The Deal

Ch. 20

I wake up around ten o'clock, I've never slept so late before. I get up and go to the bathroom to brush my teeth. After I shower and wrap a towel and me, I go to the closet and pull out another summer dress. This one is baby blue with red flowers, I put it on and my dark brown sandals. I need to get a job while I'm here, so I have to look decent.

I grab my purse and phone from my charger. I have a missed call, but I don't recognize the number. I throw it in my bag and head down the stairs.

I am at the door when I hear, "Good morning, sleeping beauty.I've been waiting for you to get up for twenty minutes."

I jump. My hand over my heart I turn. "What the hell, Bryan? A little warning next time. I think you scared ten years off my life."

"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you. I tried calling you." How does he even have my number?

"Oh, I didn't recognize the number. What are you doing here?" I ask, politely.

"I was hoping to hang out. I'm having lunch with Paxton, but he said you weren't going to be there. So, I figured I'd spend time with you before I see him."

"I'm busy today, I need to find a job." I reply, honestly.

"Why would you need a job? Isn't Paxton going to take care of you? Is he making you work?" he questions, getting irritable with each question.

I'm astounded by his attitude. "Of course not, I want to get a job and I don't need Paxton to provide for me, I'd like to contribute." I say, defensively.

"I really don't think you need to help provide, he does pretty well on his own. I think he should taking care of you, that's all."

"I don't want to depend on Paxton."

"You're right you need something outside of this big house, your own life. I should have never of thought that about Paxton, it was stupid." He admits, shaking his head.

"It's fine. I need to get going through."

"I can drive you around. I've seen a couple help wanted signs downtown."

"No, that's fine. You have better things to do then drive me around, I'm sure."

"I want to get to know you, that's why I came here. It's no bother, I want to help." He walks past me to open the door, holding the door for me as I walk out. I grab my phone and text Paxton: BRYAN IS HERE TAKING ME JOB HUNTING...HE INSISTED!

I get to the passenger side and I'm about to open the door, when Bryan's hand brushes mine off the handle and opens it for me. I smile my thanks and get in the car. As he closes the door my phone rings. I know it's Paxton, so I don't look and answer right away.

"Hello."

"What do you mean he's taking you job hunting? Why is he even at the house?"

"He wanted to hang out, but I need to look for a job, so he offered to take me." I explain, as Bryan gets in.

"I wanted to talk to you about that. I think it's best if you wait until after the wedding and our honeymoon to get a job. We have a lot of appointments we need to go to. It doesn't seem right to start a job and ask for time off so soon." He explains. He does have a point.

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense." I agree, hesitantly. Now, what am I supposed to do with Bryan? "Bryan, I don't need you to take me anymore. I'm going to look for a job after the wedding."

His smile lights up. "Great, let's do something."

I hear Paxton over the phone, "Let me talk to him." I hand the phone to Bryan.

I see Bryan go tense for a second. He listens to what Paxton says, then ends the call without saying anything. He hands the phone back. "What did he say?" I ask nervously.

"That I need to stay away from you. That your his and I'm acting inappropriate. Coming here and trying to get to know you is not allowed without him present." He scoffs. "He was being a real dick."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Bryan. He thought you had an interest in me last night and then you showed up today. He's just being territorial." I explain, feeling awful.

"Is that what he wanted to have lunch to talk to me about?" He inquires, already knowing the truth.

"Yeah, after you called about the movie last night he was convinced you were interested in me. But we can change his mind. If you're up for it, there is someone I'd like you to meet. She seems nice and she's super cute." I say, wiggling my eyebrows.

"Seems nice? You want to hook me up with a woman you don't really know?" He asks, chuckling.

"Well...I was thinking if I were a guy, I'd totally nail her." I joke.

"Dammit, now I have no choice." He replies, laughing. "Where too?"

"Paxton's work. She's the Secretary."

"Gross! That chick! What's her name, Emily?"

"No, not Emily she was fired. It's the new girl, super pretty red head with big brown eyes." I describe.

"Haven't seen her. So let's go meet your lesbian fantasy."

"She's not my lesbian fantasy, dork. She just really pretty, maybe we can all double date?"

"Sure." He smiles and drives to Paxton office. I happily get out of the car and walk through the doors. The women, who name I never got is taking calls and typing on the computer.

I walk up to her with Bryan at my side, she smiles a greeting. I look at Bryan who looks bored, so I hit his arm. He smiles at me and leans over. "Not interested, but if you want to give it a go, I'll be your wing man." I pull him to the corner of the room.

"Why not?" I whisper.

"I like blondes with aggressive personalities." He responds sarcastically. I hit him again.

"Give her a chance! You haven't even talked to her." He tilts his head to the side.
"I know who she is, she's gotten her pubic lice prescription filed at my pharmacy."

"What!" I yell, blushing. "You can get lice down there?" I whisper, absolutely horrified.

He looks at me amused, "Yes, you can. You've never heard of crabs?"

"I know what crabs are. What does that have to do with lice?" I ask, totally lost.

He cracks up laughing. "Crabs are pubic lice." He states, between gasps of breath.

"Hey, babe." Paxton says, coming to stand by Bryan and I. "Bryan. What are you guys doing here?" he asks, curiously.

"Well, I wanted to hook him up with your Secretary. But apparently, she's had a few too many visitors in her nether regions." I explain.

Paxton looks confused. I laugh and whisper in his ear. "She's had her prescription for pubic lice filed by Bryan."

"Ah." He says, disgusted.

"Tell me about it. I can't remember how many times I filled the same prescription for you." Bryan teases.

"Ha-ha." Paxton fake laughs. "So instead of finding Adelaide a job your trying to find love?"

"I guess. Adelaide was very convincing. Sh-"

"Oh my God. I would have gotten crabs." I interrupt, causing Bryan to laugh again.

"What are you talking about?" Paxton asks.

"I told Bryan if I were a guy I'd so do her. I would have gotten infected. I'm never having sex with anyone else but you, ever. That's just scary."

"Well, that's good, because we're getting married." He reminds me with humor in his voice.

"Yeah. Yeah. You know what I mean." I say, waving him away.

"I was thinking of skipping out. We have a cake appointment at two anyway. Do you want to do an early lunch? Uh, great your mother's here." He says, looking behind me.