Kate walked faster, but Colleen stopped.
“There’s a guy back there waving at you. Kinda nice looking. Now he’s coming
our way.” Colleen smiled as though inviting him to come closer.
“Don’t encourage him,” Kate said.
“Too late. Here he is.” Colleen
made a sweeping motion as though she were a hostess on a game show introducing
today’s prizes.
Oh God, his eyes are browner than I remember.
“Kate, I’m glad I caught you,”
Eric said. “Sorry I missed you on the phone. I got back into town early.”
“I see that,” Kate muttered, her
icy tone coating each word. Not going through this drama again. Crazy guy.
Multiple girlfriends. Bad endings.
“I’m Eric Wiley,” he said,
offering his hand for Colleen to shake before returning his attention to Kate.
“So maybe we can set up that
coffee date. There’s a great little place a couple of doors down.”
“I know. Colleen and I just had
coffee there.”
“And scones,” Colleen chimed in,
handing Kate her bag of leftovers. “I’ve got to get going. I have class in
thirty minutes.”
“Teacher or student?” Eric asked.
“Yoga instructor.”
“Nice. Maybe I can take your class
sometime. It’s not that sweaty yoga, is it?”
“No, it’s more of a flow class.
Kate can tell you all about it.” Colleen tapped Kate on the shoulder. “I’ll see
you later,” she said before scurrying toward the yoga studio.
“I like your friend,” Eric said
gesturing to Colleen’s back.
“She’s pretty terrific. We met in
her class. Used to be a cop.” Kate wanted to run away, but her feet grounded
into the earth as though an alien force rooted them in place. All the small
talk didn’t comfort her. Minutes before this guy was kissing another woman, and
now he was flirting with her. Was there no end to his nerve?
“Now that’s really switching
career paths,” Eric said. “I consider doing that sometimes.”
“And leave the family business for
what? I don’t see that happening.” You’re such a privileged mama’s boy, Kate
wanted to say, but didn’t. Truth was during their earlier interactions, Eric
didn’t strike her as someone who life had been easy on. It was obvious his
parents leaned on his judgment. Eric presented himself as a self-made man,
working for what success came his way. Still, he was hiding something she
couldn’t quite put her finger on.
Granted with business-owner
parents, his path may have been smoother than many. Even if your folks set you
up, you’re the one who has to walk that path. Kate knew lots of privileged
folks who took the benefits they were born into and managed to drink, gamble or
in some other way squander their advantage, as though opportunity was an
all-you-can-eat buffet. Made a bad choice, no problem. Just get a clean plate
and try again. The sports pages and movie magazines were filled with celebrity
examples. A couple of Kate’s sorority sisters were still trying to find
themselves. That’s what they claimed at the last reunion.
“You’d be surprised. I can tell
you more about my future plans over a hot mocha.”
Kate readjusted her purse strap
and leaned away. “Thanks for the invite, but I need to get to work. We’re
already brainstorming the next complex. Proposal is due in two weeks.”
“Yeah, I know. We talked about
your innovative ideas. I thought they were great. You’re great.” Eric licked
his lips and stepped closer. “Seems to me like we connected, at least a little
bit, but if you’re not interested, just say so. You don’t have to go through
not answering my calls and giving me the brush off. Just be honest. It will
save us both a lot of time.”
Kate shoved her paper pastry bag
in her coat pocket and crossed her arms. “Honesty? Is that the most important
value to you, because I believe in always telling the truth. I always tell the
truth.”
“And you’re suggesting I don't?”
Eric’s nostrils flared with anger, causing Kate to step back. “We are standing
in the street arguing about I don’t know what. Do you want to have a cup of
coffee with me or not? It’s just that simple.”
“Not until you answer a question
first.” Kate straightened to her full five-foot-six height. “Who were you
kissing a moment ago?”
“Kissing? What are you talking
about?”
“Near the cab. The woman who
kissed you. Who is she? You’re an only child, so I know that wasn’t your
sister. A cousin, maybe?” Kate huffed.
Eric’s eyes widened.
Is this how he stalls for time,
cooking up a lie, Kate thought. This should be really good. She waited, even
tapped the toe of her boot a time or two. “Well?”
“Like I said on my call, business
ended early. I grabbed a cab with a coworker. End of story.”
“Not quite. Here comes your
coworker, and she looks ticked.”
