Crossing Paths (16 page)

“Shut up, June. Why are you here?”

“I need to talk.”

I listen as June describes her evening at the museum. She asks Liam if this guy might be into her. I had no clue that she came to him for advice like this. I thought I was her go-to person. I feel a little pang of jealousy, but I know what it’s like to have a brother who loves you enough to listen to your girlie gossip and your need for relationship advice. To be honest, it sounds like this guy likes her, so I don’t understand what the problem is.

After about thirty minutes of sitting alone in Liam’s room, I start to wonder if she will ever leave. Walking toward the bed, I begin to look around his room in the dim light of his bedside lamp. Just like the living room, it doesn’t scream bachelor. His bed is made with a dark gray comforter and pillows with white-and-gray patterns. Although the remaining furniture—a dresser, bedside tables, and a chair with an ottoman—is all made of dark wood, his room has a light feel. Two large framed black-and-white airplane images hang above the headboard of his bed. A few small model airplanes are also scattered on his dresser and one bedside table. A single framed photo is present on the opposite bedside table. The photo is a candid shot of him with his family.

My ears perk to attention when Liam’s voice begins to get louder from the living room.

“June, I hate to cut this short, but I have a huge meeting in the morning. It sounds like you need to be patient with this guy and give him time to tell you how he feels. Some guys like to build up to the big reveal.”

I can sense the smile in his voice at the last sentence, and I know June must be rolling her eyes.

“Alright, brother. Have a good night. Love you.”

“See ya, sis.”

The door closes, and within a couple of seconds, Liam opens his bedroom door. “Well, I didn’t expect to have you in my room tonight.”

“Yeah, about that, I better get going, too.”

Liam laughs and hugs me. “Alright, just wait a few minutes to make sure she’s gone.”

With that, I realize that we are definitely keeping this a secret from June at least a little while longer.
What would have happened if she had found me in his apartment?
There’s no way I can tell her I was with him tonight.

Liam lowers me back to the bed in his arms, and I find that relaxing place again.

Tuesday

After my talk with Liam last night, I feel much better about the Cohen situation. I have decided to avoid him at all costs. I know Liam said to give him time, but I thought space would be a good idea, too. As I’m getting my things together to leave for the day, Cohen pops his head around the corner of my doorway.

“June, I haven’t seen you much today.”

“Well, I am a busy lady.” I motion over my cluttered desk as if I’m hosting a game show.

Cohen laughs. “I hope you aren’t too busy to grab a bite to eat tomorrow evening.”

“Sure. I can make a reservation at Julianna’s downtown. How many should I tell them?”

“Just two, and we might have to work a little late, so we’ll probably just head out from here.” He gives me a quick grin, and then he’s gone.

I know I’ve had this discussion with myself before. In fact, I’m pretty sure the discussion was just last night, but this guy is really confusing.
Why does he want to go to dinner with just me?
I start running through scenarios in my head, and finally, I come to a conclusion that seems plausible.
Maybe his company is interested in hiring me. Maybe I should do some research about them before meeting with Cohen tomorrow night. What would I say?
I haven’t even worked two months at my current job.
Would I have to move to Washington? What about my apartment with Caroline?

I’m beginning to find it difficult to breathe.
That’s enough. Just go and see what he has to say.
I should pretend like it’s just a meeting about the current contract and enjoy myself. After all, it isn’t very often that I get to sit across the table from a guy who could cause supermodels to faint in adoration.

Wednesday

Cohen was right about staying late. The next workday is brutal. Between meetings, phone calls, and going through 215 emails, I don’t even have time to eat lunch. By the end of the day, I’m dying for a good meal and a drink. If I were being honest, I would like to put on my pajamas and slippers, but the sexy black dress and heels I brought to work will have to do. As I unlock my office door and step out, Cohen is leaning against a desk directly in front of me.

My eyes scan his body. From head to toe, there is nothing out of place. His hair is even a mess of perfection.
Damn it. Why does he have to be so endearing?
I’ll have to remind myself to look past him while we’re at dinner tonight. That should make for some good conversation.
Hey, June. Are you having a stroke? You seem to be looking to my right instead of directly at me.

“Hey, you look great!” he says.

“Thanks.”

“You ready to head out?”

“Sure.”

Maybe if I limit my responses to only one word, I’ll keep from making a fool out of myself tonight.

Cohen drives us to the restaurant. We don’t say much and awkward silence fills the space between us. I’m not sure what to talk about since I don’t know what this dinner is all about.

We’re seated, and the waiter takes our drink order right away. I am looking over the menu when Cohen starts to speak.

“June, I need to be honest with you. I didn’t ask you to dinner to discuss the contract with your company.”

Point one for me.
At least I was right about that.

