Free The Lovely Garden by Emma Mohr

“Well, you might as well meet him since you’re already here.” I started to head toward the building, gesturing for them to follow. “Come on. I’ll lead the way.”
    The three of us went inside, and we stopped so Charles could sign in at the front desk, which was required for any guests that visited the building. I chatted with Darren for a few seconds, seeing how his wife was doing. Theresa was battling breast cancer, a battle that she was winning, it would seem. She has decided that she would have both of her breasts be removed and be done with it. Wasn’t going to even bother with getting implants. “She said she would rather be flat chested than have fake boobs,” he told me shaking his head, proud smile on his face.
    “So, what can I expect going in there?” Charles asked as we climbed the stairs, not out of breath as I was. I really needed to get back into shape.
    “Well, he’s going to be upset that you saw me, but he won’t show that.” If there was anything Jerry was, it was professional. He would never do anything that would jeopardize a new or existing account. Even if it was pretend that he liked me, which with sending me out, he never really had to do. I wondered how he was going to handle this. We were kind of blindsiding him with it.
    Charles stopped in the middle of the last flight of stairs. “Why would he be upset that I saw you?”
    Stupid. I shouldn’t have said anything. Now, I was going to have to lie, which was a terrible way to start a relationship. “He’s particular about meeting new clients.” That was a half-truth. Jerry really was particular about it, preferring to meet them in person first before introducing them to the rest of the staff. Believe it or not, I have been there a couple of times when clients arrived. Mostly due to being too busy he couldn’t afford to send me away.
    The look Charles gave me said it all. He didn’t believe me, but he wasn’t going to press me about it. I appreciated it, but hated that I couldn’t tell him what was really going on. He would insist that I go work for his friend, and if I wanted another job, I would rather find one on my own than rely on him.
    “I hate to break up the longing stare of two love-birds, but if we don’t start moving, you’re going to be late for the meeting.” I was really starting to like Rebecca. She was funny in the dry, serious way.
    I opened the door and allowed Charles and Rebecca go ahead of me. When I got into the office, Jerry was already there, greeting the pair with handshakes. A sense of satisfaction warmed my body when I saw his smile faltered slightly at the sight of me. “Here’s your coffee, sir.” I practically shoved the cup in his face. “I’m sorry, it might be a little cold. I met Charles on the way and thought I’d show him to the office.” Not subtle, but I really wanted Jerry know that I was on a first name basis with our newest prospective client. He didn’t, however, have to know that we were dating.
    “You two know each other.” The surprise in Jerry’s voice rang clear as a bell. It was hard to keep my face neutral with the urge to grin being so strong.
    Charles took it upon himself to answer. “She’s my girlfriend.” Girlfriend? We had not decided on that. Dating, yes, but not full blow girlfriend-boyfriend status. I don’t know what kind of game he was playing, but I was not amused. I would have to tell him that later. Though I might find it in my heart to forgive him. Only because the expression on Jerry’s face was priceless.
    Jerry turned to me, a strained smile on his face. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.” Of course he didn’t know. He always assumed that I was single. Probably thought I was going to stay single for the rest of my life. To be fair, I did have crazy cat lady written all over me. I was just missing the cats.
    “I like to keep my personal life and work separate.” Work really was not the place to talk about my personal life. Sure,