Let It Be Me (Let It Be Me #1) (6 page)

Jenny stood up. “Okay, before you remember that you needed to do something for work, let’s go!”

They laughed as they walked to the elevator lobby.

“Are you up for trying the new
banh mi
place?” Kayla asked. She remembered seeing it one time she was walking back to the office from a meeting nearby, and noted she would try it out. 

“Sure!”

As they walked to the Vietnamese bistro, Jenny was recounting Trey’s latest antics. 

“He’s been so observant,” Jenny narrated. “He was looking at Ryan and my wedding photo and was asking why he wasn’t there!”

Kayla laughed. “Awww, Trey’s so cute! Maybe I should offer to be your babysitter when you and Ryan go on date night!” Jenny told her they make it a point to go out on a date one night a week, and left Trey with Jenny’s mom.

“Ha! Your image of Trey would go three-sixty when that happens,” Jenny joked. “He’s a rascal. He might make you end up swearing off having kids by the end of the night.”

Kayla laughed some more. Yes she knew that kids could be quite a handful too. She thought about her niece and nephew, and got sad for a second. She really missed them. 

They reached the restaurant to see it was still only half full as it was still a bit early for lunch time. They approached the counter to order. No one else was lining up, so they took their time reviewing the menu posted above.

“I’ll have the chicken,” Jenny announced. 

“Go ahead, I haven’t decided yet,” Kayla said. Not that she was a picky eater. In fact she was the opposite. As decisive as she was with everything else, when it came to food she wanted to try them all. 

Jenny approached the cashier to place her order and pay, while Kayla held back. 

“The shredded pork one is pretty good,” Kayla heard someone say.

She turned to see a man standing next to her on the line. He was tall, had a nice smile and was looking down at her – confirming it was she he had just spoken to.

“I had that last week,” he said shrugging, still smiling. “Good enough to make me want to come back today.”

“Thanks,” Kayla replied, smiling back. “That was actually one of the choices I shortlisted. Might as well try it since you’ve vouched for it.”

“Hope you like it then,” he said.

Kayla approached the cashier to order the shredded pork banh mi and bottled water. After paying, the girl gave her a number and her bottled water, and said the sandwich would be served to their table.

Before heading to their table, she looked back at the guy lined up after her. 

“Thanks again,” she said, offering him a smile.

“It was my pleasure,” he said, grinning.

Jenny didn’t miss anything because as soon as Kayla approached their table, Jenny asked, “Who was that hottie?”

“Some stranger who wanted to make the line move along,” Kayla replied, tried making a joke out of it. “He just recommended a sandwich.”

Of course Kayla knew how it went. She’s had a few guys she didn’t know strike up conversations in public places. Kayla wasn’t so comfortable when that happened though. She felt like her personal bubble was being violated.

What more, the one circumstance when she actually gave in backfired on her and had left her jaded. 

“Did he ask for your number?” Jenny egged on, snapping her out of her momentary trance.

“Nah,” Kayla replied. 

“You can ask for his,” Jenny suggested, bobbing her eyebrows. 

“No thanks, not interested,” Kayla said. And she wasn’t kidding. She opened her water bottle and took a swig.

“Not interested in him or not interested in meeting someone new?” Jenny pressed.

“Jen…” Kayla said. She loved Jenny, but Jenny had this tendency of getting on Kayla’s case.

“Okay, I’ll rephrase my question,” Jenny said, mixing her iced tea with her straw. “Are you not interested in Mr. Wall Street over there –“ they both looked over to see the guy seated with a couple other guys in suits – “perhaps because you’re interested in someone else? Maybe you prefer actors over corporate employees.”

Kayla turned to her friend. “I know my place, Jen. I’m not interested in someone who’s out of my league.” It was after hearing what she just said that Kayla realized she just voiced out one of her fears.

The server came over with their sandwiches, breaking off their conversation. Kayla was grateful for the timing as she was starting to feel uncomfortable.

They both unwrapped their sandwiches. Kayla uncovered a thick sandwich of meat and veggies. She bit into it and enjoyed the soft bread that still had a crisp outer shell and filled with various textures and flavors.

“This is pretty good,” Kayla said. 

“Yeah,” Jenny agreed enthusiastically. “At least we have another good place to go to.”

They were done eating in half an hour, and the place was getting packed with the lunch crowd. “Let’s go so someone can use our table,” Kayla proposed.

