Working With Cupid, page 10
part #1 of Chicago Sapphics Series
"Not that it's any of your business, but she knows I'm running behind." I sigh, leaving her with those parting words. I don't owe her any further explanation. I texted Anastasia this morning when Izzy got called into work earlier than usual. I was stuck, hoping for an early morning cab, but no one likes to be out in negative degree temps at four in the morning.
A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth as I step into the elevator. Cupid has officially been struck by Cupid. Deep red and off white streamers hang from the tiles in the cabin while elegant, gold hearts decorate the walls to the panel. I wouldn't be surprised if someone comes in and glitter bombs the place to match the rest of the decorations. The elevator dings quickly and I make my exit, speeding past Dawn's Valentine's Day themed desk and through the now heavily decorated cubicles—straight for Anastasia's office. As much as I shouldn't believe Britney's snarkiness, a wisp of worry niggles at my brain.
I bypass my desk, raising my hand to knock on Anastasia's door instead. My fist barely makes contact when the door creaks open revealing the empty office. Sighing, I step into the office and close the door behind me. My feet drag along the carpet to her desk where a slew of papers and folders sit haphazardly. I drop my bag and laptop on her chair before grabbing the papers and stacking them in a pile.
If I'm fired, it'll be the last kindness I'll get to give her.
My fingers brush along the familiar paper that holds my rushed signature and initials. How is it possible that only days have passed by since I signed this? I open the long drawer in the middle of her desk and tuck the paper inside.
I have no idea why she would have that out, but I'm sure she wouldn't want it being seen by anyone.
"You made it on time," Anastasia whispers from behind me.
Nerves take flight in my chest, sending my blood to rush through my limbs, leaving a tingle in its wake. Turning, the saliva on my tongue dries as I take in her fitted, pastel pink suit and the complimenting cream camisole underneath. I want to tell her she's beautiful, a vision that no one else could ever compare to. I would do anything to get on my knees for her again, here and now, if it meant she would kiss me.
Parting my lips, I will those words to come, but all I can manage is, "I'm sorry I was running behind today."
Her dark, sculpted brows lift as she snorts a laugh. "Nicolette, it's fine. I'm a hardass, not a monster."
"Of course you're not a monster." I would never think that about her. Exhaling sharply, I scuff my boot against the carpet. "I was just worried…" My words taper off, unsure of how much I want to say where Britney is concerned. "It's noth—"
Narrowing her eyes, her fierce demand cuts off my intended excuse. "Tell me what worried you."
"…I was worried you might fire me because I showed up late," I say, knowing damn well the only reason I'm worried is because Britney got under my skin again.
"Why the hell would I do that?" she asks sternly.
Shit. She's not going to drop this. Shaking my head, I avert my stare and attempt to wave her concern off. The last thing we need is there to be more drama around the office. "Something Britney said when I got in the building. I shouldn't have listened to her."
"Look at me." Her words are sharp, leaving no room for defiance. Slowly, I revert my gaze back to her as she asked. "Just because she once knew me doesn't mean she knows me now, or how I operate my business. You are an amazing assistant whom I am quite lucky to have. Don't ever doubt yourself because of one person's bitter attitude," she says.
"Yes, ma'am." I nod.
"Good girl." She smirks, and all I feel is instant relief that she meant what she said. "We're due to meet with Cameron and the guys. She was very cagey with her voice message, so I'm not sure what to expect."
That's odd. Everything seemed to be going well with them yesterday. "I wonder what happened," I say.
Pulling her phone from her pocket, she glances at the screen and releases a tired sigh. "I suppose we'll find out soon. They're waiting for us in the conference room."
A furious tension crackles as I step inside of the conference room. The Noble brothers sit on the opposite side of the table from Cameron, both wearing grim expressions. Swallowing against the tension gathering in my throat, I walk steadily to the open chair next to the head seat and unbutton my jacket. As fast as I can, I drape it over the back of the chair before I sit.
