Come with Me (Let It Be Me #2) (8 page)

She was doing better than she expected though. After the short bout of crying the previous night, she felt better. She blamed it on the fact that she somehow knew for a few months that her relationship with Jack was dying. What was left was some emptiness in her. Of course she did love Jack, and they did share some good times together. She would have to adjust to not having him in her life anymore.

Kayla shrugged. “I needed some time to let it all process. Yesterday was such a long day, I had so much fun in the family day, but the day still ended in a sour note.”

“Did he call today?” Brian asked.

Liz nodded. “He called this morning, but when I spoke to him, I didn’t feel anything. I couldn’t find any trace of hope in me that we would still get back together.”

“So it really is the end,” Brian said.

Liz nodded, pretty sure of herself.

“Has Jack accepted it?” Emily asked.

Liz shrugged. “I think he’s gotten it that I’m serious. I hope he won’t push it anymore.” Jack was persistent this morning when they spoke on the phone, and he even sent flowers to her office. She had to call him again lunchtime to ask him to stop.

“Let us know if he becomes a problem, okay,” Brian said.

Liz nodded. She really hoped not.

“Tell us about the family day,” Emily prodded, taking a spoon of salted caramel ice cream.

“It was wonderful,” Liz gushed, remembering yesterday’s events. “The kids were adorable. Everyone was so participative. I truly felt I belonged.”

“That’s great,” Emily said supportively. 

“So what happens in a family day?” Brian asked. “Obviously we don’t have those in Bergdorf Goodman.”

Liz managed to laugh.

“We had games in the morning – you know, the usual parlor games that the kids would enjoy,” Liz described. “I joined the egg and spoon race and the caterpillar game. In the afternoon we had a bingo game, and I got to face paint some of the kids’ faces.” 

“Was Alexander there?” Brian asked.

“Of course,” Liz replied. “He’s great. You’d sometimes forget he’s all famous.”

“That’s hard to imagine,” Emily said, giggling.

“He and his girlfriend are great,” Liz gushed. “They’re fun and down to earth. Imagine, they both helped in clearing the place afterwards.”

“Wow,” Brian said. 

“And remember the other boss I told you about?” she asked Emily. “The one who seemed unwelcoming when I started.”

Emily nodded.

“Hey what’s that about?” Brian asked. 

Liz told briefly told him about it.

“Is he cute?” Brian asked.

“He actually is,” Liz admitted.

“You should let me know once there’s a job opening in the foundation,” Brian said, bobbing his eyebrows.

“Bri…” Liz said, giggling.

“So is he still unwelcoming?” Emily asked.

“He was pretty nice to me yesterday,” Liz said. “So I think I’ve finally gotten everyone’s approval already. I hope by the time my six-month probation would pass, they all agree to keep me.” 

“There’s not a doubt that will happen,” Brian said.

Emily nodded.

“Thanks, guys,” Liz said, thankful for their support. 

Her friends must have found it boring listening to her about work, but they smiled at her encouragingly.

“The silver lining is, things are going great at work for you,” Emily said, squeezing Liz’s arm.

“Yeah,” Liz agreed. She then turned to Brian. “So what’s the latest with you and Dave?”

Brian beamed, and immediately hid his smile. Liz knew Brian well enough to know he was holding back. It dawned on Liz he must have been hesitating to talk about the new guy he was dating when Liz just broke up with Jack.

“Hey, as you can see, I’m not really all fragile right now. So go ahead and talk about Dave,” she urged.

Brian looked at Liz for a second before starting to speak. “He told me he isn’t seeing anyone else.”

“That’s great!” Liz said, genuinely happy for her friend. She hasn’t met Dave, but seeing how happy Brian was, was enough for her. Brian has been through some rocky relationships over the past few years. She didn’t want to see him get hurt again.

“So if you girls are up for it, we can have drinks with him this weekend,” Brian said slowly.

Liz and Emily looked at each other and grinned. Having Brian introduce Dave to them was a huge step. There have been guys from his past that Liz and Emily never met.

“Of course we’re up for it!” Emily said.

“Okay, I’ll arrange it,” Brian said, a bit shyly.

