First Sight
Laura Donohue
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by Laura Kidd Donohue.
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
For my husband and daughter.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Chapter 1
The brisk January air flushed my cheeks as I hurried along the sidewalk. I tucked my cream scarf farther into my pale blue wool coat, trying to prevent more cold air from seeping inside. The black and white printed wrap dress I was wearing had looked cute in front of the mirror this morning but perhaps wasn’t the best choice for walking around outside in the middle of winter in Washington, DC. At least I’d worn my black knee-high leather boots instead of heels, so my feet were still warm. A strand of my hair blew across my face, and I brushed it aside as I continued walking down the block toward my office building.
The city was already bustling around me. Other commuters were heading to work, bundled up in hats and scarves, carrying briefcases and coffee in to-go cups or insulated travel mugs. The stores lining the streets were still closed, but the coffee shops and delis serving breakfast were already busy with the morning rush. A sea of red brake lights filled the street beside me, and a cab driver was yelling at a pedestrian who was trying to weave in and out of traffic rather than cross the street at the corner. I looked up at the clear blue sky, thinking it would be such a beautiful day if it wasn’t so cold. I glanced down at my cell phone—8:45 a.m. I was actually going to be a little early this morning, which was always a feat on a Monday. A cute guy in a grey business suit smiled at me as I walked by him, and I gave him a tiny smile in return.
The sun was beating down on the windows as I approached the building, the light reflecting blindingly off the glass. “Maddy! Hey, Maddy!” called out a female voice from behind me. I turned to see my coworker Marissa hurrying down the sidewalk. “I got us coffees!”
“Hey!” I waved and stopped to wait for her.
Marissa’s long blonde hair was cascading around her shoulders as she walked. She had on a fitted black coat over slim black trousers and shockingly high heels. I wasn’t sure how she managed to comfortably walk around all day in those, but I noticed a few guys eyeing her as she headed in my direction. Marissa was a graphic designer at my office. She’d started working for our company a year ago, and because we were both 25, and two of the younger people in our office, we’d quickly bonded. (“Don’t worry, you’ll catch up with us some day,” another coworker had announced to us the other day when she turned 30.) Marissa and I shared an office, appeared to share much of the same Banana Republic wardrobe, and had been mostly inseparable since we met.
We worked for a website in Washington, DC that reviewed things to do around the DC metro area. We covered everything from museum exhibits to restaurant openings to special events. Marissa and I were both on the publications team, which consisted of a few writers, editors, and graphic designers. We wrote some reviews ourselves but mostly edited and fact-checked submissions from our freelancers. The reviews were all posted on our website, and we published a twice-yearly magazine that covered the top ten highlights in each category. We got to eat at lots of great restaurants and scope out fun activities that I might not otherwise try. It was a great way to get out and enjoy all that DC had to offer, and I got to spend time writing for a job that I loved.
Marissa stopped in front of me, and I reached out to take one of the drinks she offered. “Thanks for the caffeine fix,” I said with a grin. I inhaled the delicious aroma of my café mocha and took a sip, feeling the warm liquid seep down my throat.
Marissa took the other cup and tossed the tray in the trash as we headed toward our building. “I figured we’d need it after last night,” she said with a giggle. Marissa and I had gone to a small art show on Sunday evening. They’d served wine and cheese, and the entire scene was as much about mingling and meeting members of the opposite sex as it was about admiring artwork. My mind flashed back to the cute guy I’d spotted across the room but hadn’t actually gotten a chance to talk to—tall, with dark brown eyes that had locked with mine a few times as I chatted with my friends. I’d spent half an hour occasionally glancing his way but hadn’t ever gotten the nerve to go over and say hello. Although he had seemed to be making his way closer to where we’d stood, Marissa and I ended up leaving to meet some friends for a drink. I hadn’t gotten home until around midnight, which was a little too late for me on a Sunday night.
“Yeah, so much for my grand plan of staying in Sunday evening,” I joked.
“This was so much more fun though.”
“I won’t argue with you there,” I said with a laugh. Marissa’s ideas were always guaranteed to be “more fun.”
I caught a glimpse of my reflection as we approached the doors, noting that my long, layered brown hair didn’t look too disheveled from my walk from the metro. A man coming out of the building held the door for us, and I thanked him as we stepped inside the downstairs lobby.
I pulled my ID card from my purse as Marissa rooted around her bag for hers. “Here, hold this a sec,” she said, handing her latte over to me. We always ordered the same thing—vanilla latte for her, café mocha for me. The baristas at the coffee shop didn’t even need to ask us for our drink order anymore. “Damn, I left my ID at the coffee shop.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I remember pulling it out to get my wallet. I must have left it on the counter.”
“Okay, let’s go check. I’ll come with you.”
“No, go ahead. I’ll just run back and grab it.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’ll be right back.” She took her coffee back from me and started to turn away. “See you in a few.”
“See ya!”
