One Month Later"Your dress is a little stuffy for the west coast. You need to work on updating your wardrobe. You aren't in New York City anymore, Simone."There's nothing wrong with my wardrobe or tonight's little black dress, and my new Rossi red pumps are to die for. The only problem in the room would by my new boss, Roger Walters. At forty-five he's one of the youngest branch managers in the company, but it's his need to control his employees like we're incapable of the smallest decisions that sets him apart. I understand why he's known as the company asshole on both coasts."Of course, sir." I brush him off and finish the walk into the hotel ballroom a few steps in front of him.I'm eager to get away from my 5'5" tall manager with the face of a bull terrier. With his elongated head and beady little eyes, he'd win one of those "People who look like their pets" contests. If he doesn't already have a bull terrier, I'm sure the office would all chip in and get him one for Chr
Before his grandmother finishes our introductions, Grant has my hand in his and places a small kiss on the top. I don't know if I've ever been hand kissed before and I tense as his lips land on me."You work with that snake Walters? It can't be."Over time our small group moves to the side as the Moores continue to greet guests and the room fills up with invitees. The noise level is higher, but Grant's comment is heard by that exact snake of a boss who goes rigid at my back, knocking me forward a bit. By the increase of his smirk, Grant is more than happy his insult made it to his intended target. Does no one like the bull terrier?"I moved to the area earlier this week from our New York branch.""So soon I can start directing my questions to you?" Grant looks hopeful at the prospect, but before I shoot him down on that unlikelihood, he's tapped on the back by another guest. "Ah, Finn. Come meet Simone from Lowry, Lowry, and Fink."My heart skips on the name. It's not a commo
The dark brown chairs in my building's lobby have to be real leather. They're steps above my New York apartment. The whole building is a higher class than I've ever lived before. From the marble floor to the crown molding ceilings, I love every inch. The pay increase with my promotion allowed me to upgrade my living arrangements, and so far it's worth every extra penny I pay to live here."Would you like me to call you a cab, Ms. Stevens?"Did I mention the doorman? I swear I've fallen into apartment heaven. Who cares if the four-thousand-dollar rent is more than half my monthly take home pay. I have a doorman."No. I'm waiting for someone, but thank you."The greying man in his cute dark suit returns to his place by the door after a quick head nod in acknowledgment. The last time I saw Trey was the anniversary party Thursday night, but through a few quick texts, he's invited me to hang out with him and Finn at their friend Cosmo's place. I didn't peg him as the early Sunday mo
His voice brokers no argument and I realize these two were not aware I'd be joining the group this morning. I start to worry, but the woman smiles in our direction, taking both Trey and me in with a memorizing gaze."That's great. I'm Aspen." She unlatches herself from Finn's grasp and he grunts his disproval, but she ignores him and leans over to shake my hand. "This is Finn.""Yes, we met briefly Thursday night." I lean back into the couch immediately liking her."I miss all the good stuff, but I couldn't pass up the chance to spend the day with my brother and new baby niece. She's so cute. I just want to pinch her cheeks the whole time I'm around her." Her fingers make little pinching motions like a crab and I laugh."You should worry, Finn, soon she'll be asking for one of her own." Trey points between the other couple and both of them look shocked at the idea."Um, no. I mean... yeah sure... but... not now." Aspen barely recovers first. "Have you made Simone play with yo
"Thanks, Jake." Aspen waves to the tall, kind of scary man who drove us across town as she gets out of the black Escalade. I stand on the sidewalk beside her as the car blends into the distance."You have a driver?" I ask the question I've held in since following her out of Cosmo's. Most of my clients in New York had drivers — it was almost expected — but I didn't get that vibe from her or Finn.Aspen turns to our right and walks past a gate with Buena Vista Park on the sign. Her eyes move up the hill. "Well, he's Finn and Trey's driver really, but it's easier to use Jake than find a taxi, and Trey normally drives himself."She keeps talking as we start to climb the hill to some unknown destination. "Marissa and Amanda will meet us at our usual spot. We started coming here this summer and it kind of stuck. And the food is to die for."Our walk comes to a stop about halfway up the slope when she turns to me with a serious face. "Marissa and I met in college. She's going through
The black door to the Escalade closes behind Trey and he clicks his seatbelt into place before our driver, the same guy from Sunday, makes it back to his position behind the wheel."Will you tell me where we're going now?" I question.Around lunch when he asked to pick me up from work and promised to provide me with dinner, I didn't hesitate in my answer. Now, I'm slightly nervous. Never mind. Slightly nervous went out the window an hour ago. The deadline inched closer and closer, and I sailed right into freaking the hell out.Trey leans toward me to look out the window on my side. "We're going to do a quick touristy thing and then dinner at my place.""Should I change my shoes?" I lift the leg closest to him to show off my bright red Jimmy Choo heel. I'm a New Yorker. I'll walk in heels anywhere when needed, but I'd rather save my feet if I can.Trey sighs when he sees my shoe. "Unfortunately, yes. While I hate to see them go, you'll want to be more comfortable." His finger
Trey turns in the opposite direction of L.D. and we start the walk back up Lombard Street. This time our slower pace gives me time to take in the details of the landscaped area and houses on each side of the roadway.We walk back up past all eight curves of Lombard Street, on the pedestrian steps this time. Once we reach the top of the hill we drove down minutes ago, the need to fill the space starts to claw at me. I try to pretend we're a normal couple, out for a cute stroll rather than what we are. And what are we? I can't even answer the question myself.My anxiety builds and I start to question what we're doing here more and more. I'm about to throw out one of the hundred or so reasons I've thought of to make my exit when Trey picks up our conversation as if no time as passed. "Do you like pizza?""Of course." Who doesn't like pizza?"There is a great place a block or so from my house. I'll order and we can pick it up on the way to my place. What do you like for toppings?"
"There must have been some good times in the beginning, right?" I ask to learn more about the young and ambitious Trey.He laughs in thought again. "There were tons of great times. Grant stayed at Stanford to finish his senior year. Ryland had already been recruited for a semi-pro team, so he left before finishing college as well. Finn and I were living in this tiny two-bedroom crap rental. We survived on soda and pizza for every meal. It was in a horrible part of the city, but we craved that coveted San Francisco address. It was the only place in Silicon Valley we could afford."As our memberships grew, we were forced to hire more coders. We'd have five or six guys sitting in our tiny living room all working together. It was my job to feed everyone and keep them motivated since I was little to no help with the code.""I'm sure your neighbors loved that.""They weren't too bad. Eventually we needed more servers, so we ended up renting office space in Oakland and putting them in