Fated to be Mine

by Larson, Jodie

  He hands me the clipboard, points to where I need to sign and then gives me the vase.

  “Have a good day, Miss.” He nods and retreats back the way he came.

  I set the vase on my desk and lean in to absorb the delicate fragrance the flowers are giving off. Classic red. They’re pretty. Not my favorite, but still very beautiful. I hear Kara’s office door open and I count to three, waiting for her to find her perch on the corner of my desk.

  “Lucky bitch! Who are they from?”

  “I don’t know yet. I haven’t checked the card.”

  I pluck the small cardboard square from the plastic stake and carefully read the very masculine writing.

  I hand Kara the card and lean in to get another fix of the heavenly fragrance again.

  “Wow. Coffee and flowers all in one day? The boy is definitely putting on the charm. You are one lucky girl.”

  “It’s not what you’re thinking. I was telling him how nervous I am about my promotion and he probably sent these to help ease my mind. That’s all.”

  There’s a weak smile on her face as she hands back the card. “It’s still very sweet of him.”

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m happy for you. Really. So are you seeing him again?”

  “Tomorrow morning. We’re doing the coffee thing again.”

  She nods and pushes herself up from my desk. A strange feeling still lingers in the air, like she’s holding something back from me, although I really don’t know what it could be.

  “Kara, we’re not going out. We’re not even dating. We’re two friends who are having coffee together.” I don’t know why I feel the need to justify the situation with her, but she’s giving off this strange vibe and it’s making me uneasy.

  “Hmm.”

  She places her hand on my shoulder, nods once, and walks silently back to her office, closing the door behind her.

  What was that all about? Maybe she’s having an off day with Chris? Or perhaps she put a scuff in her brand new Prada pumps. It’s hard to say with her. I just hope whatever it is gets worked out soon. I miss my perky friend.

  I hate dinner. Why can’t it just make itself? Better yet, why can’t I just go without food because the hassle of doing this seemingly simple task is incredibly daunting right now? My head still aches from trying to figure out Kara’s strange mood this morning. Then there’s Andrew. It always comes back to him as I try to deal with my still lingering emotions where he’s concerned.

  Which leads me to my current predicament, tapping my foot as I stare at the cupboard, unable to decide if I want the gourmet meal of Mac and Cheese or Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

  A text alert sounds from my phone and I open it quickly. My breath catches when Andrew’s name appears. I glance at the clock and do a quick time conversion, realizing that it’s close to two in the morning in London right now.

  Dearest Tessa. I love your bright smile. The one that lights up any room you are in, that shows off your dimples and the laugh lines around your perfect lips. A smile that allows others to see what I already know, which is just how beautiful you really are. ~A~

  I read his message over and over again, taking his words straight into my aching heart. He loves my smile. And just as he described it, that same smile appears out of nowhere, smiling down onto my phone in hopes that he could see it where he is. My eyes close when an image of him flashes in my mind, whispering those beautiful words into my ear as his finger gently strokes my cheek, sparking a trail of fire in its path. It is the sweetest, most endearing message anyone has ever sent me.

  I need to respond back. How could I not?

  Thank you, Andrew. You should be sleeping right now. It’s so late over there. But I just wanted to let you know your text has brought that smile to my face. It was beautiful. ~T~

  Abandoning my quest for food, I walk over to the couch and lower myself onto the arm. The red flowers sitting on my counter catch the corner of my eye, reminding me of my morning with Michael. My mind bounces between thoughts of Michael and then Andrew, noting the difference between the two. Not that I needed reminding. They are nothing alike.

  Another message from Andrew brings my attention back to my phone.

  I was up thinking of our time together and wanted to let you know that you were in my thoughts. But I shall sleep well now, knowing I have brought that beautiful smile to your face. Goodnight my sweet Tessa. ~A~

  I place my phone on the coffee table, my spirit feeling lighter after Andrew’s messages. The hole in my heart slowly fills as his words replay over and over in my head. Once again, he stealthily found his way into my heart and I’m not sure I’m ready to let him leave just yet.

