Blake grabs a wineglass off the table next to us and pours Caroline a tall glass. “Thanks,” she says, and immediately takes a long sip.
When the waiter finally arrives, Caroline asks about fifty questions about the quality of the beef they serve. Finally she orders a steak, rare.
Blake and I are quiet. Caroline is the first to break the silence. “Well, work was a nightmare.”
Blake jumps in. “You need to tell your dad it’s too much, CC.”
“It’s my job, though, and soon it will be my company and your livelihood.”
Blake jerks his head back. There’s silence again so I try to change the subject.
“Caroline, I love the A-line skirt you’re wearing. You have a great body for it. You should pair it with a smaller blouse that you can tuck in, since you’re so fit. It would really show off your figure.” She has on a long-sleeve button-down blouse, untucked with plain black pumps. It makes her look a tad frumpy when she’s not at all.
She smiles at me and I think that’s done the trick, but then she turns to Blake and says, “What are you thinking?”
“You have a great body. I tell you that all the time.” He’s being sincere, I can tell.
“Not about that. I’m talking about what I said about the company. You seemed to have a strange reaction to my comment.”
“Because I don’t think of the company as my livelihood.”
“Blake, do you understand anything about the world?” She seems exasperated.
“Don’t infantilize me, Caroline.” It’s the first time he hasn’t used her pet name to her face.
“I’m not. I was trying to vent about how controlling my dad can be. I just want him to retire so we can run things the way we want.”
I sit quietly, uncomfortable. I flag the waiter over and ask for a glass of water. “Is that it?” he says. “And a shot of tequila,” I add.
Caroline and Blake are oblivious to my being here, lost in their own argument. So instead, I intend to get extremely drunk while they argue in front of me. Or I can just leave. No, I vote for tequila.
“Caroline,” Blake says, “I’m referring to the fact that you basically called me an idiot. And no, the company is not my livelihood now, nor will it be when you take it over. The company is your livelihood.”
Can we just go back to talking about clothes? “I’m sorry, Hayden,” Blake says, finally remembering I’m still there. “This must be uncomfortable for you.” He looks at Caroline pointedly.
Caroline looks at me and says, “Sorry, I’ll stop.” Then she turns back to Blake. “I’m just shocked that you’ve taken all of the opportunities my dad has given you for granted.”
“Well, I guess we’re gonna do this, aren’t we? How embarrassing, but here goes,” he says to me, and then turns toward Caroline once more. “I appreciate everything your father has done for me, believe me. I’m also reminded of it constantly. What I don’t like is the way he treats you. You need to stand up to him. You’re still young, but your life revolves around that company. You don’t have to be at his beck and call.”
“So you’re saying I should I be at yours?”
“What?”
Oh, my God, I need to leave.
“What are you talking about, Caroline? We’re hardly together. You blow off our dates and you won’t stay at my house, or have me over at yours. I’m confused.”
The waiter leaves my tequila and Caroline’s steak. She stares at the food on her plate. “I have no appetite.”
She stands up and the chair screeches away from the table. She throws her napkin down and pushes her plate toward Blake. “Here, you can feed that to Hayden. I’m leaving.”
I swallow the shot of tequila and start to go after her but Blake grabs my hand. “No, sit. It’s my place.” Caroline is already out the door. He throws two hundred dollars down onto the table, then leans down and pecks me on the cheek. “Thank you for letting me escape the pressure for a bit.” His smile is curt and then he’s gone.
I’m in shock. I get the bill and it’s only a hundred and sixteen dollars, so I order two more shots of tequila on Blake’s dime.
I’m feeling very pathetic, scrolling through the Facebook feed on my phone, sitting at a table alone in a restaurant, chasing tequila with the last of the red wine. I’m looking at pictures of all my friends from high school who have boyfriends; some of them are even married. At least I have my career. My thoughts are getting more and more muddled. I pay the bill and decide it’s time to call an Uber so I can go home and cry about my life…when Blake comes strolling back through the door.
He glances at the aftermath of my drinking binge. I smile wide. “Hiya. Uh, did you come back for your change? Because…I kind of spent it.”
“I see that,” he chuckles. “I didn’t come for my change. I came to talk to you. I’m glad you’re still here.”
He could have called. “Sooo, what’s up?” I wonder if I’m slurring.
“Well, a couple of things. I wanted to let you know that Caroline is okay. I smoothed things over with her, and she’s fine. She really likes you and feels bad about making a scene. She’ll probably text you to see if you guys can reschedule since tonight was a bust.”
“All right,” I say. “Um, I’m sorry I spent your money. I was…bored.” Depressed, really. “I can go to an ATM and pay you back.”
He holds his hand out, gesturing for me to take it and stand. “No, Hayden, it’s on me. Sorry about earlier, really. I also wanted to make sure you got home safely.”
“Immma big girl.” Now I’m sure I’m slurring.
“Let me take you home?”
I stand up, wobbly, and point at him. “No funny business, mister.”
He laughs. “Oh, boy. You’re very drunk. Don’t worry, I’m a total gentleman. I’m also your friend’s boyfriend.”
