With You Always

by Rena Olsen

  “Hello again.” His voice both electrified and calmed me. The cadence was musical, soothing, the voice of a man completely at ease with himself. There was no hesitation. He wasn’t surprised I was here. He had been certain I would come. I decided to borrow some of that confidence for the evening.

  Glancing coyly over my shoulder, I looked him up and down. “You’re late.”

  He laughed. “I was actually early. I’ve been sitting over there”—he gestured to a bench on the other side of the fountain—“trying to come up with the perfect opening line.”

  I cocked my head. “And you came up with ‘Hello again’?”

  His teeth were so white. It made me want to keep him smiling as much as possible. “How’d I do?”

  It was impossible not to return that smile. I stood and turned to face him. “Nailed it.”

  * * *

  —

  Conversation flowed much more easily than I had expected with my mystery man, whose name was Bryce. Bryce Covington. It was such a regal name, I thought it should always be said in a British accent, though I resisted repeating it back to him that way. And Bryce lived up to the charm of his moniker. He was a complete gentleman.

  We headed for the Burrier, the fanciest hotel in the city. Bryce kept a respectable distance between us, though he didn’t move away when I casually brushed his arm with mine. When we arrived, he placed a hand on the small of my back as the doorman held the door open for us, and my entire body heated from that point of contact. When he removed his hand, I shivered.

  “Are you cold?” he asked, shrugging off his suit coat before I could even answer. “Here, take this.” The soft fabric smelled of him, clean, citrusy. I didn’t want to admit that I was just missing the contact with his hand, so I pulled the coat more tightly around my shoulders.

  “Thanks.”

  The inside of the hotel was gorgeous, all high ceilings and sweeping fabrics in rich golden hues. A grand piano stood in the corner, and a petite woman in an elegant dress played a piece so intricate that it seemed her fingers barely touched the keys. Bellhops rushed from desk to elevator to the front doors, doing the bidding of one important guest or another. I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible, to mask the awe I felt at being here. Though I’d worked down the street from this building for four years, I had never set foot inside. I’d made reservations for my boss too many times to count, but had never been invited along. Why would a lowly assistant attend a lavish business dinner, anyway? I was confident that would be changing soon. With Elaine’s attitude when I’d pitched her my idea today, I knew she would be calling on me to take more responsibility before long. I could almost picture us wining and dining a client together in the splendor of the Burrier dining room.

  “Stunning, isn’t it?” Bryce’s breath whispered across my ear, and I jumped. He laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I take it this is your first visit to the Burrier?”

  “Am I that obvious?” I asked, disappointed to have been found out. This was why I was never in drama club in high school. Couldn’t act worth a lick.

  “In a good way,” Bryce said. “Most people who are used to this place just walk past everything. The way you slowed down and really looked at it, really appreciated what a special place it is . . . that says a lot about who you are.”

  “Or just my lack of experience,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  Bryce stopped and took my shoulders in his hands, turning me to face him. “No. Somehow I think that even if you’d been here a thousand times, you would still stop to appreciate the details.”

  My cheeks flushed as Bryce released my shoulders. He didn’t wait for a response, which didn’t matter because all coherent thoughts and word-forming abilities had fled for the moment. Instead, he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me to the hotel bar. A small table in the corner had a RESERVED sign on it, and as soon as the host caught sight of Bryce, he rushed over to lead us in that direction.

  “I didn’t know you could reserve tables in the bar,” I said, lowering myself into the chair Bryce held out for me.

  “Most people can’t,” he said simply, taking his seat across from me. After he had put in an order for a bottle of wine, he folded his hands and pierced me with those incredible eyes. “Now, Julia, I want to hear all about you.”

  I laughed. “Really? Not much to tell.” His eyebrow quirked, and I groaned. “That’s really cliché, isn’t it?”

  “A little.” His teeth flashed white. “Maybe I can narrow it down for you, though.”

  “Please.”

  “What’s one thing on your bucket list?”

  I stared at him. “Really? You don’t want to know about my job or my family or whether I have pets or not?”

  He waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll learn all that stuff. I prefer to jump right in.”

  It was going to be hard not to fall for this guy. As I talked about the things I wanted to do—visit Ireland, climb a mountain, be an extra in a movie—his entire focus was on me. He asked pertinent questions, responded in the exact right way to everything I said, and never interrupted. It was as if no one else existed. It seemed like only minutes later when I wound down, and I was shocked to see that I had been talking for over an hour.

  “Oh my goodness,” I said, embarrassed. “I’m so sorry I talked so long. I want to hear about you.” I leaned forward, attempting to emulate his listening pose.

  Two dimples appeared when he smiled. “If I may make a suggestion?”

  I nodded, hoping this wasn’t the beginning of a kind brush-off. The evening had gone so well, and Bryce had a way of making me feel completely at ease. I was already more myself with him than I’d been in any of my previous relationships. Still, that small negative voice inside my head whispered that he was going to end our time together, that he’d realized in the midst of my monologue that he didn’t care to spend any more time with me. When he didn’t continue right away, I lowered my eyes to the table in front of me, where my fingers anxiously smoothed over the designs in the wood.

