Chapter 5

Savannah

I wake up to the awful sound of my phone vibrating off of my side table before it hits the floor, ruining my dream. I groan loudly and Louis swats at my face in annoyance. Neither of us like waking up before noon on Saturdays, and I definitely don't like being woken up when I'm having a great dream . I just giggle and pull him into my chest, but he quickly squirms out of my hold and jumps off the bed.

I stretch out and hear my phone vibrate again, this time muffled by my shag carpet. I reach down and deny the call without caring enough to see who it is. I still want to imagine Nathan Daniels on top of me. As my luck would have it, like the dream, the image is now gone.

Now that I am unfortunately awake, I might as well make some coffee and take a shower. I walk over to my window and open the curtains. The best perk of living on the top floor of an apartment building in Manhattan is the beautiful views of the city.

My neighborhood is older and has so much character. It honestly feels like a scene out of a movie. The old brick buildings are lined with iron fences out front, and mature maple trees edge the streets. It is a big change from back home, but I feel like I was born to live here.

There are already people walking up and down the sidewalks with dogs or friends. I love people watching and trying to imagine what they are thinking, or where they are going.

I stretch out and reach down for my phone when it goes off yet again.

“Hello?” I say with complete disdain. I’m not happy about being woken up.

“I’ve called you three times now, what are you doing?” Jade seems super bubbly today which is not unlike her, but it’s quite early for it.

“I was sleeping before you interrupted me. What do you want?” My aggravation slowly eases with her cheerful voice, but I’m still putting my phone on silent tonight.

“It’s eleven Savannah! Anyway, Misty sent me an email this morning,” she chirps.

“Okay, what did she want on a Saturday morning? Get to the point Jade.”

By this point I have already walked into my tiny kitchen and started my coffee pot. I need caffeine mainlined, now.

“Well, she told me that I’ll now be her first assistant, since you’ll be needed elsewhere. Did you finally get a position in women’s?” Jade is close to shrieking, and I hold the phone far away from my ear. She’s always wanted to be the first assistant in men’s.

I quickly check my phone for any missed emails or phone calls. I even check my spam folder, just in case.

Nothing. Excitement overwhelms me. Maybe this is the break I’ve been waiting for, someone finally noticed my hard work! “I haven’t received anything? Oh, I hope so though! I’ll send an email to Misty to see what’s going on. What time are you coming over tonight?”

“I’m not sure yet, I’ll just text you when I am on my way.”

“Ok love ya!” I blow a kiss into the phone.

“Love ya too, sexy bitch!”

After I hang up with Jade, I type up an email to Misty referencing what Jade just told me. I wait a few minutes, but after no response I huff and place my phone onto the counter. Louis rubs his head onto my leg and then swats at my feet.

“I know, I know, you’re hungry! Give me a minute, I need coffee more than you need food Mr. Fatty pants.”

I go to grab a mug, but the cabinet is empty and I just let out another groan and get one out of the sink. I have to wash it, but I hate doing dishes. With no dishwasher, they end up piling up until I can’t stand it anymore. Or until I don’t have anything to use.

I pour myself a cup of coffee and feed Louis before he shrivels away to nothing. He’s been screaming at me since I walked into the kitchen like I neglect him of food on a daily basis. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Checking my phone, I’m annoyed to see that Misty still hasn’t responded to my email. She probably won’t get back to me until Monday, which would be typical of her. We don’t get along very well and she probably isn’t happy about my promotion, if that is what it is. I really hope so. She’s also not the type to be thrilled about someone else’s success.

After I finish my second cup, I jump into the shower and start thinking about last night at work. How stupid could I be, letting my boss kiss me like that. Even if I did like it. I can’t believe he would try to hook up with me after only meeting yesterday -- if you could even call our brief introductions a meeting.

I need to stay away from him and keep my head focused on my goals. Hopefully I’m in the women’s department now and won’t have to deal with Misty, Nathan, or any of the drama that comes with it. I am going to miss seeing Jade’s smile every day though.

I finish showering and throw some comfy clothes on. I don’t have any plans for today except going out tonight with Jade, so I decide to just binge watch my favorite series with Louis.

*****

My phone pings and I grab it, hopeful that Misty has responded. Instead, it’s a text message from Jade.

Jade: I’ll be at your house in thirty. Turn off your tv and start getting ready, now!

