"What about you?" I asked, wanting to change the subject. "Are you dating anyone?"
"I can't remember the last serious relationship I had. It was probably in college. I really just want to concentrate on my acting career. I'll worry about my love life once I'm rich and famous."
The arrival of our Thai food interrupted us. We decided to eat it out on the balcony on a table that barely fit the small space. We poured two glasses of wine and enjoyed the cool evening air as we ate, the sounds of the city providing a soothing background.
I raised my glass of wine. "To like-minded females concentrating on their careers and conquering the world."
Claire laughed and clinked her glass with mine. "Watch out world, here we come."
Chapter Three
The next couple of days went by in a blur as I learned the ropes at my new job. Instead of becoming a nuisance, Celeste became an invaluable resource as she helped to guide me through many of my tasks as an assistant. I never saw her boss, the elusive Drew Stephens, and Celeste told me he traveled a lot and was rarely in the office.
Janet stopped by my cubicle on her way out Wednesday afternoon.
"I'm leaving for the day, Emma," she said, her suit jacket slung over her arm and briefcase in hand. "I have my meeting downtown and I decided not to come back after my business dinner. You can leave after you finish up those RFPs."
"Okay, have a great rest of the day. See you tomorrow."
I tried to suppress my excitement as Janet left the office. I had worked until eight-thirty the night before because Janet was finishing a performance report for a client and I had been helping her pull it together. While I was enjoying my work, I had been nervous that tonight would be another late night because Janet had mentioned earlier that she might be coming back to the office after her dinner. I had been afraid that she would ask me to wait for her return and tonight was the one night I didn't want to work late because I was stopping by Peak Fitness tonight.
"A hot date?" Celeste asked as she wheeled her chair closer to my cubicle. Even though she was much older, Celeste often talked like she was still in her early twenties.
I grimaced. "Is it that obvious?"
Celeste grinned. "You looked like you were going to jump up and cheer when Janet said she was leaving."
I frowned. "I hope it wasn't too obvious. The last thing I want is for Janet to think I'm not dedicated."
"She knows, she knows," Celeste groaned. "It's only your third day and you already work harder than half the people here." Celeste smiled mischievously. "So, who is it?"
Even though I had only known Celeste for a few days, I had instantly bonded with her. Not only was she helpful, but she was funny and quirky. Despite being my senior, I often felt like I was older than she was.
"It's not really a date," I explained. "It's just this guy I met last weekend. He's a trainer at a gym and I'm stopping by for a free session."
"Ooh, sweating, working out, getting close." Celeste waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Now that's a great first date!"
"It's not a date!" I exclaimed but I couldn't help laughing. "Now I need to finish these RFPs so I won't be late for my non-date."
I spent the rest of the afternoon diligently working on the RFPs until I was finished and I was sure they were perfect. I checked my watch and was happy to see that it was only six o'clock. I would have plenty of time to go home first and change before heading over to the gym.
"Have fun!" Celeste cackled as I waved goodbye. "Enough fun that it'll hurt to come into work tomorrow!"
"Goodbye to you too, Celeste," I said with a grin.
Claire wasn't home when I got to the apartment. We hadn't talked about Jackson again since Monday night, not that it was necessary. She had given me her approval as well as fair warning. I was lucky to have her as a friend.
I sent a quick text to Jackson before changing, wanting to give him a heads up that I was definitely coming tonight.
Be there in about half an hour if you're free.
Before I could start changing, Jackson responded with a text back.
The training session will be free, but I'm not free. I'm looking forward to discussing the terms of payment.
I bit my lip, not knowing how to answer. I couldn't tell if Jackson was flirting or if he meant something else.
I thought this was a no-strings attached training session.
I'm talking about after the training session.
What do you mean, after the training session?
When I take you to dinner, of course.
I wanted to jump up and down with giddiness, but forced myself to reply calmly.
Who said I was going out to dinner with you? Are you trying to mix business with pleasure?
I giggled to myself idiotically, unsure if my flirting sounded teasing or dumb. It had been a long time since I had flirted and I was more than a little rusty.
Who said this was ever about business? Now get over here so I can talk to you in person instead of through a little screen.
Coming.
I quickly changed into workout clothes, grinning the whole time. I wanted to balance looking attractive in my workout gear without being too made up. There was nothing worse than a woman working out with heavy make-up and jewelry jangling with every movement while heavily doused in perfume. On the other hand, I didn't want to look too casual since dinner had been mentioned.
I decided on a pair of black leggings and a blue v-neck workout top with a built-in sports bra that could be mistaken for a regular fitted shirt. I grabbed a short gauzy black skirt that I could slip on over my leggings for dinner and stuffed it into my bag, along with some make-up to freshen up with after the workout. I prayed that I wouldn't perspire too much during the training session. The last thing I wanted Jackson to see when he looked across the dinner table was a sweaty mess.
The gym was only a few blocks away and as I pushed open the front door, I was suddenly nervous. The smell of the gym and the clinking of the machines reminded me that physical fitness was not my strong suit. I didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of Jackson.
I approached the front desk where a perennially smiling woman stood behind it. She nodded her head as people filed in and handed her their membership card to scan, smiling so vacantly that she resembled an automaton.
"Hi," I said with a slight smile of my own. "I'm supposed to have a training session with Jackson. Jackson Reynard."
The woman blinked and her mouth shrank to a normal smile, a genuine one this time.
"You must be Emma! I'll let Jackson know you're here."