Maybe Matt, not Jeff. Jeff knows that I’ve had this massive thing for Dante from the dawn of time. Matt pretends he doesn’t see it.
Giselle looks thrilled at the news and I swear Jia looks like she’s going to cry. I guess I’ve talked about Dante for so long that it was like they went through the ups and downs with me.
I felt it the most when he was engaged. That was a hard time and Marie couldn’t stand me. I was literally gearing up to say goodbye forever because of it. I didn’t plan to be around and cause them problems.
“What now?” Jia asks. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I don’t know.” I answer and my shoulders slump. “Of course I don’t want this to be a one time thing. I want him, but Dad’s going to be a problem. Dante is such a good friend to him that I know he won’t want to sneak around.”
Jia presses her lips together and Giselle tilts her head to the side.
“I can’t believe he warned him away,” Giselle says.
“Me too.” I am angered he did that, but there’s no way I’d say anything. “But I guess on the plus side if my father had to warn Dante away it must mean he really liked me, and Dad must have seen it.”
“That was the first thing I thought,” Jia says with a chuckle. “And if I were you I wouldn’t care what my father thought. I wouldn’t. See the man in secret Rachel. For fuck’s sake. This is something you’ve been waiting on for a lifetime. See him in secret, have a fling, do something, be lovers and be happy. Who the fuck gives a shit about age and any other reason why your father thinks you shouldn’t be with him.”
Jia’s right. Giselle is nodding her agreement which means she thinks Jia’s right too.
I’m nervous but I plan to do exactly what they’re saying. It’s not me I’m worried about though.
“I’m worried about Dante. I don’t want him to do anything he doesn’t want to.”
Giselle laughs. “Rachel, I think from what I can tell about that man it’s clear he’d never do anything he doesn’t want.”
I smile. “Yeah. I guess we’ll just have to see what happens right?”
They both nod and start squealing again.
Coffee was the first order of business for the day. I’m meeting with Allen to brainstorm the plans for the campaign.
He’s already five minutes late. It wasn’t a formal meeting but I had things I wanted to get sorted for Dad.
I’m in the staff restaurant again. I like meeting here because it’s less tense. It’s early so it’s not packed yet. Everyone is busy in the coffeeshop. The restaurant doesn’t get packed until lunch time.
I brought my notes with all my ideas I scribbled down yesterday when I could get my brain to work. I just hope I don’t clash with Allen in anyway. We both have strong personalities and that doesn’t always work.
The door pushes open and he comes in looking sharp in his suit like a man out to conquer the world of business. The first think he does is wink at the waitress nearby cleaning the tables. Instantly she blushes at his charm and tries to compose herself by searching through her cleaning supplies.
He approaches and sits down
“Good morning Miss Bradley,” he says with that arrogance I truly hate.
“Good morning.”
“I like this, you look good today,” he says motioning at my top.
It’s a little boat neck blouse that gives a slight show of my cleavage. I’m guessing that’s why he likes it. I wore on purpose for that reason. Not for him though.
“Thank you.” I barely utter the words when his eyes drop to my breasts an linger for far too long.
“Getting a good look?” I ask snapping him out of the daze. He doesn’t look fazed though. I didn’t think he would. It does still surprise me though that he can be so arrogant.
“Not as good as if you were naked. Any chance of that happening any time soon?”
I j
ust love when people show their true colors. “No…”