The next day, Benjamin sat in the shadow of a huge oak, exhausted but elated. It was a rare sunny day and he was waiting at an outdoor cafe to meet with his two amazing editors to talk business. Well, one amazing editor and one who constantly grated on his last nerve.
The day before, Benjamin had been so in awe of Desiree’s ability despite her lack of experience. She was twice as book savvy as any editor he’d ever met before. And her knowledge of what Benjamin’s style, coupled with her knowledge of what would make his writing better, was invaluable. If she’d been around when Benjamin had first started out he would’ve been twice, no three times as successful as he had been on his own. This woman had only been working with him for a day and he saw his work vastly improving already. She was amazing.
Desiree was also, unfortunately, very distracting at the same time. It seemed like every minute he wasn’t working, she popped up in his thoughts. Even in his work, Benjamin found himself thinking of her, writing about her. When they’d gone over all of Desiree’s editing comments, he’d seen so many similarities in his main character and his new editor. Her speech, her movements, her fiest; it was all in his story. By some miracle, she hadn’t noticed yet, but there’d been a glint in Eliza’s eyes that said she was on to him. He shivered at the mere thought.
The ring of his brought him out of his thoughts. He glanced down to see a text from Jackson waiting for him.
Don’t forget that we have the wedding thing this afternoon. The dress is ‘morning-brunch formal’ according to Alexis. Hell if I know what that is, but just wear a nice shirt and a tie and you’ll be golden. Be preped to be my best man.
-Jack
Benjamin grimaced at the message. He hadn’t forgotten about the small wedding get together that afternoon. It’d been Alexis’ idea to get all the bridesmaids and groomsmen to get together sooner, rather than have to go through all the awkwardness of the ceremony. But Benjamin would have much rather spent the day reading or walking Sirius or writing or talking with Desiree. That last one was particularly tempting. He did not want to spend the afternoon with a whole bunch of Jackson’s frat brothers and Alexis’ sorority sisters.
Brooding about his duties as a best man he didn’t notice Eliza approach. He was made aware of her presence when she waved her hand in front of eyes, snapping his attention back to the present.
“Is anyone there?” She asked.
“No,” he grumbled back.
“I see someone is grumpy,” Eliza observed. “Though you have no right to with your little girlfriend coming. She should be here any minute, so cheer up Romeo.”
“She’s not my-”
“Oh shut it,” Eliza countered, sitting heavily in the seat beside Benjamin. Benjamin unconsciously leaned away from her, her nearness repelling him. “You sound just like your little girlfriend. I’ll tell you what I told her: as long as you keep work and play separate, we won’t have any issues.” There was an edge in her voice that was intensely intimidating but Benjamin was too horrified to notice.
This nosy witch had talked to Desiree about their relationship?! What right did she have to question what was going on between them? It was their business, not hers! She had not right. Benjamin had always known Eliza to overstep boundaries in the name of work, but this was too far!
Then again, Benjamin thought, there isn’t really anything going on between Desiree and I. There’s been plenty of flirting, but that’s all it’s been. She wasn’t really overstepping anything by asking. For some reason, this thought made Benjamin sad. Did he want there to be something that he could get angry at Eliza over? Something involving he and Desiree.
YOU ARE READING
Authors and Editors
Humor{A story for Nanowrimo! Wish me luck!} Desiree Jones was on the verge of banging her head on a wall. She was just about done dealing with the hipsters and stuck up patrons that frequented the many, many coffee shops she worked at in downtown Portlan...
