The Coffee Shop (6 page)

“Deveined?” He handed her the bowl. “Here. Does that look like whatever you called it?”

“Oh good, it looks like it’s already been done for you.”

“What is deveining?”

“To be honest, I don’t think it’s something you’d like to discuss just before we eat.” The look on Derrick’s face just then made her laugh, and she patted him on the shoulder to reassure him.

“Okay, if you don’t tell me, I am just going to go look it up on the Internet.”

“All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Okay, now you’re just scaring me.”

Annie laughed. “Here.” She held up one of the jumbo shrimp. “Along the back is the digestive tract. You take a knife, cut a slit, and then just pull it out.”

“Digestive tract?”

“Yes.”

“Digestive tract?”

As the understanding dawned on his face, she tried not to grin, but couldn’t help herself.

“Are you suggesting that…”

“What?”

“I have never checked to make sure they are what you called it. Are you telling me I could have been eating…? Oh, dear God!”

“Look, you obviously buy your shrimp from a place that does it for you. As you can see with these.”

“Yes, but I didn’t always buy from there.”

Derrick stared at her looking distressed.

“What is it?”

“When I have it at a restaurant, they do take care of that, don’t they?”

“Well, I’d like to think so, but…”

“Oh dear God!”

“Derrick, calm down. These have all been done. I’ve checked myself, and they did a very thorough job on all of them.” She put her hand back on his shoulder. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I am aware that just right now I am not coming off very well in the macho department. Maybe I should go do some chin ups with my shirt off.”

He went to step away, and Annie grabbed hold of his arm. “All right, very funny. Yes, when I first learned about all this, I too found myself grossed out, but I always check every shrimp before I cook it now. And I am certain you will too.”

“You’re right. I wish I didn’t know. Do you think I can unhear it?”

“Unhear, is that a word?”

“It is now.”

“I’ll halve the scallops, and you get the pan heating and put the oil in it.”

“Right, cooking, we are cooking.”

Annie grinned at his reaction about the shrimp, and she wondered what he must have been like as a kid. “You can chop the shallots and mince the garlic. You do know how to do that, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

He said the word with mock annoyance, and she smiled to herself, watching him out of the corner of her eye.

“You’re watching me right now, aren’t you?”

“What? No.”

“You’re wondering if I do know how to do this.” She didn’t say anything, and he laughed. “All right, I might need some help, but only a little.”

“You could always watch how to do it on a cooking show. Or better yet, pay a high class chef to teach you,” she laughed.

“Now why didn’t I think of that?” He stared straight ahead. “Man, I could have impressed you if I’d done that.”

“You’re forgetting something.”

“What?”

“You’d need to do that before each meal.”

“True.”

Annie couldn’t help but smile. She was enjoying herself, even though they both couldn’t cook a meal if their life depended on it. Throwing the shrimp and scallops in the pan, she stirred making a mental note of the time. “You know, I’m having a really good time.”

“You say that like you’re surprised.”

“Is that how it sounded? Because that’s not the way I meant it.”

He nodded to himself. “Are you really?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Even if you do have to work for your dinner?”

“Even then.”

They followed the instructions carefully, and between them they managed to cook the meal.

Derrick held up the platter, and comparing the finished product to the photo in the print out, he looked back and forth, several times.

Annie laughed. “Yes, it looks exactly like the photo. Looking five more times won’t make it any different.”

“Now if it just tastes as good as it looks.”

Setting the platter on the dining table between the two empty plates, he held out Annie’s chair for her and lit the candles.

“All right.” He breathed deeply, as he mentally prepared himself for the worst, and dishing it up onto each of their plates, she returned his look.

“Here goes nothing.” He took a large mouthful and chewed with his eyes closed, as if it would help him to concentrate.

Annie watched as he opened his eyes.

“Oh, my God!”

“What? What?”

“This is amazing!”

“Really?”

“You say that like, all right, considering we made it, and we both admit to not having any cooking ability whatsoever.”

Annie took a big bite. “You know, I just figured out something. Separately, we are both totally horrible cooks. But together, somehow we make one awesome cook!” She laughed as Derrick watched her eat. “Don’t look at me. You don’t want it to get cold. Not after all that work I went to.”

Derrick looked so happy, she didn’t want it to stop. They finished their meal, and moving to the living room, they sat on the couch before a gas fire. He could have had a real one, the advantage to having a top floor penthouse suite, but then he didn’t want all the work and mess that went with it.