We all wait patiently for Anastasia to sit at the head of the table with the folders for Cameron and the Noble twins in hand. "Can someone explain to me what's going on?" she asks.
Minutes pass before Cameron sighs, breaking the tension in the room. "I don't think this is going to work out."
Knox's emerald stare snaps in her direction, his jaw tense as he speaks. "You haven't given either of us a fair chance, Sullivan."
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, resisting the urge to glance at Anastasia. Something has changed drastically from yesterday between the three of them, and we're going into this meeting with limited information. "I think she's scared." Jax snorts. "The country princess won't soil her reputation with two nobodies," he goads.
Who pissed in his Cheerios this morning?
"That's not fair," Cameron bites. "I am thinkin' about your reputation just as much as mine. The rumors are already flyin' around. Paparazzi got a picture of me with both of y'all and are threatenin' to use it." Her drawl is thick as her voice shakes, but I can't deny the ferocity behind her words. She's worried for them, not because of them.
"Cameron," Anastasia soothes, breaking the tension between the trio. "What is holding you back? I cannot do my job if I don't have all of the information," she explains.
Silence cloaks the room at her question, the one I can guarantee Knox and Jax have wanted to ask, but haven't. Cameron sighs, her shoulders collapsing as she gives in. "Everyone knows there's a price to pay when you're at the top," she says with a half-hearted smile. "For every good thing said about me, there are thousands of bad things. This will subject you both to the same scrutiny—"
"And?" Knox interrupts.
Waving her hands toward both men, she shouts, "And I don't want to drag you both through the mud, on top of whatever shit the media will pull, when they find out I don't have a traditional relationship!"
"Is that it?" Anastasia asks, bringing everyone's attention back to her. My heart lurches as she leans forward, steepling her hands under her chin and resting her elbows on the table. "I understand your position, Cameron. I, too, have been at the mercy of the press, limiting my personal life. Being the face of a company is quite difficult, just as being a top-selling artist."
Cameron sniffles, swiping at her cheek. "Then you'll understand if I choose to walk away from this."
"I wasn't finished," Anastasia continues softly, her cheeks dusting a light pink as she speaks. "I understand, but I disagree with it. Why can't you have both a relationship with whomever and your career? You've fought to the top. There's no reason to stop fighting to stay there."
I know the question was meant for Cameron, but something in me burns to answer it, too. Why can't I have both? Why can't Anastasia?
"I-I don't know," Cameron whispers.
"You can have both," I say, looking the lilac-haired woman in the eye. "You just have to want it, Ms. Sullivan."
Goosebumps lick my exposed arms, alerting me to Anastasia's heated stare. It's ingrained into my memory just as much as her touch and laugh. I can’t explain how it happened, nor how fast, but my body is defenselessly in tune with hers. "Nicolette is right," Anastasia affirms.
Reclining against the back of his chair, Jax releases a weary sigh. "What's the harm in trying? We don't need to go public right away, Cam."
Knox nods. "Good point, brother."
Cameron's eyes flit back and forth between the guys before she dips her head. "Okay."
"Wait, really?" the twins say in tandem, their astonishment flooding the room.
"I owe myself and you both a fair chance," she says, keeping her head bowed.
Knox stands suddenly, his stride long until he reaches her. I watch as he extends his hand, placing his fingers under her chin, coaxing her to lift her head. "You don't owe us a damn thing. We were only ruffled because we like you, a lot."
Tears well in my eyes over his tenderness for Cameron. I wish I possessed a shred of the courage he has to confess something private so boldly; without care of who sees it. I find myself yearning for that confession with Anastasia, despite knowing it will never happen. She made her stance clear and I refuse to cross her boundaries. "It sounds like you three have a lot to talk about," Anastasia says, her voice thick with emotion; more emotion than I've heard from her yet.
"Did you mean it, Nicolette?" Cameron asks, swiping her finger under her eye. "Can I really have both?"
Inhaling deeply, I will my words to come out strong; as strong as I believe them to be true. "I meant every word. You can have both, Ms. Sullivan—you just have to want it. It's clear those two want it with you."
