“Mm hmm,” was the only response I received. I grabbed my phone, switching it on to set my alarm. I would have to get up early, so I would have time to go home before work. My notification window lit up letting me know I had a message. *Answer the fucking phone* *Where are you* *I swear to God Dallas if you don’t answer me….* Wow…. several messages, all from Luke. My heart lurched when I read them. Even though they were rude and not exactly what I was hoping to hear, I couldn’t help but feel excited that he tried to contact me numerous times. My phone pinged again with a new message. My breath quickened when I saw it was from him. *I’m sorry about today. The world I live in is very different from yours. Please forgive me. I have returned your car to your home (personally) so no strange man has access to your private information. I hope to see you again someday. Keep my number and don’t hesitate if you ever need anything.*
What the hell? He hoped to see me again someday? My heart fell, as the unfamiliar feeling of rejection took over. He didn’t want me. If he did, he would have asked to see me again. The realization of it all consumed me and I had to fight hard to stifle a sob. I set my alarm and laid my phone beside the bed, then turned to stare at the stars above me. I closed my eyes and let the sound of the rain and the memories of Luke lull me to sleep.
Chapter 8
The following week passed by in a blur. Lindsey was off on Monday, courtesy of Luke, and Tuesday, courtesy of me. Back in the office on Wednesday, there was plenty for her to catch up on and an abundance of deals for me to close. Things around the office were much more relaxed, now that she and I had bonded. It seemed that more work was getting done and my appreciation for her had become more and more evident, considering I did both our jobs the first part of the week.
Friday finally rolled around and she sank in the plush leather chair in my office with an exaggerated sigh. “Thank God this week is over. I believe we deserve a drink.”
“I have to agree. How about you make us a reservation at Mahogany and we will let the company treat us,” I said, smirking at her.
“Done,” she said standing and making her way out of the office. I walked to the window, looking out at the busy streets of downtown Hattiesburg. The sleek, modern interior of my office was much different from the outside historical area. Bricks lined the one way street and made a rumbling sound when the cars passed over them. The rumbling seemed to get louder with the passing seconds. I soon realized that the sound I was hearing was not the bricks at all, but a motorcycle coming from the distance.
My heart leaped in my throat and the aching I had in my chest resurfaced as my thoughts turned to Luke. It was him. He was coming to see me. I had not talked to him in a week, but he was not far from my memory. I could still feel his arms around me, his intoxicating smell, and his lips on mine. My lips turned up in smile, but quickly fell when the bike passed right by my office never taking a second glance, or slowing in the least. It was not Luke. I was suddenly aware that someone was standing beside me. I turned to see the sad expression on Lindsey’s face. Her apologies were apparent even without words.
“Let’s go get that drink,” she said with a reassuring smile. I nodded. Grabbing my purse, I walked out of the office with the loud pipes of a motorcycle ringing in my ears.
The restaurant was packed and loud. The atmosphere immediately lifted my spirits. The elderly couple in front of us at the reservation podium was turning to leave, disappointed because of the wait. “Sir, you are more than welcome to have my reservation,” I announced to the elderly man assisting his wife.
“We can sit at the bar.”
The old man smiled kindly at me. “Thank you, young lady. It’s our anniversary,” he said smiling fondly at his wife. The feeling of gratification spread through me like warm honey as I watched the couple scurry off to my table.
I noticed Lindsey giving me an odd look out of the corner of my eye and I shot her a don’t-start-with-me look as we made our way to the bar. We sat at the bar and ordered a round of cosmos. The T.V. was tuned to a baseball game and the men around us were in joyful conversation over who would win. It was hard not to get sucked into the topic, considering we were the only two females in talking distance. My thoughts and worries of Luke were fading by the minute as the guys schooled us on baseball stats and kept the drinks coming. Laughter filled the room when we all took turns demonstrating the perfect batting stance. When my turn came, I was giggling uncontrollably, trying to look serious when I heard a whistle from behind me. I turned and saw the boyish face of Regg grinning at me.