EricaI'd already filled the position, but being the head of advertising had some serious perks, like creating new jobs. I knew without a doubt that Kent would have no problem with me trying to work out the perfect position for Matt. He wanted him there almost as much as I did."That's a wrap, Miss Hall. Did you have anything you wanted to add?" Mandy's voice pulled me from my thoughts."Nope. Just have someone do a quick write up and lay it on my desk by tomorrow morning." I stood up and glanced around, smiling at everyone. "Great job, and if you have staffing needs or anything else that might help you do your job more efficiently, just let me know."Everyone filed out but Mandy."I do need another designer. Celia is about to go out on pregnancy leave in the next few weeks. Did you decide on whether you wanted to just bring in a temp for her position or actually add a head-count?""Let me chew on it and I'll get back with you. I'm meeting with a guy this weekend that might be the per
Matt"So my little brother here has started jogging." Damon patted my chest at lunch the next day, a big smile on his face as our father joined us across the table. The restaurant was far too fancy for my liking, but it was close to their downtown accounting firm and incredibly tasty."Did you really? Who are you jogging with? Sophia?" My father picked up the menu and perched his glasses on the tip of his nose."Yeah. She finally talked me into it. She's getting a promotion at the station and wants to be in better shape for some of the places they’re sending her.""Such as?" Damon picked up his water and took a quick sip. The dark circles under his brown eyes let me know quickly that him and Bethany were still not speaking. He slept like a baby when life was good and suffered like crazy when it wasn't. He was exhausted. The tone of his voice was even off. It usually boomed with confidence and drive, but it was barely more than a strained whisper. I wanted so fucking bad to ask what wa
Matt"I'm doing my part. I love the environment. It's teaching me more about perseverance than I care to say." She took a piece of bread and turned to face me. "Tell me everything about your conversation with Jonathan. You're signing with his studio, right?""I need to get back up to the office. Excuse me, guys. I'll see you later." Damon stood up and bumped his leg on the table, causing the whole thing to jostle and the drinks to spill a little."Is it something I need to be involved in?" My father glanced up and pulled his attention from his phone."It's the Kissinger account. You might want to be on the call." Damon brushed his hands down the front of his shirt and gave me and Bethany a tight nod. "See you guys later.""I'll pack up your lunch and run it up when we-" I tried to offer."No, just pay the bill and take it home. It's fish, but you should give it a try." He turned and walked away as my dad stood up."Well, damn. Never a moment of rest when you're ruling the world, right
EricaI spent the next day immersed in projects just to keep myself from thinking too much about my family situation or about Matt. Neither were a healthy place for me to be, so I ignored everything but the pile of to-do's sitting on my desk. I had a standing dinner with my best friend Lanie every Thursday night, and though I really didn't feel like having anyone at the house, it wasn't fair to cancel. She needed to hang out with me as much as I needed to see her.After driving through the empty streets near my high-rise condo, I parked the car and walked up to my apartment, wondering what other people who had a life, a family, a spouse were up to. They were most likely sitting down to dinner, or cooking with the ones they loved and laughing about the events of the day.By the time I reached my condo, my heart hurt. How long was I going to hold myself out in hopes that the right guy would come along? It almost felt like any guy was better than the right guy, but it was my loneliness t
Erica“In a movie?” I laughed, unable to help myself. “Like you two are the only lone souls in the theatre and happen to be sitting next to each other? He reaches into the popcorn tub just as you do?”She glanced over at me and rolled her eyes. “No, but it’s getting old. I’ll be twenty-nine next month. I’m ready to get married, Erica. Unlike you, I’m not good being alone. I fucking hate it.”Her voice broke, and I hated myself for teasing her. Just because my loneliness was well hidden didn’t mean it didn’t exist. I just wasn’t willing to give it a voice for fear of what it might do to me to have to face it head on.I moved in behind her and wrapped my arms around her, squeezing softly and pressing my cheek to the back of her head.“It’s going to be okay. You’re a beautiful, talented, loving woman. You’re going to meet an amazing man, and we’re going to look back on this time in our lives and laugh.”“And what about you?” She turned a little and I released her.“What about me?” I igno
MattI slept like shit the night before, but it was a common theme when I knew the next day might include running into Erica Hall. She was the epitome of sex incarnate in a power suit. From her shoulder-length blond hair that framed her regal features perfectly to the thick swell of her tight ass in her business skirt.She left me aching all over and wanting to give up my fast from sex. She was the only woman that left me feeling that way, which was all the more of a reason to tuck tail and run. I was just like every other alpha asshole in the bedroom, and therefore avoided it. I couldn't find a woman who understood that my appetite in the sheets had little to do with my devotion and adoration outside of them.Being someone who craved love like I did, it was just easier to play it safe and keep my relationships more familial and friendly. Anything more than that, and I'd have to explain myself. My passions bled out in my art, but there was so much more trapped inside of me, begging fo
Matt"It should be Damon that puts forth some effort in trying to adjust his go-to response every time something goes wrong between us.""Sex and touch are his love language. There is nothing to adjust. He's a dick, and he could work on that for sure, but would you really like him if he were a different man? That guy you fell in love with is still the same guy that's hurting just like you are.""He's hurting?" Her voice softened."Duh. I swear for a brilliant girl, you sure are being dense about this.""Thanks, butt-hole.""Anytime. You know I care about both of you.""I do. Let's not talk about my shit anymore though. You need to get emotionally and mentally prepared to meet the woman of your dreams this weekend.""Oh yeah? You think I'm going to run into her while I'm in Seattle? Did you have a vision or something you want to share?" I was being cheeky, but I loved goading Bethany more than anyone else."Really? You know Erica is perfect for you, Matt.""I know. I've heard it a mill
EricaMandy walked beside me down the hall the next morning, rattling off a list of things that we needed to get through before our Monday afternoon meeting with Kent. I nodded and took note of the important ones, but didn't interrupt her until we were in my office, seated across my desk from one another. I had on my favorite grey slacks and a tight blue shirt that left me feeling powerful and pretty."E-mail that list to me, and you make sure you stay focused on the new service campaign. Kent is going to start offering a new line of advisory services to our customers in Dallas, and we need to make sure the imagery is spot on. Find a few pictures of men in the oil field, or grab the right models and get the photos ourselves.""Of course." She nodded and scribbled something down. "When do you want a mock up?""By Monday if you have stock imagery that you can use. Actually, use stock photos for now, and if we need to take our own pictures, we'll just make sure Kent knows that." I turned