“Listen, I realize you probably don’t date a lot. Knowing your character, I’m sure you also don’t do one-night stands. For me, last night was not just a fuck. You don’t have to say anything right now, but give us a chance, Elodie, to see where this may lead. That’s all I’m asking.”
For a second I think I’m reaching her because her eyes flash with tenderness, but all too quickly, it transitions into the Mistress of the Darkness persona.
I try again, “You know you can tell me anything. We don’t have to have secrets.”
She purses her lips before quipping, “Secrets? That’s funny coming from you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, when I did the background check on you, as I mentioned, it never revealed anything about your past. Which tells me you’re probably hiding something. Did you doctor your file, Mr. Cybersecurity, to hide something?”
What is she getting at? Taken aback, I just stare at her.
“El, I don’t know who or what you think I am, but I have nothing to hide. If you must know, I was working with the Feds at one point, and they’re the ones who doctored my file because of the one project I was working on.”
She swallows, seemingly chastened for the moment. I don’t want to give up on her. Underneath this exterior is the woman I’ve come to admire, care about, and…love.
“Okay, but it still doesn’t mean you don’t have secrets,” she counters.
“And what about you? What secrets do you have? Clearly there’s something in your past you don’t want to tell me. Your fath…,” but I’m cut off.
“What did my father tell you?” she practically yells.
“Nothing. All he said was high school was rough. I’ve been wanting you tell me yourself what happened, but you won’t open up to me.”
“There’s nothing to tell! Mind your business. Look, Jamison, I blurred the lines last night and take full responsibility, but it won’t happen again. We’re co-workers, and don’t forget it, rookie.”
My nostrils flare. “So it’s going to be like that?”
“Mm-hm,” she replies curtly and crosses her arms over her chest.
“Okay then, you got it.” I stand to leave. “El, one day you’ll be sorry not letting people into your life. Maybe you won’t regret me, but you’ll regret not having anyone since your parents won’t be around forever. It’s hard to think about that, but it’s reality. My great aunt is on borrowed time. And if she taught me anything, it’s that people make your life worthwhile.”
Without looking her way, I open the door and leave her office. As I take two steps from her doorway, I see Rebecca headed straight for me.
I speak loud enough so Elodie can hear, “Hey, Rebecca, have any plans tonight?”
12
Jamison
It was a dick move to allow El to think I was asking Rebecca out, because I wasn’t. I had Rebecca follow me to my office so I could outline some work I wanted her to do for me tonight. Sometimes we need our secretaries to perform tasks outside normal business hours since this aspect of the project can’t wait.
I’m pissed at myself for acting childish. But I was just too riled up to care in the moment, and once again I let my emotions get the best of me. Elodie is worth fighting for, though. She’s also a fighter. She just needs to fight back in a different way—she needs to fight for us.
With a desperate need to get out of the office, I buzz Deb and tell her I’m taking a half day for personal reasons. Solace and clarity are what I need, and there is one person who can give that to me right now.
I pull up to the facility that houses Aunt Taffy and make my way to her room. She’s sitting in her recliner when I enter. Her eyes are closed, and she appears to be resting, or so I think.
“Jamesy,” she whispers without opening her eyes.
She must smell my cologne. For a woman her age, she has the sharpest senses of anyone I know. I love when she calls me Jamesy; it’s always been Taffy and Jamesy taking on the world—the dynamic duo.
“What brings you here, my boy?”
Now she does open her eyes, and the biggest grin splits her face in two. I lean down to give her a kiss on her soft, wrinkly cheek. “You look beautiful, Taffy, as always.”
“Oh, hush, you’re a sweet boy, but you know I look like shit.”
My aunt always tells it like it is, and I chuckle in response. I take a seat on the edge of her bed so we can have a chat. Her motherly advice has always been a welcome source of comfort in my life, and despite losing my parents, I can’t imagine a world where Taffy wasn’t my mom.
She squints, and I know she’s trying to discern my demeanor. “Okay, spill it.”
My lungs fill with air, and I let out a sigh before I tell her, “I’m in love.”
“Ah, yes, that explains it. Why so forlorn? She doesn’t feel the same way?”
“I think she does, but I don’t know for sure. She’s scared, and she won’t give me a chance.”
“Love is never easy, Jamesy, you know that. Life is complicated and messy, and you know I always tell you, when life hands you lemons, you may not always be able to make lemonade, so find a couple more pieces of fruit and make some fruit punch.”
Not being able to help myself—she’s so eccentric—I smile and absorb her words. She’s a gentle soul, and this world is going to be a lot dimmer when her light goes out. She may have a bad ticker, but her heart is like a beacon of hope.
“Sound advice, Taffy.”
“Did you play for her?”
“I did. I played her your song, and she cried.”
“Of course she did. You’re the most talented cellist. You can bring the most hardened of persons to tears. You should write her a song.”
Taffy is beyond brilliant. I knew coming here would do the trick.
“Did I tell you how gorgeous you look?” I ask as I grab her hand.
“Oh, Jamesy, you’ve always had a way with the ladies. But more than that, your heart is what speaks to people. I’m sure if you tell her how you feel, and if she has any feelings for you whatsoever, then there’s nothing you can’t overcome. I hope I get to meet her. She must be pretty special.”
“She is, and you will. Actually, I may have mentioned her once or twice to you. What’s funny is I never expected to fall for my boss’s daughter!”
“You mean to tell me it’s the Mistress of the Darkness?” She laughs and pats my hand. “Oh boy, that explains a lot. Guess it goes to show you, you never know someone until you hear their story.”
“Well, that’s the thing, I know there’s this missing piece to the puzzle, but she won’t let me hear it.”
“Then I suppose you have some work to do.”
“I guess so. As always, Taffy, you’re brilliant, beautiful, and the best mom.” I lean forward to kiss her cheek again, and she lovingly holds my face for a few seconds.
I stay chatting with her a little bit longer. Visiting her is cathartic, but she eventually kicks me out and tells me to find my inspiration for a song.