by Ashley Blake
I sat there, stunned, with butterflies fluttering in my belly trying to process what had just happened. I intrigued him. Are you kidding me? I felt like I was on cloud nine and I was caught up in my fog of giddiness when he tapped on my window and startled me. I jumped and then felt really embarrassed that I was still sitting in the car as he stood waiting for me, holding the cake. I quickly opened the door, and I’m sure my cheeks were bright red as I tried to compose myself.
“What, were you daydreaming in there? We are going to have a very feisty older woman very upset with us if this cake is not in that party by the time she arrives, so we better get in there.”
I didn’t say anything. I just followed behind him as he went inside, and I felt so silly for losing myself in my thoughts while I was in the car, but knew that I had to shake it off.
When we walked into the party room, all of the decorations were done and Jean quickly ushered us over to the table where we could put the cake. She then took me around and introduced me to all of the people who had arrived for the party. They were all sitting at tables waiting for the party to start and they were all so sweet. I sat at a table with five people and started chatting with them. Their stories were so interesting and I could tell that they appreciated having someone who took the time to really listen to what they had to say. I enjoyed talking with everyone at my table, but I absolutely fell in love with the man who was sitting to my immediate right. Jack was 76 years old, a war veteran with kids and grandchildren who lived clear across the country, and was the funniest, sweetest man I had ever met.
“Well, isn’t this a nice surprise having such a pretty young lady to join our party. What do you do Emma?”
I told Jack how I had just moved to Chicago from Wisconsin and I was in portfolio school.
“Oh, I bet you’ll be a big advertising executive one day, I can tell that you are a smart cookie. I saw you come in with Caleb, is he your boyfriend?”
I had to laugh at that and it was cute that Jack asked.
“No, he’s not my boyfriend Jack, I’ve only met him a couple of times.”
“Oh, I think you two make a nice couple. Do you have a boyfriend?”
I smiled at Jack because his question was so innocent. “No, I’m not dating right now. I recently broke up with someone after two years and I decided that I want to take a year off from dating to focus on me.” I shrugged my shoulders, pushed my hair behind my ear that was falling in my face, and looked at Jack. “I figure after that I’ll be ready to give my all to a relationship if the right guy happens to come along.”
Jack patted me on my hand. "I think when you least expect that he will come along. Life has a funny way of making choices for you and not the other way around.”
He was so sweet and so genuine in his advice that it made me like him even more. I saw Jack’s eyes shift toward the door and huge smile spread across his face and I turned to see who he was looking at.
“Mary’s here.”
In just those two words I could tell that Jack had a crush on Mary and it was the sweetest thing. She walked over to our table to sit in the seat next to Jack and he stood up, although slowly, and held Mary’s chair for her as she sat down. So sweet. Everyone seemed really happy that she was there and everyone started saying happy birthday to her and then she looked at me and smiled.
“And who is this pretty young lady?”
I started to answer but Jack beat me to it. “Mary, I’d like for you to meet our newest volunteer, Emma. She just moved here from a small town in Wisconsin and she goes to school for advertising.” Jack smiled at me. “She’s also my new friend.”
“Well it is very nice to meet you at Emma. Jack always likes to be surrounded by the pretty girls.”
I thought I saw Jack blush as he shifted a bit in his chair. “Well, yes, that is true, but I only have eyes for one special lady.” He smiled at Mary and she giggled like a school girl and playfully tapped him on his arm.
“Oh Jack, you big flirt.”
Just then Jean brought out the birthday cake illuminated with candles and everyone began to sing happy birthday to Mary. She looked so happy and it was really nice to be a part of this group. I glanced around to see where Caleb was and I saw him sitting a couple of tables away. My stomach sank into my toes when I noticed that seated next to him was the skinny, blonde, model type from the party that past weekend. I quickly turned back around because I did not want her to see me looking at them. What is she doing here?
Everyone finished singing happy birthday and they were all clapping when I felt as if someone was watching me. I quickly glanced behind me and my eyes met Caleb’s and he winked at me. I spun back around to face the people at my table as I felt my cheeks flush. Why is he winking at me if she is sitting right next to him? And even more than that, let’s acknowledge that he actually winked at me! I swear I felt like a schoolgirl who had a crush on the quarterback. You know the type of daydream where you fantasize about some unattainable guy? Well that was how I was feeling about what was going on with Caleb.
We finished lunch and were enjoying cake and ice cream when Mary reached in front of Jack tapped me on my hand which was resting on the table. I welcomed the distraction away from my thoughts about Caleb and smiled at her.
“Did you need something Mary?”
“Oh no dear, I just wanted to know if you were enjoying yourself.”
“Yes, I am! I am having a great time celebrating your birthday with you. Are you having a good time?”
“Oh, it’s just wonderful dear. You know I have been coming to this center for five years now, I am 75 today.”
“75? You don’t look a day over 50, Mary.”
Mary giggled a little bit. “Oh, sweetie you’re too kind.”
We continued to talk about her children and grandchildren who live in California, and her career as a dressmaker. She had designed dresses for many actresses back in her day. Her husband had passed away almost 10 years ago and she told me that she still missed him every day but she was happy to have Jack as a friend in her life.
