Unexpected Chances (3 page)

Tabitha

A few days have passed, and I still can’t close my eyes without seeing the blue eyed monster staring back at me. Knowing I have work to do, all I’ve been able to manage is to draw the perfect orbs that have tortured me, and shade them in.

During my conversation this afternoon with Angela, I lost my focus a few times, which caused her to question me. I was able to pass it off as being tired.

Angela arrives back in California tonight, and I’m ready to have some girl time. She promised that we would visit Frank our stylist, and do a little shopping.

I make my way over to the copier, that I swear is the devil. It never works for me. Angela says you have to talk sweet to it. Oh, I do. However, I call it every name in the book that can come from my mouth. This evil spawn of Satan has ruined more clothes of mine than coffee. In return, we have a love-hate relationship. Kicking the beast only ends with me limping around the rest of the day.

Now, all I do is mouth off at it.

I focus on being gentle, and copying the files for the latest potential client we’re seeking. Black Enterprises will raise the bar for Angela’s company. I need to make sure she has everything that’s needed or she might blow her top.

I’m not sure what’s going on with her and her asshat of a husband, but she’s been on edge for the past few months. I told her she needs to slow it down, but Angela’s driven. She’s driven to succeed, to make something of herself. To prove that you can be the successful woman and have a family.

When she married him, I told her she was nuts. I’ve hated Christopher from the first time I seen him walk through the office doors. I know deep down that he will crush her. I know it’s going to end badly, and I feel that it’ll be soon. Another reason I only date a guy a few times then move on.

I’m not stupid. I never want to feel that kind of pain again.

The office phone scares the pants off me when it starts to blare, causing me to drop all my papers to the ground.

Reaching across my desk, I snatch up the phone, out of breath. “SHI, this is Tabitha, how may I help you?”

“Afternoon Tabitha,” is all I hear before I drop the phone, releasing a long line of profanity?

Picking up the receiver, I take a breath and say, “Sorry, yes this is Tabitha.”

“Are you always so clumsy?”

Playing stupid I ask, “Whose calling?”

“I’m sorry, Carter Northwood. How rude of me to not introduce myself before you dropped me on the floor.”

“Mr. Northwood, I’m sorry. I was at the copier, and the phone startled me,” I say, as I lean against my desk knocking over a few more items. I’m sure he can hear the crash of pens hitting the floor. Mentally I curse myself for allowing this man to turn me into a mess.

“Please call me, Carter,” he says in a sexy, deep voice that makes me weak in the knees. I grip the sides of my desk and exhale.

“Carter, what can I do for you?”

“I’m calling about the meeting that needs to be setup between Mrs. Stephens and me. Have you had a chance to review her schedule?”

“Yes, and I’m going over it with her when she arrives back this week. I thought we discussed that I would email you the dates.”

“You did. I just needed to check, and see if we’re still on track. I’m a very busy man, and have a board to answer to.”

“I’m very aware of the situation. I’ll be sure to email her once we finish this conversation, and narrow down the days before she returns. Is there anything else I can help you with, Carter?” I ask, adding a little extra innuendo into his name. 

“No, I think that will do it for today. I look forward to hearing from your filthy mouth soon. Try not to break anything else in the meantime,” he states, as he disconnects the call.

Placing the receiver down, I turn to hold onto the front of the desk, dipping my head down. I start shuffling my feet and shake my head. I ask myself how a simple phone conversation has turned me into a wrecking ball. Praying to the Lord that I never have to see this man face to face.

If that ever happens, I’ll end up either breaking my neck or covered in whatever I’m eating or drinking.

Pushing off the desk, I bend down to pick up the pens and folders I knocked off. I pile the mess together and shove all the pens back into the pen holder.

I pivot around and see the huge mess on the floor. Grumbling to myself, I stomp over and start snatching the papers up. “
Stupid man, causing me to drop everything, and I mean every dang thing I touch. Someone please put the earth back on its rotation. I can’t deal with him and his sexy voice and eyes that I need to swim in,”
I say out loud to no one but myself.

Glad tonight is Thursday, and Seth and I will hit up The Hill for our usual night out. I’m not even sure if this will clear my head. Maybe if I go with him and his friends this weekend to play paintball it will help.

Shooting the boys always makes me happy.

They banned me a few months back from attending their monthly games. Saying that I play too hard core with shooting to kill. I told them they were all chickens and to suck it up. Deep down it hurts their ego when I win. Seth told me that it turned a few of the guys on when I go all “GI Joe” on them.

I think that’s what I need a day of shooting the boys. I’ll get Seth toasty tonight and have him agree to it. I’ll video record him agreeing just to cover my ass.

****

Carter

Board meetings, site visits, and dealing with inspectors have me about to pull my hair out. I’ve tried to focus on everything being said, but all I can think about is that green-eyed redhead.

I haven’t been able to sleep. I'm not into the condos we're designing, not into the business mode right now.  My mind and thoughts are on Tabitha and when I’ll contact her next. 

Jack emailed me a list of places that she attends on a regular basis. He confirms that my Tabby Cat likes to shop, and have a good time. I laughed at that last conclusion. I knew this the first day I set eyes on her. She said she was meditating, but you could tell that she was napping, or recovering from a long night.

I’ve cleared the next couple of days from my schedule and know the next step I’m going to take. All I need to do is make a quick phone call. 

Locating the number to her office, I dial and wait for what I hope to be her on the other end.

She answers, sounding out of breath, and shaken.

I hear a loud bang on the other end.

Shaking my head, “Are you always this clumsy?”

When she responds, I can hear the frustration laced in her voice. It’s quite the turn on, getting her this worked up from the other side of the phone line.

She’s confused to who’s on the line, and I like that. I could keep this little charade up a bit, but I’ll take a bite.

