by Tonya Kappes
It doesn’t take long to make a hematite necklace with a few bali accents and a matching bracelet. I have the perfect black silk halter top from Bebe to go with it. It’s a crinkled chiffon, v-neck with a smock hem gathering at the waist. The gray and silver will look stunning against my black skinny jeans, four-inch black Manolo Blahniks with my long Italian silk black hair hanging down making a dramatic effect.
“Gorgeous.” Bo seemed to be peering at me intently.
“He is pretty special.” I eye Henry bouncing off Bo’s thighs.
I hand him a Maker’s and Coke, and make myself a strong Cosmo.
“No, I mean you this time.” His eyes catch mine. “You look amazing. Really, I don’t think we’ve ever had time together where we can just talk and get to know each other.”
Taking his drink, a shock travel through my fingertips and straight to my heart. Our eyes hold for a second, though it seems like an eternity.
“I ….” I step back.
“Did I catch you off guard?” He takes my hand with his free hand.
“Sushi?” I blurt out. “Do you like sushi? I hope you don’t mind, I made us a reservation at a great sushi bar on the river.”
I’m about to screw up the situation I’ve been dreaming about for the past two years. Only the idea of him in a relationship is changing everything.
“What about Piper?” I take a gulp of my drink.
His brows furrow. “What about her?” He fidgets with the ice in his drink.
I have to recapture my hold on him.
“She likes sushi, doesn’t she?” I play off my stupid comment.
“Don’t know.” A crocked smile crosses his lips. “I like sushi.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Diner is excellent. He orders the Japanese sampler entrée featuring sashimi, tempura with stewed vegetables along with a few other fascinating complements. I order the sushi combination. I enjoy feeding Bo more than I enjoy my food. We laugh about our running experiences and how far I’ve come.
“At least I don’t hold my side anymore.” I laugh, remembering all the times I had to stop to take a breath.
“Hallie, I really want to talk to you about the note I left you.” Why’s he so damn bent on talking about the note? I let Piper decide my fate for three months. I refuse to let her ruin my night.
“We have all night to be serious. Why waste this awesome atmosphere?” I toss my hair over my shoulder and sip through my stir stick. I pray I look more sexy, than a fish out of water.
After dinner, we drive to the Southgate House to listen to The Mean Street Band.
I am spot-on. Bo loves it.
He enjoys the atmosphere as much as the band. I watch Bo stare at the band with a glossy look in his eyes. He reminds me of a kid in a candy shop when he turns to me and grins.
“Thank you, Hallie.” His arms around my waist the way I’ve always dreamed. The heat from his lips enter my ear, making my hair stand up on my arms, and tickle my toes. “This has been the most relaxing and enjoyable evening I’ve had in a long time.”
“You haven’t been hanging with the right people until now,” I whisper back, trying to do my best Marilyn Monroe.
I look up to find myself getting lost in his eyes. His arms encircled me, one hand in the small of my back. His lips met mine, and the kiss sings through my veins.
“Did I tell you, thank you?” He smiles, slightly pulling away.
“I think you just did.” I smile back.
It is hard for me not to stare and every time I do, he looks over to catch me admiring his awesomeness. I try to watch his line of vision and see what he is focusing on. I follow his eyes over to the bar.
“Let’s walk over here for a second.” He reaches for my hand and leads me through the Parlor to the bar, where the lead singer of the band is savoring a drink. “Nice work up there, man.”
The singer holds his glass up in the air as a sign of thanks.
By the end of the conversation, Bo works his magic and books The Mean Street Band for a gig in Chicago.
“This is awesome, Hallie. Chicago is going to love them.” On the drive home, Bo talks about the band when I want him to talk about our future. “I hope you can drive up and watch.”
“When are they coming?” I keep my eyes on the road because his kiss is already tattooed on my brain.
“Three weeks.” He slightly turns towards me and touches my leg. A warming sensation vibrates throughout my body. “You can come home for a weekend, right?”
Home. Home never sounds so sweat to my ears.
“Sure, if you want me to come.” I’m fishing for an invitation.
“You found them for me, and I’d be honored if you’d come.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. We might have traveled in silence the rest of the way home, but my mind is racing.
I’ll plan a weekend go home and include a girls’ night in. That’ll mark my second month away, and we can celebrate the fact that the next time they’ll see me, I’ll be a Chicagonite again!
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Like a gentleman, Bo holds the front door for me, and catches my arm on the way in.
“Hallie.” He speaks my name in a way that tells me that he wants more from me than conversation.
I turn to face him. My breath quickens when I notice how handsome his face looks in the shadow of the moonlight.
Gently he pulls me closer, his lips recapture mine, more demanding this time.
We linger with our lips lightly touching, barely skimming. Hesitating only for a moment as our lips part, finding the slight tips of our tongues. My tummy begins to tingle with anticipation, leaving me wanting more when he pulls away.
“I’m sorry.” He looks down at his feet. His smile glistens in the natural moonlight. “I should’ve asked to kiss you.”
“Don’t apologize. I enjoy it.” I put my fingers to my mouth longing for his lips, “I won’t object to another one.”
