Carwash

Before he turned around she couldn't help but wonder how she might react were he to...what? Ask her out? 'Make a move?' It had been so long since she'd thought about such things she wasn't even sure how to refer to them.

Again she felt rather silly for even thinking about it, and when Chandler finished tucking in the very nice, button-down shirt he'd just thrown on, she forgot all about it.

"Okay, if you're ready to go," he said with a smile.

"It must be nice being able to look so good without having to do your hair and makeup," she teased as they walked out.

"Well, I could do my makeup first next time if you'd like," he teased.

Hadley tried to imagine his handsome, masculine face in drag and tried not to laugh but couldn't.

"Sorry," she said. "I was just picturing you like that."

"And?" he said with a smile as he opened his car's passenger door for her.

"Oh, you don't want to know," she told him. "It...it wasn't...pretty."

He went around and started the car then looked over at her and said, "Speaking of pretty...you really do look amazing, Hadley."

"Thank you!" she told him sincerely. "That's twice you've made me smile."

"Oh, okay. You're counting how I made you laugh thinking about me in drag, right?" he teased as he backed out.

"Oh, right. In that case then make that three times," she said smiling back at him.

As they ate Chandler asked her about the places she'd worked before and the kinds of things she'd been responsible for doing as a manager. Her first two jobs out of college were impressive in their own right, but the one she'd held until they moved to Seattle was incredible.

"You're clearly overqualified for this job and yes, I am paying you far below what you're worth, but if you want the job it's yours," he let her know after setting her resume aside.

"I do," she told him, "so I accept. I think this will be really good for me, too."

"Listen, I know how talented you are so if you grow tired of not having enough...what did you call it—pace? If that's ever the case, I'll understand. You could easily be making six figures working for a power player. Are you really sure you want to take such a...mundane job?"

"It's funny but I'd just started to seriously think about going back to work when you offered me this job. I've found myself wondering if it was more than just coincidence that I didn't notice Avery getting out of the car that day," she told him.

"Do you believe in that kind of thing, Chandler?" she asked.

"Fate?"

"Well, yes. Fate or whatever you care to call it. I never have, but this all seems so...I don't know...designed or something."

"Hmmm. Design implies a designer who imbues things with purpose, right?" he said pleasantly.

"Yeah, I guess so," she told him, again impressed with his intellect. "I really never have thought about any of this, but I mean, what are the odds Avery would get out of the car at that particular time, and that doing would so would lead us to meet, and for you to offer me a job just when I'd been thinking about it?"

"I'm afraid I can't answer that," he told her honestly. "The notion of a designer raises more questions for me than it answers. I suppose I've always just assumed things happen more or less at random and we attribute something more to it for various reasons. I admit I simply don't know, but that's my take on things. Does that even make sense?"

"Yes, it does. It takes the mystery out of it, though, and maybe I'm guilty of wanting a little mystery in my life," she admitted.

"Mystery?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. James could make me so happy by just leaving me a sweet note or calling me during lunch. I didn't need flowers or a weekend getaway. The simple stuff was more than enough. I guess maybe I'm hoping to find that those kinds of feelings are still possible. Perhaps I want that so much that I'm inventing something that doesn't exist."

"Even if it doesn't, believing it does seems pretty harmless to me," Chandler told her.

"I suppose," she mostly agreed. "Still, it seems comforting to think we have a guardian angel or something similar."

"Yes. Like your husband, right?" he said politely remembering what Avery had told him.

"Exactly," she said smiling happily. "I know James would want me to be happy, and if he can look out for us, then who knows? Maybe there was a reason Avery got out of her carseat that day. And scared me half to death."

"So you could get a crappy job working for peanuts?" Chandler teased.

"Or...or...."

"Or what?" he asked.

"Oh, never mind. That's okay. Just the fanciful musings of a middle-aged woman," she said when she realized she was doing the 'what if' thing again.

Chandler smiled at her then said, "You really don't get it, do you?"

"Get it?" she asked with a shake of her head.

"You say 'middle-aged'. I say—beautiful."

Hadley smiled and said, "That's four."

