High Stakes (4 page)

‘That’ll do for now.’ I could have added a few more things, way more personal; like how I suddenly noticed he was pretty well built and his after shave was subtle but spicy. But that was getting onto dangerous ground. And yet, I couldn’t help wonder what Pete thought about me. There was something about the way his intense brown eyes looked in my direction that made me ask, ‘ What are my good points?’

‘I need another drink to work that out.’

‘Gee, thanks. It doesn’t count if you’re drunk.’

‘I am not going to get drunk. I have to drive home.’

‘Right, upward citizen and all that.’ I filled his glass and topped mine up.

He took a sip and then said, ‘You’re funny. A bit crass sometimes, but funny.’

‘I think of that as one of my better qualities, though I prefer the word frank…or perhaps outspoken.’

‘You do have a way with words. Your part of the policy was well written.’

‘Thank-you.’

‘You’re welcome. And you’re smart.’

‘Sure you don’t mean a smartass?’

‘You’re not good with compliments, are you?’

I shrugged my shoulders, starting to feel increasingly uncomfortable, yet very aware of Pete’s presence so close to me.

‘Try this one then. You’re really nice looking.’

I looked down at my glass really hard. Okay, so I had a feeling where this was heading…but did I want it? The ground between us had shifted. But, what was happening now? I hated the way my palms were starting to sweat and the strange excitement that was building in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t feel in control anymore and that scared me most of all.

‘What?’ he said and leant over to tweak one of the now curly strands of my hair. ‘No smart come back..? Don’t tell me I’ve made you speechless?’

I looked up at him sideways, ‘I think you’re drunk, Forest.’

He laughed and slid over on the couch next to me. ‘Yeah, a glass and a half of wine goes straight to my head. Don’t take advantage of me now.’ His arm dropped around my shoulder. Why didn’t I move away? I must be in a state of shock, I decided.

‘Pete, what’s going on here?’ My words were coming out all breathy.

‘Well, I think I’m going to kiss you, if you don’t mind.’

And that’s when I should have made it clear right there and then that no way was I going to fraternise with the enemy. But the mind and the body aren’t always in sync. This was one of those times. Before I could stop myself I said, ‘What are you waiting for then?’ 9:45pm: Sometimes, thinking can be highly overrated. I discovered that kissing could definitely be put on Pete’s list of good points. As I snuggled into him, he put his chin on my head and played with my hair. Apparently he thought my tousled lion’s mane attractive.

‘I always thought your insults were a way of attracting my attention. It worked too.’

I looked up at him indignantly. ‘Don’t flatter yourself, Forest. I’m just using you now, you know, for your body.’

‘Yeah. I’m just a chick-magnet. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist me.’

I dug him in the ribs with my elbow.

‘Ow, that hurt. Play nice now.’

‘Chick-magnet indeed. You know, I could have guys if I wanted them. I am not unattractive.’

‘Seem to remember telling you that. And yes, Carmichael would come running if you crooked your finger at him. But the fact is I’m here with you right now. That’s not so bad, is it?’

I allowed my finger to trace his jaw and run over his lips. He grabbed my hand and kissed it, then moved to my neck, my chin and finally my lips. ‘You’ll do,’ I whispered and returned his kiss.

12:03am: Pete left. Reluctantly (after all he was pretty hot and I was tempted) but firmly, I told him it was time to go. And like the gentleman I’d assumed he was pretending to be but actually was, he went. It was nice just making out. Pete didn’t push it, and I was relieved. I couldn’t go from hating a guy one day to sleeping with him the next. I made us tea and we talked, like real people for a change. I found out he missed home, his family, England. He had been transferred here from the head office in London. It was too good an opportunity to miss and so he had worked hard and tried to get ahead. How ironic that if he succeeded it would be at my expense. But I didn’t hold it against him anymore. It was a level playing field now. Whoever won, won.

12:23am: Wish I could get to sleep. Wish I wasn’t wishing that Pete was here now.

II

Sunday

9:01am: The insistent ringing of my iphone woke me up. I picked it up from the bedside table. ‘Hello?’ I mumbled, half asleep.

‘Miss me yet?’

Consciousness slowly returned. ‘Pete?’

‘None other! What are you doing?’