I thought it was so cute because both Mary and Jack seemed to have crushes on each other but neither one did anything to take it beyond friendship. I found out that they had not even gone for a cup of coffee together. Somehow I have to get these two together.
“Emma dear, do you have a boyfriend?” Mary’s blue eyes were bright as she waited for my answer.
“No, not right now. I was telling Jack earlier that I just got out of a two year relationship and I’m going to take some time off from dating for at least a year to just kind of spend time on myself.”
“Oh, well there is nothing wrong with that. But, just remember, that many people find someone when they are not looking or when they least expect it. In fact, your Mr. Right could be someone that you already know and you just don’t know yet that he’s the one.”
“Well, we’ll see, if he happens to come along during this next year I’ll be sure to keep my heart open.”
Jack chimed in. “You be sure to tell us if it happens. You seem like such a nice girl and you deserve a nice young man.”
“Aw, thank you Jack, that is very sweet.”
Just then Jean stood and thanked everyone for coming to the party and told us it was time to get everyone back home. The volunteers stayed behind to clean up while all of the senior friends went home. I was washing dishes in the kitchen when Caleb came in to say goodbye.
“Just wanted to let you know that I’m taking off and it was really good to see you again Emma. I will see you in a couple of weeks.” He gave me one of his killer smiles and I literally wanted to melt into the floor. He is so damned good looking.
“Okay, see you in a couple of weeks Caleb!” I tried to sound as cheery and nonchalant as possible when what I really wanted to do was run over to him and throw my arms around him and ask him not to leave yet. But I couldn’t do that so I had to just play it cool. I finished up my cleaning duties, said goodbye to Jean, and I headed home fo
r the day. I could not wait to tell Kelly about my day when I got home and when I did, she was totally shocked.
“You are kidding! Caleb Morgan is a volunteer at Friends of Seniors also? This is totally fate Emma, you guys are so meant to be.”
“You’re being silly Kelly, but I think it’s kind of cool that he volunteers there. I mean, I totally could not believe it when I saw him walk in, I thought I was going to faint! He is so hot!”
“Yeah and according to Sophie he’s also really spoiled and used to getting what he wants, so be careful there.”
“I know what she said and I would never let a guy think he can have whatever he wants with me, but he is super hot and get this, he’s also really sweet. You should have seen him with all of the seniors, he was so sweet to them and they just love him.”
I know I was gushing but I couldn’t help it, I hadn’t felt this way about a guy ever and I wanted to live in my little fantasy world, and believe that he was actually interested in me, for just a little while longer.
“Wow Emma, I have never seen you like this over a guy. Caleb really seems to have gotten to you. But I don’t blame you, you’re right, he is hot!”
We both erupted into giggles like schoolgirls and fell over laughing. We gossiped about him for a little bit and I asked Kelly if she had seen him at school since they went to the same school, but their paths had never crossed, at least not yet.
“Well Kel, if you ever see him hanging all over some girl or something like that, make sure you tell me who the skank is.”
“Oh definitely, are you kidding? You will totally be the first to know!”
I smiled at her. “I knew there was a reason you are my best friend.”
“Yep! I will always have your back.”
CHAPTER FIVE
The next couple of weeks flew by and Marta and I spent almost every evening together after class working on projects. We had a big presentation due at the end of the semester so, in addition to all of our other school work, we had to constantly work on that one. We couldn’t leave the work for our final project until the end because so much work was involved, and if we didn’t do it throughout the semester, we’d be screwed.
I had done nothing but work out and study for two weeks, so I was really looking forward to volunteering and I couldn’t wait to see Caleb. I got up extra early that Saturday so that I could take my time getting ready because I wanted to look perfect for him. When I arrived at the center, Caleb wasn’t there yet so I started setting up for the festivities. I noticed a big puddle of water under one of the tables and figured that someone spilled a glass of water earlier that day and forgot to ask someone to clean it up, so I asked Jean where I could find a mop. She told me I could find a mop in the closet down the hall but she didn’t tell me which door, so I was opening a bunch of doors trying to find the right one.
“Need some help?” My belly flipped at the sound of his voice.
I turned around to see Caleb’s gorgeous face smiling at me.
“I can’t seem to find the utility closet.”
“It’s this one here.” Caleb reached out and opened the door that was two feet away from me.
“I feel so silly that I couldn’t find it.”
“Don’t worry about it.” His eyes found mine and I wanted to melt right into him as he smiled at me. “By the way, hi, it’s good to see you again.”
I could feel my cheeks burning and I’m sure they were bright red as the butterflies went crazy in my belly. I smiled back at him and my words were very soft. “Hi, it’s good to see you again, too.”
We stood there for a minute and then Caleb raised his eyebrows. “What did you need from the closet?”
“The closet?” I realized that I was staring at him and I snapped out of it feeling even more silly. Pull it together Emma! “Oh, right! The closet! Um, I need the mop, someone spilled water under one of the tables.”
“It’s right here.” He reached in around me and as his arm brushed mine, his touch made my skin tingle.
