I Remember (Remembrance Series) (28 page)

To my surprise, we matched again, except I wore sandals. He raised his finger, motioning for a moment to speak. “Hold on a second, Mom.”

I was surprised when he reached for the phone. “Mrs. Carlisle, I realize you have company visiting and I don’t want to intrude on family time; but, would you mind if I follow Jordan up and unload the boxes for her? She still looks worn out.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist. “Yes, ma’am. It would be my pleasure. Thank you. We will be leaving here in a few minutes.” He ended the call.

“What was that all about?”

He moved my hair aside and leaned into the right side of my neck, delivering tender kisses, one after another from my ear to the base of my neck. His grip tightened around my waist. “After spending the night with you in my arms, do you really think I’m ready to let you go?”

“I don’t want to leave, but I need to get back home. And didn’t you promise your dad to look at a presentation?” I reminded him.

“After you fell asleep on the sofa, I got out my laptop and finished the project.” He leaned in close and smiled against my neck. “So, I’m all yours today, my love!”

I was putty in his hands and he knew it.

The drive was uneventful. We pulled into the driveway around lunch time and Mom was the first out the door to greet us.

I gave her a quick hug and whispered, “I’m so sorry about falling asleep. I promise nothing happened and he was every bit the gentleman.”

She whispered back, “I trust you, Jordan, but it is good to know I can trust Gregory, too.”

I was greeted by Aunt Melinda and Uncle Tom and apologized for abandoning them, yesterday. Before I could say another word, Gregory reached out his hand to Uncle Tom. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Gregory.

After greeting my family, he turned to me. “Where would you like your things?”

“The back room is fine for now, until I can go through them. Thank you.”

My uncle helped Gregory unload his car. They continued talking the entire time.

Uncle Tom came up to me after dinner, that night, while I was washing dishes, and whispered, “This one is definitely a keeper. I think your father would approve of him. I know I do.”

“Thanks, Uncle Tom.” It meant a lot to know that everyone liked my boyfriend.

The evening seemed to fly by at incredible speed. Before long, it was time for Gregory to head back.

I walked him to his car, holding his hand, thanking him for his help and continued company throughout the day. “You know, my uncle approves of you.”

He drew me close and kissed me gently on the lips, growing more passionate as the kiss progressed. “I’ve wanted to lose myself in your kisses all day, but was trying to be respectful of your family.”

Our lips moved as one until he pulled away. “We’ll spend next weekend at my parent’s house. It’s time for them to meet the love of my life.”

My body went stiff with anxiety. “I need to ask my mother, first. What if your family doesn’t like me?”

The hand against the small of my back drew me in tighter, as his lips descended onto my neck placing gentle kissed up toward my ear. “Your mom has already given her consent. She plans on visiting your dad’s brother next weekend. I’ve already told my parents all about you and they can’t wait to formally meet you.”

He bit down lightly on my ear. “Say yes, my love.”

My knees weakened as I repeated. “Yes, my love.” He wasn’t playing fair and he knew it.

Gregory worked his way back over to my lips. “Thank you. I promise to make it will be a weekend you will never forget.”

He leaned back for a moment, with a sad look on his face. “I don’t want to leave, but it is getting late and you need your sleep.”

“I’ll let you go, but only if you promise to meet me in my dreams.”

“Always. You are my life, Jordan. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I watched as he pulled away, feeling my heart go with him.

I walked back inside and wished everyone a good night. Within no time, the phone was ringing.

“Gregory?” I breathed out in a rush.

“I miss you, already.” His voice sounded as pained as my heart felt.

“Me, too.”

“Promise me you will go to sleep, soon.” He begged.

“I‘m already in bed. I was just waiting for your call.”

“Wish I could be there to hold you; but I will see you in our dreams. You mean everything to me.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his words. “You mean the world to me, too. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Slumber came quickly and wonderful visions of Gregory holding me in his arms comforted my mind.

The next few days at the office were uneventful. The only exception was Pamela’s overt friendliness, leaving me to question what she was up to.

I continued to work through the assignments given to me, pausing only when the appointment lines were flooded and I needed to help out. In the middle of the afternoon on Wednesday, I received a call from the receptionist. “Ms. Carlisle, you have a delivery here at the front desk.”

“Thank you. I will be right up.”

I was not expecting anything, since the office supplies were ordered through Terry, now. When I rounded the corner, I saw a huge bouquet of two dozen long stemmed red roses.

I picked up the bouquet, smiling, and headed back to my office. The receptionist and a couple of the front desk staff became nosy, asking who sent them.

“They are from my boyfriend.”

“Since when do you have a boyfriend?” One of Pamela’s followers asked, followed by a few laughs.

“Read the card,” someone ordered.

I read aloud. “
My Darling, Jordan. I enjoyed our weekend together. I miss holding you in my arms. Loving you with all my heart, always! Gregory. XOXO”

My face was beaming as the sound of “Aww,” echoed throughout the department.

I started to walk back to my desk, when one of Pamela’s flunkies remarked, “I don’t buy into it. No man would declare his love like that. I bet she sent the flowers to herself.” I just rolled my eyes.

I worked until Caroline popped in to let me know she was leaving for the night.

