“Ha! I doubt that, but some good pasta sounds wonderful. Stop at the Epicurean Market, and we’ll grab what we need. I think we need some See’s Candies to go with our meal, too.”
“You speak to my heart. Italian food, wine, and chocolate. If you were a man, I would marry you right now.”
June laughs loudly, throwing her head back. She seems so cheerful. Even if I don’t find out what happened in New York, I know something has altered her mood in the best way possible.
When we get home, June cooks dinner while I pour glasses of wine. After I open our See’s Candies, she asks me to grab her phone, so I can play a new song by some British girl. She gushes about the song, telling me how the lyrics are so great. If June wasn’t in such a good mood, I would tell her that a song about dancing at discos and eating cheese on toast is not exactly enlightening. Just as I’m about to suggest a song change, my phone chimes to tell me I have a new text. I walk to the other side of the couch and turn away as if the back of June’s head could read the screen on my phone.
Are you busy Friday evening? I have this event to attend, and I was hoping you might be available to join me. —Liam
Did I read that right? Crap! This can’t be happening. I am not supposed to get involved with June’s brother. Wait, I have the perfect excuse to avoid him on Friday night.
Would love to, but I actually have a charity event to attend for work. —Caroline
It doesn’t happen to be for the Boys & Girls Club, does it? —Liam
Yes, that’s the one. —Caroline
There is no way he is attending the same event!
Sounds like we’re headed in the same direction. Could I convince you to let me pick you up?
—Liam
Well, I had plans to go with some girls from work, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind just seeing me there. —Caroline
Great, it’s a date. I’ll pick you up at 6:30 on Friday night. —Liam
Okay, thanks. See you then. —Caroline
A date! He definitely said it’s a date. With the strangeness of today, I reread the text a few more times to make sure it’s not a mirage to my weary eyes. What am I thinking? You know what? I don’t care. It’s not like I’m pursuing him. He asked me. My smile has already spread from ear to ear as I walk back into the kitchen. I’m trying in vain to hide my excitement, but June sees through me with one glance.
“Who was that?” she asks with a knowing grin.
“A guy I met at work. He wants to go to the charity event together on Friday.”
June’s mouth drops open. “I was only gone for one day. You must have really wowed him. Is it the one you told me about last week? The hot guy from the office down the hall?”
I hesitate, thinking about my answer. I don’t want to lie. “No, it’s a new guy I just met. I don’t know much about him, so there isn’t much to tell.” A certain level of vagueness isn’t considered lying, right?
Thankfully, June leaves it at that. “Dinner is served,” she announces as she places our dinner on the bar place mats.
The food and wine are wonderful. The See’s Candies are otherworldly. And, of course, the company is the best part. I am so glad to have June home even though I have to hide the fact that I’m lusting over her brother.
Thinking forward to the rest of the week, I know Wednesday and Thursday will pass in a blur. Things are going to be crazy at work as we get ready for client meetings and prepare for the charity event. Since my boss is head of the committee in charge of the event, I’ll be running around, arranging flowers, setting tablecloths, and making sure everything looks beautiful. As the date gets closer, I know there will be last-minute additions to make sure my life does not survive without chaos. Up to this point, the details appear to be falling into place. If I can just keep myself from falling into a relationship with June’s brother, I’ll be doing alright.
Wednesday
Driving to work, I’m blaring music through the speakers with my windows down. I’ll do anything to keep my mind off that crazy business trip. I’m resolved to the fact that I will turn down any further opportunities to embarrass myself or the company in out-of-state adventures. This was simply an indication that I should keep my feet planted firmly in Texas.
Honestly, I don’t know why I’m letting it all get to me. I was awake for what felt like hours last night. If I told anyone in my family that small fact, they would take me straight to a doctor. A normal sleep routine for me consists of changing clothes, laying my head on the pillow, and falling fast asleep in two seconds.
While answering text messages from her new boy toy last night, Caroline seemed oblivious to my distracted mind. It was impossible for me to stop thinking about Cohen. I should have asked for Caroline’s advice, but truth be told, I don’t want advice. I want the whole experience with him to disappear. It was humiliating. It was frustrating. Although he was amazing, I don’t want to dwell on that.
“Good morning, Mr. Hargrove. How was your vacation?”
“June, it was wonderful. I think I should leave more often if this is the outcome.” He jogs toward me, which is quite a sight by itself as he’s not a small man. He tosses a single sheet of paper, and it floats onto my desk.
Mr. Hargrove:
We sincerely appreciate you sending your bright assistant to our meeting on Monday. Her ideas and suggestions were a breath of fresh air. Our official letter of contract for the job will be emailed this afternoon. I look forward to working together.
~ Cohen
I blink my eyes several times. My vision must be playing tricks on me. Oh my gosh! I did it! I made an impression—and a good one at that. My boss is still lingering over my desk, waiting for some kind of response.
I peer up through my bangs, still blinking my eyes. “Wow! Mr. Hargrove, I am so glad that I was able to present your ideas in a way that impressed them.”
