Chapter 4

Saturdays were usually half days for the café. It meant it was open at 8am but usually closed by 12pm. It had always been like this and Jenny had never asked the previous manager why. She worked one Saturday out of the month but today she decided to go in before her date with Jeremy. She had packed a bag for an outfit change later on. Jenny was focused on trying to grab the slipping pieces of her beloved café.

By 12pm they’d shut the doors and began discussing how best to save the café. Jasmine had some wonderful ideas that included someone of the upcoming book launches. She thought in stead of catering for them why didn’t they make the café into a place where the books could be launched. Jenny loved the idea. They could advertise upcoming books, have new releases on the shelves that just contained old magazines and newspapers.

Jenny began writing a proposal. She knew that if she did this the right way Cole wouldn’t be able to refuse. She documented estimated spending, profit and loss outlook as well as clauses to amend items if they were no longer viable. After becoming manager, she had taken a short online course in an attempt to impress Mr Sanders. Not that she ever told him.

Looking down at the corner of her computer screen she was surprised to see it was nearly 5pm. She collected all the papers that littered Mr Sanders favourite booth table and shut the lid of her laptop. She cursed herself when she realised, she would have to leave it here.

              “Time to get all sexy looking?” Marc joked as he helped her move the stacks of paper back to the shelves in the kitchen.  She rolled her eyes and gave in a playful nudge.

Jenny made a mental note to add a clause for six months’ time. If her plan worked, she’d need an office. After tidying up she said goodbye to Jasmine who was off on a date herself. It surprised Jenny because she knew Jasmine was secretly crushing on Marc.

Marc rolled his eyes. “She’s not really going on a date. She thinks I’ll get jealous.” He pouted his lips before grabbing Jenny’s bag from her. “So, what drop dead gorgeous thing do we have in here?” He wiggled his eyebrows and began walking towards the small bathroom.

              “Its just a dress.” Jenny giggled as he unzipped the bag.

              “Girl, didn’t I tell you to wear sexy?” He shook his head in mock displeasure.

              “Who said I didn’t bring a sexy dress?” Jenny teased grabbing the bag from him. “Now if you don’t mind I need to get changed.” She pushed past him and closed the door wiggling her eyebrows at Marc in mock seduction.

She could hear Marc laughing on the other side of the door and smiled to herself. Without him she would have been a bundle of nerves.

              “What are you doing tonight Marc?” Jenny called as she slipped out of her jeans and t-shirt, shoving them into her bag and pulling out her low-cut dress. The navy-blue dress hugged her figure. I wasn’t one of her favourite dresses, because it was far to revealing for her liking but tonight, she wanted sex and she knew this dress would make that happen. The pencil hem that stopped mid-thigh made her feel awkwardly exposed and the heart shaped neckline revealed a little to much cleavage. Sighing she opened the door.

              “Well hello Mama.” Marc said before wolf whistling. Jenny strutted out of the bathroom and grinned at him.

              “You didn’t answer my question.” Jenny placed her hand on her hips before looking around for her shoes.

               “I intend to live precariously through you tonight. I’ll be the guy with the newspaper in the corner with two holes cut out. ” He joked and she slipped on her black heels. “Girl if I didn’t prefer cock, I’d so bang you.” They laughed as Jenny hugged into him.

              “Thank you. Without you I would be a bundle of nerves.” She kissed his cheek and smiled up at him.

              “You know I always have your back hun. Now its make-up time. But that’s boring to me so can I meet you over at Joey’s?”

Jenny nodded and let him go. He was a big advocate for no make-up. He thought women looked their prettiest without it and Jenny usually agreed. “Order me my usual.” She said walking back to her bag and grabbing her make-up kit.

              “Remember less is more.” He teased. He kissed her cheek and then he was gone.

Jenny smiled. He really was an amazing person. She hoped one day he would find someone who made him feel as special as he made her feel.

After adding some light make-up, eyeliner, and a soft pink lipstick. Jenny looked at herself in the mirror. Her heart was racing now but she was determined to make the night worthwhile. She never saw herself as someone who just wanted sex. But her relationship streak had dried up and her trusty vibrator wasn’t doing what she craved most. She quickly brushed her hair, deciding she’d leave it down. She added tiny cubic zirconia studded earrings, her finishing touch.