“Thanks. Well, we better get in there.”
His eyes held mine for a few seconds and I started to feel uneasy under his intense gaze.
He gave me a sexy half smile as he stood literally six inches from me and his eyes searched mine before settling on my lips. “Yeah, we better get in there.”
Oh, what I would give for a kiss from him. We turned to walk back to the main room and I was thankful that I was walking ahead of him so that he couldn’t see my mouth that had fallen open. Oh my gosh, he’s so flippin’ hot! When we got into the main room Caleb mopped up the water for me and I helped set the tables. When the seniors arrived Jack and Mary walked in together and sat together. When they saw me they waved me over to their table to sit with them.
“How are you dear? It’s good to see you. Did you have a good week?”
“Hi guys, I’m doing well, very busy with school. How are you both doing?”
“I had a great week, Emma. Jack and I talked on the phone a couple of times this week.”
“Yeah, I think it’s going to be a weekly thing that we do.” Jack winked at Mary when he said that. I have to get Jack to ask Mary out on a real date because I know they both like each other!
Caleb sat at another table and when I glanced over at him, blondie was sitting right next to him again. Great.
We had lunch and then Jean stood and announced that we were now going to play games. Mary and Jack paired off to play Go Fish, a game I later found out was a favorite for both of them. I helped to clear the tables and started cleaning up while people were playing games.
I was in the kitchen washing dishes when Caleb came up behind me, stood close enough to me that I could feel his body heat, and whispered in my ear.
“I saw you over at the table with Mary and Jack and you looked like you’re having a good time. Did you enjoy sitting with them?”
I felt goose bumps on the back of my neck from his warm breath, and I felt a little bit weak in the knees having him so close to me. I turned to look at him over my shoulder.
"I did have a nice time with them, they are a very cute couple and very sweet. It's nice to see romance still alive at that age.”
“Oh, they aren’t a couple. They just usually sit together at all of the functions that we have here.”
"They might not be an official couple Caleb, but they definitely are interested in each other.”
“I don’t know Emma, you might be reading into something that isn’t there.”
“Trust me, women know these things.”
Caleb then stood right beside me and leaned back against the counter with his arms crossed and caught, and held, my gaze as his eyes danced.
“Oh really? What else do women know?”
There was that sexy, flirtatious smile again and my belly went crazy with fluttering butterflies as I struggled to form a sentence. It is just not normal to be so damned good-looking! I decided to flirt right back.
“Women know of a lot of things Caleb, and one of the most important things we know is we know what men want. We know how to make them happy.”
He raised his eyebrows and I could see his interest in what I was saying increasing even more.
“Oh yeah? Tell me Emma, what is it that I want?” His eyes smoldered as they slowly wandered up and down my body.
Just then blondie came bouncing into the kitchen. Damn.
“There you are, I was looking all over for you. What are you doing in here?”
She saw me and her eyes narrowed, and then she quickly put on a saccharin smile for Caleb and stuck out her hand.
“Hi, I’m Carrie.”
She must have been the world’s biggest moron because clearly she could see that my hands had soap all over them because I was doing the dishes. I looked at her hand, looked into the sink at my hands, shrugged my shoulders and returned her fake smile.
“Sorry I can’t shake your hand but it’s nice to meet you also, I’m Emma.”
“You look familia
r Emma, have we met before?”
Her perfect hair, her perfect teeth, and her perfect body were beginning to make me feel extremely insecure, especially having Caleb standing between us looking back and forth at us. I was sure that he was comparing us and, physically, there was just no comparison. She was absolutely stunning and I wanted to disappear.
“No, but we were at the same party a few weeks ago.”
“We were?!”
The look of shock on her face would have been funny if it wasn’t about me. I could see her brain trying to register how she and I could ever possibly be at the same party. I really didn’t like girls like her.
I couldn’t hold back the sarcasm as I slowly drew out my words.
“Yeah…we…were. Imagine that, huh?” I saw Caleb holding back a grin out of the corner of my eye and I was now bored talking with her so I went back to washing the dishes. I decided to rub it in a bit to her that I knew Caleb.
“Caleb, would you mind handing me that pot over there and then how about helping me dry these dishes?”
He looked surprised but then quickly handed me the pot and grabbed a towel and started drying the dishes.
Carrie’s mouth fell open and then she quickly snapped it shut and I almost laughed out loud. I don’t think she was expecting me to know Caleb like that and she certainly wasn’t expecting to see him helping me with the dishes. I know I shouldn’t have, but I got a lot of pleasure out of the shocked look on her face. She stood there confused for a minute and then made an excuse and told Caleb she would talk to him later, and left the kitchen.
Caleb started laughing as soon as she was out of the kitchen.
“I don’t think anyone has ever put Carrie in her place like that!”
“She seems a bit possessive of you, is she your girlfriend?”
I don’t know where I got the nerve to ask that question but it was something that had been bothering me since I saw them together at the party. I found myself saying things that I normally wouldn’t say ever since I had met Caleb. He had some kind of influence over me and all I know is I wanted to know as much as possible about him because no one had ever made me feel the way I felt when I was around him.