"Quitting? That's a little extreme, don't you think? You love your work".
"Yes, I do. But I refuse to let him have any involvement in my life, aside from us living on the same planet. And I refuse to work for him, Jonathan. It's not going to happen."
"I can respect that. How long did you two date?"
"In total, it was about 2 months, but because of my work trips at the time, it was spaced out over 5 months. 5 months of pure hell. He was controlling, and insensitive, and rude to my family and friends. He would call me at the hotel when I was on a work trip, and demand that I come home, every single day. I would tell him that I had to be there until a specific date and that I would be home after that. He used to tell me that if he cheated on me while I was out of town, I wasn't allowed to get mad about it. He is the absolute most narcissistic person I've ever encountered, and remember, I lived in New York, where almost everyone is a narcissist."
He chuckled.
She got up and put her cocktail glass in the sink.
He followed her.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a long hug.
"I'm so sorry he treated you that way".
"I am too. Because of him, I am hesitant to get involved with anyone else".
She leaned back against the counter.
"That's why I was so shocked that you showed up to help me move, and that you stayed to help me put things together, and that you wanted to be here. I'm not used to that".
"Do you seriously not see how desirable and gorgeous you are? How absolutely drop-dead sexy you are? And I'm not just talking about looks, by the way. I am crazy about you, Jennifer. I would do anything for you".
Before she could say anything, he leaned down and gave her the most perfect kiss, sweeping her up into his arms as his lips caressed hers.
"I better go".
"Thank you for a lovely dinner".
He leaned down and kissed her again.
"Anything you ever need, all you ever have to do is ask".
"I'll remember that".
He turned to leave.
"Jonathan...I think you're forgetting something".
"Oh, you want another one? Sure".
He leaned down to kiss her again.
"No, not that. I mean, yeah, that. But I was talking about the fire".
"In my loins? Well, I'll just go home and take a cold shower".
She was laughing.
"No! In the fireplace. Do I just let it die out, or what?"
"Yeah, you do. Just keep the curtain closed."
"Thank you".
He leaned down to kiss her again.
"I'll call you tomorrow".
"I'm looking forward to it".
She closed the garage door after he had started the car, and then turned out all the lights, and made sure the doors were locked.
She grabbed the phone and called Hayleigh.
"Hey, you busy?"
"No, actually. Bill just left and I was about to take a bubble bath".
"Jonathan just left here too. Why didn't you tell me you were seeing Bill?"
"Well, things were going so well, and I didn't want to jinx it. Why didn't you tell me you were seeing Jonathan?"
"I didn't know I was".
"Jennifer, not every guy is Elliott. And Jonathan is absolutely nothing like Elliott".
"Tell me something. Let's say two people have a relationship and it doesn't work out. And one of those people does everything they can to avoid the other person after the relationship ended. And then, several months later, the person that they are trying to avoid, purchases a company in which the other person works. When the employee person finds out, they want to resign. Due to the fraudulent actions of the other person, are they required to give two weeks' notice?"
"Yes, under normal circumstances. But what were the fraudulent actions?"
"Ok, here's the deal. LA Daily News was recently purchased, just this week in fact, by a company. And Jonathan told me tonight that EAM, the company that purchased the paper, is really Elliott Manning's company. I refuse to work for him, Hayleigh. Refuse. I don't care if I end up homeless, it's not happening. I think he was fraudulent by not disclosing who he was".
"How were you informed of the purchase?"
"Our manager read a memo that said West Coast Press, a subsidiary of EAM was our new owner".
"Sweetie, he did inform you. All he has to do is argue in court that it's not his fault that you didn't research and find out that EAM is his company. And I hate to say it, but he would win".
"Damn".
"You are still within your rights to quit. But you would have to give 2 weeks' notice".
"I'll do just that, tomorrow".
***The next day***
Jennifer got up and got ready for work. She had a big day planned-finishing her article, finding a job, quitting her current one.
She had just pulled out of the garage when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi. It's Hayleigh. Listen, Bill's on the other line. He says Jonathan is dying to get your cell phone number. Are you going to kill me if I give it to him?"
"No, that's ok, he can have it".
"Thanks. I'll call you later. Bye".
They hung up, and sure enough a few minutes later, Jennifer's phone rang again.
"Hello?"
"Hey beautiful. Just wanted to call and tell you good morning".
"How sweet. Good morning to you too".
"Do you have a full day planned?"
"Oh, you know, the usual-quitting my job, finding another one, that sort of thing. What about you-do you have a full day planned?"
"I have a few meetings, but that's all".
"I see".
"Where are you right now?"
