Secret Admirer (3 page)

Now released from my annual obligation, what would I do? Homesickness emerged for the first time since I’d arrived in Hartford. I suddenly wished I was back in Providence and knew for certain my plans for Valentine’s Day. Sophie and Parker were a sure thing. Now nothing was a certainty.

Chapter Three

Day four of Operation Meet Cute Coffee Shop Guy started off rather poorly. I promised myself to make significant progress that day, but arriving three minutes later than usual set me back. Caution was my excuse. I drove slowly over the black ice to the coffee shop. Encouraged at the sight of what I thought to be his car parked next to an open spot, I pulled mine in beside the miniature electric model. I almost wiped out on the sidewalk in my rush to get inside, delaying me further.

He was already two people ahead of me in line. Only his shoes were visible, and the back of his coat which was unfortunately long that day.

As I advanced in the ordering line, I saw him pouring his sugar. “Large, black, coffee to go,” I said in haste to catch up.

“Pardon?”

Repeating my order coherently cost me precious seconds. I accepted my change and heard the chime of the door announcing his exit. I slumped a hip against the counter. Another chance to make contact was gone.

That night I set my alarm to wake me ten minutes earlier the next morning to ensure I wouldn’t miss him again. I planned to report this effort to Bree who would hopefully praise me.

I got my coffee and lid, but he still hadn’t arrived so I stepped back in line for a scone. After seven minutes of stalling with my phone, I accepted his absence. Friday was off to a bad start. I’d have to wait until Monday to catch a glimpse of Cute Coffee Shop Guy again.

I consoled myself remembering my weekend-going-out plans that night. Sure, I was a bit nervous about meeting new people, but a night in a bar beat a night home with my DVR. At least I hoped so.

My mood improved at the office. I was getting familiar with the daily routine and my accounts. Bree informed me she and a couple of the other girls often took lunch at their desks on Fridays so they could leave by four thirty. The option sounded appealing, though I doubted it was available to me as a director. Anyway, I hadn’t brought a lunch, and without an alternative, I braved a cold wind walking to the salad place alone.

Smashing bits of candy in a silly, yet addicting, game on my phone occupied me until I heard the text alert chime.

860-555-
4535—Sorry gang. Had to drive out to a client in crisis. Not back til Sun.

860-555-1325—You’re such a hot commodity

Bree—A hot something

860-555-0489—Hot Mess!!!

860-555-9229—Don’t have too much fun tonight with ur “client”

860-555-4535—Ha! If I get lucky they’ll spring for a pizza

860-555-9229—Well, if I get lucky tonight…

Bree—We know what you’ll get Josh

860-555-4535—GTG. Sorry not to meet u Andi, next time!

I was surprised he or she addressed me directly. I was thankful, but couldn’t think of something clever to say in time to express my gratitude. But the lively banter gave me hope Bree’s friends would be a decent bunch.

Back at the office, I was tempted to ask Bree who the person was, but I refrained, to play it safe. If her friend was a guy, then I was willing to bet she would get involved; because I had her pegged as the meddling type. I would proceed with caution until proven wrong. I changed the 9229 number in my contacts to read Josh and hoped I’d have a few more figured out by night’s end.

A good portion of the staff left early and the office became eerily quiet. I held out until five then raced home so I could relax and have a quick bite to eat before changing for the evening. Bree offered to pick me up so I wouldn’t have to face a group of new people alone. Grateful that worry was taken off my hands, I turned my attention to choosing an outfit for the night. I settled on a long, burgundy, slouchy cardigan over a black tank paired with gray patterned leggings and boots. The combination made me feel both stylish and comfortable.

At seven, my doorbell rang for the first time, the piercing shrill caused me to jump, adding to my already anxious state.

“Ready to go?” Bree asked from the narrow hallway outside my apartment.

I couldn’t help but inspect Bree’s outfit of skinny jeans and shearling booties beneath her long coat. I was relieved she looked casual too. I waved my arms toward the family room behind me. “I’d invite you in, but I’m still drowning in a sea of boxes.”

