AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Keep an open mind, okay? It’s a guy.” Marta took Cordi by the elbow and pulled her around to face the crowd that had accumulated in her living room and throughout her home. She looked around, checking to see if Graham had arrived yet.
“A guy? Haven’t you already tried to set me up once this week? We both know how that turned out,” Marta said, the skepticism evident in her voice.
“I know, I know, but just give it a chance. I talked to Graham a couple of nights ago, and he said he felt like a jerk for standing you up and wanted a do-over.”
Cordi didn’t utter a word, but gave her friend an unamused glare.
“I know what you’re thinking, but trust me. I wouldn’t have went to all this trouble to set you two up in the first place if I didn’t think you two would really like each other,” Marta explained in defense.
Cordi took another sip from her glass. She gave a slow shake of her head. “I can’t believe I let you drag me into these things,” she said, half-joking and half-serious.
Marta laughed and squealed enthusiastically. “You’ll thank me someday,” she said.
A couple approached and greeted Marta, so she introduced them to Cordi before telling Cordi to mingle around a bit while she made the rounds with her other guests, so that she wouldn’t seem rude. Cordi took the opportunity to walk around, taking it all in.
Even though Cordi felt slighted that Graham had stood her up that few nights ago, her curiosity ended up getting the best of her, and she found herself looking around to see if she could spot him, realizing she still didn’t actually know what he looked like. Maybe he hadn’t arrived yet. Or maybe he wouldn’t show up at all, essentially standing her up again. Wouldn’t that be just about par for the course?
The background music switched to an old, familiar song by Dan Fogelberg, Same Old Lang Syne, and the slower melody brought on a wistful feeling that Cordi was trying hard to shake. She couldn’t help but feel even more alone at that moment, and she thought about bundling back up into her coat and just heading back home.
When she felt a chill of cold, night air blow across her skin, goosebumps raised her flesh, and she turned to see who had come in the front door.
She couldn’t believe her eyes, and she blinked in shock.
“Russ?”
Chapter 5
Russ had noticed Cordi the moment he opened the door. His heart skipped a beat and his breath caught in his chest when he saw her. She was even more beautiful than he had remembered, dressed up in a form-fitting outfit that accentuated the sensuous curves of her body that the layers she had worn the other night had hidden.
He closed the door behind him, and Jake greeted him, taking his coat.
“Hey! Come on in, man. Grab a drink. There are snacks on pretty much every flat surface in the place. Take your pick,” Jake said, welcoming him with a laugh.
He nodded, having to tear his eyes away from Cordi momentarily as he returned the greetings with Jake. When he turned back around, she had disappeared. His eyes swept the room, darting from person to person, trying to see where she might have gone, but she was nowhere in sight.
When Cordi had seen Russ coming through the door, it had sent her mind spinning. She panicked, and darted into the kitchen where Marta was arranging tiny squares of white chocolate, peppermint fudge on a festive tray, preparing to set it out for the guests. She lifted the tray and held it up when Cordi approached, offering Cordi a piece.
Cordi shook her head. “No thanks. Marta! You’re not going to believe this, but Russ, the guy I met at the diner the other night? He’s here!” Cordi’s voice was quick but quiet, communicating her urgency and confusion.
“You’re kidding. Who did he come with?” Marta asked, also in a hushed voice, mirroring her friend.
“I have no idea. I just saw him walk in the front door, but I didn’t see anyone come in with him. Marta, what am I going to do?” she asked, as her eyes signaled her plea for help.
Marta thought about it for a moment. What should she tell her? She knew Cordi had hit it off with this Russ guy the other night and had heard the excitement and longing in her voice. But Graham would be here any minute, and he was expecting tonight to be a do-over with Cordi.
Marta knew that Cordi would like Graham if she’d only give him a chance, and likewise for him. Why had they both been so stubborn and difficult about this?
“Cordi, I don’t know. What about Graham?” Marta asked.
“I know, but in case you haven’t noticed, this Graham guy still hasn’t shown up yet, and he’s already stood me up once. What if he doesn’t show up again? And what are the chances that Russ would show up here at your party tonight?” It was clear that Cordi had a specific direction she wanted to go in, but wanted Marta’s blessing to do it.
“Well… I guess-”
Marta’s sentence was cut short when she saw Graham and Jake walk into the kitchen. “Graham! You’re here!” she called out with excitement.
Marta turned to look at Cordi to introduce her to Graham, but wa
s silenced by the wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression on Cordi’s face staring at him.