‘Sleeping until just a minute ago.’ I sat up in bed and looked at the bedside alarm clock. ‘Jeez, I can’t believe it’s after nine. I must have slept like a log.’

‘That’s probably because you had such a wonderful, relaxing evening, followed by even more wonderful dreams. I hope I was in both.’

‘Steady on. It’s more likely because I had too much wine last night and not enough sleep last week.’

‘Quite the romantic, aren’t you? Anyway…on to more practical matters. Do you want to do something today?’

‘Well I thought I might do some laundry, buy some groceries and call Mum.’

‘I meant with me. You can do those other things any time, except for calling your mother. I’m sure you can fit that in around whatever we decide to do.’

‘Sheesh, you’re getting ahead of yourself, boy! I haven’t said yes yet.’

‘Should I call back when you’ve woken up more?’

‘Might be an idea. I’m not good in the morning.’

‘You make up for it at night.’

‘Shut up.’

‘Love it when you talk tough.’

9:45am: The phone rang. ‘Hi again. Awake yet?’

I looked at the coffee cup in my hand. ‘I’m still on my first coffee. You don’t give a girl much time.’

‘Well the day’s slipping away. What would you like to do? Go to the beach?’

‘Too hot, too crowded. It’s school holidays.’

‘Well, then a movie? It’s air conditioned.’

‘Nothing’s out I want to see.’

‘Suggestions?’

‘Let’s keep it simple. A picnic at the Botanic gardens in the city. There might be an open air concert or something. I’ll get some stuff together. But seriously, I need to do a few things around here this morning. I’ll meet you there around noon.’

‘I’ll pick you up.’

‘No, parking’s too hard to get. Take the train, it’s easier.’

‘Not trying to ditch me already are you?’

‘Of course not. I’m just being practical. See you then.’

9:50am: I was. Trying to run away that is. This thing with Pete was moving too fast for my liking. I needed time to process things. Relationships complicated everything, especially when you worked with someone. And this particular relationship, if that’s what it was, could prove to be very toxic. I couldn’t forget we were in competition for the same job. There were bound to be feelings when one of us didn’t get it. Best to cut it now before we got in too deep. I would text him at noon and let him know I couldn’t make it. Yes, that would be better for all concerned. I felt relieved. After all there was no way I could have a relationship with Pete Forest. What was I thinking last night?

10:50am: I hung out my washing in the communal yard for our flats. Was I being unfair? Under different circumstances, I could probably go out with him. But…two days ago I hated him. How could I do a 180 degree turn in such a short time? I was doing the right thing in stopping this before it got started.

11:59am: Was it too late to change my mind? Was I throwing away something that could be really good? Maybe I was too focussed on my career? Bite your tongue, girl. You’ve worked your arse off in that company and now you’re acting like some love struck teenager with her first boyfriend.

12:03pm: I sent the text and now I felt like shit. But it was the best thing to do, for both of us.

12:20pm: No reply. What did I expect?

1:10pm: I’ll watch that DVD. I didn’t get a chance to last night. It’ll take my mind off things.

3:30pm: Gawd, I hate Sundays. Perhaps I’ll do my ironing for the week. Get ahead, be organised.

4:15pm: Geez, I haven’t emailed my form to Pete yet. Should I bother? Has he sent his to me? I’ll check. Nope. He must really be angry with me. Guess I’ll just have to hope for the best with Shelley.

8:30pm: It’s not too early to go to bed, surely? I do need a lot of sleep and I want to be fresh in the morning. I don’t want to face Pete tomorrow. But we both have to be civil and give our report to Shelley. I can do that surely.

8:35pm: My phone rang. I nearly dropped it I was so quick to pick it up. ‘Yes?’

‘Kate, Pete here.’

‘Oh Pete, I’m sorry. Please let me explain.’

‘No, it’s fine. I’m cool with it. I just rang to say I’m going to tell Shelley I no longer want the promotion. In fact I no longer want the job. I’m returning to England after I’ve worked out my notice.’

‘What? You can’t be serious.’

‘Yes, actually, I am.’

‘But why? Look if you’re pissed off with me, I can understand that. But it shouldn’t stop you from going for the job if you want it.’

