A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I looove them. :) Is everyone ready for 2021? I'm hoping it will bring good things... to say 2020 has been hard is an understatement. I'm thankful for Fanfiction and the escape it provides. Hopefully my words do the same for you.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of JE's characters and make no money off this.
Plum & Prejudice
Chapter 8:
"You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."
"Way to go, Steph!" Tina exclaims as we head to the large conference room, "I can't believe you secured that agreement with Coco de fucking Mer!" I shoot Tina a look and glance around. No need for our bosses to hear profanity at work.
"I can't believe it myself!" I reply before lowering my voice, "and they offered me a job!" Tina's eyes widen to the size of saucers, and she grips my arm painfully.
"You're fucking kidding me, Steph!" she squeals, "please tell me you took it!" I shush her quickly.
"I'm still thinking about it," I say honestly, "but I really want to take it!" Tina also works with me at E.E. Martin. She works in the marketing department.
"You better snatch that up!" she whispers harshly, "I'd kill to work there." We find seats at the back of the room and sit. It's unusual for a last-minute conference meeting to be called on a Thursday afternoon.
"Good Afternoon, E.E. Martin team," the Vice President of our branch greets, "Happy New Year! We know you're all eager to get out of here to get ready for celebrations tonight." There are murmurs in the crowd.
"Before we let you go for the holiday, we wanted to inform you that IRS auditors will be here Monday the 4th bright and early. No one is to talk to anyone without speaking with your manager and the company lawyer first," Michele states, looking very serious. Tina and I exchange looks. Oh shit. E.E. Martin might be going down.
"We work above board on all fronts, but we don't want a tiny mistake by an employee to cause them to question us," he continues. I hold back a snort. I know for a fact they aren't above board. The flash drive of data I compiled proves it. I bite my lip. There is no way I'll lie for a company. I guess Monday morning will be the deciding factor. No one knows I know, so I push it from my mind. He drones on a bit more, and my mind wanders to my date with Joe tonight. He called me last night to confirm and get my address. He told me that it would be a bit fancy, which has me excited. Tina nudges me, and I realize the meeting is over. We're released for the holiday and early too.
"Do you want to grab a quick drink to celebrate?" Tina asks, her eyes gleaming. I nod. We really haven't chatted since the ball. I wonder how it's going with her tall, dark, and handsome. We head to our desks to collect our belongings before meeting in the lobby. We head down the street a few blocks to a bar called Krug's Tavern. It's been around forever, and after six months at E.E. Martin, they know Tina and me by name. That makes us sound like alcoholics, but we just come for a drink or two after work. It's a cozy little place that you could call a dive bar, but it suits us.
I tell Tina to head in while I stay out front to make a quick phone call. I grab a card before dialing the number in my phone. The phone rings and rings before going to voicemail. I'm a little relieved as I hear the tone.
"Hi Angelica, this is Stephanie Plum from E.E. Martin. It was great meeting you yesterday. I was thinking about your offer...and well, I'd love to hear more about it and the next steps. Please give me a call," I say before rattling off my phone number, "Have a Happy New Year!" I end the message and tuck my phone away. I head inside and find Tina at our usual spot at the bar. Jared, the older bartender, smiles as he sees the two of us.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in," he says in his grumbly smoker's voice, "I haven't seen you two since before Christmas." We grin as he's acting like it's been a month or more.
"We had off Jared," I say, "I was in Trenton visiting the family." He nods and glances at his watch.
"It's a bit early to be off work now, isn't it?" he questions with a raised eyebrow. Tina grins.
"We got off early and thought we'd celebrate the New Year with our favorite bartender," Tina flirts with a wink. His red mustache twitches as he works to fight a smile. Jared is probably in his late fifties, and his red hair is fading into a golden silver. He's about 6 foot and in considerably good shape for a man working in a bar. His black t-shirt is stretched against his noticeable muscle.
"Aw, suck-ups," he says with a grin breaking out, "I still expect a good tip." I laugh.
"Of course," I reply with a wink, "now what delicious concoction do you have for us to try today?" Krug's does not have a drink menu unless you count the list of beers on tap, but they do make cocktails; it's just not advertised. He gives us a devilish grin.
"Side of fries?" he questions, although he knows the answer. Tina and I nod simultaneously, and he chuckles before heading to the other side of the bar to get us started. There's only a handful of people in the bar at this time. It is 2 pm on the day before New Year's Eve.
"So," I start, turning towards Tina, "how's it going with tall, dark, and handsome from the ball?" I should know his name, but I don't. Tina gives me a cat at the canary look.
"It's going well," she replies, intentionally not giving a lot of details. I narrow my eyes at her. I motion for her to continue with my hand.
"Alright, he is mighty fine! And great in bed," she says before fanning herself with her hand, "the man has moves. He's also sweet and gentlemanly." I grin at my friend. She's never seemed this interested in a guy before.
"And?" I question, knowing there's more. She gives a dreamy sigh.
"He's stayed over every night this week," she says, her cheeks tinging pink. I've never seen Tina blush before.
"Tina! And you've kept this from me all week? What is his name?" I question in rapid-fire.
"Yes, Steph, it's been sooo good," she says with a small smile, "his name is Vince. He also works at RangeMan." My eyes widen. RangeMan is basically an army. I haven't been able to avoid them.
"He asked me on a real date too," Tina says just as Jared is back with two glasses and a basket of fries.
