by Brittany Bly
Dropping her hand, she raises her eyes, meeting mine. Her eyes raise, meeting mine. Smiling, she says, “Hello, dear.”
“Bad day, honey?” I ask taking the seat in front of her desk.
She rolls her eyes, threading her fingers together, holding her own hands “If these boys would just do their damn jobs, I wouldn’t have to pull out the bitch card.”
“At least you have one boy that you don’t have to worry about” I grin folding my arms and lean back into the chair “I love Ben, in case you didn’t know.”
“Too bad he enjoys the boys himself,” Marissa says laughing “But yes he’s the only one that I know is getting things done. These others, it’s like I have to hold their hands. I’m not their mothers, I’m not going to do it, damnit.”
“I don’t blame you. They are grown.”
Shaking her head, she smiles, saying, “Anyway, enough about that. What do I owe for this visit? Come to whisk me away?”
I reach in my pocket and hand her the USB drive filled with photos “Actually, it’s more of a business call, but you get to see my beautiful face, so that’s a little bit of pleasure too, right?”
She takes it from my hand, sitting it beside her keyboard “If you say so. I’m sorry he asked you to do this. I tried to get him to change his mind, but he was adamant that it be you.”
“It’s okay, I honestly could have said no but the money he offered was insane.”
“Yeah, he doesn’t like being told no,” she says, leaning forward, resting her chin in her hand “I didn’t hear from you yesterday. Did you spend all day editing?”
“Most of the day… I actually went out with Bryant last night.”
Her eyebrows furrow in confusion, “Bryant?”
I look at the ceiling mumbling more to myself than her “Of course you don’t remember.” Closing my eyes for a second, I slowly lower my head “The guy from the tattoo parlor?”
Marissa shows no signs of remembering, but I can see the wheels turning as she tries to recall that night, and I see the moment that it does “The redhead!”
“That’s him. Honestly, it took you long enough to remember. I was starting to worry. It’s not like you to forget a sexy man, no matter how drunk you are,” I say, shifting my weight around in the chair. “It’s a good thing you didn’t get the tattoo you wanted that night.”
“He was buried deep within some drunken memories,” she says sitting back and crossing one leg over the other. She starts to open her mouth when her office phone rings. Looking over, she rolls her eyes, ignoring it.
I raise an eyebrow in question “One of the boys?”
She tosses her hair over her shoulder in aggravation “It’s Peter again! This is the bullshit I have to deal with.” She exhales loudly, but she quickly remembers our conversation asking, “Well, are you going to tell me about last night?”
“Well since you asked so nicely,” I say playfully glaring at her “It was nice. He has a good sense of humor and was easy to talk to.”
“That’s it?” She asks raising an eyebrow “He was nice to talk to? Nothing juicy happened?”
“What exactly did you expect to happen? I just met him,” I cross my arms over my chest, dropping my smile.
“You didn’t say anything about how hot he is or any tingles you got in certain areas,” she says with a raised eyebrow.
“Well there wasn’t any of that, so there’s nothing to tell.”
“Well shit, I guess that’s that then,” she says shrugging.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snap becoming irritated with her assumptions.
“Well, considering you went out with a smoking redhead and all you came out of it feeling was he’s easy to talk to. There wasn’t any talk of romantic feelings or passion there, honey.” She tucks her blue-grey hair behind her ear “Now, think back to the first time you went out with Blaine, what were the words that you used to describe it?”
I remember it as if that’s where I went last night. The memories are still fresh inside my mind. The tingles were undeniable, and I believe I told my roommate he was the man I was going to marry. Naïve as it was. “That isn’t the same.”
“You keep telling yourself that, dear,” she responds. Once more, her phone begins to ring, and she rolls her eyes “I’m sorry. I really need to get this and see what the hell he wants. Thanks for bringing these by, I’ll text you later?”
“Yeah… I’ll see you later,” I say, lost in my own thoughts, I leave her office, shutting the door behind me.
Benjamin’s beautiful face greets me, smiling, “Leaving so soon?”
“Yeah I got places to be, you know, busy lady and all” I try to smile back, but it feels forced.
“Well hopefully you won’t stay away so long next time!” he says his smile appearing to get bigger if that’s even possible.
“I won’t, I promise. I wouldn’t put you through that again,” I joke “See you next time” I walk toward the elevator hearing him shout from behind me “Please don’t!”
My feet take me into the elevator, my mind wanders back to Marissa’s words as the doors close in front of me, and I’m met with my own knowing reflection.
Chapter Fifteen
We’ve been shopping for hours trying to find the perfect outfit for Marissa’s date tonight. I received an urgent text from her and hurried to meet her. Once I realized it wasn’t such an urgent situation, she got a tongue lashing and a lecture on what it actually means.
“What do you think of this one?” she asks emerging from the dressing room in a hot pink mini dress.
Honestly, anything looks good on Marissa. A trash bag would look stunning on her Scarlet Johansson figure. “It looks amazing,” I say; and it, indeed, does. The dress looks like it has been painted over her naked skin, leaving nothing to the imagination. Locks of her blue-grey hair spill over her breasts resting on the top of her halter neckline.
