by Sam Crescent
This is what you get when you try to avoid your true feelings.
****
Serving Henry wasn’t all that bad. Their orders were a little boring and predictable for her taste. What’s the point of ordering something if you’re going to remove half of the good stuff? Meat and dressing made the salad.
She took the order through to Marcel, who scorned it.
“What’s the fucking point me even having a menu?” he said.
“I don’t know. Girl doesn’t know what she’s missing that’s for sure.” He stared at her, and she placed a hand to her mouth. “Sorry, sir. I tried the salad when you were asking for tasters. It was so delicious.” The salad had been amazing, and she’d been trying to recreate it at home.
“You’ve got good taste. I can appreciate a woman with good taste.” He tapped her shoulder. “Go and do your work. I will cook up this poor excuse for a meal.”
The meal went by smoothly with only Henry ordering dessert.
Antonio showed them out once they were finished. She went to get their plates when Henry returned.
“If you ever need me for anything please don’t hesitate to call.” He placed a card in her hand. She looked down as he left the room to see his business card with all of his numbers.
In all the time they’d known each other she’d never once asked for his number or his card.
Placing the card in her pocket she went about her work for the remainder of the night. The card held all of her focus even though she couldn’t see it.
When she got back to her apartment later that night, she took the card out and stared at his name. Henry Jones’s name was scrawled over the rectangle in fancy writing.
Get over yourself, April.
This means nothing.
She couldn’t bring herself to throw it away and left it on the fridge under a magnet.
The days and weeks passed with her work at the restaurant. Her life slowly rebuilt as she began to decorate her apartment. Every now and then Henry would frequent the restaurant with a business partner or date. She never gave him much thought, and as time passed, she started to feel less trapped by her feelings.
April took the time to visit Julia’s grave, replacing the dying flowers with fresh ones. There were times she missed seeing Henry, but like all things, distance seemed to help her focus on herself and her career. Marcel took the time to teach her certain techniques in the kitchen. His tutoring helped her with her own cooking, and he even placed one of her dishes on the menu, which gave her a buzz.
Her life started to change one night when she was walking around the grocery store. It was a Friday and her day off. She glanced down at her list of ingredients as she reached to grab a stack of bananas. Someone else had reached out for them and their fingers connected.
Pulling back, she glanced back into a pair of beautiful hazel eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“It’s okay, love. My fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” He offered her a smile before reaching for the bananas and handing them to her. “A gentleman wouldn’t deny a woman some fruit.”
Her cheeks were heating, and she hoped he couldn’t see her blush. Tucking some hair behind her ear, she took the fruit he offered. “Thank you,” she said.
“You’re very welcome.”
For several seconds they stared at each other. “Erm, I’m going to finish shopping.” She waved the list in front of her feeling like an idiot.
April weaved her trolley away from him, glancing behind her to see him still staring at her. Her heart raced much like it did whenever Henry was around, though not as intensely.
“Wait,” the banana man said.
She paused, waiting for him.
“I know this is going to sound insane, but I was wondering if you’d like to go on a date with me.” He left his trolley behind to walk up to her.
“You’re asking me out on a date?” she asked.
“Yeah, I know. I can’t even believe I’m asking you but there.”
“I don’t know your name.” She’d never before been asked on a date while at the grocery store.
“David Shaw.” He offered her a hand, which she took.
“April Robinson.”
He took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, April.”
Withdrawing her hand, she didn’t know what to do.
“So, that date?” he asked.
“Erm, I’d love to.”
He took hold of her piece of paper and asked one of the passing workers for a pen. “I can see you’re nervous about me, so here’s my number. When you’re ready to go on a date then give me a call.” He wrote his number down. “I hope to hear from you soon, April.”
The pen was given back to the worker, and then he was gone.
“I don’t know about you, honey, but that man is a fine piece of ass,” the worker said.
She chuckled at the look of appreciation on the woman’s face. “Yeah.” April finished her shopping before walking the short distance home. She kept the list of her groceries.
April sat at her kitchen counter with a bowl of cereal in front of her. In one hand she held a spoon, in the other the list with the phone number.
It’s time to move on.
Glancing behind her at the fridge she saw Henry’s numbers waiting for her.
No, she couldn’t think about him in that way. He never gave her any belief they were more than mere acquaintances. She needed to move on, and David looked like a good place to start.
She picked up her phone and dialed his number.
“Hello,” David said.
“David, hi, it’s April. Do you remember me? Banana lady.” She bit her lip as the words just melded together
Shut up.
“I’ve been staring at my phone waiting for your call, baby. So, how about that date?”
****
One month later
Henry stared at his computer screen wondering about April. He saw her regularly at the restaurant, but they never really got the chance to talk anymore. She hadn’t called him either, but why would she? He’d never given her reason to believe that he was looking forward to her call.
