The Cinderella Arrangement (17 page)

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Thanks for suggesting this. I don’t eat out often.”

We sat at a cramped table and I hid behind the menu. Already knowing that this would not work out, I decided that I was just going to enjoy a pleasant evening.

“What do you do?”

The boring, stilted conversation of all first dates started forward on trembling legs. I could feel myself pulling back with every word. Drawing answers from him was like yanking teeth—it was as if he expected me to talk for the entire time.

This wasn’t going well.

The tall, thin waitress appeared at my elbow and I ordered the lamb and an Ethiopian beer. Without the menu, there was no distraction. We looked at each other for a few brief seconds, then my gaze wandered over the artwork on the walls.

A door opening brought in a blast of cold air and my teeth chattered. An insolent voice talked to the hostess, and I dragged my attention back toward Charlie.

“What kind of movies do you like?”

“Um—”

A man walked along our table and stood in front of us. I waited for him to leave, perhaps he was only getting out of the way of a waitress. I glanced up his torso and jumped.

It was Will.

This time, he was dressed in a black wool sweater and dark jeans, his hair groomed back. It was amazing how handsome he looked when he put in a little effort.

“What are you doing here?”

He gave me a pleasant smile, but didn’t answer my question. Then he glowered at Charlie, who balked at the pile of hundred-dollar bills thrown in his face. My eyes widened.

“Clear off,” he barked at Charlie.

Charlie looked offended. “What?”

He blew air impatiently. “Just take the money and leave.
Now
.”

My heart pounded as Charlie fingered the one hundred-dollar bills. There were five hundred dollars there. Would he take the bribe?

I would
.

His muddy eyes slid toward mine and I pressed my lips into a firm line.

“Sorry.” He gathered them in his fist and stood up to leave.

Don’t be. I was getting bored anyways.

The dark-haired man smirked as Charlie swept from the table. He reached out and pulled the chair back and took the other man’s place. Will smiled at me as if this was the most normal thing in the world. For the love of God. He threw almost my month’s rent at my date to get him to leave.

Is this a rich people thing?

I couldn’t believe the fucking gall of this guy.

“You can’t just—how did you even
find
me?”

He rolled his eyes at me. “Oh, please. I did you a favor.”

“How the hell do you figure that?”

“Both of you looked bored.” He waved over the waitress. “I’ll have tea.”

What an ass
.

I should be a lot angrier
.

“Are you stalking me?” I hissed when she left with his order.

“Nope. Just overheard things at the workplace.” He sighed as if he had a long day and gazed at me with the hungry expression that first drew me to him. “You look beautiful.”

I flushed with pleasure and suddenly, the restaurant was too warm. I was stunned and flattered that he tracked me down all the way to Berkeley to—what? My anger stumbled.

“Thank you. You look great yourself.”

One dark eye winked at me. “What is this place?”

“It’s an Ethiopian restaurant.”

Will gawked as the waitress placed a huge platter in front of us, which was covered with a flattened, round piece of bread. The entrees were dropped on the bread in steaming piles. There were no utensils and I could see William freaking out about it.

“What the hell—how are we supposed to eat this?”

“You eat it with your hands.” I pointed to the bowl of rolled spongy bread. I took one and tore off a piece. Using it, I picked up the food and ate it. The lamb fell apart in my mouth, the rich spices making my tongue dance. It was delicious.

He raised an eyebrow. “Strange choice for a first date.”

“If you don’t like it, I can always call Charlie back. At least he was excited to try it.” It was strange how comfortable I felt around him. Being around Luke usually had me tongue-tied, but William was different. He was odd, but not intimidating.

“Not a chance,” he frowned.

“Are you afraid to get your hands dirty?”
Rich boy?

His nostrils flared as if he smelled a challenge and rolled up his sleeves. Will gave me an “I’ll show you!” expression as he grabbed a roll of bread and picked up food with a piece. He brightened the moment it passed his lips.

“Wow, this is good.” His revulsion with eating with his hands was overcome by how delicious it was. He dove back in with gusto.

All right, enough of the niceties.
“Why are you here?”

