“I know what you mean. Do you feel like that on airplanes?”
He shook his head. “No, just elevators. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember.”
“Are your parents that way?”
“My mom hates heights, and my dad wasn’t afraid of anything that I can remember. He died when I was young.”
“I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how tough it must be not to have your dad.”
He shrugged. “It was a long time ago. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
I nodded. “A brother two years older than me and a sister three years younger. I’m the middle child, and I won’t go into all the neurosis that’s caused. Do you have any siblings?” I didn’t remember reading about him having any in my research, but then almost all of the articles I came across were of him and other women.
“No. I did have….” He grew silent and looked past me. Seconds ticked away and he stood, staring out the window, a faraway look in his eyes. I wished I could’ve crawled into his brain to see what he was thinking. Then he pinched the bridge of his nose and looked at me. “How’s the Absolute Glam account coming?”
And just like that, he was back to business mode. “I worked on the sketches today. I have to say I’ve had a love affair with makeup since before I could put it on. I’m thrilled to be the lead on this campaign.”
“You were the one I had in mind when the client signed the dotted line. I’m happy to see your enthusiasm. If you have time, I’d like to see the sketches.”
I glanced at the clock and freaked. It was already six thirty. I had less than an hour to freshen up and change before meeting Cory.Where did the time go?I turned off the computer and stood up. “Sorry, but I have to go. I’m meeting someone for dinner in an hour. Maybe we can do it tomorrow?”
“Where’re you going?”
I paused.Why is he asking me that?“The Harbor Fish House in Fisherman’s Wharf.”
“Last time I was there was for my grandfather’s seventy-sixth birthday. So about three years ago. It has great views of the Golden Gate Bridge.”
“I went there when I first came to San Francisco. The food is good. The restaurant was his choice.”
“His? You’re going on a date?” His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed.
“Yeah?” It came out as more of a question, surprised by his sudden change in tone.
“Are you going with Paul?”
“Paul who works here? No. Why would you ask me that?”
“I heard he has a crush on you.”
“We’re just colleagues. And he has a crush on all the women who are single. I really have to go.”
He blocked the doorway, so I squeezed by, my breasts brushing against his chest. I swore he whispered, “Lucky man,” under his breath, but when I said, “What?” he stared at me and followed me to the elevator. We stood in silence and when the bell rang, I jumped. With downturned mouth and furrowed brows, he stood watching me until the elevator door closed. For a moment, I wanted to forget about meeting Cory and take the elevator back to Trace’s floor, but I knew that would be career suicide, so I stepped out to the lobby and rushed to catch the trolleybus.
After the fastest shower I’d ever taken, I slapped on some makeup, changed into a simple black dress, and dashed outside to meet the awaiting cab. My car was parked three blocks away, and with high heels and a damn steep hill, I’d be terribly late for sure. As it was, I was running ten minutes behind. I’d texted Cory and told him I’d be late, but I didn’t think the date was starting off very well. It wasn’t only me being late, it was also Trace bouncing around in my head again.
As the cab driver sped to my destination, my mind kept going back to the way Trace had reacted when I told him I had a date. He seemed mad and sad at the same time. I didn’t know what to make of it.
“Twenty-one dollars,” the driver said in a heavily accented voice. I handed him the fare and tip and slid out of the back seat.
When I entered the restaurant, Cory leapt to his feet, then came over and gave me a quick hug. His aftershave was powerful and my nose twitched. I was prone to allergies, and I couldn’t tolerate overpowering scents like the one Cory had slathered on. It was going to be a long night.
“You look beautiful,” he said as he took my elbow and guided me to a table by the window.
“Thanks. I’m sorry I was late. I got caught up in work.”And my boss.
“No worries. I’m just happy to see you again.”
Cory ordered a bottle of chardonnay and we eased into a comfortable conversation. In the distance, the lights from the Golden Gate Bridge twinkled, their reflection dancing on the water below. The full moon hung low like a big luminous pearl in an inky sky speckled with stars. It was beautiful. An empty ache pulsed inside me, and I wished Trace were there sharing a glass of wine with me as we feasted on lobster, Dungeness crab, and baked oysters. I missed him. I knew that was crazy and totally unfair to Cory, who was turning out to be witty, charming, and a real gentleman, but my mind was on Trace, and my body wanted him so much.
