Chapter 17

Her job hunt was slow to say the least. She send out a few applications, but sadly there wasn't much out there right now. Not in the field that Betty want anyway. And when she is going to get a new job she finally wants one in her chosen genre. She finally wants to write about what moves her. What she really cares about. Settling for second choice, just because she wants a fast way out of MODE is not going to work for her.

But when she got an interview at the New York Review of Books only two weeks later, she can't believe her luck. These were the most intellectual journalists she could think about. She would kill for an opportunity to write for them. It was literally a dream come true. There for she was extremely nervous. Pacing up and down her apartment, while being on the phone with Daniel.

'You're going to rock that interview'

'I'm not so sure, but I'll try my best', she is still worried. But having Daniel reassure her like that is at least a nice feeling. He's her biggest cheerleader.

'Believe me, the second you walk into the interview they will see how amazing you are. They're not as thick as I was four years ago'

'You weren't thick, just...', no word comes to mind. Not the right one.

'Yeah, what was I, babe?', he's teasing Betty.

'Uhm..., you, uh..., were... uhm..., a lot of things', Betty tries to wiggle her way out of this turn of their conversation.

'Uh huh, I know. But please enlighten me, what was I?', he's not letting her off the hook. And she can hear his delight in this. The way she squirms, not wanting to answer his question, he absolutely loves this.

'Ok, so you weren't the most amazing guy back then. You happy now? But you weren't thick. You were always smart. You just decided to use mainly the brain between your legs then on top of your neck', Betty says defeated. Sighing out loud.

'Yeah, that sounds about right', his low chuckle soothes her racing thoughts.

'I'm sorry. I always feel like, you think that I thought you were a bad person back then. You weren't, and I don't think that. You were just lost. And I'm glad I found you', she tries to explain.

'I know, and you have no idea how much I love you for finding me. But back to you and your gorgeous genius amazing self. You're going to rock that interview. You will see. I believe in you', and with that he sends her off with a little pep talk.

And the interview went well, very well to be exact. Daniel was not wrong, though she would never admit it to him. They told her she could expect a message from them in less then two weeks. And she got a message. Within one week she got the job offer. She can start the job as soon as she wants and is able too. They know she has to get out of her contract with Meade Publications. Which lucky for her is not going to be complicated.

So at the end of that workday, she prints out the release form Daniel needs to sign and walks over to his office. It was quitting hour and her co-workers all pack up their things and leave. Sarah on the other hand is still there and working diligently.

'Hey Sarah, you're not going home?'

'Yeah, I'm not sure if he needs anything else, so I thought to stay for a little while longer'

'Ok, one thing you need to know about Daniel. He forgets about time completely. When he's working like that, he forgets to eat, send you to lunch or sending you home. You don't necessarily have to take care of his lunch, but always care about your own. And when it's quitting hour? Just give him a heads up, and when he doesn't need anything else he tells you to go. Believe me. You won't have any private time if you don't do it. And you won't survive long', Betty explains to her.

'But didn't you always took care of his lunch, staying late with him after hours?'

'Well, I was a special case, I guess. First, I was really desperate to learn as much from him as I could. As fast as I could. And second, we became good friends, well best friends in a really short amount of time. It never really felt like a burden to me. Or like a waste of my time. And third, I enjoyed staying late, helping him out. I'm really good at it, too. We make a great team. Speaking professionally. And I really like being needed around. If you know what I mean?'

'Are you talking about the whole 'Daniel, needs me'-thing? Yeah, I definitely heard about that. I wasn't sure if that was something I should believe or not', Sarah giggles.

'Well, believe it, we developed a co-dependency real quick. Wait a second', Betty walks over to his office, stands in the door and knocks on the doorway.

'Hey, do you still need Sarah around? Or can she go home?'

'Oh my god, I'm so sorry. No, she should go. I totally forgot', his remorseful look on his face is cute. He cares so much about those around him.

