Finding Her Way (12 page)

“Ok, fine,” mumbled the two sleepy women.

“I would suggest getting some breakfast into you before we start working on the cottage.”

Setting two plates of food and two cups of coffee on the table, she continued. “Once we are done, we can all take turns showering. I would like to leave around one. We can catch lunch on the drive back.”

Jaime never picked up her head.

Jerrica’s eyes looked in Lauren’s direction, sleep still in them, “You’re joking right? It’s only seven thirty in the morning.”

“Best time to get started,” Lauren answered, heading up the stairs.

Jerrica slowly shook her head in disbelief. Cautiously she lowered her head onto her crossed arms, leaning on the table and within minutes, she was lightly snoring in tune with Jaime.

Chapter Five

“Don’t drop that!” bellowed a heavy southern accented voice on the other side of Jerrica’s office door. “That’s irreplaceable!”

It was too early on a Monday morning to hear yelling already in the office. Making her way to her door, Jerrica saw what all the commotion was—Olivia had two movers carrying a large wooden desk across the department. By the strain on the workers’ faces, the desk was as heavy as it looked. With her shoulder leaning against the door framing, she watched in amusement. Olivia was giving them so many different directions it wouldn’t surprise Jerrica if they set it down in the middle of the walkway and left it there. She grinned at the thought of Olivia’s horrified expression if they did just that.

“Good morning. What a devilish smile on such a beautiful face. What were you just thinking?”

Jerrica swiveled to see Madison standing next to her. “Hi. Ms. Jeffery, I mean…Madison. I didn’t see you there,” she said, her gaze falling to the floor as her face flushed with embarrassment.

“It’s ok, Jerrica, you really don’t have to answer my question. I’ll use my imagination.”

Looking up from the floor, she tried to redirect the subject, “Why does Olivia have such a large old desk? She has plenty of financial backing to get new stuff.”

Madison smiled at Jerrica’s awkwardness. “She’s had that desk for as long as I’ve known her. She told me it has special meaning to her because it belonged to her father. He was a very successful southern lawyer.”

“Oh, so you come from the south?” Jerrica avoided eye contact. “How long have you worked for Ms. Hutten?”

Madison stepped forward, entering Jerrica’s personal space. Leaning in toward Jerrica’s ear, she replied in a sultry tone. “If you want to get to know me, Jerrica, you’re going to have to buy me dinner first.”

Jerrica’s eyes fluttered closed smelling the intoxicating musky perfume now surrounding them both. She could feel Madison’s soft black hair graze the side of her cheek sending electrifying chills up her spine.

This woman is so sexy
, Jerrica thought frantically.

Madison stepped back, staring at a very flushed Jerrica.

“Madison, can you help me with these guys? Nobody’s listening to me,” Olivia bellowed from across the room.

Madison sighed in frustration but waited a few extra seconds for Jerrica to say something. When it was apparent the friendly banter was over, she commented graciously as they parted. “I’ll catch you around.”

Jerrica watched as she strolled away, taking in the gentle sway of her hips. It was mesmerizing to observe how her pants hugged her hips, thighs and the pair of shapely legs. Jerrica suddenly realized she was staring. Looking around to see if anyone had seen her, she stepped back into the office and closed the door.

Madison heard the office door click closed. A nervous feeling started in the pit of her stomach.

Maybe I offended her, I shouldn’t have said that to her, she thought, agonized.

Madison didn’t have much time to ponder those kinds of questions for very long as Olivia’s temper was skyrocketing. “Olivia, why don’t you go to the lounge and get yourself something to drink. I’ll handle this,” she said, putting a hand on Olivia’s shoulder.

Olivia nodded in agreement. Walking around the struggling workers, she disappeared around the corner.

The moment that Olivia was out of sight, Madison had the men set the desk down.

Lowering the desk to the floor, the workers bent in pure exhaustion. Their chests heaved to intake as much air as they could get, as they tried to stand erect again.

Madison waited patiently until breathing returned to normal before she would negotiate with them.

“Listen,” she said, putting her hand on the desk, “I know this desk is heavy. I know that Olivia can be a handful.”