Jenny placed her bag in the lockable cupboard where they leave the till and locked it. She decided she would pick it up tomorrow so she could finish her essay. It was her final one. If all went well, she’d be graduating in a months’ time.

She flicked off all the lights. Checked everything was as it should be giving the café a final sweep with her eyes. Sighing she walked out of the café’s front door and into the foyer of the publishing house. Joey’s was right across the road from the publishers so Jenny had chosen to leave this way instead of her usual exit route.

Turning she saw a figure emerge from the lifts and her heart plummeted. It was Cole, his arm snaked around a different woman to the one Jenny saw at the café. He was nibbling her ear and whispering to her. She let out soft moans in response to his seductive whispers. Jenny was frozen to the spot. She didn’t know where to look. She only hoped they wouldn’t notice her.

As Cole walked into the light he stopped. Jenny knew he’d spotted her. Her heart was beating faster than she ever imagined. Time seemed to have stopped. Her eyes were glued to his and she could feel his gaze take in her body. He gulped as he studied her. Jenny’s gaze stopped on his arm which was holding on the brunette’s hip. She took a deep breath which helped propel her forward breaking the awkward encounter.

She took another deep breath. She had no need to worry. He had his date. She was going to hers. Except he still had her manuscript and had yet to make it clear what he intended doing with it. Her legs felt like jelly, but she continued to hold herself up proudly. She made her way to the door. Turning once she was at the entrance.

              “Good Evening Mr Sanders. Have a nice night.” She smiled her most alluring smile.

Only then did his date notice her. She looked away from Cole, her eyes wide. His date was no other than Samantha, his father’s PA. Jenny was shocked but refused to let it show. She smirked at them, shaking her head before walking out into the crisp night air.

When she walked into Joey’s she felt she could finally breathe again. It was your typical bar. It was noisy with unidentifiable music playing in the background. Even though smoking was banned in pubs there still seemed to be a smoky haze across the room. Jenny spotted Marc over at the bar and she made her way over to his smiling face. She made heads turn as she approached him, but she knew it was really only the dress.

              “You look so hot!” Marc cooed as he kissed her cheek. “But also, a little flustered. Are you ok?”

Jenny nodded, grabbing her Gin and Tonic, and sculling it. “Am now.” She winced as the bitter tang of the tonic sat at the back of her throat. She pointed to the bartended indicting she wanted another. “I saw Cole.”

Marc’s mouth flew open. “O.M.G., He saw you looking like sex in heels?” He playful pushed Jenny’s arm and chuckled.

              “It’s not funny Marc. He was sucking Samantha’s face.” She grabbed her second Gin and Tonic and sipped it this time enjoying its tanginess.

              “What Mr Sanders’ Samantha? His PA? Isn’t she now Cole’s PA?” Marc took a swig of his beer, clearly shocked by Jenny’s revelation.

She nodded. “Didn’t he already have a girlfriend?” Jenny added looking back at the crowd who was predominately male. Their eyes undressing her. She felt self-conscious and contemplated going back to the café to grab her jeans and t-shirt again. But that might mean running into Cole again. She’d take men eye fucking her any day over another awkward stare off with Cole Sanders.

              “They must have broken up.” Marc commented as he pulled out his phone. Jenny knew he was going to the gossip pages to see if there was any gossip surrounding the Cole and his girlfriend. “Yep. Right here. Miss Rogers and Mr Sanders Jr have officially split. Although the couple claim it to be an amicable split, friends of the couple claim Miss Rogers caught Mr Sanders Jr in a compromising position with another woman…” Marc raised his eyebrows before smirking. “This is juicy.” He teased

              “If they were friends of the couple, they wouldn’t comment like that.” Jenny sighs, not giving into the gossip. Marc was listening. He was to busy reading, so Jenny just shook her head and returned to sipping her Gin and Tonic.

              “Jenny, Marc!” A voice called from behind them. “How nice to see you.” Jeremey’s hand went straight to the small of Jenny’s back and Marc winked at her.

She turned and smiled at Jeremey before laying a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Hi Jeremey.”

Jeremey eyed Jenny up and down, taking in every curve and piece of exposed flesh. His eyes darkened with passion and he lent in giving her a light peck on the lips.

              “I hope you don’t think that’s to forward. You look so beautiful. I couldn’t help myself. The whole room has its eyes on you. I just wanted them to know tonight your mine.” His smile lit up his face and Jenny melted.

