Authors: Penelope Ward
“I didn’t realize you two were an item,” Maureen said, looking over at her husband who was grinning.
Karyn wasn’t exactly the most liked person at her TV station. She was known for being overbearing in staff meetings and throwing out story ideas that management didn’t always agree with ethically. Scott Ellis seemed amused by her, though. I ignored Maureen’s question about our dating and turned to Karyn to whisper in her ear.
I flat out lied. “Babe, I wish you had gotten here sooner. I have an early commuter flight to New York City in the morning and was just about to respectfully excuse myself, since I have some preparation to do for the meeting at WANY.”
I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t feel good about lying, but the thought of missing out on seeing Allison…
who was expecting me
…was killing me. If I hadn’t intervened, knowing Karyn, this would have turned a long night into a never-ending one. I would have to make up a story tomorrow about the meeting being cancelled suddenly, but I can deal with that later.
Karyn’s eyes popped. “WANY! You are going to talk to them about the anchor position…the one I want?”
The truth was I did have a meeting to discuss Karyn and a few of my other clients at WANY
next week.
So, the lie was not 100-percent ruthless. In fact, my idea was becoming more brilliant by the minute since next week’s actual meeting will look like the rescheduling of the fictitious one.
“Actually, yes, that’s on the agenda, Karyn.” I looked up at Scott realizing that Karyn shouldn’t be discussing jumping ship in front of her current co-worker. This was my fault. I didn’t want to jeopardize Karyn’s job, even if I knew she really didn’t stand a chance at the New York anchor position. In fact, I had two other clients I would be pushing harder for to get that job, because they were better for it, plain and simple.
Karyn rubbed my shoulder. “Honey, I completely understand if you need to go. I can’t believe I didn’t know you were going tomorrow, but I am happy you are.” Karyn then did a little happy dance and stomped her feet fast in giddiness.
“Thanks, babe. You stay…have fun,” I said.
On that note, I got up from the table, shook hands with Ellis and gave Maureen a friendly kiss on the cheek after she leaned in.
“Thanks for a great meeting, Scott. I am sure this is the beginning of a great working relationship. I’ll call you later this week once I have had a chance to talk the guys in suits.” I leaned in and kissed Karyn on the cheek, slapped down eight hundred dollars cash that should more than cover the bill and walked out.
Halle-friggin-llujah.
When I exited the restaurant onto the busy street, I felt relief as the cold air hit my face. I waited for the valet to bring out my Audi and gave him a higher than normal tip, patting him on the back, simply because I was so friggin’ happy to make it out of there in time.
I wouldn’t have time to go back to the condo and change, so I would have to see Allison dressed up the same way I was that first visit. She is definitely going to remember me now. I am not sure how I felt about that, given what an ass I acted like that day.
I revved the engine and sped onto I-93.
It was 10:20. I would be just getting there in time if I were lucky.
I passed a broken down Toyota Corolla and thought about the fact that if this were any other night, I would have helped the poor bastard. Not tonight, though…not tonight.
10:45…I was almost there. I started to feel my heart pounding, knowing how my body would react when I saw her again. I continued to drive focusing on that beautiful haunting face.
10:50…I exited the off ramp and made my way down the side streets, noticing the black and orange lights adorning the houses and stores on Main Street in preparation for Halloween.
I could see the Stardust in the distance, but noticed that the Open sign was not illuminated.
Fuck.
I slid fast into the space right in front and without thinking, rushed out of my seatbelt and slammed the car door closed.
When I looked up, my heartbeat accelerated as I saw Allison standing with her coat on facing me through the front window as I opened the door.
She looked like a doll, standing there in a fitted brown coat and a pink knit cap, with flushed cheeks. She was gorgeous.
The chimes sounded as I opened the door, bringing us face to face and into a few seconds of silence where I stood in awe of her before speaking.
“Hi…I, um, am so sorry I’m so late…I’m Cedric. You called about the credit card I left here earlier today?” I couldn’t stop looking into her eyes. They were so unique, yet familiar.
“Hi…yes, that was me who left the message. It’s no problem. We aren’t technically closed. I’m waiting for Max, the owner to finish up before we lock up. Let me get your card,” she said.
She definitely seemed nervous
.
“No rush,” I said.
No rush…stupid thing to say. Why wouldn’t she want to get the hell out of here? It’s the end of her shift.
I watched as she walked behind the counter toward the register. She was the perfect height, about five feet six inches, not too tall, not too short and was wearing light beige Uggs. She must have changed out of her work shoes. She is really ready to leave. I am inconveniencing her. She looked frazzled as she rummaged through papers and folders near the register. I heard her whispering to herself. I thought I heard a faint ‘fuck’.
I hadn’t moved yet from my spot near the door, so I walked over to her.
“Is everything ok?” I asked.
“No…um…it’s not. My co-worker told me she left your card in this folder and it’s not in here. I am afraid I have to call her and find out where she put it because it’s not here.”
I smiled, wanting her to relax. “No worries…it’s gotta be in this place somewhere, right?” I am in no rush. Please take your time, Allison.”
The credit card was the least of my concerns right now. It could be on its fucking way to Nigeria now for all I cared.
Just then, an older black haired man with a moustache who looked like Super Mario came out from the kitchen, dressed in a coat and hat with a newspaper stuffed under his arm.
“Ready to go, Al?” he asked. This must be Max.