He leaned in with that secret smile I loathed, the one that could see through all my bullshit. Just looking at him made my skin burn. “I wanted to see you again, and I usually get what I want.”

“I’ll bet you do, but I’m still not interested.” A flush crept up my neck but I didn’t look away from his narrowed eyes. His cocky attitude was wearing thin.

Will’s tossed his head. “Yeah, I don’t believe that for one second.”

“I just broke up with my fiancé of
six years
.”

“Luke told me you broke up almost a year ago. Told me to stay away from you.” He smiled to himself. “Naturally, that just made me want to see you even more.”

An invisible knife sank into my ribs, puncturing my lungs of air. “He said that? Why?” A ripple of anger went through me. Did they think for one second I didn’t know what he wanted from me?

“Maybe he wanted to protect me from you.”

“Maybe he doesn’t want a rift forming between his girlfriend and her best friend. Maybe he thinks it’ll create problems between them both. I don’t know and I don’t care.”

Okay
.

“So you came here to…hit on me?”

“That and I
might
have an opening in my department for a recently liberated graphic designer.”

“Liberated. That’s a nice way of putting it.”

“I thought you’d prefer that to
laid off
or
canned
.”

“Oh,” I said.

“Oh? That’s it? I represent a multi-billion dollar company and that’s all you have to say?”

Is he fucking with me?

“I just thought that…” I blushed and didn’t finish the sentence under his intense stare. “It’s strange to drive all the way here just to talk about a job. On a Saturday. You could have emailed me.”

“I like to do this kind of thing in person.”

Working for Pardini Worldwide would be an incredible opportunity for me. I couldn’t pass it up, no matter how weird William was.

“Well, what’s the job?”

“You’d be the lead designer for a huge marketing campaign.”

I sat back for a moment, stunned. “That…sounds amazing.”

His face flashed with a brilliant smile. “I’ll tell you more about the job after I get to know you first.”

“Um, okay. What do you want to know?”

“Pardini Worldwide prides itself on its excellent customer service. How far are you willing to go to please a client?”

I turned the question over in my head as Will watched me. “I’m always happy to provide the client with multiple rounds of revisions until they’re satisfied.”

“Are you willing to work nights?”

Weird question
. “Absolutely.”

“Let’s pretend I’m a client. If I call you at two in the morning, would you be willing to drop everything and service me?”

“Excuse me?”

Service him
?

“Customer service. As I said, Pardini Worldwide prides itself on its unswerving customer support.”

My face burned. “Yes…I guess I would.”

“Would you be available at all hours?”

“Yes.”

“Would you be able to compromise your morals for this job?”

Is that a real question
? “Uh, it depends.”

He looked like he could barely contain his grin. “I must also warn you that the position is
long
and very
hard
—”

“Are you messing with me?”

He stopped, wearing an expression of complete shock. “The hours are long and hard, what did you think I meant?”

I think you’re talking about your penis.

I could hear my skin burning as Will’s mischievous eyes bored into mine.

I am not crazy. He’s making all kinds of sexual innuendos
.

He skipped ahead without waiting for my answer. “Why do you want this position?”

“I—well—it’d be great for my career.”

“You will have to be willing to bend over backward…for the company. There will be lots of all-nighters.”

“I think I can manage—”

William’s face flushed with heat as his voice rose in volume. “You’ve got to be flexible, think on your feet, and not be afraid to get
down and dirty
.”

“I can totally do that.”

“Where do you see yourself in five years? At the top, or do you prefer to be underneath me?”

“Well, I think I—”

I answered before I processed what he had just said.
Do you prefer to be underneath me?
The fucking bastard was playing with me.

“I’m getting the feeling that this entire thing is your idea of a sick joke.”

I threw my napkin on the table and grabbed my purse, feeling close to tears as I got up and stormed out of the restaurant. All I wanted was to eat my meal in peace, to have a nice evening with him. I walked forward on the rain-soaked streets, not caring where the hell I was going.

“Hey!”

Heavy footsteps jogged next to me and I didn’t need to look to see who it was.

