Waiting for Fate (Dual Court Kiss Book 3)

by Samantha Britt

  “What ages?”

  “High school. Teenagers.”

  “That must be interesting,” he smiled, charming her once again with his left dimple.

  “That is one way to put it.” She returned his smile. The awkward air cleared and the easy going banter returned.

  “What subject do you teach?”

  “It varies. I’m certified in Science, so I pretty much teach whatever the school needs in a particular year. I’m teaching Biology this year.”

  “Have classes resumed?”

  Sara nodded, swallowing her sip of wine. “We just finished our second week.”

  “Which school?”

  Their conversation continued in a similar manner for quite some time. Ronan seemed genuinely interested in learning about Sara’s work. His questions were thoughtful and engaging.

  As Sara continued talking, Ronan refilled her wine glass. She sipped on the drink unconsciously while talking.

  At one point, Sara paused in a particularly long ramble to gauge his interest, afraid she might have lost it.

  Ronan didn’t miss a beat. He jumped back into the conversation with more discussion on the curriculum standards the state began implementing in recent years.

  Sara willingly participated, smiling inwardly at how well the date was going. She didn’t think she ever had such a great first date. Spending time with Ronan was just so… easy.

  That explained everything. Despite how nervous Sara felt leading up to any time she might encounter Ronan, being with him was always easy. He was kind, funny, genuine… and incredibly attractive. By all accounts, he was perfect.

  That’s what unsettled Sara. In her experience, no one was perfect. She couldn’t help but wonder what Ronan’s flaw would be. She prayed it wouldn’t be a deal breaker.

  Maybe it was the confidence of how well the date was going? Or perhaps it was the two glasses of wine that emboldened Sara?

  Regardless, the normally timid young woman found herself asking Ronan a question that plagued her from the moment she received his invitation.

  “So, what is your deal?”

  Ronan nearly choked on his chicken parmesan. “Excuse me?” He asked, coughing. He took a healthy swig of wine to clear his throat.

  “What’s your deal?”

  “My deal?”

  “Yes.”

  When Ronan did not immediately respond, Sara elaborated. “I don’t know what to make of you. Whenever we see each other, we get along well. We… flirt.”

  Sara wasn’t bold enough to not blush at that one.

  She continued, “but afterwards, you ghost. I don’t see or hear from you. Then, lo and behold, you ask me on a date. So I’m asking, what is your deal? What is this?” She gestured between the two of them.

  Ronan could not look more uncomfortable. He leaned forward, before quickly leaning back in his chair. He crossed his arms, but switched to lacing his fingers in his lap. Sara really threw him for a loop. The knowledge pleased her. If he felt even a tenth of the uncertainty Sara did, she would be relieved to know she wasn’t alone.

  “I’m uncertain how to explain,” Ronan finally provided. His eyes spoke of his sincerity.

  “Just start,” Sara offered kindly. “I only want to understand what’s happening here. I don’t want to be in my own head again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Even though she felt like he was delaying his own response, Sara obligingly answered his question. “Whenever I saw you, you always gave me the impression you were interested.”

  Sara held up her hand, silently asking him to holster his reply. If she didn’t get this out now, she never would.

  “I always anticipated you asking me for my number or on a date. You never did. It always left me in my head, thinking I misread our interactions. Then, the same thing would happen the next time we saw each other. It’s a cycle with you, only broken this time because you asked me on a date… with a letter.”

  “I did not have your phone number,” Ronan replied sheepishly. He didn’t miss her dig at his method of communication.

  “I know,” she gave him an amused smirk. “You never asked for it.”

  Ronan ran his hand through his black hair. “Would you believe that I was nervous?”

  Sara doubted it. “Maybe,” she offered. “If you elaborate.”

  “I was nervous to ask you on a date.”

  “But why?”

  “Because…” Ronan paused, looking at her. “I think you’re good. Too good for me.”

  Good? Sara didn’t know what he meant by that. “Good, as in innocent?” She hoped that wasn’t his meaning.

  “No. Good, as in you are a good person.”

  “And you aren’t a good person?”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” Ronan’s eyes were thoughtful. “I was nervous to ask you on a date because you deserve someone uncomplicated.”

  “And you are complicated?”

  “A little.”

  At least they seemed to be getting somewhere, she thought.

  “But you asked me out, despite feeling like you were too complicated? Can I ask why?”

  “Yes,” Ronan smiled. “I decided I enjoyed your company too much to not spend more time with you. After the wedding, I told myself I would look you up when I came back to help Gwen and Kalan move.”

  “Even with your complicated ways?” Sara grinned, unable to hide her happiness with his response.

  “Yes.”

  Sara could tell now wasn’t the time to ask for more details on what complicated meant. She could wait. At least she got some sort of answer from him.

  “Well,” Sara shrugged. “I’ve been warned.”

  Ronan chuckled. “I guess so.”

  “For what it is worth,” Sara began, once again feeling bold. “I am glad you asked me to dinner.”

  Ronan’s eyes gleamed. “I am, too.”

  The remaining time together passed quickly. Sara finished as much of the meal her fluttering stomach would allow and declined Ronan’s offer of dessert. She wouldn’t be able to manage a single bite.

