by Christa Lynn
I look down at my hands folded in my lap.
“You’ve done a great job on this project and I have faith in you. I actually have another project for you to work on, one that won’t interfere with your personal life.” He says, smiling while pushing a manila folder toward me
“The Ravinia Project?” I squeal. “You want ME working on this project? Holy, Sh.....wow, Tim. Thank you, this is awesome! When do we begin?” I ask while thumbing through the schematics.
“Now.”
Adrian from the design team comes in and we start to go over the project guidelines and make plans to meet at the Ravinia Building later in the week.
Chapter 15
For now, details on my life aren’t really necessary. The past two months have gone on without Jackson Bentley. I drown my sorrows in coffee and keep my mind busy with work. This Ravinia Project is big and I’ve been given a large chunk of it, so I’m back and forth between the office and the Ravinia, shuffling samples and checking on things. The build-out hasn’t begun, because it has to be done floor by floor, starting at the top in the Penthouse offices. There really isn’t a lot of construction to be done, just a few walls knocked out and a few more added. More offices constructed and meeting rooms, the norm when a remodel occurs.
Life is going pretty good. I’m headed back to the office around two in the afternoon, and I’m in a hurry. I pull out my cell to text Tim and run out of the building smack into someone walking up the stairs. That’s what I get for trying to text and walk in heels at the same time. My purse goes flying and I drop the folders in my hands, “Shit! I’m so sorry.” I say as I bend down to pick up my things.
They don’t call me Grace for nothing.
“Hey, it’s okay. Let me help you.” In a deep rich voice. I don’t look up right away, because I’m busy trying to stuff the tampons back in my purse before.......too late. I look up and he’s handing the tampon to me.....”Here ya go.” I look up and whoa. Whiskey colored eyes, black hair, messy and windblown, his lips curled up in a smirk. I flush, partly from his looks and partly from the tampon he’s holding between his fingers. “Thanks.” And I place the feminine product back in my purse, grabbing the stack of documents and unfolding myself to a standing position.
What I am standing in front of can’t be described. No, he’s not Jackson, but he’s totally hot. Broad shoulders that fill out his suit jacket. A crisp white shirt stretched over a rippling chest and a yellow checkered tie.
Swoon!
“Again, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” I say as I turn to leave.
“Wait!” He says to my back as I walk away. “Do you work in this building? I’ve never seen you here before.”
“No, I work for a design firm, we’re handling the remodel of the building. I was just heading back to the office after dropping off some material samples.”
“So, you’re a runner?” He asks.
I snicker, because that’s what I feel like sometimes. “No, I am an admin assistant. But I hope that after this project, I’ll be promoted to Project Manager. This is kind of my test with management.” I shyly tell him. I want to just throw my arms around him and sniff his hair, but I don’t. I’ve already made an ass out of myself ramming into him.
“That’s awesome. I like a woman in charge of her career. I wish you luck.”
“Mm, thanks.” I turn to leave.
“Hey! How often do you come by the building?”
“Every couple of days. They are deciding on color schemes and such, so I have to keep bringing samples and picking up ones they don’t like. They are pretty intent on choosing the right pallet. Most jobs allow us to do that, but they want their hands in everything.”
“Good, maybe I’ll see you again.” He says.
I nod and wave, “I sure hope so.” I whisper to myself. I hear him clear his throat, so I look back and he’s staring at me. Shit, did I say that out loud? My hearts starts racing as I head to my car. Now I’m going to be embarrassed to come back here. Smooth, Ally. First you fuck up the Bentley project, now you’re flirting with some strange man you plowed into on the stairs. Way to make an impression.
I get in my car and head back downtown to the office. I rush down to the sample room and deliver the unacceptable ones. Adrian is there and we sort through others. Guess I’ll be going back tomorrow.
“You okay Ally? You look a little flustered.” Adrian asks.
