A Life More Complete(111)

Ellie left early almost every day that week, unusual, yes but I tried not to pry, although everyone in the office secretly came up with their own theories on where she could possibly be. My favorite one is that she has a family that no one knows about, which I guess isn’t all that far-fetched. She is a wholly private person, so that theory doesn’t seem entirely out of the realm of possibility. I preferred to see her having some kind of clandestine, risqué affair with an older, handsome gentleman. A man that possibly drives a Bentley and is the C.E.O. and founder of some fortune 500 company. He whisks her away on his private jet to exotic locales and buys her lavish gifts and makes her feel wonderful. Yep, I’ve given that much thought to my boss leaving early. My life does really suck. But in the end everybody has secrets, so I let hers rest with her.





---Chapter 36---





Tyler and I have spent a minimal amount of time together since my ultrasound, so when he comes to me a few weeks before Halloween asking if I’ll attend a party with him I can’t help but feel pleased.

A week later I’m sitting in my office contemplating how to phrase a press release for something I feel is completely idiotic, but still part of my job, when my phone rings.

“Kristin Mullins,” I say, but my tone reeks of boredom.

“So professional, yet so uninterested. Love it,” Bob says without so much as a hello.

“Bobby!” I squeal. “To what do I owe this honor? I hope you’re not calling to cancel on me. We’re having dinner tonight whether you like it or not.”

“Oh, I just wanted to hear your beautiful voice and,” he pauses slightly, dragging out his last word for effect, “I need a huge favor.”

“Anything for you my love, as long as you’re not canceling on me.”

“Nope, not canceling. So, here it goes. Jon and I are supposed to go to this Halloween party a girl from work is throwing. We already RSVP’d and now he has to go out of town. Some work shit, trade show or I don’t know. I don’t ask anymore. I don’t want to go alone and I’d feel really bad about not showing up, so I was hoping you’d go with me. Please.”

“Sure,” I say casually.

“Seriously! Thank you so much. You know you have to wear a costume, right?

“Um, yeah. You said Halloween party.”

“Fabulous! I have the best idea for our costumes. It’s a couples party, so we need to have coordinating costumes.”

“Really? Can I back out now?”

“No. You’re gonna love this. I promise. We can go as Rosemary Woodhouse and Dr. Sapirstein. I’ve got the best pixie wig that was leftover from a commercial that we shot a few weeks back.”

“Rosemary’s Baby? Hell, yes!” I shout as Maggie leans over the reception desk and looks at me. “I’m in. When’s the party?”

“Next Saturday at seven. It’s at some hotel in L.A. I can’t remember which one. I’ll pick you up, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“Next Saturday? Shit. I’m supposed to be at some stupid Halloween party with Tyler. A guy he does business with is having a party at his house in Malibu.”

“You’re kidding me? You have to go with me. Please! Tell me you love me more.”

“Well, of course I love you more,” I say placating him and joking at the same time. “Let me figure this out. I’ll call you back in a few. Okay?”

“Okay. Love you. Remember that,” Bob whines.

“Got it.”

I hang up with Bob and quickly call Tyler’s office getting his annoying assistant. I can’t stand her, more than likely because she’s cute and young and skinny and doesn’t sweat like a pig after walking up the stairs. She is as dumb as a box of rocks and every time she answers the phone it takes everything in me not to ask her how much skill her job actually requires. I also want to let her know that I’m fully aware that she was hired solely based on her looks alone and to stop flaunting her perfect little ass in front of my husband. I keep my mouth shut. I know I’m pregnant and hormonal, but she still bugs the shit out of me.

“Oh, hey Krissy,” she says her voice dripping with sweetness. “How are you feeling? Tyler doesn’t say much. My friend who’s pregnant, her face got so fat. Hopefully yours didn’t.” This is her idea of conversation. Luckily I’m on the phone with her because I’m not sure I could handle this discourse in person.