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It was at this moment, as my thoughts continued their downward spiral, that I reached for my cell phone and dialed up Tilly.
The excitement in her voice was palpable, and she swore that she would make sure that tonight would be a lovely evening, in her words, and that my potential date would not live in his parents’ basement or penthouse or pool home. I also made her promise that I would not end up at dinner at our parents’ country club, just as precaution because Kris’s friends are totally the type that would take me to dinner at the country club and that is a sure-fire way to make sure this night is miserable.
I felt my cell phone alert in my pocket and knew that was my cue to leave. I’m meeting my date at a restaurant downtown, Fifth Park Place. It’s one of Ryan’s so, in a way, it feels like we’re meeting on my turf.
“I hate that I can’t stay for the celebration, but I am so, so proud of you Beth, and I appreciate being given the opportunity to work on this project with you.” I squeezed Beth’s hand as the café began filling up with our friends and the friends and patrons of the owners of the café, milling about just before the big event was set to begin.
“You know there was never another option, you were the first person I called when I hit the panic button. And you? I’m glad to see that you’re finally putting yourself back out there, even if it isn’t with the sexy insurance adjuster. One step at the time, I guess.” She winked at me but quickly got distracted as something caught her eye over my shoulder.
“Bye, Asher. Keep an eye on this one tonight, don’t let her get too close to those giant scissors the city brought over. I work with design, but if she needs a lawyer, she’s going to have to get Ryan for that shit.” I smiled, genuinely content, and turned to slip out unnoticed, the remainder of our normal crew is filing in, and I don’t need a scene as I leave, and believe me, they are all about making a scene.
My black strappy stilettos crossed over the threshold from hardwood floor to the concrete of the sidewalk and I filled my lungs with a deep relaxing breath, but instead of the fresh air I expected, my lungs filled with the scent of leather and something a little woodsy.
My chest tightened instantly, and awareness tingled at the base of my spine. My eyes immediately shot upward, and to the left in search of the cause of my body’s reaction, but I didn’t see him. I didn’t see anyone. I’m losing it, this is exactly why I need this date tonight. I have to clear my mind of everything that is Reid Chapman before I walk into the Anderson House project in just a few short days.
