Second Rate Chances

by S. C. Stephens

  The remaining half-hour flew by, and Makayla excused herself with the bank manager, letting him know that she was going on her lunch break. Dan had been the manager here for twenty years. Some employees said that it was time for him to move on, that he’d gotten complacent in his job. Makayla sort of agreed. He came to work every day, sure, but more often than not, he lounged in his office or went on “errands” that Makayla highly suspected were at the back nine at the local golf course.

  And on more than one occasion, Dan gave Makayla his keys and told her to lock up everything, even the vault. No one knew he did that. He wasn’t supposed to. As manager, he was supposed to be the only one to close up shop, the only one to have to have access to the safe room. It wasn’t like this bank was huge, and had a mammoth, impenetrable vault like the big banks in the bigger cities, but there was a decent amount of money secreted away from the customers here. And even though it wasn’t technically her job, Makayla was honored that the manager felt she was reliable enough to be trusted with such a huge responsibility.

  Giving Chance a just-a-minute finger, Makayla headed to the employee area in the back to get her things. She did a quick makeup and hair check in the break room mirror, then grabbed her purse and started to leave. She bumped into one of her coworkers on the way out the door. Natalie. She was nineteen and still looked like a child to Makayla. Makayla had to remind herself sometimes that they were equals and that she shouldn’t view the woman like she was a teenager, even though she technically still was. But Natalie was smart and determined, much like Makayla, and she tried to act as sophisticated as possible at the bank. Really, it was only when Neil was around that Makayla was reminded of just how young Natalie was; the woman was hopelessly in love with him. Poor thing.

  “Oh, hey, Makayla. Is the tall, dark and handsome out there your date?”

  Natalie tilted her head towards the lobby, to where Chance was waiting for Makayla. Natalie raised an eyebrow. Her eye shadow had a faint shimmer to it, like gold dust. It highlighted the specks of topaz in her hazel eyes and complimented the bronze streaks in her light brown hair. The rest of her face was expertly, but subtly, sculpted with makeup, every asset emphasized to its fullest. Makayla had often thought that Natalie could fall back on a career as a makeup artist if she ever changed her mind about banking.

  Answering her question, Makayla nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s kind of new, we’ve only been out once before…” She left it there, not mentioning to the girl that their one date had ended in a sleep over. Makayla did try to set a good example.

  Natalie gave her a cute grin. “Well, he looks like a keeper.” She sighed. “He’s so cute.”

  Makayla lifted a corner of her mouth. Natalie tried to act mature, but sometimes she showed her age. And Makayla had enough years on her to know that looks were not the be all and end all of a relationship. In the end, a person’s face didn’t really matter at all. It was trust, communication, common interests, respect, and a good dose of luck that made a relationship work…not an adorable grin. That was just a bonus.

  Wondering if she’d have any of those things with Chance, if it was even possible with him, Makayla suppressed a sigh and brightly told Natalie, “Yeah…definitely a keeper.” Makayla had learned early on in her life that the best way to avoid twenty questions from coworkers was to act like you had the best relationship on earth. Sadly, no one wanted to hear about happy people. No, people wanted to hear about what was wrong with a relationship. Picking apart other people’s lives was a therapeutic way to feel better about your own life, or so she’d heard. Makayla didn’t want to go into any details with the young girl before her, so blissful joyfulness was her only option for the moment.

  As Makayla scooted around the girl, Natalie asked, “I have an extra ticket to see the symphony this Saturday. Do you think Neil would go with me if I asked him?”

  She said it quietly, then bit her lip as she waited for Makayla’s response. Makayla sighed. It really wasn’t Natalie’s fault for falling for Neil, but she was going to get hurt if she kept trying to pursue him.

  Stepping close to her, Makayla looked around. Seeing that they were still alone, she whispered, “Natalie, you know that Neil isn’t…interested…in anything romantic with you. I think it would be a bad idea if you—”

  Natalie cut her off, repeatedly tucking her hair behind her ears, like she was embarrassed. “Oh, I know. I just…I thought he might like to go…” Sighing, she turned around. “Never mind, it was a dumb idea.”

  Closing her eyes, Makayla scrunched her nose. Ugh, she hated popping the poor girl’s bubble. “Wait…yeah, he might want to go…it wouldn’t hurt to ask…I guess.”

  Natalie brightened as she turned around. Makayla sighed at the hope in her youthful face. “But he’ll only go as friends, Natalie. His heart…won’t be in it.”

  Natalie nodded, like she completely understood. Her topaz-speckled eyes, though, beamed with the potential for a love connection.

  Makayla left the woman to her fantasy of turning Neil back around to the girl side of things. Makayla knew she wouldn’t succeed. Neil had been comfortable with who he was back when she’d met him in college. Makayla had even been in Natalie’s position…for a day or two. Once Neil’s’ affinity for watching the football games, and not for the game, became apparent to Makayla, she’d quickly dropped all notions of having anything other than friendship with Neil. Poor Natalie didn’t seem to be able to turn her attraction off, though. It was kind of sad, but Makayla knew she’d move on eventually.