I love me some Adrian. He’s about 5’10”, blonde hair with purple tips and blue eyes. Skinny, but in a good way. He and I like the same things, fashion, design and men. I met his partner a few days ago and I loved him as well. Fun guys and very into each other.
“Yeah, just about busted my ass at the Ravinia, papers and shit went flying everywhere when I ran head first into a hunky guy in a suit, going up the stairs. I could have died.”
“Hunky huh? Tell me more.” He says, his eyebrows waggling at me.
I tell him the story, even the part about the flying tampons. I have never heard him laugh like he did when I told him that story. “Ah Ally, you know how to charm a man huh?”
“Not hardly. I just need to make sure I wear flats next time and keep my phone in my purse.”
“Well, maybe you’ll see him again. Who knows...maybe he’s the love of your life and you just don’t know it yet.”
I smile, but not because of what he said. I have some fond memories of Jackson, and some not so fond ones. “No, that one got away.” I say as I leave the room.
I forget about the hunky guy I literally ran into today and head back to my desk. I drown in spreadsheets, emails and Photoshop software, moving forward in the remodel plans at the Ravinia.
Before I know it the day is over, but before I can get out of the office, my phone rings. Tim. I press the speaker button as I’m head first in my desk drawer retrieving my purse. “Hey Tim!” I say out loud, but directed toward the phone.
“Ally, I need to see you before you go. Can you come in here please?” He sounds frustrated.
“Sure thing. Be right there.” And I press the disconnect button.
I shut down my computer and grab my bags and head around the corner to Tim’s office.
“What’s up?” I say outside the door.
“I need you to run down to the design room and gather up the samples that Val has gathered and run them back to the penthouse suite at the Ravinia on your way home. CEO of EDD Tech needs them ASAP. They have their designer in the office this evening and she is headed out of town tomorrow. They need these yesterday.”
“Sure, it’s on my way home. I’ll go grab them now and head out. See you tomorrow.” I smile as I exit the office. Maybe, I will get to see Hunky Guy while I’m there. My heart rate increases at the thought of it. Hmmm. Shaking my head reminding myself, “This is work and that is all I need to focus on. Never mind.”
Traffic is heavy, but that’s not unusual in this city. After about forty five minutes, I’m parked and gathering the samples out of my trunk. I’m thinking right now would be a good time to have a wheelbarrow or something to haul these things up. I look around and see nothing that would work. So I throw my purse strap over my head and grab the samples. I guess I could leave my purse in the car, but this is Atlanta and parking garages are no safer than parking in your driveway.
I’m struggling with all the carpet squares, wood pieces and fabric swatch books. Geez, had I known this job would be so physical, I might have chosen something else. Maybe it’s time to hit the gym or something. Orrrr, maybe not, I laugh at myself.
I get to the top of the stairs and everything in my arms starts slipping. First, the carpet squares fall, then the fabric book. I manage to hold on to the wood pieces, because they can break. But the book flies head over ass down the stairs like a damn slinky. I swear it has legs because it’s gone. Instead of chasing it like a paper flying in the wind, I let it go. Once it’s stopped, I set down the wood and head back down the steps to the book. I grab the book an
d head back up, but I have company now. The Hunk is standing there, arms crossed over his chest like I’m in trouble or something, but he is smiling. Straight white teeth sparkle in the sunlight.
“We meet again.” He tells me. I am so embarrassed at this point I can’t speak. I just smile sheepishly back at him and gather the rest of my things. “Let me help you with that.” And he bends down to help. As we stand up, our heads smack into each other. “Ouch!” I rub my head. “Are you okay?” He says as he stands, rubbing his head.
“Yeah.” I smile back at him. “Aren’t we two peas in a pod?”
I hold my hand out to shake hands and introduce myself, “I’m Grace, nice to meet you.” I say with a smirk on my face. “Hello Grace, I’m Chase. Our names rhyme.” He says as his bright blue eyes twinkle. “Chase Rowland.” He says as he holds out his hand for a shake.
