“Ours, Taelyn. Our new place. Four months,” he sighed as he bent down and kissed me sweetly.
“You won’t have to leave your house on Friday nights anymore,” I bit my lip and he laughed.
“No, but God help me, I will probably be masturbating a lot.”
“It’s not dark yet, maybe we could--.”
He ran his hands through my hair and let out an exaggerated sigh. “How do you feel about me driving up alone and then next weekend I come get you?”
“Why?”
“The storm. I wouldn’t feel right if something happened to you in this awful weather on your drive home.”
“Well I guess it’s fine, I can--.”
“No, no look I can catch a train. I really don’t want you driving and I certainly don’t want you without a car. That wasn’t our agreement.”
“Daniel. I love that you’re so protective of me. I think it’s a good idea. Great actually. Then I can see you next weekend too.”
“You are simply amazing you know that?”
“Show me.”
He looked shocked and then I laughed. How embarrassing. I grabbed my knock off Coach purse and the one that I had packed for the weekend and set it on the card table that would now serve as my desk and dining table.
“Taelyn?”
“You better get going. The storm.” I smiled and then looked down.
“I don’t have very long. Not long enough to take my time with you.”
“I understand. I suppose it’s just that I’ll miss you.”
I felt heat move up my throat. I didn’t cry. Never. I was strong. I was a Patrick for crying out loud.
“We may have to alter the rules next weekend.”
I looked up at him and nodded.
“Would you like that?”
“Yes. I would.”
“Come here my sweet and give me a kiss. I really should be going.”
~
I watched as the BMW pulled quickly away from the curb and waited until I no longer saw the taillights.
I looked around for something to occupy my time. There was nothing. I sat in the beanbag chair and wanted to cry.
The phone rang and I picked it up. Unknown number. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to a telemarketer but at least it was someone to talk to.
“Hello.”
“Taelyn Patrick?”
“Yes, but I’m not interested.”
“In what Dear?” The woman laughed.
“Whatever you’re selling.”
“I’m not selling anything. I’m calling to offer you a job. My name is Josephina Steel. I am looking for an assistant for Xavier Steel. It’s an evening position. From about six at night until around midnight.
“I actually just accepted a job…”
“I’ll double your pay.”
“Ma’am, I’m not sure you understand that I am going to be hostess, not waiting tables. I have--.”
“Name your price.”
“I can’t work weekends.”
“Every other weekend.”
I really wasn’t sure she understood me.
“I don’t have a car.”
“I’ll have one sent.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Seven hundred dollars a week. Every other weekend off. Your résumé indicated you would enjoy a fast paced environment learning skills that you could use when you graduate. You’ll learn a lot. I promise…”
“Ma’am I’m sorry this sounds…”
“Too good to be true?” She didn’t let me answer. “You’ll be helping start a production company. You mentioned something about computers. Are you skilled in social media?”