Running From Love

by J. Nichole

  Chapter Four

  Monday mornings are like a horrible dessert at the end of a perfect meal. But this Monday morning, after the DateNight event and kicking it with Laila, my eyes will be fighting me all day. Instead of going into the office unprepared I’m at Allegro for a cup of magic. Unlike the last time I was here, there are many more people and they aren’t casually waiting for their orders.

  The guy in front of me looks like he’s going to tap a hole into the floor as he waits for the barista to take his order. I’m in no rush to get into the office, I’d much rather turn around and head back to the apartment. When the barista passes me my tea I stand at the counter adding in a heap of sugar. With the tea to my mouth for a taste test, I look out across those waiting in line. When my eyes meet with his the tea burns the back of my throat.

  Coughing with my hand to my chest, I close my eyes and pray this isn’t the way I’m taken out. In front of all these people, none rushing to rescue me, death by hot tea. Then I feel a hand on my back and a man ask, “Are you okay?” Still coughing, I shake my head. Then the hand leaves and the coughing begins to subside.

  I open my eyes and expect everyone in the shop to be staring at me and when they aren’t, I grab my tea to make a swift exit. But a hand to my shoulder stops me. “Here, drink this before you leave.” I turn to see what’s being offered and damn near drop my cup of hot tea as if choking wasn’t enough embarrassment for the day. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. That’s what I get for trying to taste hot tea.” I look at his outstretched hand and take the cup of water he’s offered. “Thank you.” I smile slightly. “Sorry you lost your place in line.” I look towards the line, and it is longer than it was earlier.

  “It’s fine. Saving you was a good deed rewarded with skipping the line. The barista said she’d get my order when I grabbed a cup of water for you.” He looks back to the counter as his name is called. Aiden. “If you give me a second I’ll walk you out.”

  The least I can do is stay put and let my sexy lifesaver walk me out. “Sure.” With a cup in each hand and my purse on my shoulder I stand, awkwardly waiting for him to return.

  Smiling from ear to ear, he walks with his cup of coffee in hand. Like the last time I saw him he’s in a crisp pair of slacks and a stiff white button down shirt that contrasts well with his dark brown skin tone. “I usually stir in my sugar here but after your incident with the sugar bar I decided it’s a good idea to wait till I get to work.” He holds the door open for us. “Then I won’t be tempted to taste it while it’s hot.”

  “Everyone should do the same. Especially these days when so few are willing to save your life.” We both laugh. “Don’t know what this world is coming to.”

  Beside my car I place the water on the roof and open the door. With Aiden hovering behind me I turn to bid him farewell. “Thanks again.” He nods his head and looks like he’s refraining his words. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.” He looks down at the cup in his hand. “Do you remember seeing me here a couple of weekends ago?”

  Playing coy now would be obvious. Instead I smile and say, “I do.” How could I forget? His name has been embedded in my mind since hearing it then. His chiseled jaw tense, and his eyes furrowed as he passed by me on his way out. I’m glad his softer side is prevailing today. Although his concerning look is sexy, his smile could cure the common cold.

  “Hmm. I should probably let you get going.” He looks at his watch. “I’m sure I’m already late for my first meeting of the day.” Getting in my car and driving away leaving our next interaction to fate, again, feels too optimistic. But giving him my number, or asking for his, doesn’t seem appropriate.

  “Definitely don’t want to be the cause of you being late, getting in trouble with the boss,” I say as I look up from the driver’s seat as Aiden holds the door for me. After my engine is running Aiden hands me the cup of water. If only the cup of water could cool down the surprising heat between my thighs.

  Aiden leans into the car and asks, “I don’t want you to feel obligated, you know since I saved your life, but would you want to go out sometime?”

  Looking out of the car, up into Aiden’s dark brown eyes, I laugh. “Preying on the damsel in distress, huh?”

  His eyes grow wide and he shakes his head. “Not at all, but I thought I would remind you of my good deed.”