On the drive home, I called Mom to let her know I was on my way, before calling Gregory.

His voice was so soothing. “Hello, Beautiful! Did you get my flowers?”

“That’s why I am calling. They are gorgeous and you’re so thoughtful. You know you didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did; because I love you!”

“Would you believe a few of Pamela’s clique think I am incapable of having a boyfriend?”

I could tell the words upset him. “I guess we’ll just have to show them otherwise. I have a meeting coming up downtown, this week; maybe I will stop by to sweep you off to a romantic lunch.”

“That would be nice, but I don’t want you to go out of your way for me.”

“Are you on your way home?”

“Yes. I just left the office about twenty minutes ago. Why?”

“I wish I could meet up with you and hold you in my arms; but I have a couple of pressing deadlines, one for a meeting tomorrow and another due by the end of the week. Would it be ok if I give you a call later, tonight?”

“Gregory, you can call anytime you like.”

“How close are you to home?”

“I’m about five minutes away.”

“Just wanting to make sure you get home safely. I’ll call you in a couple hours. Until then, know that I love you.”

“I love you, too!”

Mom was already putting dinner on a plate for me when I walked into the kitchen. “I already ate, but kept the food warm for you,” she said. “It’s your favorite: roast chicken, vegetables and fruit salad.”

I gave her a hug. “Thanks, Mom!”

That night, my dreams were filled with anguish over Angeline and Daniel. I felt lost to the ominous voices of the forest, until I felt Gregory’s embrace. “I am here, now. We will get through anything, together.” His words brought me comfort, allowing me to relax for the rest of the night.

The next morning, I rushed around and managed to leave without my lunch. At the office, I dove headfirst into my remaining deadlines and started knocking them out one by one, planning to go through a drive through on my lunch hour

Just as I was about to place my phone on ‘Out of Office’, it rang. Karen giggled, informing me of a delivery at the front desk.

“I’ll be right up.”

There were whispers all around me as I passed through the back office. It made me nervous wondering what was waiting for me.

I opened the door to the reception area and Karen pointed to a huge balloon in the shape of a red heart with the words ‘I Love You!’ written in giant white letters. The person holding the mini-blimp was somewhat concealed behind it; so I walked over and said, “I’m Miss Carlisle. Is this for me?”

The sumptuous voice I knew so well replied, “Yes Jordan, both the balloon and my heart are for you.” He moved the balloon to the side and smiled his cute, awkward smile and my heart melted.

There were serene sighs all around.

“Gregory!” I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him, tightly. “What are you doing here?”

“I had a business meeting in the area and we finished early; so I thought I would drop by and steal you away for lunch, if you haven’t eaten, yet.”

“You have perfect timing. I was about to go out and grab something.” I took hold of his hand and led him through the door. “Let me show you my office and check with Caroline to see if I can take a long lunch, today.”

I led Gregory through the entire office, introducing him to key people along the way. He was friendly and polite to everyone.

I was happy to see several jealous jaws drop to the floor when they saw how incredibly gorgeous Gregory was. Especially Pamela’s naysayers.

I tied the balloon around the vase of flowers I had received, yesterday and headed over to Caroline’s office.

Before I could even introduce him, Gregory stepped forward, hand extended. “It is truly an honor to meet you, Caroline. Jordan has told me so many wonderful things about you. With your permission, I would like to take her out for a relaxing lunch.”

Caroline smiled widely, giving me a slight wink. “You worked late yesterday, go enjoy a long lunch. Just put your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ and sneak out the back stairwell.”

I did as she requested and also hung a sign on my door. I directed Gregory to the stairwell and we snuck out to enjoy our lunch, together.

As soon as we walked down a couple of flights, he pulled me into a corner of the stairwell and kissed me, tenderly.

“You know, you didn’t have to drop by; but thank you. I needed this.” I admitted between kisses.

We continued down. “I have wanted to do this for some time. It just happened to work out well with my schedule, today. I have to admit, I arranged it with your Mom last night to make sure you left the house without lunch.”

His words caught me by surprise. “I picked up a picnic lunch on the way here. Why don’t I take you to my favorite part of Lake Eola? There is a park bench where we first met in my dream.”

I could not believe that dream meant so much to him. “That sounds lovely.”

When we got to the park, I recognized the scene, immediately. The bench was underneath a shady oak tree, not far from the banks of the lake.

“Did you want to sit on the bench or stretch out on a picnic blanket?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m just happy to be out of the office and spending time with you.”

I removed my jacket and left it in the car, thankful to have chosen a summer dress combination to wear, today. Gregory followed suit, removing his business coat and tie before rolling up his sleeves.

He whipped out a blanket underneath the tree. There was a nice breeze blowing across the lake, making it comfortable for May.

I took a seat on the blanket and he sat down beside me, stretching his legs out and rummaging through his bag of goodies. He removed two take-out containers, each with half of a turkey sandwich, a small green salad and fruit for dessert, along with two bottles of unsweetened tea.

“Everything looks yummy.”

He leaned in for a quick kiss on the lips. “I wish I could’ve prepared a better picnic, but I’m not that familiar with all the eateries, downtown.”