Five Minutes Late (8 page)

Cedric chuckled. “It’s a fact. I think I read it on the Chapstick website.”

“And you don’t think they said that to promote kissing and sell more Chapstick?”

Cedric shrugged. “I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt.”

Ellie smiled. “I admit I don’t know this one, so I’m going to guess.”

“I’m okay with that.”

“Three hours?”

“Seriously? Three hours is nothing.”

“Nothing? You’ve kissed someone for three hours?”

Cedric nodded. “Sally Farnsworth … eighth grade.”

Ellie laughed. “We would have some seriously chapped lips after three hours of kissing.”

“I’m not sure. Let’s find out.” Cedric pretended to get up and startled Ellie.

“Sit down. We are not going to kiss.”

Cedric laughed. “Today.”

“Today what?”

“We are not going to kiss
today.
”

Cedric was pretty sure he saw her trying to hold back a smile.
 

“Look,” said Ellie. “Are you going to tell me the answer or not?”

“Fifty-eight hours.”

“What? Impossible.”

“No it’s not.”

“A fifty-eight hour kiss?”

“Yes.”

Ellie was deep in thought. “God. How would you go to the bathroom?”

“Very carefully.”

They both laughed and then her smile zapped him again. Good and strong. He tried to fight it, but for the moment couldn’t. He’d been with Ellie for only ten minutes, but it seemed like they already knew each other. It felt so easy. So effortless. And her smile...
 

Wow.

Her smile was like a triple karate kick to the chest. And when she flashed those pearly-whites, she went from attractive to breathtakingly gorgeous in a fraction of a second.

He wondered what it would be like to touch her cheek, to kiss her, to hold her hand. He felt the urge. She crossed her legs and her summer dress slid up her thighs.

Is there a Nobel Prize for legs?

Cedric heard a door slamming and realized it was his mind, trying to get his attention.
 

Relationships equal pain.
 

This was not a date. Just coffee.
 

He sat up in his seat again, pretended to pick something off his shirt, and then looked over at Ellie. He pictured her head as a rotten apple, just to cool himself down. He was panicking and hoped Ellie wasn’t paying too much attention. But who was he kidding? She was a woman and the species noticed everything.

“You’re sweating. You okay?”

Of course she noticed.

Cedric wiped his forehead. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Ellie studied Cedric’s body language—crossing one leg over the other, then switching back. The guy was obviously nervous about something. Still, she couldn’t help but admire the polo shirt that stretched across his chest and showed off his broad shoulders and toned arms. He definitely took care of himself, but wasn’t one of those guys who looked like he needed to show it off. His hair was black and wavy, long enough to show some style, but not too spiky and gelled to look like he tried so hard. His green eyes seemed nice, inviting, and down to earth.

Cedric had a lot of potential—much more potential than any of her handpicked dates from the website. She liked him so much, she totally forgot about her list. She hoped he didn’t live with his mom, had a job, and was void of back hair.

She perked up in her seat, now curious about Cedric’s back.

“Nice shirt.” She reached over and grabbed the material on his sleeve, pretending to feel it.

“Thanks,” said Cedric, looking suspicious.
 

“It feels like the same material as one of my dresses. Do you know what it’s made of?”
 

Cedric raised an eyebrow. “Not sure. You want to check the tag? I guess that’s better than me taking off my shirt in the middle of Starbucks and handing it to you.”
 

“Starbucks may have a no-nudity policy, so I can just check the label.”

“Good point.”

She smiled, stood up, and walked behind him, proud of how easy that was. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled it away from his neck. He smelled good, like soap and coffee. She had the sudden urge to plant her lips on his—certainly not for fifty-eight hours, though. A person’s got to eat.
 

Ellie realized the charade was taking way too long and she stared down his back. Satisfied, she smiled, let go of the collar, inhaled his wonderful scent again, and returned to her seat.

“Fifty-fifty,” said Ellie. “Polyester … and cotton.”

“Good to know,” he said.
 

“So, what do you do for a living?” asked Ellie, trying to change the subject again.

