Alonso
Two weeks of strained conversation was taking its toll on me. Oh, Piper and I could be pleasant, but simmering beneath the surface was tension thicker than my abuela’s chicken tortilla soup. And Connie Ortiz’s soup was thick.
In front of the staff, we were cordial, told jokes about old professors, and worked almost seamlessly. Alone in a car or edit bay, there were no words spoken, no pleasant looks passed between us, nothing. It was worse than working with Jennifer Marcingill. At least she thought I liked her. Neither Piper nor I were under the impression that there was anything other than civility between us.
It stretched beyond the office, too. She had joined my gym. My sanctuary, my safe place to get away from work - she was there. She did yoga classes and ran on the treadmills. Piper had amazing curves that were usually hidden under her cardigans and blazers, but they were on full display when she was wearing a tank top and leggings. And I couldn’t manage to look away. My gaze was drawn to her voluptuous hips and long legs.
Even though we didn’t get along, I found myself drawn to her. She had an easy smile when she wanted to smile. Rex, Tyrell, and everyone else were smitten with her. It was like she was everyone’s little sister. Except my body didn’t see her as a little sister. My body saw her as an attractive woman it wanted to know better.
I had to keep telling it no.
Piper was a natural in front of the camera. Of course, I had known that when we were in school. She lit up the second I gave her the signal that we were rolling.
We stood in front of the local hospital disagreeing on where to set up the camera. She wanted it in front of the ribbon. I said there were too many people and to go in from the side. I usually won these arguments by simply hitting record and giving her the signal.
“And we’re live in three.” I showed her three fingers, two, then one. I pointed to her.
The scowl turned instantly. “I’m Piper Campbell for Action News, here at the ribbon cutting for the new children’s hospital wing at Savannah Regional Hospital. The funding for the new wing was donated by the McFarland family and matched by donations from the Amick Research Center.” She kept talking and stepped out of the way as the ribbon was cut.
Afterward, the scowl returned. “You play dirty, Alonso. I wanted to be set up more forward.”
The smirk couldn’t be helped. I leaned on the car. “You have no idea how dirty I can play, Piper.” I wanted to stop myself from flirting with her, but I couldn’t. I was drawn to her. I needed to rein it in. “But that was a better angle, you’ll see.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “You know, I’ve been in this business just as long as you, and I think I know what my good angles are. Hurry up and let’s get some interviews before they all leave.” She stomped off, her green dress billowing out behind her.
She was so adorable when she stomped.
Whoa there, where did that thought come from? I shook my head and grabbed the camera to follow after her.
After speaking with an over-dressed woman, Piper thanked her profusely. The woman took Piper’s hands in hers. “Oh, honey, you two are so sweet. You’ll make it, I can tell.”
“Pardon?” Piper’s professional, toothy smile faltered and her eyes cut over to me.
“The way this young man looked at you, honey. You are an adorable couple. I can tell he will do anything for you.” She waved a hand in the air like she matched up people all the time.
“Oh, no, ma’am. We’re just co-workers.” I knew my eyes were wide. A couple? Hardly. “I have to look at her, that’s my job.”
“Hey.” Piper whipped her head toward me, her eyebrows knit together. She turned back to the woman. “We’re not a couple, but thank you so much for the interview. It will be on at five and six.”
I hoisted the camera back on my shoulder to carry it back to the car, a pile of wires and cords in my other hand. “Must be nice to only carry the mic.” Piper waved to a few people as she casually came back to the car.
She blinked several times. “I’m sorry, do you want me to carry the camera? I wouldn’t think you would trust me with it. You treat it like a baby.”
It was ridiculously expensive equipment, of course I treated it with care. I gingerly placed it back inside its case before I turned back to her. “That camera would be like twenty-thousand to replace, and I don’t happen to have that sitting around if I break it, so yes, I treat it with respect.”
“That’s more than you do for me.”
Her words felt like a slap in the face. I did everything I could to treat her with respect, especially given our past. I shook my head and stared at her slack-jawed. I had no words that wouldn’t be incredibly offensive, and my abuela would skin me alive from her grave if I uttered them. So instead I turned and got into the driver’s seat, cranking the car and revving the engine.
