City of Sin (29 page)

Bee

My phone started buzzing. I yawned and swiped my finger
across the screen. "Hello?"

"So now you're answering phone calls?" Marie's
voice cut through the line like a knife.

"Hello to you, too, Marie." I had been screening
all my calls for the past week. Just because I knew what I wanted didn't mean I
had enough confidence to go get it.

"Do you have any idea how worried we've all been?"

"My mom told me you called the house a few days ago and
talked to her. You knew where I was."

"Yeah, no thanks to you. Kendra and I have been taking
turns calling you a million times a day."

"I've missed you guys too."

Marie laughed. "Does that mean you're coming back?"
The edge in her voice was gone. She sounded like her normal, sweet self again.

"Of course I'm coming back."

"Good. You should probably make that this morning. You
have an interview at 2 o'clock."

"Wait, what?"

"Kendra said someone called with an ad job opening. You
weren't there so she pretended to be you. Your interview is today."

"Really? What agency?"

"I forget the name. Stop moping around and get your butt
back to the city, Bee."

I laughed. "I'm on my way."

***

Mason had called a few times the first two days I had skipped
town. He never left a message and then his calls had stopped. Normally that
would have deterred me. But I wanted to think with my heart for a change. And
my heart said that if he really was done with me, he wouldn't have called at
all. He had called because he cared too. It didn't matter that his calls had
stopped. He probably wanted me to reach out to him. To let him know that I
wanted him too. But I couldn't talk to him over the phone. It needed to be face
to face. I'd do it tonight. I was determined to win him back. Right after I
aced this interview.

I slid my key into the lock and opened up the door. Kendra
was sitting on the couch in pajamas. A bowl of popcorn was on her lap and she
was watching some daytime soap opera.

"Kendra?"

She jumped, sending a few popcorn kernels onto the floor.
"Oh my god, you're back!" She put the bowl down, ran over, and gave
me a big hug. "Marie said she talked to you. I don't know why, I just
didn't think you'd come back. I mean, I hoped you would. I was worried you wouldn't."

"You know that dumb boys can't scare me away from this
city."

She laughed and released me from her hug. "Well I
definitely didn't think you'd choose to come back on Valentine's Day of all
days."

"Oh." I hadn't even been paying attention to the
days. Was it really Valentine's Day? My heart sunk a little. Mason hadn't
called me in several days. What if he was spending Valentine's Day with someone
else? "Happy Valentine's Day, Kendra," I said as cheerily as
possible.

"Well, that didn't sound sincere at all. He comes by
every night after work, you know." She pointed over to several vases of
flowers sitting on the counter.

He does still care.
"What does he say?"

"You need to talk to him for yourself. I'm not getting
in the middle of it. He's starting to wear me down though. I like having
flowers all over the apartment." She laughed and sat back down, pulling
the bowl of popcorn back onto her lap.

"Wait, what are you doing home? It's the middle of the
day."

"You didn't hear?"

"Hear what?"

"Kruger went bankrupt. I'm out of a job."

"Wait, what? Kendra, I'm so sorry."

Kendra laughed. "Well, yes and no. Kruger did go
bankrupt. They sold their company to some other agency, though. Which wasn't
for much since all of Kruger's clients bailed. But whoever bought it gets to
keep all of Kruger's employees if they want. So I'm not actually out of a job I
hope. But they're redoing the office or something and conducting interviews for
all the current employees. My interview isn't until tomorrow."

"So you think you'll be okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Without Jenkins, I'm one of the top
performers. Hell, I'll probably get a raise. And I don't mind having the rest
of the week off. This is awesome."

"What about Mr. Ellington?"

"Oh, he got fired. The new guy came in and basically
threw him out of the office. And there's going to be a lawsuit about sexual
harassment too. That asshole had it coming. The whole thing was so much more
entertaining than Layla Torrez getting naked on live T.V."

I laughed. "So you've met the new boss? Do you like him?
Hopefully he's better than Mr. Ellington."