Our eyes connect. I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Mmm,” I moan, and continue to caress my tongue along his lips as he picks me up and slams the door with his foot. He carries me up the steps and lays me on the bed.
This is it! I just know it. It’s finally our time.
His hands cup my face, keeping it steady. His lips start at my eyebrows, eyelids moving onto my ear and neck. But I stop him.
“Let me go freshen up.” I want to put on that sexy negligee I’ve stashed in the bathroom just in case of this very moment.
I make sure to keep eye contact, and put a little more swing in my sway.
I can’t help but notice how big I’m smiling in the mirror. It’s taking up so much space; I can’t see the rest of my face. I lick my lips trying to look sexy and fantasize how it’ll turn Bo on.
I carefully place my tits in the hot pink silk nightie so they’re perky and ready to play.
I swipe on a little more gloss, pull my hair on a low pony and get ready to make my grand entrance for our first night together.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” I anticipate the look when he sees me. I’m not liking the vibe he’s giving me. I panic, feeling a little desperate. “Are you okay? Did I take too long?”
“I thought you didn’t get this?” He’s holding the note in the air, the note I accidently left on my bed side table. I guess the look on my face says it all. “Why would you lie to me? I wanted to share something with you, but I guess you don’t care.”
He put the note in the trash can next to the door on his way out.
I head towards to door only to stop when I realize I already look like a fool. If I go after him, what will I say? Beg him to sleep with me? No.
I sit on the edge of my bed feeling like a fool. “Not tonight, girls.” I say, and pull the top up on my barely-there nightie. I reach over for my comfy terrycloth robe. I at least have to check on him. He is, after all, my houseguest. I’m trying to see some hope in the fact that he hasn’t left the house.
“Bo.” I knock o
n the closed door.
“Hallie, it’s late. I’ve had a long day, and I need to run in the morning.” There is a pause. “Good night.”
I put my hand up to the door and lean my head against it. I daydream he’s leaning against the door with his hand the same place mine is. Just like you see in the movies. Only I know he really isn’t there.
My heart that was filled with excitement is now filled with empty space.
“Good night.” I walk away, leaving every bit of my soul hanging out by his door.
I schlep into the bathroom, trading in my hot pink teddy for my University of Kentucky pajama pants and white tank.
“You’re so stupid.” My reflection stares back at me with a yep, you screwed up look.
How’d I let this happen? All the work I put into this. Two years. Two years I’ve waited to kiss him and I screw it up in minutes. If he wasn’t in the same house, I would be screaming, crying and calling my girlfriends for advice. But this time, I have to rely on my own instincts.
I crawl into bed thinking how wonderful his kisses made me feel. I weep. It is silent and deep. I haven’t felt this type of grief since my parents’ death. I reach under my pillow, burying my head in his Sunday shirt. I replay his kiss over and over until I fall asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Hallie?” My ears spring up when I hear Bo’s voice call my name.
I wait for a minute to make sure I’m not dreaming. I must’ve cried myself to sleep.
“I’m going for a run. Want to join me?” He calls from behind the door.
I know he hasn’t forgotten, but I hope he’s forgiven me.
“Let’s go.” I bolt out of bed before he changes his mind.
He darts out the door before I can get my left shoe on, but I catch up, and fall in step with him as if I haven’t missed a single day of running behind him. His Sunday shirt is hiding under my pillow forcing him to wear a plain tee. The sound of pavement hitting under our feet is less deafening than the silence between us.
My head pounds from a night of weeping. But I blow it off because running with him cures any aliment I have.
Bo looks back. “It’s time you ran next to me. Besides, I don’t know where I’m going.”
A hint of forgiveness in his voice, or maybe just a willingness to forget. Proudly I run next to him and begin to point out all the landmarks I’ve grown to love. Dee is sweeping outside the store as we run by.
“Hi, Hallie.” We stop, and I introduce Bo to Dee.
Her eyes expand in approval. “I sold all the bracelets yesterday. When do you think you can get me more?”
“When I made the one for my outfit, I made a couple of them. Plus I used some of the stretchy cord with some of the inexpensive beads. The teenagers told me twenty dollars is almost too expensive for them.” I can see Bo is trying to figure out what we’re talking about.
“I think we can sell them for fifteen dollars and we’ll make more profit off them than the toggle ones.” Dee agrees.
Stretchy cord is going to go over well with the teenage population World of
Beads is drawing in.
“I can bring them later today when Bo leaves.” I’m happy to run into Dee. It shows Bo I haven’t been waiting around for my three months to be over. It shows I’m actually enjoying my time in Cincinnati.
Getting back into the pace, we head toward Café Beginnings.
My chances with Bo as a couple, but he does make a great friend.
The line is almost out the door. Addy shouts out people’s name to pick up their finished mochas, and treats.
“Hey you, where’ve you been?” She scans past my face to focus on Bo.
“I’ve been busy making bracelets and work. Plus my friend, Bo, is visiting from Chicago.” My eyebrows arch.
She gives me a secret thumbs up before we sit down at the café table in the front.
