Fated to be Mine (9 page)

He clears his throat and the clicking of his study door can be heard over the line. “No, it’s fine. Is everything okay?”

Why would he think that something’s wrong? Oh, probably because I never call him. “Yes, everything is fine. I had my appointment with Trudy and I just wanted to thank you for the clothes.”

His voice softens and warms. “You’re welcome, Tessa. Did you find everything you needed? Please tell me that you picked up a new winter jacket at the very least.” I think he’s smiling over the phone. You can almost hear it in his voice. The thought causes me to smile in return.

“Yes, I did. And I took your advice and picked up two, one for work, and one for everyday wear. Oh, that reminds me. I wanted to let you know I got a promotion at work.”

There’s a small pause as I hear the creak of his leather chair. “Promotion you say? What is your new job title?”

“Junior account executive.” The title still is shocking to me and I can’t believe it’s mine. It sounds so foreign, so unlike me. But there’s pride in my voice as I say it because it’s a title that I earned on my own through hard work and dedication.

“That is a substantial promotion. Congratulations, Tessa. I’m very proud of you.”

Whoa. Silence falls between us as I let his words sink in. He’s proud of me. Now that is a phrase I never imagined hearing from him and directed toward me.

“Um, thanks, Dad. I’m very excited about it. Chris wants me to start Monday so I’ll be tying up my loose ends this week as Kara’s assistant. Also, I hope you don’t mind, but I picked up some new clothes for work today, you know, because of the promotion.”

I nervously chew on my lip, still hoping he was serious about wanting me to buy more things. Not that money or clothes can buy my love. Perhaps this is the only way he knows how to show affection, through material things. If only he knew I didn’t care about all that. I just wanted my dad.

“Did you get enough? What did you end up finding?”

I run through the list, excitedly describing my shopping experience with him, only to realize that I actually did have fun today. He seems genuinely pleased with my selections, even saying that I should have bought more. I tell him it’s not necessary and that I’ll be okay now for a while.

“Well, if you ever need more just call Trudy and let her know. She’s been instructed to help you with anything you need.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Just then, Sharon’s shrill voice comes across the line as she calls out to him. He clears his throat and suddenly there’s static on the line, along with muffled voices. My guess is he placed the phone on his shoulder to talk to her. The voices start to rise and then the door to his study slams with a loud bang.

“Sorry, Tessa, but I have to go. Again, I’m very happy about your promotion at work and really am proud of you for doing this all on your own. You’re still coming on Friday?”

And just like that he’s back to his serious persona. This is the dad I know, not the kind and concerned one I had just been talking to for the last few minutes.

“Yes, Kara and I will both be there. Thank you again for everything today. It means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome. It’s a good investment for your future.”

A good investment for my future? I throw myself back onto my pillows and rub my forehead with my free hand.

“Okay, well, I’ll see you Friday night. Goodnight, Dad.”

There’s a pause before he speaks again. “Goodnight, Tessa.”

He’s always so formal with me. It drives me absolutely insane, at least when I let it. Typically I try not to let him get to me, but today has been all over the place so it completely fits in with everything else. Between seeing Andrew, making a coffee non-date, my utter humiliation in the parking garage and finally some sort of affection from my father, it’s just too much. I fall asleep, still fully clothed on top of my sheets and not caring one bit about it.

I
T’S STILL DARK OUTSIDE AS
I pull myself off the floor once again, my usual morning habit. This whole early rising thing had best not be an everyday thing. If it is, I’ll have to learn how to go to bed earlier at night. On the plus side, I am going to a coffee shop so that should aid in my quest to not be a zombie for the day.

Coffee.

Michael.

It still feels strange that I’m doing this, considering the few times Michael and I have seen each other I’ve managed to make a complete fool of myself. First there was the whole purse thing in the deli and then the incident yesterday where my car decided to eat my jacket. So he knows I’m nothing more than a clumsy fool. But what do I really know about him? He’s obviously smart (just look at his alma maters and the fact that he’s a lawyer), well dressed and has a charming personality. Plus he has a penchant for saving damsels in distress. Or just me. All I can hope for today is just to be normal and not be completely lame by cracking stupid jokes or spilling coffee all over myself.

And on that note, I put the white sweater back in my closet, opting for something maybe in a darker color. Just in case.

The nice thing about arriving this early to the parking garage is you get your pick of prime parking spots. Most normal people aren’t at work yet and the ones who are, they’re the workaholics that practically live in their office. And since Caribou is just down the block I don’t have to deal with finding a parking spot there as well. I exit my car and take extra caution to make sure my new coat doesn’t get caught in the door. I don’t need to be rescued again today. At least not yet.

The bell chimes above the door as I enter and instantly I’m assaulted with the intense smell of roasted coffee. Such a delightful smell, ranking high on my list of favorite scents. I’ve seen people keep coffee beans in a jar on their desk, using it as a pencil holder, letting the aroma float around them subtly all day long. That may not be a bad idea for when I move into my new office.

My office
.

That still sounds so weird to me.

A table opens up toward the back so I quickly grab it. It’s busy for this early in the morning, but then again it is a coffee shop. I think early mornings and coffee just go hand in hand.

I smooth my hands down the dark purple sweater dress I finally decided on this morning while I nervously wait for Michael to show up. There’s no reason for me to be nervous, though. We’re just two people meeting for coffee.

The bell chimes again and my head turns to the sound. That’s when I see him standing there in his neatly pressed light gray suit, paired with a yellow tie that beautifully compliments his expressive brown eyes. Those same eyes look around the shop until they finally land on mine, allowing a smile to form on his face. My palms begin to sweat and my black knee high boots nervously tap against the leg of the table.