“Yes, I guess so. But I was being funny. My real name is Ally. I just call myself Grace because I’m so clumsy.”
“Ah, and you’re a comedian too, huh?” He laughs. It’s a great laugh. Deep and rich.
“No.” I giggle back at him “Not really, just clumsy.”
“Well, I think you’re adorable.” He replies, causing me to blush slightly. I can feel the heat crawling up the back of my neck to my face. I look away embarrassed, but he touches my cheek. “Really, especially now that you’re blushing.”
At that time, my brain decides to shut off the filter to my mouth and I can’t speak, I just smile back at him. “Will you have dinner with me after I help you upstairs with this.....stuff?” I'm not sure just what to say, because he's caught me off guard. I hate when that happens.
“Umm, okay. Sure. I’d like that.” Sure, I sound silly, but hey. What can I say? That’s how I roll. And, he hasn’t demanded that I have dinner with him, he's actually asked.
He grabs the wood squares and I gather the other stuff and we head toward the building. He scans his security badge and the doors click open. “They lock them up after hours. Glad I was here, or you might have been standing out here a while.” Chase tells me.
“Yeah, me too. That would have sucked.” I reply.
After we drop off the samples to the penthouse suite, we quickly head down to the parking garage. “I’m parked over here.” Chase points over toward his car.
“My car is here too, why don’t I follow you?” I say, not wanting to get in the car with someone I just met. The last time I did that.....well, we won’t go there right now.
“Sure. Do you know where The Cheesecake Factory is?” He asks me.
“Yeah, Ashford-Dunwoody Road? That one?” I ask as he nods. “Okay, I’ll follow you.”
We jump in our cars, he pulls out before me, and I pull in behind him. As we navigate the Atlanta streets, my cell rings. I peer at the caller ID, Heather. “Hey H, what’s up?”
“Are you coming home? I’m at your apartment and you aren’t here.” She sounds a little weird.
“Why are you at my apartment? Get kicked out of yours?” I ask her sarcastically.
“I need to tell you something, it’s important, Ally.”
“It’ll have to wait, I’m having dinner with Chase, and then I’ll be home.” I tell her and hear her suck in a breath.
“Chase? Who the hell is Chase?” She gasps.
“You know, Mr. Hunky that I slammed into at the Ravinia earlier today. Wait, I haven’t told you about that yet have I?”
“No, and you’d better spill!” She squeals.
“Can’t right now. Pulling into the restaurant, I’ll fill you in when I get home.” And I press the end button before she has a chance to reply. Almost immediately a text comes in.
H, Bitch! U hung up on me!
A, Sry! Txt u l8tr!
I really don’t feel like dealing with her now, but I’m sure I’ll hear about it later. She really is a good friend, but can be so nosy sometimes. And, have I mentioned she’s a slut? But, that’s neither here nor there really. She sees what she wants and she goes after it which is what I’m doing right now. I just hope I’m not making a huge mistake, again.
Dinner goes smoothly and we finish with strawberry cheesecake, one of my favorites. I usually feel strange eating dessert with a guy on a date, but not at The Cheesecake Factory. It’s almost a requirement if you eat here. We have talked and gotten to know each other a bit. He’s nice. He’s not Jackson, but then no one can compare to him.
We agree to go out again the following weekend, a real date where he picks me up and everything. This is different since I have my car here, I can disappear if things don’t go well. After exchanging phone numbers, we go our separate ways. He lives close to the office where he works and I am up the interstate, so I head toward I285 and home. As I sit at a red light, I look at my phone and realize I’ve missed four text messages and two calls from Heather. Good grief.
H, Call me bk!
H, NOW!
H, Really, it’s important
H, OK, don’t say I didn’t warn you
Fabulous. Now she’s a drama queen. What could be so damned important that it couldn’t wait until I get home? Well, it’s going to have to wait, because the light has turned green and three cars behind me are now honking at me to go. “Okay okay, keep your panties on!” I yell at no one, waiving my hand in an,”I’m sorry” motion. “Whatever could be so important?”