'You heard him, go, safe yourself, before you get sucked back in', Betty says to Sarah before walking over to his desk and sits down in one of his chairs, smile small and tense. The look he gives her is careful. He sees the paper in her hands, sighs defeated. His red lining pencil long forgotten on his table, when he leans back in his chair.

'You have a job offer, don't you?', he knew that this was inevitable, but it still hits him in his core. He not only loves having her around and functions better knowing she is only a short walk away from him. It really hits him, that they started this together. He learned doing his job as EiC of MODE from and with her. He could've never done his job without her back then. And they are such an incredible team. How could he not feel remorse over letting all that go? Relationship or not, this sucks.

'Yeah', she nods heavy. She doesn't like this either. That much is sure. But she is only moving on from MEADE PUBLICATIONS. Not the Meades in general. And that only because they have something so much better now.

'Ok, tell me, who was clever enough to hire you? It is NYRB, isn't it?', her little nod confirms his thought. 'Of course, you said the interview went well, and your perfect for it. They would've been dumb to not hire you. That's your release form?'

'Yeah', she nods small. Her voice thick with emotions. She is at a loss for words. She thought she was prepared for this. But she wasn't. And he can see the panic in her eyes. 'I can always call them, you know. Say that I made a mistake. That I'm staying at MODE or MEADE PUBLICATIONS in general. I take your offer. Go to a different Publication. I don't know. Maybe I could be a freelance writer for more than just one Publication? Maybe I shouldn't leave. Maybe I should stay a little longer and...'

'Stop', his wet eyes bore into hers. He shakes his head. 'I'm so proud of you. This is what you always wanted, Betty. To write about things that are important and matter. Don't settle for something below your worth because your afraid to leave. My offer doesn't stand anymore. I want you out of here. If you don't take that job, I'm going to fire you. Banne you from MEADE PUBLICATIONS. At least for now'

'You wouldn't do that', Betty is shocked. Why would he do that to her? Doesn't he know how much this hurts? How her heart breaks for leaving him? Even if it's just professional? They've been hear before, and it was always too hard to take that step. There was always something that made her see, that she was meant to stay at MEADE. No other job could offer her what MODE can. Though she isn't sure if it is purely professional anymore. If it ever was purely professional.

'Try me, Betty', a small tear slips down his face. 'I hate this, just as much as you do, but I can't hold you back. I won't hold you back. I hate the thought of not being able to see your brilliant smile whenever I want to. But this is what needs to be done. For your career and our relationship. You said it yourself. And we knew that this would happen one day. You always said that you don't want to stay at MODE forever. That you have to start somewhere. And it's not as if we never see each other again. We just don't see each other at work'

He looks as broken as Betty feels herself. Another small tear slips down his face. And Betty couldn't stand to be so far away from him any longer. She stands up and walks around his desk. Sits down on his lap. His arms immediately engulfing her in a bone crushing hug. His breath laboured against her neck. She wipes away his tears, silently sheds a few of her own.

'I don't know if I survive without you. The thought of a job without you is so scary. Here at MODE we both started our journey together. Grew up together and found our places. But there? I will be all alone. Completely on my own. Your not going to be there to cheer me on', she tries to keep in her sobs. Is failing majorly. His head whips up, is shocked to see her break down like that. They're both know how much he needs her. It's a well known fact. And seeing Betty in such a heart wrenching state, it breaks his heart. This capable and genius woman needs him more then he thinks. Who would've thought. And he hates that he likes it so much. To see her in such a despair over leaving him behind.

'God, baby, you're going to be so amazing. I know it. I believe in you. They wouldn't have hired you, if they wouldn't think you are the perfect fit for the position', he's wiping the tears away. Softly cupping her face in his hands. 'And I will always cheer you on. I'm just going to be on the sidelines and not directly on the field'

'What if it's just another coin toss? What if I were heads again?'