  “Can we extend drinks into dinner?”

  My eyes flashed up to meet his. “Really?”

  “I know you just wanted to do drinks, and I understand if you’d rather call it a night, but I would really like to spend more time with you.”

  “Absolutely,” I said, standing, surprised but pleased at his suggestion, and at his directness. In past relationships I always wondered what was going on in the man’s head. The lack of games was refreshing.

  Bryce hopped up from his chair and rushed to pull mine out. His suit coat, still hanging from my shoulders, slipped as I came to my feet. “Oh,” I said, pulling it off. “I’m not cold anymore. You probably want this back.”

  “Nah,” he said, taking the coat from me and putting it back in place. “It’s colder in the restaurant. You might as well keep it. Put your arms through the sleeves if you’d like.”

  I started to protest. The coat was covering up my cute dress, which I really wanted him to appreciate, and I didn’t want to get anything on his clothes, which I was bound to do if I tried to eat while wearing it. However, one look at his eager face and I shrugged and stuffed my arms through the sleeves. “Thanks.” The brilliant smile I got in return made the extra hassle worth it. Besides, he’d seen my dress earlier, and I didn’t care if anyone else saw it.

  When we were immediately led to a table at the back of the restaurant, I realized Bryce had anticipated that the evening would lead to dinner. I wondered where else he anticipated it leading, and the butterflies in my stomach took flight. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I had boundaries. No matter how charming the man, I would not sleep with him on the first date.

  Probably.

  “What’s good here?” I asked after Bryce had settled into the booth across from me. Opening the menu, I was overwhelmed with the choices.
<
br />   “Everything is good, but I can suggest something for you if you’d like.”

  Relieved, I nodded. “Sure, I trust you.”

  Bryce signaled for the waitress. She rushed over as if she had been waiting for his call. I wondered briefly if every patron at this restaurant received the same deferential treatment, but a quick glance around the restaurant proved that, while the other patrons were treated with respect and efficiency, there were several waitstaff paying particular attention to our table even as they served other guests.

  After Bryce had placed our order for baked salmon and wild rice, I leaned forward, keeping my voice low. “So who are you really?” I asked. “I mean, a reserved spot in the bar, this table waiting, everyone so eager to do your bidding. Are you a mob leader or something?” I winked to show him I was teasing, but I was genuinely curious.

  He laughed, and I relaxed, glad he hadn’t been offended by my observations. “Nothing so sinister,” he said, leaning back in his chair and studying me. “I’m a lawyer. I represent the owner of the hotel. Actually, I represent all of his holdings.”

  Impressed, I nodded. “That makes more sense, I guess. How did you get such a big name on your list?”

  “That,” Bryce said, leaning his arms on the table, “is a story for another time.”

  “Sure.” I sipped at my water, trying not to focus too much on yet another indication that he was planning to spend more time with me beyond tonight.

  * * *

  —

  Two hours later, I sat back in my chair, glad for Bryce’s coat as I wrapped my arms around myself. “That was the most amazing meal I’ve had in a long time,” I said. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Bryce said. He stood and held out a hand. “Walk with me?”

  This was it. The moment I needed to be strong and tell Bryce in no uncertain terms that I would not be staying in one of the beautiful rooms with him tonight, as much as the sweet wine and delicious food I’d consumed might try to convince me otherwise. Although I would love to see one of the rooms. I’d heard they were spectacular. I didn’t realize I’d said as much to Bryce out loud until he nodded.

  “The rooms are great here. Best in the city.” But instead of leading me to the desk to inquire about whether there were any vacancies, Bryce led me back out into the chilly night air. We walked in silence for a few minutes, and I couldn’t tell if the tension in the air was my imagination or if he was feeling it, too.

  “I had a great time tonight, Bryce,” I said. “I’m really glad the wind blew that report into your path.”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences, Julia,” Bryce said, his tone serious. He stopped and turned to face me, taking both of my hands in his. “I believe we were meant to meet by that fountain today. It wasn’t an accident.”

  I liked the sound of that. The idea that we were somehow fated to meet, even while I was coffee-stained and damp, seemed incredibly romantic. “I think you’re right, Bryce Covington.”

  “I’d really like to ask you out again, Julia.”

  “I’d really like you to ask me out again, Bryce.”

  He smiled, and I was hit with the realization that I would do anything to keep that smile on his face. The emotion toward Bryce surprised me in its intensity, and I worked to push it to the back of my mind to examine later. We continued talking as we walked, eventually making it back to the fountain, where we sat and watched the nightlife in the city fly by. Bryce talked a little more about his job, though he couldn’t divulge too much information about his clients. It sounded like he had some extremely influential people on his roster, and my respect for him grew.

  “It’s getting late,” I said finally, standing. “I usually don’t go out when I have to work the next day, but this was great.”

