“Can I help ya?” A voice called out.
“I would like the best tree you have.”
“How tall you looking for?” He said spitting off to the side.
I looked back at Randy only to receive a shrug of his shoulders. “I don’t know what do you suggest?”
He laughs at me shaking his head and mumbling something under his breath. “How tall are your ceilings?”
“My ceilings, nine or ten feet?” Hell if I paid attention.
“Follow me.” He sighed. “Alright I would say this baby right here is your best bet.”
“I’ll take it.”
“Do you want it delivered or do you want it tied to your pretty little car?” He said motioning towards Ava’s car.
I eye him to back off before my good mood diminishes. “Delivered will be fine, thank you”
After we buy the tree, Randy convinces me to tour the city some before heading back. As it turns out, we stop only once more to pick up some Barbeque for Randy, the Alabama boy. When we arrive back, Ava’s client has already arrived, discouraging my hopes for a private lunch. Randy lays out the food and huffs at the dogs whimpering at his feet. “I don’t think so dogs, you’re not getting a bite of this.”
“This is good.”
“I told you. Damn this is one of the things I miss the MOST.”
Leaning back with my sandwich I take notice of Ava’s client sitting with Kyle, both watching Ava as she talks to him with her hands passionately and glasses on. Her every move is impressive.
“You know if I wasn’t enjoying this food so much, I might be offended.”
“What can I say? She’s amazing.”
“She’s amazing and you are in mad love my friend.”
“Would you stop with that love shit? I’m happy and there is no reason to screw that up right now.” As soon as I see Kyle walk out of the office with the client, I wrap up the rest of my food rapidly. “Don’t eat my other sandwich I put in the refrigerator, I am going to go see if Ava has any decorations for this tree that’s coming.” I run out the door before Randy has a chance to respond and enter her office quietly.
“Did you get me a tree?” She said smiling at me from the corner of her eyes, while I try to sneak up on her.
“I did.” Surrendering and taking hold of her. “Is it okay I’m here?”
“A few minutes might be okay.”
“So what were you presenting today?”
“He found an existing warehouse that he wants converted into a Jazz bar,” she said pulling out the presentation boards to show me.
“These are good, Ava,” I said realizing it is the first time I have gotten to see her work.
“Thank you, but you probably should have looked at my work before you hired me.”
“I guess you do work for me.”
“Yes sir. So are you happy with the service so far?” She leans up against a table eyeing me seductively or at least in my mind she is.
“Mostly.”
“Is there something I can do to make you happier?”
I check one more time to make sure we are alone before turning back to Ava and lifting her onto the table. With her glasses and her hair pulled back, she is irresistible. “I want to feel like I’m your only client.” Running one hand up her leg, the other intertwines in her hair, I nose her glasses with a wanting smile. “These are sexy by the way.” I said maneuvering between her legs causing her skirt to push up her thighs as I caress her sides gently. “And I like this sweater, it looks nice on you.”
“Sean, I can’t right now.”
“Why?” I asked moaning against her cheek.
“Because if I do this now I may not be able to get any work done today and Kyle will kill me if I leave now.”
“Come on, it’s lunch time. You have to have a break right?” I said kissing her neck down to her breasts that I manage to expose fully.
“No,” she said breathing heavily and causing me to smile.
Feeling my success, I help her off the table and take her hand guiding her into her office, immediately pulling the blinds and shutting the door, locking us in. Whispering in her ear, “am I your best client?”
“Yes,” she says pulling me in close.
“Prove it.”
Chapter 24: Ava
I knew when I left him, there is no way he is going to get that tree the way I want it but maybe I can try and let it go this once. Right now, I have to try to put the tree decorating and the memories from being laid out on my desk out of my mind so I can work. Kyle and Anna are still smirking and laughing at me. If we had any hope that we had fooled anybody it was erased as soon as we walked into the house.
I can still see Randy’s knowing expression as he spoke. “Next time, make sure the blinds stay closed so no one else can see.” Randy said relaxing confidently.
Sean and I both jump looking back at the perfectly secure blinds. We breathe a sigh of relief before we realize we had confirmed their suspensions. “Asshole.” Sean said glaring at him as Randy smiles wide.
With only an hour left in the day I dive into some plans on my computer, trying to concentrate when Anna comes running into my office with panic clearly overtaking her usual joyful expression. “What is it?”
“Guess who just pulled in?” She said with half a step and a whisper.
“I don’t know? Who?”
“Jusss … tinnn,” she stressed wide-eyed. “Ava! With Sean here, do you really think it is a good idea? How is Sean going to react to him? Or Justin to Sean?”
“I don’t think it’s as bad as you are acting Anna. Justin and I never had anything between us other than friendship and Sean knows that already. And, I have told Justin all about Sean and he is happy for me. I admit they weren’t too keen on each other at first but I think they are both over all that now.”
“Sure that’s all fine and good in your little fantasy world that you have created but in reality you have two men who both are clearly in love with you. Men have fought for fewer reasons,” Anna said animatedly.
“Oh don’t be absurd,” I said waving her off.
“Am I?” Anna said planting her hands at her sides.
