Something Real Read online

  “Hi, Michelle,” Diane said cheerfully. “Anything important come up?”

  “Hello, Diane. Carolyn called you to have lunch, but she said she would try again tomorrow.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Uh, yes.”

  “I should stay out of the office more often, but I have a feeling you’ve handled a lot of the problems today.”

  “Nothing that couldn’t be handled easily.” If she only knew how many fires I put out today. “You should take off tomorrow and enjoy your day with Anna.”

  Diane laughed. “You want me to do that two days in a row?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m with Anna today. Say hello to Michelle, Anna.” Diane handed the phone to Anna.

  Anna leaned into her mother’s phone. “Hi, Shell. How come you didn’t come play with us today?”

  “Hi, Sweetie. I couldn’t join you because I had to work.”

  “But mommy stayed home from work.”

  Michelle heard Diane explain to her daughter. “Mommy could take off because Michelle is there doing her work.”

  “Oh,” the little girl said understanding. “Maybe next time Shell, you can come play with me and mommy can do your work.”

  Both women laughed at the Anna’s suggestion. “How would you like that?” Diane asked into the phone.

  “I would love to spend time with Anna, but I wouldn’t put you in that position.”

  “Monday is a holiday. Maybe you’d like to come out and play with us?”

  “Maybe,” Michelle answered, not committing either way.

  “Okay. We will let you go and get back to work.” Diane looked down at an anxious little girl. “Say bye to Michelle.”

  “Bye, Shell.”

  “Bye, sweetheart.”

  “Bye, sweetheart,” Diane said back before she disconnected the call.

  Michelle sat there for a long moment with the phone in her hand. “I’ve entered the Twilight Zone.”

  *

  Michelle arrived early the following morning only to find that Diane was already there. The coffee had been made and looking at the pot, she realized that Diane had taken a cup. Unable to stop herself, she knocked softly on Diane’s door. “Good morning. Would you like another cup?” Michelle asked holding the coffee pot in her hand.

  “Thank you, Michelle.” She answered holding up her empty cup. “Ms. Stevens sent me an email last night and said she would stop in with the finished article. Let me know when she arrives, please.”

  “Of course,” Michelle said turning and leaving the room. Couldn’t she just email the article? Why does she have to come back here again? Is she interested in Diane? Where the hell did that come from? Michelle shook her head erasing those thoughts.

  By midmorning, Michelle was so busy she forgot Jillian was scheduled until the front desk announced her arrival. “Show her up, Steve.”

  “Sure thing, Ms. Whitman.”

  Michelle pulled out a mirror and checked her makeup and hair before Jillian arrived at her office. She was still taking deep breaths when the door opened. “Hi,” Michelle said nervously watching Jillian’s face.

  “Are you speaking with me?” Jillian asked quietly. “I’m sorry for getting jealous. I have no control over your life and what you do. I’m sorry.”

  Michelle smiled. “I overreacted too. I’m sorry, Jillian.”

  They both smiled as Diane’s office door opened. “I thought I heard someone out here. Please come in, Ms. Stevens.”

  Jillian glanced at Michelle before following Diane into the room. The door closed quietly. For some reason Michelle was nervous. Nervous in the fact that she wondered if Jillian would ask Diane why she found the need to give her girlfriend flowers. She could only sit here and hope there were no loud voices.

  “The reason I wanted to deliver the article in person was to thank you again,” Jillian said as she took the seat that Diane had indicated. “If there is something in the article you don’t like, please let me know.”

  Diane sat there with the article on her lap. “I appreciate you showing this to me first.”

  “I know you don’t think I’m right for Michelle,” Jillian said not meeting the blue eyes.

  “It is none of my business who Michelle chooses to see on her own time.” Diane stared the woman down. Is this why she is here? To tell me that Michelle is her girlfriend?

  “We both don’t want to see her hurt,” Jillian continued pushing.

  “You’re right,” Diane said before Jillian could continue. “We both know why you asked her out.” Jillian’s face turned beet red, but her anger was just below the surface.

