Chapter 12
There’s an incessant buzzing noise that fills my dreams. I turn over, attempting to shut it out. It doesn’t work. I pry my eyes open, which are heavy with sleep. I realize the noise is coming from my alarm clock. Oh. My. God. It’s eight twenty nine. I overslept. We overslept. Coffee Guy is sound asleep beside me.
“Wake up! We’re late.”
“What time is it?”
“Eight thirty.”
“Shit!”
We both kick into overdrive, dashing around my small apartment. Luckily we showered yesterday, so I can make due this morning. But then I remember our last time together. Even though he wiped me down, his scent is still on me. To be honest I kind of like it. I quickly wash up, brush my teeth, and attempt to fix my unruly hair with a flat iron. Once I’m done in the bathroom he goes in, so I get dressed. I usually decide what I’m wearing the night before, but clearly I was occupied with other things. I eye my choices and throw on a chunky black sweater with leggings. The neckline is high enough to cover his punishment. Coffee Guy walks back into the room in the button down and pants he was wearing on Friday.
“You ready?” I ask as I grab my appointment book.
“Just one thing. I know this was only supposed to be a one-night thing. And then we made it a weekend thing. But you and me, I need us to be a thing. I need to see you again.”
I breathe in a deep sigh of relief.
“What’s your number?”
I smile and take his phone. I punch in my number and hand it back to him.
“Now will you tell me your name?”
I shake my head.
He looks exasperated and scrolls through his contacts. “It’s not under E.”
He sees my confusion and then I remember that he thinks my name is Elsie.
“You won’t find it there.”
“Can you at least give me the first initial? I need to know what to look under to find you.”
“I put it under ‘A’ for anonymous. You’ll find out my name when you call me,” I say coyly.
“Maybe this will change your mind.” He grabs me and pulls me to him for a tantalizing kiss. If we weren’t running so late it would definitely lead to other things.
“I think I still need convincing,” I tease him.
“You drive a hard bargain.” He opens the door and we walk toward the elevator. “Thank you, Ms. Coffee for a glorious weekend. And for choosing me to have this adventure with.”
“It was the best weekend I’ve ever had.”
He pulls me into his arms. “Me too,” he whispers into my hair.
We part when the elevator dings, signaling its arrival. The doors open and it’s almost full, but we manage to carve out a spot. He takes my hand and links his fingers with mine on the way down. I enjoy our last moments of togetherness. As soon as the doors open everyone is in a rush to get to work, including me.
“Which way are you headed?” I ask.
“Downtown.”
“My office is just south of here or I’d offer you a lift.”
We stand and face one another. I know I should say goodbye and get moving considering how late it is. But I can’t bring myself to say the words. The thought leaves a hollowness in my chest. My eyes fill with unshed tears, much to my embarrassment.
“Hey,” he says, taking my face in his hands. “Why are you acting like this is goodbye? Our story is only just beginning.” He kisses me tenderly and pulls me against his chest. I close my eyes and focus on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. As much as I love being in his arms, I have to get to work.
I look into his eyes and say, “Let’s just call it goodbye…for now.”
He takes my hands in his and brushes one last kiss on my lips. Our hands are still linked as he pulls away, our fingertips trailing as he puts more distance between us and the lobby door. He hails a cab and waves as it pulls away. I wait until his cab disappears around the corner before heading back toward the elevator. It’s the only way to access the parking garage level. I know I could’ve gotten off earlier, but I wanted to preserve our last few minutes together.
As I pull out of my spot, I can’t help but think what a difference twenty-four hours can make. On Friday I was disenchanted about men and Trish’s bet. But then I met him. And by Saturday I knew this was more than just a fling. I never would have thought I could fall for someone in the span of a weekend. But I fell hard. It’s as though my world was a dull gray and now it’s filled with vivid colors. As I think about our time together, I can’t erase the smile from my face. I guess there’s no denying I’m happy to see the world in this new light. My future is full of possibilities and looks very bright indeed.
My good mood is tested as I sit in traffic. Why are we not moving? This is why I always leave early—I hate wasting time. I scroll through my messages and have a few missed calls from Trish. As long as I’m stuck here, now is a good time to call her back. I may as well be productive.
“Lucy!” she practically screams, her voice echoing in my car from my Bluetooth speaker. “You never checked in with me. I was worried about you. I thought maybe your coffee friend turned out to be some kind of psychopath.”
I laugh. “I’m so sorry. We were just really busy.”
“We? And all weekend?”
“All weekend.”
“OMG. Spill. Right now.”
“I’d love to but I’m late for work. And it will take longer than the ten minutes I have left before I need to jump on a conference call. I can meet you for lunch or a drink after.”
“Definitely drinks. I want details, Lucy.”
We make plans and I hang up with a smile.
It’s plastered to my face all day. Thoughts of him occupy my mind and it’s as though I’m floating through a dream. There’s a warm, happy glow emanating deep inside me. It’s not something I’m accustomed to. I swear it takes extra effort to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground. Maybe that’s where the expression walking on air comes from. Or it could be that I’m in heaven, here on earth.
At one point I’m humming to myself while I type up an email. I generally don’t hum. But the notes from Buddy Vaughn are playing through my head like a record on repeat. Genevieve walks by and looks at me with a strange expression. I smile at her then click send, not bothering to reread my email like I usually do. I’m filled with nervous energy, so I check my appointment book again to make sure there’s nothing I’ve missed. It’s as though my brain isn’t fully functioning today. I’m not sure if it’s from lack of sleep or thoughts of him—likely both.
Melanie kept texting me over the weekend to see how things were going. I told her I’d call her at noon with the details once Trish confirmed she could do drinks. Our status meeting ran long this morning, so I’m late calling her. I don’t have a lot of time and neither does she, so I keep our conversation short. I’m looking forward to meeting up with Trish after work when things won’t be so rushed.
I manage to be productive through the afternoon though I’m distracted by my phone. I keep checking to see if I’ve received a text from him. Nothing yet. I’m a tiny bit disappointed, but I’m sure he’s busy at work. Five thirty comes around and I dash out of the office to meet Trish. I’m usually not one to willingly share details of my sexual escapades, not that there’s been many, but I’m dying to talk to someone about him. I picture him in my mind. Coffee Guy. Those dark eyes that could swallow me whole, his perfect lips, that toned body which seemed to fit so perfectly with mine. Then I picture him making love to me, the look on his face when he’s inside me, and a rush of heat pulsates between my legs. Stop, I tell myself. There will be plenty more time for that. The smile remains on my face as I think about a future with Coffee Guy.