by Lisa Lace
“Anytime.”
Tom
It’s early, but I can hear Laura downstairs, making breakfast for the kids. I roll over on the sofa, letting out a groan. My back aches from a poor night’s sleep. I’m used to luxury emperor-sized mattresses and Egyptian cotton, not lumpy two-seaters and broken springs. I’m too tall for the sofa, and I’ve been curled up all night. I sit up and stretch, my spine cracking with the movement.
I should go into the kitchen and spend what little time I have with Laura before she goes on her trip. I have one day. However, the thought of being left alone with a hyperactive five-year-old and a sulky teen makes me want to stay away just a moment longer and enjoy the peace I have left before all hell breaks loose. Even worse, while I’m going to be babysitting the kids, Laura’s arranged for Zoe to be babysitting me.
Zoe.
I toy with my cell phone, debating whether I should contact her. Our first meeting was a disaster; our date was even worse. It seems like we’re destined to push each other’s buttons, and that any connection between us has disintegrated.
But she meant so much to me.
Scrolling back through old messages between us, I feel a stab of sadness. It’s not very often that I connect with people. At work, I have to be tough, so people tiptoe around me. With my family, I’ve made a series of mistakes that keep coming back to bite me.
Getting to know Zoe online had felt like a fresh start, yet as soon as we met face-to-face, it had all fallen apart. What’s wrong with you, Tom?
I message her after all.
Looks like I’m in charge of the kids this week. I was thinking I’d let Jack eat as much candy as he wants, and Megan can borrow the Mercedes, so she can drive herself back from her boyfriend’s in the early hours.
I wait for a reply, wondering if Zoe will answer me at all. Moments later, she does, and I grin.
I’m ninety percent sure you’re joking.
It’s hard to say. You’ll have to come over and keep an eye on me to make sure.
There’s a long wait for a reply this time. I think to myself, Congratulations, Tom, you’ve done it again.
Then, she replies.
Don’t worry. I’ll be watching you closely. I’ll come by after work on Thursday to make sure you’re not letting Jack play with fireworks or giving Megan permission to get a tattoo.
I think we should get together tonight to discuss our plan of action for the week ahead.
I’m not sure that’s a good idea.
Come on, Zoe. We have to be on good terms if we’re taking care of the kids this week. Give me another chance to show you that I can do more than complain.
Another long pause. Zoe must be thinking hard. Finally, she answers.
Fine.
Great. I’ll pick you up at five-thirty.
That early?
No dinner this time. I have a plan for something less formal. You can leave your stilettos at home. ;)
The winky face is my nemesis. I never quite know when the winky face is the right guy for the job.
Zoe answers.
My store closes at five-thirty. I’ll be ready to go.
Date secured, I head into the kitchen with a smile on my face. Laura is in the middle of making pancakes, an apron tied around her business suit: Super Mom in action. She looks up at me and smiles. “Morning, sleepy head! You’re looking surprisingly chipper this morning.”
I pull out a chair next to Jack at the table and reach for the orange juice. “I’ve just been messaging Zoe.”
“I thought that was a no-go.”
“One more date. For the sake of the kids.”
Laura raises her eyebrows. “For the sake of the kids. Of course.”
She lays down a pile of pancakes at the center of the table, and the kids immediately dig in. She pulls out her own chair opposite me and rests her elbows on the table, fixing me with a curious stare.
“You really like her, don’t you?”
“I like the woman I’ve been talking to online. Zoe and I haven’t gotten off to a great start, though. I need to find a way to tap into whatever magic we have when we’re communicating through this thing.” I hold up my cell.
“Where do you think you’re going wrong?”
“I wish I knew. I’ve just got the gift of pissing people off. One of my many talents.”
Laura clears her throat. “Language, Tom.”
“Sorry.”
“Can I be blunt?”
“Aren’t you always?”
“You’re sending out the wrong vibe.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re arrogant.”
I frown. “I don’t think so.”
Laura laughs. “Come on, Tom! You’re constantly talking about how invaluable you are, what a big deal you are, how much money you make. Honestly, it’s tiresome. People switch off. You never make an effort to take an interest in anybody else.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t think that’s true.”
“Don’t listen to me, then. But, I’m telling you: that’s where you’re going wrong.”
“I can’t help it if what I do is important. I’m not trying to boast. It’s just fact.”
“Oh my God, Tom. Learn some humility. You make a lot of money, and you have a big company, yes. But get it into your head that people’s everyday lives, the small stuff, matters as much to them as your great big enterprise matters to you. Zoe’s flower shop, for example—it means the world to her. I bet it didn’t even come up in conversation on your date though, did it?”
“We’ve spoken about it online.”
“But when you met her in person, I bet you completely forgot everything about her.”
I think back to the date. I didn’t ask Zoe much about herself. Our chemistry online had come from our constant back-and-forth. The only back-and-forth we’d had in person was when we were slinging insults at each other.
“Point taken. I should take more of an interest in her.”
“Exactly.” Laura looks pleased. “Tone down the billionaire schtick, and you might relate to Zoe on a personal level. For one night, forget you have a company. Forget your job, your money, and all of that. Make it about her. Let your personality win her over, instead of trying to impress her with your assets.”
