Brazen

The delivery keeps me away from the office for most of the day. My hands work on the scheduled task, but Noah and Sunday are never far from my mind. When the last of the lumber is put away, I can’t get back quick enough. I’m practically tripping over my feet now to get inside.

Sunday is working at her desk, and Noah, at hers. Nothing looks out of the ordinary. The two girls work in harmony but without any chatter.

Why aren’t they talking?

Neither girl even addresses me now that I’m inside.

“Um. Hey.”

Each looks up as if they are just noticing my arrival.

In unison, they say, “Hello,” but then go back to their work.

My best friend and the girl I want to pursue aren’t giving me the time of day. Did this somehow blow up in my face? I sit at my desk, more than a little confused.

“Where did you two go this morning?” I attempt to pry at least a little information out of them.

“We went and got pedicures.” Sunday stands, picks up a file folder, and walks it over to my desk.

I check to make sure Noah isn’t watching us and then narrow my eyes on Sunday. My best friend gives nothing away as she stares blankly at me.

“Did you have fun?” I ask.

“Sure did,” Sunday answers.

I stretch my neck and look around Sunday to our assistant. “Noah, did you have fun?”

“I did. Sunday is a better boss than you. She took me to play hooky.”

“Yeah, tyrant.” My business partner sticks her tongue out at me before going back to her desk.

The lack of information is killing me, and the workday is almost over. Sunday stole all my time with Noah. As I’m thinking it, she begins to pack up her things. Sunday smirks at me behind her, obviously already aware of what’s going through my mind. When Noah gets up, I do, too.

“I’m finished for the day,” she tells me.

“I’ll walk you out,” I say, already moving.

Once we’re alone, I don’t waste any time. “Do you have plans tonight?”

“Nothing particularly important, no.”

She leans away, and I step closer.

“I’d like to take you to dinner.”

“Are you asking?” With some attitude, she brushes her hair over her shoulder.

“Well, yeah.” Wasn’t that obvious? “Noah, can I take you to dinner?”

She holds everything in and doesn’t show a single tell about the answer to my question, letting me grow uncomfortable while I wait for her response. I’d even go as far as to say she’s enjoying keeping me guessing.

“Sure, I guess I could eat.”

She lets me off the hook, and, damn, am I relieved.

“Great. Come on, let’s go.” I take her by surprise when I grab her hand.

“Now?” Her fingers relax in mine.

“Yeah, now. When else?” In my excitement, I walk a little too quickly for her pace.

“Pedicures and dinner. Boy, I lucked out in the boss department, huh?”

She takes bigger steps, and I slow my speed.

“We’ve never had an employee before. Maybe we’re still learning the whole boss thing.” Especially since I just asked her out. That definitely isn’t boss-like behavior.

“You won’t hear me complain about it. I’m starving.” She leaps with a skip in her step.

“Good. I know just the place.”

Noah and I get into my truck, and I drive toward the best little seafood place on this side of Florida. Gulf Harbor is right on the water, and the sand is just feet from the tables. It’s perfect for our first date.

When we arrive, I open the truck door for Noah. Again, I take her hand, and this time, it doesn’t take her by surprise. Inside, I tip the host to give us their best table with some privacy without Noah noticing me doing so. Once we’re seated, I get a little hung up on what to do next.

“I guess I should have asked if you liked seafood.” Fuck, is there anything besides creatures from the sea on this menu?

“I do, yeah. I’ve never been to such a nice place. Just about the only seafood I’ve had came in a box from a drive-through window.”

This place is fairly casual. It’s the setting that makes it great.

“Get whatever you like.”

The waiter takes our orders and then leaves us alone. The candle on the table burns strong, and the scent coming from the breadbasket smells delicious.

“Thanks. So, tell me about you,” Noah says.

“What do you want to know?” It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to know someone new, and lately, my life hasn’t been about me. It’s as if I’ve almost forgotten how to talk about myself.

“I want to know about Brazen—the person, not the boss. Tell me whatever that is.” Her finger wipes the condensation off her water glass.