“I’ve needed to talk to you about something else.”

The waiter brings our drinks just as Cohen opens his mouth to continue talking.
Looks like we’re in for round two of mealtime interruptions.
Cohen shoots him a glare.

As the waiter walks away, I say, “I have been so grateful for the opportunity to work with Mr. Hargrove. He’s someone I have followed in the industry since I began college.”

“I am so glad that you are somewhere you feel you can excel and succeed. You deserve it all. You’re bright and outgoing. You amaze me.”

I know my smile has spread across my whole face by this point.

“I’ve researched your company in Washington and the needs they fill. I am particularly impressed with their involvement in the community as well as how they monitor the appropriate use of resources to maintain a healthy environment.” I’m hoping I don’t sound like a sound bite taken from their website.

As the waiter comes by to take our order, I notice Cohen seems more than a little nervous. His face appears flushed, and he’s rubbing his napkin between his fingers over and over again. Once we’re done ordering, I begin mentally preparing for the interview that I’m sure is coming.

I’m reviewing key points about the company in my head when Cohen reaches across the table, placing his hand on top of mine.

“June, before we get interrupted again, I need to finish. You might think I’m crazy when I tell you this. You might even ask me to take you home, but I have to tell you.”

My heart begins to pound in my chest.
What is he talking about? Why does he look so concerned?

He takes a breath. “You are all I’ve thought about since the moment my eyes caught yours at that airport last week. I felt your presence during the entire flight, and I walked out of the airport, thinking I had lost a chance to meet someone who could have been important to me. Then, you ran into me on those steps at the Truman building.” Pausing, he shakes his head slowly as he looks down into his lap. When he looks back up, his eyes capture mine, and I see purpose behind their hazel hue.

Words begin to tumble quickly from his lips. “I knew I couldn’t let you walk away again. You might not believe it, but I know you crossed my path that day for a reason. I wasn’t sure what it was about you, but I had to get to know you. My life has been so hectic over the past few years. I haven’t been in the market for a real relationship in a long time. I’m not even sure where to begin when it comes to dating, but after seeing you, I do believe that it’s possible again. I know that when I looked into your eyes, I saw something that made me believe in taking a chance. If you didn’t feel it and if you don’t feel it now, I will walk away, but I couldn’t go another minute without telling you that I want you in my life.”

I stare at him, wide-eyed. I talked myself into thinking that he had no interest in me and that our airport meal had just been a business interaction. I was talking myself through an interview when he was actually preparing to pour out his heart to me.
What do I say to that?

“Um, to be honest, I’m not sure what to say.”

“Say you’ll let me take you out while I’m in town. Just give yourself some time to get to know me and explore your own feelings. If you have no interest in seeing me after I leave town next week, then we’ll drop it, and you’ll never hear me mention it again. It’s just that I haven’t felt this way in a long time. When a woman has a talent like throwing magazines at lightning speed, I know I can’t let the chance pass me by.”

Feeling the heat of a blush reaching my cheeks, I cover my face with my hands. Before I can stop it from happening, I’m laughing so loud that I’m sure the valet outside can hear me. “Well, when you put it that way…” I peek through my fingers to his side of the table.

His grin reaches from ear to ear, and those damn wrinkles at the sides of his eyes make me smile even more. I could never mistake whether he is happy or not. I think I already found my favorite thing about him.

The rest of dinner is more relaxed. I start giving over to the emotions I’ve been feeling for Cohen.

After dinner, we go back to the office parking lot, so he can drop me off at my car.

“June, I’ve enjoyed tonight so much.”

“Me, too,” I say, looking down to my feet.

I watch as his hand slowly reaches up to my chin. He lifts my head, so our eyes can align again.

“I know I’m leaving soon, but I would like to see you again…outside of the office.”

“Okay,” is all I can say as I study each colored specks in his eyes.

When his hand moves to cup my cheek, I lean into his touch. Reaching for his face, I touch the wrinkles that are forming at the corners of his eyes.

“Can I kiss you, June?”

“Please,” I whisper.

Wasting no time, he places his lips over mine. With one hand on my cheek, his opposite arm encompasses my body, leaving me no need to hold my own weight. I feel my muscles relax, giving in to his embrace. He kisses me with soft small pecks over and over again. It’s as if all the emotion he releases transfers to my body, overwhelming my senses.

When we pull away from each other, I wipe at my eyes and feel a slight wetness, realizing his caress has caused tears to form.
What have I gotten myself into?

Cohen walks me to my car, opens the door, and guides my body as I sit down. He stands, looking down at me with a look I can only describe as adoration. When his eyes scan over my body, I feel as if he is memorizing every inch of me along with every small moment of this experience.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” he says before pressing his lips to my forehead.

“See you tomorrow.”