'I should've never let you know that. Betty, a publication like NYRB is not like MODE. Believe me. They didn't just toss a coin. Your not some heads or tails. They are picking out they're editors carefully. I talked to the Editor-in-chief over the last two years on a regular basis on these godawful events my mom likes to drag me to. Frederic Kellner is a highly professional man, who is very concerned about his magazine and what's best for it'

'You know my new boss, boss?', Betty says, tears subsiding, her hands rubbing over her eyes like a little child does.

'Kind of, though I doubt he remembers me. I'm a small light when it comes to those kind of meetings'

'I'm not so sure about that. He said he was very impressed by my recommendation letter. Which I had no idea off. And because I highly doubt that Wilhelmina would ever write one. I guess, he was talking about you, wasn't he? He reached out to you?', she was waiting for Daniel's confirmation with a little nod before continuing. 'Yeah, that's what I thought. He said something about if Daniel Meade has such a high opinion of my work ethic he would be silly not to hire me. I think you don't know how impressed the Publishing Community is by your work'

'I don't know about that. And yeah, I kind of got a little carried away. He probably suspects something. I guess I wasn't very subtle. Not that it wasn't true. But we should probably get a statement out when you're settled in at your new job. Or have a really obvious date. Whatever you're more comfortable with', his hands soothingly rub up and down her back. She nestles her head in the crook of his neck, takes in his familiar scent.

'I'm surprised they haven't found out yet. I thought for sure we would already be busted', she chuckles lightly.

'Yeah, and as nice as it is to have this to ourselves. I can't help but fear that it will all blow up in our faces. The longer they don't realize what's going on, the worse the assumptions are going to be', he sighs deeply concerned, more for her sake than for his own though.

'I wouldn't worry too much about it. If they haven't realized it by now, then they haven't payed enough attention. So it's not our fault. It's not like we tried to hide it from them. And what is the worst they could say? That this goes on for years? That you cheated on Molly with me? That I cheated on my boyfriends with you? That's bullshit and everyone knows it. We have so many reliable witnesses on our side who could speak up on our behalf. No, I wouldn't worry too much. And we know Byron, god damn it we had a bbq with him. He knows what we've been through. I actually don't think that he would do this to us. Not anymore. But why wait til I'm at NYRB? If you would feel better about it, we could get a statement out at the end of the week. Maybe with the Friday afternoon or evening news and go on a not so subtle very obvious date. Let them see and hear. I don't really care how we do it. You're more familiar with this kind of think', she rants down. Rubs her nose along his neck. God, he smells so good.

'You're amazing and I like that idea. Let them see and hear about us. Okay, we'll do that. I take you out on Friday. Somewhere a little more public. Just to make sure, I guess', he sighs, watching the release form burning a whole in his desk. He won't like this change, but it's necessary, and if it means they can be together he'll do it anyways.

Friday comes and for sure at 7 p.m. Daniel picks her up and takes her out to one of Manhattan's It-Restaurants. If you want to be seen, you go there. Well, they don't want to be seen. Not really. No, that sounds wrong. It's more that they don't care about who sees them or that they're seen together. They are definitely fine with that. They don't want people all over them. And they most certainly don't want paparazzi invading their privacy. They just want to be together. But the statement was out. This afternoon TMZ brought the News of former playboy extraordinaire Daniel Meade being taken off the market again. Since four and a half month already. By non other then his once non-fashionable longtime assistant turned gorgeous, feisty and curvaceous bombshell of a Latina, that soon starts a new job as an Editor at NYRB. Byron was sweet about it. Shocked, but sweet. Congratulated them and wished them the best for their future. She gave her new boss a heads up. Didn't want him to get the wrong idea. And what was it they say? There is no such thing as bad press? She could only hope her new boss thinks that as well.

