A Sudden Engagement (Love: Lost & Found)

by Helen Styles

  “Girl, that man is crazy about you!” Joanne said and glanced over her shoulder at Joel’s table. “This is the third day in a row he’s come to eat!”

  Avery’s mouth curved into a small smile. “I know. I can hardly believe it since I thought for years that I would never have a chance with him.”

  “Well, sometimes people just need to grow up.”

  “Some people never do.”

  Joanne looked at her sharply. “Is that a reference to Chuck or your mother?”

  “Both, I guess.”

  Joanne leaned over and gave her a quick hug. “Chuck’s hopefully moving on to Lord only knows what bimbo, and your mother, well, Avery you can’t feel responsible for that.”

  “I don’t really, but I just feel like I should have done more to help her too.”

  Joanne struck her famous pose with one fist on her hip. “Like what? You were still a kid handling some very grown up responsibilities. There was nothing you could have done.” Joanne glanced back at Joel again. “Now that little hottie over there is what you need to concentrate on right now, and as a matter of fact I think he’s looking for you.”

  Avery looked over her shoulder and saw Joel sitting sideways with his back propped up against the window. She smiled and walked over to his booth and sat down.

  “You look comfortable.”

  “I am, and I’m a little full. I think the cook gave me extra this time.”

  “Yeah, he’s not very good on time management and portions.”

  “He cooks pretty well, though.”

  Avery nodded. “Thankfully he does. We were a little worried when he first came here.”

  Joel slid his legs back under the table and took her hands in his. “I have to go soon.”

  “I know. I’ll call you tonight.”

  Joel leaned over the table and motioned with his head for her to lean forward too. He licked his lips and Avery wondered if he was finally going to kiss her properly. Instead he said, “Can you get off work for a few days?”

  “I don’t know, why?”

  “I want to take you somewhere.”

  “I would have to ask Mr. Trevor.”

  Joel leaned closer and whispered, “You actually have to call that kid Mr. Trevor?”

  Avery giggled and shot a quick glance across the restaurant to see Mr. Trevor marking things off on his clipboard. “He prefers it that way.”

  Joel rolled his eyes and let his head fall forward onto the table. He lifted it back up and looked at her. “Just ask ok, for Friday through Sunday.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and winked before leaving the booth. Avery cleared his dishes and watched in amazement as he paused at the door, and then walked directly up to Mr. Trevor with his hand extended. Mr. Trevor eyed him warily before shaking the outstretched hand. She watched as Joel began speaking and saw Mr. Trevor nod his head a few times. Joel shook his hand again and turned away, walking towards the front door. He winked at her again and left the restaurant. Avery couldn’t imagine what he had to say to her boss, and took the dirty dishes to the back part of the kitchen.

  “Avery, come into my office.” Mr. Trevor’s nasally voice said from somewhere behind her. Avery closed her eyes for a moment.

  Mr. Trevor’s office was a tiny broom closet that he had renovated to make an office. Previous managers had been content with a desk shoved in the corner by the safe, but not this man. The space was only big enough for his beat up desk and a single chair, since the extra toilet paper and paper towels still had to have somewhere to live.

  “Yes, sir?” Avery asked, and clasped her hands behind her back.

  “It has been brought to my attention that you would like the weekend off?”

  “It has?”

  Mr. Trevor sighed and attempted to lean back in his chair, but the movement brought several rolls of toilet paper cascading onto his head. Avery stifled a laugh and tried to help him, but he motioned her away, and stacked the rolls on the edge of his desk. “Look,” he said rather sharply, “I’m as romantic as the next guy.” Avery could feel laugher tying to bubble up from her throat. “So, you don’t need to have your boyfriend ask if you can take off for a trip.”

  “I didn’t ask him to ask you.”

  He looked at her as if he didn’t believe her. “Ok, whatever. We have that new waitress and I’m sure she would enjoy the extra hours.”

  “Oh.” Avery said with surprise. “Thank you, Mr. Trevor, that’s very kind of you.”

