Angela rolled over and felt Jacob’s arm lock around her. “Good morning.” He greeted her kissing the top of her head.
“Morning yourself.” She grumbled and rolled into him rubbing his chest. “What time is it?”
“Not work time yet.” He pulled her on top of him. “I set the alarm.” He kissed her gently and rubbed her back. “I think I could get use to waking up to you.” He kissed her nose. He slid himself into her just as the phone rang. She groaned.
“Ignore it.” he said.
“I can’t.” she groaned again rolling off him. “It’s Amy’s ringtone, something could be wrong.” She dug in her purse which set beside the bed till she pulled out her phone and flipped it open.
“Hello.” She answered falling back into the pillow.
“Where are you?” Amy hissed into the phone.
“I’m at home. What’s wrong?”
“Did you forget you had to work today?”
“Relax, it’s only….” She rose up and looked at the clock. “6:30.” She said.
“No, Angie, its 8:30!” she exclaimed.
“8:30! Oh shit.” She jumped up. “I thought you set the alarm.” She slapped Jacob.
“Is J with you?” Amy asked. “You better tell him to hurry. Rick is already here and he is pissed.”
“Okay, okay,” she jumped up off the bed. “Just tell him, hell, I don’t know.” She looked around her room frantically for something to wear. “Just tell him I over slept and you have not heard from Jake. Gotta run.” She slammed her phone shut
“Jake, Rick is already there and he is pissed.” She panicked. “I thought you set the alarm!” she screamed again.
“I did.” He yelled back. “It got knocked off last night when,” he paused and smiled at her, “well, it came unplugged. I thought I had it set right.”
“Shit, I don’t have time to shower.” She picked up a pair of khaki pants off the floor and smelled them, then threw them back on the floor.
“I don’t have time to go home and change!” he informed her. He picked his shirt up from yesterday and shook the wrinkles out of it. “Oh well, this will have to work.”
Angela grabbed a clean khaki skirt from the bottom of the closet and a polo shirt. She slipped her feet into her high heels and pulled her hair quickly into a ponytail. She grabbed her purse and headed to the door, Jacob on her heels, buttoning up his shirt as he went.
“Angie, we can’t both go in at the same time.” He grabbed her at the door. “It will look suspicious.”
“Of course, you are right.” She reached up and kissed him quickly on the lips. “You go ahead, I will wait 15 minutes.”
“Okay, thank you.” He said as his cell phone started chirping. He pulled it out and looked at the screen. “That’s Rick.” He told her
“Go.” She motioned him out the door. He pulled her to him quickly and kissed her.
“You know you still haven’t said it back yet.”
“Don’t push your luck this morning.” She pushed him out the door. She heard him answer his cell phone just as she closed the door and heard him mumbling an excuse to Rick about having to go see a patient this morning with a problem. There first night together went pretty well for the most part, she thought as she leaned up against the door and sighed.
45 minutes later she slid into the conference room with a glaring look from Rick as she grabbed a seat in the back beside Amy.
“Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, now that we have all decided to come to work,” Rick started addressing the room, “it has come to my attention that there may be some unapproved office relations taking place in this company.”
“Um, sir,” Mike raised his hand. “Excuse me, but duh.” Jacob groaned and dropped his head into his hands. Rick’s forehead crinkled as he stared at Mike with interest. “I mean, Molly and Brad, they are married, and Devon did knock Amy up.”
“Thanks, Mike, for always pointing that out.” Amy grumbled.
“Sorry, Aim.” He quickly apologized.
“Well, thank you, Mr. Stewart, for pointing these facts out to me.” Mike saluted him.
“As I was saying,” Angela tuned Rick out at this point as her cell phone buzzed in her pocket.
From: Amy
WTF?
To: Amy
Clock not set right.
From: Amy
Was he with you?
To: Amy
What do you think?
From: Amy
Hot wild sex and the alarm got unplugged when he pushed everything off the bed side table.
Angela felt her self blush as she read the last text message.
From : Amy
Holy shit, I’m right
From: Jacob
Would you two please stop texting and pretend to listen. You can tell her about it later, Angie.
Angela blushed again and smiled up at Jacob who slyly winked at her.
To: Jacob
I wasn’t telling her anything.
From: Jacob
Just listen to him, please.
