Unexpected Chances

by A. M. Willard

She deserves to find her one true soul mate and I feel it down to my bones that she has found it. The only problem is how it happened and what has to come from everything around it.

  This is one of the main reasons why I can’t slip about Carter. All these years we’ve made it a point to never fall for a client or remotely think to get involved. I know that she’s head over heels for this man, but now it’s my turn to prove what I can do in this business.

  What a great story this would turn out to be.

  First client and I fall hard for them.

  Yes, I will hold this one tight to my chest for as long as I can.

  Angela would never judge, she would offer her advice and support me to no end. But right now, I need to prove that I can do this job. I have to show her that I can be trusted to follow in her footsteps while bringing everything I have to the table.

  This is why I’m keeping the biggest secret I’ve ever kept from my best friend. I’ll let her in when the timing is right, until then I’ll do what I’m doing.

  “You stupid evil machine!” I yell, as I kick the copier at the same time.

  It’s rigged. I’ve even blamed Seth and Cory for messing with it.

  “What have you done, now?” Angela asks, while hiding the smile on her face.

  I pivot on my heels to face her, “See it hates me. I can’t wait to hire, Jessica. This will be her only job. Copy! If it doesn’t do this to her, we are getting a new one. I know you all messed with it.”

  Angela is doubled over from laughing as she holds up her hand to hush me, “How is it that it works for all of us, then?”

  “I don’t know it’s like the candid camera show. Do you have someone pushing a button every time I walk near it?”

  “Oh, yes that’s what it is. The camera is hidden in the flower pot.”

  “Mark my word, lady. I will search this place high and low. I’ll find it. Did my brother put you up to this?”

  “Oh my God, Tabitha I can’t breathe,” she says, as she holds up a finger taking a moment to gather herself. “I swear we haven’t done a thing, but will you let me know when you go to search the place. I so have to see this,” Angela states, as she walks away still laughing.

  “I’m never touching it again!” I scream back at her.

  I let out a huff while gathering the papers up and place them back in order. Once I’ve completed this task, I head into Angela’s office.

  With a plop of the folder, she raises her head up in my direction “All done, I see.”

  “No thanks to you.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No you aren’t. You all are evil, just plain mean. I’m out to go see Jessica. Need anything?”

  “No just for you to tell me we have a new assistant.”

  “You got it,” I state, as I exit the doorway and head to my office.

  As I search for my purse, I hear the ding of my phone under the files on my desk.

  Carter: I know it’s been awhile, but I’m thinking of you.

  Knowing I should be ecstatic to hear from him, I’m not.

  Actually I have no idea what I’m feeling. It’s a mixture of giddy and pissed off. I choose to not respond, let him sweat it out for a bit.

  As I wait in the booth of the coffee shop near the office for Jessica, I pull my phone out. Taking a quick glance to see if I’ve received anything else, I’m a little heartbroken that he hasn’t sent a follow-up text.

  I twirl my phone around, lost with what to do. I know my heart tells me to do it, but then my head tells me to stay away.

  If I choose to follow my heart, I’m taking a gamble on the unknown. One that I’m not sure I will be able to come back from. My heart can only take so much at this point in life. Knowing that if he breaks it, I’ll never allow another soul to see what I have to offer. It’s sad to think this, but I know myself.

  I believe that he has feelings for me, but to what depth.

  Literally I’m inviting a stranger into my life, one that I know nothing about other than when I see him, or think about him. My heart beats faster and the butterflies swarm deep within my soul.

  All the power over me, lies within his hands. I just pray he doesn’t crush it.

  Pulling myself out of my thoughts, I notice Jessica hasn’t arrived yet and I have someplace to be.

  Me: Something’s come up. I have to reschedule.

  As I type the message out, I know what I’ve got to do.

  Swinging into the office, I hurry to grab my files. Thankful that Angela is already gone home for the day. I sure the hell don’t know how I would explain this.

  I slam the door closed behind me to my place as I dash down the hallway to pack a bag. I might not have heard from Carter recently, other than the brief text today and I have no idea what I’m doing

  He needs the contracts and I plan to hand deliver them. I’ve been to his house and it’s nothing for me to jump on the quick flight, rent a car, and knock on his door.

  ****

  Carter

  I’ve been fighting against the universe in order to stay far away from, Tabitha. Bethany still hasn’t contacted me, and I’m waiting for that other shoe to drop. My days consist of gym, work, gym, and more work. It’s the only way I know how to handle my life.

  I’ve just finished my normal workout for the second time today. As I grab the towel off the bench, I hear the faint sound of my cellphone.

  “You’re alive I take it,” I state, rolling my eyes and wondering to myself what in the world Bethany could possibly need.

  “Of course I am. I’ve been busy with work and haven’t had a chance to arrange for my things to be delivered. Will you be home this evening?”

  “Fortunately for me, I have plans. I’d also advise that you not bring your crap to my house.”

  “Oh dear, see it’s our house since we are legally married. Carter I’m tired of playing this game. As soon as you give into what I need from you, the quicker we can move along.”

  “Bethany, let’s get one thing straight right now. That will never happen. Do you understand me?”