  The compliment caused a blush to creep up his cheeks, and he looked down at his desk to fidget with a paperclip. Avery saw a softening in his expression and it dawned on her that she may have stumbled onto the angle needed to make life with Mr. Trevor an easier experience. “That’s fine, Avery, just don’t make a habit of it.”

  “Thanks!” she said and turned to leave. She nearly ran face first into Joanne, who had been eavesdropping just outside the door.

  “Really?” Avery hissed.

  Joanne blinked twice and shrugged. “I can’t help it. I’m nosey.”

  Avery couldn’t help but smile and put her arm over around her friend’s shoulder. “I know.”

  “Ok, I understand you want this to be a surprise, but it’s October, I need to know how to pack.”

  “Pack like its October.” Joel said with a laugh. “We aren’t leaving the state.”

  “That’s all I needed to know.” Avery looked through her closet and tried to decide what would be appropriate with virtually no information about her destination.

  “So, I’ll pick you up around seven in the morning on Friday, and we should be back sometime Sunday evening. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great. I guess I’ll just see you tomorrow for your breakfast?” There was silence on the other end and Avery looked at her phone to see if the call had lost signal. “Joel?”

  “Yeah, I’m still here. I’ll be there for breakfast.”

  “What’s wrong? You don’t sound happy anymore.”

  “I’m fine, I just wanted to tell you…what I mean is…” He sighed heavily, and Avery could feel the cold fingers of panic clutching her stomach. What if he had changed his mind?

  “Are you having second thoughts?”

  “What? No! Please, don’t think that. I’m really looking forward to this. Sweet dreams.”

  “You too.” She said, and heard him hang up. Strange.

  Avery spent the next hour going through her clothes and shoes. She finally decided that a couple pairs of jeans and sweaters would be fine, with one nicer outfit in case they went out for dinner one of the nights. As an afterthought she grabbed sweat pants and a couple t-shirts for the evenings in the room; which brought her mind to a troubling thought. Was this going to be their first time making love? Chuck had been her only lover, and although she was eager to actually experience good sex, she wasn’t sure the time was right. She had known of Joel for years, but they would have only been dating for a week on the day of their departure. I’ll think about that later, but just in case I better bring the pretty underwear. Avery thought to herself. And the last little drops of my good perfume.

  Avery was busying herself with setting the clothes she wanted to take with her in a neat stack beside her bed, when she heard Otis hiss loudly before running full tilt into the bedroom. He went straight under the bed with ears flattened. She set the sweater down that she had been folding and looked tentatively into the next room. The only light that was on was the one over the stove and it gave the next room an eerie glow. She thought she saw a shadow move and chastised herself for being foolish. She turned back towards the bed when she heard the soft click of the front door closing. She snapped her head around, and could feel her breathing increase rapidly. She took a couple steps forward and peered into the living room and kitchenette. She didn’t see anyone, and she cut on all the lights once again so she could see everything around her. Once again the bathroom shower curtain was moved back and all closets checked. Avery stood in the middle of her living room with bot
h hands on her hips, looking around in frustration. She knew what she had heard. Someone had been in her apartment, or at the very least had opened the door and shut it again. She also knew that she had locked her door. After forgetting to lock it before, she had been extra careful, double and sometimes triple checking the lock, whether she was going out or coming in.

  Her cell phone rang and she answered without looking to see who was calling.

  “Hello?”

  “Avery.”

  Anger flashed through Avery fast and hot. “What do you want, Chuck?”

  “I want you to return my phone calls, Avery! Did you get the flowers?”

  “Yes. They were hideous. You know I hate carnations.”

  “I like them.”

  “Exactly; you like them.”

  “Can I come over?”

  “No.” Avery had a mental image of him standing with his hand on top of his reddish hair. She was positive he wore a polo shirt and jeans, or maybe a t-shirt; anything tight enough to show off his bulky muscles. Chuck worked for a paving company, and spent most of his time using the jackhammer.

  “Why not?” His voice rose in anger.