“No worries, next time. Let’s head straight there to get a table. Jake’s Gastro Pub is only a three-block walk if you’re up for it. Alec dropped me off.” She pulled a chunky knit hat from her pocket and pulled it down over her curls.

After swapping out my light trench for a heavier coat, we hit the sidewalk at a brisk pace against the night air. I was relieved to reach the bar moments later and feel my fingers again. I smoothed down my hair while following Bree to the center of the room.

A lone guy sat at one of two tables that had been pushed together. He quickly got to his feet to greet us, gentleman style when we reached him.

Bree motioned back and forth between he and I. “Alec, Andi. Andi, Alec.” She kissed Alec and sat next to him.

I chose a stool across the wooden table. He was good looking in a buttoned-up, serious kind of way. His hairline was receding, but he wasn’t compensating for it with facial hair as so many guys my age were lately.

We said hello at the same time and laughed, each telling the other to go ahead. The mutual awkwardness made me feel at ease and ready to meet the next set of people heading our way.

Clare, a secretary employed at our firm, approached and introduced her roommate, Abbie. I’d met Clare briefly on Wednesday, but she worked on the opposite side of the office, and we didn’t run into each other very often. Clare was cute and short, and Abbie was a tall redhead. They both looked a few years younger than me and were very friendly and outgoing without being loud or obnoxious.

Ethan arrived next, waving to the whole table. “Hi guys. Hi Andi, nice to meet you. I would’ve been here earlier, but I brought dinner to Maggie.” He shrugged out of his leather bomber jacket. “When she gets in a study zone, she might not eat at all or, even worse, binges on energy drinks and candy to keep going—even though as a second-year medical student she knows she needs protein. I brought her a salmon salad, and then I left a chocolate bar and a diet soda on her desk on my way out.”

“That’s love.” Bree elbowed Alec.

“Well, someday she’ll be taking care of all of us, or our kids if she goes into pediatrics,” Alec said.

“No talk of getting old and having kids tonight.” Abbie stuck her fingers in her ears. “Andi will think we’re boring.”

I laughed politely and thought of the irony. Without this new group, I’d be bored all alone in my apartment. I was glad to be out amongst people who were potential friends.

By my calculations of the group chat, the only two left were Josh, who said he was coming later, and the guy or girl who had to leave town. Shedding my heavy coat, I ordered a craft beer and employed all the tricks I knew to remember names. Thankfully, they were an energetic, talkative group. I was instantly comfortable amongst them and enjoyed learning about their jobs, hometowns, and colleges in response to my questions.

“Your turn,” Abbie announced when the second round of drinks arrived.

I straightened in my wooden stool in preparation for having the spotlight turned on me. “Oh, well, nothing earth shattering to divulge. I grew up in Rhode Island, graduated from Providence College, busted my butt at a big firm while studying for my CPA then landed the job at Pearse three years ago. This opportunity helped me move up internally. The transition has been fantastic so far.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Nope.” I lightly combed my fingers through my bangs, aware of their gazes.

“Ex-boyfriend?”

I gave a dramatic eye roll. “Not even.”

“Hit the big three-o yet?”

“Next July.” I took a big gulp of my beer, hoping to divert attention.

“I’m only twenty-seven,” Clare spoke up. “But next month is Abbie’s turn. Bree still has a whole year to go.”

“Or so she says!” Abbie raised her pint glass, tipping it toward Bree.

“Twenty-nine forever.” Bree clinked Abbie’s glass, then mine.

A decent, local band started playing at nine, but by ten-thirty I was fading and glad when Bree suggested we walk back to my apartment. Alec drove to the bar and switched to water earlier in the evening, but he was now talking to a guy I hadn’t met yet.

“You girls can go ahead. I’ll pick you up in about twenty minutes, Bree,” Alec said. “Josh just got here so I’ll hang with him and settle up the tab.”

“Sounds good, Babe.” Bree reached for her coat.

Josh gave Bree a peck on the cheek then turned to me. “Sorry I’m so late. I didn’t mean to miss meeting you, Andi. Sam is being elusive—again.”