  THIS WEEK HAS BEEN NOTHING but a rollercoaster of emotions for me. First there was my job. Then there was meeting Michael and the events which have followed since. Both are exciting and weird but in oddly good ways. Coffee this morning was just the same as yesterday, nothing but laughter and story-telling as we slowly get to know one another. He’s quickly growing on me and I’m slowly learning that he has a funny personality. And he’s an excellent listener, which is a rare trait for a guy. Well, at least in another guy. I know of one more.

  Then there’s Andrew, who always seems to occupy my mind in some way. Seeing him was hard, only because he looked so sad and defeated. And I helped in that. Could things have been different if I would have allowed him to explain what happened Friday morning? Did anything happen? The more I replay it over and over in my mind, the more I think I’m crazy and that I imagined things that weren’t there. All because I was scared, scared of leaving, scared of my feelings for him, scared of a possible future when nothing was ever possible before.

  I glance down at the clock on my computer, noting that it’s time to leave already. Where has the day gone? I shut everything down, grab my things and start making my way to the elevator, noting that I’m almost the last person to leave the office. A very rare occurrence for me.

  A familiar face greets me as the elevator doors open and I smile brightly at him.

  “Hey you. I thought you’d be gone by now,” I say, moving back to where he’s standing in the corner. Michael turns to face me, his bright eyes shining under the fluorescent lights.

  “Actually, this is early for me since my court case was settled. It frees up my next three nights.”

  “Well, that’s good news. I always love pleasant surprises like that. Would you really have had to work the next three nights on it? I mean, that’s the entire weekend.”

  He nods as we exit the elevator and holds the door open for me before we walk outside.

  “Yes, I really would have but now I’m free.”

  “Honestly, working on a case sounds like more fun than what I’ll be doing tomorrow night.”

  He turns a quizzical eye to me. “Why? What could possibly be worse than sitting down all night surrounded by case studies and notes?”

  We pause next to my car and I lean up against it. “My stepmother’s birthday party. My dad is throwing this huge event, a gala almost because she’s turning forty. And I’m invited, along with a plus one. But I’m taking Kara like I always do, because I don’t know anyone else. So it’ll be the two of us, sitting around, not talking to anyone because we won’t know the people attending since they’re all friends with my dad. Plus I have to get dressed up in a formal dress, which is not what I’m used to for a Friday night. My Fridays are reserved for my Kindle and sweatpants.”

  “It could still be fun.”

  I shake my head. “No, it can’t. I don’t know what to talk to lawyers about, or the mayor or his wife, for that matter. I’m dreading it.”

  He taps his lip for a second in quiet thought. “You should bring your own hot lawyer with you. That way he can help guide you through the conversations and make things a little less painful.”

  I laugh. “Oh, is that what I should do? Do you happen to know of any hot lawyers who are available tomor
row night?”

  He grins widely. “As a matter of fact I do. His Friday night just opened up and he has nothing planned yet.”

  I laugh and clasp my hands in front of me in a begging form. “Would you, please? You would be saving my life and sanity if you could.”

  “If it’s a matter of life or death, how could I refuse?”

  We laugh and I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. Michael would have more fun at the party than Kara. It’s more his scene and he will more than likely know the people attending anyway. Plus it could be good for his career. Helping him with that would be the least I could do.

  “Thank you, Michael. I really appreciate it.”

  “Think nothing of it. What time should I pick you up?”

  “The party starts at seven, so around six-thirty?”

  Michael nods and shoves a hand into his pocket to dig out his phone.

  “Six-thirty it is then. I suppose I better get your address so I know where to pick you up.”

  He hands me his phone and I enter all my contact information into it while he does the same to mine. We hand back the phones and say our goodbyes with a smile.

  “It’s formal so I hope you have a tux handy,” I say as he starts to walk away.