Liz and Emily shared another look, probably sharing the same thought that Brian was truly in deep. 

“And you,” Liz said, pointing at Emily with the spoon she was using for the ice cream. “Maybe I could focus on your love life. We shall try to look for a nice guy for you.”

“Yes, we should,” Brian said. “Unfortunately most of the guys I know are obviously gay.”

They laughed.

Liz ransacked her brain if she knew of a good guy then Ben suddenly popped into her brain. But then he’s her boss and she didn’t even know if he was single. Dana has never mentioned anything about him.

“Then we should find you one this weekend!” Liz announced, forgetting for a moment her worries.

Chapter 12

Ben

 “I just parked here at the office,” Ben said, holding the phone to his ear, as he took off his seatbelt. “I just need to pick up some documents for a meeting tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, Mrs. Goldstein said she will have dinner ready by seven,” Alex said.

“Sure I should be there by then,” Ben said, checking his watch to see it was a little after five. 

Ben just came from a series of meetings that day. He had to maximize his time since he and Alex would be in New York for only a few days before they had to go back to L.A. He had to pass by the RHS office to get some documents for some meetings he had with sponsors the following day. 

Running up the stairs to their office, he took two steps at a time, looking down at the steps rather than where he was going.

It was only when he heard an “Oh” that he looked up, startled, and found Liz at the landing, looking down. She had her purse and her coat.

“Liz, hi,” he said. He hasn’t seen her since the Family Day a couple weeks back. They’ve only corresponded a bit via email and phone calls regarding the lot he was having her check out.

“You’re back,” she said, offering him a smile.

“Yes for a few days,” he said, taking the few steps up until he was only three steps away from the landing. 

“Do you always take the stairs?” he asked.

Liz nodded shyly. “Only when I’m alone,” she said. 

Ben nodded, quite surprised. He hasn’t encountered anyone from their office – or even anyone else from the building – who chose the stairs over the elevator.

“I’m working on the feasibility study,” she informed him. “I should be done with it this week, then I can submit a report.”

“Ah yes, sure, that would be great,” he said. He had already emailed the details of the site location the week after the family day. He insisted she bring Will along when she would visit the site. She already told him over an email message last week that she and Will have already visited it. 

He took a mental note to visit the site himself tomorrow.

“Henry has also already approved the arrangements so far for the fund-raising. I included you and Alex in the email loop.”

“Right, I was able to read some of them,” he said, nodding. “It’s all good.”

“Okay thanks. I’ll go ahead then,” Liz said. 

“Yes of course,” Ben said. “I’ll just wait for your report then. Thanks.”

“Thanks too,” she said sincerely. She jogged down and Ben noted she was just wearing low wedges, being both stylish and practical. 

Elizabeth Hatton was full of surprises, that’s for sure. 

* * *

“I caught Henry in the office this afternoon,” Ben told Alex that evening. “So he was able to update me on what’s been going on in the foundation.” 

They were feasting on the homemade burritos Mrs. Goldstein prepared along with some bottles of beer. They were both in Alex’s kitchen, making use of the kitchen island.

“Anything I should know about?” Alex asked

“Stone Homes is on schedule – you must know that,” Ben said, assuming Kayla updates Alex as well. “Then we’ll be seeing the updated drawings for the school next week. Then the fund-raising event is all set end of next month – seven weeks away. Then Liz will be submitting her feasibility study this week on the New Jersey lot.”

“Liz huh,” Alex said, before taking a swig of beer.

Ben looked at his friend wearily. “Fine, maybe I was wrong about her. She’s doing great. According to Miranda she has already organized the files of the candidates for the three buildings of Stone Homes. She’s also made a database of our patrons. She seems to be a natural in this.”

“I told you so?” Alex teased.

“Ugh, I don’t think you’ll ever let me hear the end of this,” Ben said, half-jokingly.

Alex laughed. “Well just think RHS is lucky to have her. That’s what matters.”

“Yeah,” Ben said, finishing his second bottle of beer. He was stuffed.

Alex stood up, then said, “There was something I wanted to show you.”

Ben noticed Alex’s nervousness, which was out of character of him.

“What’s up, man?” Ben asked.