  The pair strolled through the parking lot, neither eager to leave each other’s company. Sara observed Ronan’s profile in the mix of fluorescent and moon light.

  He could be a freaking model.

  Ronan caught her staring. Instead of commenting on her obvious perusal, he lightly grabbed her hand and continued escorting her to the car. Sara’s pulse quickened.

  All too soon, the pair arrived next to the blue vehicle.

  “Where did you park?” Sara asked, delaying the goodbye.

  Ronan hesitated before answering, “I walked.”

  Sara had an odd sense of déjà vu. Had she heard him say that before?

  Before she could think any further, Ronan swiftly lifted the hand he held to his lips. He placed one soft kiss on the back of Sara’s hand. “Thank you for the wonderful evening.” He gave her hand one last squeeze before releasing it to her side.

  “Until next time?” He asked.

  “Should I expect a letter?” Sara’s joke was spoken softly, her lungs unable to provide adequate air to the words.

  Ronan smiled gently. “No, I’ll be more modern with my next invitation. Goodnight, Sara.”

  “Goodnight,” Sara replied before slipping into her car. She fumbled for her keys, noticing Ronan seemed to be waiting for her to leave before walking away.

  Once the key was in the ignition, Sara quickly backed out of the parking spot. She gave Ronan a timid wave before driving onto the busy streets.

  As she drove home, Sara’s mind replayed her favorite moments from the first date; their easy banter, his attentiveness… her boldness. Their date went better than anything she could have imagined.

  Later that night, when Sara finally wriggled under her soft comforter, the smile Ronan put on her lips remained as she fell into happy dreams.

  Chapter 4

  Sunlight shined through the blue curtains the following morning. Begrudgingly,
Sara rolled out of her queen size bed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She had a busy day of interviews ahead of her. She shuffled to the kitchen to brew coffee. She was going to need it.

  Dishes sat in the kitchen sink, telling Sara her uncle was already out and about. He seemed to be keeping true to his word regarding the hiring process. Sara appeared to be completely in charge.

  Sara ran through her morning routine at a steady pace. Within 20 minutes she was out the door with a granola bar and coffee in hand. She wolfed her breakfast down on the short walk to the apartment office.

  Glancing at the wall clock, Sara estimated she had fifteen minutes to get organized before the first interviewee arrived. She took the opportunity to sort out the resumes of the five individuals she would meet.

  Each were selected based on some level of experience running a business. Only one was the previous manager of an apartment complex, but Sara figured running a store or restaurant correlated well to the position they needed.

  Her uncle needed someone with organizational skills, as well as general work ethics. Sara attempted to verify the last characteristic by contacting the applicants’ professional references. No red flags were raised for the five, but Sara took the information with a grain of salt. Most people did not list references who would say negative things about them. The interview would help Sara gather more information.

  She was going over the interview questions she researched when the bell jingled.

  She pasted on a professional smile and stood. “Ms. Mansfield?”

  The morning and early afternoon flew by, filled with the first four interviews. Each one went well, causing Sara to begin worrying about how she would determine the best candidate for the job.

  She supposed she could eliminate Mr. George, the third interviewee, from the list of potential candidates. Although his interview went smoothly, he informed Sara of a problem with his second job. The time conflict would prevent him from working Wednesday and Friday mornings.

  If the apartment was fully functioning, Sara would not bat an eye to the small inconvenience. However, she knew the new manager would be working full time to get the complex back in shape. Uncle Frank already insisted on giving the manager weekends off; they couldn’t afford to give more time.

  Sara finished determining Ms. Mansfield’s experience outweighed Ms. Oak’s and Mr. Stevens’ when a voice drew her attention.

  “Miss Roberts?” A well-dressed man stood in the open doorway. Sara forgot she propped it open after the last interview, feeling chilled from the overactive office air conditioner.

  “Yes,” Sara moved to shake the stranger’s hand. “Mr. Larrimore?”

  “Please, call me Taylor.”

  “Alright.” Sara gestured to the chair in front of the desk. “Would you like to take a seat?”

  Both adults moved to their respective chairs. Sara asked Taylor for a moment in order to get his application and resume in hand.

  “So, Taylor,” Sara looked at him directly. “Tell me about yourself.”

  The young man appeared completely at ease. “Well, I graduated from UTSA a few years back with a degree in Business Management. I took a position as a manager for a developing complex in the Stone Oak area.” Sara took note of the location. Stone Oak was a well-known and nice part of town.

  “I worked at the location for almost five years before deciding I wanted a change.”

  Moving from one apartment complex to another didn’t seem like much of a change, but Sara kept the thought to herself. “Did anything happen to motivate you to leave your last position?”

  Taylor nodded. “A new company took over ownership of the complex. In my opinion, resident amenities and services will decrease as a direct result. I did not want to be there for the impending chaos and never-ending tenant complaints.”

  “I see,” Sara wrote the information down.

  “This complex is family owned, right?” Taylor asked. Clearly, he did his research.

  Sara lifted her pen when she looked at him. “Yes. My extended family owned a few properties in the past. This complex was the only one not sold. My uncle took it over about thirty years ago.”