"Personally, I think he's okay. Some people like him
more than others. I'm getting used to him. Actually, I'm excited to see what
you think."

"Me?"

"Yeah. That's where you're interviewing."

"At the old office? What's the name of the agency that
took it over?"

"I don't think it has a name yet. Maybe there will be a
meeting and we'll get to vote or something. Wouldn't that be cool? You should
get ready though, you don't want to be late. I don't want to have to work there
without you."

"But I don't have any experience. I'll probably just
land another job as a secretary."

"Maybe he'll actually appreciate your ideas. He doesn't
think of you as a secretary yet, so don't let him. Show him you have what it
takes."

I nodded my head. "So this company just called and asked
for me to come in for an interview?"

"Yeah, I think they're trying to find fresh talent.
They're probably calling people all over the city."

My stomach churned. "Way to boost my confidence."

"But you have experience with the rest of the Kruger
employees. You're a shoo-in."

"Okay." I took a deep breath. "I'm going to go
change."

"Yeah, get out of here, you're interrupting my
show."

"Who's the cat lady now?" I said and lifted off the
lid of one of the boxes I had left in the middle of Kendra's living room.
Kendra never did anything she didn't want to. Which apparently included leaving
boxes in the middle of her living room all week. I grabbed a nice blouse and a
skirt and walked behind her couch to change. I'd move the boxes into the spare
bedroom tonight.

"Maybe you had it right all along. Comfy pants and a
good show? This could be a fun Friday night. I totally see it now."

"Yeah. I guess." But that wasn't wanted what I
wanted anymore. Unless I was doing it with Mason.

Kendra turned around. "Geez, Bee, you need to cheer up
before your interview. I can literally hear the depression in your voice."
She stared at me for a second. "Are you going to hear him out? I don't
think he's going to stop trying to talk to you any time soon."

"My plan is to go over to his place tonight and talk to
him. I have a lot to say too."

"He's already heard an earful from me. Unbutton the top
button of your blouse, Bee."

"What? No." I put my hand in front of my throat.

"Trust me. Everyone uses their assets to land a good
position. All the other hires are probably unbuttoning the top two buttons. The
new boss is young. Make him drool. Then maybe we can be cubicle buddies."

I laughed. "You don't think I can land the job with my
ideas?"

"I didn't say that. Suit yourself." She turned back
to the T.V.

I sighed and unbuttoned the top button of my blouse. It
couldn't hurt. As long as I made it clear that I was never going to give him
sexual favors. I was not going to have another Mr. Ellington situation on my
hands. I still couldn't believe someone was suing him. I should probably find
out more about it so I could give my statement too. I quickly pulled on a pair
of heels.

"How do I look?" I asked and walked in front of the
couch.

"Hirable. Oh!" Kendra stood up and ran into her
bathroom. She ran back out and tossed me a tube of lipstick. "Do the whole
red lip classic thing. Guys dig that too."

"Is this how you landed your first advertising
job?" I untwisted the lipstick from the tube and applied it.

"A girl never kisses and tells. Just kidding. Maybe.
It's Valentine's Day, though. It wouldn't hurt to be a little flirtatious. Guys
get sentimental about this holiday too, you know. He'll probably hire you just
for batting your pretty eyelashes at him."

I smacked my lips together. "I'm not doing that. How do
I look now?"

"Perfect. Drool worthy. I can't wait to hear how it
goes."

"I think I'm going to get it." I made sure my
notebook was in my purse before heading to the door. "Wish me luck!"

"You're not going to need luck." She winked at me.

I'm glad she was so confident in me, because I was getting
nervous.

Bee

It was hard focusing on the words written in my notebook. I
was distracted by the thought of talking to Mason later. His words had hurt me.
But with each day that passed, they stung a little less and I just missed him
more and more. He had been partially right about me. I wanted to move on from
Patrick when I had met him. I had been a little easy. Maybe a lot easy. I shook
my head. I didn't see why any of that mattered, though. It didn't take away
from how I felt right now.