  “My intentions with Michelle are honorable despite how our romance may have started,” Jillian admitted. “Michelle is a beautiful and kind woman.”

  “She is, and that’s why you shouldn’t string her along if you really don’t have feelings for her.” Diane couldn’t believe she was telling this woman this. It’s none of your business. Michelle can make her own decisions.

  “I do have feelings for her.” Jillian stood up leaning across Diane’s desk. “Do you?”

  “This meeting is over. I’ll send you an email confirming the article.”

  Jillian nodded knowing she wouldn’t get any more information out of Diane and left the room.

  “How did it go?” Michelle asked as she came out of the office.

  “Good. I think she will like the article.” Jillian tried to lean over and kiss Michelle, but she met resistance.

  “This is not the place, Jillian.” Michelle could see that Jillian was angry about something, but she was afraid to ask why.

  “I’m sorry. Can I see you tonight?”

  “I’m not sure, Jillian.”

  “You still haven’t forgiven me, have you?” Michelle shrugged her answer. “I have to meet with an author to do an interview. Maybe we can do something Saturday?”

  Michelle nodded. “Give me a call and we can decide what to do.”

  “Don’t suppose you would have lunch with me?”

  “I’m sorry, Jillian, but I can’t.” Michelle looked at her desk. “Too much to do.”

  Jillian took her defeat and nodded. “I’ll call you Saturday morning.”

  “Talk to you then,” Michelle said not looking at Jillian as she walked out the door.

  Michelle sat there surprised that Jillian still wanted to see her after getting what she wanted from her. She didn’t tell Donna that she believed she was correct that Jillian knew exactly who she was when she approached. Michelle just didn’t know what to do with that information. She didn’t want Jillian to make a fool out her, but she seemed to have feelings for her. Michelle turned to the closed door of Diane’s office and wondered why she was on her mind all of a sudden.

  CHAPTER 13

  Michelle and Jillian arranged to have dinner together Saturday evening. Michelle was waiting outside when Jillian drove up. “Hi,” Jillian said as Michelle opened the door. She immediately leaned in to kiss Michelle, but her face was unwelcoming so she kissed her cheek.

  “Hi. How did your interview go yesterday?”

  “I love her book, but it is going to be a struggle for me to make this woman seem interesting.” Jillian caught herself before she realized she was going to say that it was so different with Diane.

  “You are very talented. I’m sure you can make anyone seem interesting.”

  What does that mean? The conversation came to a halt as Jillian drove to the restaurant. The hostess seated them and again they were quiet. “We used to talk so easily, Michelle. What happened to us?” Michelle shrugged. “Please tell me. No matter what it is.”

  “I know you knew who I was before you came over to me at the bar,” Michelle said holding Jillian’s light blue eyes with her own. She saw them dance with sudden fear.

  “I knew who you were, but you were the one who acknowledged me first,” Jillian offered softly.

  “I did, but I’m sure you would have said something if I d
idn’t.” Her eyes never left Jillian’s face.

  “Everything you are thinking is true, but once I met you…” Her eyes lowered unable to meet the hurt green eyes.

  “Please don’t say it, Jillian. I know you are going to say that you like me. That the article didn’t matter, but I’ll never know if that was true because of the way we started.”

  “So are we over?” Jillian asked, reaching for Michelle’s hand.

  “I don’t know if I can get over this,” Michelle’s voice was low.

  “Is this because of Diane?” Jillian asked, pulling back her hand from Michelle’s.

  “What does Diane have to do with this?” Michelle asked, not understanding.

  Maybe she doesn’t realize that Diane has feelings for her. “I thought maybe Diane said not to go out with me.”

  “Diane doesn’t decide who I see and who I don’t. This is between us. We started out with a lie.” The waitress came over to take their order. “Would you bring me a glass of white wine and give us a few more minutes?”

  The waitress nodded and looked at Jillian. “I’ll have the same.” When the waitress walked away, Jillian asked, “I wish you would let me make this up to you,” her voice pleaded.