  “It just so happens that I keep one around for such emergencies.” Michael gives me a wink and walks down the aisle to his car. I slide into my driver’s seat and crank up the radio when my favorite Pitbull song comes on, making my rush hour commute feel like a five-minute drive.

  After getting into my lounge clothes, I flop onto the couch, ready to break the news to Kara regarding my changed plans for tomorrow night.

  “Hello?” she pants out.

  “Please tell me you’re exercising and not doing something else.”

  She laughs and I can hear the motor of her treadmill in the background as her feet slap against the track.

  “Now who has the dirty mind? You’re a funny, funny girl, you know that? So what’s up?”

  “It’s about tomorrow night. I hope you don’t mind, but Michael offered to take me instead. Are you okay with that?”

  The background noise stops abruptly on her end, causing me to chew nervously on my lower lip. Kara’s breathing slows minutely, although she’s still gulping in huge breaths of air.

  “Michael’s taking you?”

  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea if Kara is shocked enough to interrupt her workout. I can only imagine where her mind is going or what scenarios are swirling around.

  “He is. Do you mind?”

  I begin pacing my living room, anxious about what she’s going to say. She stays silent for a moment then lets out a puff of air.

  “Yeah, that’s cool with me. No biggie. Besides, he’s a lawyer right? He can hob knob with all the other stuffed shirts there.”

  Her laugh is off, not her usual upbeat tone at all. Perhaps she’s just winded from her run. It couldn’t possibly be from anything else, could it?

  “That’s what I thought too after he suggested it. Thanks, Kara. You know you’re the best right?”

  The treadmill starts again but softer this time. She must be walking now, probably needing to start slow before she goes back into her full run.

  “Yeah I know. I tell myself that every morning when I wake up. But you owe me lunch tomorrow then.”

  I nod my head and laugh. “You bet. I’ll let you get back to your workout. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good Chickie. Night.”

  The call disconnects and I stretch my body across my couch. I must be crazy if I want to drag Michael into the debacle that awaits him regarding tomorrow night. My only hope is that Sharon ignores us for the night so we won’t have to deal with her.

  My stomach growls loudly and I walk to the kitchen, opening up a can of soup to tide me over. I stare at the bowl and glance over my shoulder to the cabinet above the fridge. All this thought about Kara’s strange mood and having Michael accompany me to the party tomorrow has my head hurting more than usual. I think I need a drink instead.

  Two hours later finds me sitting on my couch, watching my favorite Thursday night indulgence. My phone beeps next to me and I can’t help the smile that appears with Andrew’s name.

  My sweet darling Tessa. I love how beautiful you look when your hair blows across your face and the sun shines down on the silky strands, creating a halo effect. I could run my fingers through them all day while looking into your heavenly eyes. An angel sent from above. ~A~

  Tears prick the corners of my eyes. His words hit me hard, pulling at the fragile strings of my heart. How can he manage to take my breath away from a different continent? The message is so beautiful that I can’t stop the few tears that escape. I bring the phone to my chest, convinced that by doing so Andrew will crawl through it and hug me like I want him to.

  I miss him. I miss him so much it hurts. He must feel something for me. No one says things like that without having some sort of feelings behind it. And he’ll be here in another week, so I know I still have time to figure this out.

  I pull the phone back and type my response.

  I can’t even put into words how beautiful that was. Thank you. Sweet dreams Andrew. ~T~

  His reply is instantaneous.

  My dreams are always sweet because they are of you. Goodnight my sweet Tessa. ~A~

  Grabbing my blanket, I lay down on the pillows of my couch, not wanting to leave my spot as I cling to my phone. With a lingering smile, I imagine a warm breeze blowing through my hair and sapphire eyes looking over me.