“Now the point is,” Rick was saying as she looked back up, “I know many of you are friends here and with others in different branches, however, you should know that we will not tolerate adultery of any kind.” He looked around the table at their faces. “Please, if you feel the need to commit this sin, come to me and we can get you help.” He paused again. “I am your friend too, and I am here to help.” Angela glanced at Amy who was hiding as smile, and then she looked at Mike, who was thankfully staring at the ceiling not paying attention.
“Now, is there anything you would like to add, Jacob?” he asked as he turned to Jacob who frowned and shook his head. To Angela’s surprise, Devon has his hand in the air.
“Um, yes, Mr. Reynolds, you would like to add something?”
“Well, yes, just a clarification if I may.”
“Sure.” Rick replied.
“When you say adultery, you mean like cheating on your spouse, right?”
“Well, yes, that would be the meaning of it.”
“So, like, I’m not going to get fired for having a relationship with the mother of my soon to be children.” Amy smacked him in the arm.
“What are you doing?” she hissed at him.
“No, Mr. Reynolds, or Ms. Donaldson, you two are not in the wrong. I understand you were a couple before either of you started here, and I have had no complains about your work relationship, so all I can say farther is congratulations to you both.” Amy blushed and Devon nodded.
“Anyone else?” no one said anything this time. “Then you are all dismissed.” Chairs quickly got pushed back and everyone started bustling and talking to among themselves.
“Jacob, if you have a moment, I would like to speak to you in private.” Angela heard Rick say to him. Jacob nodded and flashed a nervous glance at Angela. When he saw her looking, he smiled and winked at her. He didn’t want her to know just how nervous he was about everything. Not only with Rick asking to speak to him in private but with her as well. He knew that no matter what this meeting held, was not going to change how he felt about her. He had meant everything he had said last night, and he intended to make her happy one way or another.
“Well, that was interesting to say the least.” Amy said as they stood in the middle of the door way. “Maybe they caught Bridgette flirting with John or Brad and they are going to fire her.” Amy added hopefully. Molly brushed quickly past them with her head down.
“What’s the matter, Molly?” Angela asked her.
“Nothing.” She responded rushing to her desk. “I just have a lot of work to do.” Amy and Angela exchanged a look.
“Excuse me ladies,” Mike said pushing through them, “I need a cigarette after that one.”
“I think I do too.” Amy added.
“Amy, you are pregnant, you can’t smoke!” Angela protested.
“Really?” I’m pregnant?” she joked looking down at herself. “I just thought I had gained a little weight.” She said sarcastically. “Come on dummy, the gossip happens with the smokers.”
Jacob sat behind his desk with his chin propped on his hands. Rick sat in the chair across from him, the door closed behind him.
“I have a favor to ask.” Rick started
“Sure.” Jacob nodded leaning back in his chair.
“Would you please keep an eye on Molly for me?”
“Molly?” Jacob questioned. “Why?”
“Well, without getting into to much detail, we have reason to believe that she is having an affair with a branch manager.”
“What!” he exclaimed. “Me and Molly? No you have it wrong.” He leaned up on his desk prepared to explain. Rick cut him off.
“I said a branch manage, Mr. Lively, not you.”
“Oh,” he relaxed some. “Right, another branch manager.”
“Mr. Lively, is there something you would like to tell me?”
“Um, well, no, not for say.” He knew he had himself in a tight spot. “It’s just that in the meeting you specifically said that adultery would not be tolerated, so whatever this is specifically relates to the fact that Molly is married, and therefore committing adultery by cheating on her husband with a branch manager.” He reviewed the facts.
“Yes, that is correct.” Rick frowned.
“But hypothetically, here,” Jacob continued, “Let’s say Molly was not married and seeing a branch manager, would that be frowned upon too?”
Rick thought for a moment. “Well, that depends. Is the branch manager married?”
“No sir, he is not.”
“Then I would say, yes, it would be frowned upon to use your exact wording.” Jacob nodded and sighed. “But punishable, no, not unless favoritism became an issue, then that issue would have to be addressed.”
“Hmm. Okay then.” Jacob nodded.
“Mr. Lively, I am going to ask you again, is there anything you would like to tell me?”
Jacob thought for a moment, and then he remembered what he had promised Angie the night before.
