Page 11 of With Us

His eyes widened before he grinned, his dimples becoming deeper. “Theo Amato,” he said, holding out his hand.

I met his hand with my own.

There was no zing. No zap. No electricity or currents travelling between us. A chorus of angels didn’t suddenly appear to sing Teddy Pendergrass while a fur covered bed magically appeared.

Instead, his palm was warm and dry, his skin slightly calloused. It was surprising and sexy.

Andreal.

He kept hold of my hand a few seconds longer than necessary, not that I was in a rush to yank mine away. Pulling out a cell that looked like it could control space shuttles, he tapped the screen a few times. “Is having your number acceptable?”

“Well, I was hoping for a courier pigeon delivered invite, but I guess.” I rattled off my cell, trying to ignore those pesky sexy veins in his hands.

The door behind him opened, and a small group of college kids entered, lugging laptop bags and backpacks. Before the door had the chance to swing shut, three stroller wielding moms pushed in, followed closely by a few people in business attire with their eyes stuck on their phones.

I glanced at the clock, seeing the lunch rush was right on time.

For a few minutes there, it’d been easy to forget people were around.

“I have to get back to the grind.” I picked up his change and handed it to him.

Pocketing it, Theo pulled out a business card. “I’ll call you soon.”

As he walked away, some of the college students and moms watched him go, not that I blamed them. What was unexpected, however, was the way the business people pried their eyes away from their phones, a hurried and hushed conversation breaking out between them as soon as he was out of earshot. It was as if they recognized him, and I had to force myself not to question them as I made their coffees.

Note to self: Consult Google.

???

Later that night, I trudged toward the back room of the grocery store. My feet were sore, and my lower back numb.

“Leaving already?” my jerk assistant store manager sneered as I approached the employee lockers.

“Yup. My shifted ended an hour ago.”

“Shifts end when the work is done. Is everything restocked, cleaned, and organized?”

No, I’m completely incompetent and haven’t been doing this for two years.

Instead, I said, “Yes, sir.”

“Do you have your schedules done for next week?”

I nodded. “Done, signed off on, and posted.”

I could almost see Bill’s mind working as he tried to come up with some other nonsense task for me. Obviously he couldn’t think of one. “Good. Try not to be such a clock watcher in the future.” He hustled away to find someone else to torment, the stick lodged firmly up his rear end.

With a tired sigh, I turned away and grabbed my things from my locker. The light on my cell was flashing, showing a missed call and a waiting voicemail. I didn’t recognize the number, and my heart began to race as I connected to my messages.

A stupid smile spread across my face when I heard his voice.

“Dahlia,” he said, his voice an intimate rumble in my ear, “it’s Theo. I’m calling to follow-up on our negotiations, specifically Clause B. If Friday at eight PM works for you, how about Revel on Northern Ave? You can meet me there so you don’t risk hearing any…Bieber.” He sighed dramatically, but I could hear a smile in his voice when he added, “I’m still insulted. Call me soon.”

I listened to the message again as I walked outside, and held in a giddy laugh. The butterflies were having a field day in my stomach and chest. Saving the message, I hung up and added his number in my phone. My finger hovered over the call button, but I knew it had to be after midnight, which was way too late. Instead, I brought up a text message as I walked the few blocks to my apartment. I wasn’t even sure if he’d called from his cell, but I figured it was worth a shot.

Me:Hi Theo, it’s Dahlia. I’m not even sure if this message will go through, but sorry for sending it so late if it does. Friday sounds great. I’ll see you there. Enjoy your Bieber. Maybe some One Direction?

Before I could lose my nerve, I pressed send. My phone vibrated a minute later as I entered my building.

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