Flying up the HOT lane, I finally get home about twenty five minutes later. I really need to move closer in-town so I’m not spending so much on this damn Peach Pass. But really, it is the best way to travel up I85 North. I scan my card at the gate and I pull through, driving slowly avoiding the kids playing ball in the parking lot.
I park the car and click the fob to lock it, heading toward the breezeway to my apartment. Something doesn’t feel right, but I figure it's just that I'm getting home later than usual. I go to unlock my door when I hear a voice. “Alexandra. There you are.” I freeze. I know that voice, though I haven’t heard it in months. I turn to see who is behind me and find I am correct. Jackson is sitting on the stairs, feet crossed at his ankles and his hands in his pockets.
“Jackson, what are you doing here?” I say after almost jumping out of my skin.
“Waiting for you. Apparently you didn’t wait for me, though.”
“Wait for you? What in the hell are you talking about?” I ask in confusion.
“Let’s go inside. We have to talk.” He motions for me to open the door as he moves next to me.
“No, we don’t Jackson. There is nothing to talk about.” I tell him.
“Open the door Alexandra.”
Shit, why is he so damned bossy? Chase was not bossy, he was....nice.But do I really wantNice?
“Fine, but make it quick. I’m getting home late and I have laundry and other things to do before bed.” I try to be as nonchalant as possible and make up silly excuses, but he has my nerves on fire. I walk in, tossing my keys on the table and setting my purse down, before I can finish I am pulled into Jackson’s arms.
Heat swallows me whole, submerging my psyche in one gulp. My cheek is pressed against his chest and his fingers are threading through my hair, which is about two inches longer now than it was the last time I saw him. “Mmmmm.” He mumbles. “Love the longer hair, sweet girl.” He continues stroking my hair.
I push back away from him, confusion in my eyes. “What are you doing here?” I whisper, ducking out of his arms. “You can’t just show up here after months away and expect everything to be okay. What do you want?”
“Sit. I’ll explain everything. But first, I have a question.” He says. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”
Chapter 16
On shaking legs, I walk over to the sofa and sit down. He sits right next to me, so close our legs are touching. I try and scoot back, but my back is met by the arm of the sofa and I’m effectively trapped. Feeling a little like a school girl in the principal’s office, I cross my hands on my lap and squeeze.
“You were supposed to wait fo
r me, Alexandra.” He says again.
“You keep telling me that, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He blows out a deep breath, “When I saw you last and had to leave for New York, I asked you to wait for me.” He says.
“No, that wasn’t the last time you saw me, you interrupted a fun evening out with Heather. That was the last time you saw me. And you didn’t tell me that then, so what the fuck is this about?
“No Ally, when I left for New York the first time.”
“You were serious? How could you ask me to wait for you when I had no idea what I was waiting for? You can’t expect me to put my life on hold waiting for someone or something who may or may not ever return. That’s not fair and you know it.” I spit back at him, getting angry now. And, when I get angry my brain to mouth filter malfunctions. I need to get my emotions under control before I say anymore.
“I’m sorry. I know it was selfish of me, but I couldn’t imagine not having you in my life, Ally. I know I have been gone for a while, but you have never been far from my thoughts. Now, I am back in Atlanta and we can continue what we started.”
“Really? Just like that?You swoop out of my life as quickly as you swooped in, and now you’reBACK? Are you fucking kidding me, Jackson? You have no fucking right....”
He cuts me off, “Alexandra watch your mouth.”
“What the fuck!” I scream, standing up from the sofa and head toward my bedroom. “I’m not talking about this right now, Jackson. You need to leave. When I come out of my room, you’d better be gone and next time you want to talk, you call me. Don’t just show up on my doorstep and demand. You can’t keep doing this.” I scream as I slam my door, hoping I don’t piss my neighbors off with the noise, and hoping they don’t call the cops.