ARE YOU THE ONE?: A Lesbian Romance Read online

  “No, thank you, Steve. You don’t know how much you’re doing me the favor. This offer came at just the right time,” Meg said grinning.

  “Okay, give me a call tomorrow.” Steve disconnected the call.

  Meg sat down knowing she had to at least call Brielle and say something. Brielle picked up on the first ring.

  “I’m sorry,” Brielle said into the phone.

  “What are you apologizing for?” Meg asked.

  “For Grace,” Brielle said softly.

  “Nothing else?” Meg asked.

  “No. What are you talking about?”

  “Last night in the club,” Meg said barely above a whisper.

  “Grace couldn’t wait to tell you I was dancing with a woman. What else did she say?”

  “Did you leave with this woman?” Meg asked louder.

  “Yes, but nothing happened.”

  Meg didn’t want to hear Brielle’s lies.

  “I swear to you Meg that nothing happened. Let me come over.”

  “No, Brielle. I have some things to work out and I need to concentrate on that right now.”

  “Are you breaking up with me?” Brielle asked through choked words.

  “Please just give me some time? Please.”

  “Okay,” Brielle said, wiping the tear that fell onto her cheek.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Meg got to her office earlier than usual. She typed her letter of resignation and emailed it off to the person above Grace Grimes. Sarah came in at her usual time and came into her office.

  “Hi, Sarah.”

  “You look better today. I guess you slept?”

  “I did. Thank you for making me do that.” Meg motioned to the chair. “Have a seat, Sarah.”

  “Is there something wrong?”

  Meg smiled. “I spoke with a good friend of mine last night. He offered me a job and I accepted.”

  Sarah slouched in her seat losing her smile.

  “I want you to come to work with me. I don’t know the salary yet, but I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.”

  “Yes,” Sarah said smiling.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m not staying here without you.”

  “I just emailed my resignation to Tom Walker. I didn’t want to give it to Grace.”

  “I quit,” Sarah said to Meg with a grin.

  “I’ll send an addendum to my resignation and tell Tom.”

  “What type of company is it?”

  “It’s a start up and they’re doing very well.” Meg laughed. “I will be so happy not to have to wear heels every day.”

  By mid-morning, Tom Walker was on the phone.

  “Hello, Mr. Walker.”

  “Margaret, are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t pass up the offer I received.”

  “Why didn’t you resign through Grace?” Tom asked.

  “I wanted you to know first, sir,” Meg lied.

  “There’s nothing I can do to change your mind?”

  “No, sir.”

  “I’ll send a new VP to your office this afternoon. Would you give me the week to get him settled?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “How about Sarah?”

  “I’m having security sent up to your office. They’ll escort her out of the building and I’ll have a new secretary there in a couple of hours.”

  “I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me Mr. Walker.”

  “Is this because of Grace Grimes?” Tom asked softly.

  Meg hesitated. “No, sir.”

  “I understand, Margaret. Thank you again.”

  Meg went out to where Sarah was sitting and found security there already.

  “I’ll call you later, Sarah.”

  Sarah nodded and followed security out of the office. A few minutes later, Grace Grimes walked into her office.

  “You quit?”

  “I did,” Meg said without looking up. She no longer had to be polite to this woman.

  “Why?”

  Meg looked up at Grace and smirked.

  “You did it for Brielle, didn’t you?”

  Meg didn’t answer.

  “You gave up your career for a woman who was with someone else last night.” Grace moved closer.

  “I did this for myself. I don’t need to be harassed by someone like you any longer.”

  “Oh come on, Meg, I wasn’t harassing you,” Grace said taking a seat.

  “No, and you weren’t harassing my girlfriend, either?”

  “I just wanted you to see what type of woman she is,” Grace argued.

  “Please leave my office,” Meg said standing, “I’ve had enough of you.”

  “Do you know who you’re speaking to?”

  “Yeah, a tired old hag who tries to bully women to go out with her. Leave before I call security.”

  Grace got up and stormed out of the office.

  By the end of the week, Sarah and Meg had worked out the details with Steve on their new job. Meg wasn’t going to be making the money she had as a bank vice president, but with the stock options, she hoped in the long run it would be better. Meg did make sure that Sarah’s salary was equal to what she had been making at the bank.

  Monday morning, Meg and Sarah were at their new jobs.

  “I saw Brielle in the bar last night,” Sarah said when she greeted Meg.

  Meg didn’t look up from her paperwork.

  “She was sitting at the bar all alone until she saw me. Brielle asked how you were doing.”

  “Oh,” Meg said softly.

  “She looked terrible. I felt sorry for her. I told her you and I left the bank.” Sarah looked at Meg’s shocked face. “Brielle almost fainted. I helped her sit down and explained that this had nothing to do with her. Was I right?” Sarah asked.

  Meg shrugged, “I guess. I blame Grace Grimes for all this, but if it wasn’t for her,” she sighed deeply, “you and I would never have had this opportunity that we now have. Let’s get to work and enjoy our new jobs.”

  Meg wasn’t home from work for ten minutes when her buzzer rang. “Hello,” she said into the speaker.

