A Life More Complete(38)
“Seriously. What is going on?” Her voice now more concerned than questioning.
“Long story. Can I explain later?” I hurriedly mumble out as I see Tyler rise from his seat and make his way over to me. He stops in front of the two of us. He addresses Melinda first and she doesn’t even bat an eyelash. Not affected by his presence the way most are, she thinks nothing of him and I can tell by his approach that even he is stunned. She’s always been like this; from the day I met her. Nothing rattles her. She eyes him questionably; looks him up and down, while she assesses his expensive-looking suit. He looks unreal in it, like a model. He’s taller than I remember; lean, but muscular, in a word, seductive. As she looks at his suit I know what she’s thinking; she’s wondering if this is a one shot deal, the only nice suit he owns or if he is really big time, rich as hell. I can tell you it’s the latter. He has been that way since the day he was born and right now I’m hoping he wants her and not me. But I know that’s not the case. She’s not his type. Too skinny, too blonde, too rich, too everything. She takes a disparaging breath and raises her eyebrows.
“So how do you know Kristin?” she asks, nonplussed.
He scoffs at her use of my name. “I knew her when her name was Krissy. We go way back. Old friends, I guess you could say.”
“Funny, she’s never mentioned you.” I sigh and grab her by her wrist. She’s baiting him and she knows it, which makes me uncomfortable but makes her writhe with delight. She loves to make people squirm. It’s not me that her displeasure is being thrust upon, yet second handedly it is. As a close friend she knows what makes me uncomfortable and she saw my reaction to Tyler. This is her way of protecting me, but I don’t want it, not now and definitely not in front of him. I’m appearing weak and she is making it even more obvious.
“Mel? Can you give us a minute?” It’s more of a demand than a request.
“Sure. Whatever you want, friend,” she says while walking out of the room, yet her eyes staying trained on Tyler.
I reach for my purse and laptop bag in an attempt to stay indifferent to his presence. I can feel my chest rising and falling rapidly as I sling the bags over my shoulder. I’m not sure what I’m attempting to accomplish here. Leaving? I know I’m not getting off that easy. I’m never like this. Completely uncontrolled and undone. Every day I meet high profile celebrities, address the media, attend parties and sell happiness like it’s a popsicle on a hot summer day and here I am a bumbling mess of a person. I finally turn and face him, square my shoulders and ask the one question I have been dying to know since I came face to face with him. “What are you doing here, Tyler?”
“I’m working. What are you doing here?” He purses his lips. Smooth, Tyler. Real smooth.
“Don’t be coy. Seriously. Did you do this on purpose? Try to find me?” He gives me a look that says he is totally insulted, almost scorned that I would even think that. Suddenly I’m overcome with embarrassment. I shouldn’t think so highly of myself. Why would he be looking for me? He left me.
“Will you have lunch with me?” he says completely avoiding my question.
“Fine. There’s a deli just around the corner. Let me drop my laptop off in my office. I’ll meet you outside.” I breeze past Melinda’s office and luckily she’s gone. I can’t even begin to try to piece this together for her in the brief few minutes I have. I hit the elevator button and take a few deep breaths trying to quell the urge to tap. Something that had disappeared so suddenly has reappeared with such gusto, it is impossible to stop. I tap, once, twice and a third time before the elevator reaches the ground floor. I shake my hands and exit. There he is looking all business suit professional and oh God, so sexy I’m not sure I can handle it. I pause for a moment and the memories come flooding back like images flashed on a screen. The boy I fell in love with; I can see him so vividly, his crooked smile, the straight white teeth, the tousled curly blonde hair, the way he made my stomach feel every time he placed his hand in mine, his laugh, his flirtatious demeanor. There are no negative emotions only excitement and nervousness. I feel like I’m sixteen again. The memories make my heart hurt as it beats rapidly against my chest. Then he catches my gaze and smiles that perfect heart stopping smile and I feel like I might cry. I can’t even speak, so I push my way through the door and he follows me onto the sidewalk, his feet in time with mine as we walk silently toward the deli.
The deli is buzzing with lunchtime customers and the atmosphere is bustling and busy. Right before placing our orders Tyler, turns to me and says, “What’s good here?” He breaks the silence that could have made even the most self-assured person feel deeply distressed.