The Meaningless Wedding Band (standard:romance, 3705 words)
Author: Rich Eubanks	Added: Sep 23 2005	Views/Reads: 3493/2501	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
You finally meet that perfect person but that wedding ring, however meaningless everyone says it is, is still there.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

what the poor girl might be thinking, “it's the term the guys use for 
the next customer to come in.  They take turns with customers and if 
it's their turn then they say they're up.”  Jane laughed then 
continued, “You don't even want to know what I thought the first time I 
heard that expression.” 

“Well,” Charlotte laughed back with Jane and began to relax a little now
that she knew that Jane was mostly just talk and fun to be with, “are 
there any other expressions in their language that I might need to be 
familiar with?” 

“Lots!”  Jane quickly replied.  “But half the fun is learning as you go
along.”  Jane continued to lead Charlotte down the hallway that led to 
the showroom floor.  “And you'll find out that it really is a lot of 
fun working around these people.  They're all about half crazy.” 

“Well,” Charlotte stopped when they entered the showroom floor and she
had a chance to look around at the dozen or so nicely dressed men 
wandering around the large showroom, “And some are more than half 
gorgeous too.” 

“Now, now,” Jane chided Charlotte and as she led her towards the first
of the salesmen to introduce her she added, “and more than half are 
married too.”  Jane stopped a few feet from the first man they came to. 
“Jim, have you got a moment?” 

“I've got all the time we'll need, Sweetheart.”  Jim smiled seductively
at Jane then noticed the tall bombshell standing beside her.  “And just 
where did you find this gorgeous creature?” 

“Do I have to throw a bucket of water on you?”  Jane spoke loudly enough
for anyone around to hear.  “Jim, this is Charlotte and she's going to 
be the new receptionist.”  Jane hesitated only long enough for the two 
to acknowledge each other then quickly asked, “how's your wife and 
kids, Jim?” 

“You certainly can be a bitch, Jane.”  Jim tried to pretend to tease but
it was clear that he was slightly annoyed.  “Nice to meet you 
Charlotte,” he shook her hand but just before letting go added in a 
lower tone, “my wife is very married but I can be as unmarried as I 
need to be.” 

“At least some of these guys seem to be decent men.”  Charlotte was
relieved to be introduced to a man who didn't come on to her and even 
spoke of his wife during their brief conversation. 

“Oh,” Jane chuckled as she spoke, “they're all OK, they're just a little
full of themselves.”  She smiled at Charlotte and added, “I guess 
that's what makes them good salesmen.  Just don't take much they say 
too seriously.”  Jane turned to look around and see if there was anyone 
she'd missed introducing Charlotte to.  “Wait ‘till you meet this one.” 


“What's wrong with him?”  Charlotte looked in the direction that Jane
was looking and saw the back of a man.  The guy was at least six-four 
or six-five, a butt that was made for the nice slacks and a sport coat 
that had to be custom made for those wide shoulders.  When she finally 
pulled her eyes far enough up from the eye-candy she noticed that his 
hair was as dark black as her own, and the natural waves made her want 
to go up and run her hands through it before she even met him.  “He's 
gorgeous.” 

“He sure is, Sweetie,” Jane shook her head as she spoke, “but you'll
have to get in line.”  Just before Jane and Charlotte got close enough 
for Jane to speak to the man, she added, “I think just about every gal 
who's ever worked here has lusted after Troy but nobody I know of has 
ever succeeded.”  Jane cut her sentence off as the two approached the 
young man and spoke in a bit louder voice.  “Troy?  Are you busy?” 

“Oh hi, Jane.”  Troy spoke as he turned from the computer stand he'd
been using to research a car for a client who'd called earlier with a 
question.  “A little,” he smiled sweetly as he answered Jane, then 
noticed Charlotte, “but never too busy for the company of two pretty 
young ladies.” 

“Troy Pierson,” Jane nodded to Troy, then turned her head to Charlotte,
“Charlotte Townsend.”  She hesitated long enough for the two to take 
each other's hand and noticed that the contact would last a little 
longer than usual so she added, “Charlotte will be the new day 
receptionist.” 