  “Chuck we have been broken up for a month now.”

  She could hear him breathing, which meant he was truly becoming angry. Chuck angry was not a good thing. “I’ve been patient, Avery.”

  “No, you’re one step away from being an absolute stalker!”

  “I want you to stop this! You’re being stupid!”

  “Seriously?” Avery yelled into the phone, bending slightly at the waist. “Who is more stupid, me or little your tramp Candice?”

  “I haven’t seen her!”

  “You shouldn’t have seen her to begin with!” Avery took a breath to steady her nerves. “Look, Chuck, just move on. I have.”

  “What does that mean?” he growled.

  “I’m seeing someone.”

  “You little slut!” his voice went from a growl to a roar.

  Avery shut her eyes. “Goodbye, Chuck. Please just leave me alone.”

  “Careful, Avery; you never know where and when I might just pop up.”

  She ended the call and threw her phone on the couch. Tears stung her eyes. They were tears of anger, but also fear. Chuck could be a dangerous man. She had bailed him out of jail once because he had gotten into a fist fight over a parking spot. He had hit her twice, and she should have broken it off with him the first time he had laid hands on her. Her mother had convinced her that she was sporting a black eye because she must have done something wrong. She looked at her front door and threw it open. She ran down the steps and out onto the street just in time to see Chuck’s truck turn the corner.

  “Really, I’ll be fine.”

  Joel looked up at her and anger flashed through his eyes. “The hell you will.” He was sitting at her kitchen table and began to drum his fingers lightly. He had been at his office getting some extra work done in anticipation of their trip when Avery had tearfully called him.

  A knock sounded on her door and Avery opened it to see Joanne’s husband standing there. He was at least 6’6” and had the build to match his height, but he was a gentle giant. His mustache twitched and his brown skin had sheen of sweat across it.

  “Joanne wanted me to come over and give Joel a hand.” He said in a rich baritone.

  Joel stood from the kitchen table. He laid a hand flat against his tie and held out the other to shake the man’s hand. “Hi, I’m Joel Benjamin.”

  “Tyrone Carter.”

  Joel had rolled his sleeves up to mid forearm and was ready to get to work. After Avery had called and told him what had happened, he had left his office and gone straight to the local Wal-Mart to purchase a deadbolt. Unfortunately he had forgotten a screwdriver and Avery didn’t own any. Luckily Joanne anticipated this, and sent her husband to the rescue with not only a screwdriver but an entire tool box.

  “I’m shocked Joanne didn’t come with you.”

  Tyrone tilted his head to the side. “Derrick’s been sniffling.”

  “Oh yeah, she mentioned that at work.”

  Joel rubbed her on both arms. “You have to work tomorrow. Why don’t you try to get some sleep? We’ll take care of this, and I’ll just crash on the couch.”

  Tyrone was opening the new lock and looked at Avery from behind Joel with raised eyebrows.

  Avery shifted her gaze back to Joel’s earnest face. “No, it’s fine. I’m sure you’d be more comfortable at your house.”

  Tyrone shook his head and mouthed, “Let him!”

  Avery couldn’t believe how much he thought like his wife. “I don’t know.”

  “Just give me an extra pillow and blanket, and I’ll be fine.” He squeezed her upper arms lightly.

  Avery nodded and went to get the blanket and pillow. It didn’t take the men long to finish and Avery was able to thank Tyrone herself for coming over. She was sitting cross legged on her bed when Joel stepped into the bedroom and took a seat next to her on the bed.

  “I think you need to report this to the police.”

  “I can’t prove he was the one who opened my door.”

  “No, but at least you can report it, and there will be some type of written record in case he tries something more serious.” Otis walked into the room and jumped onto Joel’s lap.

  “Whoa there big boy!” he said running a hand down the cat’s back.

  “He likes you.”

  “Will he be alright while we are gone?”

  “I’m going to ask the lady across the hall to come over and feed him.”

  Joel’s brow furrowed. “I think under the circumstances it might be better if Otis could stay with her while we’re gone.”