“Sure, let’s walk,” Jenny said, standing up after finishing her drink. And indeed someone took their table as soon as they walked a few feet away.

They just stepped out of the restaurant when they heard someone call out.

“Excuse me.”

Jenny and Kayla looked back and Kayla was surprised to see Mr. Wall Street. Kayla noticed that he was pretty good-looking in a geeky sort of way.

“Hi,” he said, looking at Kayla. 

“Hi?” Kayla said inquisitively, wondering why he followed them.

“How was the sandwich?” he asked with a shy smile.

Kayla laughed. She can’t believe he just wanted to ask that. “You’re right, it’s pretty good,” Kayla said. “We shall be back.”

“That’s great,” he said, grinning. Kayla saw the relief in his face that his recommendation wasn’t a flop. “I’m Chad by the way.” He extended out his hand.

Kayla looked at Jenny, who raised her eyebrows. “I’m Kayla, and this is my friend Jenny.”

Kayla shook his hand, and Jenny followed suit.

Looking back at Kayla, Chad said, “Would it be possible for me to get your number?” Kayla noticed he was holding his iPhone. She also noticed the hint of nervousness in his tone, giving her the impression he wasn’t used to asking for girls’ numbers.

Kayla avoided looking at Jenny because she was sure Jenny was going to give her the go-ahead. 

“I, uh –“

“Hand me your phone, I’ll put in Kayla’s number,” Jenny suddenly said.

Kayla turned to Jenny in shock. But Jenny didn’t have any of it. She grabbed Chad’s phone and started typing in. She took out her own phone to copy in Kayla’s number.

Kayla was still in shock as she snuck a peek at Chad who was looking at her questioningly. “Is it okay? I can delete it if you don’t want to give it.”

Touched that he offered, Kayla couldn’t help but say, “It’s okay.”

He broke into a smile. “Great, maybe we can go for drinks some time.”

“We’ll see,” Kayla said non-committedly, but offered him a smile. She hasn’t made much of an opinion yet to know if she wanted to go out with him.

Jenny handed his phone back and held on to Kayla’s arm. “Nice to meet you, Chad.”

“Nice to meet you too, Jenny. Kayla.” He said looking at them hopefully.

Jenny and Kayla turned to head towards their office block.

“That was so embarrassing!” Kayla exclaimed, as soon as he was out of earshot.

“Oh come on, I don’t think anything you would do would change what he sees in you,” Jenny said. “He seems quite smitten.”

“Smitten? Who still uses that word?” Kayla kidded. “But seriously, if he calls I’m not sure if I want to go out with him.”

“You’ve got nothing to lose,” Jenny advised. “You get a couple free drinks with a good-looking guy. And it’s better than staying late at work. And he has neither wedding ring nor any tan line on his ring finger. ”

Kayla looked at Jenny incredulously.

“You’re welcome,” Jenny said, laughing. “That’s what wingmen do. Or wingwomen. Whatever. And there’s no photo of a girl as a wallpaper on his phone. So I think he’s clear.” 

“Wish it were that simple,” Kayla said.

Jenny turned somber. “Not sure what’s holding you back, Kayla. But you’ve got so much to offer. You pretty much fit the bill of the ideal girlfriend or wife. I think it’s you who’s out of their league and not the other way around.”

Kayla stayed quiet, mulling over what Jenny said. She hasn’t been very open with Jenny or with anyone else. She had all these thoughts and insecurities bottled inside of her. She just wasn’t comfortable sharing them with anyone.

But she owed Jenny something. “Okay fine, if Chad texts or calls I’ll try going out with him.”

Jenny squealed. “Finally!”

Chapter 8

Kayla just came from the inspection of her just-completed office building project Friday that week when she was greeted by Cindy. They didn’t find any problems on-site, so she was still in good spirits. Everything seemed to be looking up.

“Kayla. Perfect. A messenger just dropped by to bring this. It’s for you.” She handed Kayla an envelope.

“Thanks, Cindy,” she said, taking it. 

She opened the envelope on her way to her office to see that inside were the tickets Alex promised. Kayla smiled and was somewhat glad he was a man of his word. It was quickly followed by a wave of guilt for not trusting him. She better start giving him more credit.

Depositing the rest of her stuff on her desk, she first approached Jenny. Jenny was busy rendering some drawings on Photoshop. Kayla stood by her friend’s desk and laid down three tickets. 

