation has gone on for over an hour now. And I have to say that he’s handling Sara very well.
“True,” Sara says, gazing at him. “And that’s probably the best answer you can give me.”
; Alex shoots me a glance behind Sara’s skinny back.
She means well, I mouth to him. He nods.
“I’ll get us another bottle of wine, ladies,” he says, standing up. As he walks into the house, Sara calls to him.
“You’ve got a really nice ass! That’s one point in your favor.”
Alex turns and grins before heading into the house.
“Seriously, Sara,” I hiss. “Oh my god. You’re embarrassing.”
“But I feel much better now,” she tells me. “Okay. I’ve decided. You have my permission. You can date him. The sex is good, he’s gorgeous, he’s sexy…what’s not to like?”
She takes a nonchalant bite of her eggroll, as if it is really her decision to make. I sigh.
“You forgot patient,” I tell her. “He’s very patient.”
She levels a gaze at me. “True, he’s patient.”
“And I don’t need your permission, “I remind her. “But thank you, nonetheless.”
Alex returns and pours us each a glass of wine. I fight the urge to lean into him and kiss him. He’s sexy as hell, damn it. And he smells good, too. But then Sara distracts me with a question.
“This is all a little sudden. What does Sophie think?”
I am silent as I stare at Alex.
“You haven’t told Sophie yet?” Sara is incredulous. “How have you been seeing each other all week without her noticing?”
“Okay, first of all. This isn’t sudden. We’re moving a little quickly, but that’s only because we’re mature adults who are sure about what we want,” I tell her. “There’s no reason to wait. And second, we haven’t told Sophie because it isn’t time yet.”
Sara stares at me, unconvinced. “And when will be the time?”
“I don’t know,” I admit quietly. “Soon.”
“And what about the new job?” Sara asks. “What have you decided?”
I gaze at Alex over the table. He gives me an encouraging look.
“I’m going to meet with the winery owners next week,” I tell her. “And if it is actually as good of an opportunity as it sounds like, I think I’ll probably take it.”
Sara sits back in her seat, staring first to me, then to Alex.
“Well, it looks like everything is pretty sewn up here,” she says. “My work here is done.”
Alex raises a sexy eyebrow. “Your work?”
“Yep,” Sara answers before I can kick her. “It’s because of me that Alli got out there in the first place. She’d never have been ready to date you if I hadn’t stepped in.”
“Oh?” Alex asks, his eyes meeting mine.
“Yes,” I interject quickly. “Sara talked me into going on a date with Brian from Accounting. Just for practice,” I tell him. He’s understandably surprised.
“Brian from Accounting?” he repeats skeptically. I nod.
“Yep and it was about as fun as you’d imagine.”
Alex laughs, slow and easy, and changes the subject.
We finish off the new bottle of wine before Sara takes her leave, making sure she slaps Alex on the ass on her way out. He shakes his head as we walk indoors.
“Your friend is a character,” he tells me.
“Everyone says that,” I laugh. “Character, firecracker, saucy wench…take your pick.”
“But I like her,” he replies. “She tells it like it is and I have to respect that.”
He sits down on the sofa and pulls me down with him. He kisses the side of my neck and then pulls away, looking at me.
“So, I may or may not be mistaken, but I think you were ready to have a panic attack when Sara started talking about getting you ready for me. Am I right?”
I am frozen now. I have no idea what to say. I certainly can’t tell him the truth.
Why, yes, Alex. Sara talked me into having sex with a gigolo who turned out to be your son. No. That wouldn’t be good. I obviously can’t say that. I’m like a deer caught in the headlights. My mouth opens, then closes. I don’t know what to say.
Alex studies me. “Don’t feel self-conscious about anyone you might have dated before me,” he tells me. “It’s not my business. You were just divorced. Of course you needed to go out and get crazy. That’s expected. And I’m sure you were safe about it. Honestly, I’m glad Sara talked you into it. Because now you’re ready for me.”
I am silent and astounded by his most perfect of answers.
I can continue on with him without feeling guilty about Colby because Alex has just given me a pass. It’s expected, he says. Expected. I hardly doubt that having sex with his son is what he meant but that’s a detail, right?
I nod slowly. “I might have gotten a little carried away,” I say carefully. “But that’s over now. I like being with you. You and I are perfect.”
And now he laughs. “We won’t always be perfect,” he tells me, pulling me closer into his lap. “But we’re perfect for each other. Of that, I have no doubt. When do you want to tell our kids?”