“Well,” Troy was still holding Charlotte's hand as he spoke, “it's
really a delight to meet you, Charlotte Townsend, and I look forward to 
seeing you every day.” 

“Charlotte?”  Jane finally became impatient and wanted to finish the
introductions so she could get back to her own work in the office.  “We 
really need to be moving along.” 

“Oh,” Charlotte's face blushed as she realized that she was still
holding on to Troy's hand and staring into his striking hazel eyes, 
“I'm looking forward to it as well, Troy.” 

“Almost unbelievable, isn't he?”  Jane whispered to Charlotte as soon as
they were out of hearing range. 

“He really is,” Charlotte answered truthfully but with a sound of pure
despair added, “but I just noticed the damn ring.” 

“Oh that?”  Jane smiled at Charlotte's disappointment.  “It's nothing at
all, Sweetie.”  Jane shook her head and continued, “Just because I said 
that none of the women here have ever been fortunate enough to 
experience this hunk,” Jane hesitated and considered her thoughts, “it 
doesn't mean that he wouldn't if he met the right lady.”  Jane turned 
to Charlotte and spoke with a knowing woman-to-woman awareness.  “I've 
heard tales from the other salesmen that after work, our Troy, can be 
quite the womanizer.” 

“But the wedding band?”  Charlotte couldn't believe how little marriage
seemed to matter to people at a car dealership. 

“Oh that,” Jane laughed and reiterated, “like I said before, Charlotte,
it's really nothing at all.  It doesn't mean a thing.”  Before Jane 
could continue she noticed the owner's son about to leave through the 
front door and didn't want to miss the opportunity for Charlotte to 
meet him.  “George!”  Jane yelled across the floor over the new Lexus 
between them.  “Have you got a moment?” 

----------------------------------- 

“What time do you go to lunch?”  Troy had purposefully been quiet as he
approached the receptionist's desk and spoke in a near whisper to break 
Charlotte's concentration on the mindless paperwork she was working on. 


“At eleven,” Charlotte spoke before looking up and seeing Troy's hazel
eyes so close to her own, “but,” she spoke after realizing who it was 
and hesitated as she gathered her senses, “I brought my own so I'll 
probably just work through.” 

“What'd you bring?”  Troy backed away a little to allow Charlotte her
space after sensing her discomfort. 

“Oh,” Charlotte found it impossible to not return Troy's gorgeous smile,
“just some fruit and juice,” she nervously reached for the paper sack 
under her desk and opened it showing the man it's contents, “see, an 
apple, a pear and some juice is all.” 

“Well,” Troy spoke with a salesman's authority, “nothing that won't keep
until tomorrow.”  He took the bag out of Charlotte's hand, folded the 
top back down and, reaching over her counter to place it back where it 
was, his face brushed against her face sending waves of excitement 
through both of them.  “So,” Troy finally regained his composure and 
continued, “what kind of food do you like other than rabbit food?” 

“I really can't,” Charlotte spoke with an obvious nervousness, “I really
need to stay in the building,” she hesitated trying to think of an 
excuse, “I'm expecting a phone call.” 

“Then,” Troy, being the salesman, quickly overcame the objection, “lunch
on the grounds?”  He thought and quickly added, “On me.”  Before she 
could object further he explained, “Let me buy the new receptionist one 
of Ed's great subs.  It'll give us the chance to get to knew each other 
better.”  Before Charlotte could answer Troy turned to walk away with 
the assumptive closing line, “I'll be back at eleven.” 

“Are you a clock watcher?”  Jane had noticed that Charlotte was more
intent on the clock on the wall than the paperwork she'd asked her new 
receptionist to do.  “I couldn't help but notice.” 

“Oh,” Charlotte was embarrassed and also a little worried that her boss,
however nice and friendly, had seen her neglecting her work, “I'm 
sorry, Jane.  I was just a little flustered that Mr. Pierson had asked 
me to lunch in the cafeteria and hadn't given me a chance to say no.”  
Charlotte looked down at her desk nervously.  “I'm just dreading eleven 
o'clock and wondering how I can get out of it.” 

