Consumed (5 page)

“I think these got delivered to me by mistake.” I say placing the vase down on the desk in front of her.

“No, no mistake. I signed for them myself.”

“But who would have sent me flowers?” I say aloud, not really to her.

“Beats me but whoever it is is sending you a message.” She says.

“What do you mean?” I ask not trying to hide my confusion.

“Gardenias typically symbolize a secret love or crush.” She says, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Well then I know they have the wrong person.” I blurt out. What if they are from Sam? I mean he did ask me out after all but then again he doesn’t seem like a flower man to me. Besides, why would he send me flowers five minutes after we had lunch together? That really doesn't make much sense.  I really cant think of who it would be.

Michelle taps her head piece and answers an incoming call officially ending our conversation. I make my way back towards my desk deciding almost instantly not to keep the flowers. As much as I love them, the last thing I need is to give people the impression that I have someone to send me flowers, especially Dana or Kristina. They will never buy that I don't know who they are from and even if they do I really don’t feel up to dealing with it. Besides, if they are from Grayson then I definitely do not want them.

With that, I stop three desks shy of mine and place the bouquet on Sue's desk. She's an older woman whose children are grown and lives alone. She's one of the sweetest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with and if anyone deserves a little sunshine in their life it is most definitely her.

Feeling like my good deed for the day has been accomplished I make my way back to my desk and dive back into my mind dulling budgeting for a local restaurant's grand opening. While some aspects of my job are a blast, others, like working through the finances to make sure you stay within budget for the promotional circuit, make me want to pull my hair out, fall asleep, and cry all at the same time.

As much as I don't want to do it, I suck it up and get back to it. At least now I have something to look forward to. I can't wait to talk to the girls about Saturday. It's funny the difference a week can make. Last week I dreaded every minute leading up to my girls night out. This week, I feel like the twenty three year old that I am and I am excited about the thought of going out with some of my co-workers and cutting loose.

This is how it should be. Not holed up in an apartment every weekend having mind dulling conversations and watching the same television shows over and over again. Being out with the girls last weekend, no matter how much I fought it, really opened my eyes to what I have been missing. I have a lot of catch up to do and I don't intend to waste anymore time. I am ready to be young and have fun and for the first time in my life, to just live.

––––––––

“I
'm gonna run to Starbucks, you want anything?” I ask Kristina who has her nose promptly glued to her computer screen.

“Oh my god yes!” She exhales, pushing herself away from the monitor to peer up at me with tired eyes.

“Only four weeks left.” I reassure her knowing that this project has her absolutely exhausted.

“I know, I am so glad it's Friday. I desperately need a break... and to get drunk.” She laughs, running her hands through her blonde bob.

“The usual?” I ask. She gives me a nod and turns her attention back to her computer. “Be back soon.” I say peeling myself off the edge of her desk and throwing my purse over my shoulder.

I make it all the way to the elevators on the far side of the floor when I hear someone calling from behind me. I turn to find my boss Steven walking quickly towards me. He's in his late forties, short and bald with a red goatee that looks completely out of place on his round face. He's a chubby man and based on how hard he is breathing once he reaches me, clearly very out of shape.

“I'm glad I caught you.” He pants out trying to catch his breath.

“What's up?” I try to keep the uneasiness from my voice. I have very little interaction with Steven outside of our weekly meetings. He spends a lot of time out of town and typically hides out in his office when he's here.

“I was hoping that you could take some of the work load on the Bella Vita account. As you know Kristina and Mike are already assigned to this account but the amount of work to be done this year seems to require another member of my staff to complete on time.” He says, seeming put off by the amount of work the project is demanding.

“And you want me to help?” I ask in disbelief. It took Kristina three years to land this account. I can't imagine she's going to be too happy that they would put me on it after only a few short months.

“Don't be so modest Addison. Your work is exceptional and honestly I can't think of anyone better suited for the job.” He says reaching out to rest his hand on my shoulder.

The contact makes me instantly uncomfortable and I do my best to step out of his grip without drawing attention to the fact that it's intentional. He lets his hand fall back to his side, his face full of impatience. “Well do you want it or not?”

“Of course, yes.” I blurt out not really feeling like turning it down would be an option. I could really use the money, not to mention the recognition that will come from working an event of this magnitude.

“Perfect.” He says on a smile, revealing a mouth full of coffee stained crooked teeth. “You start first thing Monday. Best get your rest this weekend, you're going to need it.” He says, turning and walking away just as quickly as he had approached.

I enter and exit the elevator in a haze. I can't believe I am going to have the opportunity to not only help promote such a large event but I will also get to attend. I have heard stories about all the celebrities and wealthy people that attend this event and it is said to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. To say I am excited is a complete and total understatement.

When I enter Starbucks five minutes later, I realize I have no recollection of the walk here. I try to physically shake myself out of my fog as I approach the counter to place my order. There are a few people sitting at tables, laptops open, but luckily no one in line so I have my coffees in hand in two minutes flat.

I stop at the side counter to add a splenda to my coffee, managing to splash some of the hot liquid on the front of my charcoal wrap dress in the process. I do my best to wipe away the mess, thankful that the dark color won't stain and replace the cap on my cup. As I turn to leave I run directly into someone approaching the counter. “I am so sorry.” I blurt trying to regain my footing and prevent myself from either spilling the two coffees all over the place or worse falling on my ass in front of everyone here.

I glance up to extend another apology and then stop dead in my tracks. Staring back at me is none other than the bartender from last weekend. My heart rate instantly accelerates and holding myself together becomes near impossible. What is it about this man that literally makes me weak in the knees and renders me completely helpless?

“My fault.” He says. His deep raspy voice sending tingles through my entire body. Realizing I am still just standing here like an idiot, I give him an apologetic smile and step to the side towards the exit.

