10. Zander
10
ZANDER
My two-day trip to Cherrywood has stretched into a week. But what an exhilarating week it’s been. Every morning when I step inside the office building, I feel the giddiness of a five-year-old on his first day of school.
When you do something for so long, even if it’s as exciting as running a company, you don’t realize when it becomes a part of your routine and its buzz fades out. Since starting Elixir, I’ve been laser focused. The only thought on my mind as soon as I enter the office door is the company’s growth and success. How can I be better in this business? How can I not fail the people who count on me?
But this week, I’ve thought and been excited about ridiculous things like Wolverine.
Me: I see you have a new wallpaper.
Marr’s cell phone vibrates on the glass table, and she picks it up before everyone in the conference room is disturbed. I notice her as she reads my text, and then her gaze meets mine. She immediately looks away, turning her head slightly to the side as if making sure no one is watching.
I lean back in my chair and briefly glance at Oscar, who’s presenting the quarterly progress report to the group.
My phone stirs in my hand.
Couch girl: It’s an exclusive. I had an illustrator design it for me.
Me: I didn’t know your obsession ran so deep, couch girl. Are you campaigning for the biggest Wolverine fan?
I’ve just hit send and there’s a short giggle in between Oscar’s words.
All eyes turn to Marr as she starts to cough.I notice her transition as she almost cowers in her chair and hides behind her laptop screen, her face turning pale.
Everyone’s attention is quickly pulled back when Oscar starts to talk about some sales numbers in a high-pitched voice, and I wonder if his increased enthusiasm is for Marr’s benefit.
When I look in her direction again, I find Kristy staring at me, eyebrow arched. I give her my sweet smile, not wanting to be in her bad books.
Me: You have a beautiful laugh. I love knowing that I did something to make you smile. But next time, I’ll make sure I don’t do such a thing in a room full of people.
Some tension leaves my body when I watch the beautiful pink reappearing on her face.
“W-when are you r-returning?” Zane asks as I press the keycard to the sensor and open the door to my hotel room.
This part of my day, coming back to an empty, stale room, is no fun. Although, I’d be returning to my empty apartment in St. Peppers too, but that’s usually after spending a fun evening with my brothers. Other days, when I want a break from things, I’d cook something and have them over. It might sound strange to many, but cooking has always been therapeutic for me.
“I don’t know.” I open the fridge and fetch a water bottle.
“Is th-there a problem?”
“No. It’s just…” I try to find the right response for my brother. “I like it here. I feel different.” My grip on the plastic bottle tightens.
“You s-sound different. But d-don’t leave me alone w-with Zach for t-too long.” He chuckles.
“Don’t worry. I’ll most likely return at the end of this week,” I tell Zane before ending the call.
The thought of leaving Cherrywood bums me out.
This is fucking crazy. I yank at my tie in irritation.
What the hell am I thinking?
I’m acting like a five-year-old in Disneyland, not wanting to return home. I have a life in St. Peppers. A business to run.
My topmost priority at this moment should be getting everything ready for the third site.
Instead of picking up the menu and ordering dinner from room service as I do every other evening, I decide to go out.
My hotel is located in the heart of Cherrywood, and I start my hunt for a good meal that’ll cheer me up on foot.
I stop outside a fine dining restaurant. Although I was looking for something casual, now the thought of sitting in a crowded place doesn’t interest me too much. I step in and a waitress greets me.
“Would you like a table, sir?”
“Yes, please. Just for one.”
“Sure. We have a place here.” She points to a setting between a large dinner party and a teenage birthday celebration. “Or there is also a small, more private table in the back.” The young blonde girl gives me a kind smile.
I shrug. “I’m looking for some quiet tonight.”
“Sure. Please follow me. ”
We walk beyond the celebrations until she takes me to the end of the big restaurant and—holy fuck, there’s Marr and Kristy.
“Hello, ladies,” I greet them, barely holding back my excitement as my mood makes a one-eighty shift.
“Zander, what are you doing here?” Kristy asks, and my eyes quickly scan their table—some barely touched appetizers and drinks that are still full. Looks like they’ve just started.
Thank fuck.
“I decided to skip the usual room service,” I tell Kristy as I smile at Marr, who gives me a shy smile of her own.
“Sir, would you like me to add a placing for you here?” the patient waitress asks.
“Oh no. I wouldn’t want to impose.” Inside, I’m frantically wishing against my words.
“Are you kidding? It’s no imposition.” Kristy is already picking up her drink and the bread basket, making a place for me at their table.
I look hesitantly at Marr and she nods.
“So, how are you liking Cherrywood?” Kristy asks after I’ve settled in.
“Much more than expected. I wasn’t prepared to be so amazed.” My gaze lands on Marr, who shies away while sipping her cocktail.
The waitress hands us three menus, and I place an order for whiskey and braised lamb. After returning the leather-bound book, I peer at Marr, her eyebrows furrowed as she mulls over the choices.
Next time, when she turns the page, her eyes meet mine over the menu covering half her face.
I think it’s on reflex—her gaze lowers, but then seconds later, she looks up again. There’s a twinkle in her blue eyes as she adjusts her glasses. She turns to the waitress and places her order before smiling my way.
Our drinks arrive—a whiskey for me and a round of refills for the ladies.
“What are you drinking?” I look in amusement at their glasses filled with colorful liquids.
“I’m a cosmo girl.” Kristy raises her glass to me. “And Rose will drink any cocktail as long as it has a trace of iced tea in it. What is it today?” She tilts her head toward her friend.
“Um, it’s a gunpowder gimlet,” Marr mumbles with a touch of embarrassment.
“Even your drink sounds like a superhero.” I raise an eyebrow, suppressing my smile.
Kristy snorts upon hearing my remark. “That’s so true.” She composes herself before asking, “What does an evening in St. Peppers look like?”
From the corner of my eye, I see Marr sliding forward in her chair, leaning in to listen.
“Mostly hanging out with my brothers.”
“You three are quite close,” Kristy remarks.
I nod. “Relationships are very important to me. Be it with my brothers or…friends.”
Marr leans back, hiding her huge grin behind that cocktail glass. But it slips upon hearing my next words.
“That’s why they’re continuously asking when I’m coming back.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you were already planning to return.” Kristy looks between Marr and me.
Does she know there’s something—whatever that is—going on between us?
“My trip was originally meant to be two days. Nobody expected me to be out of St. Peppers for a week.”
“I hope we’ll see more of you, Zander.” Kristy smiles.
“You will certainly see much more of me. This town and its people are growing on me. ”
Later in the night, I send Marr a text.
Me: I was serious when I said I’d be visiting more often.
Her response is immediate.
Couch girl: I’m glad to hear that.
Couch girl: I was surprised to hear about you leaving.
My hands tingle as I type a response. I press my lips tight, holding back the wide smile from making an appearance. My heart fucking bursts with joy knowing she isn’t unaffected by my return.
Me: I’m surprised at how much I don’t want to leave. Your cute town is growing on me. Some people more than others.
As usual, when her fingers type, I see the consequential three dots.
Couch girl: Some of those people would be happy to see you more often.