“Yes sir, there is.” He took a deep breath. “Sir, I am in fact involved with an employee here. But I can promise you no favoritism. I can conduct my job as supervisor efficiently.”
“I see.” Rick nodded. “Would you like to give me the name of this employee?”
“Not sure.” He shook his head. “If you can’t tell who it is then I will not tell. I promise no favoritism.”
“Fair enough.” Rick said after a few moments pause. “However, know that if something does slip up, the employee will be the first to go, and if anyone complains, the issue will be further addressed.”
Jacob gulped and nodded. “Very well.”
“Very well.” Rick repeated. “Now about Molly, if you see anything suspicious, please inform me immediately.”
Jacob nodded. “Defiantly, sir.”
“Thank you.” He stood. “Now, I will continue to work outside in the lobby for this very purpose. Please go about your day as usual.” He opened the door and started to head out. “And Jacob, thank you for being honest with me.” He nodded and left the office. Jacob sighed a breath of relief. He wasn’t going to lose his job after all.
“So Aim, Ang, You guys going to confess your deepest, darkest secrets to Rick?” Mike teased them as they stood out back with him and Devon.
“Oh you know it.” Amy joked.
“Wonder what he was talking about with all the adultery?” Devon asked puffing on his cigarette.
“Devon, you are a respiratory therapist, you should know not to smoke.” Angela scowled at him. He shrugged.
Amy pulled her off from the cigarette smoking boys so they could carry on their own conversation.
“So tell me about it!” Amy insisted.
“Amy, we had this conversation already.”
“So you are going to stick to your alarm was set wrong? I know Jacob was with you, I heard you talking to him.”
“Listen, Amy, I thought about what you said yesterday.”
“You did?”
“Yes, and I realized that you were right.”
“You did?”
“Yes, so I opened my self up, just a little.”
“Oh, Angie!” she hugged her friend. “I am so glad.” Tears stung in her eyes. “Sorry, I am a little over emotional these days.” She wiped her tears, “So how much are you talking about. Have you realized that you are in love with him?”
“I said I opened up a little.” She laughed at her friend’s enthusiasm. “We have decided to go out with everyone on Friday night.”
“Really?” her eyes lit up with excitement. “Like as a couple?”
“Yes,” she scowled, “I think so.”
“Hey, you two.” They both jumped at the sound of Jacob’s voice. “What are you two doing?” he had his head stuck out the back door glaring at them.
“Um, we are on a smoke break.” Angela informed him.
“Neither of you smoke.” He reminded them.
“We know that.” Amy laughed. “But the smoker’s get a break to smoke, so we figured we should get a break to….”
“To gossip.” Jacob finished the sentence for her. “I know…” he stopped Angela before she could protest. “You don’t gossip.” He winked at her and she stuck her tongue out at him. He chuckled. “Well, the smoker’s are all already back inside. So I suggest you two hurry along. Molly is up front answering phones all by herself and Rick is sitting out there scowling.”
“Alright, we were just finishing up.” Amy informed him.
“Finish up inside.” He opened the door wide for them. “Come on, back to your desk.”
“Geez, I’m going as fast as my fat belly will let me.” Amy protested. Angela laughed, wondering what Amy was going to do when she couldn’t use being pregnant as an excuse any more.
“Sorry,” she whispered to Jacob as she walked past him. He smiled at her.
“Check your email.” He whispered back.
Angela pulled up her email as soon as she got back to her desk to see what he had written her.
From: JacobL@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: Tonight
Angie,
Great news! I want to tell you over dinner. Will pick you up at 7:30. Wear something nice. I love you.
-Jake-
She felt her heart do a flip flop as she read the last line. She was pleased that he was taking her out to dinner, but didn’t know what to do about the whole “L” word thing.
She hit reply to send him a quick email back.
From: AngelaJ@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: RE: Tonight
Jake,
Great! I can’t wait! :o)
-Angie-
She sighed and the hit new message, deciding to press her luck and see what Amy had to say about the situation.
From: AngelaJ@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: HELP!
Amy,
Okay, you wanted in, you got it. But you have to help me! We had the “L” word chat last night. I sort of started it, but then I could not say it and I freaked out on him. He had no problem saying it and he won’t quit saying it! What do I do!!! HELP!!
