See Me(46)
“How else was I supposed to tell it?”
“That’s a silly question. You were supposed to make me fall in love with her, too.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“Because even as poorly as you told the story, it’s obvious that you’re smitten with her.”
He said nothing.
“Colin?” she said. “This is exactly what I mean. What you should have said was something like, ‘When I’m with Maria… I just… I…’ and then trail off and shake your head because words are inadequate to convey the intensity of what you’re experiencing.”
“That sounds more like you than me.”
“I know,” she said, sounding almost sorry for him. “That’s what makes you such a poor storyteller, bless your heart.”
Only Lily could insult him in a way that made it sound as though it was harder for her to say than for him to hear. “How do you know I’m smitten with her?” he asked.
She sighed. “If you didn’t enjoy spending the day in her presence, you would have given me that blank look of yours and said, ‘There’s nothing to talk about,’ when I asked you about her. And all that, of course, brings the primary question to mind: When will I have the chance to meet her?”
“I’d have to ask her.”
“And do you have immediate plans to spend more time with your lady friend?”
Colin hesitated, wondering if anyone besides Lily still used the term lady friend. “We’re supposed to go out next weekend.”
“Not to a bar, I hope.”
“No,” he said. He told her about the warehouse.
“Do you think that’s a wise decision? Considering what happened the last time you went to a club with Evan and me?”
“I just want to take her dancing.”
“Dancing can be very romantic,” she admitted. “And yet…”
“It’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Then I shall take you at your word. Of course, you should also swing by her office sometime this week and surprise her with flowers or candy. Women love to receive those sorts of thoughtful gifts, though I’ve always held the opinion that candy is better during the cool months. So maybe just flowers.”
“That’s not my style.”
“Of course it isn’t, which is why I made the suggestion. Trust me. She’ll be thrilled.”
“Okay.”
At his answer, she reached over and patted his hand. “Haven’t we talked about this? Saying ‘okay’ when people talk to you? It’s a habit you really need to break. It’s very unattractive.”
“Okay.”
“And so it goes.” She sighed. “One day, you’ll understand the wisdom of my words.”
Behind them, Evan opened the door, catching sight of her hand on Colin’s, but Evan understood the relationship between the three of them the same way Colin did.
“Let me guess. You’re grilling him about his date?” he asked his fiancée.
“I was doing no such thing,” Lily huffed. “Ladies do not grill. I simply inquired how he believed their date went, and though Colin – poor thing – nearly put me to sleep at first, I do think our friend here is smitten.”
Evan laughed. “Colin? Smitten? Those two things just don’t go together.”
“Colin, would you please inform my fiancé as to the truth of this matter?”
Colin hooked a thumb toward her. “She thinks I’m smitten.”
“As I said,” Lily noted, sounding satisfied. “Now that we’ve gotten to the truth of the matter,” she went on, “when do you plan on calling your new lady friend?”
“I haven’t thought about it.”
“Have you learned nothing from me?” She shook her head. “Before you even shower, you must – you absolutely must – give your lady friend a call. And you must also tell her how wonderful she made you feel, and that you were honored by the pleasure of her company.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little much?”
Lily sounded almost sad. “Colin… I know you struggle when it comes to expressing your sensitive side, and that is a flaw in your character that I’ve always been willing to overlook, if only out of dear friendship. But you will call her this evening. As soon as you walk in the door. Because gentlemen – real gentlemen – always call, and I only associate with gentlemen.”
Evan raised his eyebrows and Colin knew he had no choice.
“Okay.”
CHAPTER 8
Maria
O
n Monday, Maria thought it best to hide out in her office, where she could concentrate in peace. Barney’s stress level about the upcoming trial was escalating, and she didn’t want to become an unwitting target. Closing her door, she jotted notes in preparation for a midmorning meeting with clients, made some phone calls, and responded to e-mails, wanting to get a jump on the week. And yet, despite her desire for efficiency, every now and then she’d catch herself staring out the window, replaying images from the weekend.
Some of her distraction had to do with Colin’s phone call on Sunday night. If friends and magazines spoke the truth, guys didn’t call right away, and most of them never called at all. Then again, everything about Colin verged on the unexpected. After hanging up, she’d examined the photo that she’d taken of him and imagined that she saw in it both the Colin she knew and Colin the stranger. His expression was gentle, but his body was a map of scars and tattoos. Though she’d promised to show Serena, she decided then and there that the photo would be for her eyes only.