“I get the sense people don’t think much of my personality.”
“It gets lost beneath all the bullshit.”
“Language, Laura!”
She chuckles. “There you go—a sense of humor. Lead with that. You’re funny, Tom, and you’re smart. Don’t let those qualities get buried by your ego.”
Zoe
At the end of the day, I’m counting out the till when the bell above the store door rings and Tom walks in.
To my surprise, he’s dressed casually, in a white T-shirt, black jacket, and denim jeans; no Rolex. He looks hot. My hands grow clammy. Even though our last two meetings have been disastrous, my body still reacts whenever Tom walks in a room.
I’m wearing an emerald-green blouse and blue jeans, my hair pulled back into a single braid. I haven’t touched up my makeup or dressed up this time. I think it’s about time that Tom and I got real with each other. It was a wonderful online romance, but now this is real life, and all disguises have to go.
“Hi, Tom. You’re looking good.”
“So are you.”
I smile. “You said we were going somewhere informal, right? I thought my work clothes would do.”
“Absolutely. You look great.”
“Let me just close up the store, and we can head out.”
I can feel Tom’s eyes following me as I complete my final few chores. He waits patiently, that intoxicating scent of his cologne making my heart race even when I’m not looking at him.
Finally, keys in hand, I’m ready to go. Tom leads the way to his flashy silver Mercedes, and we set off.
“Where are we going?”
Tom grins. “Somewhere fun.”
“It’s a secret, huh?”
“A surprise.”
I smile. “You seem different today.”
He glances across at me. “Do I?”
“More relaxed.”
“Must be the sea air.”
I sink back into the soft leather passenger seat. I’m hopeful that this evening won’t be a disaster, like the rest of the time we’ve spent together since Tom arrived in Maine.
“We used to spend days at the beach. Do you remember?” I look over at him after I ask.
“Of course. You and Laura used to read those gossip magazines for hours.”
“While you and Mike threw a ball around, trying to pick up girls.”
“It worked, didn’t it? Mike certainly caught Laura’s eye.”
“They were so good together.”
We both fall into silence. It’s still hard to remember good times with Mike. He was always more Tom’s friend than mine, but I grew closer to him once he started dating Laura. We were close.
“It’s a shame you and Mike lost touch.”
Tom lets out a long breath and nods. “One of the many, many things I regret.”
“At least you’re here now.”
He smiles at me. “Let’s hope Christmas gives me enough time to make some amends. I’ve been away too long.”
“Why’s it taken you so long to come back here?”
He looks over at me from the driver’s side. “I’ve told you all this before.”
He’s talking about our messages.
“You said you didn’t feel at home with your family anymore. You felt like the black sheep.”
Tom clears his throat. I could swear I see the slightest blush rising up his neck. He nods tensely. “Not something I would have said if I’d have known I was speaking to you. I would never want to hurt Laura’s feelings. I know how hard she tries to keep me close.”
“She loves you.”
“I know. But I’m not the person she wants me to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not the sentimental, doting uncle and brother she dreams about. It’s not in me to act that way. God knows, I try. But I never seem to get it right.”
“The toy boat?”
Tom laughs. “Why am I not surprised you know about that? Laura really does tell you everything.”
“We’re close.”
“But you and I are, too.”
There’s that flutter in my chest again. I look over to Tom. He’s staring straight ahead at the road, but by the way his grip is tightening and loosening steadily on the wheel, I can tell the conversation is touching on some sensitive subjects.
If I’d never met my mystery man in real life, then I would have told anybody I felt as close to him as Laura, who knew me inside out. No matter what’s happened between us since, I have to keep reminding myself that Tom is that man. He knows my secrets, and I know his.
“This was a good idea, some time together before Laura leaves. I want us to be on the same page.”
“Me, too. A fresh start?”
“I’d like that.”
Tom pulls into a parking lot. I look out the window and see that he’s taken us to Maine State Aquarium.
I grin. “Fish? This seems a bit low-key for Thomas Vermont!”
“Forget Thomas Vermont. Forget TJ. Today, I’m Tom. The man you’ve been speaking to online. The person you know inside out.” He smiles at me.
I melt. For the first time, I feel like I’m looking at my mystery man, and not some stranger who occasionally reminds me of my online flame.
Remember all his flaws, Zoe. Tread carefully.
We head toward the aquarium. As we get closer, I see the opening times posted on the door. It shuts at five.
“Looks like it’s closed, Tom.” I offer him an understanding smile. “Never mind. There’re plenty of other things we can do.”
Tom smiles at me and takes my hand. “I once promised you the night of your life. Maybe tonight’s that night.”
He leads me toward the doors. As we approach, a staff member rushes to open it.
“Mr. Vermont! It’s a pleasure to have you with us this evening. The aquarium is all yours. Please do let us know if there’s anything at all we can get for you. You’ll find champagne waiting for you at the start of the trail.”
I look up at Tom in surprise. “You’ve booked it all for us?”
