36 Inches (Size Matters 3)

I doubt it. Really, I just need to apply a bit of make-up and put my hair up. I am still a virgin because until Eric no guy had ever really struck my interest. But now...well, I think the natural reaction that I had to him somehow invoked my girl instincts. When I’m done with my hair and makeup, I am fully dolled up and I look even better than I expected.

And now there’s just one problem! The way that the time’s ticking down, if I don’t catch a cab again, then I’ll definitely be late.

This is turning out to be an expensive day, I just hope that it’s worth it to take two cab rides to afford to save my job...now, with a date.

I know I shouldn’t act on any of the attraction that I have for Eric, but maybe I can save the bookstore since Ryan can’t seem to do that himself. Maybe if I save the bookstore, I can get paid more than minimum wage and afford to buy a new phone. I’ve always understood that I have to be paid so little since Ryan doesn’t have much, but I am starting to get frustrated that he’s put more work on me right now.

Like, yes, of course I want to save the store.

But maybe the store could save me? I mean I’ve put so much hard work into it, and when I’m not a total late ditz and pissing off my supervisor...I’m not some terrible employee. Ryan values me. I’m sure he wants to pay me more, and maybe he’ll be able to, if this meeting goes well.

Meeting...slash date. “Wow, this is so weird,” I say in front of the mirror, smacking my lips together and then blotting them. “At least my makeup isn’t.”

Every hair in place, my face perfectly contoured, and I don’t look too bad at all.

My phone turns itself off just as I’m about to call a cab.

Taking a deep breath, I wait ten seconds, then turn it back on.

I give the taxi service my location and luckily they have someone who can be en-route now. I almost jump up and down, but I actually make it back to the store with a few minutes to spare, so I head back into the bookstore rather than wait outside.

Eric

I change my mind about getting Carl to pick up Elia. I decide that I’ll do it myself, as I have a little gift for her. I see her through the window and hold the box in my hand. I can’t believe that not only am I taking her out on a date, but I’m bringing her a gift too. We only just met.

What’s wrong with me?

I want to turn back and put it in the car, thinking that I’m acting all romantic and shit. She’s a future employee and I’m too busy thinking with my dick.

I peer through the bookstore window and see her in a red cocktail dress. The fabric clings to her skin and the neckline’s right down to her navel. Her hair is pinned up with loose strands around her shoulders. She has a small purse in her hand and gold earrings on her lobes.

It seems as if I’m not the only one that

went all out for the date. She did too, and she doesn’t look like she works in a bookstore. Far from it. Like a lovestruck fool, I walk to the door and pull the handle.

“Hi.” She beams. I can tell that she’s expecting a compliment, the way she’s looking at me.

“Elia.” I try to keep it professional but I can’t help myself and I already knew that wasn’t going to happen. “You look beautiful tonight.” She did, too, by the looks of that dress. There’s something about her that I can’t quite place, but even though Elia’s wearing that knockout dress, she doesn’t seem to be anything but innocent. Flirty but...there’s a fucking purity to her that has me waxing poetic to you when I should be thinking about business or talking to her. Anything but just ogling her and thinking about how much I want to run my finger down that revealed skin.

She smiles. “Thanks. I’m ready to leave now, I was just waiting for your driver.”

I hand her the box. “For you.”

“Gifts?” she asks.

“Just one.”

She opens the box like a child on Christmas Day. Watching her open it makes me forget that I’d regretted buying it for her. She shakes her head as she sees the phone inside, and holds it in her hand as if it’s a precious jewel.

“For me?”

I nod my head, thinking that it’s obvious that it’s for her because I gave it to her, so Elia’s obviously in shock. It makes me wonder just how broke she is. Before I started my medical practice, I invested in a lot of things, came from good money. I’ve never struggled with what I’d consider a basic necessity. I’ve never even thought about these things. I buy Jessica, my assistant, every iPhone as it comes out, and she’s got one of every iPad in case it makes her more efficient.

Still, even though I knew I’d buy one of my employees these...and even though I teased Elia about this...I regretted buying the iPhone for Elia because I wanted it to be more than a business gift. I wanted to get her something she needed. Like some old hat sexist shit or something, right?

Elia seems confused and her big eyes look up into mine. “But why?”

“So you can get to work on time.” I smile, teasing her.