A Love Trapped in Time

by Bree Wolf

  Looking at him now, at the way he had reacted when we’d met and now at the way he spoke to me, I wasn’t so sure if he really knew me. But since this seemed to be a unique opportunity I decided not to let it slip away.

  “I guess writing them down is the only way I can get these ideas out of my head,” he said, chuckling. “Sometimes I actually feel like my head weighs a ton whenever there is too much spooking around in it. It’s a form of therapy. Honestly, if I didn’t write them down, I’d probably go crazy. The fact that other people enjoy reading the rantings of my feeble mind is just a…slightly weird but positive side effect.”

  Now and then I found myself staring at him, marveling at his talkative nature that seemed a bit surreal at times. And whenever he caught me staring, he would wink at me and I would blush. This little game had been going on for a while when he suddenly sat forward and openly looking at me, said, “This is the most bizarre interview I’ve ever been to.”

  Once again I blushed. “Sorry,” I said, quickly averting my eyes. “This is not really my forte.”

  He shrugged. “Don’t worry. It’s refreshing not to be dealing with hard-core fans all the time. They can be rather tiresome. It’s quite nice that you haven’t read my book.”

  I jumped, startled. “How do you know?” I asked, feeling embarrassed.

  He grinned at me. “I can always tell. Call it a sixth sense.”

  “I’m sorry. I really should have. This was a last-minute thing. A friend asked me to do this because his little girl has a soccer tournament this afternoon,” I babbled, completely thrown off my game. I had never liked it when people called my bluff. Not that it happened a lot, especially considering that I hardly ever bluffed. Maybe because I simply had no talent for it.

  But he just waved my concerns away. “As I said, I prefer it this way. Makes life more unpredictable and somehow more authentic. So, what else do you want to know?”

  I frowned at him then. “For a writer, you sure do talk a lot.”

  He shrugged. “You ask a lot.”

  I laughed. “I meant that writers often feel more comfortable with a piece of paper and a pen. They are not big on the talking thing.”

  Again he shrugged. “Well, I guess in ancient times people actually did use paper and pen to write a novel,” I chuckled, “but today I have to say I’d much prefer a computer. It’s handier.” He grinned. “And about the talking thing, what can I say? I’m a chatterbox.”

  “I see.”

  “I’ve always had too many thoughts in my head and gladly take every opportunity to throw them out. By which means doesn’t really matter to me. Whatever is more convenient at the moment. But if you prefer, I could pass you little notes with my answers.” Again there was that devilish grin as though he was challenging me, only waiting for a reaction that would give him fuel for another one of his smart-ass remarks.

  Suddenly, to my embarrassment, my stomach growled. It was almost dinner time and I had hardly eaten anything since that poptart this morning.

  For the ten millionth time that day I blushed and looked away, flipping through my notes to have something to do.

  There was humor in his voice as he spoke. “Hey, I’d ask you to dinner but unfortunately I’m already otherwise engaged. How about lunch tomorrow?”

  Surprised, I lifted my head. There was a touch of mischief in his eyes but his face was serious. “Are you asking me out?”

  A corner of his mouth curled up, his eyes flashing to the left before they looked at me again. He shrugged. “If you don’t find that unprofessional.”

  “Maybe a little.” I had trouble keeping a straight face.

  He leaned forward. “Too much to say yes?”

  “I didn’t say that.” I was still trying to suppress a grin.

  He nodded. “I’m glad you didn’t. Tomorrow then?” he asked. Suddenly a slightly confused frown appeared on his face. “Why are you shaking your head?”

  I smiled at him, unaware that I had. “I’m just…” I looked him straight in the eyes, searching. For an answer. The truth. I didn’t know. “I’m just trying to figure out why you keep pre-tending that we don’t know each other?” The words came out before I had decided to say them.

  His eyebrows rose in surprise. Then he leaned back in his chair, grinning.

