Chasing Vivi(25)

"You. Too bad you bat for the other team."

"Oh, no. Don't tell me you're crushing on me."         

     



 

Snorting, I say, "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just thinking you're one  of the sweetest, kindest people I've ever met, and you're pretty damn  fine, too."

"Well, I'll take the compliment. Just so you know, the feeling is mutual."

"It's great to have a true friend here. I'm glad we met, Eric."

"Aw. Come give old Eric a hug."

As we're hugging I ask him when he got so old.

"I was born old, darling."

And I suppose that's true about some. Eric seems to be an old soul. He  sees inside of people and doesn't judge, which is what I love about him.  As we're hugging, my phone buzzes with a text.

"Hmm, who could that be?" I ask.

"Won't know until you check your phone."

I look and see it's Vince. I tell Eric how I know Vince, and that he wants to meet for lunch today.

"You should go. You haven't seen him in a while."

"Yeah, and he lives so close."

I text him back and we make plans. Later that morning, Eric and I go for our run, and I swear I see Prescott.

"Hey, is that Prescott over there?"

"Where?"

"On the other side of the street."

"I don't see him," Eric says.

"I must be getting paranoid." Maybe I'm the one who needs help if I'm seeing things.

"Eh, it was probably someone who looked like him."

Except Prescott is unmistakable. Tall, dark, and ruggedly handsome, he's  a standout in any crowd. That's why women fall at his feet, no  questions asked. His eyes are unforgettable. Once you stare into them,  there's never going back. Deep golden, they're compelling, nearly  hypnotic, and one of a kind. And his mouth  …  I have to get my mind off  him or I could trip and break an ankle.

Eric is a few feet ahead of me and we turn the corner when I crash into a  solid object and bounce backward, falling flat on my ass. Damn, it  hurts like hell because I fell squarely on my tailbone. I'm sitting,  collecting myself, when two hands lift me up.

"Thanks, Eric, I don't know-"

"Not Eric. Are you okay?"

I'm staring into the object of my earlier daydreams. "Prescott? Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Running. Same as you. Are you okay, Vivi? You crashed into me pretty hard."

"Uh." I rub my throbbing ass. "I'll be fine."

He drops to a knee and ties one of my shoes that became undone somehow.

"I can call my driver to take you home, if necessary."

"No, I'll shake it off. Come on, Eric." I start to run, but my tailbone  really hurts. I must've bruised it pretty good. There's not a thing in  the world that can be done for it, though, so no sense in stopping.

"Mind if I join you?" Prescott asks.

What the hell can I say to that? It's not like we own the damn  sidewalks. "Sure, come on, though I'll probably slow you down,  especially now."

"It's fine. I was going long and slow this morning."

"Oh, how many miles?" I ask.

"Around fifteen," he says.

"Crap. You training for something?" Eric asks.

"No, I just like to run."

"Holy shitballs. That's a lot of running," I say.

"I run daily, but Sundays are my long runs."

"How long are your daily runs?" Eric asks.

"It depends on my time, but usually six to eight miles."

"You're a beast," I say.

Prescott laughs. "So I've been told. And an asshole. And often a jerk."

He's using the names I've called him.

"That I will agree with."

He stops and for some reason so do I.

"What?"

Out of the blue, he asks, "Can we be friends? I know I was a major ass  to you and Eric. For that I apologize. But can we try, Vivi? I'll  behave. I promise." He stands much taller than me and the sun is shining  directly in his eyes. His hand comes up to shade them as he squints.

"I know, I just know I'm going to regret this, but okay. Only I'm warning you. This is your last chance."

What the hell have I just done?

Jesus, God, help me. He smiles and if it weren't bright enough already,  the light just intensified. Prescott Beckham has hands down the most  perfect smile God ever bestowed on a human being. My hand covers my  chest to still the out of control pumping of my heart. If the stupid  thing doesn't slow down, it might jump right out my ribcage and land in  his hand.

