AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Something feels fresh about her. I guess it's her age."
"Maybe, buy Meagan something. A gift, or a gift card, or something. You know, butter her up to get her to explain why she is so opposed to you seeing her friend. What's her name again?"
"I'm not going there with my sister. She's on a roll with some weird new dude she met. And to answer your question, her name is Ariel. And like I said, Ariel’s an author and a bit introverted."
"Comes with the territory, I guess." Chase stood and threw his empty beer bottle into the trash. "But, you know, man. Unless you've had some epiphany, the spark is gone once you get a chick to go to bed with you a few times. It's just a cold, hard fact. Women act like we're supposed to marry them just because we've had sex, but that's bullshit. I want an exciting sex life, which eventually dies out in a relationship."
As I nursed the rest of my beer, I couldn't help but wonder if there was any validity to what Chase was saying. Was this just a raw, animal sexual attraction left over from lustful thoughts I had of Ariel years ago? That once it was fulfilled, my desire for her would evaporate into thin air? Or was this my chance to find happiness like Daniel and Ryder had? "I don't really know what I'm feeling, to be honest, Chase. But, just like you said. We aren't getting any younger."
Chase nodded and unmuted the game. "I feel you, dude. But, hey, you have nothing to lose by taking her to the zoo, right?"
"Yeah, even if it just ends up as a fling, I think it will be well worth my time. I just don't want to break any hearts…."
"…or get anyone killed,” Chase muttered.
Chapter Eight
Ariel
"It's raining!"
I clapped and danced around my kitchen, gazing at the heavy equipment parked like Tonka trucks inside the construction site below the window.
"Yes!"
I pumped my fist into the air. The jackhammers were quiet, which meant I could write inside the comfort of my home today. I made a cup of coffee, grabbed my laptop, and snuggled up in my blanket on the couch.
My keyboard clicked under my fingertips as I started the chapter introducing my new male character, Marc. And now that I had more to draw on after spending time with Guy, this chapter was moving along famously. I was so engrossed in my work that I didn't even hear the doorbell ring. It wasn't until my neighbor, Mrs. Kappos, started banging on my front door that I realized someone was there. When I opened it, I found the mailman with a package, and I was handed a clipboard and pen.
After scribbling my name on the line, I took the package. It was oddly shaped but not too heavy. "Thanks," I said. Nodding to Mrs. Kappos, I closed the door. I turned it over, looking for a return address, but there was none. The only thing on the plain brown wrapping was my name and address - handwritten in black ink. I tore open the package and gasped. Inside was a beautiful bouquet of red roses - two dozen, to be exact - with baby's breath and greenery. I dug around inside and pulled out a note:
Ariel, I'm so looking forward to our time together this weekend at the zoo! ~ Guy
Clasping my hand over my mouth, I tried to stifle a squeal. The vase I pulled from the back of my closet was one Mom had given me after my grandmother's death. It was cobalt blue. The perfect color to accent the bright red roses. And the coffee table in front of me was the ideal place for me to admire them. But when I scrambled to find my phone to call Guy, I realized I didn't have his number. I bit my lip, blew a lock of hair out of my face, and Googled his company website, where I found the phone number for his business. Nervously, I called, but someone told me he was in a meeting and offered to take a message. Swallowing hard to dispel my disappointment, I sank onto the couch and quickly hung up without a word—realizing I had no idea what to say that didn't sound absurd or idiotic.
As I fiddled with the roses, arranging and rearranging them, I realized I needed a woman to talk to. Unfortunately, Meagan was the only one I knew here in San Diego. And, of course, I hadn't heard from her after the spectacle she made of herself the other night.
I scanned my wristwatch and heaved a sigh of relief when I realized it was nighttime in London. Marcie was the only person who could help me — aside from my Mom — and she should be home by now. Involving my mother in my mess would entail too much well-meaning lecturing on her part, so I located Marcie's number and hit 'call.' What I needed right now was some girl time with someone who wasn't related to me or didn't have any ulterior motives. Luckily, she answered on the first ring and said she was free to chat.
"Hey, girlie! What's up?" I could hear the smile in her voice, and by that, I knew she had gotten my email from last night telling her I had signed and sold a record number of books. I had also included a lengthy excerpt from the book I was writing that included the introduction of Marc.
"You'll never guess what just happened. I've had the best day ever!" I gushed. "And it just keeps getting better and better."
"Oh, yeah? Do tell," she said, giggling.
I then went on to tell her about the flowers and how excited I was for our date this weekend--leaving out no detail of what Guy and I had done together so far or how he made me feel.
There was a long pause before Marcie replied. "Ariel, honey... you do realize that this man is basically a stranger, right? Didn't you write in your email that you just met him?"
"Well, yes and no. He's my best friend's brother… so I've known him for a long time. But… maybe he's just trying to make up for the scene his sister made the other night." I bit my lip, not sure if I believed that myself.
"Uh-huh," she said, drawing out the words. "And what exactly did happen the other night?"
I proceeded to tell her about my encounter with Guy and how we shared dinner at my apartment. And how Meagan then showed up out of nowhere visibly angry--but I couldn't figure out why. After a while, I ended up telling Marcie the majority of what happened, including Guy's fight with Meagan and how she finally stormed out.
"So… let me get this straight. You've reconnected with Meagan's brother, Guy. He is older than you, and you two don't have a past."
"Yes, so far, so good."
