Meant to Be (5 page)

“And how would I do that?” he barked. “Set her up on a blind date with the faith that she wouldn’t touch him?” He shook his head.

“Well, what is Janice most upset about?”

“I don’t know,” he said irritably.

“Think, Ryan.”

He sighed in frustration, running his fingers through his hair. “I guess she’s pissed I embarrassed her at work.”

“Okay. Why don’t you start there?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Make a new impression.”

Ryan stared in the distance, his mind in a daze. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but the wheels were in motion. I hoped he would figure out how to resolve this fight with Janice. Because I didn’t like seeing him in this kind of pain. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

7

Ryan

I stared at myself in the mirror. I was wearing an Armani suit with a Rolex—not my style. My hair was styled and I held myself with the stature I usually did. I admited I look like a million bucks in a suit, but a hoodie in jeans is what I always preferred.

I took the day off from the shop so I could get this just right. I was nervous, feeling the blood
pound in my ears. I wasn’t good at putting on a show. I wasn’t good at being the bigger man. Honestly, I wasn’t good at anything. But I had to get my girl back. She slept beside me every night but she wasn’t really there. We were so distant, living on different continents across the ocean. I missed her.

I headed to her office then walked inside. A box of pastr
ies from the pretentious baking shop was in my hands. It had lighter than air mandolins, and assorted fruity pastries. I also brought a galloon of freshly brewed coffee.

When I reached the secretary’s desk, she eyed me. “Can I help you?”

“I wanted to drop these off,” I said with a smile.

She eyed the pastries with delight. “Ooh. What’s the occasion?”

“I’m here to see my girlfriend, Janice Campbell. I thought I’d bring this along.”

Her eyes flashed in recognition. She probably remembered me from my visit to the office or the work party. But this time, there wasn’t disapproval. “Well, that was thoughtful of you.”

“I know everyone in the office works hard. She tells me everyday.” Being charismatic was exhausting.

She smiled wider. “Aren’t you sweeter than key lime pie.”

Am I?
“Where should I put these?”

“Come with me.” She walked with me until we reached the back room. I placed the box and coffee on the table and eyed the chairs and
the refrigerator. The woman grabbed a roll out of the box and took a bite. “This is great.”

“It’s from Alessandro’s.”

Her eyes widened. “That place is classy.”

“Nothing is too classy for my lady.”

“Awe.” Her eyes softened. “You’re so sweet.”

“I’m just in love.”

“Awe. Now you’re sweeter.”

I was racking up points. “I’m going to peek in and say hi to my lady.”

“Go ahead.” She filled a cup of coffee then walked back to her desk.

I walked across the room but didn’t enter Janice’s office. Instead, I walked down the hallway until I found Cal’s office. I saw his name on the door and knew I found the right place. I knocked.

“Come in,” he said with a cheerful voice.

I stepped inside then adjusted my tie.

He studied me for a moment, trying to place me. “Ryan?”

“Hey.” I approached his desk with an extended hand. “How’s it going?”

He shook it, still eyeing me. “Great.” He examined my suit. “Armani. Nice.” He winked at me.

Only a gay
guy would figure that out with just a look. “Thank you, sir.”

“Is there something I can do for you?”

“Actually, yes. If you can spare the time.”

“Of course.
Anything for my girl, Janice. Sit down.”

I took a seat in front of his desk. I cleared my throat. “I wanted to apologize for my
recent behavior. I’m sure you picked up on the…tension.”

He smirked. “I could tell I wasn’t your favorite person in the world.”

“Honestly, I was afraid you were after my girl. When I realized I was being out of line, it was too late. The damage had been done and Janice was upset.”

He spun his pen between his fingers. “I’ve noticed she’s been in a harsh mood this week.”

“Because of me,” I said sadly. “Anyway, I wanted to apologize for being a jerk. In reality, I’m actually a nice guy that pretty much gets along with everyone. I would like a chance to prove that to you.”

“I think you just did,” he said with a smile.

“Can I take you to lunch?”

“Wow. You’re really trying, aren’t you?”

“I really want to get off on the right foot.”

He stood up then adjusted his suit. “I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Thank you.”

We left his office then walked down the hallway. When we reached the entryway, I spotted Janice talking to the secretary. They were probably discussing my visit. Janice looked up when she heard Cal and I approach. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw us, heading out the door. I gave her a slight nod and kept going, remembering the surprise on her face.

Cal walked with his hands in his pockets. “You know I’m gay, right?” He said it bluntly and without shame.

“Janice told me.”

“But, you didn’t pick up on that before?” He smirked at me while we reached the sidewalk.

“I think my head was too far up my ass to notice.”

He laughed. “You should be more worried about me checking you out instead of Janice.” He winked at me. “Not that I would.”

I knew he was joking so I smiled. “Yeah, I’m feeling more like an ass with every passing day.”

“But I do admire Janice’s sense of style. She can really make something simple come alive. She has the right curves.”

“I could have told
you that.”

We entered the Italian restaurant then took a seat in the bo
oth. Cal sat upright with perfect posture. His back muscles must be ripped from constant use. “You guys doing better?” he asked.

“Not really. She’s still pretty mad.”

“Are you like that often?”

“No. When she told me some guy got her a job…I assumed the worse possible scenario.” I was feeling dumber with every passing second.

“When she and I went to college together, I admired her for her smarts. She’s unusual in the fact that she has book smarts and street smarts. And she’s witty as hell. I would hate to argue with her.” He winked at me. “So, when I found out she was already successful with an indie company, I thought she would be perfect for the job. And I knew it was a position she always wanted. After the ordeal at R and R, I thought she deserved a second chance at what she loved—and in an environment where she didn’t feel harassed.”

