Page 22 of Safer Alone
The rest of the meeting is spent discussing the remaining listings. I advise that an offer has been made on Partridge Street this morning with a negotiation made by the seller. Hopefully I can have this wrapped up soon and this sale will go through.
As we leave the conference room James pulls me aside into the kitchen. “I was wondering if you wanted to maybe catch the free concert down by the river this weekend? No major names are performing, but a few up-and-comers will be there.”
I react the same way I always do when he asks me out: I come up with an excuse. Quickly running through the ones I had used lately, I come up with a new one. “I’m not sure that I will have time. My parents might be flying in on Friday for a few days.” I hate doing this to him, he really is a sweet guy, someone who I could definitely take a chance on. I just wouldn’t forgive myself if I ruined our friendship.
“That’s cool. Family is super important. Maybe next time?” He takes a step towards the door.
“Sure,” I reply, hoping that it helps to soften the rejection.
When I am alone, back in the comfort of my own office, I close the door. James is really a wonderful person, someone who, no doubt, many women would jump at the chance to hang out with, and then date down the track. I, too, would have jumped at the chance to hang out with him more often, if it weren’t for the panic I feel when I am alone with any man.
Dylan really has screwed me up good. I need to find a way to move past this. I don’t want to be alone forever. But I’m not ready to commit to someone new. Most men these days are after one thing, and after my experience in this department, I’m not going to do that for anyone less than the man who will become my husband. The thought of marriage is ridiculous, really. I mean how will I ever get married when I refuse to date anyone? At this rate I’ll be a spinster to the end of my days.
Thinking about marriage makes me think of Liam and how lucky he is to have found Jessica. They are looking at dates early next year in the spring, nothing set in stone, though. I wonder if I will even have a date by then? Maybe I can invite James. At least I know we would get along and I wouldn’t be alone. Nothing worse than attending a wedding by yourself. Maybe if all goes well, it could possibly be the start of something between us?
“Ange, you there?” Jenny’s voice breaks through my daydream and back to the here and now.
“Yeah Jenny. What’s up?” I pick up my pen and hover over my notepad in case this is going to be a conversation where I need to take notes.
“I have the purchaser of Belle Meade Homestead, a Mr. Sands, for you on line three.” I drop my pen. I won’t need to write any notes for this conversation.
“Thanks Jenny. Can you let him know I won’t be long?”
“Sure will, Ange.” The line goes dead.
Why is Elliot phoning? I click on my computer to wake it up from sleep mode. No emails. Next I rifle through my handbag and find my cell phone. No missed calls or text messages. There is only one way to find out. I picked up the receiver, steadied my breathing. and hit the flashing number three. “Angela White speaking.”
“Angela, it’s Elliot. How are you?” His voice sounds wonderful. After our polite emails earlier in the week, I decide that it would be best for him to lead the conversation.
“I’m well, thank you, Elliot. How about yourself?”
“I’m also well. I’m phoning about next week. I will be arriving in Nashville on Thursday to collect the keys. I wanted to check that you would be available in the afternoon?”
I flip open my diary that is lying on my desk, turning pages until Thursday’s date appears in front of me, “I have the afternoon free at this stage. I will ensure I’m in the office from 3:00 pm.” I quickly circle the time and write down ‘‘Elliot” by way of explanation.
“Ok great, I’ll call you once I land.” There is a pause. “Will you accompany me back to New York on Friday, Angela?”
“Huh?”
“We discussed you coming to New York, once all was settled with the house, to look over restoration plans remember? I was hoping to book the plane tickets when I book Thursday’s flight.” So this really is happening. He wants me to go back to New York with him.
I must have been quiet for too long “You still there?” Elliot’s voice comes through the phone.
“Yep, sorry. I was just looking at Friday’s schedule. I have a meeting that morning, but I should be able to get away by lunch. I need to be back Sunday night, though as I am filled up with appointments on Monday.” I thought this might be a deterrent, but I wasn’t having any such luck.
“Great, I’ll arrange everything on my end, and I’ll message you confirmation.”
“Okay, thanks Elliot” I was preparing myself to hang up when he spoke once more.
“I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, Angela.”
I giggle out loud, a ridiculous girly giggle that is not something I would usually do. I cut it off as quickly as I can manage. “You too, Elliot, bye.” I hang up.
Way to go Angela, make an absolute fool out of yourself. I flip back to Thursday and look at Elliot’s name. I notice that I have replaced the circle above the I in Elliot’s name with a heart. I haven’t done that since I was a teenager and I had a crush on Freddie Prinze, Jr. I smile at the little heart; this was a sign from my subconscious that he was affecting me.
I quickly write an email to Sandra to let her know I would only be here for a half day Friday next week as I had to head out of town for the weekend. I then leave a voicemail for the Thompson family asking them to please give me a call back to discuss their offer. I keep myself busy for the rest of the day with filing.
Thursday comes and goes, and Friday passes completely uneventfully. I stay in the office the entire day answering emails and meeting with some possible sellers in the office, none of whom are ready to list yet. No word has been received from the Thompson family. I hope they are enjoying their vacation.