“I’m a farmer.”

“Like a
farmer
farmer?”

Cedric laughed. “Yes. Red barn and all.”

“You don’t look like a farmer.”

“Well, I admit that I don’t do any of the labor.”

“Don’t tell me … garlic?”

Cedric nodded. “And cherries.”

“Garlic and cherries. Now that’s an odd combination.”

“Initially, it was just garlic, had been that way for three generations in the family. But then the neighbor next door was selling his land, and it happened to come with fifteen hundred cherry trees.”
 

“That’s a fascinating field. What was your major in college?” She cradled her coffee as if it was keeping her hands warm.
 

“I didn’t go to college. My grandfather owned the business and the farm in Gilroy, then I took it over.”

“And your father?”

“He hasn’t been in the picture for a while.”

“Oh.” Ellie tried to think of something else to say since it was obvious he wasn’t going to elaborate on the subject. “I’m very close to my grandfather. Sounds like you are close to yours too.”

“I was.”

“Oh.” No father. No grandfather. Better not ask about his mother. “Sorry.”

Cedric gave a half-smile. “Thanks.”

“Ever been married?”

Cedric shifted in his seat. “Almost, but …” He shrugged.

Not very positive.
 

“Well, at least you’re getting yourself back out there and dating.”

Cedric crossed one leg over the other again. “I don’t date. I’ve just been focused on the business.”

What did he mean he didn’t date? What the heck were they doing in Starbucks? It wasn’t considered a date?
 

“Of course, of course,” she said, completely confused. “How come you don’t date?”

“Anybody ever tell you that you ask a lot of questions?”
 

“Yes. I mean … no. Well, sometimes my mouth rambles. Especially when I’m nervous.”

Cedric tilted his head to the side. “Why would you be nervous? We’re just having coffee.”

“Just having …” She shrugged. “It’s just that—I don’t know. Have you ever tried online dating?”

God, she couldn’t believe she just asked that.

“I don’t believe in online dating.” Cedric stood up. “I’m so sorry. I … just remembered that I have to meet with a customer. God, I can’t believe I forgot.”

“Oh …”
 

“I’ll walk you back to the library.”

She slowly got up. “Okay.”

They walked back to the library in silence as Ellie tried to figure out what had happened. They approached the front of the building and the electric door slid open.

Ellie forced a smile. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome. Well … I guess I’ll see you around.”

“Okay, see you around.”

Whatever that meant.

Chapter Seven

Cedric walked away from what was perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world—and maybe the smartest too. At least his day couldn’t get any worse.

Or so he thought.

Cedric watched in the distance as a motorcycle cop placed a ticket on his windshield.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine what the ticket could have been for. There was no meter there, he was parked straight, and his registration was up to date.

The cop slid his helmet over his head, strapped the buckle under his chin, swung a leg over his motorcycle, and straddled the bike.

“What’s the ticket for?” asked Cedric, approaching him.

“Why don’t you read it?” He slipped on his leather gloves.

Nice guy. His voice sounded familiar. He looked down at the badge on his chest.

V. Cunnings. Cedric grabbed the ticket from the windshield and searched for the infraction.
 

“What?” He walked to the back of his car and saw for himself the broken taillight. “That wasn’t broken when I got here, I’m sure of it.” He glanced down to the ground at the plastic pieces from the taillight and pointed to them. “Someone just did this.”

“Do you have a witness?”

“Of course I don’t have a witness. I just walked up. You saw me.”

“Well then …” He started the motorcycle. “I can’t help you.”

“Did you do this?”

Vlad got off of his bike and got in Cedric’s face. “You better watch your accusations, if you know what’s good for you. I have no problem taking you downtown and throwing you in a cell for a day or two.”

Cedric opened his mouth and Vlad held up his index finger. “Don’t fuck with me.”

Vlad turned back to his bike, swung his leg over it, revved the engine a few times, and took off.

Cedric folded the ticket and tucked it in his pocket. “Unbelievable.”
 