“You never did make me my virgin chi chi.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t, did I? Well, I guess you can consider me a horrible host, as well as a terrible cook.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Wouldn’t you?” He got up, and disappeared into the kitchen. A couple of moments later he came back in and handed her a drink. “Here, try this, a perfect chi chi.”

Annie took a sip. “That is the best chi chi I have ever had. Mr. Sloane, you are a cocktail connoisseur.”

“I don’t know if I would go that far.”

She pointed to her glass. “This is where your true talent lies. How is it you got to be so good at it?”

He shrugged.

“I’m betting college?”

“What? You think I spent my parents’ hard earned money partying the entire time I was at college?”

“Oh, so you’re saying you didn’t?”

“Not exactly.”

“I can see how you got to be so successful.”

“How’s that?” he asked.

“You seem to know what to say.”

“Do I? You think I always say the right thing?”

“I never said always.”

“Careful, or I just might take my chi chi back,” he threatened with a smile.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, you don’t think so?” He reached for her glass, and she pulled it away. He stretched to grab it as he leaned across her, and she leaned back trying to hold it away from him. Grabbing it with both hands, she held it tight within her grasp.

She was lying back across the couch, and he was on top of her. She looked up at him, laughing as he tried to take the glass from her. But then he stopped and looked down at her beneath him. His gaze moved down from her eyes to her mouth, and he licked his lips.

“Mr. Sloane?”

“Yes.”

“Was there something you wanted to say?”

He slowly shook his head. “No,” he whispered, his mouth softly kissing hers. He reached up with his hand and gently brushed her hair from her face, drawing his fingers through the silken locks.

Annie looked up at him, but then the glass tipped, its ice cold contents spilling out over her hand and arm and onto the white cloth of the couch. “Oh!”

She yanked her hand back looking at her arm. “Your couch! I don’t believe I just did that. I am so clumsy.” She jumped up, brushing the drink from her and onto the white carpet. Annie stared down at her feet. “I’m sorry. I…” She ran to the kitchen, and grabbing the roll of paper towels, she came back and dabbed at the liquid on the couch, and then on the carpet. Standing, she took a step back. “Send me the cleaning bill. Better yet, get a new couch and carpet, and send me that bill.”

“Annie, I don’t care about the couch, or the carpet. They are just things. They don’t matter. I care about you.”

His words took her aback, and she stared up at him, uncertain as to how she should respond. He reached for her, and she moved back. “I…uh…perhaps…” She pointed toward the door. “I should be going.”

“You don’t have to. This is nothing. You should see the day after some of the parties I’ve thrown.”

The image of what that would look like came to mind, and she looked away. “Nice to know.”

“Don’t let this ruin an otherwise perfect evening. I don’t care about any of this. You are what I care about,” Derrick begged.

“I’m sorry, but this is all too fast for me. Um, maybe we just need to slow down a bit.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want.”

“Okay then.” Again, she pointed in the direction of the door. “Well, I’ll just be going then.” She walked over to the door, and taking her purse from the glass table, she slung it over her shoulder. Grabbing the doorknob, she opened it and stepped out. “Oh, your key.” She thrust it out at him, holding it before him.

“Like I said, you can hold on to it.”

“That’s okay.” She smiled, but kept looking at the key. He didn’t take it, and she tossed it into the apartment. Seeing the elevator was no longer on his floor, she turned, walking toward the door marked stairs.

“Annie, what are you doing?”

“I’ll take the stairs. I usually always take the stairs.”

“But it’s forty-five floors.”

“That’s okay.”

“Annie?”

“Thanks for the dinner, it was delicious.”

When she got to the door, she stepped through it. Derrick stared after her, his expression one of disbelief.

Chapter Six

“Angela, what is going on with Annie?”

“Good morning, Derrick.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just worried. She’s had her cell phone off since she left my place and…”

“You’d like to talk to her?”

He laughed self-consciously. “Sorry. I guess I sound a little upset.”

“How about a lot.”

“Is she working today?”

“No, she asked for the day off.”

“She did?”

“Yes, Derrick, she did.”

“Has she ever done that before?” There was silence on the phone, and he wondered if he should say what he was thinking. “May I ask when that other time was?” She sighed, and he knew he was pushing it, but by not asking he was left wondering what was going on.

“I really shouldn’t.”

“Okay, I’m just going to say it. You can tell me to shut up and hang up, but what is it you are trying to say?” There was a pause, and he tensed.

“Just let me take the phone in the back,” she replied.

He heard footsteps followed by a door closing.

“Since I’ve known Annie she’s had this problem. The guys she tends to go out with are not…How do I say this?”

“Does the word start with an a?”

