Playing the Field (Hot-Lanta Series)

  “Jesus” he said grabbing his phone turning it off and rubbing one eye. He looked over at Patty and gave her the cutest grin she had ever seen. It wasn’t until then did she realize he was only wearing boxer briefs that hung low and showed off a light patch of hair that trailed all the way down to his crotch.

  Patty caught herself staring and diverted her eyes saying, “Good morning.”

  She felt really awkward. She didn’t know what to do. She just started playing with the comforter smoothing it out and trying to think of something else to say. She needed to think of something other than Marc’s amazing body that was burning through her soul.

  “Good morning.” He said. “Uh, did you sleep alright?”

  She looked up at him trying not to look at his package and stay focused on his eyes.

  “I slept great actually. I have not slept that well in a while.” She decided honesty was the best policy.

  He smiled at her. “Well maybe you should spend the night more often.”

  Patty rolled her eyes. “Alright Romeo, don’t get any ideas. I’m sorry I broke the contract last night. I promise it won’t happen again.” She got up from the bed and started making her side. Marc came around so he was right next to her, helping her tuck one of the sheets in.

  “You know I wouldn’t mind more sleepovers.”

  “Marc…”

  “I know.” Then Marc left her side and went to this bathroom. “I’m assuming you will go home and take a shower. You know your way out. I’ll see you later. Thanks for a good night.”

  Then he left and shut the door. Patty sat on his bed. God she was so frustrated with herself. She was hurting Marc and she knew it. He had wanted to date her for a while and she knew this friendship thing was not working out. It was only giving him false ideas and she was not helping. What was she thinking?

  She got up, took Marc’s clothes off and left them on the bed for him, then proceeded to put on her swimsuit. She grabbed the rest of her items and took off. She knew Marc was frustrated and that was why he didn’t help her out of his house. Maybe she should just give them some space.

  She got in her car and put her head on her steering wheel. She so desperately wanted to be with Marc but she knew she couldn’t let him close enough to actually be with him because she was too afraid to be hurt and that wasn’t fair to him. He deserved better. He deserved someone who could give him their whole heart to him.

  She needed to end this friendship thing they had going on because it was only leading to heartbreak and she couldn’t put herself through that again let alone Marc. She cared too much for him.

  ***

  When Lucy walked into work she noticed Jane put fresh flowers all around the office. It was one of the simple things Jane did to make the work environment so welcoming. Lucy loved fresh flowers and Jane always picked the prettiest ones. This morning she had gorgeous pink hydrangea scattered throughout the office which added a lovely splash of color against the cream and white furniture and light gray walls.

  Lucy went to go put her purse next to her desk when she saw Patty and Jane sitting at the conference table with a dozen donuts and some coffee waiting to be consumed. Lucy shook her head. There was not going to be much work done this morning.

  She walked over to the conference table. “Good morning ladies. How was everyone’s weekends?”

  Jane looked like she just got done doing some naughty things with Brady and Patty looked fake, like she was trying to act as if everything was ok but deep down something was bothering her. Hmm, maybe Lucy could divert some attention from herself this morning and focus a little bit of it on Patty.

  “Oh lovely but we’re not talking about us, we want to hear everything” said Jane.

  Well so much for that idea. Lucy knew they were not going to even begin to start work until she spilled the beans. Both girls just stared at her waiting to talk. Lucy grabbed a glazed donut and took a big bite of it chasing it with a swig of coffee.

  “Where should I begin?”

  “Begin with the dressing room.” Jane said. “I want to know what’s going on. The only way I can have peace between everyone is if I know everything.”

  Jane was always a peace maker. She hated having people she was close with angry at each other. She always needed everyone to be friends and be happy. Well in this case, there was no way she could play damage control.

  Lucy told the girls about all her recent drama filled events starting with Molly bombarding her in the dressing room claiming Austin as hers. Jane was shocked that Molly didn’t tell her about Austin. All three of them thought it was weird she was trying to keep the relationship, if that’s what it was, a secret. They thought it was healthy for her to get out there and explore new things especially since she was so depressed.

