28. Cole
Twenty Eight
Cole
Three weeks pass.
Three weeks of sunshine, sex with my boss and trying to figure out how to get Oliver’s number. Eventually, I have to ask Sal for his dad’s number to try and get it from him.
Pacing the hallway outside of our business suite, I try to think how I will word this. Sensing everyone in the office is listening, swallowing my nerves as best I can, I press a shaky thumb to my cell.
The ringing in my headset startles me.
“Hello?”
The stern voice throws me off.
“Hi, um, this is…” Jesus I sound so out of my element. This isn’t the person he’d picture his son dating… if we were dating. Or in charge of an important event. Clearing my throat, I say more assertively, “Hello, this is Cole Matthews.”
“Ah, yes Mr. Matthews. It’s wonderful to hear from you again. How are you?”
I force a stiff smile as if he’d see it. “I’m excellent, thank you.”
I’m ready to ask him for Oliver Davis’s number, but he’s got other things in mind.
“Before you ask, yes I approve of you both dating.”
The approval causes my cheeks to redden.
“If the owner of the company takes issue, I’ll reassure him that it doesn’t bother me one bit.”
Does this man see all and know all?
The thought of him knowing we’re intimate almost makes me choke on my tongue.
Holding the cough tickling the back of my throat, I stand a little taller. “Thank you, I appreciate hearing that.” Should I deny it? Tell him we’re not boyfriends?
“I know Sal can be rough around the edges, but he’s sweet under that mean mug.”
The man knows his son. A snicker leaves me.
Carried away by the friendly banter, I say more than I probably should. “I think Sal acts mad, but I think he’s grateful to have you back.”
Not that he shows it.
“It’ll take time,” I add.
The heavy pause between us has my palms sweating. That was out of line for me to mention.
“I appreciate that,” he finally says. His perky demeanor sounds lost. “Sometimes I think I’ve damned myself but this gives me hope.”
A slight smile creeps onto my face. Maybe I haven’t blown it.
“Oh,” I say, forgetting I’ve called him for something other than a social call, I add, “May I have the number for Oliver Davis?”
Like a car jump started back to life, his ready to go attitude is back. “Yes, that’s right. I will text it over to you right away.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Of course! Don’t hesitate to reach out.”
I’m not sure how to end the conversation but there pause makes me panic. The rescue by Mr. Hammond throws me off.
“Thank you.. For taking care of my boy. I’ve failed him but I have hope he’s gonna be okay despite my mistake.”
“Oh, of course.”
“Take care,” he says quickly.
“You too…”
The call ends and quiet echoes out to me, until someone from another suite leaves and snaps me out of my haze. Turning quickly, I enter the office and shuffle to my desk.
After a few minutes, a text comes through.
Mr. Hammond: New Contact Oliver Davis
Me: Thank you sir!
Mr. Hammond: Yw!
In what universe would I have imagined to be texting the Samuel Hammond, one of the founders of the gala in Bayfront? None. My dream job wasn’t to be a locator on the west coast. I love my job but I had always pictured myself in a restaurant.
Too bad that was a pipe dream. Restaurants rarely leave room for passion and patience. Instead it’s a fast paced nightmare. While it takes a lot for people to get under my skin, I could not handle being yelled at while trying to create a dish.
Another text coming through stops my bitter thoughts. Thank God. Now is not the time to spiral over missed life-long dreams.
Sal: Did you get the number? Xx
The simple letters at the end of the message make my heart soar. Of all the special moments between us lately, it’s the extremely little things that make my heart patter erratically. Despite being the work day and work needing to be done, he sends me little reminders that he cares.
Oh my god, that’s so cringe.
But it’s Sal. I don’t care.
Me: yes :) ty 3
Tony pops his head and raises his eyebrows.
Dropping my phone, I flip it face down and lean in.
“Did you get it?!”
“I did!”
Tony does the highest pitched noise. “I cannot believe we’re going to meet Oliver Davis!”
I bite my bottom lip.
“Why aren’t you freaking out?!” Anthony rolls over closer to my desk. “You could try to bag him.”
Me? A nobody bag Oliver? The cutest twink in Bayfront? Funny.
“He’s spoken for. Didn’t you say he and Ace are engaged?”
Anthony sighs as if he’s received the worst news. “Apparently it was a joke.”
“A joke?”
