Down to Business (Business Series) (14 page)

Her manicured hand stretched out to grab mine. “Hi, Autumn. Welcome to the family.”

Her hand was warm and her grip was tight.

“Thanks,” I answered, trying not to stare at her cleavage that was practically screaming to be seen in her low-cut tight white blouse.

“Vivian has been working here three years now.” Tina said, gently putting her arm around Vivian and giving her an adoring smile. “She is like a daughter to me, aren’t you Viv?”

“Yep,” Vivian said, looking at me again. “Vinny and I have been dating since our freshman year.”

“But we broke up for good this summer.” Vinny quickly added, tucking his hands into his pockets.

Vivian’s smile faded a little.

“You know my friend Lindy Brooks, right?” I asked interrupting the awkward moment.

“Yeah, we are both majoring in nursing.”

“We’ve been best friends since we were kids. I’m her new roommate.”

“How nice…” she said with a slight smile that screamed disinterest.

“Since I’m down here on my day off, I think I’ll catch a movie.” Vinny cut in. “Did you want to join me, Autumn?”

I saw the look of surprise ricochet between Vivian and Tina. I stared over at Vinny, opening and closing my mouth like a fish. “I…uhh…sure…if you want me too?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.” he said with a smile.

My face burned and I smiled back. “Okay.”

“Don’t you have something better to be doing Vinny?” Tina cut in.

“Like what, Mom?”

“Like studying. Those classes won’t pass themselves.”

“I’m done studying today,” he said, giving her a distant smile that she didn’t return. “Thanks for giving Autumn a chance.” he said, putting his arm around my shoulders and giving me a chummy hug. “I knew you’d like her.”

Vivian crossed her arms under her chest and looked between us, frowning. “Well, have fun.”

“We will.” Vinny said, leading me toward the front door.

“Thanks again Tina! It was nice meeting all of you…” I said as we left.

I was still reeling with excitement as we stood on the sidewalk outside Mazzolas. The world exploded around us in sights and sounds. Car fumes, blaring horns, and people walking everywhere caused a pang of anxiety to filter through the excitement over my new job. I tightened my grip on Vinny’s hand as he led me down the street and we meshed with the crowd.

“Is the theater close?” I asked, pulling my purse under my arm in fear of someone snatching it.

“Yeah, just around the corner here. Are you okay?” he asked, looking at me.

“I’m fine, why?”

“You just look uncomfortable.”

“I’m not used to all of this.”

“You’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy,” he teased, “welcome to Oz also known as New York City.”

I laughed and my heart fluttered as his fingers laced with mine. The security in his grip made my anxiety diminish a little. Once we reached the theater, I felt a relief as we cut away from the crowd and got in line. Vinny stayed ever vigilant over me, glancing to me every so often. We decided to see the latest action movie and he purchased our tickets.

Once we made it inside the theater, we stopped at the concession stand and ordered popcorn and drinks.

We picked seats toward the middle and while we waited for the movie to start, I wondered what prompted him to suddenly ask me out in front of everyone. Was he just doing it to make Vivian jealous?

I glanced over just as he placed a few pieces of popcorn in his mouth.

“So did you conveniently forget that your ex worked for your family?”

He stopped chewing and glanced over at me. “I forgot to mention that. Sorry.”

“I don’t mind. Do you guys get along okay?”

He shrugged. “We do, it’s just…I don’t know. She wants to get back together and I don’t.”

“I don’t think she likes me very much and neither does your mother.”

He shrugged. “My mother doesn’t like anyone really. And Vivian, might not like you because you are a girl and my friend.”

I helped myself to few pieces of popcorn. “What about last night?”

He smiled some, and glanced over at me. “What about it?”

“I was just wondering what might have happened if Tyler and Lindy didn’t interrupt us?”

He watched me a second and gave me a playful smile. “I dunno, what do you think?”

“I don’t know, I think you were going to—”

The lights suddenly dimmed and the previews began. We both turned our attention to the screen, but my unsaid comment hung in the air like static between us. After the first preview ended, he shifted in his seat and he pulled his phone from his pocket. I couldn’t help but notice the name on the screen was Vivian.