  “Right. In that case, sure.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. I rattle off my number and he repeats it before closing my door and walking away. The Monday morning blues are gone and my morning is on repeat in my head as I drive into work ignoring the traffic, and dread of another day in the office.

  Walking into the office, my phone dings with a message, but I ignore it to catch the closing elevator doors. The elevator doors re-open and Monday morning is in full effect. Before stopping at my desk, I walk to the conference room for our morning meeting. The accounting department of the firm is small, all ten or so people fit into a corner conference room.

  Sitting next to Bri, I place my purse on the table. “Running late,” she asks eyeing my purse. I shrug as I turn my attention to the accounting manager who presents our work tasks for the week. When she wraps up the meeting, I grab my purse to make it back to my desk. “Wait,” Bri says from behind me. “How was DateNight?”

  Bri is single, but like Erica, she’s over the dating scene. She wouldn’t even consider joining us for the DateNight event. “The speed dates weren’t bad.” She raises her eyebrows. “But out of the three guys I sat with I was only interested in one.”

  We stop in front of Bri’s desk. She places her laptop down and fiddles with stuff on her desk before she asks, “Okay, when’s your next date?” The next date. That would have been ideal. If I had come from DateNight with a match with M’Baku, seeing him again would have been the goal. But here I am without a match. Still on the dating scene. Not even the dating scene; to be on the dating scene I’d have to actively have dates.

  With a mean side-eye I respond to Bri, “Apparently he wasn’t as interested in me as I was in him.” Thinking about his strong arms, smooth dark skin, straight white teeth peeking through his charming smile, I shake my head. “Such a shame.”

  “But the way you be-bopped in here this morning I just knew you had a date, or two, setup for this week.” I owe that pep in my step to Aiden, but I’ll keep that to myself for now. I don’t want to get my hopes up, especially after the failure of the weekend.

  Shrugging, I leave Bri at her desk. Throwing my purse in my drawer, I fire up my laptop before diving into my tasks for the day. My email inbox is full and it takes me a while to sift through the emails that need a response. My phone vibrates, rattling the metal of my desk.

  Text messages fill the notifications on my screen. Monica, who hardly ever has time to chat, finds time to send a random text to the group chat. Amongst the texts from the girls there is a message from an unknown number; Aiden’s name in one chat bubble asking me to save his number. Then another asking me to join him for dinner tonight.

  Mondays are reserved for my dance class, but I’ll have to eat, right? Might as well eat while sitting across from Aiden, with his chiseled face and piercing eyes. Seeing him in the coffee shop did something to me, both times. His kindness only adds to his appeal. I text him back to confirm.

  Jennifer: I have to teach my dance class tonight. I’ll be finished around 8.

  Avoiding my impatience of waiting for a response, I start on my weekly reports. Someone once told me only certain people can do data work, people who can get lost in the details, and they were right. I get lost in the details, running numbers for each of my brands within each location and adjusting for advertisement expenses.

  When Bri taps on my desk I look at her with an expectant glare. “What’s up?”

  Rolling her eyes, she says, “It’s time for lunch.” Time for lunch? Stopping for lunch is necessary, especially since I skipped my breaks and will soon be entertaining my office mates with
loud stomach growls.

  Saving all my data sheets, I put my computer to sleep and grab my purse. “Food trucks today?” She nods her head. Walking to the elevator, I pull out my phone and hope that Aiden’s responded. With a goofy grin on my face I read his latest message.

  Aiden: 8 it is, text me when you’re ready

  Chapter Five

  Tugging at my dress, I walk through the door that Aiden is holding open. After dance class I took a shower and changed into a sundress. Although the sun has gone down, the humidity is relentless and although the cotton is thin, it’s clinging to my skin.

  “I hear the food here is decent,” Aiden says from behind me. “But the cocktails are the best Houston has to offer.” The restaurant is crowded with music mixing in with the conversation. If it weren’t after nine and I didn’t have work tomorrow, this might be a hot place to hang for the night.

