“Oh. What a small world. And do you work here?” she asked.
“I do. Was Ethan expecting you?” Sal asked.
She shook her head. “I thought I’d surprise him.”
“He’s on vacation and not due back for another week.”
Kollette sighed. “Oh. I guess I should’ve called first.” But she didn’t because she knew once she heard his voice she’d be blurting out her apology on the phone. That’s not what she wanted. She wanted to see his face. I want him to hold me, tell me it is okay. That we’re okay.
“The last I heard, he was going to see friends. I think he said their name was Potter.”
“How long ago was that?” she asked, sounding a bit too anxious. “I mean, I know he was there a few weeks ago. But did he just go back?”
“I’m not sure. But his brother Seth would probably know. He’s in the office if you’d like to ask him.”
Kollette didn’t want to involve anyone else. It was bad enough Sal knew she was out looking for him. “No. Please. It’s not important.”
“Are you going to see Connor while you’re in the city?” Sal asked.
“He’s here? I thought he was in Boston.” Kollette was having a hard enough time to keep track of where she was day to day. There was no way she could track Connor.
“He’s back and forth.”
“I’d love to, but I can’t stay. I need to…”
“Find Ethan?” Sal asked.
She nodded. “I guess I’ll just have to call him. Thank you for the information. And if you see Connor, don’t tell him I was here. He’ll have my head if I didn’t have dinner with him.”
“I know nothing,” Sal grinned. “It was nice meeting you, Kollette.”
“Nice to meet you too Sal.” With that she left Lawson Steel and was back on the streets of New York City.
Why do I keep ending up north where it’s cold in the winter?
She grabbed her coat and pulled it tightly around her. Then she hailed for a taxi. They kept driving by. When one finally pulled over, a man beat her to it and she was left standing in the cold. Kollette raised her hand again, but this time it was a limo that pulled up directly in front of her. That worked too, however it made no sense for them to stop unless they were there to pick someone up.
Kollette moved slightly to step out of the way as the back door began to open. But she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw who was coming out.
Ethan.
“It looks like you could use a ride,” he said.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Looking for you,” he said.
“Me?”
“Yes. Though I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d find you at Lawson Steel. What are you doing here?” he asked.
She smiled. “Looking for you.”
Ethan stepped closer, took her hands in his and said, “Then I guess we’ve found each other.”
“I guess so.” There was so much she wanted to say to him, but not in the middle of the street. “Do you think we can go somewhere and talk?”
“I was about to suggest the same thing.” He opened the limo door and let her slide in then he followed behind.