  Back out in the hallway, Makayla stopped short when she nearly ran into Chance. He was loitering around the break room, checking out all the different doors in the hallway. Makayla took a step back and regained her composure. Then she pointed at him, at where he was. “You’re not supposed to be back here.” She took a look around herself. Besides the break room, the manager’s office and the surveillance room were back here. The security guard, Ricky, was in the surveillance room. Big brother. The eye in the sky as they jokingly called him. He only came out of his cave at the end of the day, when it was time for everybody to leave. The general public didn’t even know he was in there. “What were you doing?”

  Chance blinked and looked around himself, like he was surprised by her question. “I was waiting for you.” His face completely innocent, he cocked his dark head. “Is it not okay for me to be back here?”

  Twisting him around, Makayla grunted. “No, it’s not okay. You’re gonna get me in big trouble by being here…”

  Chance held his hands up and walked forward. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to.” He looked back at her, his grin gorgeous. “I was just eager to go have a nice meal with you.”

  Makayla rolled her eyes, then smiled. She was looking forward to it too, but he really shouldn’t be back here. There were…sensitive things back here, things a thief, or anybody not employed by the bank, shouldn’t be around. She smacked him on the back, then, unconsciously, brought her hands up to rub his shoulders a little. He groaned an approval as he walked forward with her.

  Once they were back out in the lobby, Chance laid his head back, resting it on her shoulder. Glancing over at her, he murmured, “You are a wonderful woman, Makayla.” He twisted to face her, then placed a light kiss on her cheek. In her ear, he whispered, “What did I do to deserve you?”

  Makayla smirked, the warmth of his lips on her skin was making her forget her earlier concerns. “Yeah, I’m still wondering about that one myself.”

  Chance chuckled as Makayla twisted to wave goodbye to Neil. Neil raised an eyebrow and shook his head at her. Then he gave her a dimpled smile and a short wave. Makayla hoped Neil went easy on Natalie, if she worked up the guts to ask him out before Makayla got back.

  Focusing again on her date, Makayla grabbed Chance’s hand. He brought his roving eyes back to her face and smiled. “Ready?” Makayla nodded and followed him out of the glass front doors.

  Twenty minutes later, they were seated at a cute bistro
downtown. The intimate setting had them just a few feet apart from each other. The room was kept intentionally dusky, tall candles in the center of the table cast a myriad of appealing lights and shadows across their bodies. Chance stared at her intently as he leaned back in his wrought iron chair. Makayla folded a paper napkin over and over in her hands as she stared back at him. Light, romantic music played in the background and a feeling started to swell in Makayla’s chest. She pushed it back, though, not wanting the ambiance of the environment to dictate her moods. She would choose whether or not to have feelings for Chance…she would not allow herself to be influenced by soft lighting and Michael Buble.

  A plump, sweet waitress placed their meals before them. Grinning at the couple before her, she merrily asked, “Anything else I can get for you two?”

  Chance glanced down at his salad, Makayla’s sandwich. “I think we’re good, thank you.”

  He gave the waitress a charming smile and the woman giggled. A flash of jealousy went up Makayla’s spine and she blinked, surprised. Interesting. Shaking her head, she thanked the waitress for her attention. And mentally encouraged her to leave.

  Once she did, Makayla felt a possessive smile stretch over her face. Chance noticed. He glanced back at the waitress, then back at Makayla. Makayla dropped her grin, not wanting to give Chance the satisfaction of knowing that he interested her. She didn’t want to appear over-eager either. And besides…she wasn’t falling for him.

  Chance didn’t comment on the look he’d seen, just grabbed his fork and smiled at his food. The smile was amused. Clearing her throat, Makayla pointed to his salad. “Watching your figure?” she asked, smirking again.

  Lifting his fork, Chance frowned. “What’s wrong with salad? It’s refreshing.”

  Makayla grinned and shook her head. “Nothing, it’s just…not the typical choice for a guy.”

  Chance chuckled. “Well, I try to not be typical.” He took a big bite and Makayla watched him chewing with a small frown on her face. No, he definitely wasn’t typical. Therein laid the problem…and the attraction, if she were honest with herself.

  Shaking her head, she dug into her own sandwich. It was turkey—she’d tried to go healthy—but it was turkey loaded with about a gallon of mayonnaise. She really should have asked for it dry. Oh well. She’d just have to make the most of it. She was seeing Sofia tonight anyway.

  Chance watched her eat, his eyes darting down to her lips on occasion. Makayla wondered if he was picturing their heated moment yesterday. She had been reliving it off and on this morning. During a pause in his meal, he asked her, “So, tell me something about yourself that I don’t already know.”

  Makayla stopped with her sandwich a half-inch to her face. Closing her mouth, she thought for a moment. Knowing just what to say, she smiled. “Well, I’m going to be a cop someday.” She raised an eyebrow, daring the thief to make light of her career choice.

  Chance’s mouth dropped open. A strange sadness in his eyes, he whispered, “Oh.” Before Makayla could ask him what was wrong, he smiled brightly. “Well, that’s great…a very noble career.” His grin still smooth and effortless, he added, “I’m sure you will be extremely good at it.”

  Makayla sighed; she hoped that too. “Yeah?”