Madison watched as both men glanced at one another. “But I’ll make a deal with you. If you get this desk in her office, exactly where I tell you before she gets back, I will give you a bonus of one hundred dollars each.”

The men smiled at one another. They picked up the desk again, bringing it carefully into the office. When Olivia returned, Madison was in the office wiping off the top of the desk. “The movers will be back shortly with more stuff. Olivia you need to remember to be patient, we are just moving in. You wanted this job and I’m making it happen for you. You need to relax. It will all come together sooner or later.”

Olivia walked to Madison, placing her arms around her. “Thanks, my friend. You’re always here for me.”

Standing in the middle of the office, with the door open, in the arms of her boss was not what Madison wanted to be doing the first hour of a new job.

“Olivia,” she joked, talking into her ear. “Please let me go. You don’t want the movers to think there’s something going on in here, do you?”

Olivia released her from the hug, smiled, then walked to the windows.

Madison knew her boss needed a few minutes to collect herself, so she left the office to look at her own workstation. Standing next to her cubicle, she glanced back at Olivia in her big office.

One day Madison, you’ll have an office like that
, she thought, straightening her posture in pride.

Sitting down at her desk, Madison looked around at her new home. The cubicle had three walls that were tall enough for privacy, but short enough that she could glance over them. She had two file cabinets on her left that extended one wall. It wasn’t the greatest desk she had ever had, but she would make do. As she surveyed the department, she noticed she could see Jerrica’s office door from her seat. She leaned back in her chair with a huge grin.

Well at least this job does offer some benefits, she mused. I wonder what her story is.

From the moment Madison had laid eyes on Jerrica, in the women’s room, she had fascinated her. Her dark green eyes added to Jerrica’s mysterious qualities. Madison didn’t want to admit that she felt heat rising from inside whenever she was around her.

She’s way out of your league, anyway, she told herself. Besides she’s probably straight.

If Jerrica wasn’t into women, then that would explain why she looked like a deer caught in headlights when Madison flirted with her. And, if she was straight, at least Madison would have the pleasure of looking at that beautiful body throughout the day. Shrugging her shoulders, she started pulling items from boxes.

“Good morning,” she heard a soft voice say.

Madison looked up from her cubicle. Smiling, Madison stood, walking toward the welcoming smile. “Good morning. I’m Madison, Ms. Hutten’s assistant,” she said, extending a hand,

“Hi, I’m Jaime. I’m Ms. Kerrison’s secretary,” Jaime said, shaking hands.

A small silence fell between them. “So are you new to Boston?”

Why was everyone so nosy about her past living situation?
Madison thought. “Ms. Hutten and I just transferred from the Carolina’s. She enjoys the winter season in New England.”

Jaime nodded her understanding, as if not sure who should talk next.

“Since I’m new here, would you like to have lunch with me,” Madison blurted out before she realized the commitment she was making.

Jaime smiled from ear to ear with a twinkle in her eyes. “I would love to. I have lunch after Lauren comes back from hers. Lauren is Jerrica’s, I mean, Ms. Kerrison’s assistant. Lauren doesn’t really have a set time she goes to lunch. I just go after she gets back.”

“My schedule is pretty open. My boss is flexible with lunches and breaks,” Madison replied.

“I’ll stop by your desk before I take lunch and we can go together. Sound good?”

“Great. I’ll see you then.” Madison returned to her desk.

Jaime was elated. No one here had ever asked her to lunch, except for Lauren. Her other co-workers thought she was a snob because she was quiet and kept to herself. Glancing back at Madison, Jaime smiled at the thought that she might have found a new office friend.
 

Madison went back to organizing her desk as the movers made many trips with boxes into Olivia’s office. After five or six trips by the movers, she thought it might be time to check on the progress. Peeking in, she noticed that Olivia was still standing at the window looking out.
Not surprising
, walking up beside her, she leaned her shoulder on the window. “What’s going on?”

Letting out a sigh she glanced at Madison, “I’m just adjusting to the change.”