  “Let’s have dinner and see where this goes. Okay?” Michelle asked as the waitress approached again.

  The conversation over dinner was casual and was of no importance. Both women did not want to discuss anything that might involve emotion or feelings. As they walked back to the car, Jillian took Michelle’s hand and held onto it as she opened the door and took her seat. “If I ask you to come back to my apartment, will you hit me with your purse?”

  Michelle laughed finally feeling relaxed. “Maybe.”

  “I’m sorry I forgot to tell you how beautiful you looked this evening.” Jillian drove back to Michelle’s apartment. As they pulled up to the curb, she jumped out of the car to open Michelle’s door.

  “How about if I come in so we may continue our conversation?” Jillian asked taking Michelle’s hand again.

  “Not tonight, Jillian,” she said quickly.

  “I hope I can prove to you, Michelle, that I do like you.” Jillian sighed. “I do understand your hesitance.” At Michelle’s apartment, Jillian said, “I’m going to miss you.”

  Michelle sat up. “What?”

  “I have to fly out to California next week for an interview. I’m interviewing the new CEO of Tech Electronics. I won’t be back until Saturday night.” Michelle laid back down and laughed. “What’s so funny?”

  “I’m leaving Sunday morning for Washington, D.C. with Diane.” Michelle shook her head not believing the luck these two were having. “There are meetings with congress on safer drilling,” she groaned. “I don’t want to bore you with the details, but I’ll be gone that week.”

  Michelle opened the car door. “I’ll call you when I get back.”

  “Can I call you while you are away?”

  “I don’t know what the evening schedule is going to be at the conference.”

  “I’ll try anyway.” Jillian leaned over and kissed Michelle’s cheek wanting so much to kiss her mouth.

  *

  All week before Michelle was to go away with Diane she put together the files they would need for the meetings. Diane spent her time out of the office in meetings. At night Michelle shopped for clothes that she would need for the trip to DC. This left little time for her and Jillian to talk on the phone. By Saturday Michelle was exhausted from the extra work she did and getting ready to go away. She was still in bed when her cellphone rang. “Hello,” Michelle said in a groggy voice.

  “I’m sorry for waking you, Michelle,” the soft voice said into the phone.

  “Diane?” Michelle asked sitting up in bed. “What time is it?”

  “Nine o’clock. I just wanted to let you know that a car will pick you up at ten tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Are you all ready for our trip?”

  “As ready as I’m ever going to be. I have all the files you requested and a few others we might need.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t in the office to help you.”

  “No problem. It all got done.”

  “I have no doubt of that.” Diane knew the dedication of her employee and knew that Michelle must have worked late to get everything together. She would find some way to make it up to her either on the trip or afterwards. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yes. Goodbye, Diane.”

  CHAPTER 14

  The limousine arrived as scheduled and the driver loaded Michelle’s suitcase and garment bag into the trunk. Michelle carried the briefcase that held all the files. They arrived at Diane’s home and found a flurry of activity. Her suitcases were loaded and Anna climbed into the limo to see Michelle. A half hour later they were on the road to the airport. Michelle’s jaw dropped when she saw the car pull up to a private jet.

  “This is our flight?” Michelle asked, trying to keep her jaw from hitting the ground. Diane nodded smiling. “Is this your plane?”

  “No. The plane the company had was.” Diane didn’t have to say it because Michelle realized that she was talking about the plane her dad and husband had perished in. “I decided it was easier to rent a plane when I needed it instead of buying another one.”

  Michelle followed Diane up the small set of stairs and into the plane. Again her jaw dropped with the opulence of the interior. A flight attendant met them and took their coats. When she returned she asked if they wanted something to drink. “Can I get a cup of coffee?” Michelle asked, knowing she hadn’t take the time to have one before leaving her apartment.

  “I’ll have one also,” Diane added and motioned for Michelle to take a seat. She could see the younger woman was impressed. Diane doubted that Michelle had ever flown first class and this experience was going to top that several times over.