“Natalie, hold on for a second!”

Rough fingers encircled my arm and stopped my rapid escape to my car. William stood under a streetlight, his handsome features harsh under the glare.

“What?”

“The job is not a joke!”

I wrenched my arm out of his grip. “You have a really pathetic sense of humor.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Natalie—”

“I just lost my job! How dare you insult me?”

“I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“Yeah right.” I continued walking toward my car, swallowing down the lump rising in my throat.

“Is it my fault you were reading too much into what I was saying?”

I wheeled around, resisting the urge to shove his chest. “Will I
service
clients at two in the morning? Do I prefer to be
underneath
you?”

His lips twitched into a grin.

“Are you
twelve
?”

“I have an unorthodox way of interviewing people to see if they’ll be a good fit.
Shit
. Don’t be upset.”

“Life is just a huge fucking joke to you, isn’t it?”

He opened his mouth, slack-jawed. “Natalie, I was just—”

“Save it!”

I turned from him and angrily wrenched open my car door. Will was still standing in the rain when I drove away.

N
atalie
,

I’ve been thinking about you these last few weeks. I still can’t believe it’s been eight months since—

The lid of my laptop snapped shut before I read the rest of the email. I hunched over my desk and bit my nails into my palms.

Ben reached out. I couldn’t believe it. At first, I felt a wild happiness, but a tidal wave of nerves drowned it.

I’m starting to move on.

I flicked away a crumb. Then came the rage.

I didn’t want to finish the email. Not yet.

Laughter sounded from the living room. A pair of voices talked loudly as they walked into our apartment. They must be back from dinner.

Resigning myself to an evening of watching Luke and Jessica fawn over each other, I got up from my chair and joined them.

“Hey!”

Jessica’s blonde ponytail whipped around. Luke stood in the kitchen, uncorking wine. I always wondered what he thought when he visited. I wondered if he couldn’t wait to get away. To return to his mansion. Maybe he found our peasant life charming.

“Hello, Luke.”

“How was your date?” Jessica grinned at me.

Let me see.

After I calmed down, I realized how embarrassing it had been. It was a complete disaster. A date with a stranger turned into an interview with Will, and somehow I had a meltdown.

“Um, well—it was interrupted by Will.”

“Will who?”

“Your cousin.”

Luke’s face darkened. “What?”

“He showed up and paid Charlie to leave the table.” A burst of laughter left my throat at both of their expressions. I summoned the energy to walk to the kitchen table and clutched one chair. The fact that I left the date almost in tears seemed kind of hilarious.

Jessica made a wordless “wow,” but Luke looked like his temple was about to explode.

“I don’t know how he found me,” I shrugged, looking at Luke.

For a moment I thought he would smash the wine bottle. “I’m sorry, Natalie,” he apologized, red-faced. “He kept hassling me for your number and I told him you were going on a date with someone else.”

That he had the nerve to harass Luke at work made me smile. “Don’t apologize,” I said, sobering. “It wasn’t so bad.”

I didn’t tell them about the job offer or the interview. I wanted to take that secret to my grave, but I couldn’t forget how he made me feel, how he seemed to understand what I was going through.

“He seems like a nice person.”

But Luke was shaking his head, looking furious with himself. “Natalie, there is a lot of things you don’t know about him. He’s not a nice guy. He’s a huge mess. A couple years ago, he—” He colored and suddenly fell silent.

“He what?” I prompted.

“I really shouldn’t say. It’s not for me to tell you. But, just believe me—he has a host of issues you don’t want to deal with.”

My lungs froze. What did it matter, really?

I’ll probably never see him again.

I sat down at the kitchen table, Luke avoiding my eyes.

“Why shouldn’t she give him a chance? You gave me one.”

His gaze cut at her. “Don’t—it’s not the same at all.”

But his girlfriend would not let him off that easily. “How is it not the same?”

A pin could have dropped in the kitchen and I would have heard it. Luke’s mouth faltered.

“I can’t. It’s not my place. I’m sure he’ll tell you eventually.”

Well, now I have to know.

“And when he does, Natalie can decide for herself if she wants to date him.”