He strides to my table, ignoring several glances from women as he passes by. Not that I blame them for looking. He is a rather striking man.

“Good morning,” I say a little too brightly.

“Good morning. You look beautiful.” He occupies the chair across from me, folding his hands in front of him while silently staring at me.

“Thank you. You look beautiful as well. Handsome,” I quickly correct myself. “I mean, you look handsome as well.”
Come on brain, catch up with me here.

He swipes his hand down his tie before unbuttoning his suit coat. My fingers twist in my lap and I resist the urge to touch my hair.

“I’ll take beautiful, as long as it’s coming from you.” I flush at his compliment and look up at him through my lashes. He really isn’t bad on the eyes. And he’s sweet “Did I keep you long?”

“Oh, um, no. I just got here a few minutes ago. I wasn’t really expecting you for another ten minutes or so.”

“To be honest, I was here a few minutes earlier. I saw you sitting there through the window and I just couldn’t help but look at you.”

Did you hear the loud thud? That was my subconscious falling over in complete and utter shock and awe. How did he know just the perfect thing to say at that moment? Here I was nervous about meeting him, arriving early and looking like a fool only to find out he had seen me and was staring at me, unable to go inside. My eyes travel over him again and it’s like I’m actually seeing him for the first time. His full lips that are turned up with his shy smile, his slightly crooked nose which must have been broken at some point in his younger years. And those dark brown eyes of melted chocolate with flecks of gold sprinkled around the edges, catching the light from above us.

My eyes travel further and take note of the athletic build underneath his perfect suit. My fingertips tingle with a sudden curiosity about what lies underneath. I bite my lip, needing to drive those wayward thoughts from my mind. People don’t think of their friends like that. And Michael is a friend. A hot and gorgeous friend, but still a friend. My eyes pause briefly on his lips before meeting his eyes again.

“You did? Really?” I somehow manage to squeak out; yet I can’t help the smile that crosses my face. It is definitely a boost to my self-esteem considering the hundreds, no, thousands of women who are far more beautiful than me.

He looks down and clears his throat quietly. “I hope you don’t find that creepy.”

“No, not at all. Actually, I find it rather sweet,” I say, placing my hand on the top of his. “You were really just looking at me?”

His eyes meet mine again and I’m rewarded with that beautiful smile. “Of course. You are easily the most beautiful woman in here.”

I look around and realize the crowd has dwindled, leaving only about a dozen people sitting around tables and talking to each other or reading their books.

I laugh. “That’s not saying much since there’s hardly anyone here.”

He laughs with me and I watch as his cheeks pink up slightly. He looks positively adorable when he’s embarrassed. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who gets embarrassed easily.

“You know what I mean. If this place were filled to capacity, I would still find you the most beautiful woman here.”

“Even if a bus full of Victoria’s Secret supermodels came traipsing in, all scantily clad in their angel wings and whatnot?” Now it’s my turn to blush.

“Why, are they here?” Michael says, frantically looking around and then wiping his hand across his forehead in mock relief, making me laugh. “Well, thank God they’re not here. I don’t think I could handle them being so jealous of your good looks.”

He gives my hand a squeeze, causing warmth to spread through my chest. He really is a nice guy. I wonder why we’ve never met before.

“Would you like some coffee?” I nod my head and start to stand up from my chair, but he motions for me to remain in my seat as he stands from his. “No, you sit. I’ll get it. What would you like?”

It’s been a while since I’ve had coffee that wasn’t made in my tiny kitchen, but I do remember the only thing on this menu that I enjoyed.

“A small Northern Lite Caramel High Rise, no whip.”

“Any muffins? Oatmeal? Breakfast sandwich?”

I shake my head and giggle. His hand rests on the back of his chair and leans forward slightly. “Just the coffee will be good enough for me.”

Michael turns towards the counter with a smile plastered across his face and eyes bouncing with amusement. I watch as he waits in line, one hand shoved in his pocket as he reads the menu hanging above the barista. A few girls walk through the door, giggling loudly and looking him up and down as they stand behind him. He doesn’t even acknowledge their presence, which makes me smile. I lean my cheek into my propped up hand and admire him. The view from behind is almost as good as the front.

Almost.

Okay, so I like him, attracted to him even. How could anyone not be? There’s just an ease between us that’s effortless and I feel myself relaxing more and more with him. It’s not awkward or pushing, just comfortable. Safe.

Michael returns with a tray holding both our coffees and a bowl of oatmeal.

“Where were you just then? Daydreaming?”

Damn, I got caught. I flush and spin the coffee cup in my hand, unable to meet his eyes. He laughs, probably knowing exactly what I was doing but nice enough not to bring it to attention. His fingers loosen the button of his coat as he sinks back into his chair, pulling it marginally closer to me this time. My poor senses are on overdrive with the combined smells of his cologne, our coffees and the maple in his oatmeal. Each smells delicious in their own right, but making me slightly dizzy when joined together.

He takes a bite of his oatmeal and wipes the corners of his mouth with a napkin. “Tell me, anything new with you? We didn’t exactly have the opportunity to talk much yesterday.”

I laugh, recalling the reason why and take a sip of my coffee. “I suppose not since you were busy playing the part of my rescuer.” He smiles and it warms me more than the coffee I’m drinking right now. “Actually, I got a promotion Monday afternoon.”

I’m still giddy about the whole thing and I feel ridiculous about it. People get promotions every day and I’m sure none of them act like I am right now.

“Congratulations. That’s definitely something new then. What’s your new position?”