  “Meg, it’s me. Can I come upstairs?” Brielle asked leaning on the building.

  Meg buzzed her in without responding and opened the door for her. She went to stand across the room waiting.

  Brielle lightly knocked on the open door and walked into the apartment. They stood looking at each other, but neither woman moved toward each other.

  “Sarah told me you left your job?” Brielle asked with her hands in her pocket.

  Meg nodded in response.

  “Did you leave because of me?” Brielle asked moving a little closer to Meg.

  Meg shook her head no.

  “Was Grace making it difficult for you to stay?” Brielle inched closer.

  Meg shrugged.

  “I feel terrible about this whole situation,” Brielle said lowering her head. “Sarah said she left, too.”

  Meg whispered, “She did.”

  “How am I ever going to make this up to you?” Brielle asked sitting before she passed out. “You have to believe me that nothing happened with Stephanie. I just wanted to get away from Grace before I said something to her that would cause you to lose your job.” Brielle covered her face. “It didn’t matter because you still left your job.”

  Meg took a seat across from Brielle. “Grace was putting pressure on me to go out with her and she kept telling me that you have never been with only one woman. I’m sure her proof would have been the night you left with that woman.” Meg swallowed. “Is she right?”

  Brielle leaned forward. “I’m sorry to say that she would have been right before Christmas. Before I met you.” She stood up and stood in front of Meg. “Since I met you, there is no one else that I want. I never meant to destroy your career,” her words choked out. “I really am sorry.” Brielle walked toward the door. “You know her plan worked perfectly. She told both of
us things that would destroy our relationship.” Brielle went to the door. “I hope you can forgive me one day.” She pulled the door open and left.

  Meg stood there for a moment before she opened the door and went after Brielle. She caught up to her at the elevator. “Where are you going?”

  Brielle didn’t turn around because she didn’t want Meg to see the tears in her eyes. “Grace was right about one thing.”

  “What’s that?” Meg asked with her hand touching Brielle’s arm gently.

  “That I’m no good for you. You deserve someone better than me.”

  The elevator door opened and Brielle stepped inside the car. Meg jumped in before the door closed.

  “So you think you can just walk away from me?”

  Brielle stood against the back wall of the elevator car with her eyes on the floor in front of her.

  “Don’t you want me to walk away?” Brielle asked, finally meeting Meg’s face.

  “No.” Meg smiled. “Can we go back upstairs and talk?” Her hand went to her hip.

  Brielle nodded as Meg pushed the button for her floor. They walked back to the apartment in silence. Brielle walked into the apartment and waited for the wrath that she felt would probably be coming her way. She stood with her hands in her front pockets and her eyes on the floor.

  Meg laughed to herself seeing the look on Brielle’s face. “This isn’t a firing squad, Bri,” she said, causing Brielle’s eyes to meet her face. “Yes, I left my job because of Grace and what was going on between the three of us. I didn’t want to be on pins and needles every day as Grace would criticize you or ask me out. Every time you would have walked into that bar and chatted up someone else, she would have been in my office telling me about it.”

  “The only reason I was there that night was I thought I lost you,” Brielle said softly.

  “Did you bother to ask me if we were through?”

  “No, but--”

  Meg cut her off. “I had Grace telling me that you couldn’t be with one woman and had both she and Sarah telling me about the woman you were with at the bar. I didn’t know what to think, but I never said I didn’t want to see you again.”

  “I told you nothing happened.”

  “You shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”

  Brielle’s eyes lowered again.

  “If we are going to be a couple, you can’t be going off to a bar and dancing with other women.” Meg’s face was serious as she looked at Brielle, but there was a slight smile. “Do you understand?”

  “You mean you’re not breaking up with me?” Brielle asked taking her hands out of her pocket.

  “If you don’t want to be monogamous with me, tell me now. If you think you can date me and do what you want when you’re not with me, we’re through.”

  Brielle moved closer, but didn’t touch Meg. “I only want you, Meg.” Her eyes lowered again. “I love you, Meg.”

  Meg reached for Brielle’s chin and lifted her head until their eyes met. “Can you say that again looking at me?”

  Brielle looked into Meg’s eyes. “I love you, Meg. I have never loved another woman the way I love you.”

  Meg smile was wide. “Good, because I love you, too.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, Bri, I love you. Am I going to have to worry about you picking up strange women again in a bar?” Meg asked touching Brielle’s arm.

  “Never,” she said looking into the bright eyes. “Never.”

  “Good, because if I do,” Meg sighed, “I won’t forgive you again, Brielle.” She kissed Brielle mouth softly and stepped back. “I’m tired and I have a busy day at work tomorrow.” Meg walked toward the door and Brielle followed.

  “Good night, Meg.” Brielle left without another word.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Meg walked into work the next morning wearing a pair of dress slacks and a button down blouse. On her feet were casual and comfortable shoes. She was still overdressed compared to the other employees, but she didn’t look as out of place as before. No more expensive suits and heels as long as she was working for Steve.

  Steve poked his head into his office. “How’s it going, Meg?” he asked wearing a bright smile.

  “Good, Steve. Is there anything specific you want me to take care of?”

