Our Way

“Eliza…”

“Yeah?” I sigh, thoroughly distracted. He waits for my attention, and I drag my eyes up to meet his, he gives me a soft smile.

“Is that your way of asking me to dinner as a friend?”

“Maybe.” I smile.

“I’d love to.”

1

Ten years later

Eliza

The elevator doors open, and I stride out into the grand foyer of the top floor of Nathan’s building. “Hello.” I smile at the two receptionists.

“Hi,” replies Maria.

“Oh, Eliza, hi. You must have a sixth sense, I was just thinking about you,” the blonde receptionist says, looking me up and down. “Wow, you look lovely today.”

I dust my skirt as I look down at myself. I’m wearing a fitted black pencil skirt and a cream silk blouse, along with high heels and sheer black stockings. My long, dark hair is in a ponytail. “Thanks. I have a job interview this afternoon with Dr. Morgan, the cosmetic surgeon. I’m making Nathan come with me.”

She frowns. “I thought you were happy nursing at the hospital.”

“I am, and I will always go back to that at some stage, but I just feel like I need a change at the moment. Besides, I’m not leaving the industry completely. It’s still in the medical field, just in a swanky office instead of the hospital.”

“Civilian.” Maria smiles as she looks me up and down. “Well, you look fabulous, and maybe you can get me a discounted facelift.”

I giggle. “I have to get the job first.”

“Have you got time to quickly go through Nathan’s schedule with me?”

“Yes, of course.”

I walk around to behind her desk so I can see the calendar on her computer.

She begins to click through the days, “So you have a charity dinner on Wednesday night. Do you want me to book a car ride home?”

“Where is it?”

“Here in town, at the Fine Arts Museum.”

“Hmm, yes, a car would be great, please.”

“Okay.” She ticks the first thing off on her list. “You have Nathan’s father’s sixtieth birthday in two weeks. I’ve booked the flights and transfers. You leave that Friday night and get back on Sunday at 9:00 p.m.”

“Okay.” I sigh.

She smiles, adding in a naughty wink as if she’s reading my mind.

Nathan’s parents live in Vermont; it’s a trek. “I knew it was coming up, I just didn’t realize how quickly. Okay, great.” I fake a smile.

“Now, I haven’t got his father a birthday present,” she continues, “because I know you like to do all those kind of personal things, but let me know if you want me to get something. I can pick it up tomorrow.”

“I’ll get it, but thank you.” I smile as I rub her shoulders. “What would we do without you?”

Maria smirks as she ticks the second thing off her list. “Let’s be honest, you have to approve everything anyway, so I really work for you. I’m actually your PA, not Nathan’s.”