Then There Was You

II

Feeling sufficiently cried out and somewhat refreshed, I finally make it to work and shut my engine off in the staff car park.
My phone starts ringing just as I open the door. It's my mum. My heart squeezes at the sight of it. Mum.
I wanted nothing more than a hug and kiss form her right now. She made everything better.
"Hi mum, I can't talk now. I'm late for work," I say down the phone.
"Hello hen," she lovingly says, "I won't keep you long. How did it go?"
"I didn't get it."
"Aw naw," her Scottish accent thick with disappointment, "Did you get a callback?"
"They said if I do, I'll hear from them within the week."
"Right, OK. Still a chance you'll get something then?" She says hopefully.
"Maybe. I need to go Mum. I love you."
"I love you too." Then I hang up and shake off another fresh bout of disappointment.

I rush into work and head straight for the office. I'm exactly twenty one minutes late, but by the death glares I'm trying to ignore, you'd think I'd missed an entire shift. The office door slams behind me, and I look up at my boyfriend sheepishly. He's on the phone. His thick brows pulled together, listening intently.
His brown eyes meet mine and his expression softens slightly. He gives me a small reassuring smile and holds up a finger, asking me to wait a minute. I do as I'm told and watch as he tries to wrap up his phone call.
He's a handsome man. Standing at six foot tall, athletic build and excellent posture. In his youth he played basketball and loved to skate, but now he keeps himself in shape by going to gym five days a week. Sometimes, I go with him. Buy it usually ends with me just staring at him and not doing any exercise for myself at all. He's far too distracting. He's twenty four and already the business manager of this branch. He's much smarter than me.

"Yes. Yes... I'll send the figures to you tonight by 6pm," I watch his mouth move, my mind thinking about how many times those lips have kissed mine... and other things. His brown eyes roll dramatically, and he winks me. My face heating slightly. Finally, the call ended and he gave me his full attention. He held his arms open for me and I went to him immediately, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my head in his chest. He smells of aftershave and clean laundry but I can still detect his unique scent underneath it all.
And after five years of being together, the scent of him was like a comfort blanket. I inhale deeply, each breath making me feel more and more relaxed.

"I'm sorry you didn't get the part," he said, giving me a short squeeze with his muscular arms.
"I'm sorry I was late," mumbling into his chest.
He gave me another squeeze.
"You're forgiven," he kissed me softly on top of my head and then held me at arms length, his chocolate coloured eyes looking down into mine. I knew this look. He was studying me. Trying to see if I was fit for work. I felt my lips tug into smile as I watched the cogs of his brain turn behind his eyes. He smiled down at me, and he was my James. The one he saved for when we were alone. His eyes full of love and warmth. My heart always felt like it would burst when he looked at me this way.
"I love you," I breathed.
"I love you more," he tenderly stroked my cheek, "Now, go get yourself ready to work. I want you on the floor in ten minutes."
And then my James was gone. 'Boss James' was back at the wheel.
"Yes sir," I quipped.
He playfully swatted my behind as I left his office. I threw him my best shocked look over my shoulder as I closed the door.

Work dragged by painfully slow.
Kelsey, our full time waitress, made a massive show of how she had stayed on an extra thirty minutes so 'the boss' mrs could swan in whenever she pleased.' I had smiled sweetly at her and said thank you. She had scoffed and left, slamming the door behind her.
Silly bitch.
James had left at 8pm. "I've told Mark that you're leaving at nine tonight instead of eleven. He's going to close and clean up on his own," he had said. I tried to protest, explaining how it's not fair, and he shouldn't treat me differently, and that I don't want special treatment.
"I would do the same for any of my employees who had a tough day," he said reasonably.
"Don't fret. You're not that special," he teased, flicking my braid.
He was a great boss. And a great boyfriend.
I didn't deserve him.

I left just after nine. Mark basically had to force me out the door. I felt guilty leaving him to clean up alone. The drive to James' flat was a short one. Within eight minutes, I had parked up in front of his expensive city flat.
It was five stories high, made of white and red stone. Each flat above the first floor equipped with their own private balconies.
He got me my own key two years ago. I let myself in with it and climbed the stairs to the fifth floor. I could feel my cheeks flush with the exertion but my breath still came easily. I was used to much more intense exercise than this. My body is slim but strong, which always surprises people because I'm so small.
My legs being the most muscular, which I have years of dancing to thank for.

James' flat was simply decorated, in the way you knew that a man lived here. But he had slowly allowed me to make some adjustments as I spent most of my nights here with him: I added my favourite art piece to his living room, along with a small bookshelf to keep our books. I was allowed to add a new rug and fluffy throw pillows to the bedroom. Just small things but it made the flat feel like my second home.
I had just closed and locked the door, when two large hands covered my eyes. He pulled me back into his body, making me stumble slightly.
"What are you doing?" I giggle.
"I've got a surprise for you," he said mischievously. Leading me in the direction of the bathroom, his hands still clamped tightly over my eyes. The scent of jasmine and lavender hung heavy in the warm air. My skin prickled excitedly. He let his hands fall from my face and I took several blinks, trying to adjust my eyes to light once again.
The bath had been filled, the foamy bubbles almost reaching the top. Steam rising lazily up into the air. Candles lit the room warmly.
It was very romantic.
"James... Thank you!" I gushed, turning around and throwing my arms around his neck. He laughed as I littered his face with little thank you kisses.
"Enjoy it," and then he kissed me on the mouth. It was a soft, sweet kiss. It made me hungry for more. He pulled away all too soon, and quickly ducked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Oh well, I'd rather hoped he was going to be joining me. I sighed longingly, and then shrugged. More room for me then I suppose.

I deposited my work clothes into the wash basket and dipped a toe into the water. The bubbles bursting and tickling my skin. The water was almost dangerously hot- just the way I liked it. I sighed as I eased myself into the tub. Once fully engulfed, I closed my eyes and let the hot water melt away all my worries.
This is exactly what I needed.