  “I have a meeting tomorrow with a corporation that is interested in buying my software. Would you be available to attend the meeting with me?”

  There goes dressing casual. She would have to put on her best clothes for this meeting. “Sure. Is it here or off-site?”

  “Here in our office. They’re corporate headquarters is in Chicago. They’ll be here at ten,” Steve responded.

  “What’s the name of this company so I can gather some background information?” Meg asked ready to write the name down.

  “Gallo Corporation.”

  “Okay, I’ll get right on that.” Meg smiled at Steve. “Thanks again for offering this job to me. You couldn’t have asked at a better time.”

  “No, Meg, I thank you. You’re going to take this company where I never could have. All I want to do is write programs.”

  Meg chuckled. “Then we’re both lucky.”

  “Let me know if you need any help with anything.”

  “Thanks, Steve.” He left the office and Meg went out to Sarah’s desk. “Sarah, I need background on Gallo Corporation. Can you dig up the information for me?”

  “Sure, Meg, on it,” she said as she began her search.

  Sarah did the research and Meg began to look through to see what software the company was looking to purchase. Besides her normal work she dealt with other departments and their problems. It was six o’clock before she took a break. Meg pulled out her cell phone and pushed the button.

  “Hi,” Brielle said as she answered.

  “Hey,” Meg said with a deep sigh.

  “Long day. Yes, and I’m still at work,” Meg paused. “I just wanted to hear your voice before it got too late.”

  “Do you like your job?” Brielle asked cautiously.

  “So far, I do. It’s so different than what I had been doing, but also so familiar. Sarah said she likes it better here than at the bank. The people here are so different from my last co-workers. These people are down to earth and not pretentious. You know what I mean?”

  “I do.”

  “Maybe we can get together this weekend and have dinner?”

  “I’d like that,” Brielle answered.

  “I’m sorry that we won’t be able to spend any time this week.”

  “I understand, Meg. You just started a new job and you have to do everything you need to do to keep your job.”

  “It’s not that, Bri. Steve is fantastic at what he does, but running a business isn’t one of his talents.” Meg chuckled. “He needs someone to take this company to the next level.”

  “I understand. So where do you want to go to dinner on Saturday night?” Brielle asked trying to lighten the mood.

  “I know just the place. I’ll make reservations for six o’clock.” Meg wanted to go to the restaurant where Grace had taken her. She hated the dinner with Grace, but the food was stupendous. “We can meet at the restaurant. I’ll text you the address.”

  “Whatever you want, Meg.” Brielle wanted to say so much more, but she felt she was walking on egg shells with her relationship with Meg since Grace almost destroyed their relationship. “Have a good rest of the week, Meg.”

  “Can’t I speak with you each night?” Meg asked, trying to understand Brielle’s distance.

  “Uh, sure, I just didn’t think.” Brielle swallowed. “Never mind. Call me tomorrow evening after you get home.”

  “I will. Good night, Bri.”

  “Good night, Meg.”

  When Meg got to the restaurant Saturday evening, Brielle was waiting for her just inside the restaurant. Their eyes met and a smile appeared on both their faces. They walked up to each other and hugged.

  “I’ve missed you,”
Brielle whispered into Meg’s ear.

  “I missed you, too.” Meg kissed Brielle’s cheek and took her hand. “Let’s go have dinner.” They walked up to the hostess. “Wilson.”

  “Yes, your table is ready. Right this way.”

  They followed the hostess to their table and took a seat.

  “This is very nice,” Brielle said leaning across the table to Meg.

  “The last time I was here, the company was horrible, but you are going to love the food.”

  “Grace brought you here, didn’t she?” Brielle asked.

  Meg looked at Brielle without answering. “The scallops were so fresh.”

  “Answer me, Meg. Grace brought you here?” Brielle asked again.

  Meg lowered her head. “Yes.”

  Brielle sat back in her chair

  “Bri, let’s not spoil our dinner just because Grace introduced me to this place. I wanted to bring you here because of the food.” Meg reached across the table and laid her hand on Brielle’s. “Can we forget about her?”

  Brielle nodded and opened the menu.

  Meg tried to make light conversation, but Brielle’s eyes drifted around the restaurant lost in her own thoughts.

  “The food is very good, Meg,” Brielle said taking another bite of her food.

  After dessert, Brielle leaned forward. “Thank you for bringing me here, but I think in the future we should find a place we can call our own.”

  Meg nodded with a smile. “It will be fun trying to find that perfect place to call our own.”

  As they exited the restaurant, they spotted her. Grace was just getting out of a cab with her date. She whispered something to the woman and approached them.

  “I see you two are still together.”

  They didn’t respond.

  “You,” she said as she pointed at Meg, “what did you tell Tom about me?”

  “I didn’t say anything,” Meg said.

  “Well, he asked me why you and your secretary quit and why he got the resignation and not me.”

  Brielle took Meg’s arm trying to lead her away.

  Grace stuck her finger in Brielle’s chest. “You may have destroyed her career, but I’m not going to let you,” she now stuck her finger in Meg’s chest, “destroy my career.”