I just needed to make him listen to me. I didn't care that he
had stolen my idea. I didn't care that he had pushed me away. He was stopping
by Kendra's every night waiting for me to show up. Clearly he realized he had
made some mistakes too. But maybe tonight wasn't the best time to do that. I
didn't want his judgment to be clouded just because it was Valentine's Day. Or
maybe that would help my case. A little extra nudge toward romance never hurt
anyone?
Says the girl that's been burned.

I took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the words in
front of me. Getting this job would be great. Having a good salary would be
great. But I'd still feel empty if I didn't have him.

I turned to the page I had written about fairytales. Maybe
I'd pitch that idea today during my interview. Then I wouldn't have to separate
out the thoughts of Mason rolling around in my head. My missing him would just
make the pitch even more sincere. And it was appropriate considering the
holiday.

The subway came to a stop. Normally it was jam-packed during
my morning commute, but in the middle of the afternoon it wasn't crowded. I
didn't have to shove through anyone getting off. The past few weeks before
running away, I had been sharing a cab to work with Mason. If we could work
though things, it was still going to be different. He'd be staying home and I'd
be heading to work by myself back on the subway. I loved those cab rides. The
way he kept his hand in mine and squeezed it whenever he wanted for me to look
over at him. Not that he had to do that very often. I couldn't keep my eyes off
of him.

I walked up the steps and lifted my shoulders, bracing myself
against the cold wind that rushed toward me. If I did get this job, I wondered
if any of my former coworkers would throw me under the bus and tell the new
boss I was just a lowly secretary. I'd definitely have to prove myself.

I ducked my head down as I walked past a homeless person
sitting on the curb. Today I didn't even have a penny to give him. I grabbed
the handle of the door I never thought I'd be going through again. I still
couldn't believe Mr. Ellington had been fired. I liked the new boss already.

My heels made that annoying clicking noise as I made my way
toward the elevator, but it was better than the sound of my beating heart. I
could feel it in my bones. This was the turning point.

When I stepped off the elevator, I was amazed by how
different the office already looked. The Kruger Advertising sign was gone, and
there were people painting the office a pretty shade of light blue. It already
seemed more cheery. A large reception desk had been put at the front of the
office and a woman was there organizing some papers behind the desk. I really hoped
I wouldn't be working alongside of her. Not that she didn't seem nice. I just
couldn't do that again.

I walked up to the woman. "Hi, I'm Bridget Cowan. I'm
here for an interview."

"Oh, yes." The woman sifted through the papers.
"Bee Cowan? Is that it?"

"Yes." I smiled. Kendra must have told them I
preferred to be called Bee. I already felt a little more comfortable. I tried
to focus on my breathing so that my pulse would be tricked into slowing down.

"He's expecting you. You can just take a seat right over
there and I'll let him know you're here." She gestured to her left and
picked up the phone that was on her desk. There were a row of soft looking
chairs and a plush couch outside of Mr. Ellington's old office. They were all
empty.

"Thank you." I walked over and sat down on the
chair farthest away from the office door. My desk that had been right outside
Mr. Ellington's office was gone. I vaguely wondered what had happened to the
picture I had left behind. Patrick and my smiling faces were probably sitting
in a dump right outside of the city. I ran my thumb along the spot where my
engagement ring once sat. When Mason had said I should just run back to
Patrick, not even a small part of me considered it. There was nothing to run
back to. All I'd be doing was running away, and I didn't want to run away from
Mason.

I looked down at my hand. For a while there had been a small
tan line where my engagement ring used to sit. It was almost gone now, like all
the evidence of Patrick and my relationship would soon be gone. And the thought
was terrifying. Not because of Patrick, but because of Mason. I didn't want
Mason to become a distant memory. I'd regret that for the rest of my life. I
had been thinking more and more about what my mom had said. Without a doubt in
my mind, Mason was my great love. Was not answering his calls a mistake? Had I
already lost him too? Maybe Valentine's Day was getting in my own head.

