AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter thirteen
Lacey
This night is crazy. First of all, I knew Mr. Whitmore…I mean, Jared. I’m going to call him Jared. We are not at work and I like his name. I knew Jared was going to look good because he always does, but when I saw him in his black suit, gray shirt and tie, I almost fainted. It baffles me how simple pieces like a black suit, a gray button up shirt and tie literally had me gulping for air.
The party was swanky but not stuffy. I did get to meet some business folks who might be good to know for the future. I stayed by Jared at first but then I figured I was being too clingy, so I moved over to chat with Beth. Beth and I were having a great time. Her and Shane really hit it off and I was glad they were going to get some alone time.
When I saw Jared wave me over, I couldn’t help but feel excited, but I could also tell something seemed off. His anxiety wasn’t as intense as it was in the car the other day, but I can’t help feeling maybe I’m part of the problem. But then when I’m with him he seems to settle easily. Maybe it’s not me. I don’t know but I certainly can’t ask him. I think making our departure when we did was a good thing. Now I’m alone in the car with him and his scent is making it hard to breathe. I want to lean over and inhale him because he smells so good. I glance over as he’s tapping his fingers lightly on the steering wheel to Vivaldi with a look of content. I start having thoughts about how to make him more content when I feel my cheeks flush. I need to stop pining over this man.
I realize I have no idea where we are going but we are not headed in the direction to my apartment, so I say, “Are we going somewhere else tonight?”
He grins in my direction. “How about a walk in the park? We can chat about your grant proposal for the bakery. Maybe I can offer some words of wisdom?”
A walk in the park seems romantic. I mean the park isn’t a lover’s hangout but it’s a beautiful night with the stars shining brightly above. I don’t know if I can handle seeing him in the faint glow of moonlight but there’s zero chance I’m saying no to this.
We park and make our way down the walking path. The path is lined with streetlights and there are some people getting in their evening runs, and a few sitting on benches. The air feels brisk which I’m hoping will cool the flush in my cheeks. We walk a little way before deciding to sit on a bench. It’s quiet all around us with just the occasional rustle of leaves from the tree next to us.
“So, Lacey, tell me how you’re going to pitch this proposal for the bakery?”
Jared’s question throws me a little. I wasn’t ready to switch my mind into business mode but at least we’re talking and I’m almost touching him sitting on this bench. I close my eyes briefly to get my brain to change gears.
“Well, I did some numbers based on if we had the right equipment how much we could anticipate selling and increased that by three percent over the course of the first year. It’s a conservative number but it’s still profitable. And right now, I’m doing the numbers for the over the course of five years to show the growth potential. Bread is cheap to make so the inflation for the ingredients is minimal compared to other things. I hope it’s enough to show we’re a good candidate for the grant money. We have been around for a little while now and we give to the food shelter when we can, so I think that helps us too. I just hope it pays off.”
“I think it all sounds great. I would up it from three percent to five percent for your first year. It’s totally doable.”
I nod and glance over at him. He’s looking straight ahead with his arm up on the top of the bench. If I was sitting with my back against the bench his arm would be over my shoulder. My body shudders at the thought.
“Oh, are you getting cold?” he asks me.
I don’t know what I am. My hands feel a little cool and clammy, but my face feels like it’s on fire. If I had other symptoms, I’d think I have the flu. Before I can answer he stands and takes off his suit jacket. He holds it open insisting I put it on.
I stand and put my back to him and reach my arms out as he helps me slip on his jacket. The silk lining feels soft against my skin, and I can faintly smell his scent. It’s intoxicating. I clear my throat and turn to him. There’s barely any space between us and my heels are allowing me to be even closer to his face. I don’t want to run, but I can’t do anything else, so I just stand there frozen looking in his eyes. I sense movement and out of the corner of my eye see his hand come to my cheek. He rubs his thumb across my cheekbone then moves it to my bottom lip. My heart is beating so hard I am confident he can hear it. I watch as his eyes land on my lips. I part them slightly hoping he takes the invitation.
What seems like five minutes is probably five seconds when I feel his arm around my back pressing me into him. His lips fall softly on mine and it’s a gentle kiss. Then his hands come up and cradle my face. He pauses the kiss for a split second and then starts to kiss me again, grazing my lips one second then forcefully kissing them the next. I hear a soft growl come from him as I wrap my hands around his neck pulling him in for a deeper kiss. He’s really good at this and I don’t want him to stop. We continue exploring each other’s mouths when his hands dig into my hips and I grab at his belt to pull him closer. I can’t get him close enough. Then he stops and takes a step back.
I’m gasping for air, but I want more. He’s not saying anything, but his body language is giving me the vibe that he wants more too. I take a step forward. He takes another one back.
“Lacey, I should get you home.”
I stand in silence trying to process what he just said. Home? I do not want to go home. I want to continue kissing this man until my lips become numb and my heart full. I don’t even get to respond before he starts walking towards the car. Feeling like I have no other option, I follow him. He doesn’t open the door for me this time. I can tell his mind is preoccupied. The ride is quiet. I don’t know what to say. This is uncharted territory. I have never kissed any of my bosses; is there protocol for this sort of thing?
When we arrive at my apartment Jared looks straight ahead as I get out of the car. I step out and place his jacket on the seat. He looks lost in thought. I look at the ground and say, “Thank you for a great night.” I shut the door and head up to my apartment, my heart slowly sinking with each step I take.
I’m at my door when I feel a single tear fall down my cheek. I enter inside and see lights on. Beth must be home. I reach down to take off my heels and throw my bag on the table. The noise of me entering must’ve alarmed her because I can hear footsteps coming down the hall. I brace for impact.
“Lace! Oh my God, you’re not even---”
Beth pauses as I come into her view. I’m trying hard not to fall apart but I can feel the tears swelling in my eyes. She must see it too because she runs to me and pulls me over to the sofa.
“Lace. What’s going on?”
Suddenly this scene seems all too familiar. I think back to college and my boyfriend Mike. We met in economics. We hit it off almost instantly and soon our relationship blossomed. We dated for a year then one night in my junior year we met in the quad in the center of campus. He said he didn’t think we should date anymore and walked away. Practically ran away actually, and I had no chance to respond. I went back to my dorm room and cried to Beth. I found out later he was dating some other girl while he was dating me, and he chose her over me. Maybe that’s what’s going on with Jared. I didn’t even think he might have a girlfriend. Ugh, I’m too tired to think about this. I let out a groan as Beth puts her hand on my knee.
“Lace. Tell me.”
And that’s all it takes. The flood gates open and I let it all out. I tell Beth about the entire night including Jared’s anxiety, the tension, the kiss in the park and the ride home.
“So, looks like I’m rejected once again.” I say, as I flop back on the sofa.