Her smile is wobbly, but there's a lightness in it; an understanding. Maybe she sees it in my tears, or hears the hidden confession woven between my words. Sniffling, she swipes her sleeve over her cheeks. "You have an amazing assistant, Anastasia."
I catch Anastasia's soft smile in my peripheral, her cheeks a darkened shade of pink for the first time since I've worked with her. "I know," she says.
Chapter eighteen
"Thank you. Both of you." Cameron smiles at Nicolette and I, slowly coming back to her usual self. "I know I haven't been the easiest to deal with this week," she says.
Shaking my head, I shoo her worries away. If this was her version of difficult, I have faith that things will only go up from here. "Nonsense. It is more than okay to be unsure. Sometimes all we need is a little push to go after what we truly want."
Jax and Knox dip their heads in acknowledgement. I hope they take that piece of advice to heart, especially where Cameron is concerned.
"Come on, princess. We're burning daylight and wasting Ms. Graves' time," Jax says as he approaches her with his hand held out expectantly.
An adorable blush bleeds over Cameron's cheeks. "Jax," she playfully chastises, accepting his hand. Something akin to admiration washes over her face, and I know in my heart that everything is going to be okay between them three. Turning her attention back to me, she gives me a sly smile as she leads both men toward the door. "Thank you again, Anastasia. I'll talk to you tomorrow before my flight out. Nicolette, it was a pleasure meeting you this week. I hope to see you around again."
"The feeling is mutual, Ms. Sullivan," Nicolette says softly, raising her hand in a polite wave.
Nodding, I wave her and her men off. "Get on out of here, you three. I'll talk to you later, Cameron. Mr. Nobles, it was a pleasure."
The conference room door closes quietly with their departure, giving me the opportunity to slump back against my chair. "Well, that went better than I thought." I sigh.
"Better than the alternative, right?" Nicolette asks with a laugh as she swipes the corners of her eyes. The thought of her tears, no matter where they've come from, digs an ache deep in my chest, as if I can feel what she's feeling, too.
"Thank you, Nicolette," I whisper, knowing damn well she is once again the only reason Cameron is giving the brothers a chance. I'm not an idiot. I know that her well-timed comment came from the heart, whether it was solely for Cameron or if it meant to extend between us, as well. Maybe it's naïve of me to not address it—everything that we are putting on the line—but if my silence buys us even a sliver of more time together, I can't help but take the risk.
"Of course," she says sweetly. "I hope things work out between them. Jax and Knox seem quite fond of Cameron, and Cameron is far stronger than she gives herself credit for."
I snort a laugh. Fond is an understatement. I could see the moment Cupid's arrow went and pierced both of their hearts earlier this week. The guys may be a little rough around the edges, but it's easy to see how invested they are in the country star. And she's right. Cameron is strong—stronger than I would have been in her shoes, that's for sure. "With your help, I have full confidence in their success."
"Did you mean what you said?" Her blonde brows scrunch over her forehead, creating an adorable wrinkle I crave to kiss away. "That you disagreed with Cameron not being able to have a relationship just because she's at the peak of her career?" she asks.
"I did," I admit as I swipe my tongue over the front of my teeth. This conversation is bordering on dangerous territory, but I can't find it in me to lie to her or play it off like it was nothing. "I know that she is capable and despite her reservations, she wants it." My words ring true for Cameron and myself. Although, unlike Cameron, I am not ready to admit that aloud. Hell, I'm not sure that I will ever be ready. I have spent years accepting my role and position here at Cupid. My worth has never been tied to a relationship, and I refuse to make it so now; even if my heart yearns for something more.
Bowing her head, her soft waves curtain her face. My fingers twitch to brush them from her face. Someone so beautiful and sweet as her deserves everything good the world has to offer. Nicolette Richter was made to be seen, never hidden. "She is lucky to have you in her corner," she says.
While I don't disagree, this success—or rather hopeful success, is not only mine to claim. "I am lucky to have you in mine," I say.
