Tidal Patterns (Golden Shores Book 1) (13 page)

“I guess that’s everything Sam,” Lizzie said, smiling at her companion as he walked her down the long corridor of the convention center.

“Really?”

Flipping through the pages of her binder, she’d checked off every item on the list she’d emailed. “Yup, we took care of everything. Or, at least, as much as we can.”

Sam wiped his brow with great exaggeration and Lizzie chuckled. They ambled towards the circular drive where Lizzie typically parked her car. After dedicating every spare moment she had to driving over to meet with her convention center counterpart, she’d practically been given a reserved spot.

“Thanks for all of your hard work and your willingness to help,” Lizzie continued. “I know my questions can be a bit…”

“Intimidating? Overwhelming? Excessive?” He supplied.

She bristled at the words, but his hands in his pockets, half-smirking delivery saved her from getting upset. She’d spent a lot of time talking with Sam over the past four weeks but still couldn’t read him very well.
Not like with Mark
.

“I was thinking persistent, but sure, any of those are good substitutes,” she replied, considering the words as she said them.

Strictly speaking, dealing with Sam was Mark’s job. With plenty of work for her own events, she had little to spare driving over to the convention center. Sometimes she needed the break from the office but mostly she couldn’t stop herself from getting involved.
I can’t let him fail
. She gave herself a little shake.

“Of course,” Sam interrupted her thoughts. “It’s hard not to respond and get answers when I know how hard you’re working on your end.”

Nodding her head slowly, she didn’t know how else to respond. She and Sam had discussed everything from the best way to maximize table space in a small setting, to forcing a smile and remaining calm while being yelled at by a displeased client, to their favorite football teams and the best place to get a drink in their shared college town. She’d gained a friend in the chaos of planning a huge event in a tight timeframe.

But sometimes he stood a little too close to her and she found herself questioning his words. Poking at what he said with a long stick, the very way she imagined she would if the mysterious crocodile who lived near her marsh ever slid out and onto her lawn. She wanted to stop the beast from making a sudden snap and push the animal back to safety.

I’d like to push Sam back too
.

“I just wish Mark would let me set up a contingency plan for the concert,” Lizzie muttered.

They stopped at the doors and Sam stepped in front of her to open the door. But he paused with his hand on the doorjamb and turned towards her.
Don’t cringe or flinch. Stay still and smile and he won’t make a move.

“Hey, if the event fails, that’s on him, not you. Remember that,” he said.

“I will,” she agreed, her feet remaining rooted in place as she leaned backwards slightly, to put more than a few inches between them.

Sam nodded and pushed the door open wide, standing back to let her pass through first. Lizzie walked through and he reached out to grab her elbow. She stopped and turned around, quirking an eyebrow as she did.

“I’ve been wanting to ask you…” Sam said, letting the sentence hang in the air between them.

Pressing her lips together, her tongue darted across and licked off the rest of her lip-gloss. Her taste buds noted the cherry flavor, even as her stomach churned. He hadn’t held back any thought throughout the weeks that they’d spent together. But now, with all business neatly wrapped, the threat of what he might say loomed over head. She remembered how Mark teased her about Sam.
Mark
. She swallowed a wistful sigh. She’d rather be joking around with him than steeling herself for Sam’s words.

“Would you want to grab dinner one night? Now that this project is nearly behind us, I’m sure you’ll have some free time in the near future,” he continued. He looked down at his feet and ran a hand through his hair.

Freezing in place, she forced her lips apart into a smile. His words hadn’t had the impact she’d assumed. No one had asked her out on a date or pursued her romantically in years. Her life had been focused for so long on work and moving past her grief. But here was a guy, a nice guy with a great sense of humor, who was showing interest in her.
Why can’t this be…
 

She shook her head, refusing to let herself acknowledge the thought. Sam inched forward and anxiety crept up her body starting at her feet. His lack of personal space awareness might not seem like a big deal breaker to many other women. But to Lizzie she had at least one reason she could latch onto when she had to explain what happened to Rose. Because of course, she wouldn’t be able to keep being asked on a date a secret from her friend for more than ten seconds.

“No, thanks Sam. That’s a sweet offer. But I’m busy right now.”

Sam nodded, his eyes clouded and hazy. He turned away from her and took a step back. “Are you busy or are you interested in someone else?”

Lizzie bit her lip but didn’t offer a verbal reply.
I’m not sure if he is or if it’s even possible.

“It’s okay.” Sam said, saving her from having to reply. “I took a chance. I’ll see you tomorrow?” Sam asked.

“I’ll bring the donuts.”

“Sounds good,” he agreed.

Fussing with her purse to save either of them any more awkward encounters, she shook the bag until she heard the clinking of her keys in the very bottom. She walked to her car, hopped in and waved good-bye to Sam. Lizzie turned the key in the ignition and pulled away from the curb. She’d never anticipated he’d ask her out and she certainly never thought she’d be standing around analyzing her relationship with Mark. But life had thrown her for a loop more than a few times and no doubt would continue to do so.

Her phone rang and she answered on speaker.

“Hello?”

“Frizz, it’s Patrick. Are you busy?”

“I’m always busy,” she sighed. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, I just haven’t heard from you in a while. I get the impression that you’re avoiding me.”

“Hmm…I wonder why that would be?” she asked, rolling her eyes and shaking her head because he couldn’t see her.

“Come on. Don’t shut me out because we have a difference of opinion.”

Lizzie snorted. “Difference of opinion? How about I’ve been screening your calls so you’ll stop yelling at me?”