She dressed for the occasion. Made sure she looked her best. The Christina McKinney original that was in the box for month, for sure being the best choice. It was a classic. Christina had a thing about showing off her boobs, and with this design she kept her word. For this tasteful burgundy cocktail dress, Christina had chosen a deep u-neckline. It will most definitely highlight one of her best features, as Christina likes to call them. For the back she decided to go with a zipper detail along the whole length. The sleeves short and classic, only covering her shoulders and about two inches of her upper arm. It fits like a second skin. And paired with the classic black heels Justin gave her when she first got her Editor job at MODE, she looks absolutely sophisticated. Her curls clipped up into a slightly unruly mess on top of her head with a few strands falling around her face and neck, she actually thinks that they can't find a single flaw. Not if she can hide her clumsiness for one evening. Her ever so subtle make up and contacts a constant companion ever since they were on they're first date. She liked having perfect eyesight without glasses caging her in. Was even contemplating to get lasicsurgery. Daniel keeps saying that he likes her with her glasses. They would make her look sophisticated, smart and like a hot librarian. That gorgeous jerk thinks he would need to get used to her without them. But then he likes her with contacts as well. He feels like he can see more of what lays behind her eyes, when they're not shielded by her glasses. And he likes that even more. Either way. It's her decision. He will be fine with both and support her no matter what.

Sitting down across from Daniel in the fancy restaurant she feels as nervous as she can be. She can feel all their eyes on her. Watching her every move. Burning on the back of her head and all over her skin. Looking for flaws in her appearance or a mistake she makes. An unforgivable faux-pas.

'God, Babe, you look absolutely stunning tonight. If I would've known you would wear that, I wouldn't have bothered to go out. I would've just kept you to myself', his hand reaches over the table, takes her in his, places a small kiss on her wrist before intertwining their fingers. The soft blush creeping up her cheeks delightfully turning him on even more.

'I guess, I'm a little self-conscious. I'm not used to this kind of attention. And a little part of me didn't want to let you down. So I thought I should really look my best. At least tonight, when all eyes are going to be on us. Especially me', her small voice and downcast eyes are betraying her insecurities.

'You could never let me down, and you look gorgeous no matter what you wear. You know I think that right?'

'Yeah, I'm not insecure when it comes to you, just the public. Being scrutinized like that'

'Maybe we shouldn't have done this. If this makes you uncomfortable, then we could go, any second. It's no problem. I just really want to be with you'

'No, I'm not uncomfortable to be with you, I just need to distract myself a little from the whole paparazzi thing. Tell me something. Get my mind of things', she takes his hand in hers, starts playing with his fingers. The smallest and most delicate caress imaginable.

'Well, you know, there is this curvaceous bombshell of a Latina that really distracts me from all the paparazzi. And who could really blame them for wanting your picture? The way you look tonight - absolutely gorgeous, insanely glowing and...'

'...so well-loved', she sighs a loving smile on her face. Slowly pulling him closer by his hand. This feels almost normal now. When they manage to power through a little longer she's going to be fine and forgets about them all.

'Yes, so well-loved. For sure', his raspy whisper travels all over her body, makes her shiver while he slowly bends over the table. When they meet in the middle she sees a lot of camera flashes go off, but ignores them as good as she can. All she feels is Daniel.

So she deepens the kiss, Betty lets her hand glide over his arm and nestle into his neck. When his hand cups her chin she looses all rational thought. Finally getting lost in him. Pushing the thought of being out in public to the very least back of her mind.

'Excuse me, are you ready to order?', a waiter comes up to them.

'Sure, can I please see the wine card?', Daniel says nonchalant.

'Yes, of course, Sir. Just a second', the waiter disappears for a second and comes back immediately.

'Ok, what are you in the mood for. Red or white', Daniel asks looking up at her for a fleeting second while examining the card.

'Rosé', she smiles mischievously, biting her lower lip.

'You just know how to be perfectly awkward, don't you?', his brilliant smile shining through the whole restaurant. Makes her see nothing but him. The paparazzi long forgotten.

'I'm just messing with you. I don't really care. You have excellent taste in wine. Choose whatever you feel like', she smiles, laying her hand on his forearm.

'No, no, you want Rosé, you get Rosé. Let's see..., can you bring us a bottle of the French Muse de Miraval, please?', Daniel looks up and hands the card back to the waiter.

'Of course, Sir', and the waiter is gone again.