“Client,” I say. He squints. “And friend, of course.”
“Come on,” he says, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the door.
He drives me home in his car, bobbing his head to the loud, fast rock music. He handles the car like it’s part of his body. It’s extremely sexy. I can’t stop myself from looking over at him every thirty seconds. I have to stop. I picture my hormones standing on one of my shoulders, huddled together and making mean faces at me. My mom is on the other shoulder rolling her eyes. I feel like telling Imaginary Mom that I’m going to put a stop-payment on the check I just sent her.
“Oh, God,” I sigh. Whoops. I did not mean to say that out loud.
Blake turns down the music. “Something wrong?”
“No, no, not at all,” I stutter. “Does Caroline know you’re bringing me home?”
“I texted her and let her know. I’m gonna head back over there after I drop you off.”
“Oh, good.” I’m relieved I won’t have a chance to sexually accost him.
He doesn’t get out of the car at my apartment. I sense his urgency to get back to Caroline. I get out and thank him profusely and he keeps saying that it’s no big deal.
I know he’s the type that will wait until I’m inside before he leaves, so once inside I go to the window to check. I was right. He’s still parked below, looking up at my apartment. I put my hand up in a motionless wave.
He kisses his hand, waves, and then takes off down the road. I’m a pile of mush, obviously.
Chapter 10
I am committed to building my brand and client list. It’s my first priority. In that sense, Caroline and I are alike. But if I really am going to treat it as my first priority, then I have to stop obsessing over this pull I feel toward Blake.
He was right. Caroline ended up texting me a long apology the next day and asking if we could reschedule for next Friday. It was perfect because I’m practically booked all week, and out of all of my clients, my relationship with Caroline really does feel like a budding friendship. And, bonus, if we meet on a Friday, I’ll be able to cut loose a little after finding her some great outfits.
Now I
’m meeting Diana at the Nordstrom café at ten in the morning. She’s ordered me something with a ridiculous amount of caffeine in it—I’ve taken two sips and I’m already shaking.
“I wanted to talk to you,” she says.
“Yeah?” I’m nervous she’s going to bring up Blake and Caroline.
“You know what I do for a living, right?”
I thought she just had family money, so I feel bad that I don’t know. “I…I—”
“I’m a professional matchmaker.”
Huh? I didn’t even know that existed.
“You are?” I say. “What exactly does that entail?”
In three large gulps, she sucks down the same coffee she ordered me. I would literally have a heart attack. “I own a service. People pay me to match them with a compatible companion. I’m quite good at it.” Diana certainly never pretends to be humble.
“That’s interesting.”
“Most of the couples I match end up getting married.”
“That’s wonderful.” No wonder why she’s always on dates. She probably has a direct line to every bachelor in Atlanta. “Are you interested in getting married yourself?”
“Oh, hell, no. Not my thing. Hayden, I bring up my service to you because I think we should go into business together. A lot of my clients are in desperate need of a makeover. You could handle that aspect of their lifestyle change while I search for their perfect mate. It’s a guaranteed success!” she says, enthusiastically.
What an offer! I haven’t really thought about doing anything like that, but it does sound enticing, especially when it’s taken this much time to grow my business on my own. What would it be like to partner with someone more experienced and established? “I’m really honored you’re asking me. Would you give me a week to think about it?”
“Of course, darling. I’ll write up a business plan and e-mail it to you.”
“Perfect,” I say.
“By the way, this is part of the reason why I wanted you to help make over Caroline.”
“I don’t understand.”
“To find her someone more compatible.”
“What about Blake?”
“Well, Blake is very nice, but…You know what I mean.”
I suddenly feel like defending Blake and Caroline’s relationship. “No, I don’t.”
“Their relationship is destined for failure. They’re polar opposites.”
I’m still smiling and kindly listening to her argument, but I’m a little shocked at what she’s saying. I don’t think Caroline and Blake would appreciate someone basically writing off their long relationship and the years they’ve put into it to a virtual stranger. “But opposites attract sometimes, right?”
“No, honey…they don’t.”
And that’s that. I change the subject and we spend the rest of the day shopping and talking about the potential company we’re going to run together. I’m excited to think I’d be able to expand my work and do something I love for more people, especially knowing how good my clients feel about themselves after I work with them.
The week flies by and I’m headed to Little Five Points to meet Caroline. We haven’t spoken at all aside from the brief texts. She’s standing in front of the same shop we’d gone to before when I see her. Her eyes light up. I give her a big hug.
“Hayden, I feel like I need to apologize again.”
“Please don’t. Let’s shop. That night you were clearly under a lot of stress and I’m so sorry your work pressure is that heavy right now. Let’s get our minds off of it with some retail therapy.”
“Absolutely!”
I follow her into the store and start pulling things off the rack. I’m handing stuff over the dressing room door when I say, “I think your dad will be really happy about these choices. They’re stylish but professional.”
She swings the dressing room door open. “Truth be told, Blake was right the other night. My dad is too controlling. I loved the blouse with the plunging neckline but he was so distraught by it.”
She’s in just a shirt and no pants, with the dressing room door wide open for all to see. Gone is the meek and timid girl I once knew.
