sweet and gentle he was with me last night. I exposed my
deepest secret to him, and now regret was settling in. I should not have shown
him that side of me; it was too dangerous. I dressed in my leggings and long
tunic top, put my hair up in a ponytail and headed to the kitchen to make some
coffee. I couldn’t shake the feeling of stupidity for telling him; sometimes I
just do not know when to keep my mouth shut.
As
I waited for the coffee to brew, I went in my purse and grabbed my phone; there
was a text message from Connor.
“Hi,
I hope you slept well, I just wanted to see if you were up and how you were
feeling.”
A
small smile escaped me as I replied, “Good morning, I slept good and I’m
feeling fine, thank you for your concern. I hope you have a terrific day and don’t
work too hard.”
“I’m
glad you are feeling fine, and I always work hard, it’s why I’m as successful
as I am. ”
“I
believe that and thank you for taking care of me last night, I owe you one!
“Consider
it repayment for when you got me home safe. I have a meeting TTYL.”
“Bye.”
I
poured some coffee into a mug that read: “I’m not gay, but my ex-boyfriend is,”
compliments of Peyton. I walked over at the desk that housed my laptop, opened
the drawer and took out the piece of paper that sits neatly on top of a
magazine. I looked over the paper and with a pen I scribbled on it and put it
back in its place till I needed it again.
I
stepped outside and walked down the street, I had an hour before I had to be at
work, so I decided to walk the few blocks it took to get there. The air was
cooler today as the sun hid behind a stream of clouds. Today was a different
sight than it had been in months. People had broken into their fall wardrobe
and pulled out the “chilly” day clothes. Pants, long sleeves, cardigans and
light jackets graced the streets of New York City as people prepared for the
arrival of fall.
I
passed Starbucks on my way to work, and of course, I had to stop as if I needed
more caffeine. I walked in and stood in a line that took up half the café. I
reached in my bag and grabbed my phone, I promised Peyton I would call and tell
her about last night. I dialed her number and waited for her to answer; after a
few rings it went to voicemail.
“Hey
Peyton, it’s me, I had a fabulous time last night with Connor. I’m on my way to
work, call me later for girl talk, love ya.”
It
was finally my turn as I ordered a Grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte. I paid the
barista and walked outside with my coffee in hand and on my way to work. As I
walked down the crowded street, I noticed a black Limo parked across from a
tall building. The Limo door opened as a familiar woman got out and then came
Connor, following her and adjusting his tie. My stomach felt sick and my heart
started racing, not out of passion, but out of nerves. He looked over and saw
me standing there a few feet away. I couldn’t let him know the rage and
jealousy I was feeling at that moment seeing them together, so I smiled and
waved just like any friend would do. His face looked pained when he saw me. He
did not smile back; he could only manage a small wave. They walked up to the
tall building and went inside. As I walked past, I noticed the name of the
business on the large double doors, “Black Enterprises.” I never realized that
is what this building was as I passed it all the time.
I
continued walking as a wave of betrayal coursed through my veins. There was no
reason for me to feel this way. Connor and I are friends and nothing more;
there could never be more. I struggled with my emotions all the way to work and
tried to reason with myself that he did nothing wrong. If he and I were going
to remain friends, then I would have to get used to seeing him with other
women. He was not mine, and I was not his. I kept saying that as I finally
arrived at work.
It
was a slow day at work, which sucked because it gave me more time to think
about Connor and
John Skipp, Craig Spector
James Hanley
Olivia Ryan
W.R. Benton
Tamora Pierce
D. M. Angel
George G. Gilman
Carolyn Haywood
Nancy Werlin
Judi Fennell