Marc cleared his throat. “Oh look, there’s Jasmine. I better be going. Bye lovelies!” He swept a quick kiss on Jenny’s confused forehead and shook Jeremey’s hand. Jenny followed where he was going which was straight to the men’s room. She shook her head and returned to gaze up at the god-like man standing in front of her.

The Bartender brought him a whiskey and together they sat in awkward silence sipping their drinks. Jeremey’s hand playfully slid up and down Jenny’s arm. Every touch made her body come alive. She wanted to be bold and ask if they could skip dinner, but she didn’t want to be to precocious.

              “I’ve made reservations at Dromana’s for 6:30pm. I hope that’s ok.” He grinned again and Jenny nodded.

              “I’ve just about finished my drink.” With that she sipped the last before smiling at him.

              “Good. Shall we?” He sculled his whiskey before holding out his arm. Jenny took it as she slid from her barstool.

She stopped momentarily and adjusted her dress making sure her butt was covered. Jeremey smiled at her and whispered in her ear, “You look perfect.” If he wasn’t holding onto her arm, she would have melted onto the floor.

During the car ride Jeremey muttered on about the weather and his next holiday and Jenny politely nodded with fain interest. She smiled politely and nodded as he spoke but deep down her stomach was churning and her heart was beating fast. She felt like a hummingbird of ecstasy and was afraid that if she opened her mouth she might throw up or say something stupid. It certainly didn’t help when his hand landed on her naked thigh.

Jenny was relieved when they reached the restaurant. She breathed out a sigh she didn’t know she was holding when Jeremey got out and walked around to her door. He kissed her hand as he helped her from the car and again, she felt all mushy. She turned and closed the car door before he could see her flushed cheeks.

              “You look absolutely stunning.” He whispered from behind her. She trembled as his hand moved to behind her neck as he gently caressed it. He turned her around and kissed her, softly at first, before pressing his lips firmly onto hers in passion. The little gasp that escaped her lips allowed him access to her mouth and he explored her with his tongue. She felt the rise in heat between her legs and clutched them firmly together, promising herself this would lead to that later.

Breaking away from the kiss he smiled at her while running a thumb over her bruised and swollen lips. Maybe there could be something more with Jeremey. She’d just have to wait and see.  He held out his arm and she snaked her arm in clutching onto him like a love-struck teenager. He smirked knowingly at her.

The restaurant was beautiful. They had a small band playing live music on a small stage. The room was brightly lit and every table had a crisp white table cloth. Over at the bar a waiter was pouring champagne into a tower of glasses. Jenny was mesmerised by the flow of liquid filling the glasses, gently spilling into the glass below it.

              “Good Evening. I’m Heather your waitress for this evening.” A young girl, no more than eighteen approached them. She wore a plain black skirt with black leggings underneath. A clean crisp white shirt that had frills along the edge of buttons. Her dark blonde hair had been neatly pulled back off her face into a neat bun that sat at the back of her neck. She hadn’t made eye contact with Jenny continuing to eye off Jeremey.  “This way to your table.” She smiled perhaps a little too much towards him. Oddly, it didn’t affect Jenny like with Cole.

After passing a few tables Jeremey, his hand clutching Jenny’s stopped. “Well, if it isn’t the big bad CEO himself.” He laughed pulling Jenny into his side.

Jenny felt uncomfortable meeting his friends but when she looked up, she nearly died. Sitting in front of her was none other than Cole Sanders.

              “Are we here for business of pleasure?” He taunted looking from Cole to Samantha before laughing again.

              “Hello Jeremey. Nice to see you… And you to Jenny.” Cole added blushing slightly.

              “Its Miss Powell to you.” Jenny added using the same informality he gave her a couple of days ago.

              “Apologises Miss Powell. I didn’t mean to offend.” A smile crept into the corner of his mouth which only infuriated her more.

              “Shall we Jeremey?” Jenny pulled his arm, hoping he’d take the hint and was thankful he did.

They continued to follow their waitress before Jeremey, acting like a gentleman, held out her seat for her. She was glad he’d chosen the seat with her back to Cole. She didn’t want to be watching him make out with Samantha.

Jeremey sat down opposite her with a big grin on his face. “What are the odds that we’d run into him?” He shook his head and began studying the menu.

Jenny looked down at her menu but could barely concentrate on it. She could feel someone's gaze boring holes into her back. She hated it but at the same time she loved it. What were the odds indeed.