Betting On A Bet

What have I learned? Do not give your business card to a girl you are trying to ask out. I mean, really, what was I thinking? Who the does shit like that anyway. I am officially the worst potential date ever.

I need to get expert advice on this. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing, and getting this advice; I am going to need to bribe her. I quickly stop at one of the cafes on the corner before making my way into the office.

This cafe sells almost any type of chocolate that any girl's heart can desire but what they are best known for is their wide range of Italian cakes and pastries. Death by chocolate is what the girls at the office call them. And of course, they make the best damn latte this side of town. I grab my order and head across the road to my building.

Chase Enterprises is a jack-of-all-trades Enterprise Company that offers hardware and software solutions to whatever your need is. It started off as a hobby in my college years and turned into one of the top three enterprises in the country today.

I cross the lobby as I enter and take the elevator to the very top floor. I brace myself as the door opens.

"Morning...oh, it is afternoon... Afternoon Mr. Chase."

"Afternoon Tajsa."

"You have a couple of messages, well more like thirty, eight is from a Miss Amé. There is a parcel from a Miss Ava and flowers from your usual unknown. I had to cancel your two o'clock because you are late. Your suites are at the cleaner. Maggie said she refuses to clean your white shirts with the lipstick stains on. Mason has been looking for you, twice and I am supposed to remind you about drinks at seven downstairs at the bar. Have I forgotten anything?"

"Yes, Tajsa, you have."

"And that is?"

"Breathe, woman! You make my head spin."

I love Tajsa to bits; yes, I should not say that about my assistant, and no, I have not slept with her, and no, I have never tried. She has been there with me since day one that this started. She is a loyal employee and a good friend.

"Oh, before I forget, your latte and those chocolate Petites."

"Thank you, Mr. Chase, after having to endure that Amé eight times, I really deserve these."

"Sorry about that. I will give her a call, and I want to ask you something whenever you got a minute."

"Well, you might as well do now since I am breathing for a few minutes."

I walk into my office, and she follows me, taking a seat on one of the couches.

"So what's up?"

"Now, don't get cross."

"I am already cross because you are telling me don't get cross. This has to be bad, and those other two are involved in it."

"You know us all too well."

"I did date your brother for nearly four years."

"Well, we kind of made this bet."

"Oh god, the last time you guys made a bet, I had to bail your asses out of jail."

"It's nothing that bad."

I continue to tell her about the silly bet we made at coffee this morning and then further telling her about my piss poor attempt to ask the girl out only to end up being booted under the ass later.

"That serves you right. Are you guys bored or just plain stupid? Wait, don't even answer that."

"Stop being so dramatic, Tajsa. Are you going to help me or not?"

"What is in it for me?"

"Says she that just asked me if I am stupid."

“She wants a day off at the spa, a new pair of Jimmy Choos and a Gucci bag."

"Anything else, princess?"

"Well, there is this dress, but let's see how it goes."

"First, I want to see what the girl looks like."

We pull up a picture that we find on the website for the coffee shop; she is even far more beautiful than I remember her.

"You got to be kidding me. You are hot, but your hotness ain't getting that."

"Now you sounding just like your damn ex."

"For once, the damn thing has got brains, well, only half because his stupid ass is betting on this thing too."

"I will make it two pair of Choos."

"Make it three; then we got a deal."

"Deal, I will throw in that dress too."

"Oh, we are desperate, aren't we? I wished that I recorded it."

"You have no idea what that just sounded like."

"Get your mind out the gutter, Mr. Chase."

"We still have five minutes, don't call me that."

And this is where you go, like what the hell. Tajsa and I at least twice a week share Petites and coffee and just sit on these chairs and chat. We chat about absolutely anything for half an hour as friends, no boss or assistant, just as friends, and after that, we get back to work.

"Okay, let's try the easiest first. When you see her next, ignore her."

"What? How is that supposed to work?"

"Women hate being ignored. She knows you want her; now make her think you don't want her anymore. It is going to drive her crazy; she is going to make you want to notice her."

"Is that all?"

"Yes. And for god sake, do not sleep with someone else while you are chasing her."

"Then what do I do?"

"Don't ask me, use your hand or whatever it is that you guys do. You won't die without it for a week."

"That is what you think."

We finish up our latte, and both return back to work. I take a seat at my desk; after sifting through email after email of applications for a new senior position, I finally give up. I am not focusing; my mind is consumed by this girl.

I check the time and decide to call it a day. It is a few minutes before seven, enough time for a quick change, and then head downstairs to meet the boys at the bar.

I get to the bar where they are already waiting.

"What's it with you being so fashionably late?" Mason is the first to greet me.

"How do you know what fashionably late is anyway?"

"Looks like we spent a few minutes longer in front of the mirror too." Brody, of course, has to add.

"Do you even know what a mirror looks like?"

"Someone seems a bit tense tonight," Mason says.

"Yes," Brody agrees. "What's got your balls in a knot?"

"Nothing. Can we skip this shit and go to the club?"

"I am not going to the club so early," Brody snaps at me while pulling out a chair. "Just sit your ass down and relax."

"You sounding like your ex now."

"Oh, I know what’s wrong; he had some couch time with Tajsa today."

"What did the sassy assistant have to say?" Mason asks.

"Since when is she sassy?"

"Since he punched me the last time I called her hot."

I turn to face Brody. "Since when do you care?"

"It does not mean that because she is an ex that I share."

"You have no idea how bad that sounds. And in any case, I don't allow office affairs, so you have no problem there."

We stay at the bar for another three more rounds. As nine o'clock comes around, we all head to our cars and make the ten-minute drive over to the club. Myst is like a third home; if we not here, then we either at home or the coffee shop. It has been our playground from the first time we came here, back when we were barely legal. And tonight, it seems to be packed.

I meet up with the boys in one of the booths. Trust that on a night like this; I have to keep this zipper shut.