Unexpected Chance

by Joanne Schwehm

  Me: 3:45 p.m.—Hey, Alex.

  Well, that said a lot. I was a dumb ass. Could I have written less? I suppose I could have omitted his name. I suck at this relationship stuff. My phone dinged.

  Alex: 3:51 p.m.—Surprised to hear from you. Can we talk?

  He wants to talk? Where has he been? I really missed him. I shouldn’t, but I did.

  Me: 3:52 p.m.—I guess so.

  I was waiting for another text, but instead, my phone rang. I looked and saw that it was Alex.

  “Hi.” My heartbeat raced.

  “Aubrey, it’s really good to hear your voice. I wanted to know if you were busy after work today. May I come and pick you up and take you to dinner?”

  I really wanted to go with him. I realized that I missed him. “Sure, I guess that would be okay. Thank you.” Could he hear my smile over the phone? I didn’t want to sound overly anxious or excited about it.

  “I’ll see you at five. I’ll pick you up outside.”

  “Okay, see you then.”

  I went to Julie’s desk to tell her I didn’t need a ride home—that Alex had called and we were going to dinner.

  “How did that come up?”

  “I texted him.” Julie raised her eyebrows and just looked at me. “I know. I know. I just couldn’t help it. I miss him, Jules. I also still need to compile more research.” Yup, that was going to be my excuse.

  Julie offered some advice. “I know that Alex’s reputation has made you skeptical. Hell, it made me skeptical. I didn’t want to mention it before because I wasn’t sure how you felt about him, but the expression on your face tells me he is more than research.” I instinctively nodded. “I think you should know that I haven’t seen him with anyone at the club, not the way I used to. I still say he may be the real deal. Think about ditching the book and just enjoy him. Tell him about it. Just ask for his insight.”

  “I don’t know. I’ll think about it. You’re right, though. I do have feelings for him, but right now, they aren’t very trusting. I believe what you said and what Brett told you, but from what I’ve seen, I just don’t know.” Saying that out loud broke my heart.

  “Hopefully, you’ll get some answers tonight.”

  “Yeah, maybe, who knows? I need to finish up some work before I leave.”

  Back at my desk, I felt as though the last hour of my day had just dragged on. Julie had already left to go meet Brett. I packed up my laptop and files and headed outside.

  My heart stopped when I saw Alex leaning up against his car. He smiled as soon as he saw me, and my heart sped up. There was no denying it to myself. Book or no book, romance or not, I was falling for him. How did the saying go? “You had me at hello?” Well, he had me with a smile.

  My legs trembled as I walked up to him. He opened the passenger side door, took my laptop bag, put it in the back, and before I could get in, he hugged me. He whispered I’m sorry in my ear. I smiled, but I wasn’t exactly sure what he was sorry for.

  I sat in the passenger seat and watched him walk around the front of the car. He was amazing. His walk was effortless, and his looks were stunning. I noticed he had a different look in his eyes. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it was almost as if he were afraid of something. He slid into his seat and turned to look at me. He took my breath away. His dark hair seemed longer, and his blue eyes were deeper, but they didn’t have the spark I was used to seeing.

  “I am really sorry.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it.

  “What are you sorry for?” All of a sudden, I was full of fear. Did he do something with Leah or another woman? If so, did I have a right to be upset about that? No, plain and simple, I didn’t, but I knew I would be upset if that was it.

  “I feel like I let you down. I should have texted or called you before you texted me today. I was confused. I knew you were mad about Leah, but I’m not used to anyone really caring about what I do or who I do it with.”

  “I’m sorry too. I really had no right to be upset. It’s not as if you’re my boyfriend. We just hung out. That’s all.” I shrugged my shoulders. I knew that wasn’t the truth. That wasn’t it, at least not for me. I found that I cared for Alex a lot. I was scared.

  He pulled out into traffic and got on the highway. The car was really quiet. It was as if we were strangers or afraid to say anything for fear that we would offend the other. What do I do? Should I start the conversation? Then I thought about my research. I looked over, and he had a pensive look on his face. “Penny for your thoughts?”

