***The next day***
Jennifer had several phone interviews for jobs. Most were with newspapers. The final one was with a magazine.
The editor's name was Rochelle. She told her all about the magazine, and all about what the job entailed.
At the end of the phone call, Jennifer accepted the job.
"Great! You can start next Monday. We are located at 925 West Palomino Road, in Los Angeles. Our office hours are typically 9-5 or 10-6, whatever, Monday through Thursday. And we are very, very casual here. Don't feel like you have to dress up or anything".
"Perfect. What kind of equipment will I have?"
"A desk, a laptop, and a printer".
"Ok, I can work with that".
"Seriously, we are very laid-back here. Do what you want".
"Got it. I'll see you Monday".
She hung up and went and made a list of what she wanted to get for her desk.
Around 4, she took a bubble bath, and then got ready for the dinner with Jonathan.
She put on a slate blue t-shirt dress with a ruffled hem, and some tan strappy stilettos. She decided to do something a little different with her hair, and put half of it up, and curled the bottom.
She sprayed on the Angel perfume and then made sure her makeup was flawless.
She put on some gold chain necklaces and a gold bracelet, and then switched purses to a tan snakeskin clutch.
She had the front door open, and the glass door shut. When Jonathan got there, he came and knocked on the glass door.
"Hi, come on in".
She shut and locked the door behind him.
"We will go through the garage".
She walked to the kitchen, and grabbed her purse and keys and the spare garage door opener, and then they headed out through the garage. She closed it behind them, as he opened the door for her.
They headed to On the Boulevard and pulled up and parked.
They were about 15 minutes early, so they went ahead and got a table. He pulled her chair out for her and then took the seat next to her.
"So, I accepted a job today".
"You did? Wow, that was fast".
"Yeah, I did. I will be writing for a magazine, Modern Woman. I will get to choose my topics, and I'll be writing about women's issues".
"I'm sure you will be wonderful at that. When do you start?"
"Monday".
"Well, I'm very proud of you".
He leaned over and kissed her.
"Thank you".
"Do you need anything before you start?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know…equipment, some sort of gadget that makes it easier for you…new clothes".
She smiled at him.
"I think I'm good. My closet is full to the brim, and they said they were going to provide the equipment. I don't really need a lot. I just need to be able to get in the zone and focus and do it".
Just then, their dinner companions arrived.
"Oh, they're here. We are having dinner with Keith Humphrey and his business partner Nicholas Miles. I'm trying to get them to agree to partner with me".
"Got it".
He waved them over, and they all stood up and introduced themselves.
"This is Jennifer Edwards, she's a member of the Board of Directors".
"Hi, it's lovely to meet you".
They all shook hands and then sat back down again.
They perused the menu, and then placed their orders.
"So, Jonathan, our company, CaliPack Shipping, would be a great asset to your company."
"I agree with you. There's just a few details that I don't like".
"Such as?"
"Such as, the profit margin for one. I think that could be expanded and improved. And we would have to find a way to add Hart Industries to your logo, for another. I also want to make sure that we are using the best possible packing materials, that are also ecologically and environmentally friendly".
While Jonathan and Keith hammered out the specifics, Jennifer tried to charm Nicholas.
"So, what does your logo look like?"
"The shape of the state of California coming out of a moving box".
"Ahh." She grabbed a napkin.
She began to sketch it.
"Like that?"
"Yes, exactly like that".
"Ok, so we could just add Hart Industries logo, here at the bottom, like this. Or we could add a byline."
"A byline?"
"Yeah. It could say "CaliPack, a division of Hart Industries", or something to that effect".
"Well, here's the thing. Our company is a family company. Our father started it in his basement years ago. And we don't want to take away from that. He designed the logo, and when he died, we swore it would never change".
"From a client's standpoint, the most important thing a company has to offer someone is honesty. Hart industries has a reputation for being an honest and trustworthy company. Don't you think it would be better for the clients to know that CaliPack is part of a trustworthy company, a company that they already believe in?"
"I suppose it would."
"And we don't have to change the logo. We can just add our logo right next to it".
Jennifer did a quick sketch, and then Nicholas approved it.
The waiter appeared with their meals, so they took a break from the negotiating and ate.
When the checks came, Jonathan paid the bill, and then looked at the gentlemen.
"Do we have a deal?"
"I'm sold. Nicholas, how about you?"
"On one condition. I want the logo to be like what Jennifer drew up. Our logo doesn't change, and the Hart Industries logo is right next to it".
"I can agree to that".
"Great, then we have a deal".
"Wonderful!" They signed the paperwork, and headed out.
Jonathan and Jennifer headed to the car, after saying their goodbyes.
As soon as they got in the car, her cell phone rang.
It was Hayleigh.
They chatted for a bit and she told her about the new job.
"Ok, well it sounds like you figured it all out. Bill's about to be here, so I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow".
"Ok, bye".
She hung up just as they were pulling up into her driveway.
She opened the garage door and they got out of the car.
Jonathan discreetly grabbed a bottle of champagne from the backseat.
She turned a light on as they came into the house.
She kicked her shoes off and put her purse down. She was going to go change clothes, but he pulled her in for a hug first.
"Thank you for going with me".