  “No and you know I always win,” she says, as she disconnects the call.

  I don’t trust her and I definitely wouldn’t put anything past her. I know she hasn’t been to California. Jack gives me daily updates on Tabitha’s where abouts. He’s explained to me on several different calls in the evening that she’s been laying low, and not going out as before. That warms my heart but then breaks it at the same time.

  The other day I’d requested for Jack to snap a few pictures of Tabitha and forward them to me. I just need something to keep my focus, if not I might lose my drive to fight this war.

  Staring into the refrigerator, lost in my own thoughts, I hear the faint knock coming from the front room. “Shit, I can’t deal with her tonight,” I say out loud, as I slam the door and head over to the front door.

  “What did you not understand?” I yell out, as I swing the door open but I’m taken back to who my eyes land on.

  “Umm… I’m sorry maybe I should have called,” Tabitha says.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I missed you, and you need the reports. So I thought maybe I could hand deliver them to you,” she explains in a voice I’ve never heard from her before. It’s a mixture of excitement and regret.

  Leaning my head against the door, I turn to look at her and I mean really look at her. I know I’m breaking her heart and will shatter it with what I have to say. If she ever talks to me again, it will be a miracle.

  “I’m sorry, Pretty Girl but I wasn’t expecting you. Let me arrange for you to have a hotel near the airport. You can leave the files with me and I’ll go over them.” I exhale all the air in my lungs as I look her in the face. They’re filled with fire from the hurt I just put into them. It’s something I never wanted to embark onto Tabitha.

  “Don’t waste your time, Mr. Northwood. I can handle my arrangements and as far as this,” she says moving her hand back and forth between us, �
��Consider what we were starting, over. I don’t have time to play your games. Under no circumstance do you need to pop up into my life again.”

  She lashes out at me and I watch her drop the manila file folder down at my feet. When I look up from the floor into her eyes, I want to reach out and tuck her into my chest. The need for me to protect her outweighs everything else in my life.

  Letting out a low sigh, I close my eyes and then look back up at her. Tabitha is still standing in front of me, not moving. It’s as if she’s in shock that I’ve rejected her. What else can I do to get her to leave other than what I have to say next?

  I take her face into my hands as I say, “I think it’s best you leave, Tabitha. I can’t give you what you need right now, but I will promise you that one day I’ll give you not only my heart, but my soul. I never want to see the sadness in your eyes, as I do right this moment. Let that fire shine, and one day soon I hope you take a chance on me again.”

  Once I finish, I place a gentle kiss onto her lips. It’s not a kiss of goodbye, it’s one I hope she translates into an I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m not strong enough to love her the way she needs to be.

  She doesn’t respond, only looking into my eyes to make sure it’s engraved into my memory forever. I’ll never forget the pain reflected back at me for as long as I live.

  I stand in the doorway and watch as she turns to leave. I want to stop her, lift her up into my arms and hide Tabitha away forever. If I hadn’t heard from Bethany today, this outcome might have turned out differently.

  I half expected the person on the other side of this door tonight to be Bethany.

  Chapter Thirty Four

  Tabitha

  No words are forming as I stand here and listen to, Carter. I had envisioned this surprise differently. That rejection just came out of left field and knocked the life right out of me.

  As I exit his building and move towards my car, I still have no idea what has just happened. Shocked isn’t even what I would say I am, a mixture of hurt laced with anger.

  “Put me up in a hotel,” I say out loud, as I march myself over towards my rental car lost in thoughts that I don’t even see the lady I run into.

  “Excuse me, are you okay dear?”

  “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “You shouldn’t drive while you’re upset, dear. Would you like to come up for some coffee?” She asks.

  “No, thank you and again I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention,” I explain, as I move out of her space and towards my car.

  I look to see the time and know that I can catch the redeye back home and that’s where I need to be. I need to surround myself with people that I know love me. I should have never opened my heart to a stranger.

  Home at last. I drop all my luggage and items in the living room and carry myself into my room. Throwing myself across the bed, I finally let the emotions that I’ve been holding out. Sob after sob takes over my body and I can’t stop them.

  I cry for the love that I lost years ago, and the love that just ripped me to pieces. It’s official I’ll never take a leap of faith on anyone else. That key I threw away years ago and searched for to unlock my heart. Well I’ve returned it to the deep ocean again. I knew I should have never unlocked it, I knew I should have listened to my head and not my stupid heart.

  My head is pounding as if I spent the night before out on the dance floor. Somehow I found the energy to pull myself together and head to the office.

  I sneak in and make myself comfortable. I don’t see Angela in her office yet and wonder why she’s running late.

  “Where were you last night?” Angela barks out at me.

  “I lost my phone and found it this morning,” I explain.

  “Sorry for snapping, it’s just been stressful with all the changes and then having him back at the house.”

  “I’m shocked you haven’t killed the nozzle yet. Did you get ahold of Logan?”

  “No, left another message and haven’t heard a thing back.”

  “Men just suck big donkey butts.”

  “Yeah you can say that. So when’s Jessica starting?”