-Angie-
After taking a quick phone call and printing a ticket for a patient to have oxygen tanks delivered the next day, she checked her email to see if Amy had emailed her back. Sure enough she had.
From: AmyD@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: RE: HELP
Angie,
OMG! So you really are THAT serious about him! You have to sop freaking out! It’s okay to open up to him! If you started the conversation you must have wanted to know if he felt the same way, so why are you so upset that he does. It’s just three words. Say them and you will feel better. Go ahead, say them out loud to yourself first. Ang, I told you yesterday that Love is a beautiful thing. Thing about it! Don’t you want to be happy for once?
-Amy-
From: AngelaJ@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: RE: RE: HELP!
Amy,
Of course I want to be happy! What kind of question is that? And, yes, I did want to know how he felt. I was terrified that I was going to open up to him and he was going to reject me, so yes, I was glad that he didn’t walk away, but now I want him to stop saying it. I can’t make myself say it! Amy, it’s been so long since I have had these feelings! Hell, you even noticed it yourself, I have never kept secrets from you and you have to drag this stuff out of me! I’m still afraid of getting hurt again. Maybe that is why I am so afraid to say it.
-Angie-
From: AmyD@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: HELP!
Ang,
Girl, it’s okay to be afraid, but you can’t block your self from all those emotions. Look, take me and D for instance. I love that boy with every part of me, and when we broke up I was devastated. I knew I was pregnant, but I didn’t want to tell him because I knew he wasn’t ready. Nothing hurt more when I found out he was with Bridgette either. But you know we are working on things and when he tells me he loves me I can’t help but smile outside and in. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you are loved back. You have to tell him if you mean it! It hurts when someone doesn’t say it back. You know the cheesy old saying, “It’s better to have love and lost then never to have loved at all.” Love is powerful. Embrace it.
-Amy-
From: AngelaJ@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: HELP!
Amy,
Yeah you are right, that is cheesy.
-Angie
To: AngelaJ@knoxhomecare.com
From: AmyD@knoxhomecare.com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: HELP!
Angie,
And that’s it, you are hopeless! I give up! Wallow in yourself pity and die alone!
-Amy-
By the time 5:00 rolled around Angela was exhausted. The afternoon had been very busy, with the phone ringing off the hook, and orders buzzing across the fax machine every few minutes, plus they had several patients walk in to fill prescriptions for canes, and walkers, and shower chairs. When she finally left work and sped home, avoiding the interstate due to construction, she had about an hour to get ready.
She took a quick shower to wash her hair and shave her legs, then jumped out and blew her hair dry. She plugged in the electric curlers, doubting she would have time to use them, then headed to her closet were the real challenge began.
She pulled out her red cocktail dress, but decided it was too much. After much debate, she decided he wasn’t ready for the LBD. So she finally decided on a black mini skirt with a pink halter top. She topped it off with a black short sleeved shrug. She pulled out her black pumps and stepped into them. With 15 minutes to spare, she quickly stuck some curlers in her hair and applied some make-up.
Right on time she heard the doorbell ring. She pulled the rollers out of her hair, and ran a pick through the curlers. She heard the doorbell ring again and she fled down the hall. When she swung the door open, he had his back to her. He turned around with one hand in has black pants pocket and the other holding a bouquet of carnations and daisies. He wore a green button up shirt that matched his eyes and a black blazer.
“WOW! I feel under dressed.” She said taking him in.
“You look amazing.” He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. “Here, these are for you.” He extended the flowers to her. “See, I remembered you said you didn’t like roses because they die so fast.”
“These are perfect.” She took them and put them under her nose to smell their sweet scent. “Let me just get some water for them.” She disappeared into the kitchen and pulled a vase from under the cabinet. She quickly ran water into in and stuffed the flowers into, planning to arrange them later. When she stepped out of the kitchen, he was still standing in the doorway with a huge smile on his face.
“What are you smiling about?” she asked him as he extended his arm to her. She took it and grabbed her purse and keys off the floor where she had thrown them earlier. “I’m just in a great mood.” He told her as she locked the door behind them.
“So I take it the meeting with Rick went well.” She asked as he opened the door for her on his Beemer.
“Yes it did.” He said sliding into the driver seat and pulling the car into reverse.
“Are you going to tell me about it?” she asked
“No.” he smiled at her.
