Page 41 of Meant to Be

Around her he couldn’t think straight.

She sold him some pants while he begged for a chance,

Then prayed that she’d go on one date.

I cracked up, then found his business card in his file, calling him on the spot.

“You’re nuts,” I said, grinning into the phone.

“What do you mean?” he said, playing dumb.

“The flowers. And this ridiculous limerick—” I said.

“You didn’t like my poetry?”

“It’s ludicrous,” I said. “And you bought more than a pair of pants.”

“No doubt,” he said. “I broke the damn bank in that store.”

I smiled, then said, “How are you enjoying your new clothes?”

“I love them…. I’m actually wearing my loafers right now. They’re very comfortable.”

“Good,” I said. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“I’d be happier if you went on a date with me.”

“Yeah…well…I still have a boyfriend,” I said, feeling a wistful pang, wishing I could say yes. “But maybe wecoulddo something, as friends…like that lunch you mentioned?”

“Hell, yeah! When? Tonight?”

I told him that the last time I checked lunch didn’t happen at night—and that I already had plans anyway.

“Okay. How about tomorrow? The day after?”

“I really can’t,” I said. “I’m leaving for Fashion Week…and I still have so much to do to get ready.”

“Where are you going?”

“Paris.”

“Awesome. I love Paris. Where are you staying?”

“At the Bristol.”

“Hmm…Maybe I’ll show up and say hi.”

I laughed and said, “You’ll just hop on a plane and head over to Paris, huh?”

“I might…. You never know,” he said. “Would you have dinner with me? Or lunch? If I flew to Paris?”

“I don’t know,” I said, smiling into the phone.

“But you’re not saying no?”

I shook my head, now full-on grinning. “I guess you’ll have to fly to Paris and find out.”

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