'God, you're awfully good at this', she gushes, while her finger draws gentle figures on his forearm.

'It's years of teaching and forced participations at those awful events my parents had to go to', his smile is so soft.

'Well, don't get me wrong, but I'm so turned on by the fact you actually know your way throughout a wine card. Like I said. I wouldn't have minded. You do have excellent taste when it comes to wine', Betty fans herself for a second and lets out a huffed breath. His chuckle rumbles deep through the place.

'No, really, makes me want to do that thing you loved so much', she says cryptic, raising one perfectly plucked eyebrow.

'Huh? What thing? There are a lot of things you do that I love'

'You know, in the shower? Last week? When I..., you know?', she tries to hint to him. And when his eyes get huge as saucers, nearly rolling out of his sockets. His breath hitching and a little blush creeping up his neck. She tries to stifle her giggle.

'Oh, wow, that's like, uh..., that's like, uh... - ...wow', he breaths out, gets a faraway look on his face. He's lost in his own memories of last week and when she went down on him for the first time, in the shower of all places. God, she was so astonishingly skillful. Got him near the brink in less than a minute. The way she kept looking up at him through her lashes? That mental image stays with him for a while. He couldn't let it go just yet. Makes him so unaware of their surroundings for a few seconds. So much that he didn't hear the soft thud of her shoe falling from her foot. Or her scooting even more forward. But when her soft foot is slowly running up his leg, his eyes snap to her. The mischievous glint in her eyes taking his breath away. 'Betty, what are you up to?'

'What do you mean? I'm not up to anything', she says innocently, softly lets her foot trail even further up his leg, stops at his knee to caress it for a little while. Before pushing her way along his inner thigh. The sharp breath he's taking in and the way his muscles tense up, gives her a little ego boost. When he lets his hands fall down into his lap to grab her foot before she can move even further, she gives him a sweet playful pout.

'Wow, this is new. What happened to my Betty?', he says excited, massaging her foot for a minute.

'This is a new Upgraded version of her', she lets her head drop back, enjoying the foot massage for a second. He is magnificently good at this.

'Uuuuh, very sexy. Do I get to play with her?'

'Only when you behave, Mr. Meade', she teases him, letting her nails rake over his arm.

'Hell, yes', he lets her foot go, lets her do, whatever she wants to do. He enjoys himself to much. This flirty, bold and beyond sexy new side to her is blowing his mind. And if it does come down to it, he could always just hide his very obvious arousal for her, behind his jacket. He knew exactly why he would need it tonight.

Through their dinner, Betty did behave herself. Playing footsie under the table. She was getting slightly tipsy from the wine they were having. Which made her even flirtier and loosen her tongue a little. Exactly like the family weekend they had.

When their dessert was served she immediately digs into her mousse au chocolate.

'Hmmmm, oh my god, this is amazing', she moans, her eyes closed, her lips still sinfully wrapped around the spoon. Opening her eyes, she beams at Daniel. 'You need to try this. Tell me, that this is not the most amazing mousse au chocolate you ever had', she spoon feeds him a little of her dessert. Looking at him expectantly.

'You're right. It's the best I ate out of France', he chuckles.

'Out of France?', her eyes are huge, licking every little drop of dessert of her spoon.

'I'll visited Alexis and DJ, remember?'

'Oh, right, I forgot about that. Well I've never been, but I think this it's the best I had in Manhattan. And I had a lot', she moans, having a little drop of chocolate on her upper lip. She's unaware of it, and he really wants to taste it off of her lips. It's going to taste a hundred times better, he's sure.

Daniel leans over, wraps his hand around her chin and moves her to him. Her eyes closing just before he licks the little spot of her lip. The little whimper in the back of her throat makes him loose all rational thought. He claims her lips in a feverish passionate kiss.

'Wow, I think I want my favourite dessert now', she whispers against his lips, her hand softly brushes through his hair.

'You're full of great ideas tonight', he mumbles, while raising his hand for the bill.