Chapter Fourteen
ZOEY
On Monday morning, I was a bit jittery when I went into the office.
I was still tired even though I’d slept in yesterday.
But that wasn't the only reason I was on edge.
I wasn't sure how I'd react when I saw Colton.
The night we'd spent together was amazing, but I had no clue what that meant for us.
Still, work was work, so I sat at my desk, lit a lavender-scented candle, and opened my inbox, knocking out the first few emails.
By lunchtime, I was starting to get a bit suspicious. I hadn't heard Colton's voice at all. So while I went to get myself a coffee, I stopped by Darla’s desk. His calendar showed he was in a meeting all day, but I hadn’t heard him arrive.
"Hey, is Colton in a meeting?" I asked.
"Yes, but not at the office. He's at one of our producers.'"
"Oh. All right."
"He’s not coming to the office the whole week."
My stomach bottomed out in disappointment. I wouldn't see him at all this week? I couldn't believe the wave of sadness that just rolled over me. I went back to my desk, pouting as I focused on my inbox again.
My stomach somersaulted when I saw an email from Colton. The subject line said Urgent, but the body only said Check your messages. But I had my phone right next to me.
Holy shit! It was in Airplane Mode. How did I manage that?
I was suddenly giddy, and I took it off Airplane Mode, but in my excitement, I tapped it twice and managed to activate it again.
Ah, get a grip on yourself, Zoey. He just messaged you. And chances are it's work related.
But I didn't think it was, because he could have just emailed me.
When I finally managed to take it off Airplane Mode, I waited for a few seconds until I had both internet and a phone signal, then realized I had four unread messages from him.
I was in seventh heaven right now. I hadn't even realized how much I'd been hoping he would write to me until this very moment.
He'd sent the first message early in the morning. Damn it. I'd had it on Airplane Mode all this time?
Colton: Hey, I've got a last-minute meeting crammed into my schedule for the whole week. I’ll only be at the office on Friday. I want to see you. Are you free in the evening?
The next one was an hour later.
Colton: Are you free Friday evening?
Colton: I've got a surprise for you for lunch on Friday. Let me know when you get this.
And just a few minutes ago, he sent me a question mark.
In my haste to reply to the messages, I dropped the phone in my lap. Oh, if my brothers could see me now, they’d make fun of me forever. Taking a deep breath, I typed.
Zoey: What kind of surprise?
I sent it quickly and then realized he’d also asked about the evening.
I did want to see Colton, but my friend Tom and I had scheduled drinks on Friday a while back, and I knew he was looking forward to it.
It had been a while since we managed to catch up because he was super busy.
I couldn't wait to see what was going on in his life.
Zoey: I already have plans for dinner on Friday.
Then I got an idea and typed again.
Zoey: But maybe we can meet after? I'm not sure how long it'll take, though.
Colton replied a few seconds later. This was so exciting. I'd forgotten what it felt like to flirt… especially when it was forbidden.
Where did that thought come from? Nothing about this was forbidden. We were two adults who… well… I didn't know what we were doing, but I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
Colton: Let me know when you finish, and if it's not too late, then we can still meet up. As for lunch, I've made reservations at a Greek restaurant in the area. I'll send you the details.
I smiled, putting the phone to my chest.
Wait. He'd never mentioned that he was going to join me. I was confused now.
Zoey: So you're taking a break on Friday for lunch and joining me?
Colton: No, it's just for you. I'd originally planned to join you, but you can enjoy it even without me.
The rest of the week flew by. Things were strange at the office without Colton. I couldn’t explain why, but it felt like a different place altogether. He and I texted back and forth every day, and I tried to keep the flirting to a minimum.
I failed.
On Friday, right before lunchtime, I realized I had no idea where the reservation was.
Zoey: Send me the address of the restaurant and I'll go eat for two.
I wasn't even joking.
Colton: I can't wait. Send me a picture.
Zoey: Will do.
He sent me the location right away. The reservation was in one hour.
At lunchtime, I burst out of the office and walked at a brisk pace. Once I reached the restaurant, I took stock of my surroundings. The facade was painted white with blue shutters.
Stepping inside, I could already feel myself relaxing. This was the perfect lunch place. The only thing that would have made it better was if Colton was here.
A young waiter approached me. "Hi, do you have a reservation?"
"Oh, yes. I think it's under Zoey, or maybe Colton Whitley."