  Avery’s eyes moved from the cat to Joel’s face. “You’re worried.”

  Joel didn’t answer at first. He kept running his hand down the cats back and along the sides of his head. “Avery, this week has been the one of the best of my life.” He looked at her incredulous expression. “No, really it has. My life may look like a cake walk, but it’s actually pretty boring and lonely.”

  “You haven’t dated anyone? What about friends?”

  He lifted one shoulder and let it back down. “I have a couple of buddies, but we don’t hang out that much, and I have been on about three dates in the past year.” He took one of her hands in his and smiled lightly as Otis tried to curl up on his lap. “That first morning at the restaurant, I was expecting the day to be like any other day. Mediocre food, work like usual, and home alone. But you were like a breath of fresh air. I could have kicked my own butt all week after I realized that I could have breathed your fresh air as far back as high school.”

  “Joel, I told you its ok.”

  His head shot up and he gave her a desperate look. “But it’s not ok, Avery! We don’t know what this guy is capable of, and I can’t lose you! I just found you, for crying out loud!”

  Before he could say another word, Avery reached out and pulled his face in to hers. The initial heat from their lips meeting was a surprise to them both. Joel brought his hands up and cupped her face from either side. Avery could feel her stomach tighten as pent up passion fought to be released. Joel gently parted her lips with the tip of his tongue and that was all it took. They kissed gently, then roughly, and back to gentle again, before they finally rested forehead to forehead breathlessly. Neither of them had noticed the departure of an indignant Otis, as he left them with a flick of his tail.

  “I’ve wanted to do that since out first date.”

  “You should have.” Avery said and lifted her head. Joel’s eyes were dark. He kissed her forehead and stood grabbing her hand once again.

  “You need to get some rest. I’ll be right her when you wake up.”

  Avery felt a moment of disappointment that he wasn’t going to share her bed for the night, but she also felt a sense of security because he wasn’t. Most men would have exploited the situation, but not Joel. He respected her, and that made him
a keeper. Something blossomed in her chest for him at that moment, something very different from the high school crush. She smiled brightly up at him as her hand slipped gently through his.

  Thursday passed blessedly uneventful, and Friday dawned with a promise that Avery had never felt before. Joel had insisted on bringing his suitcase to her apartment the night before and staying again, ‘just in case’, and Avery had slept like a baby.

  “Mrs. Barrimore is thrilled to have Otis stay for a couple of days.” Avery said as she came back into the apartment. “She’s insisting on cooking baked chicken for him like she does for her other cats.”

  Joel set her suitcase by the door and smiled broadly. “You are going to have one spoiled cat on your hands when you get back!”

  Avery barked a short laugh. “He already is!”

  Joel took their suitcases down the steps and Avery grabbed her carry-on bag before locking the door. She couldn’t help but smile as she trotted down the steps headed for her adventure.

  They were ten miles into the trip when Joel leaned over and popped the glove box open. “There’s a brochure in there that I want you to see.”

  The glossy paper showed the beautiful scenery of Shenandoah. It was a pamphlet advertising a very tame camping area that consisted of several log cabins in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The pictures showed a lodge where meals were served, and boasted of the best hiking trails along Skyline Drive. There was also an advertisement for Zip Lining. Avery kissed Joel on the cheek and tried to hug him without impairing his driving.

  “Joel, this looks so romantic! Thank you!”

  He gazed through the windshield with a satisfied expression on his face; holding the steering with one hand, and grabbing Avery’s hand with the other.

  Their first day was spent enjoying the incredible colors of fall and a trip down the zip line. Avery laughed so hard she had a cramp in her stomach as Joel came down the line, screaming at the top of his lungs. When his feet touched ground again, he grabbed Avery on the shoulder and bent down to grab one of his knees with the other hand. He rocked slightly from side to side and Avery hugged him around the waist to settle him. He looked up at her with big hazel eyes and pale skin. “I’m afraid of heights.” He said in a weak voice.