Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Cormac held tight to Jenna’s arm seeming to fear she might be swept away by the great breeze created when the monstrous BART train pulled into the Rockridge Station. The platform was filled with people all heading into San Francisco on this gorgeous Saturday morning.
“This is our train,” Jenna said to Cormac.
He didn’t move, instead looking up and down the line of cars in apparent wonder.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the open door of the nearest train car.
He hesitantly stepped aboard and Jenna found them seats right away.
“Dylan can be so flaky sometimes,” she complained.
“He sends me a text in the middle of the night to tell me he can’t make it to the Children’s Hospital Charitable Ball tonight.
Since I don’t want to go unescorted, he suggested I take you.
” Jenna glanced at Cormac who was holding tightly to the seat in front of him as the train left the station.
She smiled and reached out her hand to gently remove his fingers from their death grip on the seat back.
“Does everything here move this fast, lass?” he asked, looking unsure of himself.
“Pretty much,” Jenna sighed. “I’m sorry to ask you to be my date to the ball at the last minute like this. I hope you don’t mind accompanying me.” She turned so she could see his face and smiled reassuringly at him.
“Nae. I dinna mind. I’d be verra pleased to escort ye.”
If she could keep him talking she might be able to get that look of horror off of his face that appeared every time he heard the train squeal as it rounded a curve.
Before long they headed into the tube that took the trains under the San Francisco Bay.
There was now total darkness outside the windows, where moments before it had been bright and sunny.
“Where did the light go?” Cormac asked, looking more and more concerned with each passing moment.
“Don’t worry. It’s dark because we’re passing under the bay. We’ll be out soon enough.”
“We’re under the water,” he exclaimed, disbelief written all over his face.
“Yes. It’s okay. Thousands of people do this every day.
It’s not a problem.” The hand she had been holding seemed a bit cold and clammy to the touch.
She would never have believed that a big, strong man like Cormac would be frightened by a train.
It almost made his whole time travel story more realistic.
She kept a running conversation going with him until they reached their stop at the Embarcadero station.
“This is our stop, Cormac.” She scooted over, pushing him to get up.
As they left the train, she heard a very audible sigh of relief leave his lips.
She couldn’t help giggling as he hurried her away from the train.
Leaving the station they emerged into bright sunshine once again.
There were tons of people wandering to and fro on the sidewalks.
Many were tourists and many were Bay Area citizens in the city for the day, undoubtedly sightseeing, shopping, going to the theater or here for a really good meal at one of the many amazing restaurants the city had to offer.
“I thought we’d get your tux out of the way and then we can maybe grab a slice of pizza somewhere before we head back to the house to get ready for tonight.”
“What is a tux, Jenna?” Cormac had such a serious expression on his face that it took Jenna by surprise. Maybe they went by a different name in Scotland. It didn’t really matter, they were quickly approaching the shop where they would be picking it up and he’d see what it was. “You’ll see, Cormac.”
They entered the shop and were greeted by Antonio, the shop owner.
“Jenna! What a surprise to see you here. I was expecting Dylan.” Antonio pecked Jenna on both cheeks and did a double take as he looked at Cormac.
“Dylan isn’t going to be going to the event tonight. Antonio, this is Cormac MacBayne, he’s going to be my date for the ball. I thought maybe we could get him fitted in a tux. He’s a little bigger than Dylan, but maybe you can find something for him.”
“Of course, of course. No problem. You know a lot of our local sports stars come here for their clothes,” he said proudly. “I’m sure I’ll have no trouble at all finding something. Cormac, please stand over here so I can get your measurements.”
Cormac let go of Jenna’s hand for the first time since they’d begun their journey. He stood where Antonio directed him and let his eyes wander about the shop.
Antonio was tut-tutting all around Cormac with his measuring tape and taking notes on a pad of paper as he went. “Okay. Follow me into the dressing room and I’ll bring in something I think will be perfect for you.”
Cormac went in behind the curtain and gave Jenna a look of desperation when Antonio closed it on him. “Remove your clothes,” Antonio called as he opened the curtain to speak with Cormac. “I’ll be right back. We’ll have you out of here in no time.”