“You could say that.” There was another pause. “She hasn’t had the best of luck with guys, and she keeps getting hurt. The last time she let her guard down and let herself care about someone, and I mean really care, let’s just say she had a nervous breakdown, and it took her more than a year to recover. Since then, she’s never been the same.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Five years.”

“And she hasn’t seen anybody since then?”

“No. When I heard about you, I was surprised to see that she was even entertaining the idea of going out, let alone actually doing it. That she has spent time with you is saying a lot. And I mean a lot.”

“She doesn’t think that I’m just looking to get what I can out of her and then just tossing her aside like she doesn’t matter? Does she? That I’m just out for a…”

“One nighter?” She sighed. “She’s scared, Derrick. And I don’t blame her. That last time took everything out of her. I’ve never seen her so upset. If you are serious — ”

“I’m in love with her.” There was a sound not unlike someone dropping the phone, followed by silence.

“You are?”

“Yes. I am.”

“So fast? You only just met. How can you be? How can you even know something like that? I mean really know, for certain?”

“No one is more shocked than I am. But this is something I have never been more certain of in all my life. It came completely out of left field. But I love her, and all I can think about is her.”

“Forgive me for saying this, but as her friend I feel I have a right to protect her. You sure this is not just some infatuation?”

“No, this is not an infatuation.”

“So, you’re telling me, you won’t lose interest the moment she lets you in? You know, the conquest having been acquired, the challenge gone, the — ”

“Yes, Angela, I do believe I have the idea.”

“Because that’s happened before. The guy was obsessed with her, and the moment she opened up to him and allowed herself to care about him, it’s like there was no reason to bother wasting energy on her anymore.” She paused. “He actually told her that. That now that she had told him all about herself, he didn’t have to exert any energy on her anymore. Can you imagine a guy actually saying those words out loud? Can you imagine how that made her feel? And the moment she let herself feel something for him, the very thing he was wanting, he realizes, oh, now I feel suffocated, get away from me.”

A loud sigh came through the phone, and then silence. “I’m sorry, Derrick. I’m sure you’re a great guy. But, what’s the expression? Once bitten, twice shy. Look, she obviously likes you and must believe she can trust you, otherwise she wouldn’t even be with you. But you need to understand she’s afraid of getting hurt again.”

“Then I’ll just have to convince her, I won’t hurt her.”

“Good luck.”

“Could you at least please tell me where she is?”

“It might be best if you give her a little breathing room just now. You try to push this too soon and you will definitely lose her.”

The next two days were unbearable for Derrick. And then on the third morning, his cell phone rang.

“Hello, Derrick.”

“Annie, hi.” He tried to sound casual. “How are you?”

“It’s okay, Derrick, you don’t need to walk on eggshells or anything. I overreacted. I admit it, and I’m sorry you had to be the one to take the brunt of what happened.”

There was a pause, and he wasn’t sure if he should talk. He didn’t have a clue as to what he should say.

“Angela told me you called. And she told me she explained everything to you.” Annie sighed. “I’m sorry that you had to be the one to be subjected to the residual. Well, I think you get the idea.” There was another pause. “How about we start over again? How does that sound?”

“I’m just glad you’re talking to me.”

“Let’s take it a little bit slower. Is that okay?”

“Slow is fine. I have no problem with that.”

“Good. I am so glad to hear that.”

“So…would it be okay for me to ask?”

“Yes, Derrick, you can ask.”

“How about, and if this sounds really corny, please let me know, a walk on the beach?”

“Let me just explain something to you, Derrick.” She was quiet for a moment, and she lowered her voice. “Girls love that kind of thing.” She chuckled. “Well, I guess I can’t speak for all girls. This girl loves that kind of thing.”

“Then would this girl like it if we had pizza after that?”

“Yes, this girl would.”

“Excellent.” He paused, and closing his eyes, he smiled. “Okay, I did not just say that.”

“What?”

Opening his eyes, he sighed. “Well, I just sounded like I was closing a business deal. And that’s the last thing I would want you to think.”

“Oh, I didn’t. But now every time I hear that word I will think that.”

Derrick laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

“How about I meet you there at five?”

“Five is good for me. I just did it again.” Annie laughed, and he relaxed a little.

“There’s a little place right on the beach called That Beach Place. Have you heard of it?”

Derrick had to grin to himself. “Yeah, actually, I have.”

“Great, I’ll see you there then.”

The hours dragged by like days, as Derrick waited for it to be five. And arriving early, he strolled back and forth along the beach, waiting and watching.

“Derrick.”