‘That’s the point. I no longer want it. You did me a favour really. I didn’t realise, until this weekend, how much I was giving to work and how little to myself. It’s crazy you know, putting work before everything else. That’s no way to live. And when I went to your parents’ house on Friday night, it was so nice and normal, it made me realise how much I miss that. And the way I treated you and everybody else at work – I didn’t like the person I had become. I don’t want to be like Shelley in ten years time. I’d rather have a life.’

‘Oh,’ I didn’t know what to say. Of all the things I thought he might say, this never entered my mind. ‘But Pete, think about this. You might change your mind in the morning. I’m really sorry if I made you feel this way. I feel like a jerk.’

‘Don’t. You probably did the right thing for you. You don’t want a relationship with anyone at the moment, and certainly not with me. I get that. Anyway, I think you’ll make a fine boss.’

‘Oh Pete, I didn’t want it this way.’

‘Be honest, kiddo, you wanted it any way you could get it. And I think that means you’re the best person for the job. You win.’

Tears started to stream down my face. I didn’t feel like a winner.

‘Pete?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Do you hate me?’

‘Of course not. Hey, are you crying?’

I took a breath. ‘Me? Certainly not. I’m as tough as nails, Forest.’

‘You are that. See you tomorrow, Kate.’

‘Bye.’ I put the phone down and burst into tears.

Monday

7:00am: I lingered over my coffee. I’d had a long, bad night. Pete’s words had swirled in my mind incessantly. I realised I didn’t want to be like Shelley either. I wasn’t even sure I wanted the job anymore, let alone the promotion. For the past couple of years it was like I had been sucked into a vortex where the only thing that mattered had been work. Hell, I’d even forgotten my twelve year-old brother’s birthday. I was only twenty-four and yet for the last two years I’d hardly gone out and I hadn’t had a holiday. No wonder I’d fallen into Pete’s arms so easily. It had been a long while since anyone had held me, touched me, kissed me. And it had felt nice, felt right with Pete. My body had more sense than my brain. But it was too late. Or was it?

8:15am: Nearly everyone was there when I walked in the office. Pete waved and smiled, ever polite, even now. I smiled back but headed for my desk. I didn’t want to talk to him. At least, not yet.

8:25am: Shelley burst through the doors making her usual dramatic entrance, and then disappeared into her office. The report was on her desk already and I guessed at some point in the day she would call us in.

9:00am: I saw Pete go into her office. Probably he wanted to tell her his decision and hand in his notice. I wondered briefly if he had changed his mind. But I quickly dispelled that. No, not after what he said last night.

11:05am: After that first early wave and smile, neither Pete nor I had said anything to each other. It was funny, but I missed him. Even the insults we traded were better than this.

Noon: I wish she would get it over and done with. Carmichael had been chirping around the office like a bird all morning. He must have had a good weekend.

12:15pm: Shelley came to her office door and called out, ‘Pete, Kate, could you come into my office for a minute.’

We walked in and sat in the two chairs she indicated. Our Professional Development document was sitting on her desk. She tapped it, ‘You’ve both done an excellent job on this. It’s very thorough and addresses the very things I outlined to you on Friday. Well done.’

‘Thanks,’ I said. Pete was silent.

‘I’ve also looked at the forms you filled out for each other. Pretty honest stuff. I’d say you both got a chance to know each other better this weekend.’

This time it was me who said nothing.

‘It was a valuable experience,’ Pete said.

‘So it would seem,’ Shelley said. ‘You may or may not know, Kate, that Pete has withdrawn his application for the promotion, for personal reasons. He wants to go back to England. So the job is yours. Congratulations.’

Pete turned to me and held out his hand, ‘Yes, congratulations Kate.’

I took his hand and squeezed it. I remembered the first time I had shaken hands with him on Friday. Today his hand was still warm and firm and the smile was genuine. But now, it felt so different. I wanted more.

Shelley held out her hand too, but I ignored it. ‘Thank you Shelley, but your congratulations are a little premature. You see I’ve also had time to think this weekend and I’ve decided I don’t want the job either.’ Pete sat up in his chair.

‘Really?’ She looked at me in surprise. ‘After all this work, I’d be interested in knowing the reason why.’

‘I guess that’s the problem. I’ve been working too hard. I nearly missed my brother’s birthday party because of this and I really don’t want that to happen again. And another thing, I’d like to take a little time off, which wouldn’t be fair if I were to take on a new job.’