  Lucy just nodded when they talked about Molly’s depression because Lucy had bitter feelings toward Molly. Lucy didn’t want to put Jane in an uncomfortable position by bad mouthing off about her best friend.

  Lucy continued telling them about how she got drunk one night and how Austin came over, took one look at her and started kissing her.

  “I couldn’t believe at the time, how I was finally kissing him, I waited so long and it was great, more that great. At the time it was like the world stopped spinning and all my dreams were coming true all at once. We slept together and it was amazing. We held each other all night long.”

  “Aw Lucy that’s so great but what happened? Why is everything so wrong now?” Jane asked.

  “Well this is where it gets good. The next morning we had just woken up and Austin decided to play with me, you know, down there.” Both girls smiled. “He made me feel incredible and literally right after he, uh well I’m just going to say it, right after he made me come, his phone rang. He slipped out of bed and answered it in the other room. I didn’t think much of it until I heard him talking. It was Molly and he was making plans to see her that night.”

  Both girls gasped. “You’re kidding me, right?” Patty asked.

  “Nope, right after he fucked me, he made plans with another girl and I know that I didn’t have any claim on him but it was insulting. We have been friends since high school and he treated me as if I was some two cent hooker he picked up downtown. When I confronted him about it he didn’t have an argument. All he said was he ‘thought’ there could be something between us. Thought was the key word. There should have been no question after what we shared.”

  Jane leaned over and grabbed Lucy’s hand. “I’m so sorry Lucy. I could smack him. You don’t deserve to be treated like that. Are you doing ok?”

  Lucy could not help but smile. “Actually I am.”

  Both Jane and Patty looked at her confused. “Gee, I would have thought you would be heart broken.” Said Patty. “You were practically in love with Austin, I can’t believe you are not a crying puddle. No offense.”

  “None taken. Actually I feel amazing. I feel like a burden has been lifted off of me. He did me a favor and set me free. I stood up for myself and realized that I’m an amazing catch and it’s his loss.”

  “You are one amazing girl” said Jane.

  They were interrupted by someone walking through the front door. It was a guy with a box delivery. Jane went up to meet him and signed for the box. She looked at it with a confused look and said, “It’s for you Lucy.”

  For her? What the hell was it? She didn’t remember ordering anything. She took it from Patty and set it down to open later.

  “Uh, you’re opening that now” said Patty matter of factly.

  Jane handed her a box opener and they both waited in anticipation.

  “It’s probably free pens or something.” Lucy said trying to mask her excitement.

  She opened the box finding a note on the top. She opened it and read:

  Lucy,

  Thank you for an amazing night. Here’s a little clue for what I have planned for our second date. Make some time for me this week. Call you tonight, love.

  Connor
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  Oh God, he was adorable. Lucy read the note two more times before looking up at her friends. They were both staring at her in anticipation.

  “I guess I have some explaining to do.”

  “What the hell is it?” Jane asked.

  Lucy pushed the tissue back and laughed. She pulled out a pound of homemade baklava from Mossimo’s.

  “Baklava?” asked Patty. “Who is the note from?”

  “Uh, well here’s the thing. I’m kind of seeing someone. I met him yesterday afternoon. He took me out last night and maybe slept over.” Lucy said wincing.

  Both girls just looked at her with open mouths. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” asked Jane.

  “Yes, I am and here is the kicker. It’s Connor.”

  “Connor?” asked Patty.

  “Connor who…wait, Connor…Connor Cartwright?” Jane said almost yelling.

  Lucy just nodded her head.

  “Wait, Cartwright?” Patty asked. “As in…”

  Jane cut her off, “As in Molly’s dead fiancé’s brother. I knew he was moving to Atlanta but hot damn girl. If he is still the way I remember, you found yourself a keeper.”