I needed to focus. I pulled out my notebook and opened up to
a random page, but the words didn't seem to make any sense.
Focus.

The receptionist walked over. "He's ready to see you
now." She gave me a small smile.

I'm not ready. Shit.
I could feel my heart beating out
of my chest.

She opened up the door to Mr. Ellington's old office and
gestured for me to enter.

"Thank you," I said over my shoulder as she closed
the door behind me. I swallowed hard and turned around. My throat made a small
squeaking sound when I saw him.

Mason Caldwell was sitting behind a new desk, where Mr.
Ellington's old desk had been, with a smile on his face. No, he was standing
and walking toward me.

"Mason." I could feel all the emotions from the
other day coming back. But mostly I felt the warmth wafting off of him. His
warmth was the only one that could seem to make the cold disappear.

"I wasn't sure you were coming back." He had
stopped right in front of me. He didn't reach out for me or try to kiss me.

But I still felt warmer than I had all week. "I meant
what I said, Mason."

He scratched the back of his neck. "I know I'm an asshole."

"No. I mean, I love you." There, I said it without
sounding like I wanted to rip his head off. That was better right? Would he
believe me now?

He lowered his eyebrows slightly. "I need to talk to
you."

I bit my lip. "I'm so sorry about everything I said,
Mason. The only thing I said the other day that was true was that I loved you.
I love you so much."

He closed his eyes for a second as though what I was saying
hurt him. When he opened them, he didn't lock his eyes with mine again.
"Can you take a seat?"

He still didn't believe me. Or maybe he didn't want to hear
it. He still wasn't touching me. I couldn't stand the distance between us. I
walked past him and sat down in a chair in front of the desk.

I heard him sigh. Instead of going around to the other side
of the desk, he sat down in the chair beside mine and grabbed my hand.
Finally.
I felt the familiar spark ignite through my hand.

"You bought Kruger Advertising?"

"For barely anything, yeah. I'm just going to tell you
everything from the start okay? I just need you to listen and not get upset.
Promise to let me say everything I need to say?" He ran his thumb across
my knuckles.

I nodded.

"This is everything. The good, the bad, the in between.
And I bet you'll want to take back what you just said after you..."

"I won't."

He shook his head. "I don't go on blind dates, Bee.
Actually, I don't go on any dates at all. I wasn't interested in a connection,
in the whole romance thing. Just sex. That's it. That's all I wanted."

"I know."

"Carter and Marie were pretty insistent. I kept saying
no. I keep my private life and work separate. All they knew was that I was
single and that you were too. I knew you were wondering why the hell they would
set you up with me that first night. But it's just because they didn't know me.
It had nothing to do with whether you're easy or not, which you aren't. But
they offered me Knicks tickets if I agreed. I'd get to go to a game and
possibly get lucky? It sounded like a fair deal to me. So I said yes. I never
expected someone like you to show up."

"Someone like me?"

"You took my breath away, Bee. But I only have one move.
I mean," he shrugged, "plenty of moves to get to an end point. I
wanted to fuck you. That was it. That's always the end game for me. And when
you drove off in that taxi, it just made me want you even more. I couldn't stop
thinking about you. I kept telling myself it was about the sex. Just getting to
have you. It was more than that, I know that now, but I was fighting with
myself about that. Instead of accepting that I actually had feelings for you, I
made it some sick game in my head. I knew you were damaged. I mean, not
damaged, that was the wrong word. But wounded, you know? From what happened
with Patrick. So I took things slow for the ultimate prize. You."

"That's why it was so hard for me to read you. You kept
changing. You were brash yet kind. You were so confusing. But that doesn't
change the way I feel about you now."

He cleared his throat. "Mostly brash actually. I had a
friend of mine dig up information on you. That's why I took you to all your
favorite restaurants and..."

"You stalked me?"