He sent it to voicemail and looked back at the screen. I hid a smile and sipped my drink. After the previews ended and the lights turned completely off, I leaned toward him and our shoulders met. Delight rippled over me when he lifted his arm behind my seat and the scent of his cologne carried me off into another one of my “what if” Vinny fantasies.

The movie began with a typical action high-speed chase. I went to cover my eyes when the two cars collided, but he caught my hands and lowered them giving me a smirk. “Don’t be a baby.”

I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed. I stole a few pieces of popcorn and pressed them between my lips. He reached in the bucket and did the same, the look in his eyes reminded me of the one he gave me in the car before we were about to kiss. My stomach tightened, making the anxiety over the movie’s car crash feel mild.

My gaze drifted from his inviting eyes to his lips that were moving ever so slightly as he finished his bite of popcorn. Self-conscious, I pressed my lips together hoping I didn’t have a kernel of popcorn stuck on them. His Adams apple bobbed and his gaze dropped to my lips as I licked them clean. When he looked into my eyes again, they were full of desire. The overwhelming need to kiss him encompassed me. As I found the courage to lean in, a blue glow lit up his face and we looked down to see his phone vibrating in the cup holder between us. This time it was his mother calling. I frowned and bit down on my lip. I really did have the worst luck.

He snatched the phone up. “I’ll be right back, I have to take this.”

“Okay…” I said, helplessly taking the tub of popcorn and watching as his crotch passed my vision on his way out of the row.

I tried to pay attention to the movie, but I couldn’t help but wonder what his mother had to tell him.

He returned a few minutes later and settled back down in the seat.

“Everything okay?” I whispered, feigning lightheartedness.

“Yeah,” he nodded and turned his attention to the screen.

I tilted the popcorn towards him. “Want some?”

He shook his head without looking at me. “No thanks…”

I realized whatever his mother said to him ruined his mood and the possibility of getting to kiss him. The rest of the movie he barely cast a glance toward me and kept his hands to himself. Occasionally he would lean over, rest his elbow on the armrest, and place his chin on his fist as if we were watching the most interesting movie in the world. I was actually relieved by the time the credits began to roll.

Once we stepped into the lobby, I excused myself to the bathroom.
I realized while I was washing my hands that my hair needed brushed and my makeup could use a touch up. I used my fingers to comb out the tangles in my hair and then used a tissue to clean up my eye make-up.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I found him on the phone again. When he noticed me, he quickly told the person on the other end that he had to go. He slid his phone into his pocket and smiled at me. “Did you like the movie?”

Maybe if it wasn’t full of interruptions
.

“Yeah, it was okay,” I answered honestly. “I thought the acting was kind of cheesy but the action scenes were good.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. I could tell his pleasant mood was forced.

We headed out of the theater with the rest of the crowd. The sun had already set and the cool evening air seeped through my sweater and thin pants. I crossed my arms wishing I had my jacket.

“I’ll go grab the car and pull up to the curb so you don’t have to freeze your ass off,” he offered.

“That’d be great.” I said, relieved.

“Okay, wait inside for me.”

I stepped back inside, keeping an eye on the curb. It took less than ten minutes for him to pull up. I hurried to the passenger door and he leaned over and popped it open for me. I slid into the heated leather seat and released a long sigh of satisfaction.

“Thanks, that was really sweet of you,” I said putting on my seat belt.

“No problem,” he replied as we pulled into stop and go traffic.

In a matter of moments the temperature went from comfortable to stifling. We both reached over to adjust the heat at the same time and our hands collided.

“Sorry.” I laughed, turning the knob.

“Don’t be,” he said with a smile and his hand dropped to the gearshift.

“You were popular this afternoon,” I said crossing my legs. “Do you always get that many phone calls?”

He checked his mirrors as we merged onto the freeway. “Not usually. Could you grab my glasses out of the glove box? The glare is killing me.”

“Sure,” I removed his glasses and passed them over.

He slid them on his face and flashed me a smile. “Thanks.”

“Yep.” I leaned back in my seat. “So, do you have dinner plans tonight?”

