Either Jameson Miles has gone completely crazy, or I am in a parallel universe.
Two hours later, I sit and stare at my computer. I was too freaked out to talk about this morning’s Twilight Zone encounter in Jameson’s office when I returned. It’s taken me this long to get my head around what he said.
I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s obviously jet lagged to holy hell and is suffering some kind of delusion. My phone dances across my desk, and my favorite letter appears.
J.
I smile as I answer. “Hello, Mr. Miles.”
“How’s my girl?” his sexy voice purrs down the line.
“Are you feeling all right?” I frown.
“I’m feeling great. Why?”
“You just seem very . . .” I pause as I think of the right word. “Odd.”
He laughs his deep velvety laugh, and I feel it all the way to my bones. “I don’t feel odd.”
“You’re acting odd.”
“I’m just calling to tell you that we have a dinner tomorrow night.”
“What dinner?”
“The Media Awards,” he replies calmly.
“The Media Awards,” I repeat.
“Yes, that’s what I said.”
I look around at my two work friends, who are completely oblivious to the crazy shit that’s coming out of my running partner’s mouth. “Where is it?”
“Here in New York. My entire family will be there. You’ll get to meet everyone.”
My eyes widen in horror. “Well, what’s the dress code?”
“Black tie.”
I feel the blood drain from my face. “I don’t have any evening dresses here,” I stammer. I don’t have any at home either, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“That’s okay. I’ll have some things delivered home tonight, and you can pick what you want to wear.”
I scratch my head in confusion. “I’ll just come to the next one,” I say. “I’ll wait at home in bed for you. The Media Awards aren’t really my jam.”
“Emily,” he says calmly.
“Yes.”
“You are coming with me.”
“Jay,” I whisper as I feel nerves rise in my throat.
“I’ll see you tonight. I’ll be a little late as I have a conference call. Alan is going to meet you out the side entrance at five with the keys to the car and the apartment.”
“Okay.” I puff air into my cheeks. “See you then.”
I hang up and put my head into my hands.
“What?” Molly asks.
“Jameson has gone insane.”
“Why?”
“He told me this morning that I’m moving in with him, and now he wants me to go to some awards dinner with his entire family tomorrow night.”
Aaron’s and Molly’s eyes widen. “What?”
“And he gave me his car to use, but I don’t even know where a grocery store is in New York.”
“Oh, you would go to the one on Fifth.”
“Well, how do I get there?” I frown.
“It’s on my way. I can go with you if you want, and I’ll get on the subway from there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I haven’t got the kids this week anyway. It’s not like I’m doing anything.”
It’s five in the afternoon, and we have just finished work. “Where did he say it would be?” Molly asks as she links her arm through mine as we exit the Miles Media building through the front doors.
“Around here to the side exit.”
“What are you going to cook?” she asks.
“Hmm, rib eye with a mushroom sauce, honey carrots, and broccolini.”
“Hmm, yum. Lucky bastard. Wish someone was coming over to cook that shit for me.”
“True.” We turn the corner and look up and both stop dead on the spot. “What the fuck?” I whisper.
Alan is standing next to what looks like a time machine, and my eyes widen in horror.
Black, low slung, and the sportiest looking car I’ve ever seen. The mag wheels alone probably cost more than an average car.
Alan smiles warmly. “Hello, Emily.”
I look at the car and then at the people walking past as they stare at it. “Hi.”
He passes me the key and then a card. “This is for the car, and this is your new key to the apartment.”
I stare at them in my hand. “This is the car?” I whisper as the blood drains from my face.
He chuckles at my reaction.
Molly puts her hands over her mouth and begins to laugh nervously, reminding me that she’s here. “This is Molly, my friend,” I introduce her.
“Hello.” She smiles.
“Mr. Miles asked me to make a time with you to move your things out of your apartment.”
My eyes nearly pop from their sockets. “What?”
“Would Saturday morning suit you? I can arrange a packing service.”
My eyes flick to Molly as she stares wide eyed at me. Okay, what the actual fuck is going on here? “I’ll get back to you on that,” I reply.
He smiles kindly. “Okay.” He opens the car door. “So you know how to drive a manual, obviously.”
“Can you just hold on a minute.” I hold my finger up. “Just a minute.”
I turn my back on them and dial Jameson’s number.
“Hello,” his sexy voice purrs.
“What the hell kind of car is this?” I whisper.
“A Bugatti.”
“What’s that?” I whisper as I turn back and look at it.
“A Bugatti Veyron. It’s a limited edition.”
“I can’t drive this,” I whisper angrily.
“Why not?”
“Well.” I look around in a fluster. “I’m not a very good driver, Jameson. I’m going to crash this thing for sure.”
He laughs, and it’s deep and velvety and makes me smile.
“I assure you, Emily, anyone can drive this car. It practically drives itself. Relax. You’ll be fine.”
“When you said you had a car, I thought you meant you had a Toyota . . . like a normal person,” I stammer. “What if I crash it?”
“As long as you’re not injured, I don’t care.”
“Jameson,” I whisper.
“Babe, I’m in a staff meeting right now with twenty people sitting here. Get what you need, and I’ll meet you at home,” he says calmly.
“Oh my God,” I cry as I get an image of all his staff listening. “Goodbye.” I hang up in a rush.
I come back to Alan and Molly, and they both wait for me to say something. “It seems Jameson has gone completely crazy,” I whisper as I stare at the time machine.
Alan chuckles, and Molly stares at the car in disbelief.
“I thought it would be a Toyota.” I wince.