I don't make it two steps before his voice calls from behind me. “Hey wait.” I nervously turn back to face him, trying to mentally prepare myself for my body's reaction when my eyes meet his. It does me no good and as soon as his beautiful hazels lock with me, an involuntary shudder runs through my body.

“Would you care to join me?” He asks, tilting his head towards a table to our left.

A little caught off guard by his request I stammer over my words before finally managing to get them out. “I have to get back to work, but thanks.” I say turning and quickly exiting the coffee shop.

As soon as the fresh air hits my face I feel like my mind starts working again. What are the odds that in a city this size I would run into him at the Starbucks a block from my office? Knowing I need to get out of here, I turn to the left and start making my way down the side walk.

I get all of ten steps before I realize I am not alone and a certain sexy bartender is now walking beside me. I stumble a little, becoming increasingly frustrated with myself for being such a klutz in his presence but he takes no notice of the obvious effect he has on me.

“Can I help you?” I ask, immediately regretting how snippy I sound.

“I just wanted to say hello. You left so quickly last Friday I didn’t even have a chance to ask your name.” He says glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. A small smile toying across his lips.

Instantly my chest swells. I'm not sure if I should be surprised or not that he remembers me. I mean it's not like we had much interaction but seeing how it was a total of six days ago I guess it makes sense that he would recognize me. Lord knows I know who he is.

“Where are you heading?” He asks trying to make small talk. I focus on the walk, paying special attention to anything on the ground that could cause me to trip and make an even bigger ass of myself in front of this man I barely know.

“Work, it's just up this way.” I say gesturing forward, thankful that I have two cups of coffee in my hands so that I don't fidget.

“And where is that, exactly?” He asks clearly gaining amusement from my nervousness.

“R.L. Advertising.” I manage to get out sounding semi-normal. “I'm a marketing and promotions manager.” I ramble, feeling overly embarrassed that I just shared the info without him asking. He probably could care less what I do.

“Well you're in the right city.” He says slowing his pace as we approach the entrance of Strike Tower.

“Well this is me.” I say on a shrug both relieved and sad for our walk to be over. I  give him a nod as a way of saying goodbye, eager to be out of his presence so my brain will start working again. I am in the home stretch, my hand reaching out to push myself through the revolving door when his voice halts me once more.

“I still didn't get your name.” He calls out. I turn to find him standing in the exact place that I left him looking absolutely irresistible in his boot cut jeans and gray t-shirt. I swear I have to mentally force myself not to drool.

“Addison.” I manage to get out only my voice is strained and weak.

“Addison.” He smiles causing every hair on my body to stand to attention. “It's nice to officially meet you Addison.” He says turning to leave.

“Hey wait.” I call after him on instinct. “And you are?”

“Liam.” He says giving me another heart stopping smile before turning and walking away.

I am not sure how long I stand at the entrance unable to make my feet move and completely dumbfounded by a gorgeous man that I know now as Liam. A crowd of people exiting the tower snaps me back to the here and now realizing that I am blocking their ability to exit easily.

“Sorry.” I say to a older woman mumbling something about standing around all day and moving out of the way. I ignore her and push my way through the entrance once the crowd has cleared out.

The minute I reach my desk all thoughts of Liam disappear immediately when I catch sight of Kristina sitting at my desk waiting for me. My stomach twists a little and I realize that I am more than a little nervous about Kristina's reaction to me being added to her project. I hold out her coffee cup to her and she breaks into a huge smile.

She retrieves the cup and sits it on my desk before standing and pulling me into a tight hug. “I am so happy for you. Can you believe it? Bella Vita... you and me, how exciting is this?”

“So you're not mad?”

“Mad? Are you kidding?” She says pulling back from the hug to stare me in the face. “Why in the world would you think I would be mad? I knew they were adding a third to the account. I am so happy it's you. Now I have someone to keep me company and keep me sane during all our long meetings. Plus this means you get to come with me!” She squeals in delight.

All the uneasiness about being put on the project in the first place just fades away and the excitement really takes hold. “I know! I'm so excited, but I'm really nervous too. This is huge.”

“It is, but you're going to do amazing.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “I gotta go, got a meeting in five. I just wanted to congratulate you first.” She says, grabbing her coffee from my desk and giving me a little wave as she walks away.

I don't know why I was so worried that she would be upset with me. She has always been so supportive and does anything and everything to be there for me. Of course she's excited for me because she is a true friend and that's how it should be.

Deciding I better get a head start, I power up my computer and decide to do a little more research so I am prepared for Monday. Besides, a certain god like man has resurfaced on my brain as if I wasn't having enough trouble focusing as is.

I am so thankful that today is Friday and I have a really fun weekend planned to keep me busy. The last thing I need to be doing is sitting around obsessing over a man that I don’t know and one that I should most definitely stay away from. He has trouble written all over him and trouble is not what I need in my life right now.

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A
fter an exhausting Friday, I wake Saturday morning refreshed and ready to tackle the day. My feet barely hit the floor before the urge to run hits me. Funny, I always hated running when it was Grayson's idea but now deciding to do it on my own free will, it's kind of exciting.

I dress in a hurry, quickly slipping into my Capri yoga pants and teal fitted tank. I grab my iPod and make my way into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Kristina makes an unusually early appearance and doesn't appear to be completely awake.

“Where are you off to so early?” She grumbles turning on the coffee pot before making her way to the refrigerator to grab her creamer.

“Going for a run.” I say much too chipper. I can't help but laugh at the disgusted look that crosses her face. “I'll be back soon.” I say slipping on my trainers and retrieving my water from the counter. She grumbles again and this time I am not even sure she has formed words.