Dreams Collide: Collide Series Book 2

by Kristina Beck

  I lean on the sink with my head hanging down. Why now? The thought of being disappointed again makes me sick. I splash water on my face to calm down.

  The bathroom door squeaks when I open it.

  I stand next to the small couch, knowing I’m not going to rest well on it with my long legs.

  Her sleepy voice floats to me from the bedroom. “Come lie with me.”

  I turn around and walk toward her.

  “I promise I won’t bite—not until our project is over anyway.” She smiles sweetly with her eyes closed.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want you to be mad when you wake up tomorrow and see my drool on the pillow or I smell like garlic or… Oh. Sorry. That’s Alexa’s problem.”

  “Stop playing around and come cuddle with me.”

  I freeze at the end of the bed to see if she’s serious.

  “I’m not drunk. Please come lie with me. It’s been so long since I’ve been held. Friends cuddle, don’t they?” she pleads.

  Not really.

  I turn the light off next to the bed. The thought of lying behind her and holding her already has my hormones in an uproar. I kneel on the bed and secretly place a pillow between us to hide the evidence of the body part that has sprung into action and might poke her in the back. I shift myself to the correct position on my right side and spoon her. She pulls my arm around her waist and laces her fingers through mine. My face nuzzles her silky hair and neck. This is exactly how it should be.

  I squeeze her hand and whisper, “Are you feeling okay?”

  She nods. “I’m perfect. Today was perfect. You’re perfect.”

  I squeeze her tighter to me. “Das bin ich nicht.”

  It’s true. I’m not perfect. After what she told me tonight, I don’t deserve to lie here with her. I should’ve told her the truth. But I’m a coward because I know the chance of losing her has increased even more.

  “Go to sleep, Süße.” She shimmies closer to me. Thank God, the pillow is between us. “Sleep well.”

  I know I need to tell her, but I’m going to enjoy the time with her until the website is finished. At that time, I’ll come clean.

  “Gerry?” she mumbles.

  “Hmm.”

  “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

  I’m going to hell.

  Chapter 20

  Tina

  Peggy and I show our badges as we walk into the office building. I tap her elbow with mine. “Thanks for going to lunch with me today.”

  “I should thank you. Your secret updates remind me of my husband and me.” She places her hand over her heart. “So nostalgic.”

  When we enter our floor, I pull her arm. “Let’s stop by Tim’s cube. I want to see how he’s progressing with the videos of the restaurant table layouts. If anything delays us, it’ll be them.” I put my finger over my lips. “Let’s scare him,” I whisper.

  She nods.

  We tiptoe into his cube and roughly shake his chair. He rockets up from it like firecrackers shot off in his pants.

  Peggy and I grab our stomachs while hysterically laughing.

  He yanks off his headphones while panting. “You two are going to be the death of me. I thought that’s the role of my twin daughters. It’s not fair, two against one.” He tosses his headphones on the desk and falls back into his chair, his arms hanging to the sides.

  “If you’re through with your ridiculous scaring tactics, I searched for you both before.”

  “What’s up?” I say.

  “Rumor has it,” he whispers, “there’s discussion of opening a California office. Supposedly, some of the staff from here will have the option to transfer. Granted, it’s only a rumor. I heard it by the water cooler.”

  I look at Peggy and roll my eyes. “Definitely a rumor then.”

  He shrugs his shoulder. “Whatever. Think what you want.” He sips his coffee. “I’m assuming you’re here to talk about the videos. Let’s talk fast. I’ve a deadline. Remember?”

  When we’re finished, I leave his cube wondering if a California office is just a rumor. Maybe it’s true, since Thomas mentioned several clients are located there. He never said anything about expanding, though. I slide my pendant from side to side. He wouldn’t ask me to relocate anyway—I’ve only been here a couple of months. But it’d be a dream come true if he did.

  The ringing of my phone interrupts me. My fingers touch everything but my phone in my bag. Finally, I find the vibrating object and whip it to my ear.

  I don’t recognize the number. “Hello.”