  Chapter Eighteen - Knowing

  He was still looking at me, his eyes now searching my face. “We know each other?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Yes, we do.”

  He shook his head, but there was an amused twitch on his lips as he said, “That can’t be. You, I’d definitely remember.”

  Ignoring the compliment, I leaned back, crossing my arms. “What? Are you calling me a liar?”

  A smile lit his face. “Then why don’t I remember knowing you?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh, having abandoned rationality so long ago. “If that’s all you’re worried about…believe me, stranger things have happened to me.”

  “Really?” His eyebrows rose for a second as he leaned forward. “Now, that sounds promising.”

  “So, you really don’t know me?” I asked, my voice serious again. Maybe he really didn’t. Maybe the him I knew really was from a time in the future. Maybe this was how we met.

  He shook his head. “I wish I did.” His eyes met mine. “But can’t we remedy that?”

  I smiled at him. “I guess so.” I was glad he had asked. I really wanted to get to know him better. At least the Nathan in front of me had no problem communicating his intentions.

  Leaning back in his chair, that hint of mischief was back in his eyes. “So, how do we know each other?”

  My eyes narrowed. “I thought you just said we didn’t.”

  “I did,” he confirmed. “But you are convinced that we do, so tell me how.”

  For a moment I eyed him carefully, thinking about whether or not to tell him. Then I shook my head. “Not a chance. That is a discussion for a later meeting.”

  “Okay,” he said, looking a little disappointed. “At least something to look forward to.” He rose from his chair. “So, tomorrow then?”

  I stepped around my desk and nodded. “All right. Tomorrow.”

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “How about City Gardens? Twoish?”

  He nodded. “Sounds good.” That devilish grin returned to his face. “It was really nice meeting you,” he said, holding out his hand. “Bizarre, but very entertaining.”

  I smiled, taking his hand. “I’m glad you had fun.”

  Nodding his head vigorously, he said, “Oh, I did.”

  He opened the door and left my office but before he vanished down the corridor, he turned back. “See you tomorrow then.”

  Standing in the door frame, I watched him head toward the elevator. My eyes didn’t stray from him for one second. He was so very different from the man I had met before. I caught one last amused grin before the elevator doors closed and he was gone.

  I felt a smile spread across my face that I was unable to wipe off. Feeling jittery all over, but in a good way, I leaned against the door frame and closed my eyes for a second. After all this confusion of the last few weeks, I felt almost as light as a feather, with nothing weighing me down. The future looked a little more promising than it had this morning. It was so unexpected.

  With a last look at the closed elevator doors, I turned back to my office. Then something at the other end of the corridor caught my eye. I turned towards it and felt my heart skip a beat and my breath catch in my throat.

  Open-mouthed, I stared at the man I had just seen get on the elevator and leave. And yet, only a few feet away, there he stood looking at me.

  I blinked, hoping that I wasn’t seeing what I was seeing. But he was still there. Still looking at me like he had so many times.

  Without thinking, I rushed over to him, staring into his face.

  It was Nathan. I was sure of it. I recognized him without a doubt. The same feeling that always crawled up my spine and m
ade my stomach flutter settled over me once again.

  “How did you get here?” I asked, shaking my head in disbelief. “You just left.” But at the same time I knew that this was not the same man who’d left my office only a moment earlier.

  “What’s going on here?” I whispered, starting to feel faint.

  His warm eyes looked down on me again. They were the same. But they held no humor, no twinkle of mischief. There was no smile on his face. Instead, his features once more held incredible sadness tinged by a hint of fear.

  He took my hand and the feel of his touch reminded me of shaking Nathan’s hand back in my office. I knew they were the same person. And yet they weren’t.

  Leaning down to me, his eyes looked into mine imploringly. “You need to hurry,” he whispered. “He needs you.” He squeezed my hand. “He needs you to come back.”