“Get out of it?”  Jane seemed totally shocked.  “Why in the world would
you want to get out of lunch with Troy Pierson?  Honey, you need to 
have your head examined.” 

“I'm just,” Charlotte didn't want to imply that anyone here was beneath
her in morals or ethics, so she continued as if on tip-toes, “I just 
don't feel right about him.” 

“Your loss.”  Jane realized that Charlotte was uncomfortable and decided
to let it go.  “But you do need to get you mind back on your work now.” 
 Jane turned to leave but added as she walked away, “And lunch in the 
cafeteria here isn't a date, you know.” 

Charlotte glanced at the clock one last time as Jane walked away,
knowing that she couldn't again when Jane got to her desk and could see 
her.  It would only be forty-five minutes until Troy would come back.  
Only forty-five long minutes until she would, again, savor his 
closeness, smell his fragrance, feel the electricity that he exhumed 
from his being. 

----------------------------------------- 

“Got a lunch date with the new receptionist?”  Jim chided Troy after
seeing him talking to Charlotte.  “Man what a total Babe!” 

“She isn't married,” Troy didn't usually like to talk with Jim that much
but knew that Jim would know anything and everything about any new 
female in the place, “is she?” 

“Nope,” Jim felt smug and a bit more important to have the dealership
stud at his mercy, “never has been.  Twenty seven,” he hesitated before 
showing his thoroughness, “twenty eight next month, two years of 
college at State, captain of the basketball team there but left school 
when she injured her knee.” 

“Basketball player?”  Troy stopped Jim with his interest in the
statement.  “Cool!”  Troy thought of his own prowess in the sport and 
then added, “We could sure have some really cool kids.” 

“You've never even considered going out with any of the girls here,
Troy,” Jim looked puzzled at his fellow salesman, “and now you're 
thinking about having kids with the new fox.” 

“She's just different.”  Troy thought out loud, then regained his
composure and realized he was actually confiding in a man he thought of 
as a real jerk.  “She's got class.” 

“She's got ass!”  Jim smirked at Troy.  “And you're just in heat and
want to chase her around and sniff it.” 

“Screw you!”  Troy gave Jim a look that let Jim know to back off.  “And
screw the horse you rode in on, Jim.”  Troy added and turned and walked 
away from the smaller man, smaller in both body and mind. 

“You just want her because she doesn't want you.”  Jim shot back only
after he was out of Troy's reach.  “She's probably just waiting for me 
to ask her out.” 

“Well,” Troy turned and, even though he knew this guy wasn't worth
responding to, returned Jim's insults, “if she goes out with you I'm 
sure old Ed back in the cafeteria will be with your wife that night.” 

“Hey there, Angie,” Troy's face turned instantly from anger to the
practiced smile that had closed so many deals, “how's the car doing?”  
He didn't wait for the lady to answer before adding, “already time for 
maintenance?” 

“Hi there gorgeous,” the woman was slightly older than Troy but was
extremely attractive and very well dressed for going to get her car 
serviced, “think that wife of yours would give you a kitchen pass to 
spend a little time with a lady in need?” 

“Angie, sweetie,” Troy got closer to the woman and smiled flirtatiously,
“if I were single you'd be the very first woman I'd ask out.”  He then 
leaned back regaining the space he'd had before as he added, “But isn't 
the reason you like me a lot is because I don't cheat on my wife?”  He 
held up his left hand and emphasized the golden band as he spoke. 

“I could care less about that piece of gold, Troy,” the woman made no
qualms of her intentions, “you can even keep it on in my bed if it'll 
make you feel more secure.” 

“I sure bet I'm missing the opportunity of a lifetime,” Troy looked at
the sexy woman and realized that this wasn't just one of his lines, 
“but just can't.” 

“Your loss,” the lady made a point of moving her nice butt in just the
right way as she turned and walked away, then turned her head back and 
added just before she was out of hearing range, “but, if you gain your 
senses you've got my number.” 

---------------------------------------------- 

“Ready?”  Troy realized that he, again, had managed to slip up on
Charlotte and enjoyed the pretty flush in her face due, probably, from 
his unexpected presence. 