He bows his head. He almost looks nervous. “I hope it’s not too much? I didn’t want to come across as arrogant, but I also wanted to make this a special night. A lot more like we imagined it before everything started to unravel.”
It is too much. Staff on call, a whole aquarium all to ourselves, champagne on demand. But it’s also very sweet.
“You remembered.”
Tom smiles. “Your ninth birthday. Yes, I remembered.”
It was a story relayed during our many messages, about a birthday I’d had as a child. I told him all about how amazed I’d been at all the sea creatures, and how the visit had made me want to become a marine biologist—until my parents had taken me to the Botanical Gardens the next year, and I’d decided I loved flowers even more.
“I love it.”
It isn’t the expense or exclusivity that means the most to me about Tom’s choice of venue, but more the thought that’s gone into it. It proves that everything we shared before Tom came to Maine wasn’t my imagination, and was real. Maybe it’s still alive.
The aquarium isn’t a large or flashy place. It’s a small hexagonal building with a blue roof on West Boothbay Harbor. It’s meant for children more than adults, but as soon as I enter, nostalgia fills me. There are tanks filled with starfish and lobsters, and the little rock pools full of sea creatures that you can touch, all in one room.
We pick up a glass of champagne from a small table as we leave the reception area and enter the main Aquarium. I notice that the speakers aren’t playing their usual soothing tunes, but rather some soft, romantic songs. I don’t mention the choice of playlist to Tom, but I smile to myself. He’s planned it all.
“It seemed so much bigger when I was a kid.”
“Are you disappointed?”
I touch his arm. “Of course not.” I catch sight of the lobsters in their little rock pool and pull Tom after me toward the exhibit. “Look! Lobsters!”
I reach into the water and softly stroke the back of one. Tom looks over my shoulder.
“Are you going to try?” I urge him.
Tom laughs and shakes his head. “I might skip these guys.”
“What, you only like lobsters for dinner?”
His eyes narrow into a playful squint, and his lips twist into a grin at the challenge. He takes off his jacket and lays it over one of the nearby placards. He approaches the pool and dips both hands under the water.
Carefully, he scoops up the lobster. It’s brown and shiny, with huge claws, which it waves around as he draws it out. “He’s fierce!”
“Are you going to hold him?” Tom holds up the lobster toward me, and I squeal.
“No! It looks mean.”
Tom chuckles. “Now who’s the wuss!”
Giggling, I spot another creature. “Now, here’s one I’ll hold.” I pluck out the starfish from the bottom of the tank and stroke one of its five legs. It feels strange against my hand, and I almost drop it when it squirms suddenly.
Tom laughs and takes it from me, placing it back in the water. “I thought you loved all these sea-things?”
“I love the way they look.”
We move toward another tank, and Tom crouches down to peer in. He’s staring at a giant gray slug. “Look at this ugly guy.”
I kneel beside him. “Ah, the noble sea cucumber.”
Tom laughs loudly, grinning at me. “There’s no way that’s what it’s called.”
“You’ve never heard of it?”
“Never.”
“Uh-huh.” I cast him a teasing glance. “So, there is something you don’t know.”
“There are many things I
don’t know,” he replies, suddenly pulling me close. “Like how a gorgeous woman like you, with the guts to hold a terrifying starfish, is still single.”
I’m face-to-face with Tom, closer than I’ve ever been. The top of my head only just reaches his chin. He’s the perfect height.
His hands are on my hips, only resting gently, but feeling so strong. Tom’s self-assurance can so quickly go from being the worst thing about him to the most attractive. There’s something incredibly sexy about a handsome, confident man taking you in his arms. If only he could learn when to draw the line.
Right now, there’s no line—I just want him to hold me. “I’ve never found the right person.”
“Zoe,” he says, his eyes catching mine, “I hate that we got off to a bad start. Honestly, these last six months have been wonderful. It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone I felt I could talk to. You’ve always made me laugh. I feel close to you. Losing that closeness would devastate me.”
He pauses, looking down briefly to find the words. When he looks up again, his eyes are fierce with determination. “I’m in Maine until the New Year. I’d like to spend as much of that time with you as possible. I know the distance makes things complicated, but this time together could tell us whether this thing is meant to be.”
I’m breathless. We’ve gone from being completely love-struck to scorning each other, and then back to starry-eyed in a matter of days. I don’t know where I stand, or how I feel. The part of Tom that is my Tom—and not TJ or Thomas Vermont—is irresistible. The question is, how much of my Tom is in there?
“Let’s take it one day at a time.” I bite down on my lip and lower my hands to take hold of Tom’s. “There’s something here, isn’t there?”
“I know there is.”
Tom leans forward, one arm circling my waist to pull me close. He presses his lips to mine, and his kiss takes my breath away. I close my eyes, hearing the love songs playing over the speakers and the sound of trickling water. I feel Tom’s mouth over mine, his strong arm around me. I smell his delicious cologne. I’m completely lost in the moment.
The kiss ends, but the butterflies inside me remain. We hold hands for the rest of the evening, laughing and joking together as we explore the aquarium, teasing each other with different slimy or spiky creatures, testing each other’s courage. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.