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Quicksilver Dreams(61)

By:Danube Adele


                “Is there a guy in your life?” His expression turned shrewd.

                “Sort of. I mean not really. Maybe.” Just my fumbling made me want to bury my head in my arms on the table and probably delivered a more truthful message to Paul than my actual words. Instead, I put the piece of cookie back down with a sigh and wiped the crumbs off my fingers. “I met someone a few days ago, but I don’t know what’s happening with him just yet.”

                “All right. I can accept that.” Paul nodded. Then he became all business. “So let’s talk about when the meeting should take place.”

                “Oh. Okay.” It was an abrupt change in subject, and I wasn’t sure if he was the type to pout and be passive-aggressive (because I’ve experienced this before when a guy doesn’t have his feelings returned) or if he was just trying to get back to business.

                I pulled my smartphone out and hit the app for Calendar. I keep track of all of Reggie’s appointments along with corresponding phone numbers for “just in case” moments when something goes haywire. I like being prepared.

                “What’s good for you?” I asked. I could feel his eyes on me, analyzing me.

                “Anything. I’m not on the clock anymore.”

                “What about Thursday at 2:00 p.m.? We can meet in the boardroom.”

                “Works for me. You have a pen I can borrow?”

                I dug one out of my purse and handed it to him. He wrote the information down on a napkin, which he then folded and stuck in his wallet. I began quickly thumb-typing the information, the time and the date. When I asked him for his number, he gave me a slow grin while reciting it, which probably usually had a killer effect on female hearts and maybe would have on mine even a week ago.

                I emailed the information to myself, so I would remember to put it on Reggie’s calendar.

                “I’ll give you a reminder call, if you’d like.” I looked over at him. He was still watching me admiringly. To cover my discomfort, I took a sip of coffee, not knowing what to do now that I’d told him I wasn’t interested.

                “I’d appreciate that. I wouldn’t want to miss the meeting.”

                “All right then. We’re set.” I put my phone away.

                “Are you going to leave me now?”

                “I think it’s best, Paul.”

                “I know, I know. I hope we can become friends?”

                “Absolutely.” Business, phone-only friends.

                After making sure the money on the table was enough, we walked out to the sidewalk, where Paul leaned in, his lips near my ear. “Keep my number handy. Call anytime. You never know, right?”

                “Okay.” I pulled away. “I’ll see you on Thursday.”

                “Where are you parked?”

                “Not far.” I was deliberately vague, because I didn’t want him offering to walk me back, which had the potential for more awkwardness.

                I started to walk away and knew that he watched me until I rounded the corner and was out of sight. It felt like a really long block, particularly since I had to step carefully with my heels, but then I was on Alden Drive and could almost see my car on the next block.