Canyon Road (11 page)

Sage gave Tina a hug. "You're awesome."

They sat quietly sipping tea.

"So," Tina broke the silence, "from
things
that you're interested in to
people
that you're interested in... what do you hear of Michael lately?"

"You mean the person
you're
interested in, don't you?" Sage teased.

"Let's be perfectly honest... a person we're both interested in."

They giggled.

"I
do
have a bit of interesting information about him," Sage said. "With all the dramatic events, I completely forgot to tell you. He's not involved with Millie. They're friends. She delivers the mail at Micro Silicon."

"You forgot to tell me
that
?"

"Well, it's been...."

"Crazy, I understand."

Sage nodded.

Tina leaned back in her chair, twirling a lock of her long brown hair. Her green eyes sparkled. "What are you going to do about him?"

"What am I going to 'do' about him?" Sage shook her head. "Nothing. I don't chase men, I've got too much to attend to right now. I have to sort out my feelings for Anthony, and his feelings for me. He appears to dislike me."

"Who appears to dislike you?" Tina asked, confused.

"Michael!" Sage answered. "Michael doesn't like me. I don't know why, but he always seems to be angry with me. No, angry is too strong. He always seems to be just...
peeved
with me. The first night I met him he clearly thought I was an idiot. In his defense, I did have the limo all across the road. And then, well, maybe it's chemistry, but he just does not like me."

Sage paused, then went on, "I think he has some attitude about Anthony and me. I don't know, maybe he thinks I'm after his uncle's money...."

Tina grunted. "Phooey. That's easily cleared up. Anyone who knows you, knows you care about people, not money."

"But on the other hand, Tina, I don't feel I should
have
to clear it up. If someone thinks of me that way, well, they can just have that opinion."

"Biting off your nose to spite your own lovely face. Always an interesting approach," Tina nodded.

"Anyway, I have all these things to do...."

"Okay. I hear the excuses. For some reason, you don't want to do anything about the only man I've ever seen you actually interested in. I won't nag you anymore about it." Tina paused. "Can I have him?"

Sage laughed then shrugged. "Sure, you can have him if he's to be had, but I'm in no position to give him away. I wish you all the luck in the world. He's wonderful to look at, but seems difficult to get along with. I leave it up to you to find that out for yourself."

Sage stood and started to clear the breakfast dishes. "In the meantime, let's get moving on all our projects. Can I go dressed this casually?"

"Perfect, as always. Let's hit the road."

Chapter 12

Michael answered his phone distracted, mind on his work.

"Hi, gorgeous!" Came a cheerful yet unfamiliar voice.

"Hello," he answered, flagging a potential trouble spot on the computer chip drawing spread out on his desk.

"How's life treating you?"

"Over-worked, but fine." Why isn't this person identifying herself? he wondered, continuing to track down the error in the diagram.

"Sounds like you need a break. Why don't you meet me for lunch?"

"Millie?" As soon as he said it, he knew he was wrong. There was nothing about Millie in this woman's voice.

"No. Sorry, I guess I didn't introduce myself. It's Tina."

Michael was blank.

"Sage's friend... you met me at Anthony's party some time ago."

"Oh, yes, now I remember." Michael finally put down his pencil. His train of thought destroyed. "What... why are you calling?"

"I thought we might go to lunch. I'd like to talk with you about a couple of things."

"Talk about a couple of things? I don't... know you," Michael answered.

"Oh, well, if it's that taxing to spend some time with me...."

Then he realized that Tina might want to talk about Sage. "I'm sorry, Tina," Michael's tone softened. "I've been really over-extended at work. I have a difficult time shifting gears. I think I'm with you now."

"Great! Let's start over... shall we go to lunch?"

"Okay. When?"

"Is today...."

"Today isn't good," Michael's gaze returned to the computer chip, "but tomorrow works, if it's good for you."

"Excellent. Do you know Monterey Bay Cannery?"

"Yes...that's one place I happen to know."

"Noonish?"

"Okay."

"Will you recognize me?" Tina asked.