  “Is this the way you always travel?” Michelle asked rubbing her hand along the wood trim of the jet. Diane nodded. “Does this thing have a bedroom too?”

  “There is a small sleeping area.” Diane raised an eyebrow. “Are you looking to join the mile-high club?” she asked leaning closer.

  Michelle’s face turned beet red. “No,” she said looking out the window. “I was just wondering if there was a place to sleep for overseas trips.” But I would love to join that exclusive club. She began to pull some files from her briefcase, but Diane rested her hand on Michelle’s.

  “I have plenty of time to go over those papers. How about we just relax for now? Tonight we have the cocktail party and dinner to kick off the conference.” Diane leaned closer to Michelle again. “I want you to enjoy yourself tonight. No shop talk.”

  “I’m not sure I will be able to that. This isn’t exactly my element. Politicians and people of extreme wealth do not belong in my inner circle.”

  “They are just people, Michelle. No different than you and I.”

  “No different than you, but not me…” Michelle felt herself blush again.

  Diane smiled. “You have no problem speaking with me. You’ll see. You will fit in perfectly with these people.”

  I hope so because I don’t want to embarrass Diane or myself. Michelle listened as Diane advised her who would be in attendance at this conference. She listened intently and made some notes while Diane spoke. Before they knew it, they had reached Washington. Another limo was waiting there for their arrival. Suitcases loaded, they were whisked off to the hotel.

  This time Michelle was prepared for the opulence she would find at the hotel. She had made the reservations and looked up the hotel online. Michelle didn’t think she’d ever get used to traveling first class and the way they just took everything in with a casual attitude. The bellman took their luggage from the driver and they walked to the front desk.

  “Hello,” Diane said to the woman at the front desk. “Reservations for Baker and Whitman.” She handed her credit card to the woman.

  “Yes, Ms. Bake
r. Both your rooms are ready.”

  Diane and Michelle’s rooms were across from each other. Michelle had no doubt that her room would be nothing compared to Diane’s, but when she opened the door she nearly fell over. The room was at least a junior suite and was decorated in marble and wood. The bathroom was the size of two of Michelle’s bedrooms at home. The soaking tub and large shower were calling her name loudly. “I booked a standard room,” she said to the empty room and then shrugged. “Maybe I could get used to this life,” she said to the empty bathroom. When Michelle could tear herself away from the bathroom, she found Diane sitting on the couch in the living area. “Diane?”

  “I just wanted to check and make sure your room was satisfactory.” Diane had entered the room before the bellman could close the door.

  “Are you kidding? Look at this place.” Michelle twirled around. “I’ve never seen a bed so big, but this isn’t the room I booked.”

  “I upgraded your room. I knew you would choose something simple and I wanted you to be comfortable while we are here.” Diane chuckled as she looked at the shocked look on Michelle’s face. “I’m glad you like it. I’ll meet you downstairs at six so we can go together.”

  “I’ll pick you up at five forty-five,” Michelle said as Diane walked toward the door.

  “Get some rest, Michelle. It’s going to be a long night.”

  “You too, Diane.”

  Michelle knocked on Diane’s door promptly at five forty-five. Her mouth opened when Diane opened the door.

  “I overslept. I’m almost ready,” she said rushing back into the room still barefoot and the back of her dress still open.

  “I set the alarm. That bed is so comfortable.” She watched as Diane sat in a chair putting on her heels.

  “Would you zip me up, please?” Diane turned her back to Michelle and held up her long locks of hair.

  Michelle’s fingers trembled as she reached for the zipper. Taking a deep breath, she slid the zipper up and watched as Diane dropped her hair. “You look beautiful, Diane,” suddenly realizing she had said that out loud.

  Diane turned around and smiled. “So do you.” She picked up her purse. “Let’s get this show on the road.” They were both wearing cocktail dresses and Michelle had her hair pulled to the side. Diane’s hair was pulled into a knot in the back of her head.