"It was interesting watching you work."
"Keith is a dying breed-he's one of the few remaining businessmen who refuses to try new methods".
"Yeah, well his partner is the same way".
"But you charmed him, and he agreed to my deal, so that makes you one hell of a silent partner".
"Oh? Tell me more".
He pulled her in close for a kiss, and then moved his kisses to a spot next to her ear.
"I gotta say, I'm glad you took me to the dinner tonight and not Stanley".
He chuckled.
"Me too".
"I'm going to go change clothes. Make yourself at home. I'll be right back".
She headed to the bedroom. He quickly stuck the champagne into the fridge, and put two glasses into the freezer.
She came back a few minutes later in some lounging pants, and an old t-shirt.
He was in the living room, building them another fire.
"Oh, good idea".
She curled up on the couch, and then he came and sat by her.
"So, can I bring anything this weekend to the Board of Directors party?"
"No, it's all taken care of. We are having it catered".
"I see. How dressy of a party is it?"
"It's not formal. I'll probably wear khakis and a dress shirt, or khakis and a sweater".
"I can work with that".
He picked up her hand and started playing with her fingers.
"Jonathan…what are we doing?"
He looked at her incredulously.
"Sitting on a couch in front of a beautiful fire, after a wonderful dinner".
"You know what I mean. What are WE doing?"
"WE are sitting on the couch-"
"Jonathan!"
"I was kidding. What do you want us to be doing?"
"Well obviously, we have formed a very good friendship. But if you aren't planning for things to progress any further, then I will need to back away".
"Back away? Why on earth would you back away?"
"Self-protection, Jonathan."
"Why wouldn't I want things to progress?"
"I have no idea. Maybe I'm not your cup of tea".
"Oh, you're definitely my cup of tea".
He suddenly remembered the champagne.
"I'll be right back".
He ran and got the champagne and popped the top.
Jennifer heard the commotion and came into the kitchen.
"What are you doing?"
"I brought champagne with us and snuck it into the fridge just in case we signed the deal. And then I forgot it was in here".
"Here, let me help".
She held the glass while he poured it, and then put the cork back in the bottle.
"To signing a successful deal".
"Cheers".
They clinked glasses and then took a sip.
"Great idea".
They took their champagne back to the living room, and Jennifer took the bottle with them.
"So, back to our conversation. What do you want for us?"
"I want whatever you want. I don't want to stop spending time with you, or anything".
"Are you spending time with anyone else?"
"No, I'm not. Are you spending time with anyone else?"
"No, I'm not".
"So, what if we just keep spending time with each other, and we keep not spending time with anyone else?"
"I'm ok with that. I mean, I know that what you and I are doing is dating. I just hate that term".
"Yeah, and I hate the term boyfriend/girlfriend".
"You do? Why?"
"Just seems so middle school-ish."
"So, what do you want me to call you?"
"How about lover?"
"Jonathan! That's so pretentious, and obnoxious, and-"
"And what?"
"Incredibly inaccurate".
"Yeah, but nobody else has to know that".
"Is this what I have to look forward to? You always cracking jokes and making me laugh?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so".
"Well, good. Because I love it".
She leaned forward and kissed him.
She took a long sip of her champagne.
They sat there on the couch, kissing and cuddling for a little longer.
She finished her glass of champagne, and set her glass down.
"Can you pass the bottle?"
"Sure".
"Want some?"
"No thank you. 1 is my limit. I get a little crazy with more than one glass of champagne".
"So, does it feel weird to not have to set an alarm tomorrow?"
"Yes, but in a good way. I plan to make the room really, really dark tonight, and sleep as long as possible".
"I like to do that every now and then myself".
"I am a firm believer that self-imposed exile and pajama days are good for the soul".
He stayed a little longer, and then decided it was time to go.
They took their glasses to the sink, and she handed him the rest of the champagne bottle, but he grinned.
"Put it in your fridge. We can finish it the next time I'm here".
"Ok".
She leaned up against the counter and he stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Goodnight, beautiful. I'll talk to you tomorrow".
He kissed her for several moments. She was standing on her tip-toes, and had her hands around his waist.
She pulled herself up on the counter and he stepped in between her legs and kissed her for several more minutes.
"There's not a whole lot of things in the world I hate, but top of the list is saying goodbye to you".
"I'm not too fond of it myself. You can always come back, though. Whenever you want".
"Be careful Miss Edwards, I just might take you up on that".
He gave her another kiss, and then took her hand and led her to the front door. They walked from room to room, making sure all the doors were locked and the lights were off.
She opened the garage for him, and then shut it after he was in the car.
She headed to bed with a smile on her face.
***Jonathan's house***
Jonathan came inside and found Max sitting up, watching tv and smoking a cigar.
"Hey, Mr. H. How was your business dinner?"
"It went very well, Max. Jennifer went with me, and she charmed one of the partners while I spoke logically with the other one and they signed the deal at the end of the dinner".
"Wonderful. How is Miss Edwards?"
"She's great. You'll be seeing a whole lot more of her, Max."
"I will? Does that mean your plan for Saturday night is no longer necessary?"
"Yes, that's what it means. She's the one, Max. If she'll let me, I'll marry her".