  “Hi. Is this Tina Schmitt?”

  “Yes. How can I help you? I don’t want to buy anything.” Since when do I get telemarketing calls?

  “Gerry Maier asked me to call you regarding this Saturday. Is this a good time?”

  Why is someone else calling me?

  I’m already pissed because Gerry hasn’t contacted me directly this week, especially after I spent the night at his apartment. But he did ask me to go out this Saturday. When we woke up on Sunday, he made us an awesome breakfast before he had to go to work. He wanted to take the day off again, which shocked me. But I said no. I wanted nothing more than to spend the day with him again, but I had no fresh clothes.

  We had spoken every day before that night. Now, not a peep from him. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him some of my secrets. Gerry’s the first person I’ve ever told the full story behind my necklace, and now I regret it.

  “Yes, it’s fine.” My tone sharp.

  “He’d like to pick you up at your apartment at five thirty Saturday evening. You’ll need to wear a nice dress, and you shouldn’t eat beforehand. Will that work for you?” the man inquires politely.

  “Yes. But why are you calling me and not him? Is he sick or something? Or doesn’t he have the time?” I drill him.

  A light chuckle breaks through his professional tone. “He said you’d probably be annoyed. I guarantee he has only good intentions. He promises to tell you why on Saturday.”

  “Fine,” I say through gritted teeth. “Thank you for your call. Can you please tell him he’d better have a good reason, since he hasn’t contacted me this entire week?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll do so. Have a good day.”

  “Thank you.” I hit End hard with my pointer finger.

  What the hell? Why would he have someone else call me? Maybe this is when I’ll see the real side of Gerry. The man with anger issues. Then I won’t like him anymore, and this crazy escapade will be over.

  But my life would be so boring and empty without him.

  I refused to contact Gerry for the rest of the week. Not even by email regarding work. I had Peggy do it, which I know is unprofessional. But two can play at this game. It was really hard though. I miss him more than I should. Now I’m standing in front of my bedroom mirror staring at myself. I shouldn’t care how I look, but I do. On purpose, I look sexier than ever. I’m wearing the dress I originally bought for the wedding—a beautiful sleeveless maroon dress that sweeps across my waistline, accentuating my curves. My shoes were a gift to myself. High silver strappy sandals that promise to make my legs look long and toned. I have curls in my hair, which Alexa insisted on. Now he’ll be sorry for not calling me all week.

  I startle when the doorbell rings. “Be strong and don’t gush as soon as you see him,” I say to myself in my magic mirror.

  I take my time answering the door. The bell rings again. Good. Keep him waiting. “Coming.”

  I open the door, and my bitchy thoughts vanish. We both stand like statues. No words are spoken, but they don’t have to be. He looks like a dream. His hair and scruff look newly trimmed. He wears black pants and shiny black shoes with no laces. The light-gray button-down shirt matches his black-and-gray tie. His eyes glow as they trail down my body and back up again. All my anger has turned into a hungry erotic mess. Why, oh why, am I being tempted like this?

  “Hi, Tina. Du siest sehr schön aus,” he says with a sultry voice. “Simply be
autiful.”

  “Hi there, handsome. It’s good to see you…and to hear your voice. I’ve missed it,” I easily confess.

  “I’ve missed you to. That’s why I had a friend of mine call you about today. Maybe it was stupid, but I wanted to see how we’d handle not hearing from each other for several days. It seems to have confirmed my assumption.”

  “And what was that?” I inch forward.

  He grazes his fingers gently across my cheek. “That I can’t stand a day where I don’t hear your voice, don’t see even an email or text message from you. This agreement we have is killing me, especially after last weekend. I want tonight to be special.”

  “I was furious with you. Now that I know why you did it, you’re forgiven. It seems to have worked in both directions. Even though I was mad, I’ve been counting the days until I saw you again. I don’t know if we can consider ourselves just friends anymore.”

  He takes my hand and kisses it. “Since we slept in the same bed, I think we’re borderline.”

