Crossing Paths (5 page)

“Hi, Audrey.”

“We have a lot to do today. Mr. Thorne’s wife will be here this afternoon.”

“I’ll get right to work then.”

Audrey smiles, and with her coffee in hand, she heads into her office.

The morning goes by quickly as I work on the presentation boards. When lunchtime arrives, I set out by myself to grab a quick bite. Last week, June mentioned a small Italian place around the corner that has great lunch specials. Heading that way, I walk down the large sidewalk, trying to avoid the mass of lunch travelers.
Mental note: Don’t take lunch at noon ever again.

As I enter the front doors of the restaurant, I hit a wall of people dressed in varying levels of business attire. I hear the hostess tell a customer standing at least five groups ahead of me that the wait will be forty-five minutes. Since I only have an hour for lunch, I decide I’ll have to try this restaurant out another day or maybe call ahead with a to-go order next time.
I should pick up something quick, so I can get back and finish up the presentation boards.

As I turn to leave, I hear someone call out my name, but it couldn’t possibly be for me, so I keep walking.

“Caroline!”

As I hear my name again, I turn around and run right into Liam’s chest. Liam’s hands firmly grab my upper arms. I am thankful he is steadying me because I don’t think I could handle standing on my own with his hands touching my bare skin.

“Hey, are you here to have lunch? The food is really great,” Liam says with a wide grin as he slowly releases me.

“I would love to try it out, but I can’t wait forty-five minutes to be seated. Maybe another day.” I look down at my hands, avoiding eye contact.
What is wrong with me? I’m not shy.

“Well, why don’t you come sit with me? I have a table for two, but the guy I was meeting for lunch couldn’t make it.”

This probably isn’t a good idea, but I agree because I’m hungry…and because Liam is, as I established earlier, hot. Today, he’s dressed in casual business clothes. Dark slacks fit snugly at his waist, and the short sleeves of his green polo shirt show off his muscular arms. I can only imagine the muscles hiding underneath. I shake my head, trying to dislodge any other inappropriate thoughts from my head.

June was pretty clear that her brother was off-limits, but it’s not like he would actually be interested in me. He pulls out the chair opposite from where his food sits. The waiter stops by the table, looking a little confused, but he takes my order just the same.

“So, do you like your job?” Liam asks before he puts a bite of chicken into his mouth.

Wow, I could definitely kiss those lips. They look so tender. I bet he’s a really good kisser.
When I catch Liam’s eyes, I notice his whole face is smiling along with that beautiful mouth.

“Are you still trying to decide if you like your job or not?”

Oh crap, I didn’t answer him.
“No. I mean, yes, I like my job. It’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for asking. What type of work do you do?”

“I work in the airline industry.”

We go on and talk about his work, my work, his family, my family, the new apartment I share with June, and June’s crappy love life.

“Did you date much in college?” Liam asks, looking down at his mostly empty plate.

“Some but nothing too special. Most of the guys June and I met weren’t worth our time. At this point, I figure I’m better off spending my energy focusing on my new job.”

“Probably a good idea. Speaking of work, I need to get back to the office. Hey, before I leave, can I get your phone number?”

My heart flutters, and I choke a little on my water.

“I feel like it would be a good idea to have a backup way to get in touch with June if she isn’t answering her phone.” Liam slides his business card along with a pen across the table.

“Sure, that definitely makes sense. After all, June is well-known for misplacing her phone or leaving it on vibrate all day.” I smile and write down my number on the back of the card.

“Here’s my card. Keep my number with you in case you need anything.” Liam hands me another card with his name, office number, and cell number.

We part ways with a quick awkward wave and head back to work.

The afternoon goes by just as fast as the morning. After I put the finishing touches on the presentation board, I have a few minutes to spare before the afternoon meeting. Everything goes smoothly. The clients are happy, oohing and aahing during the entire presentation. They assure Audrey that they will let us know their final decision by tomorrow afternoon. It’s such a relief to be done with my first major project. Hopefully, we’ll get good news tomorrow. If so, June and I will have to go out and celebrate.

I leave work and decide to do a little shopping. This coming weekend, the interior design society in Houston is having a fundraiser to benefit a local children’s charity. Although my closet already looks like a high-end department store exploded inside of it, I feel the need to buy a new dress for the occasion. I might even splurge and buy some new shoes and accessories. On my way to The Galleria, my phone rings.

“June! How was your flight?”

“Horrible. You wouldn’t believe the crappy day I’ve had. I’m on my way to the hotel now.”

“I won’t even ask, but I’m glad you made it there safely. Are you ready for the meeting tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I think so. Mr. Hargrove gave me all the notes, and I made a few of my own before I left, so I would be prepared.”

“I wouldn’t expect any less from you.” June was always the one on top of things in college. I’m not sure how I would have made it through without her. “I better get off here. I need to park and do a little shopping.”

“You…shopping?”

I can hear the sarcasm in June’s voice as I imagine her smiling. “Alright, alright. Good luck with your meeting tomorrow.”

“Thanks. Bye.”