"I think so. I recall you have very long dark hair."

"Right. I'll stand with my back to the door." She giggled endearingly. "See you tomorrow. Bye."

Michael chuckled as he hung up. He entered a note on his calendar.

The next day Michael came into the restaurant at twelve-thirty. He'd completely forgotten his luncheon date – until the little calendar alarm went off on his phone.

Harried, he abandoned his work and dashed to the restaurant. He ran into the restaurant, looking for long dark hair, when someone touched his elbow.

He turned to look into two huge green eyes.

"Hi," Tina said in a cool, collected voice.

"Hi," Michael answered, "Tina?"

"Very good. You remembered my name."

"Yes, I remember your name, I just don't remember your face. That is, I don't remember you looking like this."

Tina, a tanned goddess, her long hair shining with highlights, wore a jade green Hawaiian print strapless sun dress. She was cool as mint julep.

"Not too flattering, considering you were looking right at me while I taught you how to waltz."

"Don't take my boorishness for an insult, please!" Michael protested. "I'm afraid I was primarily looking at your feet... or mine while struggling with the waltz. Anyway, I apologize for being late, I... I'm... work has me...."

"That's all right." Tina waved his apology aside. "I got a table by the window, ordered a glass of wine and watched for you to come. I thought you might not."

Michael wondered at being considered someone who would not keep an appointment. But she was right. If not for the alarm on his phone, who would have inadvertently stood her up.

Tina led the way to a secluded booth. A giant reed ceiling fan turned lazily overhead. Michael felt himself relaxing.

"I don't care for this August heat," Michael reached to loosen his tie, then realized he hadn't worn one.

Tina smiled at him languidly. "Personally, I'm rather like a lizard. I'm perfectly happy to stretch out on a rock and let the sun put me to sleep on a day like this." She stretched her long arms in a lizard-like imitation.

"While us androids slave away in air-conditioned office buildings," Michael noted.

"Something like that. But I'm giving the wrong impression. I work too, I'm on vacation now."

"I see." Michael was trying to equate this woman with the girl who had accompanied Sage to Uncle Anthony's party.

Tina gestured to a carafe on the table. "I took the liberty of ordering a nice wine. Would you like some?" Tina asked.

"I don't usually drink during the work day."

"I have three things to say about that. One, one should once in a while break one's own rules just to show oneself who's boss, two, a little wine is good for the digestion, and three, it's not nice to make a lady drink alone."

"Hmmm," Michael pondered. "The last two points I'll accept, the first one I'm not too sure about."

"Doesn't matter," Tina said, filling Michael's wine glass.

The young, California-blonde waitress in crisp white short-shorts and a bright Hawaiian shirt with a hot-pink lei came and took their order.

"So," Michael said when she left, running his fingers through his tousled hair, "what are these subjects you need to discuss with me?"

"Going right for business!"

"I thought you'd appreciate it," Michael answered.

"Not exactly. I'd kind of like to have a bit of chit-chat until at
least
after the salad."

"Really?" Michael asked, puzzled. "What could you possibly have to say to me that you can't just come right out with?"

"Oh. Well... well, if that's the way you want it. I wanted to discuss you and me," Tina blurted.

"You and me?"

"Surely, Michael, you've had women interested in you before, you don't
really
have to act so... blank."

Michael raised his eyebrows. You're dense, Michael, he said to himself. "I'm sorry, Tina. I really missed the whole point. I thought you must have something you felt you needed to discuss about Sage, or perhaps my uncle... or something along those lines. Because, you know, that's all we have in common. I don't know why I didn't think...."

The waitress brought their salads. Tina was half-grinning at Michael's awkward efforts to pull himself out of the mire he was getting deeper in.

"I should have known... once any man has seen Sage, I just don't exist."

"It's not like that, Tina. I'm simply saying that I could only assume you felt we needed to talk about what we have in common, that is, those two people. To the best of my understanding, he and Sage are headed for matrimony. Sage is a nice woman, and my uncle cares deeply about her." Michael stopped – defensive, sweating and feeling guilty. Which he hated.

