“Maybe he won’t show up.” Lucy shrugged, drying her hands. “Ope, I spoke too soon.”
The door opened and my hopes went down the toilet.
“Good evening, ladies.” Alek entered in a dark suit and a confident strut. The door swung closed and a breeze blew his scent into my face. It was as if he’d bathed in the fragrance department at Bloomingdales.
Holy moly! Had he used a whole bottle of cologne?
“Hi.” I smiled and gathered my things, wrinkling my nose and hoping I didn’t sneeze.
Now, I appreciated a well-groomed man, but Alek had taken it a bit far. I liked some grit and the natural scent of… Chris’s face popped into my head. Yeah, the natural scent of him.
When we kissed last week, I couldn’t get enough of him. All of him. His touch. The way he tasted. Hisnatural scent. There’d been a hint of cologne, but the way it blended with his own pheromones made me fall under his spell.
Admittedly, I was sad he hadn’t come back. But maybe I didn’t do it for him anymore and he went back to Booty Shorts Suzy.
“Where are you taking her?” Lucy asked. “It must be out of San Diablo. There isn’t anything fancy in our small town.”
“It’s a surprise,” Alek replied.
“Cass doesn’t like surprises.” Lucy frowned while collecting her things. The building was empty so we could close a few minutes earlier, which we did often.
“I didn’t know that.” Alek turned toward me. “You don’t like surprises?”
“Not really. But you know… I’ve been giving this some thought, and I don’t feel right about this. I don’t know you well, and I’m not prepared for a fancy dinner.” I peered down at myself. I wore a cotton T-shirt dress and black sneakers, but my outfit would never be acceptable in a fine dining establishment.
“I don’t understand. You can’t have dinner with a friend?” He laughed, moving closer to the door. “Don’t be silly. It’ll be great. You’ll see.”
Don’t be silly?How insulting.
“Maybe you can reschedule dinner,” Lucy said.
“That’s a great idea.” I nodded. “How about next weekend?”
“Oh, come on.” Alek fanned out his hands. “I’m here already and the reservation is made.”
I bit my bottom lip feeling all kinds of pressure and unease.
“Let’s go, so I can lock up.” If I could get everyone out of the building, it might be easier to tell Alek no, and I can hot-foot it to my car.
Alek and Lucy went outside to wait for me as I set the alarm system and turned the lights off.
Exciting the building, I exhaled a nervous breath. The summer evening was warm and the sky had darkened, turning a hue of fuchsia and orange as the sun began its slow descent.
We always had gorgeous sunsets, but tonight’s felt a bit ominous and I wasn’t sure why.
Don’t be a drama queen. It’s just dinner.
“All set?” Alek asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lucy.”
“Okay. Have fun.” She waved on her way to her car, and I watched her as always.
I had a special spot as the business owner on the side of the building, and my employees had to go around the block to a parking lot.
The seconds it took her to turn the corner had been enough for me to find my strength and resolve. I wouldn’t be going anywhere with Alek tonight or any night.
“I’m sorry, Alek but I can’t go.” I turned to face him and was met with a scowl and something poking me in the ribs.