“What’s this –“ Jenny started to say then looked down. “Oh my gosh! Are these for me? Ryan and Trey are going to love this! Are we all going?”

“Yup, they sent tickets for the whole team plus guests,” Kayla said grinning. She was quite glad she accepted the tickets. Jenny and Brandon wouldn’t let her hear the end of it if she ever declined Alex’s invitation this time.

Brandon was equally thrilled with his tickets, when Kayla gave them to him. The tickets would definitely score him some points with his girlfriend. 

The last two tickets she left on Bobby’s desk. 

Which left Kayla with no ticket for a date. 

Not that she has anyone to bring. Chad crossed her mind right then, but who was she kidding? Inviting someone to the premiere was too big a deal. She just met him and she wasn’t even sure if he was seriously going to ask her out. She didn’t even have his number.

Lunch hour was approaching when Jenny dropped by Kayla’s office. “We have to go shopping!” 

Kayla laughed. “So we shall.”

When the two of them came back to the office at the end of their lunch break, they had a couple of shopping bags each with a dress and matching shoes,  and a paper bag each of the lunch they took to go.

The excitement of the morning was short-lived however. She was eating her lunch while going through some shop drawings sent by the contractor for the museum project when her office phone started ringing.

“Kayla Richardson’s office,” she answered.

“There’s a Deirdre Hawkins here asking for you,” Cindy said. 

Kayla froze when she heard the name. 

Kayla paused before replying. “Okay. Will be out in a second. Thanks, Cindy.”

She set aside the drawings and took a few breaths before standing up and making her way to their office lobby. She felt numb during that few-minute walk.

“Kayla!” Deirdre squealed as she stepped out.

Kayla turned to look to see her cousin approaching her. Six years younger than her, Deirdre was an attractive, petite, and bubbly girl. Although Kayla has always been closer to Deirdre’s brother Nick, Kayla has gotten used to Deirdre’s nature. 

Kayla gave her cousin a tight smile as Deirdre gave her a hug. It wasn’t the first time Deirdre has been to her office. A few years ago, when she used to work close by, she would visit Kayla to have lunch.

Deirdre didn’t get the same Latina genes Kayla got from her mom – she had blonde hair which she got from her dad -- but she got the Latina curves. Kayla noticed some of her male colleagues who happened to be passing by, checking her out. Unfortunately, one of the male colleagues who passed by was Dave.

“Why hello there,” he said, sauntering over. He leaned on the reception desk, resting his forearm on it.

Kayla looked at Deirdre and saw that Deirdre noticed Dave’s good looks. Kayla looked back at Dave. “Dave, this is my cousin Deirdre.” Without missing a beat she looked at the receptionist. “Cindy, is there an available meeting room?” She knew any conversation with Deirdre shouldn’t be made in public unless she was okay making a spectacle of it – but that was the last thing she wanted. And Dave was the last person she wanted to have as an audience.

“Meeting room B is free. Go ahead,” Cindy said, with a smile.

“Excuse us,” Kayla told Dave as she pulled Deirdre to the meeting room. 

“Dave’s pretty cute,” Deirdre commented when they were already inside.

“Unfortunately that’s all he is,” Kayla responded. “So why did you pass by?” 

“I needed to talk to you,” Deirdre replied, suddenly looking nervous.

“What is it?” Kayla asked. “Are Aunt Heidi and Uncle Joe okay?” She suddenly got worried. She hasn’t spoken to them for months now.

“They’re okay,” Deirdre assured, fiddling with her necklace. “It’s something else. Um, Barry and I are getting married.”

Kayla was stunned for a bit. She knew it was always a possibility, but she just tried to ignore it. “Congratulations,” she managed to respond.

“Thank you, Kayla,” Deirdre said. “I really appreciate it. I’m really hoping you could come. I know it’s asking so much from you, but you’re part of the family, Kayla. I hope you would be there. ”

Kayla felt numbed by what Deirdre was asking her. It’s been so long, but the pain was still there. But they were the only family she had left. She couldn’t cut ties with her remaining family just because of Deirdre.

“Okay, I will be there.”

Deirdre whooped with joy, oblivious to the fact that Kayla was really uneasy about going. She gave Kayla another hug, as Kayla remained rigid.

“Wait, here’s the invitation,” she said, taking out a crisp envelope from her expensive-looking bag. Kayla wondered if Barry bought it for her -- unless Deirdre’s tips from her waitressing job would be that big. Kayla was in the wrong industry then.