  ***

  Driving home, I had trouble keeping my thoughts and eyes focused on the road. So much had happened and none of it made sense. I had thought that finding out his name would slowly bring me down the road to answers I had been seeking for a while now. But after what had happened that night, I felt like I was farther away from anything remotely resembling an answer than I ever had been.

  Suddenly I felt tired. So incredibly tired. I just wanted to lie down and sleep and let my dreams carry me back to where I belonged. To where life was not an endless line of questions.

  At home, I headed straight for the bathroom, lit a few candles and sank into the bathtub. The flickering light and the warm water slowly started to sooth my strained nerves and I felt myself relax. With my head laid back, I closed my eyes and breathed in the candles’ aromatic scent rising up and climbing onto the tiny drops of humidity hanging in the air.

  I sighed as I felt my mind drift off, relieved to abandon my hold on reality. If only for a moment.

  But it was a short moment. Suddenly the phone rang, its shrill, piercing screams yanking me wide awake.

  “Damn it!” I cursed, climbing out of the tub and slipping into a bathrobe before I headed into my bedroom.

  Abby really had perfect timing. She’d probably want to know everything that had happened tonight. It had actually been insane of me to think I’d have a quiet evening to myself when she was probably dying with curiosity. Unfortunately, Abby was the kind of person unable to contain it. If she felt it, she released it. Thinking about it, I thought it strange that she hadn’t called sooner.

  “What?” I barked into the phone.

  For a moment there was silence. Then someone asked, “What did I do?” To my surprise it was not Abby’s voice.

  “Nathan?” I asked, disbelief clinging to my mind.

  He chuckled. “Wow, I didn’t know we were on a first-name basis.”

  I sank down on the bed. “Sorry, I…eh.”

  Laughing, he said, “Hey, that was a joke. Is it a bad time?”

  “No,” I quickly replied. “Not at all.”

  “Really?” he sounded doubtful. “It sure sounded like it was.”

  “Do you want me to hang up?” I asked, annoyance in my voice.

  “Are you always this touchy?”

  “Are you always this rude?” I snapped.

  He actually laughed. “All right, shall we call it a tie?”

  “Fine,” I said, already feeling my annoyance dissipate. It was the strangest thing. Within seconds, he would get me all worked up but at the same time I felt really comfortable with him around. Even just on the phone.

  “Hey, tell me honestly,” he said, “do I come across as a bit needy for calling you so soon? You don’t feel stalked, do you?”

  I chuckled. “Not by you.” Sometimes the universe really had a sick sense of humor.

  “What?” he asked. “Someone is stalking you? That’s just so weird.”

  I frowned. “What’d you mean?”

  “I’m the bestselling author and you get your own stalker.”

  I laughed. “Okay, if you put it like that.” But if he were the one with the stalker then he’d be stalked by…himself. In a way, at least. And that would be even weirder.

  “So, who is it?” His voice sounded a bit more serious.

  “That really is a long story. And I’m actually on my way into bed. So…”

  “It’s only 9:30,” he said, sounding reproachful.

  “So what?” I felt annoyed again. How did he do that? “You’re really kind of irritating, did you know that?”

  I almost heard him shrug. “My only flaw.” There was humor in his voice though.

  “Your only flaw?” I asked, trying to keep the grin on my face from showing in my voice. “What about your pride? And your ego? And your lame jokes?”

  “Ouch,” he said. “That last one was really below the belt!”

  “Well, what can I say? You don’t want to cross swords with me,” I said lightly but my voice betrayed how much I was enjoying our conversation.

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. “See you tomorrow then?”

  I nodded. “Sure. Goodnight.” I was about to hang up when another thought occurred to me. “Wait,” I said. “Where’d you get my number?”

  He chuckled. “Wouldn’t you like to know that?” He sounded pleased. “Well, what can I say? I’ve got my little secrets, too.”

  ***

  That night I slept well. Again I heard the voice. But this time whoever was speaking to me had Nathan’s face. If it really was his voice or if I simply projected him there, I didn’t know. The voice wasn’t loud enough. It was very faint, like it was coming from far away. But for the first time, I didn’t feel scared or trapped. That night the dream was comforting and I woke feeling refreshed.

  Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last long. Only moments after I’d eaten a little something, a wave of nausea washed over me and I barely made it to the bathroom before my stomach rejected the breakfast I’d fed it.

  After throwing up, I instantly felt better, as though nothing had happened. So, I got dressed and headed into town. When I walked into City Gardens an hour later, I stopped by the door. At the bar sat my brother in deep conversation with Abby, their heads bent close together and a smile on each of their faces.

  I had to have made some noise or it had been that strange sense you sometimes have that someone’s looking at you, but suddenly they turned around and saw me. For a second they didn’t just look surprised to see me but it was almost as though I had caught them doing some-thing they weren’t supposed to be doing.

  Quickly, they had a friendly smile in place that came across so fake they looked like zombies fresh out of a horror movie.

  “What’s going on here?” I asked, taking a seat next to my brother.

  Again they looked at each other as though to agree on a story before Abby said, “Oh, nothing. Your bonehead of a brother just stopped by to…pick up a CD he’d left at my place.” There was definite stuttering in her voice.

  I looked from one to the other. “Okay, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two are back together and for some reason you don’t want me to know.”

  Their eyes flew open and for a split second they did look busted. Then Abby started laughing and Andy joined in a moment later.

  “Funny! What have you had for breakfast?” Abby asked, her eyes not meeting mine. “By the way, how was your big interview last night? Found out anything new?”

  I decided to let them off the hook and went along with the change of topic. I told them everything that had happened last night, including the phone call.

  “That’s just getting better and better,” Abby commented, eyes beaming.

  I shook my head. “You mean creepier, don’t you? It’s getting creepier.”

  She frowned at me. “C’mon, you have to admit he sounds really nice and he seems to genuinely like you. So, why are you being this bitchy?”

  Andy started laughing and I glared at him. “Since when are you two on the same cycle? I’m not sure I like this.”

  “So, you�
��re meeting him for lunch?” Abby cut in.

  I nodded. “Yes, how did you know?”

  She grinned at me and her eyes shifted to the side. “Because he’s standing right over there,” she said, pointing to the door.

  I turned around and there he was. For a moment I wondered which one of the two selves I’d met was standing there. But then an open smile spread over his face as he came walking over to the bar and I knew that this was the man I had spoken to the day before.

  “Hey there,” Nathan said, leaning on the bar casually. “Looks like I’m not the only one showing up early.”

  “So it would seem,” I said, unsure what to say with Abby and Andy basically staring at us as though we were some kind of lab rats.

  Nathan’s eyes flashed to them and then back to me. He leaned closer and whispered, “Why are these people staring at us?”

  I shrugged. “They can’t help it. No one ever taught them how to behave in public. Just ignore them.” I rose from the bar stool. “Since we’re both here, shall we sit down?”

  A bit theatrically, he offered me his arm and I breathed a sigh of relief when we left the two onlookers behind.

  “Speaking of people you have to deal with, would you include those two in that description?” he asked, jerking his head at them.

  I laughed. “Oh yes, I sure would.”

  Sitting down, his eyes narrowed as he observed them from afar. “Granted, they are giving off a slightly bizarre vibe but other than that they seem okay. Harmless even.”

  Again I laughed. “Believe me, that’s just camouflage.” Then I frowned. “Hey, didn’t you call me bizarre yesterday?”

  “You didn’t forget,” he said, grinning.

  I shrugged. “How could I? It’s not very flattering, now is it?”

  “Well, I’d say that depends,” he started. “There’s bizarre and then there’s bizarre.”

  “You’re not making any sense.”

  He laughed. “Well, what I meant is that there is a slightly creepy and somewhat disturbing kind of bizarre,” he pointed at the two by the bar, “you can find perfect specimen for this kind of bizarre over there.”

  “Okay, and what about the other kind?”