"You are, you know. Beautiful, that is. Sorry, but facts are facts," he told her not saying these things to make her feel good but because he believed them to be true.

"Five and counting?" she said sweetly.

Chandler laughed politely then asked her, "When would you like to start?"

"Now that childcare isn't an issue, I see no reason I can't start tomorrow," Hadley offered.

"No rush, Hadley. If tomorrow works best, that's fine. If you need more time, by all means, take it."

"You know, I had some concerns about working for someone so young, and someone who isn't a parent, but after getting to know you a little better, I think I'm really going to enjoy this."

"I'm sure someone could point out at least one area of political correctness you just violated there, but since I despise political correctness...." Chandler said smiling at her.

"Sorry. No offense intended about the age or your um...lack of offspring. Age is kind of out of our control, and if you want children, there's no doubt in my mind you'll have them one day."

"I do. And whenever fate or this...designer or whatever, brings the right woman to me or me to her, I'm very much looking forward to getting married and starting a family. And maybe then my mom will quit asking my dad why I'm not dating more often."

"Ah! Your mom has big plans for grandchildren," Hadley said but not in the form of a question.

"No kidding. I'm not even 21 yet and she's already marrying me off," Chandler said with a laugh.

"It'll happen soon enough," Hadley said. "I have to say, though, I envy the lucky girl."

Chandler smiled then said, "Okay. That's one."

Hadley understood the reference to her counting the times he'd made her feel good and laughed.

"Turnabout is fair play," she said still smiling.

Chandler asked for the check then said, "Whenever you're ready, I'll spend the entire first day with you at our...legacy location. Sorry, I just had to say that as though we have dozens of them."

His smile made her smile.

"Anyway, I'll introduce you to everyone then get you started. After that I'll try and spend of couple of hours a day with you for a week or so. Once you've got it, I won't bother you at all unless you call me," he told her.

"You won't ever be bothering me," she told him in a very sweet way.

"You say that now," he teased before thanking her again.

"No, seriously. I'm so owe you a sincere 'thank you'. This really does seem like the perfect job."

She paused then smiled and said, "And maybe even the perfect boss."

"You say that now," he repeated drawing another small-but-genuine laugh.

Chandler drove her back to the carwash then walked her to her car and opened the door. Just before she got in, she saw all of the employees standing around looking their way.

"What's going on?" she asked. When she looked their way everyone smiled and Jorge waved.

"Oh. They think you're...muy bonita," Chandler said.

He could tell she understood by the way she rolled her eyes and looked at him in that 'you gotta be kidding' kind of way.

"I agree with them, you know," he told her as she got in.

"I think we're up to six now," she said with a smile.

"I'll meet you there tomorrow morning, okay?"

"At the legacy location, right?"

Chandler laughed then said, "One of these days that won't be quite as funny. Well, I hope so anyway. What time will you be in?"

"I'm not used to my boss asking me that question," she replied. "I'll drop Avery off at 7:30 and the there by 7:45—traffic permitting."

"Traffic rarely permits around here, so I'll you around eight, okay?"

"Eight it is," she said. "Bye Chandler and again, thank you for this opportunity...and for being so friendly and kind."

"We please to aim," he said using a line his dad often did.

"Oh, brother!" she said with a laugh and a shake of her head before driving off.

When Chandler pulled up to the 'legacy' location, Carl was there to meet him. Chandler had called him and let him know he would be moving back 'out on the line' and Carl couldn't have been happier.

"I hear the new boss is a looker," Carl said as he opened the door his new boss's boss.

"She's a very attractive woman," Chandler agreed.

"I heard that and that's number seven," they heard a female voice say in a friendly tone.

"You ain't kiddin'," Carl said as he turned around and saw her.

"You must be Carl. I'm Hadley and it's a pleasure to meet you," she said extending her hand.

Carl wiped his hand on a clean rag he was carrying and said, "Likewise—boss."

Hadley smiled then said, "I'll be outside working with you once the big boss shows me around."

"I'll be looking forward to that," Carl said with a smile. He wasn't what anyone would call a good-looking man, but he was hardworking and as honest as the day is long.

"I was wondering what the shorts and tee-shirt were all about. I can tell you you'll be a big hit with the crew. And not just because you're easy on the eyes."