The sound of Annie’s voice felt like a life preserver at sea, and he turned sharply to see her approaching across the sand. “Hey.” He waved as casually as he could, and Annie laughed. “What?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. That was mean of me, and I’m not a mean person. I guess it’s because you make me nervous. I keep saying and doing things I don’t normally do.”

“I make you nervous?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I don’t know what to say to that.”

“You don’t have to say anything. Just be yourself, if you can.”

“What do you mean, if you can?”

“Well, it’s pretty obvious we make each other nervous, and we keep making fools of ourselves.”

“Did you just call me a fool?”

“No. Oh, okay, I get it. You’re trying to be funny.”

“Only trying?”

Annie smiled and started to walk out onto the beach, away from the people, the kids, and the cyclists. “I guess I should explain what happened, last time.”

“No, Annie you don’t have to do that. Angela already told me.”

“But she didn’t mention that was the first time I had allowed myself to trust someone enough to care about them. And the thing is I only know one way to care about someone, and that is completely, with all my heart and soul. Oh, wow, I just realized how much that sounds like a bad romance novel. I guess what I am trying to tell you is, when I feel something, I get really intense about it. So if someone messes with my head, like this guy did, well let’s just say the effect it had on me was something I wouldn’t want to repeat…so, you could say I have trust issues. But then who of us doesn’t? I’m no one special. I’m not any more — ”

“Annie. You don’t need to explain. It’s okay. Really, it’s fine. And I’m not going to judge you, or put you down for it.”

She smiled, but it was a strange smile.

“I get the impression, from the way you talk about yourself, that you’ve been put down a lot in your life. So, if you beat them to it, you’ve proceeded to take all their ammunition away from them. You’ve done their job for them. And that somehow coming from you it’s a lot better than hearing it from someone else.”

“When did you get to be so smart?”

“Good question. I’m usually a complete dolt when it comes to these things. But with you, for some reason I just…I don’t know, I just know.”

She turned her head away. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that just now. Thank you, Derrick.”

“Hey, you ready for that pizza?”

“Yes, actually, I am. Where was it you were thinking we should go?”

“There’s a place right here on the beach that serves up pizza by the slice. Is that okay?”

“Sounds perfect.”

“It’s just back that way.”

They walked the rest of the way in silence, Annie strolling by his side. And just then everything was perfect. As far as he was concerned, it could stay like that forever and he’d be just fine with it.

Annie looked at him. “What?”

“Hmm?”

“You have this look on your face, and I was just wondering what you were thinking.”

“Oh, I was just thinking how much I enjoyed being here like this.” He turned his head to look at her. “I hope I’m not freaking you out or anything by telling you that?”

“No. I think it’s nice.”

“Here it is.” He pointed in the direction of That Beach Place, and Annie laughed.

“What?”

“Oh nothing, I just wasn’t expecting. They do have good pizza.”

“Oh, good. For a second I thought you were going to tell me it was a horrible experience.”

“No, it was great.”

“Hey, George.”

The man behind the counter flashed a gap-toothed grin. “Hey, it’s Mr. Sloane. Dorothy, it’s Mr. Sloane.”

The woman came over to the window, smiling out at him as well. “Mr. Sloane, so good to see you.”

“Derrick, please. I’ll have the usual, and Miss Maddock here will have — ”

“A slice of cheese pizza, please.”

Derrick turned to her. “You don’t want — ”

“Cheese is fine. I’d like cheese.”

“Okay, a slice each of pepperoni, and cheese, please.”

“Comin’ right up. We have both of those fresh out of the oven.” The man smiled. “You always did have perfect timing, Mr. Sloane.” Shaking his head, he chuckled to himself.

Derrick went to pull his wallet out, but the man held his hand up.

“No! Your money is no good here. You know that, Mr. Sloane.”

He was so adamant that Derrick had to laugh to himself. “Okay, George. Whatever you say. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sloane.”

Handing Annie some napkins and her slice of pizza, they stepped away from the window.

Annie looked back over her shoulder and waved at the couple. “What was that all about?”

“Oh, they needed a loan and they couldn’t get a bank to finance them, so I loaned them the money.”

“Let me guess, they paid it all back with interest.”

“Yep.”

“And since then, your money has been no good at That Beach Place.”

“Pretty much.”

Annie took a bite of her pizza, and sitting at one of the tables just there in the sand, she looked out at the water. “That was a really nice thing you did for them. This is their whole life, and they needed someone to believe in them. And you did that for them.” She put her hand on his, her fingers curling into his palm and he gently took it in his grasp.