"Ladies, here are two mistletoe margaritas," he says with a wink. The drinks look tasty. It's on the rocks, a maroon looking cocktail that he decorated with mint and what looks like sugared cranberries.
"Wow, Jared," I exclaim before taking a sip. The rim is sugar-coated as well, and the drink is perfect.
"You better be careful, or you'll be known for the cocktails here," I say with a smile. Jared fakes an aghast looking expression before playfully darting his eyes around.
"Better not let my boss hear that," he whispers as though he could get in trouble. Tina laughs before taking her own sip.
"Damn," she exclaims, "I think I might have found my new favorite cocktail." Jared grins and bows before tipping his imaginary hat. Jared heads off to help some other patrons, so I turn to Tina.
"Dish," I tell her before taking a fry and drenching it in ketchup. The fries here are also good and have a secret seasoning that is delicious.
"Vince is going to come for New Year's Eve," she says before taking another drink, "then he wants to take me to Toscano's Ristorante." My eyes bulge at that. Toscano's is a well-known fine dining establishment in Trenton, usually reserved for Mobsters or exceptional occasions. I take a sip of my margarita to wash down the fries.
"Tina," I say, a bit speechless, "he must really like you." She blushes again, very un-Tina-like. She looks up at me, nervously and laughs before taking a big gulp of her margarita.
"I think he's the one, Steph," she drops the bomb quietly, "I love him." Tina is so subdued and so severe. She's never been with a guy this long, and it's only been a week. Holy cow! I don't think I've ever heard her mention love before. Not even with her serious boyfriend, she dated for four years through high school and a bit into college. She hasn't had a serious relationship since and seemed too content. I grab her hand.
"I'm happy for you, Tina," I say genuinely, "I just want you to be careful. It's so early but if you know it's right, then trust your gut." She grins and nods at me.
"You're right…although he already told me he loves me," Tina seems back to her usual self, "it could just be the good pussy!" I sputter and bust out laughing.
"Oh my god, Tina!" I continue laughing, "that explains his feelings, but what about yours?" She grins at me and shrugs.
"It's just a wonderful feeling, Steph," she says, "and he's hung like a horse, so that helps." I close my eyes and touch my fingers to my eyes as a smile stays on my face. Leave it to Tina to lighten things up.
"So, what about you and Joe?" Tina questions, switching the subject off of her and her lover, "You and Ranger seemed to have some serious vibes that night." I whip my head up at her as she says the last part.
"Excuse me? That arrogant, conceited man and I had vibes?" I question, narrowing my eyes, although I can't stop the blush that rises to my cheeks as I remember the dream that followed. She raises her eyebrow at me.
"Such a strong reaction. He can't be that bad," Tina replies, sipping on her drink, "besides it makes for good tension. I swear you could cut it with a knife the way you two looked at each other. He could barely keep his eyes off you." I roll my eyes and mutter before taking another pull of my drink. I'm starting to feel the alcohol spreading through my body.
"Please, that man wants nothing to do with me. I overheard him talking to Steve," I say bitterly, "and then my Uncle Joe forced us into a dance. He had nothing much to say, and then I heard what he did to Joe Morelli when they were in the same class together." Tina is looking at me, curiously.
"I would never have guessed by the way he was looking at you," she says with a shrug, "He is good looking, though." I let out a hollow laugh.
"I thought so too at first, but his personality snuffs out anything I could find remotely attractive about the man," I say even though there's a part of me that is attracted to the man.
"As for Joe, he's been the perfect gentleman since I've run into him," I continue, ending the talk of Ranger, "he told me we're going somewhere kind of fancy tonight. He's picking me up but didn't tell me exactly where so it's a surprise." Tina nods but stays silent as she picks up another fry. I do the same as I wait, knowing she has something to say. We munch on the fries for a bit, which helps to soak up some of the alcohol. The drink tastes fantastic, but I know Jared tends to have a heavy hand. We typically don't mind, but I have to get home and get ready for my date later. Tina and I polish off the fries and just have a little of our drinks left when she decides to speak.
"Steph, just promise me you'll be careful with Joe," she implores, "he didn't have the best reputation in high school… and my family tells me that he still sometimes sees Terry on the side. I just don't want to see you hurt." My hand is wrapped around my glass, and I look as the condensation rolls down over my fingers. I shake the drink a bit to move the ice cubes.
"He doesn't seem like the same guy I heard about in high school," I say, pausing, "but I'll be careful, Tina."
"Good," she replies, "you deserve a man who fully appreciates you and worships the ground you walk on." I smile at her, and she grins back at me. We finish off the rest of our drinks and sit back on the bar stools.
"This was good, Tina," I say as Jared makes his way over to us. She nods.
"Yeah, it was weird missing a week of this place and Jared here," she responds, nodding in his direction. He grins, and a dimple appears on his right cheek.
"Damn straight, I'm irresistible," he comments, "the bar just isn't as spruced up when you two beautiful ladies aren't in town." We shoot him back grins.
"You smooth talker you," I say, "how is it that you're still single?" He grins back and shrugs.
"Well, Jared, as always, it was a pleasure," Tina tells him, "but my girl Steph here has to get ready for a date. Can we get the checks?" Jared's grin broadens, and he looks over at me.
"Lucky guy," he comments, "I'll be right back." He takes away our dirty dishes before returning a few minutes later with separate checks for both of us. As always, I give him a good tip before we say goodbye. Tina and I part ways as we get two separate cabs. She whispers another "be careful" before we depart. I'm left with an uneasy feeling in my stomach, but I shake it off before getting to my apartment.