"Are you all right?" the person tangled up with me asked. He had a slight European accent to his words, making him sound educated, even if he was clumsy.
"I think so," I said slowly, pulling my legs out from under his. Nothing seemed to be broken or too badly bruised. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," he assured me, rising to his feet. "I am so very sorry, miss."
He held out a hand to help me up. I looked up and into the most handsome face I think I've ever seen. His hair was golden with just enough red to glint in the sun and he looked down at me with ocean eyes. His jaw was strong and his shoulders were broad in a t-shirt and gym shorts. I took his hand, feeling my heart speed up. It wasn't every day a handsome man crashed into me.
He tugged me up gently, a smile crossing his face as he did so. His grip had strength and he pulled me up with ease.
"Thanks," I said. He waited until I had my balance to let me go. I missed the warmth of his hand as soon as it was gone.
"Again, I apologize." He put his hand to his heart, making his bicep flex. He was in great shape. "You're sure you are okay?"
"I'm sure," I told him, dusting the grass from my slacks. At least I didn't wear a skirt today. "I just didn't see you coming."
"To be fair, I did come up from behind. I assume you were looking at the monument," he said, looking up at the tall obelisk himself. "It's my fault."
"Are you two okay?" another man asked, jogging up beside us. He had a similar complexion, but darker hair and a crooked nose that looked like it had been broken several times. The man was tall and also in great shape.
"We're fine, Andre," the first man assured him with a small wave of his hand. "It was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going."
Andre still looked concerned. Somehow, his shoulders got bigger and his face darker.
"It's totally fine," I replied, putting on a smile and trying to diffuse the situation. "Oh, and here's your Frisbee."
I leaned over and tried to pick up the plastic disk. Unfortunately, I only picked up half of it, as it had broken into two pieces. I wasn't sure who exactly had landed on it, but given the ache in my hip, it was probably me.
"I am so sorry," I said quickly. "I can buy you a new one."
The first man laughed. "Miss, if anything, I should be buying you something. The Frisbee is my fault. I'm the one who ran into you."
I looked down at the broken plastic in my hands and realized he was right. I held out the broken piece to him and he took it with a smile.
"This is my friend, Andre. I'm Henry, by the way," he introduced himself. He put the broken piece of Frisbee in his left hand and held out his right.
Andre nodded politely as I reached out and shook Henry's hand. His grip felt just as nice the second time as it had the first. Strong. Confident.
"I'm Aria," I told him. "It's nice to meet you."
"The pleasure, and responsibility is mine," he replied. His accent made him sound like a chivalrous knight of old. He was probably only in his late twenties or early thirties, but he had a depth and confidence to him I didn't see often in men my own age.
"It's fine," I assured him. "Other than some grass, no harm."
Those blue eyes watched me for a moment, as if weighing my words. "Alright, then."
Andre started walking away, and I assumed that was the end. It was time for me to be going, anyway. I needed to go fill out paperwork and yell at my stepmother.
I picked up my fallen purse and empty coffee cup. At least I had finished my coffee before Henry ran into me.
"Let me buy you lunch," he said.
I turned in surprise, thinking he had already left. Instead he stood to the side, smiling and holding his broken toy.
"I have to go," I told him, straightening up with my things. "I'm supposed to be somewhere."
"Coffee, then?" he asked, pointing to my cup. "I am doubly sorry if I spilled it. I can get you a new one on your way."
"It was empty," I reassured him with a smile. His concern was sweet. "And it's fine. I'm good, I promise."
"I feel badly, and I want to make it right," he replied. His blue eyes were serious. "Please, let me make it up to you. Tell me where I can find you. I'll bring you lunch tomorrow."
I chewed on my lip. I didn't want to tell a strange man where to find me, but I did need to get going. I was late as it was. There were limits to what my stepmother would tolerate. I couldn't stay here or stop for coffee.
I had the feeling he wouldn't take no for an answer, so I was going to have to give him something. Even though Henry was cute and seemed nice enough, this was DC. There were some weird people here, not even including the politicians.
However, there was something about Henry that I liked. I liked his easy smile and the way he looked at me with those ocean eyes. He was handsome and charming, so I did something I didn't usually do.
"I'll be working at the Trade Representative Office tomorrow," I told him. "It's in the Winder building. Just ask for Aria R. at the front."
He grinned, lighting up his whole face. "Perfect. I'll bring you lunch. What kind of food do you like?"
I chuckled. "Anything. Everything. If it has noodles, I am a fan."
"I think I can work with that," Henry said, nodding and already planning.
I had no doubt he was going to forget. Who brings lunch to a random stranger? It was a sweet offer, but I expected absolutely nothing from it.
"I need to get going," I said, shouldering my bag. "It was nice to meet you, and I'm sorry about your Frisbee."
"It was my fault," he repeated. "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
I nodded my head and started walking. I glanced back once to see him watching me with a smile and I wondered what I had just gotten myself into.
Chapter 4
The rest of the journey to the office was uneventful. No random strangers collided with me and I didn't fall to the ground. The entire way, I did think of Henry, though. His easy smile seemed to stay with me even after he was gone from sight.
I secretly hoped he would run into me again.
The Winder Building sat regally on the corner of the street. Painted white, the second level wore wrought iron balconies that gave it an almost Southern charm. As much as I disliked the fact that I was unwillingly returning to my roots, I did like the building. It was from the time of the Civil War and radiated history.
I walked up to the heavy wooden door, took a deep breath, and stepped inside. I had been here a million times, yet I felt as nervous as my first time. It felt like stepping back seven years in my life to my very first day. I'd worked as an office assistant here for three years while I got my degree. I thought I would never be back except as a visitor.
"They told me you were coming, but I didn't believe them," a deep voice said from the security desk. I knew that voice, and I smiled as my eyes adjusted from the bright sunlight to the artificial lights.
"Gus?" I grinned as I walked over to the security desk. Gus was the biggest, kindest man I'd ever had the pleasure of working with. He had three daughters at home and he considered me his work daughter. He still sent me Christmas cards every year with a can of pepper-spray attached to keep me safe.
The chair groaned as Gus rose, and he hurried around the desk to give me a hug. He enveloped me in his large arms, wrapping me into a hug that was warm and soft. His crisp uniform pressed into my cheek.
"I guess I don't need to show you my identification," I said as he released me from his bear hug. The big man chuckled as he ran a hand over his bald head.
"I still can't believe you're here. I thought it had to be a mistake. Why are you back here? You're supposed to be a senator or something by now. I was planning on voting for you for president next election."
I chuckled, blushing slightly at his faith in me. "I thought so too. Apparently, the universe has other plans."
"You mean your stepmother," Gus corrected me, sitting back down in his chair. The rolling chair creaked with his weight as he began typing my information into the computer.
I raised my eyebrows at him.
"There's no other reason you'd be back here," Gus said. "She's the only one with enough strings to pull to get you here and not have her name on it. I can guess who she has in her pocket. There's not many who could pull this off without questions."
"Gus, your talents are wasted as a security guard."
He chuckled. "Nah. I just read too many of those crime mystery novels." He tapped a couple of things on the computer, hit enter, and looked up. "You're in the system again. I'll have your badge ready when you come back down. Jaqui's upstairs in her office. She's got all your paperwork."