I
was already liking Cal tremendously. “Thank you for thinking of her.”

“She was the most qualified. And she’s blowing everyone else out of the water. With the exception of this week, she’s been really happy.”

I sighed. “God, I’m an ass.”

He chuckled. “You’re redeeming yourself.”

“My whole life I’ve never met a woman like her. So now that she’s mine, I’m determined to keep her. I guess I went about it the wrong way.”

“A little,” he teased.

We ordered our food then ate quietly. He ate a salad like last time and I ordered a chicken parmesan sandwich.

Cal wiped his mouth with a napkin even though nothing was on his face. “Just for the record, Janice makes it pretty clear she adores you to the rest of the staff. They could pick you out in a lineup without ever seeing your face.”

Damn, I was a bigger douchebag then Cortland. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

“So, even if I were interested in her, I really don’t think it would make her bat an eye. You got her hooked around your finger pretty tight, Ryan. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“I hope she’s still wound tight.”

“She’s still with you, isn’t she?”

“Thank god.”

He smirked. “When are you going to ask?”

I knew what he meant. “I haven’t decided yet. It was going to be soon, but then all this bullshit happened.”

He nodded. “I know she’ll say yes.”

“I wouldn’t let her say no.”

He laughed. “That’s a good attitude.”

We finished our meal then I threw the cash on the table when we were done. As we were headed back to the building, I turned to him. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“My boyfriend and I have been together for over a year. He just moved in, actually.”

“That’s cool. What does he do?”

“He’s a fashion designer.” He said it with pride glowing in his eyes. “Where do you think I get these gorgeous suits from?”

I smiled. “Clothes are always better when they are free.”

“Yep. I didn’t think I’d be able to move on after my divorce, but when I met Will, I knew he was the right person for me.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your divorce.”

He shrugged. “Some things are
n’t meant to last forever. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do them anyway.”

I replayed his words in my mind as we reached the building. I extended my hand. “Thank you for coming to lunch.”

“You aren’t going to come inside?”

I wanted to see Janice, to see if she had forgiven me. But I decided not to. “I know she’s busy.”

“She’d abandon anything for you.”

“But I know this job is important to her. It can wait.”

He nodded. “I’ll make sure to tell her how wonderful you were today.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Take care, Ryan.”

“Bye, Cal.” I walked up the street but stopped when he called my name.

“Basketball on Wednesday?” he asked.

I smiled. “I’ll be there.
”

I waited for Janice to get home. My suit was back in the closet and I was wearing my jeans and hoodie, back to my normal self. I hoped my gesture meant something to her. But with Janice, I wasn’t sure how she would take it. When I bought her flowers, she acted like I hit her mother with a car. She might be pissed I went to her work and kissed everyone’s ass. I really had no idea how she’d feel about it.

She finally walked through the door and dropped her keys on the counter and purse on the table. When she noticed me on the couch, she glided to me, an unreadable look in her eyes.

I waited for her to say something.

She sat on the coffee table, directly across from me. Her knees were between mine, and her hands gripped the edge of the table. “Cal told me about your lunch date today.”

“He did?”
Come on. Come on.

She moved to her knees in front of me, directly between my legs.

My heart rate increased exponentially, rocking my entire chest with the force of its beat.

“He said you’re
a sweetheart.” Her hand unbuttoned my jeans and pulled down the zipper. Every noise was amplified in my ears. Every movement of my jeans echoed. I heard her breaths come out deep and slow. Her breasts were prominent in her dress.

I cleared my throat. “He did?”

She nodded then pulled down my briefs. My cock was hard the instant she reached for my pants. It popped out then lay against my stomach. She moved closer to me, her breasts hovering nearby. She grabbed the straps of her dress and pulled them down, revealing her pristine white bra. “He said you apologized to him.”

“I may have…” I eyed her chest, hardly listening to her at this point.

She pulled off her bra and tossed it aside.

I stared at her tits, loving the beautiful sight. I loved those damn things. I could lick them and suck them all day.

She grabbed my base then squeezed gently. My cock was straight in the air. “I really appreciate that, Ryan.”

I knew what was going to happen. I took a deep breath before she leaned down and pressed her lips to my tip. I moaned louder than I meant to. It was practically a scream. And then shoved me entirely to the back of her throat. My head rolled back and
my hips naturally rocked forward.

Fuck, yes. I was forgiven.

Janice gave me a
look I recognized immediately. Her eyes would soften and her lips would part slightly. A few lines formed around her lips when the excitement flushed through her body. Lights brighter than celestial bodies entered her eyes when she looked at me this way. She adored me. And I loved that look. I’d been missing it for so long.  She gave it to me now.

She was lying on my chest on the couch. My hand moved through her hair, and my other one hooked around her waist, keeping her anchored to me. Now that I had her in my arms again, I didn’t want her to leave. She completed me. Being distant with her for the past week was nauseating. I hadn’t been so miserable in my life. But now she was mine again.

“You forgive me?” I whispered.

“Of course, I do.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “I was so scared I was going to lose you.”

“You can never lose me, Ryan. Even when I’m livid with you, I’ll still sleep with you every night.”

“Then why were you pissed at me for so long?”

“I wanted you to prove you were really sorry—which you did. It meant a lot to me that you can to my office to apologize to Cal. He’s a sweet guy.”

“He is really cool,” I admitted.

“I know that was hard for you to do, but you did it for me. And I appreciate it. Now everyone at the office thinks you’re a sweetheart.”