  “I really did.” Lucy showed them both the note and told them all about the way they met and their date last night.

  “It sounds like a dream night” said Patty.

  “Well it was until we got back to my apartment. Connor and I got through the doorway and he practically had his hand in my underwear when he was ripped off of me by Austin.”

  Patty and Jane both yelled in unison, “Nooo!”

  “Yea, Austin was there and I don’t really know the reason actually. He said something about wanting to be my friend again but then again he almost beat up Connor for kissing me. It was all so weird. I took his key away and kicked him out. I was mortified. I fled to my bathroom and just let Connor sneak out. Little did I know he was actually an upstanding guy and he took care of me last night in more ways than one.” Lucy said winking.

  Patty playfully swatted Lucy. “Wow, that is one hell of a story. I bet you anything Austin still has feelings for you and that’s why he lashed out on Connor. There is no other explanation for it. Am I right, Jane?”

  Jane nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, Austin defiantly has feelings for you still, I mean how could he not. I love Molly but I highly doubt she is giving Austin the attention he needs and since you’re no longer in his life, he’s missing someone taking care of him.”

  Lucy never thought about it that way. Before Austin kissed Lucy, he was having his cake and eating it too. He was getting his physical needs met by Molly and his emotional ones fulfilled by Lucy.

  Maybe that was why he was at her apartment the other night. He was missing out on someone actually caring about his feelings and listening to him. Well she was not going to be that person anymore. If they were still friends that would be one thing but he used her, left her and chose Molly over her. She would never forgive him for that.

  ***

  When they got done chatting about Lucy and her amazing weekend Jane talked about the upcoming week and what she expected from everyone. Patty admired Jane; she was a great boss and was able to delegate tasks to Patty and Lucy giving them the chance to succeed easily since she gave them tasks that catered to their strengths.

  Jane broke the morning meeting and Patty was just about to get up from her chair when Lucy placed her hand on Patty’s arm.

  “Patty don’t get up. I know something is going on, I don’t want you to hold it in. Believe me it helps to talk about it.”

  The last thing Patty wanted to do was talk about her complicated thoughts and feelings. They made sense in her head but she highly doubt they would make sense to anyone else or that she could even begin to explain them.

  Her old roommate, April, understood where Patty was coming from. April was the one who gave Patty a home when she first moved to Atlanta and helped Patty get back on her feet after Gino almost beat her dead.

  “Uh, everything is fine.” Patty lied.

  Jane spoke up. “Sit down Patty, everything is not ok. Talk to us.”

  “Fine, I fucked up. I have an amazing guy who is after me and I can’t allow him close enough because I’m too afraid I’m going to get hurt. I’m leading him on unintentionally and I slept in his bed, nothing happened but it was the best night’s sleep I’ve gotten in years because I felt protected. I don’t know what to do.” Patty started crying.

  Both Jane and Lucy hugged her at the same time one of them rubbing her back.

  Patty continued. “I’m just not ready for a relationship and I don’t know if I ever will be. I’ve been going through therapy and I know it has helped me but I’m still not sure I can accept someone’s love and give them my heart. Marc deserves better than me and he deserves to be with someone who will love him back, whole heartedly.”

  “Shh...” Jane said trying to sooth her. “Sweetie, you will get there and you might not see it but Marc has helped you in your journey to find love again. He has opened you up more and he has helped you out of the hole you put yourself in after you moved here. You have to have realized that. Marc deserves you just as much as you deserve him. Don’t give up. Things will work out for the both of you. He has been patient thus far and believe me before you, he would have never spent his time on a girl like he has on you. He is practically head over heels for you. Give yourself some time and talk to him. Help him understand why you need more time.”

  Patty continued to cry. Lucy handed her some tissues. Was she ever going to get better? She didn’t want to be alone anymore but she also didn’t want to impose her messed up life on someone else. She wanted to be with someone when she was fully emotionally stable and able to give her whole heart to that person. She was not ready and she didn’t want to put Marc on hold anymore. He could be much happier with someone else. She was cutting off the friendship contract. She couldn’t see him anymore. It was for the best of both of them.