Kyle suddenly pops his head through the doorway. “Ava get a clue, there is going to be some bloodshed if you don’t do something quick.”
“What would you have me do?”
“Keep them apart, head off Justin before Sean sees him, and then keep him from the house before he sees Sean,” Kyle said exasperated as if I should know this already. My first real boyfriend in ... well ever and I am supposed to be an expert already?
After thinking for a couple of seconds, I meet Justin at the door pulling him into my office and away from the windows. My watchdogs keep the perimeter under guard to shout out warning signals if need be.
“Hey beautiful,” Justin said picking me up and hugging me in his usual way.
“Hey sweetie let’s talk about … things,” I said hiding my concern from his obvious curiosity.
“Okay, but I brought you those plans you wanted and I wanted to hear about your meeting today but I’m also hungry as hell,” he said gesturing towards the house. “Mind if I go grab something real quick first?”
“Can it wait? I’m anxious to tell you about the meeting.”
“Sure but I think we will need the plans, let me go get them.”
“We’ll get them!” Kyle and Anna chimed in a little too enthusiastically.
Justin looks at them suspiciously but pulls out his keys and throws them to Anna. “O … kay.” Justin chuckles and turns towards me with a curious expression. “I don’t know what that’s about and I don’t care if you come have dinner with me. It is almost time for you to finish up here and you still owe me a dinner anyway.
I nod knowingly as I struggle to think. “Yea, ummm. So how …” I hesitated hearing the phone ring. Damn. “Give me one minute,” I said holding up my hands to hold him in place like one of my dogs.
“No worries, go ahead,?
?? he said stretching out in my chair.
I pick up the phone and quickly become involved in the conversation before noticing that Justin does not wait long. When I finish my phone conversation he is already halfway to the main house. “Oh no.” I watch Justin stop halfway, cocking his head to one side and turning to look back at me with understanding before walking eagerly into the house. Hanging up and as natural as possible, I walk through the door unsure of what I might be walking into. Silence. Good I think, but after a second glance, I realize that it isn’t so good after all. While Justin is helping himself to everything in my kitchen and smiling way too much, Sean is standing in the middle of the living room eyeing Justin with a snarl and tensed fists. Randy however, is merrily hanging lights on the tree seemingly enjoying the awkwardness. Great. “So.” Which name do I say first? I battle in my head trying to decide if it matters. “Justin did you meet Sean and Randy.” Sean turns to me with harsh eyes. Clearly, it does matter.
“No, I assumed he was another stray you sought to help out by paying him to put up your tree. I thought you could do a lot better but you’re always a sucker for the less fortunate looking, Ava.” Justin said casually walking to my side and taking support from my shoulder. “So you’re the actor my girl has been talking about.”
“Your girl?” Sean snarled at him.
“Oh hold up, that’s just what I call her. No reason to get defensive son.”
“Can you please be good and go eat your sandwich?” I nudge Justin in the side hard pushing him away to go sit and eat his food.
“Oh yea, I found this incredible barbeque sandwich in the refrigerator.” Justin smiles taking a huge bite out of the sandwich with an obvious grin. “I assumed you didn’t want it Ava, it’s not anything like what you would normally eat anyway.”
“Justin I think that was Sean’s.”
“Oh shit, I’m sorry. What did you get full after your salad?” Justin laughs.
Sean smiles and I run to him expecting the worse to come out of his mouth. “No,” Sean says looking down at me. “Ava kept me busy through lunch helping her in her office – it was pretty hot in there.”
“Sean.” I strain through my teeth at him.
“But don’t worry about it I would rather have my time with her than a sandwich any day,” Sean caresses and holds me tight to him.
“Well I don’t know about her office but it sure is hot in here.” Justin said watching me shake my head at him. “No, it’s definitely hot, maybe it’s you, but I don’t think I can take it like this.” Removing his shirt, Justin rubs the back of his neck, showing his pride for his bare, muscular body. Glancing at Sean’s intense expression, I quickly look down at my feet, surprised by my enjoyment of his obvious jealousy. “Will you look at me, I am a mess. Damn construction site. I’m sorry Ava would you prefer me to shower in your bathroom again before …” Anna and Kyle enter stumbling over each other while checking out the surroundings, trying to catch up with the events.
“It is fine in here, right Sean?” I asked watching a slow smile take form on his face.
“No, Ava, I think he’s right, it is a little hot in here,” Sean said removing his shirt, apparently another challenger in the newly battle of the bare chests. Only I find myself squeezed up against this one in a protective ownership form.
“Oh wow! I am sooooo glad we didn’t miss this,” Anna whispered to Kyle excitedly.
“Ummm, Justin brought me plans to look over for the new project that I showed you this afternoon, Sean.”
“Oh yea … the project you showed me right before our private meeting in your office.” He said playing with my sweater and kissing me, all the while watching Justin’s reaction carefully. I kick him as subtly as I can. “Owe!” He yelped in surprise.
“Stop it.”
“No worries Ava, you know how actors are, all fervor, and not much substance to back it up.”
Sean lets go of me lunging in Justin’s direction, “you want substance? I’ll show you substance.”