Our kids.
Colby.
I want to freaking die right now.
If Alex and I ever get married, Colby will be my step-son. The guy who taught me how to bring a guy to his knees in five minutes flat will be my step-son.
I may need therapy.
But then again, to be fair, Colby has been true to his word. This entire last week at work, he has pretended like we are only just now getting to know each other, like the only other way we know each other is because he’s Sophie’s swim coach. And just like he said, it’s starting to seem less weird. Like I am truly just his boss and he is truly just my intern.
The son of the guy I’m dating.
But I’m working through that. And the more time that goes by, the more normal it seems. I can totally do this. And Colby does seem genuinely happy for his dad.
“I don’t know,” I tell him. “I think Sophie will be fine. I mean, she hates her father’s fiancée, but Vanessa is barely older than Soph and she is an utter bitch. So, there’s a difference.”
“You think I’ll be fine about what?”
Sophie’s voice floats through the living room and my head snaps up. My eyes meet hers. And I remember that I am sitting on Alex’s lap.
“Um.”
I don’t even know what to say. I’m that shocked. I scramble off of Alex’s lap and practically break my neck to get across the room to her.
“Well, we were talking about you and what you would say…if…Alex and I started dating.”
My tone is more like a question than a statement.
Sophie stares at me.
“But you’re already dating,” she answers matter-of-factly. “If you wanted my permission, don’t you think you should have asked ahead of time?”
I’m appalled now as I stare at her, aghast.
“How did you know?” I whisper. Alex is behind me now, one hand on the small of my back. He starts to say something, but Sophie interrupts with a smile.
“Well, you were just sitting on his lap, mom.” I blush and she laughs. “I’m kidding, Mom. Yes, I knew…because I’m not stupid. You were making random excuses to go to his house for work and he kept ‘forgetting’ files here so he’d have to come back. You guys were soooo obvious. But it’s okay- I’m fine with it. You guys are cute.”
And she sounds like she’s talking to her child instead of her parent.
I’m staring at her blankly.
She smiles again and she looks angelic.
“Seriously, mom. It’s fine. I’m happy for you. And I’m happy that Alex isn’t a dick like my dad. Or Vanessa.”
And she gives me a little hug and is trotting off down the hall before I can gather my wits.
“Don’t call your father a dick!” I shout to her. And then I turn to Alex.
“Well, one child down,” I say limply.
“One child to go,” he says. “But Colby will be fine. I’m pretty sure of that.”
I’m already sure of that, but I don’t say anything. Instead, I just smile an
d walk to the kitchen, pouring us each another glass of wine.
God, I love wine.
********
Alex tells Colby the following week.
Colby took it just fine, like I knew he would. In fact, he came into my office and congratulated me shortly afterward.
“I seriously want you to be happy, Alli,” he says, leaning forward in his seat and giving me his boyish grin. “And my dad too. You really are perfect for each other.”
“I think so, too,” I tell him. “Thank you.”
“And things aren’t going to be weird between us,” he says. “I can tell right now. You’re one chill chick. You just take things as they come. I like that. It’s just what my dad needs.”
I smile. I don’t feel like a ‘chill chick’ whatever that is, but I don’t point that out or even ask for a definition.
“And also, you’ll be happy to know…I’m quitting Utopia. I sort of like being here at Zeller’s and I can’t be a gigolo my whole life. I need to do something a little more respectable. So, I’m going to graduate school, after all. I think it’s what I need to do.”
I’m shocked now as I stare at him.
“You were a really good gigolo,” I tell him. “But you’ll be a great businessman, too.”
He smiles his charming grin. “Thank you. And of course, I still intend to coach Sophie, until she is at a level where she needs a professional coach.”
“Of course,” I answer. “I appreciate it.”
He leans over and kisses my cheek and it doesn’t feel sexual at all.
I really think I can do this. I can carry this off.
And later in the week, after my interview with the owners of the winery, I decide to take the job. On the condition that I can bring my own assistant, of course. Taylor is fiery and annoying at times, but she takes good care of me. I wouldn’t leave her behind.
This is a notion that baffles me though after listening to her endless complaints about packing up my office stuff and the fact that her new commute will be longer than it is right now.
I stare at her.
“Taylor, we’ll be working in a winery. A winery. Enough said.” She glares at me and stalks out, but not before I see her smile. She’s going to love it. As will I.