  Chance nodded. “Yeah, I mean, you caught me, right?”

  Makayla giggled, remembering trailing him. God, what an impulsive thing to do. Watching him take a bite of salad, she asked, “What about you? Tell me one thing that I don’t know.”

  Chance paused, then slowly finished his bite. Dragging his fork around his plate, he shrugged. “There’s a lot to pick from.” Glancing up at her, he lifted an eyebrow. “Any particular category you’d like to hear about?” Makayla twisted her lips. She’d like a little bit of every category if it were up to her.

  Sighing, she shrugged and picked the category that seemed the easiest. “Your family.”

  Chance nearly dropped his fork. Staring at his plate, he picked at a slice of tomato. “Different category,” he muttered.

  Makayla scrunched her brows. She’d obviously found a sore spot, and on the category she’d thought was easiest too. Insanely curious, she couldn’t just walk away from the conversation. Chance was avoiding looking at her, staring at his half eaten meal intently. Reaching her hand out, she wrapped her fingers over his arm. “I know we just met…but you can talk to me, Chance.”

  He finally glanced up at her. With a small, sad smile, he repeated, “Different category.” After a silent second, he added, “Please?”

  Makayla sighed, then shook her head. She didn’t want to be too pushy. It was only their second date. “Okay…um…” She tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips. Chance grinned, his melancholy mood gone. “Uh, how about…” Makayla grinned now. “…your criminal record?”

  Chance rolled his eyes and chuckled. “I don’t have one…remember.” He lifted his eyebrows. “Not a felon.”

  Makayla snorted. Yeah, sure. “Well…what’s the least honest thing you’ve done, then?”

  Chance sighed and looked down. “I thought the first few dates were supposed to be light and easy.” He looked up at her. “What’s with all the hard-hitting questions?”

  Makayla shrugged. “Occupational hazard, I guess. I am trying to be a cop, remember?”

  Closing his eyes, Chance smiled and shook his head. “Right…” Opening the warm brown eyes that Makayla was beginning to love staring into, he shrugged. “I jacked a car when I was ten. Is that good enough?”

  Makayla blinked. At ten she’d been playing with dolls, making Ken kiss Barbie, and he’d been boosting vehicles? What extremely different childhoods they’d had. Watching her face, Chance frowned. “Should I have said something else, Makayla?”

  She shook her head. No, grand theft auto before puberty was good enough. She really wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear anymore anyway. Ignoring the small frown on his unassuming face, Makayla finished the rest of her sandwich in silence. After their plates were finished and swept away, Chance sighed. “You’re quiet. I said too much, didn’t I?”

  Looking over the table at him, Makayla shook her head. “We’re just…very different, Chance. I don’t know if this is going to work out.”

  Sighing, he reached across the table to grab her hand. “Different can be good, Makayla.” Shaking his head, he added, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem a little…tightly wound. Maybe a little less order would be good for you?”

  Makayla frowned, but Chance smiled, stroking her hand with his thumb, and she found herself smiling too. “Less order? What did you have in mind?”

  Grinning crookedly, the usual innocence in his appearance gone, he glanced around the café. Leaning into her, he whispered, “You ever dine and dash?”

  Makayla jerked her hand back and sat up straighter. Her cheeks heating, she felt a little horrified at the very idea. “No, and I don’t ever want to, Chance.”

  He tilted his head at her. “You wouldn’t believe the rush, Makayla.” He eyed her body and Makayla had to adjust how she was sitting. “It’s better than sex,” he whispered.

  Remembering back to her imagined romp with him, Makayla shook her head. “I think you’re wrong about that,” she whispered, biting her lip.

  Chance’s mouth dropped open a little as his eyes locked on to the movement of her mouth. “Well…almost then,” he muttered. Shaking his head, he looked back into her eyes. “Have you ever stolen anything in your life, Makayla? Have you ever broken a law for that matter?”

  She frowned, not liking that he was making her feel guilty for following the rules. “Well, I sometimes speed…”

  He grinned, then shook his head. “Rebel.” Laughing, he grabbed her hand again. “Try it with me, right now.” His eyes scanned her body again before drifting back up to her face. “Let me give you a taste of how good it can feel…to do something…a little wrong.”

  Makayla held her breath at the look on his face, the huskiness in his voice. Then she
shook her head. “No, Chance.” Leaning into him, she whispered, “You don’t think you’re hurting anybody, but you are. If you take something that’s not yours, no matter how small, it affects…someone. You hurt…someone. Just because you may not know that person, and just because you may not see the pain, doesn’t mean it’s not there…it doesn’t make it okay.”

  Chance leaned back, considering. His brows drawn together, he shook his head. “I guess I never thought of it that way.”

  Makayla leaned over to him, her chest brushing the table. “Look, I like you, Chance. I really can’t deny that. But…I won’t be with you if you’re going to steal. I just…I can’t.”

  He peeked up at her, his face more serious than before. “I told you, Makayla, sometimes…I can’t help myself.”

  Lowering her head, Makayla stroked his hand with her thumb. “Well…I can’t be with a man who can’t control himself. I’m sorry.”