Piper got into the passenger side and slammed her door. As she buckled up she sighed, her head down. “I’m sorry.”
Well, that was just as shocking as the last thing she had said. “What?”
“I’m sorry, Alonso. Tomorrow is my birthday and Henry had the nerve to text me today and tell me happy birthday.” Her voice was shaky. “I don’t know if I’m more pissed that he got the day wrong or that he texted me at all.” A weak attempt at a laugh escaped her lips, but I didn’t miss the quick swipe she made under her eyes.
I handed her a napkin. “I’m sorry. That sucks.” I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t have much experience with crying females. My mother was a wreck of wild emotions, my abuela was always stoic, and my sister was perpetually happy around me. So honest to goodness tears were foreign to me.
“Thanks. I just, I thought I’d be getting married in a few months. And now I’m not and I can’t believe he texted me on the wrong day of all things.” She wiped the napkin under her eyes and looked at me. “I hope you know the right birthdays for all the women in your life.”
Only my sister was left. “I do.” My voice was hoarse as I thought about Maggie. She was all the family I had in the world. I looked to Piper and nodded. “I’m sorry. He’s a jerk and you’re better off. Savannah is lucky to have you back.”
Dark eyes studied me a moment. “I don’t have any fight in me today, Alonso, so I’ll take it.” She sat back and closed her eyes. “You better be right about that angle.”
Heat crept up on my neck. “You won’t be disappointed. It’s a good angle.” I turned my head to the road and put the car in drive.
Back at the studio I loaded up footage into my computer and went to hide in the bathroom. I found a flower delivery app and perused the arrangements that could be delivered within twenty-four hours. I found one that was all pinks and yellows, with a birthday balloon and a box of candies. It was pricey, but I was determined.
I just needed something for the card to say. From everyone at Action News? No. I selfishly wanted the credit. From your cameraman? No. Why was it so hard? Then the perfect thing came to my mind. I typed it out quickly, pleased with myself. She would know it was from me without it saying so. That would avoid anyone thinking we were a couple as well. I clicked order before I could chicken out.
Action News liked any reason to celebrate, so the next day as I strolled in, a giant tray of cupcakes sat in the break room and a paper birthday crown sat on Piper’s desk. She was standing beside it, talking and laughing with Tyrell and Maria Warthen, one of the other field reporters.
Pink must be her favorite color because she wore a hot pink dress that looked like it belonged in a 1950s advertisement. Over it was a light pink cardigan that matched the belt on the dress. I stopped in my tracks about ten feet from her, my khakis wrinkled and my Action News polo several years old and sporting a stain that was tucked into my pants.
Her gaze traveled up to meet mine, and she tilted her head a little and nodded. I waved, feeling more awkward than I had in fifteen years. “Happy birthday, Piper.”
“Thanks, Alonso.” Her voice was soft and she half smiled. Maria kept talking and Piper turned her attention back to her friend.
As I turned to walk away, someone came in carrying a huge bouquet of pink and yellow flowers. I busied myself out of sight and watched from the corner of my eye. The bouquet was huge, a pink mylar balloon hovering over it.
The delivery person handed it over to Piper. “Oh my gosh. This is for me? That’s unbelievable. They are gorgeous.” She placed the flowers on her desk and they took up a good third of the whole thing.
Then the delivery person reached into his bag and pulled out the box of candies. It also was much larger than I had anticipated.
“More? Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.” Piper clutched the chocolates and the delivery person left. She looked to Maria. “Do you see a card? I would guess they’re from my parents, but I don’t know.”
The pair searched through the flowers and Maria came up the winner, card in hand. “It says, ‘Happy birthday. On the right day.’” She knit her eyebrows together. “What does that mean?”
I held my breath as Piper’s eyes immediately shot up and looked around the newsroom. They landed on me, half hidden in the hallway. Within seconds, her cheeks were as pink as her dress. I watched her blink several times and her lips draw together. Was she happy or upset?
Without a second thought, I disappeared down the hallway to get to my edit bay. The darkened room hid my flushed face as I sat down and put my head in my hands. Was that a foolish move? Why had I gotten the largest arrangement possible? Questions ran through my head as I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.
Before it could get back to normal, however, I heard a voice. Behind me.
I knew it was her.
“Alonso?”