Chapter 5
ZINNIA
Slipping the delivery man ten bucks, I stare in delight at the pile of computer boxes in the center of what's really now our office.
Even though I am dying to start unpacking everything, I open my old laptop and check to see if there's been any response to the ad I placed yesterday. Two messages already!
Okay, this has been the most ridiculously wonderful week ever.
Our dinner last night was stupendous, and even though Rose pulled out a notepad over dessert to jot down a few basic house rules, it was a good chance to relax and unwind.
It probably helped me sleep, because Evan got me so wound up yesterday I thought I was going to explode. How does he know exactly how to press all of my buttons so quickly?
I respond to one of the messages asking for more information. The second one is straightforward, asking to get together this afternoon to go over ideas.
After setting up a coffee meeting for four o'clock, I get a message.
Evan: I'm working a job that will probably take me till 5:30 or so. Shall I pick you up at your apartment?
Me: I'll either be home by then, or at The Tiny Goat.
Evan: Okay. I'll check there first. Can't wait to see you, gorgeous.
Me: Me too.
The day flies by as I set up all of the computer stuff, then bounce to the café and my first real client meeting. As soon as I shake hands with Angus, the owner of the local movie theater, I know this is going to be a fun job.
Even with only a couple of hours brainstorming ideas, he loves everything I propose.
Partnering with local restaurants so customers get a discount on their meal for showing the movie ticket, or a discount on the movie ticket if they eat nearby beforehand and show the receipt.
A quirky illustrated map to be thrown up on the screen right before the movie previews, showing all of the participating restaurants.
Starting a "Sandersville Hangouts" community of Saturday night entertainment-related businesses.
A blog where his staff can review movies every week. Not just what they thought themselves, but how the audiences reacted. Did they leave the theater dazzled? Laughing? Dabbing away tears?
"I love the idea of an 'insiders report'," Angus chuckles. He finishes his coffee and grins. "I have to say, Zinnia, at first I wondered about hiring someone who is new to Sandersville. But you seem to have great ideas."
"Thank you."
As we stand, he pats me on the shoulder. "My uncle runs the shoe store. I'll ask him if he needs some fresh advertising. I'll bet he does."
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that." I shake his hand warmly, then clear the table of my notes as he leaves.
Turning toward the door, Evan is standing there with a scowl. "What's wrong?" I rush over as he wraps an arm around me.
"Who was that?" he asks.
"Angus Martin. He owns the movie theater. He's my first client here."
"You just met with a stranger? Alone?"
Oh my…
I step backward, slipping out of his arms. "Outside. Now."
He follows me out to the street where I find an alley between two stores so we can have some privacy. "Oops. Are you freaked out that I'm in a dark alley?" I ask.
Evan sighs. "Zinnia, I just want—"
"How about what I want? And need? This is a time in my life where I'm growing. Developing connections. Building my portfolio. That's going to require meeting with clients."
"I know, but—"
"I didn't bring him to my house. I didn't go to his business, where I'd be alone. I met him in a café where the staff knows me. I even told Ben, the barista, that I was meeting with a stranger. He knows Angus, and said he's a good guy."
"So you already had someone watching over you."
"Exactly."
"Then what's the problem if I do it as well?"
My mouth falls open as I stare. "You honestly don't see a problem with your attitude?"
"I just want to be careful with you."
Part of me feels sorry for Evan, because he looks so lost. A larger part of me is angry that such a smart man has a huge black hole of stupidity right between his eyes.
I'm not sure why I'm so annoyed by his level of care. Is this normal in relationships? "Evan, is Sandersville an incredibly dangerous place?"
He shuffles his feet. "No."
"Did I do anything genuinely unsafe?"
His apologetic, puppy dog expression is out of place on his rugged face. "No. You're right – I'm overreacting a bit."
He reaches for my hand, and after a moment I place it in his. "Zinnia, I haven't been with a woman for a very long time. I've never had a serious girlfriend. You're already incredibly important to me. It's triggering all kinds of things inside me that I can't explain."
I appreciate that he's so open. "Thank you. I promise that if I'm ever the slightest bit concerned about a meeting, I'll let you lurk somewhere. Fair?"
Evan holds me against his chest. "Fair. Thank you."
I'm not sure if I've just won a victory, or given up a bit of ground. But with his thick arms around me, holding me so tightly that I want to burrow into his warmth, it doesn't even matter.