“I understand. Let’s talk in here, though.” I walk in and close the door. She sits on a bench, with a pouty look on her face.
“I don’t know if the company is my dream. I don’t know what I like anymore. I fell for Blake because he was wild, but smart. I feel like I’ve ruined him to appease my father.” Her eyes begin to fill with tears.
“Caroline, you haven’t ruined him. And what are you worried will happen if you don’t take over your father’s company? I mean, can’t you retain ownership and have someone else run it for you?”
“Yes, that’s an option. But I’m scared to disappoint him.” She sniffles.
“Honestly, he sounds like a hard person to deal with,” I say.
“He’s not. Not always. He’s generous and loving a lot of the time. But it’s like he’s molding me to be just like him and I’m not.” She holds up the clothes she wore to the store—a pantsuit. “This is so not me. And even what you’ve picked for me, as stylish as it is, I know you’re trying to find stuff that my father will approve of, too.”
“Why don’t you try to show me what you’d wear if you had no restrictions at all? I can put some things together for you and you can decide if you want to stand up to your dad in that way. Clothes are an expression of individuality. That little bit of freedom might just give you the strength you need to make decisions for yourself without anyone else influencing you.” She wipes at her eyes and sighs.
“I want to take you somewhere,” she says resolutely, changing the subject abruptly, or so it seems. She pulls her pantsuit back on and I follow her out of the store without a word.
We end up at a dark and dirty music venue where a punk band is playing onstage. “I used to be into this,” Caroline yells to me over the music. “I used to come here all the time. Blake still does. This is what we connected over.”
So they’re not as different as Diana thinks. “And…”
She gestures around the room. “I used to dress like this.” It was definitely an edgier scene than I imagined. The style is kind of anarchist hipster.
Caroline lifts up her shirt to reveal a very large tattoo of cherry blossoms on branches running up her torso. “If my father knew I had this, he’d cut me out of the will.”
Holy cow, she’s a wild woman after all!
“So what?” I yell. I know I’m testing her but I can’t help it.
“No, he wouldn’t, CC,” comes Blake’s voice from behind her. Whoa. He’s here, too? These two are full of surprises. “I’m glad you came. I’ve missed doing this with you.”
“Me, too,” she says. So she knew he’d be there after all, and had declined his invitation at first, I’m guessing.
“Can I get you ladies a beer or something?”
We say “Yes” in unison.
When he walks away, we take a seat at a high bar table, farther away from the music. “I like seeing him happy,” she says. “We do have shared interests, but I don’t know if Blake and I will make it.”
That small statement sounds like a needle coasting across a record. “Why do you say that?”
“There’s no spark anymore. It has nothing to do with my job, my father, or Blake’s artistic aspirations. It’s just run its course. I turned him into someone he’s not. I feel bad about it. I care for him, but I haven’t been a good girlfriend.”
“Don’t give up yet.” I can’t believe these words are coming out of my mouth. “He loves you.” Whether it’s romantic love is doubtful at this point.
“Yeah, I guess. I’d break his heart into a million pieces if I broke up with him now.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but they needed to figure their relationship out on their own.
“Hey, you know what? I have a lot of great ideas for the new Caroline Crompton look. I’m glad you brought me here. And this music is definitely g
rowing on me.”
As soon as Blake returns with our beers, Caroline gets a phone call. “I have to step out,” she yells over a loud guitar riff. “It’s my father.”
Once she’s gone, Blake says, “She takes calls from him all hours of the night. It’s ridiculous. I’m thinking about quitting. I don’t know how to tell her.”
For a second I think he’s referring to their relationship.
“You just have to be honest with her and tell her you want to pursue something else.”
He looks at me peculiarly.
“Your art,” I say.
“Yeah, my art.” He’s lost in thought when Caroline returns.
“You guys, I have to go.” She seems distraught, and she’s wringing her hands. “My dad just got served with papers. He’s being sued for fraud.”
“How? What is this about?” Blake says. He’s shocked. I am, too. Crompton Enterprises has a flawless reputation.
“I don’t know yet, but I need to get to the office right now.”
Blake and I are quiet. Caroline looks downright exhausted.
“CC, it’s late. You can deal with this in the morning. There’s nothing you can do now,” says Blake. Thank god he’s reminding her that this isn’t her fight.
“He called his lawyers. They’re coming in to work on their strategy. This is a big deal, Blake.”
“It’s Friday, Caroline,” Blake says, ditching her pet name. “This isn’t your problem. You can take a break for once. I haven’t seen you all week, except passing you in the hall at the office.”
I realize Caroline chose to hang out with me over Blake earlier tonight.
“Blake, don’t do this.”
He holds up his hands in a defensive gesture. “I’m not doing anything to you. Do you want me to come to the office with you?”
“No. There will be enough people there and I’m sure they don’t need some sales analyst getting involved in this. Plus, I know you’re over the company. You should just quit, Blake.” She rolls her eyes at him. It’s the most dismissive I’ve ever seen her, though, at the same time, I can’t imagine the pressure she’s under right now.