Twirling, she mentally critiques everything about it. She bites her lip in concentration, smoothing her hands over the fabric stretched over her curves.
“Really Rissa, it looks sexy as hell. This guy doesn’t stand a chance.” She won’t tell me who he is just that she expected her bed to be warm tonight. Which is honestly odd for her, she usually gives added vivid details that one could live without.
A sexy smile spreads across her plum-colored lips “Oh, they never do, honey.”
I roll my eyes “Then get the damn dress and let’s go.” If I had to sit in this uncomfortable chair another hour while she tries on fifty more dresses, I’d go insane. After that, I can’t be held accountable for my actions.
“Fine,” she disappears behind the curtain, hopefully, to change back into her clothes. My butt vibrates, reaching for my phone, I hit the green button answering it “Hey, Mom.”
“Hello dear, what are you up to?”
“Oh nothing, Marissa has been torturing me for hours. What are you doing?”
“Out and about. I’m leaving the mall now. Would you girls want to grab something to eat?”
I can tell by the quality of the call that she’s in her car, her voice sounds far away “We’re about to leave… I’m sure we could both eat.”
“Okay, that sounds great! Where would you girls like to go?” she asks.
“Meet us at Floyd’s. They have a good salad bar” I respond as Marissa comes out carrying the dress.
“Okay, sounds good, dear. See you there,” Mom says, ending the call.
Marissa barely gives me a glance walking past me and toward the register “Okay bitch, let’s go.”
×××
We make it to the restaurant a few minutes later. On the way in, we pass Mom’s empty car. I knew she was already inside. Not that I thought any differently, she isn’t really one to sit around and wait. The parking lot isn’t too crowded, but a few are filling the spots around the front.
The hostess greets us with a massive smile as we walk thro
ugh the double set of doors “You two must be dining with Miss Cordelia.”
“We are” I answer, shaking my head. We follow her around to where Mom’s seated. She can make friends wherever she goes. She’s just that charismatic. People gravitate toward her bubbly personality before they even realize it themselves. Her Floridian glow is still shining through her tan skin, making the rest of us look dull and dreary.
“Here you are, ladies… I hope you enjoy” the hostess leaves us returning to her podium.
“Hey, Miss Cordelia,” Marissa says, walking around me and leans into the booth to hug her.
“Marissa, dear, how have you been?” Mom’s voice is muffled from squeezing her tight.
Pulling away, Marissa says, “Oh, you know, just working and making that green” rubbing her fingers together.
“I understand, dear. It’s hard being a strong independent woman like yourself.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way” Marissa smiles flinging her hair over her shoulder, sliding in beside me on the opposite of the booth.
“So, Lila, how are things with Blaine?” Mom asks nonchalantly.
I about choke on my saliva. Never one to beat around the bush, my mother jumps right in “What makes you think something is going on?”
“Oh, dear, I’m not naïve,” Mom says smirking.
Marissa answers for me “They’re friendly at this point.”
“We’ll just have to give it a little more time,” Mom nods, picking up her water and taking a sip.
“I don’t think it’ll be much longer,” Marissa agrees.
Kill me now.
Lucky for me, my phone dings, and I gladly pull it out of my pocket. I look down to Blaine’s name on the screen. It’s as if he knew they were talking about him.
If only I knew the reason for this punishment or who the hell is behind it.
Blaine: When do I get to see you again?
His question may seem harmless, but I feel the underlining questions and emotions. My hands shake with excitement that runs through me at his want to see me.
Lila: Any particular reason you want to?
Mom and Marissa are still talking about me and my love life as if I’m not here, probably already naming my children. My thumb skims the screen of my phone as I wait for his response.
Blaine: I don’t need a reason.
I know with texts the emotion and tone don’t always come across, but a shiver runs down my spine. I can hear his deep voice in my head as I read each word.
Blaine: Answer the question.
Bossy Blaine was always a turn on. Apparently, that effect hasn’t changed for me.
Lila: I guess we’ll have to see.
His next message comes through immediately as if he is holding his phone staring at it, the same as me.
Blaine: Scully…
I don’t respond, I gradually fade back into the here and now. I was right. Mom and Marissa are having a full-blown conversation like I’m not even here, “Eh, hello. I’m right here?”
“Yes, dear?” Mom answers, looking at me like they haven’t just been talking about me.
Shaking my head, I change the subject “Any luck convincing Luke to move?”
Mom waves her hand, dismissively, “Oh, I’m done with that nonsense. I couldn’t move away from my baby anyway.”
“How could you even entertain that thought?” Marissa grabs my face pinching my cheeks together “I mean, look at this face.”
I swat her hands away, furrowing my brows “What’s today? Irritate the hell out of Lila day?”
Marissa shrugs her shoulders “I have to check my calendar, but that day does appear a lot actually.”
“Shut up,” I snap, shoving her with my shoulder.
We both burst into laughter leaning into each other, our heads resting together. When my eyes raise, they meet my mother’s smiling face, “What?”
