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“It’s not really angst, you just make me nervous.”
He cocked his head. “Why? Have I done something wrong?”
“Not at all. It’s not you, it’s me.”
“Boy, that sounds like a familiar line.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s not what I meant.” Our causal banter began to ease my discomfort, and before long we were laughing, and I had forgotten my nervousness.
“See?”
“See what?” I asked.
“I’m not such an ogre after all, am I?”
I huffed. “I never thought you were an ogre. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
“Really. Then what?”
“You’re very charming and I’m worried that ...” I stopped, realizing that I was about to tell him exactly how I felt. I clamped my hand over my mouth, shocked at my stupidity.
He gave me a half grin, took his hand, and put it on mine. “Huh-uh.” He pulled mine away from my mouth. “After a comment like that, you’re not getting off the hook easily. What are you worried about?”
“Nothing. It’s silly really.” I tried to brush it off. “Hey, how was Thanksgiving, by the way?”
“Oh no you don’t,” he laughed.
He stopped, forcing me to stop too. We were now facing each other. I was totally fidgeting now. My leg was twitching, and he felt it. He stared at me. For that reason, I dropped my gaze to my feet.
“Alexia, I’m waiting.” His sexy voice was liquid heat pouring through my veins. Not only was my leg twitching, but my heart had joined it.
“Please, Pearce.” That I even managed to eke out those two words was a miracle in itself.
He didn’t persist. “I’ll let you off the hook this time.” Then he lifted my hand to his lips and touched his mouth to it. I felt his breath fan across my hand and chills spiked all over my body, followed by an intense wave of heat.
How could his touch have such an impact on me?
We walked the rest of the way to the cafe, hand in hand, and then he pulled me closer and put his arm around me. That wave of heat washed over me again. I was sure my whole body was perspiring everywhere.
Afterwards, I knew we had a wonderful time, but I couldn’t tell you a thing about what I ate. I was enchanted by him. He was everything a girl could want in a guy … charming, witty, intelligent, respectful, and very easy on the eyes. And out of my league. Who was I kidding? If I ever let myself get even a tiny bit close to him, once he found out about me, he would drop me so fast my head would spin. And who could blame him? I was like a used rental bike. I’d been ridden by half the population of Charleston. Whatever would he want with someone like me?
He didn’t give up his pursuit of me. He would call and invite me out for a cup of coffee or dinner. He wasn’t over the top, which was nice. I enjoyed being with him and would love nothing more than to date him but was scared of his rejection when the time came.
* * *
When December rolled around, our whole department went to Camellia’s for our Christmas party. There were twenty-two people in our group, so they put us in the big room in the back. It was odd going there as a guest. I scooted into the kitchen to say hi to everyone and got a bunch of hugs. We chatted for a bit, and I headed back to the table.
On my way back, I happened to glance across the room and saw Pearce seated at a table for two. He was talking intimately with a perfectly beautiful blonde. My heart plunged and my stomach knotted. I don’t know why, as I hadn’t exactly been there when he wanted me to be. He probably figured he’d tried enough and had given up. I couldn’t blame him, but it killed me seeing him like that. I watched him smile and he lifted his hand and grabbed his date’s hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.
I don’t know how long I stood and stared, but I found I couldn’t make myself move. My feet felt like cinder blocks. Suddenly he lifted his head and his eyes landed directly on mine. My eyes widened for a moment, my face heated up, but I quickly bent my head down and forced myself to move.
I turned toward the restrooms, intending to hide there for a few moments, but I never made it.
“Alexia, wait.”
I swallowed the thick lump in my throat, doing my best to force it down. I put on my happiest smile and turned.
“Hi, Pearce. It’s great to see you.” My voice shook and I prayed that he didn’t notice.