  He glanced over, and then his eyes went back on the road. “I want to get to know you, Aubrey. Will you give me that chance, give us that chance? I know I’ll fuck up along the way, and I hope you’ll have patience with me. In my line of work, obstacles are always there.”

  “Obstacles such as late nights and women?” I didn’t notice that we pulled up in front of a restaurant named Bisous. I smiled when I saw the name of the restaurant. I didn’t speak French, but I knew “bisous” meant kisses, thanks to my mom’s emails.

  Alex came around and opened my door and held his hand out. I took it, feeling that same tingle I felt the first time he touched me. He pulled me to him and held me. I felt my eyes start to well up with tears. He released me and put his hands on my cheeks, tilting my head up so our eyes met. “Yes, Aubrey, obstacles such as late nights and women. I need you to know that I don’t want any other woman but you. I feel something with you that I’ve never felt before. It scares me, but I need you to know what I’m feeling. I want you and just you.”

  A tear slid down my cheek, which he wiped away with the pad of his thumb. Could he be any better? I was melting on the spot. “Alex, do you know what ‘bisous’ means?”

  Smiling, he said, “Yes, do you?”

  “I do.” With my face still in his hands, I looked from his eyes to his lips. He grinned and brought his lips to mine. My hands rested on his biceps. His tongue ran across the seam of my lips. I opened up as an invitation, which he accepted. We kissed as if we were all alone, not realizing we were standing on a public sidewalk.

  I gently pulled away and brought my hands to his cheeks. Looking into his eyes, which were now sparkling, I said, “I want you too, Alex.” That was the scary truth. I wanted this man more than I wanted anything in my life. My heart raced when I was with him and hurt when I wasn’t.

  He took my hand, interlacing our fingers, and walked me into the restaurant. We were greeted by an older gentleman with a heavy accent, who must have been born in France. Thankfully, he spoke English.

  I asked Alex if he spoke French. “As a matter of fact, yes, I do. I studied it in high school and college, where I studied abroad in Paris for a semester. You said your parents were in Paris, right?” I nodded. “Do you speak French?”

  “No, unfortunately, I don’t. My parents took some courses before they started traveling abroad, and they would talk to each other. I picked up some words here and there, but that’s it.”

  The waiter brought us the wine list and handed it to Alex, who selected the wine and ordered an appetizer for us. I was thinking how happy I was that we had a waiter and not a waitress. I didn’t realize I was smiling about that fact until Alex called me on it. “What’s the smile for? The cheese tray I just ordered?”

  “No, although I do love a good cheese tray.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “If you really want to know, I was happy we had a male and not a female server.”

  He narrowed his eyes and looked at me. “Oh? Why?”

  Was he serious? I exhaled and started twisting my fingers in my lap. “Really, Alex, do you not see how women react to you? The way they look at you when you walk into a room?”

  He shrugged. “Not really. How do they react?” He was grinning. He totally knew.

  “They look at you as if you could be their next and last meal, as if they want to rip your clothes off and run their fingers and lips all over your body.” There—blunt enough?

  His eyes went wide and then dark—sexy dark. “I only care h
ow you react. What’s your reaction? Do you want to rip my clothes off and run your fingers and lips all over me?”

  I leaned over the table to get closer to him and crooked my finger to draw him closer. He leaned in and I whispered, “Yes, but I want more. I want your fingers and lips all over my body too. I want you to want to rip off my clothes. I want to be the woman who does it to you and for you to be the man that does it to me, but that will take some time. I’m not easy.” I smiled, leaned back in my seat, and took a sip of water. I lifted my menu and started to peruse it as if I’d never said anything to him.

  He sat there stunned. He definitely hadn’t expected that. I was mentally patting myself on the back. Let’s see what his reaction to that will be. I wanted him to know that I did want him but that I wasn’t like the other women who just spread their legs for him. Would his reaction be a Neanderthal one or a romantic one? I knew which one I wanted—romance. I wanted my hero.

