“Well, you have me here for as long as you need my professional services at least,” Becca said.
“Good. I’m starting to run out of little projects to keep you here as much as possible. I know that I’ll need you when the merger meeting comes up, but that isn’t for a week or so yet.”
“I’ll be here; ready to help you take care of business in a way that’s beneficial for you and Foothill Studios.”
“Thanks. I know I can count on you. Really I do, even when I don’t show it and act…what were the words…arrogant and demanding.”
“I can guarantee you that I am going to get to the bottom of this merger. Even though the prospectus is done there is still more to the puzzle, things that we don’t want in that as much as to have for the heat of the moment.”
“I like a woman who talks battle. It’s kind of sexy.”
“That’s me, the sexiest friend you ever had,” I said. I smiled. I guess being a friend was a start even if it wasn’t what I ultimately wanted. I had to start somewhere though and figure out how to help Marshall heal all the anger and hurt he harbored inside of him for so long now. It must be tough and I didn’t want to be the one to walk away if I could help.
Marshall leaned back to look me in the eyes. “Thank you for everything, Becca.” Then he leaned in and kissed me on the forehead, before announcing that he had to go take a shower and get ready for some meetings.
A half hour later Marshall was out the door and I was all alone in the office, thinking about what he’d said and what I wanted to do to help him heal from that pain. It was obviously holding him back on an emotional level. Suddenly my broken heart from Brandon seemed pretty minor and I knew that I had to get over it before it overtook me.
Marshall’s words about Mandi and Sophia seeing that lighter happier side of him got me thinking. I reached out for my cell to call Sophia. I was hoping that we could have a little get together in LA so I could see Marshall open up and relax with people he’d known for a bit longer. It would do me good to see, but more importantly, it would be great for Marshall.
My cell phone buzzed before I could dial and I looked down at it, seeing that it was Sophia. What a fantastic coincidence.
“Hi Sophia. I was just about to call you. What’s going on?”
“Lots. First, what’s going on with you and Marshall? You two were pretty hot and steamy that night at Melé.”
“You don’t beat around the bush do you,” I replied, laughing.
“Not when I want to know something like that,” Sophia countered.
“We had a very fun night and that’s about it. Let’s just keep it at that,” I said, feeling my cheeks flush. We really had put on quite a display for the BBBBCers and anyone who’s who within sight.
“Okay,” Sophia said. “So, what were you getting ready to call me for? You go first.”
“I was hoping that we could arrange a get together in LA sometime soon for everyone, you and Mandi, plus the BBBBC boys. Marshall needs to have some fun and relax a little bit. It’d do him a world of good I believe.”
“Well, that’s right in line with why I was calling you. Marshall’s birthday is on Saturday and we wanted to coordinate a little party for him. We were hoping you’d have his schedule to make sure it would work.”
“I don’t, but I can get it easily enough. He loves hanging out with his BBBBC friends, knowing he can trust them more than the people around the studio, so I think he’d be up for it. Have them call him casually to bring it up. I’ll do the rest,” I said.
“Great. This is going to be so much fun and maybe we’ll have a chance to chat a bit more.”
“We should have it here on the newest set. It would be the perfect spot.”
“Oh, I love it! You’re good,” Sophia commented.
“And afterward, I can grill you about what’s going on with Andre. It seems inevitable that you are about to take it to the next level.” It seemed that all my friends were finding happiness and great relationships with the men of the BBBBC, but I was the one destined to be the friend.
“Oh, I don’t know about that. Not that I haven’t suggested,” Sophia said, laughing. I always admired her determined spirit and ability to remain so optimistic through all her endeavors. I could learn from that.
After Sophia and I were done talking I already had to call Tyler and tell him that I had to cancel for Saturday because something came up. It was a bit odd to me. I was attracted to Tyler and now that I knew Marshall and I were only friends I had every right to go out on a date with him without feeling guilty. Yet, the thought of causing Marshall more pain than what he’d already experienced in his life was not something I was willing to do either. For this weekend, Marshall’s needs won out.
Chapter 16
I was at the office when Saturday came, pretending to work busily, but actually coordinating for the surprise at the set behind the scenes. Thank goodness the stage hand at the set Marshall was at was cooperative. Without him this wouldn’t work. The last thing I had to do was get everyone cleared at the front gate. When doing that, I noticed that the slow paced security guard moved with a bit more hustle for me. It cracked me up, but I didn’t care. I know it came because rumors started flying around that I was looking through the books of the studio and that made people fear that their jobs were in jeopardy. I really didn’t care though. Even if that wasn’t true it was a great perk.
Marshall came back to the house for lunch and chatted with me some, talking about how he was eager to go out with the guys later and catch up, asking what I was up to. I know he was hinting about the date with Tyler, but I didn’t tell him it had been cancelled. It was a convenient way to ensure that the surprise remained on his birthday day.
“So, you set to hang out with your friends and relax tonight?” I said.
“It’s certainly getting easier to relax more than anything else. They all seem to be settling down and starting to behave,” Marshall said.
“Same with my friends. I guess it’s just the two of us that are free spirits, huh?”
“Hardly words that describe me, but with you, I see it in you,” Marshall said. He looked at me and his blue eyes looked so soft and tender. It made me want him so badly. I just couldn’t shake that feeling.
“Well, either way it’ll be a great day.”
“I suppose. Well, back to the set. It’s coming along great. You’ll have to come see it later.”