  Bryce stood as well. “Let me walk you to your car.” I nodded, and we walked to the parking garage behind my office building, where I’d been able to park for free. “Next time,” Bryce said as I dug through my purse for my keys, “I’ll pick you up.”

  “It’s okay,” I said, fishing the keys out. “I don’t mind meeting places.”

  “I insist,” he said, tone firm. “It’s only right that I pick you up. How’s this weekend?”

  Charming to the core, this man. It was second nature to me to make things as easy as possible for my dates, to avoid being annoying. Bryce clearly didn’t see me that way. It was as if he wanted to make things as easy on me as possible. And I decided I would let him. “Sounds good.” We exchanged numbers so I could text him my address.

  “I’ll call you,” he said, reaching behind me to open the car door.

  I started to shrug his coat off my shoulders to give back to him, but he waved it away. “You can give it back to me this weekend. Stay warm on your drive home.”

  He leaned in, and I knew this was it. The kiss. The perfect end to the perfect date. I sucked in a breath as my eyes fluttered closed.

  “Goodnight, sweet Julia,” he whispered, his breath brushing across my lips. He leaned back, and my eyes opened, staring at him. It wasn’t a kiss, but it was almost as powerful. He waited for me to climb into the driver’s seat of my car and shut the door behind me. He was still staring after me when I checked the rearview mirror before turning the corner out of the garage and heading home.

  That night I laid his suit coat carefully on the chair next to my bed, and my dreams were peppered with ocean-blue eyes and the hearty, happy laugh of the man I was already falling for.

  The light grows dimmer through the skylight. Night is falling, and still she lies, submerged in the rapidly cooling water. Somewhere outside, a dog barks. It is unusual to hear noises from their house. He would be so upset to know someone has ventured so close. He always claimed the tall fence, the secure gate, were for privacy, and they were. But there were some things he wished to be more private than others. Some things that were meant to be kept, if not loved. Owned. Controlled. And happily so. Happily, naïvely possessed.

  Chapter 3

  “Tell me again.” Kate’s voice had taken on an almost breathless quality that came across even over the phone. “What did he say when he told you goodbye?”

  I sighed, pretending to be exasperated, but I couldn’t keep the giddiness out of my voice as I repeated Bryce’s parting words to me the night before. “‘Goodnight, sweet Julia.’”

  Kate’s groan was quiet but still audible. “He sounds incredible. When are you seeing him again?”

  My sister hadn’t wasted any time calling for details on my date. Unfortunately, her timing wasn’t the greatest, since I’d slept through my alarm that morning. This was why I didn’t usually go out on work nights. I knew myself, and I needed my eight hours of sleep in order to function.

  “Kate, can we talk about this later? When we have drinks this weekend? I’m going to be late for work.” I was dying to share all the details of my date, but I was already way behind schedule, and I didn’t want to undo the progress I’d made with Elaine yesterday.

  “Ugh, I want to know everything now. What are you doing after work? Want to come over for dinner? The boys would love to see you.”

  “I don’t know, Kate, I’m not sure I can handle a dinner of mac and cheese and chicken nuggets after experiencing all that the Burrier restaurant has to offer.”

  “You’ve changed,” Kate said, her tone falsely wistful.

  “I didn’t choose this life,” I said, cracking up before I could go further. “Dinner sounds great. I’ll just come straight from work, okay?”

  “See ya!”

  I rushed into work twenty minutes later, frazzled and dreading the lecture I would get from Elaine. When I reached my desk, I was surprised to find my computer on and piles of reports and review copy neatly stacked and waiting for me. Elaine was on the phone in her office, and she simply waved at me as I scooted behind my desk, stowing
my purse in the bottom drawer.

  Thoroughly confused, I logged in to my computer and started going through e-mails.

  “Psst!” I jumped as a hiss came from my right. I looked over to see Micah, one of the other assistants, leaning over, giving me a sly look. “Hey, don’t worry, I covered you this morning.”

  Torn between gratitude and suspicion, I asked the first question that popped into my head. “Why?” Micah had never been particularly friendly toward me. She had been at the agency nearly as long as I had, and tried to organize the other assistants like some sort of adult version of Mean Girls. Few of us played her games, but most of our coworkers still showed her some deference because of her seniority. Since I had technically started before her, I had no such obligation, and it seemed she resented me for that, despite the obvious fact that I wasn’t being promoted anyway.

  She laughed. “I saw you with Mr. Hottie at the Burrier last night. I wouldn’t have been too quick to get out of bed, either.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. Ah. Apparently being seen with Bryce had somehow elevated me in her eyes. If it resulted in her being more pleasant to be around, I was glad she’d spotted us. “Don’t worry, Elaine thinks you were running a special errand for the big boss.” She looked toward Elaine’s office. “I may have hinted that it had to do with her ten-year anniversary with the company, so now you have to throw her a party, but I’m sure the guy was worth it.”