“AHA! You admit it.”

“Patrick, come on, is there a point to this? I’m almost done with my day here and then I have to head to dress rehearsal for tap. I’m swamped.”

“I want to come to town next weekend. I’ve bought you another month with the lawyers.”

“Oh thank God.

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m taking a day off to drive down so we can finish sorting through everything.”

She took in a deep breath and let his words sink in. “Okay.”

“Have you gone through anything else?”

“I tried to but I don’t know where to start and honestly, I don’t want to without you. Destroying the Track was fun. Nothing else is going to be fun.”

“Agreed. But it’s time. So how is everything going with your job?”

“It’s great,” she replied, biting out the words through a clenched jaw.

“Come on Frizz, be honest with me. You’d rather be doing this by yourself, wouldn’t you?”

Lizzie considered the question. When Mark first assumed the role, yes, she had been livid. She had wanted to take on the job by herself. But as the weeks had progressed, she’d seen the value of what he contributed. His perspective was different and forced her to think from another direction. He had helped her to expand her view and he had helped her to develop an understanding of the business side that she hadn’t paid attention too. While she preferred dealing with clients and vendors, she was intrigued by his world of forecasts, projections, and development.

“You can’t be so cagey in person,” Patrick said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Fine, we can talk about my situation then. I’m pulling into the parking lot now. I’ve got to send a couple of emails and head out before I get kicked out of the Senior-itas.”

“Because that would be the worst thing to happens to you?” he snickered.

“You know what? Yes. Losing tap class would be the worst thing to happen to me,” Lizzie replied, hanging up on him.

Patrick hadn’t understood her need for family in any form after the accident. But then again, being happily married with one daughter and another on the way, he had one. She’d been left adrift and her noisy, sassy, sweet next-door neighbor had stepped in and given her that. She’d be forever grateful to Rose.

Lizzie parked the car and hopped out, leaving her purse inside and taking only her keys.
I don’t have time for this.
Lizzie shook her head. She had not choice. No matter how embarrassing the recital might prove to be, she’d made a promise to Rose to invite Mark.

Walking quickly down the path, her ballet flats were silent against the tabby. She reached the door to the office, put her ear to the door to make sure Mark wasn’t on the phone. Satisfied by the silence, she opened the door and marched in, stopping in front of his desk.

“How did your meeting with Sam go?” Mark asked, looking over his monitor for a second before looking back down.

“Great,” she replied, slightly breathless.

Nodding he didn’t look back up.
Don’t lose your nerve.

“You hesitated.” He stopped typing and looked up at her.

Don’t squirm
. Finding her nerve had suddenly become complicated. Lizzie opened her mouth before shutting it again.

“Is something wrong? Why aren’t you telling me a million things right now? Why are you quiet?” he asked, looking at her intently.

“Sorry, lost my train of thought.” Lizzie gave her head a little shake and plastered a smile on her face. “No, everything is great. I think they are well prepared for tomorrow and after working with Sam, I think he’s more than up to snuff for the next event.”

Mark nodded. “Thank you for going over there so much to oversee. I appreciate your help. But I think you need to learn to let go and delegate more. If you want to have planners working for you, then you have to let go.”

A smile froze on her lips. She did want to have planners working for her. But first she’d need a raise. Could she bring that up again?
Maybe I’d better wait a few days, until after the concert
.

“I understand what you’re saying,” she replied. “And to some extent I agree. But there is too much at stake to not be there in person, checking every detail.” She wanted to add, because someone needs to, but bit her tongue.

Frank Cade belittled her and seemed eager to go out of his way to undermine her. But Mark delegated more than he should have to her and listened to her opinions. She loved working events and her attention to detail style was exhausting and exhilarating.

“You’re sure you don’t want to have a contingency plan?” she asked again, biting the inside of her cheek.

“Positive. You remember how tinny the sound is in that room?” He asked but turned his attention back to his monitor.

I remember you holding me
. Her waist prickled at the memory of the heat from his hands. Dancing together, their bodies totally in sync, had stirred up thoughts and feelings and desires that she hadn’t even acknowledged in years.
We move well together, we can work as a team, that’s all.
Lizzie pressed her lips together.

“Okay, well I’ve done everything I can. I’m heading out for the night. I’ve got to meet up with class by seven tonight.”

“Oh?” he asked politely but didn’t lift his head from his computer to acknowledge her.

He’s probably not listening.
Exhaling loudly, she stopped procrastinating.

“Rose wanted to invite you to our performance on Monday night. I know it’s kind of a crazy weekend for you, so I’ll tell her you’re too busy.”

Lizzie watched Mark finish typing and turn to give her his full attention.

“I’ll be there,” he said.

“You will?” she asked and swallowed hard. “You know it’s a bunch of old ladies tap dancing to Cole Porter, right?”

“I can’t let Rose down,” he replied with a wink.

“Good. I’ll tell her. And I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

* * * * *

Mark waited until the lock clicked in the doorframe. He let out a whoosh of air and rolled his shoulders from front to back. He remembered more than just the sound in the ballroom a month ago. He remembered how nice dancing could be with a woman who trusted him enough to let him lead.
She leaned on me, relied on me.

Pushing back from his chair, he crossed the room and left the office as quickly as his feet could catch him. Clouds fringed in pink hung in the darkening sky overhead.
Maybe I can catch him before he leaves. I need to talk to Frank, the sooner the better.
The thought spurred him on and had him jogging down the path.