Justin at once meets him eye to eye, “let’s go pretty boy.”
“Stop it!” I move between them, putting my hand on both of their hardened bare chests. “You’re acting like children.”
Justin grabs my hand kissing it, “sorry beautiful, you’re right”
Sean forces a smile taking my hand from Justin and hovering over me once again. “Sorry baby, you’re right.” He said staring at Justin as he kisses both of my hands with a debonair attitude and humored by Justin stomping off back towards his sandwich. “Come here, look what we have done for you so far.” Cradling me in his warm arms, he shows me the Christmas tree that is nearly completed.
“Oh Sean, it’s beautiful.”
“You like it?” He whispered in my ear sweetly.
“Yes, it’s wonderful.”
“And this is how you want it, right?”
“Well you might want to move it out some from the corner so it becomes a bigger presence.” I said feeling his hand tense against my stomach while Justin laughs.
“I told you so son. I know how she likes it!” Justin yelled out excessively pleased with himself.
Grimacing and realizing what I have just done, “you did a great job picking it out Sean, I love it. Thank you. You are sweet to do this for me.” Jumping into his arms and taking in his lips forcefully, I make sure to balance the scales back towards Sean’s happiness.
“You’re welcome, anything for you.”
“Are you ready to go over those plans?” Justin barked.
Sighing as Sean glares, “sure why don’t you go ahead over and I will be there in a second.” I nudge Sean to get his attention back on me.
“Sure, Randy, … Pretty Boy.” He nodded towards them each lingering on Sean’s tense expression before he leaves. Justin chuckles to himself while holding the door open for Anna and Kyle.
“Sean.” I said pulling his face down to look at me. “I shouldn’t be long and then we can finish the tree together, okay?”
“Why don’t you let Kyle go over the plans and you stay with me?”
“Do you not trust me? I am only going to be a few feet from you, nothing is going to happen.”
“I know but I want to spend more time with you,” he whimpered.
“That’s not it, you’re jealous.”
He pulls away from me huffing and rolling his eyes. “You’re crazy, I don’t trust that guy is all.”
“You are jealous, I don’t care what you say.”
“I am not …,” he tries to protest.
“Yes you are Sean, as soon as you saw him walk through the door like he owned the place you were ready to rip him apart. All because you’re j … e … a … l …o … u … s, jealous,” Randy sung ignoring Sean’s evil glares at him.
I put my arms around his neck, kissing his snarled lip. “I am going to finish up some work and then I will be back to spend time … alone with you?” I kiss him once more before escaping his grasp and walking out the door.
Back at the office, I give Justin the meanest look I can muster. “Oh come on, he’s a big boy, he can take it!”
“Justin that was uncalled for. You could have made that a whole lot easier on me.”
“I’m sorry Ava. I promise I will be a good boy from now on.”
“Uh huh. Come on, let me see what you have.” Getting down and into the drawings Justin moves in close to me.
“Justin!” I snapped.
“I’m just trying to get a better look Ava, calm down.” Justin stays clear from me for whole five seconds before he is back to caressing my arm.
Jumping away from him, “why are you acting this way?”
Standing back on his heels and huffing, “I don’t like him. AT ALL!” Justin glances over my shoulder suspiciously. “I like pissing him off.”
I turn seeing Sean eyeing him through the window. “Would you please let me make my own choices?”
“He’s not right for you! He is never going to be able to give you what you want
Ava!”
“And you know what I want!”
“I do,” he said confidently.
“And what’s that?” I asked glancing over at Kyle who is trying to ignore the argument.
“Ava! Are you that blind? Do you think he is going to marry you, have children with you?” He waves his arm as if displaying some storyboard I cannot see. “Build some kind of life with you?” I put my hand up to my mouth suddenly feeling nauseous and have to shake my head carefully. “I’m wrong? That’s not what you want?” He said strongly.
“No you don’t know him, you don’t know … him,” I said as tears start to form in my eyes.
“I’m sorry Ava, I don’t want to hurt you, but I think you are living in some dream world right now.”
“Why don’t you let her enjoy her life?” Kyle stands up in protest while Anna comes running up to comfort me.
“Justin do you think now is the best time to talk about this?” Anna said calmly.
“Oh I got it now! So, we should wait until she gets deeper involved with him and after he leaves her… THEN we say something?” Justin mocked harshly.
“Do you all think this?” I said surprised by their eyeing one another and ignoring me.
“Ava, no, I mean who knows what can happen,” Kyle said.
“Sweetie we think he’s wonderful and he obviously cares for you. You shouldn’t think too much about it, be happy, who knows what can happen,” She said pausing and sighing.
“You’re all crazy. He’s going to leave her, and then we’re all going to be left picking up the pieces.”
“She should enjoy the time she has with him!” Kyle exclaimed.
“Enjoy the time she has? Are you kidding? And what will that mean when she is crushed by this fucker, when he leaves her for someone new and then she has to watch him all over the place with some Hollywood slut? Not to mention, that crazy ass who is constantly trying to find her? Which is surely going to happen because of that little bitch she’s seeing in there,” Justin exclaimed animatedly.