Elliot,
I’m going out. I won’t be home for lunch, and I may be out for too long to get something for you on the way back. So you’ll have to fend for yourself. See you later today.
–B
The note deflates me, and I don’t know why. I’m not not angry. But I assumed she would be around, waiting for me.
To do what?
I sit at the counter and stare at the note, running my forefinger along her neat handwriting. She’s smart enough to know I’m still upset and that lunch with me would be unbearable. Who could blame her?
I raise my eyes from the note, gazing around the penthouse. The silence practically screams at me, and I can’t help but think that the place looks cavernously empty somehow.
* * *
Annabelle
Elliot’s in his office when I come back from my lunch with Traci. Without saying anything to let him know I’m back, I change into a T-shirt and denim skirt and go drop my dress off at the dry cleaner, which, unfortunately, can’t guarantee anything about the giant coffee stain. But if they can’t clean the dress, I’ll just throw it out. I’m not calling this Shellington guy to demand that he replace it when I have so many clothes in my closet. I need an awkward conversation with a stranger like a restaurant needs a rat in its kitchen.
When I return, Elliot’s in the kitchen getting another coffee. I say, “Hi.”
He merely nods.
“There’s something I want to talk about.”
He raises an eyebrow and waits.
The silent treatment. Fine. I don’t let it get to me. If he expects me to cringe or something, he has another think coming. “I met Traci today for lunch, and she said there’s a temporary opening at OWM. I thoug
ht maybe I should take it.”
A small muscle in his jaw flexes, and he breathes audibly through his mouth. “I’ll take care of the money you owe Grayson.”
“It’s not really about the money. I don’t think this is a well-paying job, given that it’s a junior assistant position.” When he merely stares at me, I fidget. “Like I said before, I want something to occupy my time.” Especially if you’re going to treat me like this. “Besides, it’ll be good for me. Something to put on my résumé, plus it’ll get me out of the house…maybe make some new friends.”
“Then you should take the job.”
The lack of inflection in his voice twists me inside out. He used to be so animated, eyes bright and words full of emotion, even when he was trying rather crudely to proposition me. I’d rather have that than this.
“Elliot…”
“That’s what you want, isn’t it?” He sounds reasonable. Too reasonable.
“Yes, but you can tell me if you have any misgivings. It’s your friend’s company.”
“Why? Do you have to hand over any secrets to Grayson?”
My face heats. I can feel blotches of red blooming in my cheeks, neck and chest. “That’s uncalled for.”
He shrugs.
I put my hands on my hips. “You know I could’ve just applied for the job on the spot when Traci mentioned it, but I wanted to talk to you first.”
“Why?”
“Because you made a big deal about talking things over first, and the last time we talked about me getting a job, you seemed standoffish about the idea.”
“You can do whatever you want, Belle.”