The boy smiled as if I'd just told him that Christmas came early. "This way. Mr. Whitley was in contact with us. I'll take you to your table."
We stepped to the right, and I realized the restaurant extended into the adjacent room as well. It was smaller and cozier. He led me to a table. There was a huge bouquet of roses on it.
"That's for you, courtesy of Mr. Whitley," he said.
I stilled, nodding. I had no idea how to react. I wasn't expecting this.
Sitting down, I inspected the card that was with the flowers. I opened it, expecting to see some typed letters, but it was handwritten. I was sure it was Colton's handwriting: Have fun. I wish I was there with you.
I couldn't believe he'd done this.
The same waiter returned and said, "This is our menu. We even have your favorite dessert."
My mouth dropped. "How do you know what my favorite dessert is?"
"Because Mr. Whitley made sure we had it before he made reservations. I’m fairly certain that if we didn't have it, he would have convinced us to make it. He's a very persuasive man."
"Oh yeah." I completely agreed. "All right, I already know what I want. Pork skewers with a Greek salad."
"Of course. Right away, miss."
After he left, I couldn't stop staring at my flowers. They were gorgeous. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd gotten flowers. Did the corsage from prom count?
I snapped a picture of them and sent them to Colton.
Zoey: Thank you.
That was all I said because, honestly, I was at a loss for words.
Colton: Are you enjoying yourself?
Zoey: Yes. You?
Colton: Hell no. I'm trapped in this meeting from hell instead of being there with you.
My heart was beating faster. I was feeling sassy again, so I decided to taunt him. I sent a picture of my legs. It was nothing indecent, just enough to show I was wearing a skirt.
Colton: I'm two seconds from bailing on this meeting. Is that what you want?
I was acting out of character, but I had a burning desire to see him. No! I had to behave.
I put the phone down and took a deep breath. I will behave. If I told myself that enough times, maybe I’d actually go through with it.
I opened my eyes and wrote back.
Zoey: No. Focus on your meeting. I promise I won’t tempt you with any more pictures.
Colton: You don't have to. I’m imagining you naked in my bed… and the kitchen counter and the couch.
I could feel my good intentions practically melting away.
But no, I couldn't tempt him. I was here to eat lunch; then I’d go back to the office and finish my workday.
Then I was going to tell Tom that we couldn't stay for too long tonight.
That was a good compromise. I would catch up with my best friend and see Colton afterward.
I texted him right as the food came.
Zoey: My lunch is here. Tonight, I’m meeting my best friend. I'm going to do my best to finish my evening plans around nine or ten. How does that sound?
Colton: Fuck yes.
I replied quickly.
Zoey: Don't distract me during my lunch.
Colton: Or what?
Hm, that was a good question.
Zoey: I don't know. Let's not find out. I feel like we’re in dangerous territory.
Colton: We definitely are.
I was giddy all through lunch, which was delicious. The Revani cake was truly the cherry on top. It was a sponge cake doused in syrup. The lemon flavor was very pronounced.
It transported me right back to my vacation. The only problem was, once I was done eating, I fell into a carbs coma. How was I supposed to go back to work now? But a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. I had bills to pay and couldn't flake out.
When the waiter came to clean the table, I asked him, "Could you please bring the bill?"
"It's already taken care of."
I stilled. "What?"
"Mr. Whitley left his card information with us when he made the reservation and specifically asked us to charge everything on it."
“Well, I’ll leave the tip th—”
“Oh no, ma'am, Mr. Whitley compensated us more than generously, but thank you. We’re just happy to have you here.”
Oh, Colton. I was going to make it up to him. He was spoiling me, and I was going to spoil him right back.
The afternoon dragged on. I drank three coffees to no avail. Not even the sugar rush from my dessert was helping.
I grinned every time I looked at the flowers. I’d put them in a vase with water and had them sitting on the corner of my desk. Several people had eyed them curiously, but no one asked anything. And if they did, I’d just tell them I bought them for myself.
When six o'clock came around, I burst through the door, carrying my huge-ass bouquet carefully as I headed to the Haymarket station.
I was meeting Tom at a restaurant near Fenway Park. I got there first and put the flowers right on the table so he could see them first thing when he arrived. I couldn't wait to get his take on this whole situation.
My phone beeped just as I was about to order. Colton was calling. I answered right away.
Look at that, I managed not to drop my phone. Progress.
"Hey," I said. Why does my voice sound like that?
"Hey, beautiful. Did you leave the office already?"