Anthony shrugs.
Marriage. Doesn’t seem like something to joke about.
“Wait.”
Uh oh. The look my bestie gives says he’s on to me.
“You dropped your phone fast. Way too fast.”
Shit.
“Um. Yeah don’t tell the boss I was on tinder at work…”
The way Tony’s jaw drops I know I’ve got him believing me.
“Anyone hot?”
I shake my head. “I’d be hitting them up instead of chatting with you if they were.”
He punches my arm then swivels back to his desk.
Relief lets me breathe a little better, however there’s an ache in my chest. Tony has been my closest friend in a long time. He’s been open to me about everything. So many things I didn’t want to know. And while I don’t overshare as he does, guilt pricks my chest for not telling him that there’s something between me and Sal.
Hopefully we can keep it on the DL before I have to tell him we’ve been a thing.
Looking down at my phone, I pick it up and save one of the most popular guys in the Bayfront area.
This is very different than finding the best hotel to stay in before a cruise to Alaska. Or the best route from here up to Oregon and Washington for who knows what.
Okay, enough stalling. Clicking on the number, I open messages.
Thumbs helicopter over the keyboard, unable to decide where to begin. This is Oliver Davis I’m trying to reach out to.
Deciding texting isn’t the best method, and I should call him.
Dialing the number, I try to tune out the chattering of my colleagues and the clicking of their keyboards.
After three rings, an extremely friendly voice answers on the other end.
“Hello?”
Oh god.
Keeping my cool, I slide from my chair and speed walk to the conference room.
“Hi, is this Oliver Davis?”
“…it is…”
He sounds petrified. It boulsters something within me and the confidence in my voice catches me by surprise but I run with it.
“Hi, this is Cole Matthews. Long explanation short, I’m helping plan the gala for the LGBTQ+ event.”
“Oh!” He sounds completely relieved now.
“Would you be interested in speaking at the event? While I’m sure you’re busy, it’d be an honor to have you speak about your experiences.”
“That would be really cool. You know, I do start school this fall so my appearances will be more sporadic.”
Heat whips my cheeks when I picture how he looked last year on the covers of gossip magazines. Dazzling. Adorably new, but breathtaking none the least.
“So this would actually be perfect.”
Yes! I actually leap.
“If you’d like to come over to my place for dinner, I can chat with you on what our plans are.”
What. What did I just ask?
Panic startles my brain like a bear woken from hibernation.
“Ace is welcome, I’ll bring my boyfriend and friend who are planning it.”
Without missing a beat, Oliver sounds excited. “That would be really cool! When are you thinking?”
Oh Jesus, I haven’t thought of anything beyond trying to not sound like I’m hitting on him.
“My place isn’t very fancy…”
“I bet it’s lovely.”
“I was thinking about this Saturday evening?”
“Perfect, for once we don’t have anything going on.”
“Awesome. I’ll text you my address. See you then.”
“Nice to meet you and I’ll see you then.”
As fast as I can without seeming rude, I end the call and stare at the phone call log. Did I seriously just make two huge phone calls?
I’m wondering if I should ask for a raise simply for the years I just shaved off my life expectancy from stress.
This Saturday I’m not only hosting Oliver Davis, but Ace Maverick.
My feet move before I can think clearly.
“Tony!” I should when I’m halfway out the doorway. “Tony!”
A startled yell comes from his desk. “What?! What happened?!”
Tony jolts from his chair like he’s ready for me to declare the world is ending.
“We have dinner with Oliver and Ace Saturday!”
Tony’s jaw flops down to his desk.
“WE?!”
I suck in a breathe. I probably look as startled as him.
“What do you mean WE?!” He asks, gripping my arm, hard.
“Ow!”
“TELL ME!”
Our coworkers start shouting intermittently throughout the room and quickly we’re surrounded after I say, “I have dinner plans regarding the gala with Tony and the boss!”
Suddenly everyone’s freaking out around us and asking me a million questions like what day and when.
Despite working with these people every day, I’m relieved I didn’t say boyfriend, and I’m extra thankful I didn’t say where. Because I do not want to have my place bombarded with paparazzi and my coworkers.
The excitement causing my brain to go off like firecrackers dims slightly when I turn and see Sal standing in his doorway with the biggest frown and pull of annoyance at his brow.
Why does he look so pissed?