  THIS FEELS ABSOLUTELY WEIRD. I feel out of place, lost in time or stuck in some parallel universe. The reflection staring back at me is not my own. No, this reflection is of a perfectly coiffed female, hair shiny and curled, with flawless makeup and jewelry to perfectly offset her elegant ball gown. No, this is not me. And yet, the smile on my face and dancing hazel eyes tells me that it is.

  The diamond and pearl pendant hanging from my neck sparkles in the overhead lights of my bathroom. A gift from my father on my twenty-first birthday, no doubt a way for him to make up for the birthdays he missed when I was growing up. On second thought, probably not. If he truly cared about those birthdays he would have made an effort back then. Instead, I went without presents those years, getting nothing more than a piece of toast or whatever else I could find around the house. And where was my mother? Locked away in her room, stuck in her own personal hell of depression and hatred for my existence.

  The strapless navy blue satin gown feels so different than the sweatpants I’m accustomed to wearing on my typical Friday nights. Trudy was right, though. It is the perfect dress for me. Silver ivy-like embellishments crawl across the skirt, wrapping around the cinched waist before crossing in front of my bodice. And as an added bonus, it’s unnecessary for me to wear a strapless bra due to the cinching of the bust. At least I won’t embarrass myself by trying to discretely adjust and readjust a stupid bra all night.

  I slip on the silver strappy heels, picked out again by Trudy, that have a buckle at the ankle. I feel like Cinderella for once in my life instead of like one of the ugly stepsisters. It’s not often I play dress up like this and I’ve never put this much effort into it before. Usually, I’d borrow a dress from Kara or find one at a secondhand thrift shop that still looked decent to wear in public. But this gown makes me feel special, beautiful even. An illusion of elegance, even if it’s all just pretend.

  Right on time, there’s a knock on my door. I smile, swiping my finger under my bottom lip to get rid of a lipstick smudge before making my way to the front. All I can hope for tonight is that I don’t fall flat on my face in these heels. It’s going to take some effort to remember to pick up the front of the dress so I don’t trip on that either. I’m not exactly what you would call ladylike if you haven’t noticed. Feminine, yes. Sophisticated, no.

  When I open the door, I’m greeted to a very regal looking Michael, who is boasting a rather large smile. His eyes take me in as
he twirls me around, holding my hand above my head to take in the full package.

  “My God Tessa, you are stunning. No, that’s not the right word. Breathtaking. Or stunningly breathtaking. Even better.”

  I flush at his compliment and push against his chest. I’m not surprised by the hardness I find beneath the shirt. A man looking the way he does knows how to take care of his body. And my guess is he puts as much detail into everything else in his life too. I like him in his suits, but he’s gorgeous in his tux. Very classy and elegant and way out of my league. At least I can appreciate him as a friend without it getting weird.

  “You’re crazy but thank you. You look very stunningly breathtaking yourself.”

  “Hey, I only speak the truth.” Michael’s beautiful brown eyes shine, showing me how excited he is to be here with me.

  “I can’t thank you enough for offering to take me tonight. I just hope it’ll be worth your while and not too boring.”

  He gives me a dimpled smile. “Boring? With you? Never. We’re going to cut a rug and rub elbows with the snobs of high society. It’s going to be fun. Besides, we wouldn’t want to disappoint the Assistant Attorney General by not showing up.”

  I cringe internally when he brings up my father’s official title. I could care less about titles or material things. To me, he’s just Robert Martin, my sometimes father when it’s convenient for him. Maybe someday that will change, but for now it is what it is.

  Grabbing my clutch from the counter, I turn and link my arm through Michael’s as we exit, pausing to allow me to lock up my apartment.

  When we reach the sidewalk, I stop mid-stride. Not because of the chill in the evening air or the blowing of a soft breeze. It’s due to the large stretch limo that’s parked next to the curb. I turn my head to face Michael, who’s grinning from ear to ear.

  “You rented a limo for tonight?” I whisper, my voice unsteady.

  “I did. I figured we may as well arrive in style if we’re going to play with the big boys.”