In the midst of sexual allegations, Shoesy’s value is on the decline and falling fast. Today, many social media outlets have been rife with the details that seem to just keep coming. The market value is the lowest it has ever been in the history of the company, and some are even speculating that this could end the company completely. Shoesy is in serious trouble...
The story trailed on in a series of graphs and charts, each more dire than the last. The announcer shook his head sadly before flipping to footage of the release of the new smartphone.
She turned from the TV to return to their room, completely forgetting about her bladder’s relentless demands. She had no idea that the situation was that bad. How AJ was even smiling today was remarkable. If she were in his shoes, she’d be hiding in her bedroom crying.
She walked steadily as she entered the hall leading back to the private room and almost ran into the first body she encountered. It was AJ.
His face was solemn. His earlier smiles were gone as if they had belonged to a different day.
“You okay?” she asked gently.
“Stressed.” He replied. His tone was hollow and flat. She suspected that the phone call hadn’t gone over well.
“I can go home,” she offered. “The last thing you need is to be seen with me. I probably should go.”
“No. You’re the only thing I’ve looked forward to all week,” he replied, putting a hand on her shoulder as if to keep her from bolting. “Please, don’t leave.”
“Okay.” She smiled and did her best to look relaxed and calm for his sake. “I guess I can stay for dessert. People do that in meetings, right?”
He smiled, but it didn’t really touch his eyes. She could only imagine the stress he was under. His company, the one he had worked so hard and long to build, the thing that he got up for in the morning, was falling apart. She wished she could do more for him than just stay for dessert. He held her hand as they walked back to their room.
17
Kat
Dessert came and went quickly. It was some sort of crème brûlée that should have made her mouth water, but her appetite was still missing. She tried to keep the conversation light, but it was obvious that AJ’s mind wasn’t completely on the meal. He tried, though, and it was a pleasant end to the meal. She could appreciate AJ’s ability to set work aside for the moment, even if they didn’t resume a completely carefree banter.
AJ signed the bill without batting an eyelash. Kat tried not to peek at the end, but she still saw at least three numbers for their small meal. A meal of this cost would have her budgeting her groceries for the rest of the month to make sure she could pay rent, and yet AJ signed the check like it was nothing.
She pulled out her phone and sighed.
“What’s wrong?” AJ asked, setting the pen down on the top of the bill.
“Apparently we just hit a peak ride-share time,” she groaned. The cost of a cab would be a little big cheaper, but not by much.
“Peak ride-share time?” AJ looked confused. “What’s that?”
“Ride-share. You know. It’s this company that arranges for people to drive you places using their own cars. It’s kind of like a cab service, but the drivers are just ordinary people,” Kat explained. “Most of the time, it’s cheaper and has less wait time than a taxi. Except during high usage times, when everyone wants a ride. Then the prices go up. Basic supply and demand kind of a thing.”
“And demand is high right now?” AJ asked.
“Yup.” Kat put her phone in her bag and started picking up the various pieces of paper from their “business meeting.”
“What does that mean for you?” AJ handed her a stack of paper that she slid easily into her bag.
“That I either will pay through the nose, or I’ll wait until the price goes down. Or get a cab.” She didn’t really like any of those options, but since she didn’t have her car, that was all she could do.
“Let me drive you home,” he said. It wasn’t a request.
“Are you sure?” she asked, watching his face carefully. “I don’t want to make things harder on you then they already are.”
“Let me drive you home,” he repeated. “I have a limo. We can recreate our first night together.”
Kat grinned. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you planned this.”
“What?” AJ managed to look innocent. “This is how I always travel to business meetings.”
Kat wasn’t sure if he meant that, but she wouldn’t be surprised either way.
AJ led her to his limo, already pulled up outside with a driver waiting patiently by the door. The driver opened the door and stood by it as they approached, though AJ took his position while he helped Kat climb in.