  “About that, she had something come up, and we had to reschedule. Don’t worry, I can handle things for a little while longer.”

  “Okay, well I have a few reports to work on and a list of new clients to go through. You ready to take a few more on yourself?”

  “You know it, bitch. Load me up, and I’ll fire like a pistol.”

  “Where do you get this stuff?”

  I tap the side of my head as I smile up at my best friend, “It’s all up here in this wonderful playground.”

  I hear Angela laughing all the way to her office and it warms my heart to hear her. She’s been through so much that I hate to see her unhappy.

  Me: Hey Jess, sorry about yesterday. Catch up tonight at The Hill?

  Jess: I start my shift at 8 so come by a little early.

  I need to remember to text the guys, we haven’t been out in a while and I need to get my life back. The life that I’m destined to have for eternity.

  It’s been confirmed that we will all meet up tonight for a few drinks and catch up. I haven’t seen Cory since the banquet and I’m dying to hear about his date with Meredith.

  ****

  Carter

  Bethany did show up last night and left with the door slammed in her face. I was in no mood to deal with her, especially after she announced she’d seen Tabitha in the parking lot.

  Rage is what I felt having to hear her say Tabitha’s name. I’d never wanted to wrap my hands around a women’s throat as I did at that moment.

  “You alright, boss?” Kelly asks.

  “I’m good, but can you hold all my calls today?”

  “I can. You need anything else?”

  “No, thanks though.”

  Four hours have passed by, and all I’ve managed to do is sit here at my desk. I couldn’t sleep last night as each time I closed my eyes, they were filled with Tabitha.

  Finally giving up, I head out of my office. I don’t even stop to explain to Kelly that I’m leaving for the day. I’m caught up on work, and what I have left can wait. I’d left the contracts at home this morning, and something in me is pulling me to review them.

  I snatch up the manila folder and head out to my balcony. As I sit down and look at it, I notice the doodling across the front. Its small little circles and hearts intertwined into one. It’s eye catching and I’m drawn to it. Not just because Tabitha drew it.

  I know exactly what I plan to do with her doodling design. I pray that one day I’ll be able to share it with her.

  The contract is brilliant. I never would have thought of the things that she’s written up. She’s mentioned a few things about making the condos a more family atmosphere. Offering a child service for the parents and converting the area near the clubhouse into a playground and a kiddy pool.

  As I’m reading, I lose my concentration and think to what Tabitha would look like pregnant. How I hope that one day she will give me a chance and then it’s no longer a thought, I can make it real.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Tabitha

  It’s all set and done. Jessica is the newest member of SHI, and will start as soon as I give her the thumbs up. I’m looking forward to the distraction of training her and showing Jess the ropes. I need this distraction or I’m liable to blow like Mount Everest.

  Picking up my martini, I take a sip and almost choke as Cory comes up behind me. “Hey, Firecracker,” he says, as he places a kiss on top of my head.

  “Do you always have to sneak up on me? You’re going to give me a heart attack one day,” I state, as I wipe my mouth and regroup.

  “You’re so easy, I can’t help myself.”

  “Ha… ha…”

  “You the only one here, so far?”

  “I am and you’re early.”

  “No I knew you were meeting Jessica, and needed some Firecracker time before th
e gang gets here.”

  “I’m glad because I need some Cory time as well.”

  “What’s wrong? You look as if someone ran over your favorite pair of heels.”

  “You could say that. I don’t know, and I’d really rather not talk about it tonight. I just need for us to be back to normal. I need to let go and relax.”

  “Anything for you. How about we dance some,” Cory says, with a wiggle of his brows.

  “Let’s cut a rug, mister,” I let out, as I place my hand into his.

  Cory and I dance for five songs before the gang gets to the bar. I notice Seth will not stray away from Jessica’s side, and I make another mental note to get to the bottom of this. I’ve got my suspension, but I’ll allow my brother to explain himself.

  I’m listening to Cory, Jason, Ben and Mitch carryon like old times when I catch a glimpse of someone moving near me. Something about this guy makes my back straighter and the hairs on the back of my neck standup.

  “Care to dance, pretty lady?” He slurs out.

  “I think she’s good right where she is, buddy. How about you go call a cab and move it along,” Mitch buts in.

  “I think I asked the pretty girl, not you.”

  I slung my head around and look at the guy, his eyes seems so familiar and the way he called me, pretty girl causes vomit to rise within my throat.

  “Thanks, but my feet hurt,” I explain, as I lift a foot out to show him the heels that are killing my feet.

  “You heard her man,” Seth steps in, becoming the protective brother.

  “Whatever, she’s not my type anyway,” he mumbles, as he turns to walk away. As I follow him, I notice the same guy that I’ve seen over and over a few times in here. I can’t remember his name, but something about him causes me to stand and walk over towards him.

  I don’t ask to sit, I just slide into the booth and look up at him to say, “You’ve become a regular?”

  “I have. It’s a cozy place.”

  Looking around The Hill, I turn back towards him, “Cozy is the last thing I’d call this place.” I reach my hand out across the table to shake, “I’m sorry I forgot your name, I’m Tabitha.”