“Why not?” she pouted.
“Because I am the branch manager and I should not gossip about my employees.”
“Gossip, huh?” she laughed. “Okay, so I take it wasn’t about us? After all the adultery talk.”
“Nope.” He assured her, hopping on the interstate and heading east from Papermill Dr.
“Jake, come on!” she exclaimed, “Tell me something!”
“Okay, well, I got permission to date you.”
“You did?” she questioned. “What did you do call my mom and ask her if it was ok?”
“No, silly,” he chuckled taking the Henley St Exit. “Rick gave us permission.”
“You seriously asked Rick if you could date me?” she looked at him with a bewildered look on her face.
“Well, not in so many words, but I told him that I was involved with an employee and asked what the policy was on that.” He glanced over at her. “He said it would be okay as long as I don’t show favoritism.” He frowned when he say she was doing the same thing. “Look, I didn’t tell him it was you.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” She said sarcastically and blew her bangs out of her face.
“Come on, Ang, what’s the matter.” He asked pulling the car up next to a meter.
“Is that the only reason you are out with me tonight, because some jerk off from corporate told you it was ok?”
“No, it’s not.” He turned to stare at her. “Angie, I thought this is what you wanted. To be out with me?”
“It is, but I want it to be what you want to.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Angie,” he grabbed her hand and kissed it. “It is what I want, because I am in love with you and I want the world to know it.”
She groaned. “Would you stop saying that, already?”
“No.” he opened his car door and slid out. He walked around and opened the door for her and pulled her out. He kissed her gently. “Angie, look, stop being so afraid.” He tilted her chin back up so their eyes met when she looked down. “Look, you want to know something,” she nodded. “I am afraid too.”
“You are?” she was taken back by his statement.
“Yes,” he confirmed, “When you told me that you maybe, could be in love with me last night my man instinct told me to run.” He pulled her closer to him, “but then I realized, that is what I wanted, that you make me the happiest man in the world, and loving you keeps my head level.”
“Really?” she asked playing with the lapel of his jacket.
“Yes, and Angie, I promise, I will not hurt you like that other guy did. I will be here for you always, as long as you want me.”
“Oh, Jake, I do want to be here.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “You just say it so easily and I am so afraid!”
“It’s ok to be afraid. I love you, and you can say it whenever you are ready.”
“Thanks for understanding, Jake.” She pulled back to stare up at him. He kissed her lips and lingered close to her for a moment.
“Your welcome.” He kissed her again. “Now come on, let’s go eat.”
She looked around for the first time since they had gotten out of the car. They were parked under a bridge. “Um, Jake, where are we?”
“The Old City.” He told her. “The Melting Pot isn’t in the best neighborhoods.”
“The Melting Pot,” she exclaimed, “Oh, Jake, no, that’s super expensive.”
“I don’t care, now come on and if you are good, I may take you over to Patrick Sullivan’s for a beer after dinner.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and led her up the street.
“Okay, so we are meeting at Olive Garden for dinner and drinks at 8 then we are heading over to the Electric Cowboy for some booty shakin’” Molly filled the girls in on their Friday night that afternoon before they left work.
“Sounds great.” Amy said. “And I’ll even be the DD tonight.” She joked.
“Oh, and Angie,” Molly started, “You are going to bring your new guy for us to finally meet aren’t you?” Angela smiled, thinking of the look on Molly’s face when she saw who her new guy was.
“Yes, he is going to be there.”
“Can’t wait.” She pushed the front door open. “Oh and Luke, the branch manager from Morristown and his wife are coming down too. They are super cool.” She yelled over her shoulder as she headed out the door to her car.
“Is Devon on call tonight?” Angela asked Amy as they walked out together.
“No, he’s just running late.”
“Do you want to ride home with me?” Angela asked. “Devon could swing by my place and pick us then you don’t have to sit here and wait on him.”
“Yeah, that will be fine.” She nodded and pulled her phone out of her purse to text Devon. “Then you can tell me all about how your date went last night.”
“Alright, come on, Jake is meeting us there.”
A couple hours later Angela, Amy and Devon walked into the Olive Garden on Kingston Pike together. They were ushered to the dining room where several of their friends were already gathered and sipping on wine.
