Unexpectedly Yours (Private Relations 3)

“Sorry. I was in outer space. That was exhausting. How do you do that all the time?” she asked.

“I try not to. They can be a bit much. Tonight especially,” he said with a frown. “You don’t have to go with me to these things if you don’t want to.”

“It wasn’t that bad. That one incident notwithstanding, everyone else was perfectly nice,” Elle said. “I’ll go with you when I’m able.”

“It makes it seem like less of a chore when you’re there.”

When he felt her hand rest on top of his, he turned his over and laced his fingers through hers.

“So, I’m a jerk. I didn’t even ask you about your trip! How did it go?” Elle asked.

“Both meetings went pretty well. Gavin Johnson was surprisingly down to earth. When I meet these guys I never know what to expect. Sometimes, they’re nice and other times they’re ’roided out jerks. He seemed like a good fit for radio or television, so I’m sure when the time comes, we can find a place for him to land,” Jim said.

“It sounds like the trip went well. Did you manage to get any barbecue?”

On a sigh, Jim said, “No. I didn’t have time on Thursday, and flew out before dinner last night.”

“Sara said that there’s a really good place in Sun Valley. She’s usually spot-on with her food recommendations. We should try that,” Elle said.

“Tomorrow. We should try that tomorrow. Or maybe I should ask you if you’ve got plans for tomorrow first,” Jim said.

“I was kind of hoping we’d spend at least part of the day together,” Elle said.

“We will,” he said. “By the way, how’d that job go last night? You said it was massive.”

“Ugh. It was an anniversary party for a lighting company. They drank so much, Jim. They were all slurring their words and being handsy. I’m so glad I had Bret with me. At one point, someone threw up on my shoes. Needless to say, I need a new pair of work shoes and we won’t be doing business with them ever again,” Elle said, her voice laden with disgust.

Jim ignored his immediate instinct to ask her what exactly she meant by “handsy” and instead said, “Wow. That’s pretty disgusting. That had to suck.”

“Yeah. It was probably the worst night I’ve had in a long time,” Elle said.

“That’d be up there on my list too,” Jim said. “By the way, stuff like that is the reason we don’t do open bar at our Christmas parties.”

“My shoes thank you in advance,” Elle said with a smirk.

They made idle conversation on the way back to Elle’s house, but Jim could tell that she was distracted. He really hoped that she wasn’t bothered by what that bitch had said.

When they pulled up in the driveway, Jim turned off the engine and looked over at her.

“What’s on your mind, Elle? I can see the wheels turning in there,” he said, pointing at her head.

“Nothing, really,” she answered.

Unbuckling his seat belt, he turned to face her and said, “I don’t entirely believe that. Talk to me.”

“I’m just thinking over what that bitch said, and wondering if she didn’t make a point.”

When he opened his mouth to speak, Elle said, “Let me finish. I didn’t mean the rude stuff. I’m a business owner. I work hard. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I don’t like the idea that people are going to assume I’m either fucking you for money or status.”

“I’m sure some people will see that,” Jim agreed. “You’re not the type of woman that would do that. Just like I’m not the type of person that would allow it. You can’t let that stuff bother you, baby.”

Jim watched Elle as she took in what he said. Shaking her head ruefully, she said, “You’re right. This is silly. I’m letting shitty comments from a woman who doesn’t know either of us ruin a perfectly good evening.”

Leaning over, he pressed his lips against hers and said, “Let’s go inside.”

Nodding, Elle unbuckled her seat belt and said, “Let’s. These shoes are killing my feet.”

They both exited the car and walked toward the front door. He watched her slip the key into the lock, then open the door. He immediately slid off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. Hearing her sigh, he realized she had slipped off her shoes and was wiggling her toes.