Cameron wasn't wrong when she said I had an amazing assistant. I knew before I laid my mouth on hers that I was going to keep her after the trial. As much as it hurts to know I've all but ended what we started before it even began, I can't think of a better woman to have at my side when it comes to business. That, and it helps I've grown to enjoy her companionship outside of our office foreplay.
Clearing my throat, I push away from the table with an idea in mind. "I have a few reports to file now that Cameron and the twins have left. I could use a hand again later tonight, if you are willing…" I trail off, hoping that she catches what I mean without having to say it. It's our last night together and I want to spend it well, showing her what this week has meant to me. What she means to me.
"Do you want me to stay, Ms. Graves?" she asks.
I want her to stay more than anything, but it's more than a want. It's a need. I need her to stay—I need her. Nodding, I manage to whisper, "I do."
"In that case, I am more than willing." Her eyes sparkle, like I've just given her the greatest gift on Earth and, hell, it's nearly enough to bring me to my knees.
"I will message you when I need you," I say softly, fighting every urge to reach out and touch her. "If you could confirm tomorrow's delivery with Lillian when you get back to your desk, I would greatly appreciate it."
Chapter nineteen
My cheeks burn as I rush from the conference room, my boots scuffing along the tile floor with each step. The image of Anastasia smiling at me, the smile she reserves for me alone in her office, freshly burned into my memory. Butterflies take flight in my stomach, threatening to lift me from the ground. The little voice in the back of my head that reminds me this thing between us is casual, is notably quiet. I know it's stupid, but I can't help the way my heart flips when I think of her, see her, touch her.
"Where is Anastasia?" Britney clips.
Her caramel eyes hold a poorly masked glare of bitterness as she stalks toward me. "Working," I say quickly, brushing past her. After what Anastasia has told me about her, I don't think it's wise to bother entertaining a conversation. "I can leave a note for her if you'd like."
A chill crawls up my forearm as she wraps her fingers around my wrist, painfully jerking me back. "I need to speak with her now."
"And I told you she is busy working," I warn. I shouldn't let her get to me, nor should I be possessive of Anastasia, but something about this woman sets me off. "If she wants to speak with you, I will let you know."
"Whatever," she snaps, leaving me in the hallway with nothing but a pounding chest filled with anxiety.
I take a minute and shake off the encounter before rounding the corner toward my desk, now littered with stacks of paperwork for Anastasia to look over. A heavy sigh forces its way out as I sit in my chair, ready to sort through these papers.
Lower tier matches. Unsuccessful matches. Re-matches. Highest tier matches. Media correspondence.
The office's steady buzz slows with each pile I complete until the only thing I hear is the shuffling of the papers in my hand. My eyes wander to my laptop as I remember to check in with Lillian, who responds immediately with her estimated delivery time. A smile pulls at my lips as a flashing notification catches my attention.
GravesAnastasia: Has the office cleared out?
Biting my lip, I peek over my laptop screen to see the office completely emptied.
RichterNicolettePA: Yes, Ms. Graves.
GravesAnastasia: Good. Did you confirm the delivery for tomorrow?
RichterNicolettePA: I did. Lillian anticipates a late morning delivery.
GravesAnastasia: Thank you, bunny.
GravesAnastasia: Come to my office if you're done for the day.
She doesn't need to tell me twice. I stumble my way to her office. Before I can lift my hand to knock, the door opens quickly, revealing her dimmed office lit by dozens of tea light candles with a scattering of soft pink flower petals. "W-What is this?"
"Come in and find out," she challenges.
Though her face may be hidden, I hear the smile in her words. With a tentative step, I walk through the threshold, taking in the room in its entirety. Lying on the floor is an assortment of decorative pillows and a plush blanket with a pizza from Anthony's sitting in the center. "Anastasia," I breathe.
The door closes quietly behind me, sealing me in the room with the woman who has managed to turn my world upside-down in a matter of days. "Do you like it?" she asks.
"Do I like it?" I repeat. Is she insane? Like isn't nearly a strong enough word.