Hadley laughed then told him, "I'm gonna stop counting at nine. So...where do we start?"

Having never worked around a carwash, Hadley needed to learn terms specific to the business but otherwise understood everything Chandler started explaining.

"We really need a better inventory-tracking program," she offered. "This one is adequate but just barely. If you're willing to spend a hundred dollars, I know one that will recoup your investment in no time. Oh, and for another fifty, their payroll program is superb."

"I understand that means per location and even so—done and done," Chandler told her.

"A boss that listens. Now I know I'm going to like working here," she said with a smile.

She may have been in shorts and a blue tee shirt, but she still looked amazing. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail making her look even younger than normal. Hadley was 33 but looked closer to 25 or so. With her hair like that she could easily be mistaken for at least five years younger.

"Is Avery doing okay at school?" Chandler asked once they'd covered all the basics. "Sorry, I meant pre-school."

"Yeah, and don't you forget it," Hadley said. "Because if you do, Avery will remind you."

"She's got to be the sweetest little thing ever."

"I'm kind of fond of her," Hadley said. "She's been such a trooper through it all. I suppose the only redeeming thing about losing her father is she was so young she didn't go through the kind of heartache an older child would. And sadly or maybe not, she'll barely remember him in a few more years. I guess that's a mixed blessing of sorts."

Chandler nodded then asked, "Is it too personal to ask how you're doing, Hadley?"

"Well, I guess most of the time I've felt pretty strong these last three or four months. Before that, there were times I just wanted to stay in bed and make the world go away. But Avery gave me the motivation to get up and get going every day, so overall, I'd say I'm doing rather well considering it's only been 15 months. And I have to say, having this job is really going to help. I know I keep saying it but...thank you."

"And if I may say so again, I'm the lucky one here. I can't believe I found someone with your experience willing to take a job so far beneath her skill level."

"Then I guess we can feel lucky together."

Chandler thought about saying something along the lines of their being together and 'feeling' but didn't. Even so, Hadley picked up on it.

"What? What was that look all about?" she asked with a bright, happy smile.

"Oh, nothing. At least nothing you'd want to hear," he told her in a way that only helped to confirm her suspicions.

She smiled in a way that told him she got the drift then said, "You might be surprised at the things I wouldn't mind hearing."

Chandler sat there for a moment thinking before he looked at her and said, "Even something like me telling you I'd like to ask you to have dinner with me sometime?"

Hadley was a little surprised to actually hear him say what she'd been thinking he meant. It took her a second to get her bearing before saying, "It's funny, but that's what I assumed you were alluding to."

"Well, I'm happy to know I was able to amuse you," Chandler said in a way that was playful rather than having been hurt.

Even so, Hadley said, "It wasn't amusing, Chandler. It was very sweet of you."

"I think 'sweet' is a step up from amusement," he said still keeping it light. "It's not exactly a resounding endorsement, but I can live with that."

Hadley looked at him for several seconds before saying, "Do you really want to go out with me?"

Chandler gave her a funny look then said, "Yes. I really do. Is it so hard to imagine I do or is it just hard to imagine you actually going out with me?"

"The truth is I hadn't really thought about it—until just now. I just sort of assumed you were being nice when you said so many kind things about me because that's who you are—a nice person. I don't hear things like that anymore from anyone so I'll admit it was well...nice to hear."

She smiled then said, "Very nice, in fact. I guess I just never imagined you'd want to ask me out knowing I'm, you know, a wee bit older than you. Oh, and I also have a daughter so...."

Chandler smiled at her then said, "Hadley? I don't have much time to date these days, and for the most part, that's fine. I know there will be plenty of time for that after I get a few more locations up and running."

"In addition to the legacy location, right?" she teased in a polite way.

"Yes. The legacy location. This place right here. The place where it all began. One day, people will read about the Chandler Caulfield empire and realize this is where it all began."

He was pretending to be narrating the story of his life which had been made into a movie and several books and his 'acting' was so over the top, Hadley couldn't help but laugh.