“We’re going to sit outside.” We make our way through the café.
“Tell me about your bracelets,” Bo inquires after we sit down at the wire tables. “Were you wearing them last night?”
I tell him the One Bead at a Time story, my TV interview, bonding with the teenagers and the fact that my jewelry is “selling like hot cakes.”
“I love it so much. I‘m making samples so when I come home I’m going to try to sell them to my favorite boutiques.” I say. “I really hope they place orders.”
Addy is watching us. A big grin planted on her face.
“Excuse me for a minute.” I’m giddy with delight and I walk over to Addy.
“He’s so good-looking.” She leans her head out the door to get another glimpse at him. “Those eyes.”
“I know,” I gush. “I keep reminding myself he has a girlfriend.”
Addy looks at me like I’m crazy. “I don’t think he has a girlfriend. If he did, he wouldn’t look you that way.”
If he is dating Piper, she hasn’t called. Nor has he made any type of reference to her that makes her sound like a girlfriend.
Bo stands up when I get back to the table. “Let’s finish our conversation after our run. I have to get back to the Windy City.”
Is that a little hint of sadness in his voice? Maybe it’s my imagination hoping he’ll be sad when he leaves. Nevertheless, he does want to talk about last night, damn!
We jog back in silence.
“I’m going to get my things together.” Bo walks up the stairs.
I take my beads outside and sit on the patio watching Henry smell every blade of grass in the yard and then pee on them. I finish six stretch bracelets by the time Bo comes out.
“Wow, Hallie. You surprise me every time I see you.” He picks up a few of the bracelets and looks at them. “You’ve really embraced your life here. I was worried about you and I wanted to make sure you were going to be okay. That’s why I wrote the note.”
He sits the bracelets down on the bead board.
“You cried the night before you left. You were drunk, but you cried. You told me that you didn’t want to leave your friends and me.” He gently reminds me of my drunken state.
Oh no! I thought I passed out cold on him, and now I’m finding out that I confessed my love?
“When I asked you about me, you said something about running and how you started because of me. Then something about not seeing me on a daily basis.” He laughs. “That’s when you passed out cold.”
He bends down and picks up Henry.
“I watched you sleep the entire night.” He put Henry down and squats between my legs. He stares into my soul. “I want to keep in touch with you. I thought you were avoiding me and you didn’t want anything to do with me. Burger Beer is an excuse to come to Cincinnati to see you. I could’ve made the deal over the phone, but it’s you I wanted to see.”
Stay calm. Don’t screw this up.
Bo tells me how he wants to see where things will go with us. “Your lie about the note makes me wonder what else you’d lie about. The one thing I hate and especially in a relationship is a liar.”
“I have an idea.” I cradle his hands in mine. “Why don’t we put the note incident behind us. I’m embarrassed about you bringing me home that night. I’d love to take it slow and see if our friendship can become more.”
I take a deep breath, getting ready for my big-girl speech.
“Maybe a few calls here and there. When I visit in a few weeks, we can spend time together. In four weeks I’ll be back in Chicago, and we can see each other on a regular basis.”
Obviously there’s nothing going on with Piper any more If there is he wouldn’t be inviting me to still come to the bar.
This is a good relationship plan. While I’m here, I can focus on honing my beading craft, create a marketing plan, and look forward to starting a real relationship with Bo.
“Deal.” Bo leans in and left me with a kiss to remember until our next encounter.
Week Six
You can never have enough beads.
Author Unknow
n
Chapter Thirty
It’s been less than twenty-four hours since Bo left, and I’m already obsessing over him. We have no commitment to each other, but I can’t help but think about Piper and what they are, or aren’t, to each other. I can’t imagine he is if he’s willing to be seen with me at the bar. Why can’t I let this go?
“Earth to Hallie,” Beatrice taps her pen on my office door. My hand flies up, knocking my coffee mug over. I grab one Kleenex after another to soak up the spill.
Beatrice grabs the trash can and slides the mess into it.
“Wow. You are out of it. I knocked four times.” She curiously searches my face for the reason I’m in la-la land. “Sheila Gray from Channel 19 is on the phone for you.”
Another interview? I jump across my desk reaching for my phone, and my black Gucci vest soaks up the remaining coffee. “Shit!”
“Excuse me?” The voice on the other end of the phone asks.
I didn’t realize when I pick up the receiver, it picks up the call. Great!
“This is Hallie.” I bury my head in my hands.
“Hi, Hallie, it’s Sheila Gray from Fox 19.”
Please don’t tell me the bracelet broke. I rub my forehead in anticipation,
She continues, “I get fan mail from all sorts of people. I’ve received nothing but compliments on my bracelet you gave me. Everyone wants to know where I got it.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m glad, actually ecstatic, that everyone likes it.” My day can’t get any better than this.
“That’s why I’m calling. I want to know, if I give you some colors, would you be interested in making me a few more?” She pauses. “At a cost, of course. I don’t expect them for free.”
I say nothing, taking in the glory.
“The quality is so strong. There isn’t a flaw.” She gushes, “Your work is so professional.”
Okay, now my day can’t get any better.