  The hostess directs us to a two-top table where Aiden pulls out my seat and waits for me to get comfortable before taking the chair across from me. “How was your dance class?”

  “It was hectic. I have a few girls who won’t be ready for the recital in a few months.” I stop to watch Aiden’s reaction. Not too many people are interested in my life as a dance instructor, but dance is life for me; it’s hard to separate myself from it. When Aiden looks interested I continue, “If they would just practice outside of class they’d be good.” I shrug. “But you know kids these days.”

  “I hardly meet anyone as interested in anything as you are interested in your dance class.” Aiden crosses his hands and leans into the table. “It’s endearing.”

  Smiling, I look down at my menu. “Dancing also makes me hungry.” Aiden laughs and I say, “And I’m not afraid, in the least, to eat.”

  “Let’s eat.” When the waiter returns to the table we order cocktails and a couple of appetizers.

  “I don’t know much about you.” And by much, I mean I don’t know anything about him. If my dad knew I was out with this man who I knew so little about, he’d be damn near having a heart attack.

  Aiden looks at me with his eyes squinted and his lips tight. He shifts in his seat and takes a sip of his cocktail. “I’m a Houston native. Went away for college and returned.” He looks around at the tables near us. “Don’t think there is much I’d leave for again.”

  I cock my head and look at him. Although I was born and raised right here, I don’t have as much of an allegiance to the city. If an opportunity presented itself I’d be willing to leave. Being away during college, only coming home during breaks didn’t bother me one bit. It was enough to make me thoroughly enjoy the time I was home with my family. While I was away I didn’t miss them terribly. Houston has a lot to offer, but nothing that other cities can’t give me. “I’m from here, but I think I’d move to another city.”

  “Which city?” Trying to decide which city I should move to was the reason I came back here. That, and Derrick wanted to be in Texas. If I’m in Texas, I might as well be home.

  “Atlanta, L.A., D.C.” I wag my head. “I’m fairly open.” Aiden nods his head but his enthusiasm has dissipated.

  “I could visit all those cities, and I’ve been to each of them, but not sure I’d want to live there.” He leans back in his seat. “I was in D.C. during the winter and I know for sure I couldn’t live anywhere that requires a snow shovel.” We both laugh and I can agree, I wouldn’t be excited to live somewhere with months of cold weather.

  “A true Houstonian, who loves the heat, what else?” Our food arrives and Aiden bows his head. Feeling obligated, I do the same and I’m sure God is shaking his head at me. Growing up, my folks kept us in church, not to the point that I ran from the Lord when I left their house, but I wouldn’t consider myself overly religious.

  “I work in technology, but I’m not a full on nerd.” I look at him with my nose scrunched. “Like I’m not a Star Wars fan, and I don’t hide in my basement playing video games.” I nod my head. “I realize that technology is a major player but I also think we shouldn’t get sucked into the Matrix and lose our sense of personal interactions.”

  Listening to Aiden speak about technology intrigues me. I came into the restaurant admiring his sex appeal, but now I’m sitting here adjusting my legs to calm my arousal as I listen to his passion about personal interactions. “I agree, I can’t tell you how many of my girls seem socially awkward when they need to speak to me. Text messages and social media are their normal communication patterns.” Aiden’s face twists into a scowl. “Since you aren’t in the basement playing video games, or spending hours on your phone, what do you do in your spare time?”

  He finishes his cocktail and the waiter appears asking if he’d like another. Before Aiden responds he looks to me and my cup that’s still half-full. “I’ll take one more, thanks.” I’m already out later than usual on a Monday night; I have to pace myself with this drink. “I like to go biking.” I didn’t expect him to be the outdoorsy type. “I play a few pickup basketball games through the week.”

  “I could see you on the court.” He does have some height on him, if he hasn’t been mistaken for a baller before I’d be surprised. “But on a bike, in the great outdoors, that’s unexpected.”