“Hey guys.” Molly waved to them from her spot at the table between Brad and another guy. The three of them walked towards the table and took seats opposite them. “Guys, this is Luke and his wife Krista.” She introduced them.
“Nice to meet you.” Devon reached over the table and shook their hands. “I’m Devon and this is Amy and Angela.”
Mike scooted his chair over to Devon and they stared discussing the current baseball game that they were missing.
“Angela, I thought your man was coming.” Molly inquired a hint of disappointment in her voice.
“He is.” She nodded. “He’s just running late.” Just then Bridgette and Dave walked in together and waved to the group.
“Great.” Amy mumbled under her breath. “Who invited her?” Devon reached over and rubbed her back. They took a seat at the other end of the table as Molly introduced them to her friends. A waiter came by to take their drink orders. Angela had just ordered a glass of wine when her cell phone rang.
“Hello.” She answered.
“Meet me outside.” Jacob said and hung up.
“I’ll be right back.” She excused her self from the table and headed back through the lobby out the front door. Jacob was standing outside the doors with his hands in his pocket, nervously bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Hey, you.” He smiled when he saw her.
“Hey.” She reached up and kissed him.
“Who all is here?” he asked.
“Oh, not many people Amy, and Devon, Mike, Bridgette, Dave, Molly, Brad and some of their friends from the Morristown branch.” Angela rattled off.
“So pretty much the whole office and then some.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Are you nervous?” she poked at him.
“Maybe a little.” He admitted. She pulled his hand out of his pocket and locked it with hers.
“Come on.” She encouraged, leading him towards the door. “You are supposed to be the brave one.” She led him inside and back through the lobby towards the table where their friends and co-workers sat. As they walked towards the table together, their hands interlocked, time seemed to slow down. All conversation ceased and everyone stared at them. Molly’s mouth dropped open in shock and she saw Bridgette roll her eyes. Finally, Mike broke the silence by starting a slow clap.
“Alright, Alright.” Mike clapped louder and stood from his chair. “Now I understand why the boss loosened up. Thanks Angie.”
“Hey, I want none of your smart mouth tonight.” Jacob jokingly shook his finger at Mike.
Yes, boss.” Mike saluted. “Sorry boss.” He took his seat and winked at Angela again. Angela took her seat again, and Jacob sat down beside her which just happened to be the seat right next to Bridgette.
“Hello, Bridgette.” He said to her politely. She rolled her eyes.
“Whatever.” She said and turned her attention back to Dave on the other side of her, who was so close to her he was practically sitting in her lap.
“Jacob?” Molly hissed leaning over the table towards Angela. “Jacob’s your new boyfriend.” Jacob cleared his throat. He leaned over and draped his arm across the back of her chair.
“Yes, Molly,” he answered for her. “I am her new boyfriend.” He smiled down at her. She smiled back, and averted her smiles, hiding her smirk. “Is that going to be a problem?” he asked not only her, but the rest of the table.
“Oh, well, no.” Molly quickly answered. “It’s just the last thing I expected after the meeting with Rick the other day.”
“Rick’s talk was regarding adultery.” He pointed out. “Seeing as neither Angie nor I are married, that’s not an issue.” Molly nodded and took a sip of her wine.
“So, Molly,” he smirked leaning on the table. “You haven’t introduced me to your friend.” He motioned to Luke.
“Oh, um, right.” Molly said sitting her wine glass back down. “This is Luke, Luke Jacob.” Both men rose slightly to shake each others hands.
“Luke,” Jacob said, “You’re the branch manager at Morristown.” He recognized the name and pieces started to click together in his head.
“Yes, that right.” He answered. “And this is my wife, Krista.”
“Well, nice to meet you, Krista.” He picked up Angela’s glass of wine. “Looks like we have ourselves a nice little company party. Cheers!” he held his glass up.
The rest of dinner went quickly and smoothly. Jacob was pleased that after the initial shock that everyone seemed to loosen up and take the news well. He hoped that the acceptance of their relationship from her friends may help her in opening up to him even more. He decided he wasn’t going to stop telling her how much he loved her, but he was not going to push her to say it back. Whoever the guy was that has broken her heart had done a number on her. He prayed that he never ran into that guy. He had not realized he was staring at her till he felt her poke him in the ribs.
“Oh,” he grunted. “What?”
