Glass Hearts by Lisa de Jong Page B

kiss my cheek.
    “It will be great having my own personal bodyguard at work. By the way, what’s up with your boss? He got really weird during my interview.” I’ve never seen someone’s mood fluctuate as much in a ten minute time period as Reid Murphy’s did.
    “What do you mean?” he asks, furrowing his eyebrows.
    “He asked where I was from and when I told him my last name, he pretty much ended the interview and said I had the job,” I reply, wiggling back and forth on my barstool.
    “Maybe he knows your mom,” he smiles.
    I smack him on the arm. “That’s not funny, but the thought did cross my mind.”
    “The good news is he’s not here very often. The bad news is, when he is here, he’s pretty moody. It’s best to ignore the crazy fuck. He probably just wants to get in the pants of the most beautiful woman in New York City,” he says, whispering the last part so only I can hear it. I reach up to give him a quick kiss on the lips, but he grabs my face in his hands and begins to work his lips over mine. I completely forget where we are when I fist his shirt and press as close to him as I can. Our mouths move like they were meant for this…meant for each other.
    “Wright, get your ass to work right now!” I hear someone yell from the corner of the room. I look up to see Reid staring at us. His suit jacket is off, and his shirt is partially unbuttoned, but my eyes quickly lock on an ice pack wrapped around his hand.
    “Are you okay?” I ask, pointing to his hand.
    “What?” he asks, looking down at his injured hand. “Oh, that. It’s nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow night, Ms. Riley, and Mr. Wright, you’re on the clock. Act like it.” He walks out of the room, slamming his office door behind him.
    “Asshole,” Dane curses under his breath. “I better get back to work, baby. I’ll see you when I get home.”
    “Okay, see you later.”
    “Be careful. I want you in one piece under my sheets when I get home,” he says, quickly brushing his lips over mine. I finish my water and walk out of the bar a huge smile on my face. I’m employed, and I still get to spend my evenings with Dane.
    The sun is just starting to set as I step outside. The suits and briefcases have disappeared, replaced by casually dressed people ready for a night on the town. Horns honk almost constantly as cars try to weave in and out of traffic and a mixture of music fills the otherwise quiet night. I love the city sounds, but after our trip to the country last week I realize I enjoy some calm and quiet too. Maybe we can take a weekend trip to the city sometime soon, I think as I approach our apartment building. But then I remember who we are, we’re broke college students who work in a bar. I think back to all the trips I took with my parents and realize I would rather live every day with Dane in our small, cramped apartment in the city than travel the world.
    By the time I reach the apartment, my clothes are clinging to my body from the warm, humid summer air. I jump in the shower quick and throw on some cotton shorts and a camisole top before sitting on the couch with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. It would be nice if Dane could join the party too, but someone has to pay the rent.
    I turn on Pretty Woman, and I’m three bites into my ice cream when my phone starts to ring. I’m tempted to let it go to voicemail, but then I think of Jade and how many times I call her for random things late at night.
    “Hello,” I say, setting my ice cream on the coffee table.
    “Hi, Alex. I hope it’s not too late, but I’ve been working late at the hospital, and this seems to be the only time I can call anyone.” Gwen. I haven’t seen her since the art show, but we talk at least once a week. She doesn’t mention my parents, and I don’t ask about them. I’m sure they don’t ask about me, either.
    “Hey, how are you?” I ask, curling myself up in the corner of the couch.
    “I’m okay, I guess.” I can hear her