  I tap his chest. “We only slept in the same bed. Don’t embellish the details.”

  “I believe we spooned all night. That’s not borderline?”

  I hold up my hand. “Stop, or we’ll never leave.”

  He stands up straight, and the sexual tension eases.

  “Where are we going? I’m dying to know.”

  “It’s a surprise.” He holds up two fingers. “Two surprises, actually.”

  I twirl. “It’s fun to dress up like this. This is the original dress I bought for the wedding.”

  His heated stare traces my curves, and the sexual tension comes screaming back. “If the other is sexier than this one, I’m in a lot of trouble. Actually, you are.”

  His jaw tightens, and my mouth goes dry. I certainly hope so.

  I grab his arm and squeeze it. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait.”

  “For tonight or the wedding?” he grumbles.

  “Definitely both, but one more than the other.”

  We walk out of the station. “I’ll hail us a taxi. The first surprise is too far away for you to walk in those sexy heels.” His hungry eyes trail down my legs.

  He really needs to stop doing that.

  A taxi stops short in front of us, and we get in. “Please tell me where we’re going,” I beg as he closes the door.

  “Be patient, Süße.” He taps my nose then leans over the seat to tell the driver where we need to go.

  I relax in the seat. “What does that even mean? Is it German or French? You said it the other night.”

  “It’s German and means something like sweetie.”

  Well isn’t that the cutest thing ever. “Let me try to say it. How does it go again?”

  He strokes his temple. “Try this. Think of Seuss in Dr. Seuss. Then add an a sound to the end. Süße.”

  I try it and even I think it sounds okay.

  “Not bad for your first try.”

  He angles himself toward me. I purposely sit close to the middle so I could sit closer to him. “Is it okay to call you that?” He plays with a lock of my hair.

  “Mmhmm.” I grin like a little school girl.

  “I hope you like where I’m taking you. It’s a French restaurant known for its roast chicken.”

  “Sounds delish. I’m sure it’ll be excellent…as long as there are no red currants.”

  “You’re mean. Just for that comment—”

  He grabs me and starts tickling behind my knees and my ribs. However, it’s not as much as a tickle but a need for him to touch me in other places. I want him to glide his large hands up my sides and down my back while pressing feather-light kisses on my neck. But then I hear the horn of the taxi.

  I look up to see the driver observing us. “Are you going to get out and pay or just pet each other all night?”

  We quickly sit up. Gerry pays him fast, and we’re out of the taxi in seconds. I burst out laughing when I hear the taxi tires skid on the street.

  I tug on the arm of his shirt. “I swear—we’re trouble when we’re together. Behave in the restaurant, young man.”

  We walk toward a restaurant called Burnett’s. “Oh, how lovely. Look at those doors. I love the textured glass,” I say.

  “Let’s go inside. We’re a little late for our reservation, but I know the owner. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

  When we enter the restaurant, an older woman greets Gerry in French. He kisses her on both cheeks. His voice is like silk when French drips off his tongue. A part of me wants this night to end before I do anything stupid.

  He introduces me to her. I hear behind me, “Gerry.” I step aside and then more French swirls in the air. I’m clueless.

  “Burnett, this is Tina. She’s the one I wanted to surprise with the reservation in the Sky Top Lounge tonight.”

  He kisses the top of my hand. “Bonsoir. You must be someone special to dine up there this evening. I hope you enjoy it. Please follow me. I’ll escort you to your table.”

  Gerry places his hand on my lower back and urges me to proceed in front of him. What in the world is a sky-top lounge?

  My head turns in every direction in awe, and I almost trip up the stairs. It’s so romantic with its contemporary dark shades of purple and red décor. The walls are covered in mirrors, making the room look even bigger and leaving me a little disoriented. I follow Burnett up the stairs to a glass-enclosed small dining room with only one table set with soft candles burning.

  I glance at Gerry, my eyes wide. “We’re eating alone up here?”

  He nods with a chuckle.