“I don’t even want to see him again.”

Luke blew out his cheeks, looking relieved. “Don’t Google his name, Natalie. I’m serious. Even if it’s unlikely you’ll see him again.”

Jessica swatted his arm. “How is she supposed to stop herself from doing that? Don't putting ideas in her head.”

She squealed as he suddenly pulled her onto his lap and kissed her cheek. A flutter of awkwardness swept my insides. I always felt like I was walking in on something private around them.

“How is it with that side of the family? He mentioned that he was in the race to be CEO.”

With Jessica in his arms, he gave a derisive laugh. “I will be really, really surprised if he gets it. He’s a loose cannon.”

Considering how disrespectful Will was when he talked about Luke, I couldn’t exactly muster the energy to be angry on Will’s behalf. I could detect a faint note of bitterness coming from Luke’s voice. Was he upset that his father’s death ruled him out of the hierarchy of the company?

“I could see things getting ugly between all of them when Uncle Dominic resigns. Did you know that he tried to sell my share of the company without my knowledge?”

“What?” I hissed as I looked at Jessica’s grim face. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. He controls all the trusts, and he wanted to sell all the shares. I’m in the middle of a lawsuit with him, actually,” his voice trembled.

What a horrible family.

“I’m sorry.”

“Ah, don’t be. Once this is over, I’m cutting off ties with all of them.”

I spent the rest of the evening boiling over everything Luke said—or hadn’t said. The unread email smoldered in my mind and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from reading it when I went to bed. My mind burned all night. What was the horrible thing William had done? I wished Luke hadn’t mentioned it.

Kicking the chair back from my desk, I sank down and reopened the laptop.

—
We broke up. Can we please talk? I really need to get things off my chest. Maybe we could for lunch? I could meet you at Embarcadero Station. Please, Natalie. Call me.

-Ben

A flurry of emotions whirled inside me like a snowstorm. My finger tapped on the reply button and hovered hesitantly over the keys.

I needed to see him one more time to find out if I was okay with moving on.

* * *

I
had a job offer already
, and I had to meet the client in the city. Today.

“Who is it?”

The recruiting agent spoke quickly. “The client has requested anonymity for now.”

I was also meeting Ben in the city—I caved and sent him an email.

“Believe me,” she continued, “you want to go to this interview. This is a very competitive salary for a client who is—well, just get here.”

Intrigued, I agreed to meet whoever it was at eleven at the client’s location. I patted myself on the back for finding a job. I was meeting Ben later at one, so this might work out perfectly.

I walked outside and headed for the metro. My heels stumbled over the cracks in the pavement near the BART station and I almost twisted my ankle.

Fuck. I really need to move from this place.

I only tolerated living here because of Jessica. She was my best friend. She was broke. I had to do what I could to help her out, and there were many months where I paid for her half of the rent. Those days were over though. Jessica paid me back every cent she ever owed me—plus interest. The lease was coming up soon and I had no idea what would happen. Would she move in with Luke?

It struck like a gong inside me. I wanted to cling onto my best friend, but we were both growing up.

Growing up or growing apart?

The metro screamed toward me, the cacophony of screeching metal making my teeth grind. I moved into the warm car and took a seat in the back.

My nerves were on high alert the whole way into the city. It’s been so long since I had an interview. I walked with some difficulty toward Union Square after leaving the BART, surrounded by hordes of tourists shopping at all the clothing stores. I opened the white doors to Cliff Graphic Design and approached the desk, my already tired legs shaking.

“Good morning.”

The receptionist gave me a friendly smile, which I returned feebly.

“I have a meeting at eleven.”

“Ah, yes. Natalie Porter? Right, go upstairs and it’s the second door on the left. He requested a conference room.”

I swallowed and nodded, thanking the receptionist before heading toward the elevator. I didn’t think I could handle a flight of stairs right now. What’s the problem?

Don’t be so nervous.

The reflection in the shiny, metallic walls looked ill. I stood straighter and wiped my hands over my slacks.

Get it together.