"You won't regret it. I swear." Then he picks up his running pace again,  and I join in. Only this time I lag behind so I can enjoy the view of  his lovely butt. "Get up here, Renard, and stop checking out my ass."         

     



 

What the hell? Does he have eyes in the back of his head? "I wasn't checking out your ass."

I'm still eyeballing it when he turns and catches me.

"Uh-huh. Just as I suspected. Get a move on or you'll never finish at that pace."

"Asshole," I mutter.

"I heard that. I have very acute hearing."

"Along with three hundred and sixty degree vision, too. For your  information, I was admiring your shoes. What other tricks do you have up  your sleeve?"

"I can't discuss them with you."

"Why not?"

"Because I promised to behave. That's why."

"Oh." That shuts me up, but I kind of like our banter. Eric is up ahead, by almost a block. "Should we catch up with Eric?"

"He's a big boy. I think he can handle it on his own. Are you a fan of chocolate?"

"Yeah, who isn't?"

"I don't know. Just curious."

We run back to my place, him in the lead. Lucky for me, I snicker quietly. "Hey, how did you know where I live?"

He doesn't answer immediately, but then says, "I have a security team at work. They can find out just about anything, Vivi."

"If you want to walk me home from work, just show up next time. It's a little disturbing having you stalk me."

A smile twitches at the corners of his mouth. "I might do that. Will you consider giving me your work schedule?"

"Maybe. But it'll cost you."

"How much?" he asks.

"One piece of chocolate," I say and then turn around and run through the  door. I don't have much time before I have to meet Vince, so I strip  off my clothes and hop in the shower. Eric comes into the bathroom while  I'm showering.

"That was pretty cozy," he says.

"He was actually fun, although my tailbone hurts like a mofo."

"So? I want details."

"I caved, Eric. We're going to try the friend thing. I don't know if  that was the smartest thing to do, but I couldn't resist. Why does he  have to be so fucking hot?"

"That he is. I had to move on or my running shorts would've looked a little awkward there."

"Lusting after Beckham, are you?"

"What hot-blooded gay man wouldn't? If it makes you feel better, I think you did the right thing."

"I hope so." I rinse off my hair and put conditioner in. "I'm going to be late and Vince will kill me."

"He'll survive. Just text him."

"I will. Scram. I have to dry off."

The door opens and closes and I rush through the rest of my routine. My hair is still damp as I dash out of the apartment.

When I show up a few minutes late, Vince is waiting on me.

"Hey." He waves me over. "You look a little flustered."

Filling him in on most of the details of my life, leaving out the Prescott bits, he says, "Damn, I'm exhausted just listening."

He gives me the skinny on what's been happening with everyone. School's  good; he's working in another coffee shop; and he'll hopefully graduate  in two semesters. He's semi-dating someone he's super excited about. Or  at least that's my impression.

"What's her name?"

"Milli. She's from Oklahoma of all places, studying music at Juilliard."

"That's awesome. Good for you, Vince."

"Yeah. She's way more talented than me."

"What does she play?"

"The violin. She's unbelievable. I've never heard anything like it."

"Wow. I always wanted to play an instrument. My mom enrolled me in piano and then flute, but it was a huge fail. I sucked."

He laughs, saying, "Same. I was awful at music."

"So, do you ever talk to Jenny? Or Jackie?" I ask.

"Jenny called a few weeks ago. She dropped out of school and decided to  move back to Florida. This semester took it out of her, I guess. Jackie  found a job at another coffee shop. She's doing well."

"Aw, I should call both of them to wish them the best."

Afterward, Vince and I promise to stay in touch. He also says he'll stop  by The Meeting Place for a drink one weekend and bring Milli.

Eric is waiting for me when I get home. "How was your friend?"

"Fine." I take off my jacket and just as I'm getting ready to put my  feet up and relax, a packet that sits on the small dining table catches  my attention.

"What's that?"

"No idea. It's for you."

"Hmm." I grab it and unwrap it. Inside are two items-a gourmet chocolate  bar and another smaller box. Inside the other box sits a large  strawberry dipped in chocolate.