Closing down the document he was working on, he made his way out of his building. He wasn’t surprised to find that he was the last person in the building, barring security. They were there constantly on a rotation of staff. All of his employees went through rigorous training and thorough security checks before he allowed them to work for him. There were other companies out there who would steal his ideas and make life as difficult as possible.
He climbed behind the wheel of his car and headed toward the restaurant. It had been too long since he last saw April, and he needed to know that she was okay. Marcel gave him regular updates but they were not like seeing her in the flesh. He missed her constantly.
Entering the restaurant Antonio greeted him. “Would you like your regular seat, Mr. Jones?”
“Yes.”
The restaurant was booked solid, and Henry didn’t feel any remorse for taking the only available table for two.
He couldn’t see any signs of April and instead got a male waiter he didn’t know.
“I want to speak to Marcel.”
“Sir, our chef is very busy right now.”
“I don’t care. Tell him Henry’s here to see him.” What a lot of people didn’t know was he’d agreed to be the silent partner in this business. Marcel held all the talent in the kitchen, but at the time didn’t have the capital to put up for the place. Henry didn’t have the skills in the kitchen, but he possessed the money. They were friends, and so the restaurant was born and flourishing. He also got to eat whenever he wanted.
Marcel appeared beside him minutes later. “What can I do for you, my friend?”
“I wanted to know where April was.”
“Peter could have told you. It’s her Friday off.” Marcel took a seat, looking frustrated.
“How has
she been?”
“You really don’t know what’s been going on in her life?”
“No, I don’t.” How did he admit to his friend that she hadn’t called him once?
“Henry, I really hate to break this to you, but she’s dating someone and has been for the last month.”
He stared at his friend. “April’s dating someone?”
“Yeah, a guy by the name of David something. I don’t know his last name. I’ve seen them together. He picks her up after work. It looks pretty serious.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this before?” he asked.
“You never asked.”
“I care about April, and you didn’t think to tell me that she was out there dating someone.”
“Henry, this is not my problem. I told you what would happen if you left it too long. Guess what? I was right.”
Henry shook his head. “I’ve got to go.” Standing up, he shook Marcel’s hand. “Thank you for keeping an eye on her.”
“I’ll never stop, Henry. She seems happy.”
“I’m going to go.”
“You’re not going to stay for dinner?”
“No. I need to go and see this for myself.” He left the restaurant without a backwards glance.
Without any thought to his actions he drove toward her apartment. He was knocking on her door before he stopped himself.
What are you doing?
No answer came to his own question. April’s apartment door opened, but she wasn’t the person staring back at him. A tall man with sandy colored hair and hazel eyes opened the door.
“Can I help you?” the man asked.
“Yeah, I’m looking for April. Does she still live here?” He checked the door wondering if she moved elsewhere.
“David, who’s at the door?” April asked, appearing behind him.
She wore a pair of short shorts and a white vest top. Her clothing revealed more skin than he’d seen on her in the years they’d known each other.
“Henry, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“It’s been a long time since we last talked. I thought I should come around and make sure you were okay.”
“Do you know this man, baby?”
He hated David instantly.
“Erm, yeah I do. Henry dated Julia when she was alive.”
“Oh man, I’m so sorry. April told me all about that.”
Henry didn’t look anywhere but at April. Her gaze was focused on him.
“Yeah, it has been a hard time. Can I talk to you?” he asked, looking at April.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“April, baby, he clearly needs to see you.” David touched her cheek. “I’ll go and make a coffee.”
David was gone in the next second leaving them alone.
“What do you want?” she asked, folding her arms.
“You’re dating him.”
“What business is it of yours?”
He struggled to think with all of her dark skin exposed. Seeing her body through the sheer nightgowns she wore was nothing compared to this. Henry wanted to reach out and touch her, pull her against him and simply hold her close.
“You didn’t call.” He spat the words out through gritted teeth.
“Why are you so angry? You’re moving on, and so am I. Do you even go to Julia’s grave?”
“Yes, I do.” He went every Sunday for a chance to see her. God, he was such a fucking pussy. What the hell had happened to him in the last few years? There was a time when he first saw her, when he’d have gotten rid of Julia and taken her. From the moment he saw April he’d been floored by her beauty then later, angry at himself for not laying claim.
“We’re friends, Henry. I appreciate everything you did to help me.”
“What do you know about this guy?” Henry asked.
“I know that he makes me laugh. I like being around him, and he’s sweet.”
He shook his head. “You’re making a mistake.”
“And you know that how? You don’t even know him.”
“I know people.”
“You’re acting like a crazy person, Henry. Stop this.” She reached out and touched his arm. “Please, stop.”
Henry couldn’t do this. Turning on his heel, he left the apartment to try to clear his head.