"In the car. At the corner of Prescott and Madison".
"See that gas station up ahead?"
"The Conoco station?"
"Yeah. Pull over. I'm about 2 minutes away. I'll be right there".
"Jonathan, this is silly".
"No, it's not. And it will only take a minute".
"Ok, I'm pulling in. I'm over by the air pumps where you air up your tires".
"Ok, I'm about 20 seconds from the parking lot".
"Ok, I'm hanging up now".
She hung up and got out of the car.
He pulled up and parked behind her. He was awestruck by how pretty she was.
She was wearing a bright blue wrap blouse with the tie on the side, and a black pencil skirt, and some black heels.
He parked and got out of the car.
"What was so important that I had to pull over?"
"This".
He leaned down and kissed her several times, and then took her hands and held them up to his chest.
"If you quit your job, fine. If you decide to stay, fine. Whatever you want to do, I'll support you. I just want you to be happy".
"I don't know what I'll end up doing, Jonathan. But I do know that I'm quitting. I refuse to work for Elliott, in any capacity".
"I can absolutely respect that."
He kissed her again.
"Have a good day, I'll call you tonight".
She nodded.
"You too".
They got in their cars and headed to their offices.
***LA Daily News***
As she intended, she typed up her two-weeks' notice, and turned it into HR first thing.
She picked up her next assignment and then sat down at her desk.
About an hour later, her boss came to her desk.
"Hey, can we talk about this?"
"Sure".
"How about we go into my office?"
"Sure".
She got up and followed him.
He closed the door behind them.
"Ok, what's going on?"
"The paper was bought out by EAM, which stands for Elliott Alexander Manning. Elliott Manning is a businessman, and he and I dated, and it didn't end well, at all. I have no proof, but I imagine that he got wind of the fact that I was writing here, and that's the only reason he purchased it. I refuse to work for him. Actually, that's not right. I refuse to have anything to do with him, in any capacity. I considered suing him for fraud, and I was just going to ask the judge to force him to sell the company. However, I was informed that he didn't act fraudulently when he purchased the company, so I have no other choice but to resign".
"Well, I'm sorry to see you go".
"You are?"
"Yeah, I am. You are the best damn reporter on this staff."
"Based on what?"
"Based on the fact that your articles are always turned in on time, with no errors or corrections needed. We never have to print a retraction for your article. Your articles are always very thoroughly researched, and are never malicious or unfavorable in any way. Trust me, reading your articles compared to reading some of the other reporters' articles is like a breath of fresh air".
"Well, thank you very much. I appreciate that. I take it you will write me a letter of recommendation?"
"Yes, absolutely. But I hate to see you go. If there's anything I can give you or do for you to get you to stay-"
She shook her head.
"You hate the receptionist? I'll have her rubbed out".
She started laughing.
"No, no. I love her. I love all of you guys. I just don't love our owner".
"Ok, well, I just got the word from HR. You have enough sick days, that you can have the rest of the two weeks off, with pay. The rest of your sick days will be paid to you, along with your final paycheck. Just make sure that they have an updated address on file".
"Wonderful. I'll go do just that, and then I'll pack up my desk".
She headed to HR to update her address. Halfway there, she thought better of it and headed back to her desk.
She packed up her things and was just about to head out, when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is this Jennifer Edwards?"
"Yes, it is".
"Hi, this is Deanne. Mr. Hart wants to know if you want to join him for lunch in about an hour. He says he's going to Kung Nam."
"Yes, that sounds great. Tell him I'll meet him there".
"Will do, Miss Edwards".
"Thank you".
She hung up and clocked out for the last time, and then took her things to the car.
***Kung Nam***
Jennifer pulled up and parked, and headed inside.
Jonathan was at a table so she went and joined him.
"Hi".
"Hi."
He kissed her cheek as he pulled the chair out for her.
"So, did you do it yet?"
"I did. But I'm afraid I didn't do it the right way".
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I turned in my notice to HR. And then my boss came and asked me why, and begged me to stay. I was honest and told him that I refuse to work for Elliott. So, he told me to go make sure my address is updated with HR. But, I thought about it, and I really don't know that I want Elliott to know where I live. So, I didn't do it. I don't want him knowing where I live".
"I don't think anyone would blame you for that, at all. And you didn't do anything wrong. You still own the condo. So, it's still your address".
"Yes, that's true. Ok, good. No more guilt".
They ordered and then sat back and waited.
"I need to file the papers of ownership with the registrar this week. How can I keep him from looking me up and finding out that I own that house?"
"You can't."
"That's what I was afraid of".
