Chasing Joy: And all things that Matter

Chapter 9: Different

Looking at Joy leaving the conference room in quite the hurry, I begin to gather my things. I can't believe she said yes. Watching Joy walk out that door I just felt every bone in my body relax. Shit, she really said yes- now where to take her? I walked outside to thousands of glares and nervous looks. I wonder what she thought when she realized I am her boss. I wonder if admitting that was a good decision, The way her beautiful eyes went wide I noticed how nervous she was. I hate admitting that looking at her reaction was kinda hot. The feeling of knowing I had such an effect on her pulsed through my body through my veins and made me harden involuntarily. This only means one thing-I required back up. Almost on queue, I get a phone call from my best friend from college Stan.

"Hey, so good to see you're alive!" I immediately laugh as I hop into my taxi on my way back to my apartment. My friend Stan and I have been friends since our college days at Cornell. As an architectural student at one of the most prestigious colleges in the state, I was always super focused and never really had time for serious relationships. But with my parent's money, my good looks, and other large assets that made it almost impossible to hold off the influx of girls from study hall. I never was serious about any of them, but I was young and Stan and I had lots of fun. So talking to him and telling him I had a date better yet a girl who left me hanging would have immediately left him questioning my sanity and quite frankly I was questioning my own as well. "You're kidding Jonah, you're dating a girl from your office? Is she hot? God is she that receptionist blonde? You can bang her in so many places man!" he says with excitement. I am immediately repulsed by his idea of me banging Joy, I mean I would if she wanted but that's besides the point. Joy wasn't that kind of girl and I didn't want that kind of thing, not at first anyway. I didn't want her to think of me as any of those things that I was known for, I just wanted her to know me for a reason I can't quite place. "Stan, I never said I was dating her, I said I was going on one date and she doesn't seem like that man". I began to think about how nervous she was covered in coffee from the elevator. For such a smart woman there was a vulnerability to her that was almost fragile like. I wouldn;t dare want to tell her that to her face to offend her. Oh fucking God, I was already getting defensive. "What's your problem Jo? You sound all spacey and serious and you don't even know her".

The sad thing is, I didn't know I was being serious. It was just a date right? But I can not get her out of my mind. "Look Stan, I didn't tell you to make fun of me look...I just need.. god I don't even know what I'm saying...I have no idea where to bring her okay?" For some reason I felt like I had to put my all into this official date. Joy deserved to see her at my best. I am Jonah Mitchell for crying out loud and maybe chinese didn't cut it. Suddenly I needed a beer or something and was more than happy to reach my apartment. After a long pause it hit me; "Let me call you back man". His muffled confusion was instantly blocked out as I made another call to a friend of mine. The next call was to the local florist down the street from the office. I didn't have her number but at least now I knew her department. I already knew what to say. Next stop was the store to pick me up a new shirt. I wasn't going to mess up another opportunity with Joy again.

Walking into my office the next day, I was completely stunned by the bouquet of flowers on my desk. As if the looks of everyone wasn't enough. My face completely turned red once I read the note:

Hey beautiful. I thought you deserved another beautiful thing to have at your desk.

You won't regret this second chance. The office, this Friday, 6pm Dress fancy.

Best-Jonah