I head into The Galleria and make my first stop at Neiman Marcus. I try on about twenty dresses before sitting down in the dressing room. I’m completely worn out from my indecision. I find myself being hypercritical about the way the fabric lays, how low-cut the neckline is, or whether the length of the dress is appropriate. I just can’t make up my mind. Usually, this is so easy for me. Most things look good on me, so it’s normally a simple matter of finding the color or style to suit the occasion.

This time though, I keep thinking of Liam, wondering what he would think of each dress.
Would he find it attractive? Would he think it was too revealing?

I need to stop this crazy train. Not only is he not interested in me, but he’s also my best friend’s brother.
I’m probably not even his type.
There’s also the fact that my best friend just so happened to forbid me from dating him. I enjoyed spending time with Liam today. Talking with him felt so easy and comfortable even if he didn’t act overly interested in anything more than a friendly conversation.
Maybe the Liam I met today was on his best behavior…or maybe his true self is different than what June thinks of him.

I shouldn’t be worried about impressing Liam. He’ll never see this dress. As I finally choose a blue knee-length dress with a bow neck that shows off my collarbone, my phone trills. I search through my purse, thinking it is probably June calling to tell me how her hotel room is amazing.

Enjoyed lunch today. Thanks for the company. —Liam

Well, that was nice.
Maybe June’s brother isn’t the big jerk she thinks he is.
Should I respond?
If I don’t, he might think he has the wrong number.

Me, too. The food was great. —Caroline

It’s official. I’m an idiot.
The food was great? Ugh.
I just sent him the awkward pat-on-the-back of text messages. If he was interested before, he definitely isn’t interested now.

Tuesday

I wake up feeling rested and ready to face the challenges of the day…as long as those challenges only involve one meeting and two flights back to Texas. I jump into the shower and stand under the constant hot water. Thoughts of airplanes brings back memories of the handsome stranger I managed to maul with a magazine. As I run my soapy hands over every inch of my body, I think about how it would feel to have his hands on me instead. I imagine leaning my head against his naked chest while running my hands down the sides of his body. His kisses would make my insides melt.

I open my eyes and bring myself back to reality. Rinsing my body, I step out of the shower and onto the cold tile floor.
Maybe I should take Mom’s advice and start dating again.

I need to clear my head before this meeting. This is my first chance to make an impression during my professional career. I have to make a positive you-could-really-be-something impression today. I know from experience how a bad impression can leave a lasting image.

My sophomore year of college, I sat in the front row of my advertising class, trying to make a good impression. Sitting in the back or even middle rows had never worked for me. It had proven to be too much distraction for my fidgety mind. Just before class began, a woman casually dressed in a college logo T-shirt and worn-looking dark denim jeans took a seat next to me. She asked if she could borrow a pen even though I noticed she didn’t have a notebook. Although it seemed odd that she needed a pen, I handed one over just the same.

“Have you heard much about this class?” she asked, settling into an easy slouch in the uncomfortable wood chair.

I watched as she rolled my pen back and forth between her fingers. “Not really. From looking over the course’s web page, it seems like the teacher thinks we have no other classes or much of a life outside of this course.”

“I wonder if your first boss might have the same opinion when you’re working on the biggest advertising proposal of the year,” she responded matter-of-factly before leaving her front row seat to stand behind the lectern at the head of the classroom. “My name is Professor Moore. Welcome to Advertising 201.”

She never let me live down that first interaction. She would often ask me if my nose was numb from being stuck in my homework.
Lesson learned: Always ask for names and credentials before beginning a conversation.

For today’s good impression, first on my checklist is a killer outfit. I stole a few pieces from Caroline’s closet. I doubt she would ever miss such a miniscule slice of her wardrobe. I slip on the beautiful green top and knee-length pencil skirt. After pairing the outfit with some killer black heels, I survey myself in the mirror.
This will definitely turn heads while still looking professional.
It’s nothing like what I normally wear, even to work, but I need to stand out for this meeting.

Second, I have to be prepared for absolutely any scenario. Along with the pages my boss gave me, I have a few notes of my own. Of course, my thoughts are a last resort since my boss made it clear that his ideas sold the company on letting us have a seat at the table.

Finally, I need to make lasting contacts. I brought a handful of my new business cards with all the necessary contact information.

With these three things in place, I’m sure someone will take notice and remember me when I walk out the door.

My boss emailed a map with walking directions from the hotel to where the meeting is being held. With plenty of time to spare, I leave the hotel, walking at a steady pace. I take in the noises of the city—cars honking, people yelling, and many of my sidewalk companions huffing as they push through to reach their destination quickly. Overall, this city does not give off a friendly feeling, but it’s different, and I can appreciate the unique atmosphere.

Right before I reach the address of the office building, I notice a construction site blocking not only the road ahead but also the sidewalks leading to the building where my meeting is being held. Batting my eyelashes, I give a sweet smile to a construction worker.

“Hi, there. Any way you could let me through? I have a meeting in the building just past that fence,” I say, pointing.

He groans under his breath, obviously annoyed by my presence, and then he spouts off a line that sounds as rehearsed as a Broadway play. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he says with no regret on his face. “You’ll have to walk around the block. This area is too dangerous for pedestrians.”