I swiped my badge as I walked through the turnstile and waved hello to a coworker on the other side of the lobby. I headed to the elevator bank as several people were just getting into an empty car, and I slid in behind them, telling the woman standing closest to the buttons which floor I needed. A few moments later, the elevator doors opened, and I stepped out on the seventh floor, walking alone down the carpeted hallway.
As I pulled open the door to our suite of offices, I saw him standing by the front desk in the reception area. He was wearing a black suit and had a black messenger bag casually slung across his chest. As he adjusted the strap with a muscular hand, I noticed a silver watch peeking out from beneath his sleeve. He was asking the receptionist a question, but he looked over as I walked in. My heart skipped a beat as his dark eyes met mine. He was even more handsome up close than when I’d seen him last night. As he watched me, I took in his strong jaw, chiseled features, and short brown hair. He had a tall, athletic build, and I guessed that he was in his late twenties or early thirties. The receptionist was still answering him, and he turned back to thank her for whatever information he had requested.
I clutched my cup of coffee in one hand and pushed my black purse more firmly onto my shoulder. I purposefully w
alked across the lobby, the high heels on my boots clicking as I strode across the smooth marble floor. I wondered if he was here for an interview but decided that he looked too calm for that. Usually people coming in to interview had an edge of nervousness about them. I also doubted that someone would show up for an interview wearing a messenger bag—that seemed like more of a briefcase type of occasion. But if this guy worked here, I would have known or at least recognized him. He continued speaking in a low voice, but I couldn’t quite make out what he or the receptionist was saying.
I had just walked past him when my coworker Elizabeth came around the corner, heading right toward me. Elizabeth was married and a few years older than me. She had plain brown hair and glasses, and she never seemed to care much about her appearance, as was evidenced by the long shapeless skirt and boxy cardigan that she was wearing now. She was also a writer on the publications team, and although we had never exactly become close, we were friendly at the office.
She waved at me as she walked into the reception area. “Hi, Maddy! Have you met our new writer, Travis?”
The dark-haired guy at the receptionist’s desk turned around at the sound of his name. It suddenly clicked that there was a reason I didn’t recognize him. I’d been at a writer’s conference when they were interviewing all the candidates for the new writer’s position a few weeks ago, so I hadn’t met any of them. He wasn’t here to interview for a position today and hadn’t just appeared in my office after I’d spotted him last night—he was here to start his new job.
“No, we haven’t met,” I replied, a smile playing on my lips as I glanced up at him. His brown eyes were already on mine, and I found myself slightly distracted as I met his gaze. His eyes had a few flecks of gold in them, which I hadn’t noticed from across the room, and they seemed to twinkle warmly as I looked at him. His face had an unreadable expression on it, but I could have sworn that he was suppressing a smile as well. I realized that Elizabeth was saying something, and I glanced back over to her.
“…and Travis, this is Maddy,” Elizabeth continued, introducing us. “She’s one of the writers on the publications team.”
“Hi, I’m Travis Emerson,” he said in a deep, smooth voice, holding out his hand. He towered above me, but the intense way he was gazing down made me feel like I was the only other person in the room.
“Madelyn Smith. Maddy,” I clarified, reaching out to shake his hand.
His warm hand wrapped around mine, and he held it for just a beat too long before he let go. “It’s nice to meet you, Maddy,” he said sincerely.
I wondered if he would say anything about seeing me at the art gallery last night, but it seemed that moment was ours alone. It’s not like either of us could exactly come out and say we’d exchanged several glances across a crowded room. Aside from that, what else was there to tell? “It’s nice to meet you, too,” I finally said.
“I think we interviewed Travis when you were out of town,” Elizabeth explained.
“Right, I was just wondering that,” I replied, glancing over at Travis again. “I thought the new writer was starting next month?” I asked, looking back to Elizabeth.
“He was, but Travis was able to move here sooner than he thought.”
“I didn’t think I’d find an apartment so quickly,” he said. “And I was able to get out of my old lease, so everything worked out perfectly.”
“Oh, that’s great. Welcome aboard. So, you’re sharing an office with Elizabeth?”
“Yeah, I think so.” He glanced back to Elizabeth for confirmation.
“Yes, we’re sharing an office,” Elizabeth explained. “Maddy is just down the hall from us, so you’ll be seeing a lot of her. She’s in with Marissa, one of our graphic designers.”
“Great,” he said, flashing a smile.
“I’m sure we’ll be working a lot together. The writers are always bouncing ideas of one another, and sometimes more than one of us will cover an event or opening.” Travis nodded as I spoke, and I noticed Elizabeth glancing down at a schedule on top of the stack of paperwork she was carrying, apparently for Travis’s first day. “Well, I’ll let you go, so Elizabeth can show you around and you can get settled.”
“It was nice to meet you,” he said again.
“I’ll bring Travis by later on to show him where you and Marissa are,” Elizabeth said.