  “Well, that was not the answer I expected.” He sipped his water.

  I set the menu down on the table. “What did you expect?”

  “I don’t know, but that wasn’t it.” He was smiling, but had a serious look about him. “I do want to be the one who does those things to you; I want that more than you know. I’m glad to hear that you aren’t easy. I think I already knew that, and that’s why I am drawn to you. I want to date you—just you—and for you to just date me. I haven’t been with anyone since I met you and really have no desire to. I just want to know you: what makes you happy and sad, what turns you on, and what turns you off. I want you to be the one I talk to about my day, and I want to hear about yours.”

  He put his hand out as a gesture for me to bring mine to his, which I did. “So will you date me? Will you be mine?”

  He was rubbing my fingers with his thumb. I opened my mouth to answer when our wine and appetizer arrived. Once the waiter served us and Alex agreed on the wine, he asked for our order. I had no idea; my mind was a blank slate. All I could think about was Alex and me dating and my being his. What would that be like for me to be his and for him to be mine? He wants to know me—Aubrey. How did this happen? This never happens to me . . . ever.

  The waiter brought me out of my thoughts when he cleared his throat. I ordered the Chicken Provencal, and Alex ordered a Filet Mignon. The waiter nodded and left us.

  Alex looked nervous. “So what do you think? Will you date me? Can I call you mine?

  I stared at him. I looked for any sign of insincerity; there wasn’t any. “I think, yes, I’d like to date you too. I want to be yours and for you to be mine. I want to hear about your day, and I want to tell you about mine. I want to know what makes you happy and what makes you sad.” I looked away and then back at him. “I want to be the one to make you happy.”

  Chapter 9

  We arrived at my apartment, and I invited him in. We sat on the sofa and Alex brought my hand to his lips. “How has work been?”

  Maybe this was his way of getting to know me. “Actually, it’s been good. I have a meeting tomorrow, but I’m nervous about it.” I really wasn’t nervous since the meeting was with him.

  “Why are you nervous? I’m sure you’re really good at your job. Who is the meeting with? Maybe I know them.”

  I was trying not to smile, but I’m a horrible liar, and my smile is a definite tell. I could never get away with anything with my parents or teachers. I couldn’t keep a straight face, so I lowered my head so he couldn’t see my mouth. I shrugged and spoke softly, “Well, this meeting is with a man, and he happens to be good-looking; I mean extremely good-looking, like totally hot, and his body is . . . Well, let’s just say I hope I can concentrate.”

  I looked up, and his eyes were narrowing. “So you have a meeting tomorrow with an extremely good-looking man, and you’re nervous because he’s good-looking? Are you attracted to him? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

  Oh, this was too good. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying. When I see him, I want to rip off his clothes and run my lips all over his body.” I looked up and bit my lip to try to prevent my smile, but it was too late; he was totally on to me.

  He threw me down on the couch and straddled me. His fingers were all over me, and he started tickling me. We both laughed. “You are so going to get it for that. You had me thinking I was going to have to follow you to the meeting.” I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants. I was kicking my legs.

  “Alex, please, I call uncle!” I had tears in my eyes from laughing. He stopped tickling me, and we were both breathing hard. I just realized that I was under him. My hands were on his muscular chest, and his strong arms were supporting himself at my sides. He dropped his head and kissed me. He bent at his elbows and lowered himself and rolled us until we were on our sides, facing each other.

  He moved my hair away from my eyes with his fingers. I closed my eyes, trying to memorize the feeling—the grazing of his fingertips and the strands of my hair gliding across my face—I didn’t want to forget any of it. When I opened my eyes, they met his. He lowered his head and kissed my forehead then my cheeks, moving down to my neck. I was getting goose bumps.

  “You are so beautiful, Aubrey.”

  I could feel myself blush; I wasn’t used to getting compliments. I didn’t know what to say. If I said, “Thank you,” it was as if I agreed, but I didn’t, so I just smiled.