  “Stick around and I’ll keep surprising you.” I’m all for the surprises, and sticking around will have its benefits. “I should probably get you home before I ruin your week.” I smile, knowing that staying out too late tonight will throw off my entire week. “But before we leave, and I get you home in front of your doorstep, can we make plans for another date this week?”

  To say that I enjoyed myself tonight would be an understatement. I give him my dance class schedule and say, “Other than that I think I’m open.” We agree to meet again on Thursday evening. An earlier date, a rooftop happy hour. “That works for me.”

  On our drive back to my apartment we pass Allegro, and Aiden says, “Imagine if you hadn’t choked.” I laugh thinking about my horrible experience. “I may have missed another opportunity to speak to you.”

  “Missed?” I think back to the first time I saw him at Allegro and he definitely could have stopped to speak to me.

  “Each time I saw you, you seemed preoccupied.” Each time? “Either on your phone, headphones in your ears, or just lost in thought.” He parks in my complex and adds, “One time I saw you with a guy.”

  A guy? Derrick. Derrick doesn’t drink coffee or tea, and would only go with me to Allegro if he didn’t have time to eat breakfast at home. “My ex-boyfriend.”

  “How recent?” He asks.

  “About a month now.” Timing is everything. Especially when it relates to dating and relationships. Had Aiden approached me one of the other times he saw me, but I was still dating Derrick, I would have brushed off his advance. My attraction to Aiden is undeniable. I may have hesitated a bit when he approached me, but when I’m in a relationship, I’m all in. “How long ago was your last relationship?” I ask.

  We both adjust in our seats to face each other. “I haven’t been in a relationship since college.” He looks up as if he’s trying to recall his last relationship. “Yup, college.” At this point in life, age doesn’t really matter too much, but I just assume Aiden and I are around the same age.

  “I’ve only been back on the dating scene for a few weeks and it’s tough.” I cringe at the thought of my rejection at the dating event. I don’t know how Nicole could casually date with enthusiasm. She’s crazy if she thinks I could take her advice and just be out here finding random guys to date.

  “Are you the relationship type?” My head pulls back as I consider his question. “Sorry, that may have come across with negative connotation.” I wag my head. In the past, this would be the time when my incident would work its way into the conversation. That’s one piece of advice from Nicole I’ll take. I’ll keep it to myself. For now.

  “I wouldn’t say I’m the relationship type, but I’m not the casual dating type either.” My shoulders feel lighter. I was able to
escape, for now, explaining my trust issues. Not wanting the night to end, but already dreading the lack of sleep I’ll be getting tonight, I say, “I should probably get upstairs.”

  Aiden opens his door, walking around his Maxima to open mine, offering me his arm before we walk up the stairs to my apartment. With my key in the lock Aiden leans against the wall beside me, and when I open my door he stands outside.

  Fumbling with my keys, switching them from hand to hand, I avoid making eye contact with Aiden. I want to invite him in, I want him to kiss me, I could say to hell with sleep, but I don’t know this man. Should he be in my space? This early? My eyes meet his, and as if he can read my mind, or notice my anxiety, he says, “Till our next date?”

  “Till our next date.” Aiden leans into me and my breath stills as he plants his lips softly on my cheek. I watch him walk down the hall until he disappears into the stairwell.

  With the door closed behind me I throw my purse on my kitchen counter and dig out my phone. Erica was my save me for the night. She had specific instructions to call with a crazy story if I texted her that the date was going downhill. Or if she didn’t hear from me tonight she knew the details to report me missing.

  Jennifer: Home safe

  I sent her a text to let her know I’d made it in safely. The pillow is calling my name, but instead of hopping in my bed I run a hot shower. With my eyes closed I remove the makeup from my face. Then my phone rings, and without looking I answer it through the speaker. “Hey girl.” Erica could’ve just texted or waited till tomorrow for a replay of my night.

  “I thought you answered too quickly.” I open my eyes and see Aiden’s name on my phone. “You must have been expecting one of your homegirls, right?”