She took a sip of her water, and then looked at him.
"Can I still be on the board if I'm unemployed?"
"Yeah, there's no rule against that. Are you still so mad at me that you are going to relinquish your seat?"
"Jonathan, if I let you kiss me, then it stands to reason that I'm not mad at you".
"Just checking".
"It's very simple. There are three things I simply won't tolerate in a relationship. Abuse, addiction and adultery. And if I don't get into a relationship, I can't get hurt".
"I understand that. I feel the same way. However, just because one person hurt you, that doesn't mean everyone is going to hurt you".
"I realize that."
"And there are parts of a relationship that are good, that you would be missing out on".
"Like what?"
"Like the spontaneous random moments, and the two of you making memories, and enjoying experiences together. And having someone who loves you for you, for the person you are on the inside, who would do absolutely everything in their power to help you, make you happy, keep you safe."
"I have never had a relationship with all that".
"That's what all relationships are supposed to have. Some make it, some don't".
The waiter brought their lunches, so they put the conversation on hold.
Jennifer had ordered the shrimp fried rice with brown rice, shrimp rolls, and crab wontons. Jonathan ordered the pepper steak with green pepper, and some chicken fried rice.
"So tomorrow night, I have a business dinner. Want to go with me?"
"Sure".
"The business dinner is at 7, so I can pick you up at 6:30."
"Sounds good. Where is it?"
"They want to go to On the Boulevard. It's a restaurant at the top of the Langley tower, on Wilshire Boulevard. The restaurant revolves".
"Interesting".
The waiter brought their checks, and Jennifer insisted on paying.
"It's my turn. I was going to cook you dinner the other night, remember?"
He finally relented.
After they finished eating, they headed to the parking lot.
He had parked a few spots down from her, so they walked to her car first.
"Thanks for meeting me for lunch. I'll call you tonight".
"I'm looking forward to it".
He leaned down and kissed her several times, the last kiss passionate enough to make her head spin.
"Are you going back to the office?"
"Nope. I had enough sick days that I can take one each day of my notice and get paid for the rest."
"Very smart, Miss Edwards".
"Thank you, Mr. Hart".
She grabbed his hand.
"Want to play hooky with me?"
"More than you know, but today isn't the day. I have a full afternoon of meetings. But one day, I promise we will".
"I'm going to hold you to that".
He kissed her again.
"Drive carefully, I'll talk to you tonight".
She got in the car and after her door was closed, he headed towards his.
***Later that night***
Jennifer was at home, at her desk. She had been working on her resume, and had put out some feelers.
She had just finished dinner and had just climbed into bed when Jonathan called her.
"Hello?"
"Hey".
"Hi, what are you doing?"
"I just climbed into bed, and turned on a movie".
"Really? I just did the same".
"Great minds think alike".
"So, I typed up my resume. And then I contacted a few head hunters. Hopefully, I'll hear something back tomorrow or the next day".
"I'm sure you will. You would be an asset to any newsroom".
"You're very sweet".
"So, if you could plan the perfect evening for us, what would it be?"
"Well, that depends. If we are dressed up, then it would be dinner, drinks, and lots of dancing. But if we aren't dressed up, then it would be something fun, like a night at the carnival, or at a baseball game, or just us in our pajamas cuddled up watching a movie".
"That sounds nice".
"What would you plan for us?"
"Well, first, we would get all dressed up. Then we would go to Chuck E. Cheese, and play all the games. And after you had bankrupted me, we would trade in our tickets for a whistle. And then we would get ice cream somewhere and then head home".
She was laughing.
"I am not going to Chuck E. Cheese."
"Why not?"
"Because, that's a kid's place, Jonathan. I mean, I'm the best at skee-ball. That has been proven. And I am also the champion of the basketball game, and the bucket toss game. So, really, going to Chuck E. Cheese, it's just not a challenge for me. And it would be so unfair to everyone else for me to show them up like that".
He was laughing.
"See, there's just one problem with that statement. It's impossible for you to be the champion of Skee-ball. I'm the champion of skee-ball".
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really."
"Well, I guess we'll have to have a skee-ball match".
"You're on".
"I can't wait".
They chatted a little longer, and then hung up.
"I'll pick you up at 6, tomorrow".
"I'll be here".
"Night, Jennifer".
"Goodnight".
She hung up the phone, and reached up and turned out the light.
***Jonathan's house***
Jonathan hung up the phone, stepped out of the bed, stripped down to his boxer briefs, and then climbed back in bed.
He had always told himself that someday, someone would share his bed with him. Suddenly, someday seemed a lot closer.