When she calls me, “Mr. Northwood” it makes me think of how it would sound on the end of her name. She draws out the wood in my last name.

“Please call me, Carter,” I inform her.

“Alright then, Carter what can I do for you?”

Shit, just when I thought it couldn’t get any hotter, she has to say my first name in that stern, sexy as sin voice. I adjust in my seat as I try to remember why I called.

I continue to taunt her with my reasoning. It’s pointless because I know the outline, and I understand what to expect.

I needed to hear her voice.

I needed to hear her get as frustrated as I am right now.

After my makeshift conversation, I end the call abruptly and hang up. No reason to say bye. I’ll be seeing her soon enough.

Tabitha

It’s Thursday night, and that means
“Thirsty Thursday”
at The Hill. One of my favorite nights to go. They offer half-priced drinks for the ladies and crank up the music.

I tried to drag Angela out with me, but her excuse was paperwork. Blah… Paperwork. I’d light it all on fire if I could, but then I wouldn’t be a magnificent assistant now would I?

Seth’s meeting me with some friends of ours. Since I’m off tomorrow, I plan to live it up. This whole week has thrown me off, and I need to bring peace and order back to my universe.

I’ve found my cute baby pink slinky dress and paired it with my silver rhinestone heels. Curling my long red hair and pinning it back on the sides with a cluster of pink pearls barrette. I slide on a few bangles and dangle earrings.

My makeup is done to a minimum. I line my lips with a pink liner and color in with pale gloss. Giving a final smack of my lips in the mirror, I take a quick glance of myself.
“You look killer. Let’s own it tonight,”
I say out loud.

I flag down a cab outside my building and give the driver the address. I’m not even going to attempt to drive, and then worry with where I leave my car tonight. Seth and I already know it’s going to be a long night and have made plans to meet and then head out to another location. It’s his night to cover the taxi rides, and I plan to live that up.

I throw a twenty up to the driver, “Keep the change,” as I slam the door behind me.

Pulling the door open, the aroma of stale beer hits me.
“Ugh why do we come here again?”
I ask myself.

Shocked that Seth beat me here, I spot him and his buddies right away. Yep, they’re the loud group of guys standing at a bar high table.

Seth spots me right away as I’m walking towards them. “Firecracker!” He screams, as I inch closer and causes all the guys to turn around to welcome me.

“What’s your poison tonight?” Cory asks.

“Tonight, it’s beer,” I state, before I move around the table hugging Cory, Mitch, Jason, and Ben.

They've all been Seth's best friends since grade school, which makes them like older brothers to me. You think it’s bad having an overprotective brother, try having four more on-top of the one related to you.

“Oh my, Firecracker. No fancy martini tonight?” Cory asks sarcastically.

“No. I need to be able to hang with you guys,” I say, as I shrug it off.

Cory has had a thing for me since high school. I’ve explained that it’s a sick, and twisted idea to even remotely think of me that way. Just thinking about that awkward conversation makes me shiver.

He’ll always hold a special place in my heart, just not the way he would prefer.

If you ask him why he’s not married, Cory’s response is always, “My red head isn’t ready to settle down. When she’s ready, I’ll marry.” The whole group will shake their heads, and stomp away. They all know I love him, but that love’s a brotherly love.

Cory comes back with a bucket of beer for everyone and starts us off with a toast.
“May we get what we want, but never what we deserve?”
He says, while staring right into my eyes. We all pick up our beers and clink the tops of the bottles together.

This is how we start our nights out; Cory will have many more salutes throughout our evening.

****

Carter

Things are looking up for me tonight. I haven’t figured out how I plan to approach her just yet. Jack texted, and confirmed that she was at The Hill. All I need to do is check into my hotel and change.

I dump my wallet and phone on the desk in my room as I look around the place. It’s no five-star, but it’ll do for the time being. I made sure that my office knows where I am, but other than that I’m at a conference.

I ditched Bethany and her events for the next few days. Just to be sure I wasn’t bothered by her and the drama that tags along behind her.

Unzipping my suitcase, I search for my dark denim jeans and white button-up shirt. Changing as if I’m sprinting for the finish line, I roll up my sleeves just enough to show off the hint of tattoos I have on my arms.

Usually, I keep them covered, except while on the job-site. In a board meeting or a function with my and Bethany’s family’s, I cover them thoroughly.

Each arm is intertwined into a story, the story of my life.

The disappointments that I had.

The life lessons learned.

And the pure soul wrenching love that I only dream to find one day.

Not allowing Bethany and the political game that I’ve had to play over the years get into my head tonight, I snatch up my key card, wallet, and cell. I pat down my pockets, just to double check that I have everything. I walk out the door, letting it close behind me with a little more force than necessary.

Down in the lobby I find the hotel driver, and ask if he knows where The Hill is. He offers to give me a lift, but I have a rental car, so I should be able to locate this hole in the wall by myself.

In the car, I set the GPS to the address and glance at the screen for a moment. Looks to be the same directions I’d received.

On the drive, my mind races.

I keep asking myself what I’m doing.

Why are you here Carter? You know you can’t drag her down with you. If Bethany or anyone ever got word about this, it would be the end of my business.

The end of me.

Bethany’s father would have me buried so deep below the surface that no amount of shoveling could dig me out. But for some reason, I feel that she’s worth it.

Tabitha’s worth every fight that I have left in my bones.

I pull up into the dark parking lot full of cars and patrons coming and going. Glancing down at my watch, and notice it’s close to 11 p.m. already. Resting my head on the leather backrest, I let out all the air in my lungs. It’s almost as if I’ve been holding it in the whole drive here.

As I exit the car and walk to the entrance, I pray that she’s alone and with her brother. I’ll have to figure out a way to approach her, without scaring the shit out of my Tabby Cat.