  He began to kiss me. I lowered my eyes and felt every one of his touches. He started at my eyelids and trailed kisses all around my face. He ran his knuckles down my cheeks, and I felt my eyes flutter open. He slid his hand in my hair and brought my lips to his. Our tongues twirled together and I was lost in his touch, in his kiss, and in him. His lips on mine made my heart jump. I wondered if he could feel it. He made the clichéd butterflies flutter in my stomach. I almost moved my hand there to make sure I was okay. I wanted to pinch myself to make sure this was really happening, but if it was a dream, I didn’t want it to end.

  It was weird how comfortable I felt. Alex’s position shifted, and he was lying on his back with my head on his chest. He was running his fingers up and down my spine. He spoke softly in my ear, “My father’s company is hosting a fundraiser Saturday night. Will you go with me?”

  I propped myself up. “Of course I’ll go. What’s the fundraiser supporting?” My head returned to his chest.

  “Education to prevent drinking and driving.” I heard his heart beat faster.

  I put my hand over his heart and just lay there. I knew this affected him because of his Mom and sister and their deaths at the hand of a drunk driver.

  “I would be honored to be your date.” He kissed the top of my head and thanked me. We rested together. We were content just lying there; it was wonderful.

  I heard beeping and could not imagine what it was. I moved my head and realized I wasn’t lying on my pillow. I was still with Alex. We’d fallen asleep. I needed to get up. The beeping was the alarm in my bedroom. When I moved, so did Alex. I felt bad because I knew he could sleep in and it was only six in the morning. I slipped out of his arms and went to my room. I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. That was a mistake; I looked horrid!

  I quickly jumped in the shower and started to get ready for work. I decided to wear a black shift dress and simple heels. I knew I was going to see Alex later at our meeting, so I took extra time to make sure I looked good. I walked into the living room, and Alex was still sleeping. Instead of waking him, I decided to write in my journal.

  Entry 4—Alex—The Romantic . . . My romantic boyfriend

  An amazing and totally romantic man, he asked me to date him and only him. I am so happy. We went to a wonderful restaurant, talked, came home, talked, and laughed. He is still chivalrous and just makes me melt. We are going to go to his dad’s fundraiser on Saturday night. I can’t wait to meet his dad. I am curious because they don’t sound close at all. My guess is that he is going because of the cause and not the host. We have a meeting today. I am cu
rious to see if he will act differently. Will romance enter the workplace? Is it bad that his workplace has seen more debauchery than romance?

  Just as I was closing my journal, Alex strolled in. I nervously threw the journal in my side table drawer and stood. I felt so guilty, but at this point my research was over. I was falling for Alex Logan, and my journal turned into my diary. I didn’t want to forget anything that he did for me or that we did together. How could I have fallen so fast?

  He looked amazing, even for just waking up and sleeping on the couch. “Good morning, beautiful.” He came in and kissed my lips softly. It was so weird having him in my room. Although we were both fully clothed, I felt naked and fully exposed.

  “Good morning, yourself, I hope you slept okay. Sorry you had to wake so early.”

  “I slept perfectly. I liked having you in my arms all night.” He smiled and started walking to the bathroom.

  Sheer perfection—that’s what he was. “Alex, for the fundraiser on Saturday night, is it a black tie affair?

  He stopped and turned back to me. “Yes, it is. I hope that’s okay. Also, Walker-Stone has purchased a table for some of its employees, but I want you with me at my table, not with them.”

  “Black tie is fine. It’ll give me an excuse to go shopping, and I wouldn’t want to be with anyone but you.” I was smiling and headed into the kitchen as he continued into the bathroom.

  I was starting to make some coffee when I heard, “Women and their shopping.” Alex came up behind me and put his arms around my waist so my back was to his front. I leaned my head back so it was resting on his shoulder. I was really falling for him. My breathing altered and my heart raced. I was getting scared. I turned in his arms to look at him.

  He kissed my forehead. “I am starting to know that look, Aubrey. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong and that scares me. I’m not used to this.” I motioned my hand between us.