“No worries, Josh. It’s nice to put a face with a phone number. I hope Sam shows up.”

“Thanks. We’ll see.” He shrugged. “I’ll be earlier next time, I promise. Stay warm on your walk home.”

I thanked him again and left wondering if Sam was a guy or a girl. I couldn’t discern from the way Josh spoke of their unpredictable relationship.

On the chilly walk to my place, Bree asked if I’d had fun.

I lowered my scarf to answer her coherently. “Absolutely. I appreciate you including me.”

“Of course! Sorry the guy pool was shallow tonight. You may have figured out Josh is gay, and you already know Ethan and Alec are off the market. Maybe Garrett can make it next time and bring some friends.” She elbowed me. “Or, you could make contact with Cute Coffee Shop Guy this week.”

At her playful, yet vigorous, jab, I struggled to regain my balance. “I’ll do my best. But, who’s Garrett?”

She shrugged. “Just one of the guys. He had to go out of town at the last minute. This happens with him sometimes.”

Aha, the contact who mentioned me
was
a guy. “He has an important job?”

“I guess so. He assists new businesses, ‘go live,’ getting up their websites or launching new programs and platforms or whatever. The techie stuff is all foreign to me, but he’s a good guy and an old friend of Ethan’s.”

Bree air quoted as she explained the technological speak which I actually understood. My brother was the head of an IT firm and had been intrigued by anything with wires when we were growing up. As his little sister, I was in awe of his knowledge and picked up a lot of information. If Garrett was the go-to guy supporting websites and programs, then he was a very vital part of either a software company or networking firm. I was impressed, but tried not to let my interest show. I simply nodded, though I wanted to ask more.

Arriving at my building thoroughly frozen, I invited Bree into the heated lobby. Alec’s luxury, crossover SUV pulled alongside us so we said our goodnights.

Before I shut down my phone for the night, I changed all the random numbers to their corresponding names and smiled at the new group of friends. As I swiped the power-off screen, I thought about the 4535 number that I know identified as Garrett. Bree said he was just one of the guys, and a good one. Well, I knew all about being just one of the guys, and just happened to be looking for one of the good ones this time.

Chapter Four

After a weekend of unpacking and breaking down corrugated cardboard boxes, I was ready to get back to the office, but more importantly, to the Fresh Start.

Pulling my car slowly into the lot through icy rain, I spied Cute Coffee Shop Guy backing into a spot. His environmentally friendly little electric car was hard to miss, though it barely made any noise. Relieved I got the timing right, I pumped my fist in the air before exiting my car. Today I would make contact.

Opting to run into the café instead of fighting with an umbrella, I beat him inside. While shaking out my wet hair, fingering my bangs back in place, I was aware of him getting in line right behind me. Allowing him time to catch up at the service station, I took extra-long separating a lid from the stack. Willing my hands to stay steady, I was glad when his were soon next to mine, reaching for sugar. He had nice, normal hands. No hairy knuckles. I nodded with approval and prayed he didn’t notice.

I took a deep breath for the confidence I promised myself I would display and looked him in the eyes, feigning surprise. “Oh, hi.” I wanted to sound upbeat and friendly.

He grinned. “Morning. How’s your Monday going so far?”

“Can’t complain.” I turned toward the window. “Even with the rain.” He nodded like he approved of my rhyme or agreed with the sentiment.

“Well, hope that good mood stays for you.” He pulled back the plastic tab and took a sip before raising his cup as a goodbye wave.

I waited for his car to silently pull away before leaving the shop to avoid seeming like I was chasing after him. During the drive to my office, I told myself the exchange was quick and meaningless and to stop looking into it so intensely, but I also felt proud for taking a positive step in the right direction. Back in Providence, I would never have struck up a conversation with a stranger, regardless of how cute he was. Apparently, finding my voice required moving to a new city. I was glad for the appearance and planned to continue its use.

Against my better judgment and original plan, I told Bree about the morning’s encounter while at
Salads, Salads, Salads
. As I expected, she responded with giddiness and dissected the exchange.