Maybe Later(24)

JSpear84: Why so much?

AWalk90: The Plane ticket is about $600+, hotel accommodations average $200, his hourly rate from the time he picks up the package until he’s back to the office, and food.





*



Thursday, April 21st, 5:51 p.m.



Jack: It’s too late to ship that today, will it be okay if I overnight it tomorrow?

Alex: Saturday works, make sure it gets here before ten in the morning. Scan it and send it to your lawyer, he should be able to work with that for now.

Jack: My lawyer is your lawyer?

Alex: Yes, your assistant gave me the number when I emailed her. I had no idea Carla was on maternity leave.



Of course my assistant gave him that number.



Alex: Mom’s asking if you called that girl.

Jack: What girl?

Alex: I might’ve told her that you met a woman last weekend.

Jack: Thank you, I’ll make sure to pay you back once you’re up and about.

Alex: I take it you haven’t called her yet.

Jack: I’m not sure if I want to start dating.

Alex: Call her, you have nothing to lose. It’s time to get over your shit and date.

Jack: After the fucking fiasco you’re going through, you want me to date?

Alex: I’m saying date, not marry again. Marriage is an outdated institution, that’s why I signed a partnership contract. It can get dissolved without mind fucking anyone like the bitch did with you.





*



Thursday, April 21st, 5:55 p.m.



JSpear84: Overnight it tomorrow. Why did you give my brother the number for a corporate lawyer?

AWalk90: Have the parcel ready in the reception. I’m sending my messenger.

JSpear84: You didn’t answer my question.

AWalk90: His offices do more than corporate law, and he handles a few civil cases.

JSpear84: I owe you one.

AWalk90: You owe me two. Go get some dinner and stop working overtime.

JSpear84: Yes, boss.





*



There’s no one in the office, everything is quiet, and my mind continues to wander toward what Alex told me, go back to dating. It’s funny, when I think of Emmeline, I’m not apprehensive about going out with her.

“Sorry, I can’t answer the phone right now, but leave a message, and I’ll call you back.”

“Hey, this is Jack from the bookstore,” I say, wondering if she’s screening my call. “We talked about Fitzgerald and the pretty messed up book you said it was your favorite. I’m reading it, and I’m not sure I agree with you. He’s fucking an eighteen-year-old, while his wife is sick. He’s a—”

“Beep!”

I growl and redial her number.

“I didn’t mean to rant about the book. Would you like to get a coffee this weekend? Maybe at the French bakery on Second and Fillmore? Call me.”

Only takes a few seconds for the phone to ring. Her name and number flash right on my screen.

“Emmeline?”

“Just because I like the book, that doesn’t mean I approve of Dick’s behavior. He’s an asshole. He’s unfaithful to Nicole and also plays with Rosemary. The end is fitting, but I don’t think you’ve realized the enormity of what happened while you read it. Fitzgerald dragged you into his world and made you a part of it. His emotions are now yours.”

I smile because she’s right, even though I think it’s fucked up, I was absorbed by the words and the plot. “That’s why you like it best.”

“Exactly, his passion for those characters is palpable with each word. The prose is so powerful.”

“Are you an English teacher?”

“Nope, I had a few AP credits from high school and took an English literature class in college. If I had tried, maybe I could’ve gotten an English minor.”

“What did you study?” I ask, waiting to hear something like sociology or perhaps psychology.

“Economics, since pre-law was boring,” she says with a chuckle.

“I can’t picture you as a lawyer.”

Because all I can think about is you against a wall, under my body, or on top of me, riding my cock. Her long, dark locks scattered on my pillow, her sweet, sexy, fruity scent permeating my bed. My pulse quickens as I imagine tasting her lips, kissing her deeply while I …

“I picture you as a financial guru,” she speaks, yanking me out of the R-rated thoughts I’m having about her. “A boring consultant who works from nine to five.”





*



Thursday, April 21st, 6:03 p.m.



AWalk90: The delivery guy is in route to pick up the parcel, make sure it is at the reception.

JSpear84: Give me a few minutes, I’m in the middle of a negotiation.

AWalk90: Tell them you have to go and leave the ultimatum on the table. Everyone budges under pressure.

JSpear84: If this fails you owe me.





*



“Em, I have to go,” I apologize, praying that Amy is right.

“Because you’re in the hot seat?” she laughs.

“No, it’s work related. When can we meet for coffee?” I insist.