Me: Ugh, ok. Getting ready now.

Jade: Have you heard back from Misty yet?

Me: NO! You know her, she’ll probably leave it until the last possible minute on Monday.

Jade: Ugh, that bitch. Ok see you soon!

Me: Yup! See you soon!

I jump off the couch and head to my closet to decide what to wear tonight. I’m in need of a good night with everything that’s happened lately, so I’m really looking forward to dancing all my concerns away. With a drink or two, hopefully I won’t remember my money troubles, my lame job, or the fact that I can’t get my boss’s head out of my mind.

I put on one of my black flowy tanks and my favorite pair of ripped skinny jeans before deciding on my shoes. After a quick look in the mirror, I go with my nude strappy heels. Perfect.

I keep my makeup neutral and brush through my waves before setting both with spray. By the time I’m finished Jade is buzzing at my broken intercom.

“I’m coming down now!” I yell into the mic. I really hope my landlord fixes it soon. It’s such a pain in the butt, and the delivery guys all think I’m nuts.

I make my way outside to see Jade leaning against the wall in a black skirt, lace bralette and heeled boots. She’s effortlessly beautiful, and guys that walk by stop and do double takes. We’re definitely going to have a good night.

“Yes girl! Let’s go get us some tonight!” We both start laughing and head to our favorite bar that’s only a block away from my building. My apartment definitely has its perks.

The bar is already crowded with people when we walk in, so we smile at each other before going over to the bar. We each down two shots to get the night started and then take a drink to go. The music tonight is a DJ, who also happens to be our favorite one here. He plays all the best dancing music. I’m suddenly very happy I came out.

After a few songs, Jade and I get into our groove while the alcohol starts taking effect. As we’re minding our business a few guys come and try dancing with us, as usual. We don’t mind, it’s not like we’re going to take them home. Besides, it’s fun.

Jade announces she has to pee, so we excuse ourselves to go to the bathroom. Once inside the stalls Jade starts talking to me.

“That guy that is dancing with you is hot!” The booze is slurring her words together, but I can easily decipher what she means.

“Yeah, I thought so too! Yours, not so much huh?” The guy dancing with me was tall, dark, and handsome. Hers still looked like he was in high school. Definitely not Jade’s type at all.

“Yeah, not at all girl!”

We both start giggling and then walk out to the sink to wash our hands.

“It’s ok though, I’ll take one for the team while you do your thing,” she offers, giving me a sly grin in the mirror.

I smile back broadly, my cheeks flushed with the alcohol and the dancing. “Thanks Jade! I owe you one next weekend.”

“You know it!” It’s all a part of being a good wing woman. Sometimes you have to take one for the team.

We laugh again, exit the bathroom and head straight to the bar for more drinks.

“I’ll take two more of those shots and two more vodka sodas please!” I flash a twenty as I yell across the bar to the bartender who immediately nods and starts making them.

I look down the bar while waiting and see a familiar face. I can’t place where I know him from, but I know it’s been somewhere this week. He’s probably one of Jade’s flings. But as I’m trying to place him he looks my way and locks eyes with me. I quickly blush and turn back towards Jade.

“You ok?” she asks.

“There’s a guy at the end of the bar.” Jade starts to turn her head, but I grab her arm. “Jade! Don’t look!”

“Well, then what about this guy at the end of the bar?” She raises her brow at me and removes my hand from her arm.

“He’s hot and I know that I’ve seen him before, but I can’t remember where.” I’m too nervous to look back at him so I keep my eyes focused on Jade.

“Ok, well, if you aren’t going to let me look at him, and you don’t even want to look at him yourself, then let’s just get our drinks and go dance. Come on! We both need this!”

I smile at her, we down the shots and take our drinks out to the dance floor yet again. The same guys we were just dancing with come back over to us. I turn around and place my ass against him, instantly rolling my hips while his hands find their way to my waist.

I look up at Jade and mouth a thank you, to which she rolls her eyes in response. We continue dancing for a couple of songs, before I remember where I’ve seen that guy from.

I stop dancing, push my dance partner away and turn to look at the bar. The guy isn’t there anymore, but it definitely was the friend that Nathan was eating with at the restaurant last night. I think his name is Derek.

Is Nathan here? What would he be doing in Manhattan, in a bar?