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Whenever I notice a couple holding hands on the street, I can’t help but remember the way Sarah held my hand and the way it felt so perfect in hers. When I pass by a coffee shop and smell freshly brewed coffee, it reminds me of how she would make me coffee in the morning and always add a dash of cinnamon on top. When I hear a song we both loved, it brings back memories of us dancing together on the boardwalk, singing happily along to the lyrics.
I miss her presence in those mundane moments like doing the laundry, cooking dinner, or watching a movie. Everything I do, everywhere I go, and everything I see reminds me of her and makes me miss her even more.
Before I get lost deeper in thought, I call one of the team leads over to ask about the meeting details. The young lead enters the office to give me a summary of the day.
“The meeting with Tricon will take place in their corporate headquarters located in the heart of the city. The address is 531 Business Park Drive, Suite 101.”
I know the building. It’s a modern, high-rise work of art with a sleek glass exterior and a spacious lobby.
As I recall, the conference rooms in the building are all equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a large screen for presentations, fiber internet, and video conferencing capabilities. It also has comfortable seating, ample natural light, and an incredible view of the city. If I’m going to wow my clients, though, I’m going to have to arrive early to ensure all of my materials are in order and to have time to set up any equipment or presentations that I will be using. I also plan to bring extra copies of any important documents or contracts in case they are needed. I arranged for my team and I to have a private room for lunch and breaks to make sure we would discuss any important details and strategies before the meeting.
It’s all set. I just have to show up and show out. No problem.
I tap my phone nervously.
I should call Sarah. I think about it off and on now. It’s been a while since that night. Maybe if I called her and talked about it…
It’ll ruin our professional relationship if I do that. I imagine telling her how I truly feel, expressing my love for her, and hearing her say that she feels the same way…but then I think about the possibility of her rejecting me, of her not wanting to take that risk, and my heart sinks.
I scroll through my contacts, hovering over her name. No…it’s not worth the risk. Our companies are tied together in a partnership. I can’t risk making her feel uncomfortable. Well, more uncomfortable than I did the night we’d spontaneously made love in the back of Clark’s car.
She made it very clear our rendezvous was a mistake and to never bring it up again. If I’m supposed to be the better man I keep proclaiming to be, I’m going to have to respect that.
As I walk out of my building and onto the busy street, my nervousness is palpable. My palms are sweaty, and my heart is racing as I make my way toward the Tricon building. I can’t shake off my apprehension, but I attempt to remind myself that I have done my best to prepare for this meeting.
The rain has stopped, and streets are bustling with activity again. People are hurrying to and fro, going about their day. Cars and buses rush by, honking their horns and adding to the hustle and bustle of the city. The sound of the chatter of people fills the air.
It’s a beautiful day now, and the sun is shining bright.
I take in my surroundings as I walk. The streets are lined with tall skyscrapers and modern buildings, each one impressive in its own right. The architecture is stunning, with clean lines and a modern aesthetic.
As I approach the Tricon building, I can’t help but feel a bit awestruck by its impressive glass exterior. The building seems to tower above me, reflecting the sunlight and the energetic city around it. The entrance is grand, with a spacious lobby, the walls adorned with modern art, and the floor is made of marble. The receptionist greets me with a smile and directs me toward the elevators.
The elevator ride to the fifteenth floor is quick and efficient. I feel like I’m on some futuristic spaceship with how fast it seems to travel up the floors. As the doors swish open, I step out into a spacious hallway lined with large windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The conference room is at the end of the hall with a sign that reads “Conference Room 101.”
As I walk towards the conference room, my phone suddenly begins to vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out, and to my surprise, it’s Sarah calling. My heart skips a beat and I answer without even thinking about it.
“Hey, Sarah,” I say, trying to sound as casual as possible.
“Jack,” she says, her voice sounding a bit hesitant. “I know you are probably busy, but I just want to call and see how you are.”
I can’t believe it. I stop walking, looking down the hall toward the conference room. Here I’m about to enter one of the most important meetings of my life, and she’s calling me out of the blue. I don’t know if this is good or bad luck, but I’ll take it either way.
“I’m good, just about to head into a meeting,” I reply, attempting to keep my voice steady.
“Oh. Okay, um, I understand,” she says. Her voice sounds a little shaky like she’s nervous about something.
“Listen, Jack,” she continues, “I know this is kind of sudden, but I’m wondering if you have a little time today to meet up. I have something important to tell you.”
It’s like I willed this outcome into being. The one thing I wanted was just serving itself up to me on a platter. I want to drop everything and run to meet her right now.
“I would love to, Sarah,” I say, “Um…I’ve kind of got a full day, though. Maybe we can have dinner sometime tomorrow night?” I’ll have to see if Sylvia can watch Martin. Itisa weeknight.
“Actually, I was hoping maybe we could meet sooner,” she says and I can hear the urgency in her voice. “It’s kind of important.”
Important. What was so important that it couldn’t wait a night?
“Sure,” I reply. “Um, how about tonight, then? I’ve got a few things I need to get straightened out first, but I can meet you, say, about seven?”