  When she gathered herself she decided to write an e-mail to Marc. She knew it was a cop out but she knew she couldn’t face him in person, she would break down for sure and she didn’t need him pitying her.

  ***

  Jane sat at her desk that afternoon replaying everything her two friends and co-workers told her. Boy was her life simple now that she found Brady and was getting married. Her biggest worry was what flowers to put in her bouquet. She needed to hear Brady’s voice to calm her down a bit. She got all worked up from hearing about her friends and their complicated dating lives.

  She shut her office door, grabbed a bottle water from her mini fridge and dialed Brady’s phone number on her office phone.

  It rang twice and then he picked up. She heard guys in the background, he must be in the locker room. She immediately felt self-conscious.

  “Hey baby, what’s going on?”

  “Hey handsome.” Jane said hesitantly

  “What’s wrong?” Brady knew her too well.

  “I just wanted to hear your voice. This morning was a little rough talking to Patty and Lucy about their love lives and I thought I would call you because I missed you and needed to tell you how much I love you.”

  “Hold on, sweet thing.”

  Jane heard rustling in the background and a door shut.

  “Sorry about that, I was in the locker room and knew I would get hounded by the boys if they heard this conversation. I’m sorry about this morning. Are the girls ok?”

  “They’re doing alright. Lucy is seeing Connor Cartwright which was as shock since everything that went down between her and Austin but she bounced back. The one I’m worried about is Patty. She is exactly the way I was when I first met you but even more stubborn than me.”

  “How so?”

  “Well you know she’s having a hard time accepting love again after what Gino did to her? Well Marc is so the guy for her but she is refusing to let him get close to her and I don’t know why, I care about them so much and I know they belong together I wis
h I could help Patty realize that.”

  “You know, I knew Marc seemed off today. He was barely joking around. Sometimes babe, there is only so much we can do. I know you gave Patty good advice but that is all you can really do. Patty is the one who is going to have to find it in herself to be ready to be with Marc. No one can change her mind, except herself.

  Jane knew he was right. She was going to marry such a smart man.

  “Thank you, Brady.”

  “I didn’t really do anything, babe.”

  “No, thank you for loving me and choosing me to be your wife. You helped me love again.”

  “Baby, are you going to be ok? I don’t like how sad you’re sounding right now. You don’t have to say thank you to me for loving you. My heart chose you even if I wanted to get rid of you I couldn’t.” he said jokingly.

  “Oh yea, so you want to get rid of me? Good luck with that because now that I have this huge ring on my finger you have no choice in the matter. You’re stuck with me.”

  “Great, stuck with a pip-squeak for the rest of my life.”

  “Hey now, I don’t ever really wear flats anymore. I’m always in heels even in the bedroom.”

  Brady groaned into the phone. “I don’t need a reminder of last night right before the game. I need to be able to focus but I just have to say real quick you looked so fucking hot last night.”

  Jane giggled. “Thanks to you. Are you ever going to stop getting me new lingerie?”

  “Not if you keep looking that good in it.”

  Jane thought about it for a moment. She hoped she was not going to look that good in it pretty soon. “Brady are you sure you’re ok with me not taking my birth control anymore?”

  “I’m more than positive. There’s nothing I want more than to start a family with you. I cannot wait to see how amazingly beautiful you are pregnant. I think it was a good idea this way we can get a head start on things.”

  Jane loved him so much. She wanted to be a mom more than anything. She knew it was a dream she had with George but she wasn’t sure if it was because he instilled the idea in her head or if she actually wanted to be a mom. After going through Molly’s pregnancy with her and spending time with little Winnie, Jane knew she wanted to be a mom and was supposed to be a mom. Jane knew Brady was going to be an amazing dad as well. She could not wait for that chapter in their life to begin.