“That’s a tall order. Um, I don’t know. Let’s see. I grew up here in Bay Town with my mom. She and I are really close. I guess it’s cheesy, but she’s always been my inspiration for everything. I work hard for me, but it’s always been about her, too. It’s important for me to make her proud.”

“I don’t see how she couldn’t be proud of you. In fact, without ever having met her, I’m sure she is. Does she still live here?”

“She does, not too far from work.” It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. Well, a while for us—a few weeks. I need to remember to stop by her house. Things have just been so busy.

“That’s really nice. It must be awesome to be so close with her.” Noah picks up a piece of bread while she speaks, and steam lifts from the basket.

“Are your parents back in—”

“So, you surf, right? You must surf if you’ve lived here your whole life.”

Okay, so I guess talking about her parents is off the table.

“I surf, yeah. When I was growing up, it was pretty much part of my everyday routine. Sunday would have to pull me from the water before school to keep us from being late. Now, there is a lot less time for it, but I still get out on the water when I can.”

“Will you teach me?” The bread that she so carefully picked sits, untouched, on her plate.

“I’d love that.” The image of Noah on my board is one that I like. “What about you? What are you interested in other than art?”

“I’m still figuring that out.” She bites her lip after her shy words.

“What do you mean?”

“When I moved here, it was really the first opportunity I’d had to discover who I was outside of where I came from. I want to try new things and discover that I love them or hate them. I never want to say that I’m scared or not interested in something before I’ve had the chance to try it.”

Noah pulled away when I started to mention her parents. I have a feeling she’d do the same if I focused on the where-she-came-from part. So, instead, I move forward with where she’s going.

“Are we talking about hobbies like Frisbee in the park or cliff diving?”

“Sure.” She nods enthusiastically.

“Sure?”

“I’ve never done either, but maybe I’ll try both someday.”

“I didn’t peg you for an adrenaline junkie.” An easy rhythm settles between us as I enjoy finally hearing a little bit about her.

“I had this coloring book when I was about ten, and other kids would always get on me because I didn’t want to stay in the lines. But why would you want to do the drawing that everyone else could do when you could take it and make it your own?”

“So, you’re saying you’ve always been a daring little rebel?”

She shakes her head, but I don’t miss that her eyes light up, too.

“I prefer to think of it as being curious.”

I’m curious, too—more than curious about her.

Dinner comes, and we eat, laughing and talking the whole time.

An amazing time.

Inside the cab of my truck, I feel like a young kid nervous about the end of the night.

Once we’re parked outside her house, I take a deep breath before getting out and going around to open her door for her. After helping her down, I take her hand and walk her to her door.

This is it.

Right here, on her porch. This is where everything will change.

“Thanks for coming tonight.” I take her other hand, so I’m holding both.

“I had fun. Best seafood I have ever had.”

“Yeah, and how was the company?” I thought only women fished for compliments. I guess not because that’s exactly what I’m doing.

“The company was my favorite part.” Noah doesn’t look so shy or innocent as she takes a tiny step closer and tilts her chin up a bit.

Our eyes lock.

No words. Just us.

“If you hug me again, I might throw something at you.” She squeezes my hand as she breaks the silence between us.

Not this time.

I lean in, and Noah pulls closer.

We’re connected. We’re in sync. We’re about to have our first kiss.

“Noah!”

Damn it!

She stumbles back, and we both turn to the door, which is now open with Benson standing there, watching us. I doubt he even knows what he interrupted.

“Where have you been?” He grabs her arm, and our hands disconnect. “It isn’t safe out here. Get inside!”

“What are you talking about, Benson? What’s going on?”

“I heard about an outbreak of Zika in the area. You’re too young to become infertile, especially hanging around with men who look like him.” Without giving me eye contact, he points my way, dragging a rather unwilling Noah closer to the house.

Pregnancy? We can’t even kiss, for fuck’s sake.

He pulls Noah like someone comically being yanked off a stage.

“Ouch! Okay, Benson. I’m coming!” she yells at him. “Bye, Brazen! Thanks for dinner!” she says through the closing front door.

Well, fuck. I just got cockblocked by mosquitoes or some shit.