“Sounds good. See you both then.” I turned to give them a little wave as I walked away and noticed that although Elizabeth had already started talking, Travis’s gaze was still fixed on me.
***
I set my purse and coffee down on my desk and walked over to the window. Our company was on the seventh floor of a building in downtown DC, and the office Marissa and I shared had a good view of the city and hustle and bustle on the street below. I didn’t see her walking in, so she was probably already on her way up. Marissa had the desk by the window—but only because the person I’d shared the office with before her had seniority and the window seat, and I didn’t feel like moving all my things when she left. My desk was near the door, next to a small bookshelf and filing cabinet. I had a poster of Van Gogh’s Irises hanging up behind my desk to brighten the white walls. There was a small round table in the middle of the room that we used for meetings or when we needed to spread out our projects and go over layouts together.
I was still watching the cars on the street below when I heard someone come in the door.
“So, did you see him?”
I turned around to see Marissa breezing into the room, ID card in hand. “You found it?” I asked, gesturing toward her ID.
“Yep,” she said, waving the card in her hand. “But did you see him?”
“Travis? Yeah, I just met him.”
“Isn’t he gorgeous?” she asked, walking over toward me to drop her stuff on her desk. “I couldn’t believe it when we interviewed him—so freaking hot. Too bad I don’t date coworkers. You on the other hand—you totally should ask him out.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I don’t think so. He’s been here what, ten minutes?”
“I could totally find out if he’s single if you want,” she continued, sitting down at her desk and flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.
“I’m pretty sure he is.”
“What makes you say that?” She looked up at me questioningly.
I lowered my voice to a whisper and leaned closer. “He’s the guy I saw at the art gallery last night!”
“What?” Marissa shrieked.
“Shhh,” I whispered, trying not to laugh. “His office is just down the hall from ours.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. He’s the cute guy who kept checking you out?”
“We might have exchanged a few glances,” I said, correcting her. “You really didn’t notice him at all last night?”
“No, my back was to him the whole time. When I did turn to look that annoying girl was in the way.”
I laughed, remembering the woman who’d had a few too many drinks who kept bumping into Marissa. She’d been telling a story to her friends but kept dramatically gesturing as she talked. More than a few people had moved away as she tried to include strangers in the conversation. Shortly after that we’d left, and I hadn’t seen Travis again until this morning.
“I can’t believe he was even there,” I continued. “And why did I have to keep staring at him? Now he shows up in our office and we’re supposed to be working together? What are the chances of that even happening?”
Marissa grinned at me. “That just proves you guys are totally meant to be.”
I looked pointedly at her. “What about your rule of never dating a coworker?”
“Oh, well there are exceptions to every rule,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee. “Just because I no longer date coworkers doesn’t mean that you can’t try it out.”
I shook my head in disbelief at Marissa’s persistence as I walked back to my desk. “You know,” I said as I sunk down into my chair, “this is one tim
e that I totally agree with your crazy rules.”
“Very funny, Maddy. Maybe I should try to set us up on a double date. You know, me and Mike, you and Travis….”
“You do that,” I said, rolling my eyes at her.
She laughed as I logged into my computer. “Do you think his email account is set up yet? Or maybe I could just give him a quick call….”
“Ha, ha,” I said sarcastically, not looking up or even answering her question as I stared at my computer screen. I started scrolling through my email messages and noticed there was one from my mom near the top.
Good morning Sweetheart!
I didn’t hear from you last night. Hope you had fun with the girls. Call me to let me know that you got in safe!
Love, Mom
I typed a quick note back letting her know that I was still alive and already at work, and then I checked my next message. A new email from Elizabeth had popped up, so I clicked on it.
Good Morning Marissa and Maddy,
Can you come to a welcome lunch for Travis today? Let me know so I can make reservations.
Elizabeth
“Are you going to that lunch for Travis?” Marissa suddenly asked.
“Yeah, I guess so. I just got Elizabeth’s note. She didn’t mention it when I saw her earlier. I guess she wanted to check with Travis first.”
“Okay, I’ll tell her we’re both coming,” Marissa said, keys tapping as she spoke.
“Ask her where they want to eat.”
I wondered if Elizabeth wanted just the four of us to go or if she was inviting other people from the office as well. Then again, we’d all be spending the most time together, so it made sense to have a small welcome lunch so that we could all get to know each other.
“They want to go to the Italian place on the corner. Is that okay?”
“Sure, that’s fine.”
“’Kay, I’ll let her know.”
I spent the rest of the morning editing a couple of reviews that our freelances had submitted last week. I still needed to write something about the art gallery we’d visited last night, but I would start on that later. Elizabeth and Travis came by at noon so that we could all walk over to the restaurant together. Marissa reintroduced herself to Travis as I stood up and put on my coat. I heard Travis’s deep voice mixed in with Marissa’s laughter, but I didn’t catch what they were saying because Elizabeth was telling me something about a restaurant review she was working on. I grabbed my purse, and the four of us headed out the door and down the hallway.
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