“Hold on,” Alex said, disappearing into the hallway that led to his bedroom. He came back with a small black paper bag.

It was when he brought out a jeweler’s box that Ben realized what was going on. Alex opened the box to show a diamond ring. 

“Finally,” Ben said grinning. He was surprised, but not really. He knew all along that Alex was serious about Kayla. And he knew Kayla felt the same way. 

“Do you think she’ll like it?” Alex asked. Alex looked so unsure that Ben would have laughed out loud; but Alex looked quite insecure all of a sudden that Ben knew how important this was to Alex.

Ben looked at the ring again. The ring had a round diamond flanked by smaller diamonds on each side. It wasn’t overly huge. Both he and Alex knew Kayla didn’t like anything too ostentatious. 

“I’m sure she would love it,” Ben assured. 

“I hope so,” Alex said, sitting back down, staring at the ring.

“So how would you ask her?” Ben asked. “Need me to do anything to help?”

“Was thinking just dinner here,” Alex said. “Kayla would want it simple.”

“Yes, definitely,” Ben said. “When will you do it?”

“Her birthday’s next Thursday,” Alex informed Ben. “I told her I’m having dinner prepared here to celebrate it.”

“It’s the perfect time and the perfect birthday present,” Ben said supportively.

“If she does say yes, I was thinking we can have a small party here the following Saturday,” Alex continued. “To celebrate her birthday too. Just you, Henry and Diane, Jenny and Ryan. Maybe Bobby and Cynthia would be able to go too.” Alex enumerated the people who played some role on how he and Kayla got together. “I can ask her if she would want to have her relatives over.”

“That party’s on me,” Ben offered. “Let’s have it in my place. My gift for the two of you. And I am going to be best man, right?”

Alex laughed. “Much appreciated man,” he said, patting Ben’s back. “That would be great. Of course you’re the best man. You know I don’t have any other friends.”

Ben laughed. Alex knew a lot of people but it was true, he only considered a few people as friends.

“Well what do you know,” he said, raising his beer bottle. “Alex Stone is going to get hitched.”

Chapter 13

Liz

 “Hey Liz,” Philip said, walking into the library. 

Liz looked at the time on her laptop. Her duty wouldn’t be over for half an hour still. It was Saturday afternoon and it was her schedule.

“I’m early,” Philip said, grinning. Philip Mendoza was another one of the volunteers in the library. He was a nice Mexican teacher from a nearby public elementary school. She met him a few weeks back when she brought the books donated by her friends. He assisted her and her mom’s driver in carrying them to the library.

“Nothing to do, huh,” Liz kidded. “It’s also a slow day here.”

The library has been empty since she arrived an hour and a half ago.

“Finished grading my students’ test papers,” he said. “I wanted to walk outside so I found myself walking here.”

“Hope the test you gave wasn’t so hard,” Liz kidded.

Philip laughed. “Challenging enough; easy if they studied.” Philip taught math and science.

“Ah…to be a student again,” Liz said, grinning. Philip knew that she had an academic background too.

“Hey you might be busy,” Philip said, referring to her laptop. “I can just read the newspapers for today.”

“It’s okay,” she said. “Just working on a report for work. I can multi-task.”

She was finishing up the report on the new project site. She did a study on the adjacent buildings, the accessibility and the design regulations for the area. She ended with her proposed uses. She came up with three possibilities, so RHS would have a choice. She hoped they would like at least one of them.

“So how are you with your book?” Liz asked Philip, looking up from her screen. “I see you didn’t bring your laptop today.” Philip was working on a novel, and he usually used his time in the library to write.

It was his second already – a sequel. Liz read the first one as soon as she heard he wrote it, and she honestly appreciated the magical storyline that showed a fresh point of view. It was geared for the young adult, but nowadays adults appreciated those books as well. 

“Been having a writer’s block since yesterday,” he said, frowning as he looked up from the newspaper he was reading. “I just need to get past that hurdle then I should be fine.”

“You need a break then,” Liz said, encouragingly.

Philip nodded. 

 Liz suddenly heard her phone vibrate.

“Excuse me,” she said, and saw it was Brian. Since the library was empty except for her and Philip, she didn’t bother stepping out. “Hey Bri, what’s up?”