"You're the first person who's really made me laugh or feel good about myself since my husband died, Chandler. I can't tell you how good that feels. I will also tell you I'm not blind, so I've noticed...a time or two...that you're a rather nice-looking guy. But I really don't understand the attraction you see in me."

"Evidently, I haven't been very clear about how I see you, even though I've hinted and complimented you, etc. So...I'll try and make it more clear. I don't find dating girls my age interesting or fun. I don't mean to sound egotistical or condescending, but most of them can't carry on a conversation that's deeper than the headlines from TMZ. I don't know if I'm some kind of weirdo or...to be a little less hard on myself...some kind of anachronism, but I am very attracted to intelligent women, and most of them tend to be older than me."

He sat there hoping she wouldn't think he was some kind of smug, sanctimonious jerk after being as open and honest with her as he could.

"Wow. I have to also admit I didn't see that coming," she replied. "As to you being weird, I'd say just the opposite. You're smart, funny, well-grounded, confident without being cocky—something I despise in men, and mature. So the 'fish out of water' description seems a lot more applicable than 'weird'."

"So...was that a 'yes'?" Chandler said with a huge smile.

"You don't give up, do you?" Hadley said sweetly.

"Not really. I tend to be pretty tenacious when I set my mind to something."

"If I say 'no' will you fire me?" she asked. She kept a straight face making Chandler wonder if she could possibly be serious.

"No. I won't fire you. I might mope around and act like some kind of sad sack for a while, but I would never cut off my nose to spite my face," he told her.

"Then I suppose if you're desperate enough to want to go out with someone my age...I suppose one date wouldn't be all that bad," she said with a smile.

"Hmmm. Another ringing endorsement. Looks like I have my work cut out for me," Chandler said pretending to be very serious.

"I should warn you, though, I haven't been on a date since I was dating James back when you were...oh, never mind."

"No worries. The good news is they got rid of those stone tablets and print the menu on paper these days in most restaurants. Also they no longer...."

Hadley looked for the first thing to throw at him and had to settle for a pad of paper.

"Okay, okay. I get it," she said. "Kids these days. Sheesh!"

Her smile was so sweet Chandler wanted to kiss her in the worst way. Instead he promised to give her a call once he'd had some time to think about where to take her.

"Just don't spend a lot of money, okay?" she said. "It doesn't take much to impress me."

"Interesting," he said.

Hadley raised her eyebrows not sure what he meant.

"Well, you just said it doesn't take much to impress you, and you did mention a little early you were impressed with me so...taking that to its logical conclusion I'm not...much."

"Oh! Okay. You are so in trouble!" she said looking for something else to throw.

Finding nothing but a stapler she narrowed her eyes and said, "You are so lucky this is the only thing I can lay my hands on right now."

Chandler put his up as he stood and said, "Okay. I think I'm gonna leave before I get injured."

"Oh, good call," Hadley said. "Because if you stick around any longer, you might just get hurt!"

She was very aware this was 'high-school' banter and didn't care. It was just so nice to feel happy again, and she'd also just been asked out by someone she found very attractive. No, she'd have never given him a second look had she not gotten to know him, but now that she had, he had an appeal about him she couldn't really explain.

"Speaking of calls, I will call you later," Chandler said. "Are you okay with running things for now?"

"I feel very comfortable, and I can always ask Carl if I get stuck. I won't hesitate to call you, but I promise I won't be bothering you every few minutes with something trivial," Hadley told him.

"You'd never be bothering me," Chandler replied with a smile. "Call anytime."

"Yeah. You, too," she said in her politest voice. "Anytime."

As he walked out, Hadley found herself staring at his butt, something she just never did. When he turned to wave goodbye as he opened the door she felt like a schoolgirl who'd just been caught doing something wrong. When he smiled at her 'like that' she knew he knew and for the first time in many, many years, she blushed.

"Oh, my gosh!" she said to herself after he stopped looking and walked off.

She waited for the color to drain from her face before going outside and pitching in on the line. More than once she caught one of the guys staring at her butt and could only smile and pretend she hadn't notice.

"Turnabout really is fair play," she told herself flattered by the attention and enjoying being part of a team again.

When Chandler called back, Hadley realized the one and only babysitter she'd ever used was out of town.