On the Rim of Love

At the end of the meal, right before dessert, Jeffrey reached for Maggie’s hand.

“Maggie, we have been seeing each other for a while, and now that you’re done with school, I think it’s time that we took our relationship to the next level.” Jeffrey placed a robin-blue jewelry box on the table.

Maggie stared back at him, suddenly at a loss for words.

“Go on, open it.”

Slowly, Maggie pulled on the white ribbon. Inside, was a smaller box of black velvet. Feeling Jeffrey’s expectant gaze upon her, Maggie flipped open the lid. A giant diamond glinted against the black material.

“Timing is everything, and I think that right now is the perfect timing for us, don’t you?” Jeffrey pressed on without waiting for her answer, “There are a lot of opportunities for me at the network, Maggie, and our engagement will show my father that I am a ‘reliable fellow,’ to use his words exactly. You see, my father is rather old-fashioned, and he has made it pretty clear that he expects me to settle down before he is going to entrust me with a more serious role in the company. When it comes to climbing the corporate ladder a man’s character is often judged by his personal life, and I do plan to climb to the very top.”

Maggie blinked, wondering what getting engaged had to do with timing and reliability.

“Of course, that is not the main reason why I want to marry you.” Jeffrey reached for her hand. “I love you, Maggie. We are perfect for each other. But when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder a man’s character is often judged by his personal life, and I do plan to climb to the very top.” Jeffrey winked.

“Yes.” Maggie nodded.

“I’m so glad.” Jeffrey put the ring on her finger where it dangled loosely.

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Lucky Charm

The wheat-blond back of the man’s head looked unmistakably like Jeremy’s, and the bleached blond updo of his female companion belonged to none other than Jeremy’s book agent, Athena Christy - a statuesque blond whose credentials were as powerful as her looks. The two sat together at a small table - the kind that every New York café with sidewalk space puts out at the slightest sign of warm weather.

Annabel told herself that there was nothing for her to be worried about – there was nothing wrong with an author having a meal with his book agent. She was about to walk over and say hello, but the sight of Athena putting her arm on Jeremy’s shoulder, stopped her dead.

Her heart pounding like a sledgehammer, Annabel j-walked across the street and slipped into the grocery shop next to the café, quickly ducking beneath the row of flowers that stood in the shop’s window. From her cover up she peered at the table on the sidewalk, hoping that she had been mistaken, but the way Jeremy and Athena leaned into each other, like a couple, along with the sight of Jeremy’s hand on Athena’s thigh left no room for excuses. 

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