“I’m heading to the ladies room, then I think we are ready to leave.” She leaned over and kissed him. “I left my card on the table. This one is on me.” She scooted back her chair and she and Amy headed of in the direction of the ladies room. Devon and Mike had already left the table, he imagined to go catch the baseball score, seeing as they had talked about not much else all through dinner. Molly still sat across from him right in the middle of a conversation Brad and Luke were having over her.
“So,” he heard from beside him. He looked over to find Bridgette right next to him, twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger and smacking a piece of gum. “Didn’t think you could get involved with employees being the branch manager and all?” she smirked at him.
“Uh, well, yes.” He smiled politely back at her. “It turns out I can.”
“Hmmmm….. how about that.” She rubbed a finger across his cheek. He frowned and knocked her hand away, over her shoulder, Dave was frowning and scowling at him.
“Look, Bridgette,” he started, “the truth is Angie and I are pretty serious. In fact, if you must know, I was already involved with her when you….. approached me.” He finished and looked away.
“Well, that doesn’t surprise me.” She said snidely. “From what I have heard, it has never taken her very long.” She coyly looked away and swiveled her wine glass.
“Excuse me?” Jacob questioned her.
“Oh, you mean you haven’t heard how she has practically seduced every man in the office.” Bridgette laughed. “Well, of course, I guess she wouldn’t tell you that.” She was pleased with the look of disappointment and disgust on his face. She leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “I was satisfied with your explanation for not getting involved with me, however, now that I know the truth, you should know that I don’t accept rejection very well.” She pulled back smiling seductively at him. She scooted her chair back and grabbed her purse. “Come on, Dave.” She rubbed Jacob’s back as they headed out. “See you all at the club.” She waved and sauntered out of the room with Dave on her heels.
When Angela got back and wrapped her arms around Jacob’s neck from behind his chair, she immediately felt the change in his dementer.
“What’s the matter?” she asked leaning around to look at him. He scooted his chair back and stood up. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, he threw a five down on the table for a tip. “Jake.” Angie said again grabbing his hand. He pulled away from her and walked briskly out of the dining room.
“Angie,” Molly rushed around the table, “Angie, Bridgette said something to him. I didn’t catch it all, but she was really close and all sultry.”
“Thanks, Molly.” She rubbed her friends arm. “I’ll catch up with you all later.” She rushed out of the dining room after Jacob.
She caught him in the parking lot as he slammed the door on his car. She rushed around the passenger side and slid into the seat before he could pull off. He grunted and threw the car back into park.
“What the hell did she say to you?” she demanded. He scowled at her. “Molly told me Bridgette said something to you and I want to know what it was.” He sighed and slammed his head back against the seat rest. “Jake, please, tell me?”
“So, is this just going to last till the next new guy comes along?” he spat at her.
“What the hell, Jake?” she turned angrily in the seat to face him.
“Apparently you have quite the track record.” He accused.
“Oh, shit.” She said and dropped her head.
“So are you not even going to deny it? How many of the guys in the office have you slept with?”
“Jake, she’s lying.” She shook her head. “If you really want to know, then I will tell you, but you know how different our relationship is to me.” She paused. He raised his head and looked at her.
“I want to know.” He said.
“No, Jake, you don’t.” she sighed, “You are just angry and think you do. I don’t ask you about your previous relationships.”
“So you’re not going to jump in the bed with the next guy?”
“You know what, if that is all you think about me then screw this.” She turned and reached for the door handle.
“No, Angie.” He grabbed her arm. “Please wait.” He pleaded. She paused and looked over at him, tears on the brim of her eyes. “Oh, Ang, please don’t cry.” He wiped her eyes, “I am so sorry.” He kissed her hand. “I shouldn’t have said those things.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. You should believe me.”
“I can’t help it, just the thought of you with anyone else drives me insane.” He explained.
“Jake, I have been with other guys, but I am with you now.” She turned slightly back to him. “You have to trust me.”
“I do.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Just for my piece of mind will you tell me how many?”
“Including you?” she smiled.
“Yes.” She crossed her arms and smiled at him.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He said expecting the worse.
“3.”
“Including me?”
“In the office, yes.”
“Overall?” he questioned. She sighed not believing they were having this conversation.
“Seriously, Jake?” she shook her head. “You tell me first.” She challenged.