“Max, if it’s okay, I need to use my key to lock up. This customer left his credit card here earlier today and I don’t know where Sonia put it. I just tried her cell and there is no answer, so I am gonna look around for it.”
“No problem. You know how to lock it, right?” Max asked. He didn’t seem worried. You can tell he trusted her.
“Yup…done it before plenty of times. Thanks.”
The bells chimed as Max left the diner, leaving me alone with Allison.
Alone with Allison.
This was my one and only chance to get to know her. It’s now or never. I hope she never finds that goddamn card.
“Cedric, I am really sorry about this.” She looked over at me quickly, while still rummaging through cabinets and drawers, her big eyes frantically searching. “I know Sonia wanted to put it someplace for safe keeping, but apparently, that backfired.”
Her cheeks looked red. She was actually really upset about this. I wish I could tell her how happy the situation was actually making
me
, but then if she knew that I’d probably end up in the back of a cop car heading back to the city.
“Allison, it’s really ok. Please, don’t worry about it. Do you mind if I sit down while you look?” I asked.
“Please…yes…can I get you a slice of pie or something?” she asked.
“That’s really sweet of you, yes, I would love some.” Pie actually sounded really good.
“Apple or coconut cream?” Allison held the door open to the kitchen as she waited for my reply with the sweetest look on her beautiful face.
My heart was fucking toast.
“Aw, man…that’s easy…coconut cream…thanks.”
Could this night get any better…now there’s pie in the mix?
Allison walked out of the kitchen with a small plate that had a huge slice of pie and a generous dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top.
“Here you go.” She smiled and placed the pie in front of me.
“Thanks.” I stared up at her again for a few seconds. This time, she was staring back at me, her hand slowly backing away from the pie plate and it reminded me of the awkward pause we experienced the first time I came into the diner. God I just want to grab her and sniff her hair. Thank God she can’t read my mind because if she could, this pie would be in my face and the cherry up my ass.
Allison abruptly walked away and said, “I am going to try Sonia again.”
She picked up her iPhone and scrolled down to a number and this time she got an answer. I watched and listened to her as I stuffed my face with pie.
“Sonia! she shouted. “Where the hell did you put the credit card? I looked there; it’s not there! You said the green folder…what do you mean top shelf? Oh, the shelf in the pantry…crap, alright…yes, he is…later…later…I can’t now… alright…thanks.”
She hung up and ran into the kitchen.
When she came out, she flashed me a big smile showcasing her perfect teeth.
“Cedric, I am so, so sorry. Apparently, she left it in a green folder, but it was a different green folder in a different spot…anyway, I am really sorry for the mix-up.”
Allison handed me the card and our fingers brushed together, the feel of her skin sending a shiver down my spine and an awareness somewhere else. That was the first time I actually touched her.
“Please, don’t apologize, Allison. Sitting here enjoying this pie has seriously been the highlight of my day. And I should be apologizing to you for putting you through the trouble of having to look for it, when it was my asinine mistake, leaving it here.”
“Well, it all worked out, I guess.”
“It did,” I said.
Then, there was more tense silence, as I got lost in those gigantic green eyes.
“Allison, I hope you have a safe way of getting home tonight…it’s pretty late.”
“I actually usually walk to the train station with Max, but…wait, what time is it?” She looked at her watch. “Crap,” she said.
“What…what’s wrong?” I asked.
“The last commuter train left at 11:20. It’s 11:25. I missed it,” she said sighing.
“Well, it’s obviously my fault. Please let me drive you home. Where do you live?”
This was too good to be true.
“I live in Malden. It’s about a half hour drive from here. Are you sure? I could call a cab.”
“No way. You are here because of me and it’s actually right on my way home. I live in the city.”
“I figured that.”
“You figured I lived in the city…how so?” I asked with a curious gaze, not able to take my eyes off her swollen lips.
“Well, you’re always so well-dressed, like a businessman from Boston, I guess. I mean…uh…I remember the first time you came in,” Allison said shyly.
Shit. Ok, so she remembered me as ‘tip guy’.
I had to think quickly and then lied. “Yeah, I have a client up this way which is why I’ve stopped in before.”
Allison searched her bag for the key. “Ready to go?” she asked.
“Absolutely.”
Absofuckinglutely.
I walked out first, watching her shut the light, lock the diner door and check it a few times. I disarmed the car and stopped at the passenger side to let her in.
Her smile was mesmerizing as she stepped into the passenger seat and I gently closed the door, wondering again how I got so damn lucky.
Holy shit.
Is this really happening?
Cedric opened the driver’s side door, turned on the heated seats and started the car. He smelled so incredibly good, I swear, I could die happy right here in this seat, intoxicated by his scent. It was a mix of musk, sandalwood and leather in here.
He is so damn hot, dare I say the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on. Just like I remembered, but with even more of a five o’clock shadow on his chin, which made him even sexier. There was a roughness about him that directly contradicted the business attire.
As he grabbed his stick shift
(pun intended),
a slight piece of his shiny hair fell over his forehead and I nearly died.
He wasn’t wearing a jacket, just a purple fitted dress shirt that showed off his muscular chest. He was even rocking suspenders, that wouldn’t have been sexy on any other man. He could pull those off really well, though. I had the urge to pull them and snap them back against his chest.
I turned around and saw that his suit jacket was thrown in the backseat, along with a bottle of wine on the floor. I wondered who would be drinking that with him.