****
April watched Henry walk away feeling her heart pound. He looked so strange that she couldn’t point to what he was feeling. She rubbed at her chest trying to relieve the pain that had suddenly gripped her.
“Baby, what’s the matter?” David asked. He squeezed her shoulder, and she leaned against him.
“Nothing. I don’t know what got into him.” She closed the door hating the echo throughout the room.
“You’re sad.”
She shook her head. “I’m just going to the bathroom. Do you want to set the movie up and I’ll be back in a moment.” April kept her head lowered as she moved toward her bedroom. Closing the door, she entered the bathroom and sat on the toilet. Resting her head in her hands she focused on the floor.
Think, April, think.
Dating David was fun, but she didn’t want to develop anything else between them. They were good friends, and yes, they shared a few kisses even though they didn’t blow her away.
There really wasn’t a relationship between her and David.
“April, are you okay?”
Seeing Henry brought back all the feelings she thought she had stopped. He made her heart race and her pussy pulse with need. The kisses shared with David didn’t leave her on fire while a short time with Henry and she was soaked.
“Honey, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m coming out.”
Flushing the toilet, she washed her hands splashing water to her cheeks.
Opening her bedroom door she saw David leaning against the wall.
“You look a little flushed.”
“I’m fine,” she said.
Together they walked toward the sitting room. She settled on the sofa while the DVD started to play.
“I don’t have any diseases,” David said.
“What?” She frowned, looking toward him.
“You’re far enough away.”
“Oh, sorry.” She slid across the sofa and cuddled up against him. He stroked her arm while she stared at the screen. She enjoyed his touch.
He’s not Henry.
She kept her focus on the screen, wishing for her thoughts to be different.
When the scenes became heated and the two main characters were grabbing each other ready to have sex, she jerked out of David’s arms.
“I’m going to get a soda.” She didn’t offer him one and rested her head against the fridge.
“April?” David touched her shoulder and turned her around. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Nothing is going on.” She did her best to smile.
He stroked her cheek then sank his fingers into her hair. She gasped as he tilted her head back. Within seconds his lips were on hers and his tongue plundered her mouth.
She moaned, touching his arms.
The kiss deepened, and she opened her eyes to watch him. What had Henry done to her? David had pushed all of her buttons until she saw Henry again. Now, the chemistry was non-existent between them. Had she made it up in her head?
April withdrew, licking her lips.
“There’s something going on between you and Henry.”
“No, there’s nothing going on.”
He sighed, pulling away. “Since he stopped by tonight you’ve not been with it. There’s something going on, and it doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
She went to open her mouth, but he pressed a finger against her lips.
“I’ve not got a problem, but you need to make a choice.”
“David, seriously, nothing is going on.” She fisted her hands at her sides.
He stroked her cheek. “I like you, April. I enjoy spending time with you, but I’m not going to be se
cond best. Before we go any further between us I want you to focus on what you want. Whether you think there’s nothing or not, I don’t know. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
April watched him leave. She followed him outside of her apartment and wished there was something she could say.
Great, just great.
She closed the door then took a seat on the sofa staring at the television. The sex was still in full swing, and she turned the whole thing off. She refused to watch another couple making out, finding love when she couldn’t find any love of her own. Rubbing at her eyes, she got to her feet and went into her bedroom.
Settling into bed, she stared up at the ceiling. She liked David. He felt safe to her after the years she’d spent pining for a man she couldn’t have. It sucked.
She turned to her side and gasped as she saw a picture of her, Julia, and Henry. They’d gone to the beach for a day. Julia had asked a passerby to take a photo. Henry stood behind them pulling them both in to him.
Reaching out, she grabbed the picture and stared at it. Julia had given her the picture on their last Christmas together. She didn’t dwell on the image as seeing the couple always struck her hard.
Turning on the night light she stared at Henry’s hands. She recalled the photo being taken and hadn’t given it much thought. His hand was on Julia’s shoulder, casual, friendly even. She looked at his hand on her.
April swallowed as heat swelled between her thighs. His hand was on her shoulder, but the tips of his fingers stroked her neck. The possession within the photo was clear to see. The way he held her to him should be how he held Julia, not her.
His head was turned toward her rather than Julia.
Getting out of bed, she quickly threw on some pants and a shirt and called a cab. Twenty minutes later she was on the road heading toward Henry’s place. The doorman nodded at her, and she gave him a quick smile. In her pocket lay the photo. She banged on his door, waiting of him to answer.
Her heart raced, and she banged on his door again.
“What the fuck?” Henry asked, opening the door. Her mouth went dry as she saw him dressed in a pair of pants. “April?”
Chapter Four
Henry didn’t have time to move out of April’s way as she barged past him into his apartment. He closed the door, following her. She threw her jacket onto the sofa and whirled around to face him.