He paused before answering me. “Yeah, I might.”

“You might?” I asked, feeling my stomach clench.

“Vivian and I… might be doing dinner. I don’t know yet.” He explained warily.

It felt like someone sucker punched me in the gut. “But, I thought you didn’t like being around her?”

“Well, I don’t usually, but she called me earlier and she wants to do dinner when she gets off. She was crying on the phone and I felt bad…so I said yes.”

“Why was she crying?” I asked in the most caring voice I could manage.

He shifted gears as we moved with the pace of traffic. “She’s just emotional sometimes. She has been wanting to get back together for a while, but I just don’t know.”

I stared at him. “So there is a chance you might get back together?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

My stomach turned to lead and I looked away. She was obviously jealous because he took me to the movies and felt threatened. Just when I thought he was perfect, I found my reason to think he was an idiot.

“Do you think going to dinner with her is a bad idea?” he asked, stealing a glance at me.

“I’m not one to give relationship advice, but I do know that people don’t change overnight. I’m sure she was just jealous that we went to the movies and now she feels threatened.”

“Why would she be? You and I are not together. It was just two friends going to the movies.”

Another sucker-punch to the gut, and this time my throat tightened.

Oh God, please don’t start crying!

“Yeah, you’re right.” My throat felt like it was full of sand when I tried to swallow and I looked out of the passenger window to hide the tears in my eyes. “I hope you have a really nice time, Vinny.”

I remembered her perfect hair and her giant boobs spilling out of her shirt. No wonder he only looked at me as a friend and her like he did. I had nothing on her. I sulked as I imagined them eating dinner and him staring at her gigantic boobs the whole time. He probably would kiss her goodnight or more.

Silence fell over us and I didn’t say another word until he pulled into the apartment parking lot.

“Thanks for the ride,” I called, avoiding eye contact.

I grabbed my purse and reached for the door.

“So are you happy?” he asked.

“Not really,” I answered, unable to help it.

“You’re not? Why?”

I snorted and rolled my eyes. “What do I have to be happy about? You just led me on by taking me to the movies and now you’re getting back with your ex.” I pushed open the door, attempting to make a graceful exit.

“I meant about getting the job.” He said, his tone derogatory.

I froze with one of my legs hanging out of the car, and felt my cheeks catch fire.

Oh yeah, that.
 

I found the courage to twist back around and look at him. “Yeah, I’m happy about that part. Thanks again. I’ll see you tomorrow in class.”

Just as I turned away, he caught my shoulder.

“Autumn wait,” he said, gently drawing me back into the car.

I looked over at him, biting down on my lip as I fought to keep a neutral expression.

“I just want you to know that it wasn’t my intention to make you feel led on. I had a good time with you last night, and today, I really did. I’m just not ready for…more than friends.”

“Yeah,” I nodded quickly, cursing the tears that were burning my eyelids. “I wasn’t looking for anything more either, but why would you ask me to the movies if you just wanted to be friends...?”

“Because I like you, you’re a cool girl and I don’t want to mess that up with us dating and getting intimate. I don’t wanna hurt you.”

“I understand. It’s fine...” I said, unable to look at him anymore. I turned and climbed out, hearing him call out to me.

“Autumn, I hope you don’t think I am not attracted to you.”

I looked over to see him leaning over the console to look at me with sympathy in his eyes.

I wanted to shout I hope he got an STD and slam the door in his face, but instead I settled for, “Have fun at your dinner.”

“I’ll call you.”

I swung the car door closed with a rough shove and headed for the staircase, refusing to look back at him. As I walked, I thought of all the things I should have said to him about how wrong he was to lead me on and how stupid he was for giving in to his ex. By the time, I got to the front door, my whole body was trembling, half from cold and half from being pissed off. Once I unlocked the door, I finally cast a glare down at the parking lot where he was still idling.  He waved and I wanted to give him the finger, but I refrained.

The first thing I saw upon entering the apartment was Lindy and Tyler cuddled up on the sofa watching TV under a blanket. They both looked over and I glared at them. The last thing I needed to see was them being all mushy.