“I just love you girls,” her eyes seem to brighten with the statement “You guys are soul mates.”
“Eh, Mom, you know we aren’t together like that, right?”
Mom’s mouth tightens into a line as she says, “Now, that isn’t what I mean, and you know it. I meant that you two have lived many lives together. I’m certain you will always find each other in every life.” She sees the confusion on my face because she clarifies, “Someone can have many soulmates, my dear, not just in a romantic sense.”
Marissa throws her arms around me, squeezing me tight “Oh, no doubt. You think we’ve ever been lovers?”
Looking at her, I shake my head, “No way.”
“Don’t pretend to be disgusted. If I did like the ladies, you would be in trouble,” Marissa says with a wink before turning the conversation back toward my mother just as the food reaches our table.
Chapter Sixteen
After Marissa and I finished with everything she’d planned, I headed back to the house. I’d just shut the door, locking it behind me, when Bryant text asking about joining him for a movie. We agreed on one of the early evening times, and I opened the door, locking it again this time with me on the outside as I left.
When I arrive, Bryant is already there with tickets in hand, waiting by the entrance.
“Here let me give you cash to cover mine,” I say, reaching in my back pocket.
“Not going to happen. I asked you to come, so it’s my treat,” he replies, opening the door for me.
“Then I’m buying the snacks” I walk away without waiting on him to agree. With popcorn and drink in hand, I follow him into the theater. A few people are already seated and propped back, waiting for it to start. We go for the middle of the center row, getting comfortable. We chat quietly as the commercials play on the screen.
“How’s work been?” I ask tossing popcorn in my mouth.
“Good. You wouldn’t believe the jackasses I worked on last night,” he shakes his head “Not only were they drunk they had to have been high as hell too.”
“What!” I say my voice getting a little higher than I intended.
Chuckling, Bryant reaches over, grabbing a hand full of popcorn “Yep, it was insane. I don’t even think they really knew what was going on.”
The lights begin to dim, and the previews start cutting off our conversation immediately. By the middle of the movie, the popcorn’s gone. I place the empty bag in the seat beside me and focus on the screen. Mumbles behind us cause me to glare at the people in question and turn around trying to enjoy what’s left of it. If there’s one thing, I can’t stand it’s rude ass people talking during a movie. But soon, their voices become raised and the female jumps from her seat, “Really, Josh, you’re still talking to her.” Though it’s dark, I can make out some of her features; and boy, is she mad. She dumps popcorn over his head and storms out. It isn’t long before he runs after her.
Wide-eyed, I turn to Bryant mouthing, “Wow.”
There aren’t any more interruptions even though the couple can still be heard out in the hallway yelling. Well, she seemed to be doing most of the yelling. The movie is close to ending, and I can feel Bryant’s eyes on me. The theater’s dark but the screen illuminates his face enough that I can see his intentions written there. The leading characters stare longingly into each other’s eyes and slowly lean in together and kiss.
My brain begins overthinking every possible scenario, but taking a deep breath, I shut it off, letting what is going to happen to do just that. I know the moment Bryant sees my decision. Slowly, he leans in toward me, his lips brushing mine. Buried beneath his beard, they move with mine. His hair tickles my lips and cheeks, it’s different. Something I haven’t experienced, oddly enough. I’ve never shared a kiss with someone that had this much facial hair.
Our lips move in sync with each other, but that’s all it is. There isn’t anything else. No tingles. No passion. No attraction. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a handsome man, but there is no desire flowing through my veins, threatening to persuade me
to do something I wouldn’t normally do.
Pulling away, I can almost see the same thoughts in his eyes. I look back at the screen catching the last of the movie. My thoughts are all over the place. The last thing I can do is concentrate on the characters in front of me. Lost in my own thoughts, I’m not aware when the credits begin to roll, and the lights brighten. Bryant shakes my shoulder, my body rocking as one, tension locking my muscles.
“You ready?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at my strange behavior.
“Yeah…” I stand wiping my hands on my jeans as we walk up the aisle and out into the night.
Bryant glances my way the entire length to the car. We sit in silence, he doesn’t start the car right away. He stares straight ahead into the parking lot where people are leaving for home. Finally, he speaks, but it isn’t exactly what I’m expecting.
“Did you feel anything?”
He doesn’t have to go into more detail or even say another word. I know what he’s asking about. I wring my hands together, “No…”
He slumps back into the driver’s seat, smiling, he says, “Okay, so we’re on the same page.”
I whip my head around and look at his smiling face, “What?”
“Don’t be so shocked. I knew you weren’t into it, but honestly, I wasn’t either.”
Furrowing my brows, he continues before I can form words “Not that you aren’t sexy as hell and the kiss itself was great, there just wasn’t anything else… you know?”
I can’t help the smile that splits my face in half “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that.”
“We can still hang out, though, right? You’re an awesome chick, and we could get into some shit together,” he says smirking.
“Hell, yeah” sticking out my hand I ask “Friends?”
Gripping my hand tight, he shakes it “Friends.”