Previously on Move– Read Chapter 2 HERE

Liam sits at his desk, clicking about on his computer.

His screen reads… City Sky Caterers recent status update.

City Sky Caterers will be catering a business mixture tonight at Hilton Hotel @ 8PM

All Manhattan businesses invited!

Liam’s eyes sparkle as his lips curve into a smirk.

***

Aria rushes into a fancy hotel, straightening her white button down and black pencil skirt. 

Mr. Lee watches her enter. He arrogantly checks his watch.

“Your lucky Lenz. This time,” he says coldly.

Aria stops and glances his way, as workers shuffle about setting up for yet another big Manhattan event.

“Is there something you’d like to say?”

Aria glares at him.

“Because it’d be a shame if you lost your job. How on earth will you pay for those dance classes you’ve been taking? Although I don’t suppose they’re working considering what a klutz you are… how could you possibly know how to dance?” he chuckles under his breath.

Aria’s glare intensifies.

“Nothing to say? No? That’s what I thought,” he says turning on his heel.

“You are such a dick,” Aria says loudly, her hands on her hips, chin held high, feet firm.

The whole room stills. Silence. All eyes on Aria then suddenly darting between her and Mr. Lee. Her friends all fearing what comes next.

“What did you say to me?” he says turning toward her, his hands clenching into fists, the vein on his temple becoming more prominent by the second.

“Did I stutter?” Aria asks with gleaming confidence.

A gasp escapes a co-worker named Molly’s lips involuntarily as she watches.

Mr. Lee’s eyes narrow, as he bares his teeth like a wolf, the war between he and Aria just beginning. How dare she undermine his power!

“You’re fi-“

“No YOU are done talking to me that way. You think your better than me? Why because you were once a preppy youth with a trust fund, a little rich boy on a power trip. And then what? You got too old to actually do anything with your life. Your shit stinks just like the rest of us. I dare you to try lasting even one second in my shoes, in any of our shoes. It’s not easy going after your dream. It takes everything you have. But you don’t have the balls you measly little excuse for a man. So you come in here everyday and try to feel better about yourself by ordering people around. Well no more.”

Aria unties her apron, dropping it at his feet.

“I quit,” she says walking out swiftly.

For the first time ever- Mr. Lee is stunned speechless.

A few of Aria’s co-worker friends drop their aprons too.

“Yea if she’s out, I’m out, she’s the only reason this job was borderline bearable,” Molly says heading for the exit.

“Me too,” Kevin says.

“Wait for me!” Blake calls following suit.

Waitresses, waiters, dish cleaners, cooks all filing out after Aria.

Aria steps outside the hotel and exhales the breath she’s been holding in since she started working for that horrible man. She hears footsteps coming up behind her.

She turns being greeted by her co-workers.

“That. Was. Awesome,” Molly says with a smile.

“You guys, what did you do?” Aria asks with concern.

“We quit,” Blake says.

Aria’s eyes go wide.

“I appreciate you all backing me up, but you didn’t have to lose your income too!”

“Oh please, Aria you are the only reason we all would come to work. You made it tolerable and now that your gone, there’s no reason to stay,” Molly says.

“Really?”

“Yea, we all love you. You leave, we leave,” Kevin says.

“Aw you guys!” she says hugging them.

“So now what do we do now that we’re all unemployed?” Blake says.

“Get drunk?” Aria says with a laugh and a shrug of her shoulders.

“Hell yes!” Kevin says, as they all laugh and turn to head in the direction of the nearest bar.

A black sleek car pulls up as a familiar face steps out, buttoning his suit jacket.

Aria locks eyes with Liam.

“Aria?” he says with a smile.

“Mr. Whitmore. Good evening,” she says her eyes avoiding his.

“Evening love. Are you working tonight’s event?”

Aria looks at her coworkers.

“Not anymore,” she says with a small smile.

“Oh?”

“We all kind of just quit,” she says still avoiding his eyes.

“Yea she called our boss a dick and then threw her apron at him,” Blake blurts out.

Liam’s eyes widen.

“It was slightly less aggressive than it sounds,” Aria says laughing.

That laugh, Liam thinks.

“Well I’ve met your boss, my bet is, (Liam leans in and whispers) he deserved it. Have a good night, love,” Liam says suavely as he walks past them toward the hotel entrance.

Molly’s eyes flow from his retreating figure and over to Aria.

“Oh my god,” she mouths.

Aria rolls her eyes.

“Mr. Whitmore!” Molly calls out.

“What are you doing?” Aria whispers to her, grabbing her hand.

“Shh,” Molly says squatting Aria away. “Half the staff quit, this event is going to suck, why don’t you just come join us for a drink instead, help us celebrate our freedom!”

“Um-” Liam ponders, wanting to say yes but unsure if it would be awkward for Aria.

“Molly. I’m sure Mr. Whitmore has better things to do.”

This is my shot, she needs to know I’m interested, he thinks.

“Well considering my plans just literally walked out the door, I guess I could go for a drink.”

Molly gives Aria a look of satisfaction.