  “Must be nice to not have a corporation hanging over head telling you how to run things.”

  Sara shrugged. She never thought about it before. “I suppose it is.” Uncle Frank did seem to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

  “Have there been updates in the apartments recently?” Valid question, considering the complex’s age.

  “Approximately eighty percent of the units received upgrades five years ago. They have the newest appliances and eco-friendly fixtures.”

  “What about the other twenty percent?”

  Was it just Sara, or did they switch roles in the interview?

  “The remaining twenty percent have not had a turnover of tenants in that time. The residents expressed a wish to not be kicked out of their home for a renovation to occur.”

  Taylor’s expression was approving. “That is a good reason.”

  Sara decided to take back the reins. “Given your previous work, I’m sure you are aware of the damages the summer storms caused a number of years ago?”

  Taylor nodded. “I am.”

  “My uncle and I have been running the complex by ourselves, but find we are being stretched too thin. Hence, this interview.”

  Sara and Taylor continued discussions involving the complex. Sara listed problems they were having with fixing the damages caused by the storms. They also discussed the numerous projects still needed to restore the apartments to pre-damage status.

  Undaunted by the task, Taylor provided logical suggestions to some of the issues. He even pulled a business card out of his wallet. It contained the contact information of a roofer he assured would be fast to repair the broken shingles covering various units’ roofs. He also suggested two fence contractors to repair the west building’s privacy fences.

  Sara stared, in awe of the amount of information Taylor readily possessed. She had similar conversations with the other interviewees, but none provided her suggestions on how to solve issues. Taylor did it without thought, only seeming eager to help her out.

  There really was no competition. Taylor had the most experience of the group and a working knowledge of how to run an apartment complex much bigger than Uncle Frank’s.

  Decision made, Sara put down her pen and smiled. “Well, Mr. Larrimore, I can’t deny I’m impressed. I think this complex would be lucky to have you. Consider this an official offer of employment. Feel free to take time to think it over. We simply ask to be notified within a week if you do not want to accept the position.”

  “Thank you,” Taylor smiled back. “I will definitely think it over and get back to you as soon as I decide.”

  “Sounds good.” Sara stood to escort him out. Taylor rose from his chair but did not make a move to follow her to the door.

  Instead, he kept talking. “So what will you do once a manager is hired? Stay at home?”

  Sara laughed. “I wish. No, I’m a full time teacher. Once someone is hired I plan on devoting all my time to that, as well as enjoying some free time.”

  “In my free time, I enjoy exploring new areas of San Antonio with friends. The new Pearl District is particularly exciting for people our age.” Sara felt like he was quoting a promotional ad with his abrupt addition to the topic.

  “Sounds fun,” she offered, not knowing how to end the conversation.

  “It is,” Taylor put on a charming grin. “We should go sometime.”

  Sara’s shoulders straightened. “We?”

  “We,” Taylor confirmed. “Unless you have a boyfriend?”

  Ronan’s face passed across her mind.

  “No,” Sara felt her cheeks pink. “No boyfriend.”

  “Then how about it?” Taylor was all enthusiasm. “I think we would have a good time.”

  “I’m sure we would,” Sara chose her response carefully. She did not want to come off as rude
. “But I’m not really in a place to date anyone right now. I have too much going on… But maybe some other time?” Sara cringed at her cliché words.

  Fortunately, Taylor took the rejection in stride. “I get it. From what you’ve told me, I know there is a lot on your plate.”

  Sara let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks for understanding.” This time, Taylor moved beside her when she walked towards the open door.

  “Absolutely. Just do me a favor,” Taylor paused at the exit, taking Sara’s outstretched hand to shake. “Keep me in mind if you ever feel in a place to date anyone.” He held on to her palm for his last statement. His gaze held hers, revealing his seriousness.

  Before she could reply, Taylor released her hand and left.

  Sara gaped at his retreating figure as he disappeared into the parking lot.

  Before she could process what just happened, the office phone rang. Sara walked over to answer it.

  “Hello?” She did her best to smooth out her shaky voice.

  “Miss Roberts?”

  “Speaking.” Sara pulled out a notepad.

  “This is Taylor Larrimore.”

  “Oh,” Sara started with surprise. She straightened her back. “Hi… Is everything alright?”

  “Oh, yes.” Sara swore she could hear his smile.

  “Then… how can I help you?” She asked, not knowing what to expect. She tensed when she thought the call might be a delayed retaliation to her saying no to a date.

  “I was just calling to let you know I have thought about it.”

  “It?” Her confusion grew.

  “The position,” Taylor provided.

  “I see,” Sara braced herself. “And?”

  Taylor allowed an adequate pause before answering. “I would like to accept the position of manager. If the offer is still on the table, of course.”

  She didn’t speak.

  “Sara?” Taylor asked, concerned at the silence.

  She tried to resist. Sara didn’t want to seem unprofessional, or worse, like a lunatic. But she couldn’t help it.

  Sara erupted into delirious laughter, relieved to feel a huge burden life off of her shoulders.

  Through her silly reaction, she heard Taylor say with amusement, “I’ll take that as a yes.”