“Oh no, you don’t.” He practically jumps across my desk, lifts me to my feet, and gives me a tight hug.
Over his shoulder, several of my coworkers are reacting to his awkward display. A few are laughing while others are trying to pick up their jaws from off the ground.
Pulling me back by my shoulders, he looks me in the eyes. “After receiving his note, I called Cohen this morning to discuss a few things. The ideas he was impressed with were yours. I had never heard them before, and they were brilliant. I had no idea what kind of talent you were hiding in that brain of yours,” he says while tapping his finger against the side of my head. “Keep up the good work, and you’ll be moving up the ladder in no time.”
I know the smile on my face has to look ridiculous, but I don’t care. This is unbelievable! Mr. Hargrove gives me a quick pat on the shoulder before walking back into his office. I sit back down in my chair and pick up the phone to call Caroline.
“You aren’t going to believe this!” I quickly tell her about what happened, and I almost lose my hearing when she starts squealing on the other end of the phone.
“Well, that definitely calls for a celebration. More wine and See’s Candies?”
“Sounds wonderful to me. I need to go, but I’ll see you after work.”
“Alright! See you then.”
The rest of the day flies by, and I see Caroline as I’m walking into the apartment building. She has wine and candy in hand, and she’s striking a goofy pose. She looks like a cross between Vanna White and one of Charlie’s Angels.
“Geez, Caroline. Could you be any weirder?”
She laughs. “Don’t tempt me, June Bug. Let’s get inside, and start this dance party.”
Our celebratory dinner consists of grilled cheese sandwiches, wine, and chocolate. We spend the entire evening dancing around the kitchen, through the living room, and then into our respective beds. I think tonight ranks up there as one of the best nights of my life.
“Hey, June?”
“Yes, Caroline?”
““You rock!” she shouts as one of our favorite songs begins to stream from the spe
akers in her room.
I smile to myself, hugging my pillow. Now, that’s what friends are for.
Thursday & Friday
The week continues to go by quickly. Mr. Hargrove gives me more projects and asks for my opinion on several new jobs. I feel like I am soaring above the atmosphere, looking down at the earth. My life has a good view at the moment.
Friday afternoon, I walk into my office, focused on filing away some papers and grabbing more information before my next meeting. A smell catches my attention, and I glance up to the table by my doorway. Beautiful pink and white peonies greet me. They must be in the wrong office. Pulling off the card, I read the handwritten words.
Congrats on the new contract! See you Monday.
Try to keep your hands to yourself, so you don’t assault me. ~C
No freaking way! He’s coming here? What will I say to him? What will he say to me? What will I wear? I need Caroline! It’s time to spill the beans about my trip and get some advice.
When I get home, Caroline is cleaning like a mad woman.
“What are you doing?” I laugh loudly. She looks ridiculous with cleaning gloves pulled up to her elbows while dirty paper towels are littered throughout the living room.
“My brother will be here tomorrow, and I don’t want him to tell my mom what a slob I am.”
“You are being crazy. You know you could always blame the mess on me.”
“My mom would never believe that.”
“Well, at least let me help you.”
Within two hours, the whole place is spotless, and it smells lovely. We plop down on the couch together, and Caroline catches her first glimpse of my flowers.
“June?” A grin forms across her face. “Where did the flowers come from?”
I blush instantly, feeling a heat spread throughout my entire body.
“Don’t be mad at me—”
“But?” Caroline pulls her legs up, sitting Indian-style, and turns to face me on the couch. “Where did you meet him?”
“In New York.”
“What? I thought we were friends. You met a guy in New York, and you didn’t tell me?”
“Well, he doesn’t actually live in New York.” I give Caroline the full recap of my horrible encounters with Cohen—from the flying magazine to the office building steps to our airport dinner. “Oh, it was horrible!” I throw my head into my hands. Sitting still for a second, I expect Caroline to cover me with her arms and hug me until I don’t feel like a total idiot anymore. Instead, I hear her burst into uninhibited laughter.
“That has to be the funniest thing I have ever heard. So, you threw your magazine at his head on the plane? Then, you chose to run smack into his backside before your meeting?”
“I didn’t choose to run into him. It just happened.”
“Wait a minute. He’s the one who sent you flowers? What did you do? Kiss him as he helped you up?”
“No, I didn’t kiss him. You are impossible! After the meeting, he found me and asked if I was going to the airport. He was flying out, too, so we ate at a little sandwich shop in the airport. Nothing happened. He’s practically my boss.”
“So, what does the card say?” She reaches out to snatch it before I can catch her. “Oh my gosh, he likes you! You better get a tan while you’re at the lake this weekend.”
“Just shut up. I am totally freaked out.”
“You are so silly. Is he hot?”
“Yes.”
“Did he seem nice?”
“Yes.”
“Does he have money?”
“Caroline!”
“Alright, well, he passes my test. Did you get his number? I think you should date him. Maybe you should even consider bringing him to Sunday dinner, so your mom can start planning your wedding and how many babies you should have.”