“Right this way,” Molly says gesturing.

Liam smiles walking, as the guys introduce themselves to him, he shakes their hands, internally sizing each of them up. Are these two competition, he thinks.

Molly admires Liam’s build, getting lost for a beat.

Aria waves her hand in front of Molly’s line of vision. She snaps back.

“How do you know him?”

“He was at the last event…he helped me out with Lee.”

“He’s the business billionaire who came to your rescue. The one who actually got Lucifer Lee to apologize to you?”

“Yup. But let’s be clear about something– I didn’t need rescuing.”

Molly rolls her eyes.

“Oh my god he could rescue me all he wants. He is hot!”

“Really, You think so?” Aria says following Molly as they try and catch up to the guys.

“You don’t?” Molly says making a face of confusion.

Aria ponders as she walks.

***

 

The gang walks into the bar.

Molly pulls Liam’s hand toward the counter, Aria shakes her head. Shameless, she thinks.

Liam glances back at Aria who chats with Kevin and Blake.

“Are we drinking here, or what?” Molly screams.

Aria laughs as she walks over.

“I’ll have a beer,” Aria tells the bartender.

“Make that two,” Blake says walking over to join.

“Three,” Kevin yells from the corner where he plays an old fashioned arcade game.

“Three beers it is,” the bartender says.

“Mr. Whitmore?” Aria says turning toward him.

“Aria, I think you can call me Liam now, love,” he says laughing.

“Ok Liam. (she lets out a small laugh) What would you like?” she says smiling.

Liam’s heart beat quickens. That smile. Those lips, he thinks. His eyes flicker from her glossy plump lips back up to her brown sparking eyes. Molly notices.

“Uh, beer’s good,” Liam says trying to snap out of it.

“Make that 4 Bobby,” Aria says smiling at the Bartender.

“You got it,” Bobby says popping off another beer cap and handing her the bottles.

Aria hands out the beers, her hand grazing Liam’s as she hands him his.

Molly holds up her fruity Malibu By Breeze in hand, signaling a toast. A smirk dancing on her lips as she clearly has caught onto the fact that Liam has ulterior motives.

“Cheers, to unemployment. May god be with us all!” Aria says raising her beer.

“Long live the job hunt!” Blake shouts as their drinks clink.

“Excuse me, I need to borrow Aria for just a second, enjoy the testosterone.” Molly says dragging Aria to the side. Aria starts to sip her beer, waiting for Molly to say whatever crazy thing she feels she needs to say, right at this very moment.

“Well well well, I do believe Mr. Whitmore is rather soft on you, Ms. Lenz.”

“What?” Aria says nearly spitting out her sip of beer.

“He’s soft on you.”

“Soft? What are you from the 1940’s?”

“Fine…I think he wants to bang your brains out… happy?”

“Ew, really Mol, why so vulgar?”

“Welcome to 2017.”

Aria rolls her eyes.

“You’re out of your mind.”

“Aria. I’m serious the way he’s been eyeing you, he wants you.”

“No he doesn’t, stop it.”

“Fine, don’t believe me,” Molly says walking off, “You know I’m right!” she calls as she heads back to the bar.

Aria leans against the nearby pool table, sipping her beer in contemplation.

There’s no way, a guy like Liam Whitmore is interested in me. No. Way.

Liam notices her alone and walks over.

“Are you okay, love?”

“Yea,” she smiles.

“Are you worried?”

“Yea,” she smiles again locking eyes with him.

“Look, I know that this may not be the ideal job opportunity… but my secretary is going on vacation for two weeks, I could use a temp. Maybe it’ll buy you some time while you look for something else.”

“Oh my gosh, really? You would do that?”

“Sure,” he smiles excited to be able to make her even the slightest bit happy.

“Liam. I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t-pretty sure I offered,” he smirks.

Aria looks up at him. The tension thick. The body language and proximity close.

Their hands touch as they both lean against the pool table. Aria notices and moves it away quickly.

“Just think about it. The offer will be there if you want it,” he says reaching into his suit pocket and handing her a business card.

“Thank you,” Aria says smiling and taking it.

Liam melts. There’s that award winning smile again, he thinks.

Aria looks at him again.

“Forgive me, but if you’re going to hangout with us, this tie has to go,” she says reaching up and untying it for him.

Liam’s eyes lock on hers.

“You’re gonna have to learn how to loosen up a little,” She says smiling and loosening his collar up. “There much better.”

Liam smirks, his heart beating out of his chest. He’s doing everything in his power not to grab her and just kiss her.

“Dually noted, love,” he whispers leaning in a little.

Aria feels her stomach tighten as butterflies flutter about.

Liam’s phone begins to ring interrupting their sexually charged moment.

He internally sighs and looks at the phone.

“I’m sorry love, I’ve got to take this, excuse me,” he says walking to the side.

Molly rushes over.

“Oh my god,” her eyes smiling “What did he say…did he ask you out?”

“No. He offered me a job.”

“A job? Ew. That’s no fun.”

Little did either of them know how wrong Molly would be.

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-