"I didn't..." He stopped himself and ran his hands
through his hair. "Loosely, maybe. And just at first. I don't know what
came over me. You just seemed like this goal that I had to achieve. And I
didn't care if I had to cheat and play dirty to get you in my bed. But the more
time that went by, the more I started caring about you. It wasn't just about
sex anymore, it was about you. I liked hanging out with you. And yes, when we
finally gave into that temptation, it was explosive. But it wasn't about that
anymore. You've consumed me. And it terrifies me, because I've never felt this
way before."

He laughed and ran his hand through his hair again. "I
kept getting this weird tightness in my chest ever since we met. I thought I
was dying. But I think I was just worried about losing you. I've never been
that attached to something before. Someone." He leaned forward and put his
hand on the side of my face. "You are not like any other girl in this
city. I don't want you to think that I kiss everyone I meet the way that I kiss
you. Or that I look at anyone else the way that I look at you. I'm addicted to
your laugh and the dimples in your cheeks when you smile. Your warmth and optimism
despite everything that's been taken from you. You're beautiful inside and out.
And the only thing for sure that I know in this crazy city is how I feel about
you."

"And how do you feel about me?"

"I love you, Bee. I love you so much."

"I thought you were done with me?"

"I can't ever quit you." He grabbed my arm and
pulled me onto his lap. "I love you so much." He leaned down and
kissed me.

I was never going to question his motives or resist one of
his advances again. I was always happiest when his arms were around me. I
didn't care if he had gotten Knicks tickets or stalked me. I cared about what
all that led to. Us. And all of that lead to where we were right now.

He groaned into my mouth as his hands slipped to my ass.
"God I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"I was so worried you weren't coming back." He
kissed the side of my neck. "I was so worried that I lost you."

I pulled back. "You're not so easy to quit either, Mason
Caldwell."

He moved his hands back to the sides of my face. "I'm so
sorry that I hurt you. I'm never going to hurt you again."

"I'm sorry too. I just freaked out when I heard you on
the phone. But I know you weren't trying to steal my ideas. I know you're a
good person."

"I didn't even finish everything I needed to tell you.
You're good at distracting me." He didn't make a move to push me off his
lap. Instead, he pulled me closer, letting me rest my head against his
shoulder. "Seeing your marketing ideas was an accident. I was just trying
to leave you a note. But it was hard to look away. Your ideas are good, Bee.
Good enough to land the Sword account."

He was fiddling with the ends of my hair. I closed my eyes
and just breathed in the familiar scent of him.

"James called me after that Layla's Predictions fiasco.
He had a friend on the board that knew the company was losing all their
accounts. It was pretty clear that Kruger was going to go bankrupt in a few
days. I needed to take that shot. It was just an opportunity I couldn't pass
up."

"I'm glad you got it. I'm not mad at you."

"But I knew everyone at Kruger was going to lose their
jobs..."

I laughed and lifted my head off his shoulder. "That
explains your reaction that night. You knew I wasn't going to get a promotion.
Why didn't you just tell me?"

"James made me promise not to tell anyone. His friend
could have gotten in a lot of trouble if anyone who had stock in the company
suddenly started selling their shares."

"So, you got Knicks tickets to go on a date with me,
stalked me, turned our relationship into a game, stole my advertising ideas,
let me believe I was getting a promotion when you knew I was getting fired, and
then bought the company that fired me? Is that about right?"

"Yeah, but I..."

"What's your end game now?" I tried to raise my
eyebrow. I hated that I couldn't give him the same challenging look that he was
so easily able to give me.

He smiled down at me. "A good friend of mine told me
that until life gives you something right, it's hard to realize how wrong
you've been." He pushed a strand of hair out of my face. "I haven't
really been living. Not until I met you. You're my end game. Making you happy
is my new permanent end game. And," he grabbed my waist and stood up. He
set me down on the edge of the desk and leaned into me. "The same friend
told me that women prefer the truth over grand gestures. But I'm kind of a fan
of grand gestures." He grabbed a business card off his desk and handed it
to me.