“Sure, that sounds like it’ll work out just fine since he lives on the opposite side of the country. I thought you would feel sorry for me and help me pick out something nice to wear for Monday. See if I ever bare my soul to you again.”
Caroline stares at me, waiting for the answer to the only question in her approval speech. I don’t want to get into this right now. She raises her eyebrows and motions with her hands to indicate that she’s waiting.
I raise my hands in surrender. “Fine. Yes, I got his number.”
She jumps up from her seat on the couch, clapping like a child too full of energy. “You should text him. You should text him right now!”
“And say what?”
“Anything. Come on, June! He obviously likes you. Give it a chance.”
I involuntarily smile, but before I can put my smile back where it belongs—off my face—Caroline starts poking at my sides with her Twizzler-like fingers.
“See, you like him, too! Just do it.”
“Okay, okay, but you have to leave me alone about it after this.”
“Pinky swear,” she says, not offering her pinky.
I draft several different text messages, trying to figure out which one would sound like I’m interested and grateful but not desperate.
Got your flowers. That was nice.
Thank you for the gift.
Come to Texas and be with me.
I finally settle on one.
The flowers are beautiful. Thank you. —June
I hit Send, and shortly after, my phone vibrates, showing a new message.
You’re welcome. —Cohen
“Let me see it,” Caroline says, lunging toward me.
I pull my phone away before she can reach it. “Stop it. He just said, ‘You’re welcome.’ That’s it, so don’t worry about it.”
She shakes her head and sits back down on the couch. “Fine.”
I can’t believe she gave up that easily.
Caroline glances to the carpet and then peeks back up with a strange look on her face. “I need to ask you a favor,” she says.
That’s an odd change in attitude. “Sure. Anything. What do you need?”
“Can you help me pick out a dress for my date tonight?”
Friday
“You want my help picking out something to wear?” June questions, looking at me like I just asked her to build Noah’s ark.
She’s right. I would normally ask anyone before asking for her help, but since it is her brother, I thought her guidance might be good. Of course, I can’t tell her the reason behind the request.
“I don’t really need much. Just tell me if you think I should wear this dress…” I hold up the blue dress I just bought in one hand. “Or this one.” My other hand lifts a black dress that shows a little more skin. “Now, remember, I’ll be on a first date with a professional guy.”
June laughs. “Do you really like this guy or something? I thought you said you didn’t know much about him.”
I give her a glare.
“I would pick the blue one,” she says, holding her hands up in surrender.
“Thanks, June.” I run over and hug her.
I take a quick shower and settle in at the bathroom mirror. June walks in and hops up onto the counter. Her legs are swinging back and forth as I put on my makeup and then do my hair.
“Don’t you have to get going? What time are you supposed to be at your parents’ house?” I ask.
“Oh crap.” She hops off the counter and rushes out.
I can hear her running through the apartment. I lay my hands flat against the counter, taking in a deep breath. The sooner she is out of the apartment, the sooner I don’t have to worry about her running into Liam.
“Have fun tonight, Caroline, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
I can tell she is smiling as I hear the sound of the door closing behind her.
Suddenly, I am alone and nervous as hell. I am going on a date with Liam. What if he is meeting some other people there, and he doesn’t pay attention to me? But then, why would he want to pick me up and spend time alone with me in a car? This whole insecurity thing is driving me nuts. I have never a
cted this way before.
I finish putting on my last coat of mascara before I go and sit on the couch. The bright red digital numbers of the clock read 6:17, but I know it is a few minutes fast. I need something to pass the time. I turn on the radio, but nothing good is on at the moment. I switch on the TV and find nothing good there either. Walking to the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water, come back, and sit on the couch. Only 6:21?
At six thirty precisely, I hear a light knock on the door. Standing in front of the closed door for a short moment, I take in several deep and even breaths. I thought deep breaths were supposed to be calming, but apparently, the MythBusters need to do some investigating on that one.
I open the door slowly, and Liam is standing there. He looks amazing in a light blue button-up shirt with a jacket and dark dress slacks. His hair is short but still long enough to be messy although I am sure he took some time to style it that way. His smile brings warm light into the room. My deep breathing routine was pointless because I suddenly feel like I can’t catch my breath. My heart is pounding. I can’t swallow. Breathe, damn it.
“Caroline, you look…” He pauses and takes a breath. “Beautiful.”
Liam stands casually with one hand in his pocket and the other hand held out to take mine. Did he just say beautiful? I touch my hand gently to his, and immediately, the breath rushes back into my lungs. If his touch has this impact on everyone, he should look into a job at the ER. He could save lives with that kind of superpower.
“Let’s go enjoy some charity fun,” he says pulling me into the hallway.
We walk to his car, his hand rarely leaving the small of my back. His touch feels strong, and when he moves away, I find my body wavering in its absence. He opens my car door, and I sit, impatiently waiting for him to get to the driver’s side door. I don’t want to waste a moment of time with him tonight. I watch in the mirror as he walks to the other side of the car. Damn, his butt looks good in those pants.
Crossing Paths Page 5