Antonio went through the shop picking shirts, ties, jackets and pants with the ease of a man who knew exactly what he was doing.
Jenna sat in a comfy armchair by the window and waited.
“You are such a busy lady, I’m surprised you have time to come in here with your friend.” Antonio said as he selected a bow tie from a nearby rack.
“I took a few weeks off. I needed to get some rest, you know, with everything that’s been going on.”
“You mean, Jonathan, right?” Antonio asked.
“Yeah. He’s been a piece of work for sure.
” Jenna visibly relaxed her shoulders and smiled at Antonio.
It was amazing how quickly word travelled in her circle.
She rarely saw Antonio, but he knew all about her troubles.
“I know I technically run my parents’ foundation, but really, it runs like a well-oiled machine, with or without me. ”
“It’s good you can get away. I should tell you, though, Jonathan has been in here recently.
He bought some clothes and told me to charge them to your account.
I, of course, refused. I told him I couldn’t do that without your permission.
He was very angry with me, but I assumed you would not want him using your account, especially with everything that’s happened. ”
“Thank you, Antonio. You did the right thing.”
“Well, I’d better get to work, so you can get on with your day.
” He turned toward the curtain and opened it to go inside.
“Oh, my!” Antonio turned and came rushing out to grab a pair of boxer briefs from a nearby rack.
“No underwear,” he whispered to Jenna, who nearly choked on a giggle.
This was turning out to be quite entertaining.
Cormac hadn’t uttered a sound and she wasn’t sure how he would survive all of this attention being lavished on him by an obviously thrilled Antonio. The curtain opened again and Antonio asked, “Shoes?”
Jenna nodded and as Antonio went to get a few pairs for Cormac to try, Jenna checked her texts on her phone and checked her calendar to reconfirm the time of the Ball.
Eventually, the curtain opened and she nearly gasped at the sight that stood in front of her.
She couldn’t believe how amazing Cormac looked in a tux.
She stood and walked up to him, giving him the once over from head to toe.
She circled him, nodding in approval as Antonio stood proudly in front of Cormac, hands clasped as if he would applaud at any moment.
“Wow!” Jenna exclaimed. “You … you look amazing.” She turned to Antonio, “That will work, Antonio. Put it on Dylan’s bill, please. Maybe that’ll teach him not to back out of our plans at the last minute.”
Antonio laughed and asked, “Is there anything else we can get for your friend?”
“No. I can’t think of anything else he needs,” Jenna answered, eyes still checking out Cormac in his tux. As she stood staring, Antonio took Cormac by the arm and escorted him back into the dressing room.
“I believe I can take care of getting this off, thank you, Antonio.”
“Are you sure? It’s no trouble, really.” Antonio sounded hopeful.
“Nae. I’ll call ye should I need yer help.”
A disappointed Antonio left the dressing room and headed to his cash register.
A few minutes later, Cormac had his own clothes back on and he emerged from the behind the curtain.
Antonio’s face lit up when he saw him. “I’ll get your tux ready to go, Cormac.
It won’t take a moment.” He headed into the dressing room.
Cormac wrinkled his brow and shook his head at Jenna.
She just laughed. “It seems Antonio has taken quite a liking to you.” She lowered her voice for his ears only.
“Unfortunately, for the puur man, I be only interested in ye.” He gave her a roguish grin that set her heart to beating like she had a hummingbird trapped inside her chest.
Antonio came back with the tux and other accessories neatly packaged, including the shoes they had found. Jenna was grateful it had only been a one stop shopping expedition for Cormac’s sake.
Antonio followed them as they walked out the door of the shop. “I hope to see you again, Cormac. It’s been a pleasure.” He called as they headed down the street.
They rounded the corner and came to another shop, where Jenna picked up her gown and some accessories, along with her shoes and then the two of them made their way to her favorite pizzeria for lunch.
“I normally only order a slice, but something tells me you’ll want more than that.” She ordered the house special pizza for Cormac and a margherita pizza for herself. She figured whatever she didn’t eat, he would. She also ordered them both an arugula salad to share.