Madison felt a little frustrated with Olivia’s reaction. “I know moving up here has taken you hundreds of miles away from your family. However, Olivia, this move was your idea, remember?”

“I know. It’s just the physical moving, that’s the hard part, first my office, then my apartment.”

“Olivia, give it a week, next week will be better.” Madison turned so she was leaning fully against the window, looking at the mess in the office.

“I can rectify this for you,” she said, snapping her fingers. “Why don’t you go to the spa, then take yourself out to dinner. Tomorrow, take the day off. The movers for your apartment will be done today. I can handle the movers here and the rest until you return. When you come back on Wednesday, everything will be in its place.”

Olivia pondered her suggestion and sighed. “That’s fine, Madison. It will give me time to relax.”

“Good, you have a ten thirty appointment at ECI salon and day spa. So you’d better get going.” A wide smile crossed Madison’s face.

Without a word, Olivia went to her desk, picking up her bag. “You know me so well, Madison. What would I do without you?”

That was a rhetorical question, Olivia new. As Olivia left the office, she waved, disappearing around the corner. Madison loved when Olivia left her to her own devices. She could handle getting everything organized by herself without the stress of Olivia and her temper.

When the movers were done, Madison passed them their bonus, thanking them for a job well done. She started back on the task of setting up her boss’s office the way Madison would want it to be, if it were hers. Everything would be at Olivia’s reach and Madison would know where to find it if her boss couldn’t. Four boxes into unpacking, sitting on the floor, she noticed the time. It was close to noon. She should be hearing from Jaime soon. A knock on the door startled her out of her unpacking trance.

“Come in,” she said still sitting on the floor.

As the door slowly opened, she heard a familiar voice before the figure appeared around the door.

“Olivia, I was wondering if you…” Jerrica’s entered the room seeing Madison sitting on the floor.

“Olivia is off for the next couple days. She will be back on Wednesday. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Jerrica was surprised by the undeniable sensual tone in Madison’s voice. “I was going to…ask Olivia out for…lunch,” Jerrica mumbled, “But...umm would you like to go instead?”

Jerrica was shifting her weight from one foot to another, but not looking directly at Madison.

She smirked at Jerrica’s embarrassment. Standing, Madison brushed her pant legs off saying, “Thanks for the offer, but I already have a lunch date.”

Jerrica’s face was blushing when they made eye contact, “I wasn’t asking you out on a date. It was just a friendly lunch.”

Madison tried not to giggle. “Well,” she said, stepping closer to her, “Maybe we can take a rain check, Olivia and I?”

Jerrica felt a little dizzy as the sweet aroma of Madison’s perfume wafted around her. “That’s fine, maybe next time,” she said as she turned, leaving the office in a rush.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Madison answered as Jerrica disappeared. She stared at the empty doorway, grinning.

Jerrica quickly retreated to her office. Her hands were shaking as she closed the door. What is wrong with me, she chastised herself. I don’t understand why she has this weird effect on me. She has been flirting with me since we met.

She had never felt so unnerved by anyone, this was new to her, and she was scared. She walked to her desk, trying to shake off the strange feeling she had in the pit of her stomach.

Lauren walked into her office just as Jerrica reached her desk. In each hand, she was carrying two vases with what looked like a dozen roses in each. Lauren’s frown on her face pretty much said it all. “These are for you.”

“There from, Devin, aren’t they?” Jerrica lowered her chin to her chest in distress.

“Do I really have to verify that for you?”

Jerrica’s head snapped up in sudden anger, “Stop answering my questions with a question! Are you trying to piss me off?”

Her tone had flipped from being distressed in seeing the flowers to the anger that Lauren had unintentionally invoked in her.

Walking in silence to the table near the window, Lauren placed the vases there. Without glancing at her boss, Lauren left the office, closing the door behind her.

Jerrica knew there was no logical reason she should be this upset, but it was too late to stop it from taking over. The uncontrollable fury raged through her body. Her fists balled up as hatred for everything that had gone wrong in her life overtook her. She charged the table. When both hands hit the top of the table, she yelled in anger as she forced the vases off the table and into the air. “Stay out of my life! I fucking hate you!”