***

“What a jerk!” Ellie paced back and forth in front of her computer screen as Julio listened on the speakerphone.
 

“Who?” asked Julio.

“Cedric, the guy I had coffee with. Seriously, he deserves to be kicked in the balls.”

“Ouch. Not the boys.”

Ellie could not believe her eyes as she stared at Cedric’s online dating profile. The online dating profile of the man who said he didn’t date.
 

“He lied to me! He has an online dating profile and it says right here he was on the website within the last twenty-four hours. He’s dating alright.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“Yeah, but he said he didn’t believe in it. How could you not believe in online dating anyway? Online dating exists, so you have to believe in it. You can choose to not
participate
in it. But since it exists, you have to believe. That’s like saying I don’t believe in the stars or the moon. Well, you know what? Look up in the sky. Do you see what I see?”

“Oh, I love that song. So does Hugo.” Julio sang, “Said the night wind to the little lamb …”

“He obviously believes in it because I can see his profile right here on my monitor.”

“Do you see what
I
see?”

“I’m pissed.”

“Sounds like someone needs another spa day. Me too, I’m way overdue. Do you want me to book it?”

“Oh God, what’s wrong with me? I’m a decent person. I’m not unattractive.”

“You’re scorching hot, and believe me when I tell you, men notice.”

“I don’t have anything sagging yet. I have a good heart. I do a couple of walk-a-thons every year for a good cause. That’s something, isn’t it?”

“Definitely a spa day is needed. I’ll book it. Day or evening?”

She continued to pace back and forth. “I must be a loser for him to lie to me like that.”

“Evening, of course. It would be difficult to get away during the day.”

“Are you listening to me?”

“Yes. You’re a loser and that’s why he lied to you.”

She swung around and stared at the speakerphone. “Hey!”

“I’m kidding. I’ll tell you what I think. You like him. A lot.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Honey, it’s as plain as day and it’s sweet, but you know what? The giant woman with the mustache at the opera hasn’t sung yet. You have nothing to worry about. You’re smart and sexy and he’ll be back. And when he comes back, just say no.”

“No?”

“Trust me. No. That will make him want you even more.”

“Maybe I don’t want him to want me.”

“Yes you do. What’s Mr. Cedric’s last name?”
 

“Johnson. Why?”

Julio didn’t answer.

Ellie stared at the phone. “Are you there?”

“I remember him! He came into the library.”

“Who?”

“Your lover, Mr. Cedric Johnson.”

“He’s not my lover. And what did you do, Google him?”

“Of course I did, and I must say, he is de-li-cious. And guess what else?”

“I don’t want to know.”

“Yes you do.”

“Okay, yes I do … just tell me then.”

“This Cedric of yours—”
 

“He’s not mine.”

“Can I finish?”

Ellie let out a loud breath. “Yes.”

“Cedric is quite possibly the most generous person I almost know.”

“I’m trying to hate him and you’re not helping. What did he do?”

“He has a cherry farm in Gilroy.”

“I already knew that. He also sells garlic.”

“Yes, but back to the cherry farm. Did you know one hundred percent of the proceeds from the cherry sales go to a program he created called ‘Cherries for Children?’”

“Okay. No, I didn’t know that.”

Great. The lying bastard was a kind man.
 

“Listen to this … every year, he picks a different organization to donate the proceeds to. Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Make-a-Wish Foundation. March of Dimes. Hey! Maybe you should start your own charity … March of Ellie. Then you can use the money to get your promotion.”

“Not going to happen.”

“And guess how much he donates.”

Ellie let out another big breath. “Ten thousand.”

“Not even close.”

“One hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars. And fifty cents.”

“Half a million.”

Ellie turned toward the phone. “Five hundred thousand dollars?”

“Does that not make him amazing?”

More than amazing. But Ellie didn’t answer.
 

Julio spouted off some other things about Cedric he found online, and it got her thinking. Who was Cedric Johnson? Okay, so it looked like he had a generous side. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t have a bad side.

“Did you hear me?” asked Julio.

“What?”

“I said you have to agree the man has some admirable attributes.”