“Ha.” He laughed. “Alright, if you want to play that way, five.” Her eyes widened and she straightened back up in her seat.
“Oh, okay.” She smiled and looked down at her toes. “Well, we should probably get going.”
“Oh, no,” he protested and reached over and tickled her. “You are not getting out of this. I want to know.” She mumbled some number under her breath. “I’m sorry you are going to have to speak up.” He said. Just then her phone rang. She quickly dived for it, thankful for the distraction. It was Devon.
“Hello.” She answered. “Oh God, are you sure!” she squealed. Jacob frowned, not very happy with the person on the phone for the interruption. “Okay, yes, we will meet you there. Which hospital?” at hospital Jacob started the car. “Okay, tell her I love her, and good luck. I will be waiting on…. All of you.” She smiled and flipped her phone close.
“Amy is going into labor.” She shrieked. “Head to UT hospital.”
When they arrived at the hospital, they found Amy’s mom and dad already in the maternity waiting room.
“How is she.” She rushed over to Mrs. Donaldson. “Have you heard anything? She’s early.”
“She’s ok, dear.” Mrs. Donaldson patted her hand. “Twins generally are a bit early.”
Jacob stood off to the side, feeling like an intruder in this moment. He did not know Amy that well, and didn’t know her parents at all. He thought about just slipping out, but he didn’t want to just leave Angela. He noticed her motioning to him and he causally made his way over to them and knelt in the floor beside Angela.
“This is our boss, Jacob.” She introduced him. “Jake, Carol and Bob Donaldson.” She introduced them. He shook both their hands and muttered his congratulations to them. He felt a little rejected seeing as she had introduced him only as her boss.
“I take it Amy will not be at work on Monday.” He joked.
“Probably not, dear.” Carol smiled at him.
“Hey, Ang, I think I am just going to take off.” He whispered to her. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Okay,” she stood; motioning to the Donaldson’s that she would be just a minute. She walked to the elevator with him. “You don’t have to leave.” She told him wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Nah, it’s ok.” He said rubbing his hands over his hair. “This is your friend and you should be there for her.”
“Okay, just promise me you’re not mad at me.” She looked up at him. He kissed her nose.
“No, I’m not mad.” He assured her. “Just don’t think you are getting out of answering that question.”
“Later.” She promised. He pressed the call button on the elevator.
“Call me tomorrow.” The elevator dinged and he stepped on it but held the door. “Oh, and I love you.” He smiled and winked at her. She smiled and nodded.
“Talk to you later, Jake.” She waved as the doors slid closed.
Amy was in labor for 14 hours. She gave birth the next day at 2:17 pm to two small, but health babies, a boy and a girl. Angela sat in the room with her holding the tiny baby boy, Abraham Robert, after both their dads, and she knew at that instant, staring at this tiny human life, what love really was. She knew that everything Amy had been saying to her was true, that nothing could top this overwhelming feeling she felt now. She felt silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Ah, Aunt Angie is tearing up on us.” Devon moved over to sit beside her, holding their baby girl, Abigayle Ann.
“They are so beautiful.” She said all weepy eyed.
“Wanna, trade?” he asked offering Abigayle to her. They traded babies and Devon carried Abraham back to Amy.
“You should call them Abe and Abbey.” Angela said not taking her eyes off the baby girl she now held.
“I like it.” Amy said looking up at Devon, who nodded.
After several peaceful minutes passed, she stood and handed baby Abbey to Devon, but not before kissing her on the head. “I’m going to leave you guys alone.”
“No, you don’t have to rush off.” Devon told her. “You are family too.” She rubbed Devon’s arm and then rubbed the baby’s head. “I know. And I am thankful for you guys, but I should go call Jake, we sort of had are first fight last night.”
“Oh, no.” Amy gasped “Are you guys going to make it?”
“Yes, Aim, don’t worry about me.” She walked over to her friend and kissed her cheek and then bent to kiss Abe’s head. “We will be fine and I will be back tomorrow to help you guys get home. In the mean time if you need anything call me.”
“Thank, Ang.” Devon grabbed her and hugged her. “We will and we love you.”
“Have you told Jake you love him yet?” Amy asked. Angela sighed and walked to the door.
“No,” she shook her head. “I will send your parents in.”
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