“Troy,” Charlotte tried one last time but didn't sound convincing at all
as she finished, “I really shouldn't.” 

“Come on, Charlotte,” Troy reached over the counter and took Charlotte's
hand and pulled her gently to her feet as he spoke, “it's just lunch 
with a co-worker.”  Before she could speak he turned and, still holding 
her hand, led her down the hallway and continued to talk himself, 
“understand you played basketball in school?” 

“How did you know that?”  Charlotte didn't attempt to pull her hand from
his strong hand even though she knew she should.  “Have you been 
checking up on me?” 

“I've been checking you out ever since I met you.”  Troy tried not to
sound like a salesman but it just came too naturally after all these 
years.  “I just can't get you off my mind, Charlotte.”  Troy had 
stopped and turned to Charlotte in the empty hallway and pulled her 
close enough that only a breath of air could pass between them.  “I 
really find you irresistible.” 

“And I you,” Charlotte closed the small gap between them and felt that
same electricity she'd felt before, only this time her whole body, not 
just her face, convulsed with the charge, “but I just can't.”  She 
regained her composure and, as much as she regretted it, stepped back. 

“What is it?”  Troy spoke in a sullen tone as the two of them slowly
walked on down the hallway to the cafeteria.  “Is there someone else?” 

“Yes,” Charlotte spoke with impatience and distain, “have you forgotten,
again, about that band on your left hand?” 

“But,” Troy sounded confused, “it doesn't really mean a thing to me,”
Troy reached over with his right hand and removed it and put it in his 
pocket, “see,” he held up his hand showing only the faint tan line on 
each side of where the ring had been, “all gone now.” 

“Damn you!”  Charlotte's hand moved in a motion so fast that only an
athlete of her ability could perform.  As her hand hit its mark on 
Troy's face she reiterated, “Damn you, Troy!” 

“But,” Troy felt the first painful slap on his face and only had time
for one more, “but,” before feeling the second volley, “please, 
Charlotte,” as he tried to grab her hand she managed a third strike 
before he did catch her hand and pull her to him, “I want you.” 

“Damn,” before Charlotte could finish she felt his lips on hers and
became helpless in his embrace, “damn you, Troy,” she finished quietly 
after their lips parted, looked down at the floor but she made no 
attempt to pull away from his embrace, “I want you too.”  She lifted 
her head back up, looked into his hazel and very serious eyes before 
finishing, “I hate you for what you're doing to me.” 

“Why?”  Troy looked questionably at the woman he desired but just didn't
understand at all.  “What's wrong, Charlotte?  Tell me and I'll fix 
it.”  He didn't give her time to speak before repeating, “What's 
wrong?” 

“You're married,” Charlotte began sobbing and tears streaked down onto
her face as her words came out in muffled spurts, “it's not fair, but 
you are married.” 

“Oh!”  Troy began to laugh in an almost insensitive way, “that.” 

“Damn you, Troy!”  This time Charlotte's hand was caught before the
fatal blow could be delivered.  “You're as bad as Jim!”  She tried to 
turn to leave but Troy's hand still had a firm grip on her arm. 

“I'm laughing,” Troy tried to look more serious but still couldn't hide
the grin caused by his own newly discovered relief, “because now I 
understand.”  He tried to pull Charlotte to him, wanting to kiss this 
beautiful young woman that he now knew he'd be spending his time with. 

“You jerk!”  Charlotte was still crying and resisted Troy's magnetic
draw.  “How can you think it's funny?”  She was unable to control her 
own body and found herself pressed tightly to Troy but, in the only act 
of defiance she could maintain, pounded her fists into his chest. 

“It's funny, my precious discovery,” Troy couldn't resist hesitating
before clearing up the misunderstanding that had kept them apart but 
also had a part in getting them together, “because I'm not married at 
all.  I use that ring to keep from having to seem rude to the women I 
sell cars to.”  He felt Charlotte's hands move from his chest to the 
back of his neck.  “I found it's better to be married in the car 
business if you want to be successful.” 

“Well then,” Charlotte came up on her tiptoes and allowed her lips to
touch the lips she'd craved for days, “I hope I can help you be very 
successful.” 


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