"Wow, Michael," Tina responded cooly. She picked at her salad. "But now you
do
know why I wanted to see you." She put down her salad fork and leaned toward Michael, her large green eyes compelling, a waft of her sensual perfume enveloped him."I'd like to get to know you. I'd like us to be friends." She leaned back into the booth.

"I appreciate your honesty," Michael answered too quickly. "But," he continued more slowly, "you've really, ah, shocked me."

Tina shrugged as if nothing in the world mattered one way or the other. "Let's start over. I'll tell you a bit about me, you tell me a bit about you. I'll tell a couple of jokes that I memorized for this occasion, you'll laugh as though you're charmed.

"And then, if you feel so inclined, when the waitress asks us if we want dessert, and I say oh no, I couldn't, and you say, no thanks, just some coffee, please, then you can turn to me and say, well, Tina, this was a pleasant enough interlude from work, but really, I find you an unlikable homely witch and I'd consider myself lucky to never encounter you again by even the remotest of accidents."

Michael grinned. "You're a character!"

The waitress brought the main course and they both fell to devouring it. Michael was quiet while Tina regaled him with a long and convoluted story about a man searching for the greatest swordsman in all the world. She was an entertaining story-teller and he often found himself with fork poised in mid-air for a punch line.

He felt wonderfully relaxed... he hadn't let his tensions go like this in amusement and a couple of glasses of wine in many a month. Maybe even years, he thought. Because it seemed that the girls he dated were only interested in being told how beautiful they were. Even Millie, though she was a good friend and companion, always expected Michael to repair her broken or wounded ego or to pat her on the back or to tell her what to do.

He doubted very much that this animate woman across the table
could
be told what to do.

Before he knew it, the waitress had removed their plates and was asking them if they wanted dessert, Tina was saying that she couldn't possibly and Michael caught himself saying no thanks, just some coffee, when he glanced at Tina and they both burst out in a giggle.

"I'm sorry," Michael apologized to the waitress, "we just had a....
deja vu,
I guess you might say. And to break the curse, I believe I'll have a piece of cheese cake."

"What the heck," Tina said, "Me too." The waitress walked away, shaking her head. "So you're not going to call me a witch?" Tina asked him.

"Bewitching. But definitely not a witch."

"Do you think something could happen between us?"

"I think we can be good friends. But I won't mislead you, Tina, I'm not interested in a relationship right now. I'm too committed to my work."

"All my charm for naught!" Tina complained.

"I don't know how to answer that. I like you a lot, but I just don't have time for a relationship right now. I wouldn't be able to give a relationship what I think it deserves."

"I wish you'd let me decide that... let me tell you, after a trial run, if I think you don't have enough to give."

Michael reached across and patted Tina's hand. "Tina, you're wonderful, you really are. Witty and pretty and I like you very much. I'm really happy to have had this lunch with yo. Thank you for dragging me out of my dungeon. I'd love to do it again. But that's about all it could be."

"I guess I ought not look a gift horse in the mouth, I guess I ought to be pleased that you don't think I'm a horrible stupid brazen wench. Here's my number, Michael. Call anytime you want to talk. Or, rather, blabber mouth that I am, any time you want to be talked to."

"It's a deal."

On the way back to work, an hour late, Michael asked himself why he was so adamant in turning Tina down. A guy could look long and hard to find a woman that bright and cute and charming and cheerful.

But the "chemistry," wasn't there. He knew that feeling and he knew where it was – how he hated to admit it! – he felt it every time he saw Sage.

Chapter 13

S
age, covered in more pale cocoa-brown paint than she succeeded in getting on the wall, answered her phone, giving it lovely cocoa fingerprints. She saw Tina's number. "What's up?"

"I did it."

"Did what?" Sage wracked her brain for things Tina recently threatened to do. "Do I have to guess, or can I give up right away?" she chuckled.

"Oh, Sage, it's not funny! I've made a complete fool of myself and did something I've
never
done. Not that I've never made a fool of myself...."