Whoever the client was, the agent seemed excited about them. I couldn’t wait to find out who they were.

The elevator doors opened and a massive seizure gripped my heart. I stepped out and walked down the hall, shoving open the door. I forgot to knock—

A man with black, styled hair and hollow cheeks dressed in a smart, coal-grey suit looked up at me from the table and grinned. It took a moment for me to recognize him as William. He was so stunning that he looked like one of those unapproachable men I sometimes saw walking down the street in the city; the men who made every female head they passed turn their way.

A lightning bolt shot up my arm. All the feelings I’d buried from the other night returned in full force.

“I have a meeting with a client.”

“I know. I’m the client,” he said baldly.

I looked down at his calm, satisfied face and did not understand what he wanted from me. “Is this a game to you?”

“No,” he said in a grim voice. “Please, sit down.”

My whole body was shaking so badly that I couldn't stand. I couldn’t believe the nerve of this guy that he would screw around with my schedule like this just to—what? Didn’t I fail his ridiculous interview? Was it even real?

His face was shrewd as he looked at me. I glanced at the desk, saw my portfolio spread in front of him, and my stomach clenched.

“I wanted to offer you a position as a contractor. It’s a temporary position we need to fill for Luke’s Bed and Breakfast campaign. We will review the sites in person, and if they qualify they’ll join the Pardini hotel chain.”

My ears were ringing. “Why me?”

A flicker of surprise crossed his face. “Because you’re a talented artist. I got in touch with your former employers and went through your designs. You’re perfect for this job.”

Perfect.

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re the only one I can see myself getting along with.” He scanned me, his eyes darting back and forth.

He’s joking, right?

I couldn’t help but laugh. “At dinner the other night, that was ‘getting along’ to you?”

“Compared to the others I interviewed, yeah.” He leaned across the table, his black tie dragging over it. “It’s a real job, Natalie. I looked at your portfolio and I was impressed. The job consists of you visiting these inns in the UK, France, and Italy. We need a graphic designer for the pamphlets and mailing lists. As the VP, I need to oversee the campaign and make sure it’s running smoothly.”

I burned all over. Was he suggesting what I thought he was? So, we’d travel together?

“How much?”

He leaned back and cocked his head, giving me a smile that made my whole body hum with excitement. “Ten thousand dollars for a few weeks seems more than fair. All of your travel arrangements and meals will be taken care of. The contract is short, but if the executives love your work,” he shrugged, “you may be offered a full-time position.”

The executives? You mean, yourself?

I always wanted to go to Italy. He smirked at me, knowing full well he was dangling a fat, juicy carrot in front of my face. I snapped back to myself.

“Why me?”

“I told you why.”

“There are millions of qualified graphic designers. You picked me. A woman you barely know.”

He suddenly reached over and grasped my wrist. An electrical shock traveled up my arm, right into my heart. I didn’t know why I didn’t throw him off. All I could think about was his thumb running up and down, tracing my veins.

“A woman I have the hots for.”

I snatched it away, the huskiness in his voice making my face warm. “What’s your problem?”

“Forgive me for being a red-blooded American who wants to spend three weeks with someone who’s nice to look at.”

“I can’t be the only one you interviewed who was decent-looking.”

His eyes blazed at me. “No, but I like that you don’t suck up. You were so sad at the party. You didn’t even try to hide it. Everyone could see how miserable you were, but you didn’t care.”

I had a flash of anger for the well-dressed, rich man sitting across the table, dishing out judgment toward me. I didn’t want to hear this shit. “I know that I’m unhappy and I don’t need to be reminded of it.”

He leaned across the table suddenly and grabbed both my arms.

“What’re you doing?”

“Natalie, I’m trying to say that we are alike. You turned me down, and that intrigued me.”

That I could have anything in common with a billionaire was absurd, and yet William wasn’t the polished, put together person I would’ve expected from the Pardini family.

He sat back in his chair and let that sink into my head.

“So is that what this is about? The chase? After one night with me, you’ll be done.”

William stood up from the table with a serene expression on his face and I wondered if I offended him. “I don’t think I’d want just one night from you.”