  Burnett pulls a chair out for me to sit down. I hang my handbag off the back. Gerry sits as he receives a wine menu. He leans in. “They have a huge wine cellar. Do you want me to order a bottle? Red or White?”

  “I’m in the mood for red. But you choose since you’re the expert.”

  Gerry converses with Burnett in French. Burnett nods with a smile, bows, and disappears down the stairs.

  “Gerry, I’m blown away by all this,” I say with my arms stretched out. “It so beautiful, and the aromas floating through the air smell so delicious.”

  “It’s the roast chicken you smell. I could eat it every day—it’s that good.”

  “This room overlooks the gigantic gourmet kitchen.” I stand up and walk over to the glass wall, marveling at what I see. “There must be fifteen chefs down there.” I walk back over to the table and sit down. “Did you have a kitchen this size in your restaurant?”

  “No. Mine was much smaller. The restaurant was more intimate.”

  I trace the polished silverware with my finger. “How do you know Burnett?”

  “He was one of my mentors while I studied in France. A couple of years ago, he opened this restaurant. He’s done a great job with this place.”

  “I’m sorry to bring this up, but does he know what happened to you last year?”

  “Yes. He was very supportive because he understands how difficult it is to deal with critics. Some critics aren’t appreciative of his talents. I know my situation was a lot worse, but it comes with the territory. Everybody has different tastes and expectations. Sadly, everyone remembers the few bad reviews instead of the hundreds of excellent ones.”

  “You think people will only remember you for that one bad incident. Maybe you need to go back to face it. Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

  He readjusts himself in his chair. “My agent, Barbara, begs me to go back. She unexpectedly showed up at the restaurant the other night.”

  Burnett appears with a wine bottle, and my thoughts flow like the red wine in Gerry’s glass. I like the different sides of him. The other night, we had classic spaghetti and meatballs, and tonight we’re dining in a fancy French restaurant. He’s happy in both elements. I think I am too.

  I watch him swirl and smell the red wine like a professional. He smiles at Burnett.

  He pours each of us a glass, hands us dinner menus, and leaves again. I gasp as my eyes bulg
e when I see the prices. Is he crazy? But I don’t say anything because I don’t want to be impolite.

  “Something wrong?”

  “No, nope.” I shake my head. “Just surprised about the incredible menu choices.”

  We sit quietly while we look over the menus. Gerry then explains how to taste the wine. You need to look at the glass from different angles to see the color, swirl it a special way with your hand on the stem, and then hover your nose over the rim to smell it. You can take a sip, or you can suck air into your mouth, like drinking it with a straw…or something like that. It looks rude but is supposedly acceptable. I’d probably inhale it wrong and choke on it. He shows me, but I stick with appreciative little sips.

  “Back to your agent. Why did she show up?”

  “She was tired of me ignoring her messages and emails. Long story short, several people are requesting me for big social events.”

  I put my wineglass down. “What?” My voice screeches with excitement. “That’s great.”

  His face lacks expression.

  “Aren’t you happy about this? It proves what happened is in the past.”

  “Maybe, but it’s not what I’m looking for.” He sets his wine glass to the side. “I told you how I was ready to sign a deal to have my own cooking show. Barbara claims a known German TV network is interested in my ideas around blind tasting. She thinks this is the chance I’ve been waiting for.”

  I crinkle my eyebrows. “Um. So what’s the problem?”

  “What’s the problem?” His face stunned. “I told you. I’ve been in this position several times before, and it’s never worked out. Why should this time be any different?”

  “Gerry. You have to go back and try one more time. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

  He looks away and loosens his tie.

  “Look at me. You need to do this. Don’t give up. Face whatever waits for you back there. Maybe you can have some closure. Or maybe it’s the big deal you’ve been waiting for.”

  What if he does get this show? Does that mean he’d move back to Germany? Where would that leave us? We aren’t together, even though my heart tells me I’m his.

  I’m pulled from my ping-pong thoughts when Burnett arrives again. He places a small dish in front of me with a tiny portion of food. I have no idea what it is.