Secret Admirer

by Ally Hayes

  At her playful, yet vigorous, jab, I struggled to regain my balance. “I’ll do my best. But, who’s Garrett?”

  She shrugged. “Just one of the guys. He had to go out of town at the last minute. This happens with him sometimes.”

  Aha, the contact who mentioned me was a guy. “He has an important job?”

  “I guess so. He assists new businesses, ‘go live,’ getting up their websites or launching new programs and platforms or whatever. The techie stuff is all foreign to me, but he’s a good guy and an old friend of Ethan’s.”

  Bree air quoted as she explained the technological speak which I actually understood. My brother was the head of an IT firm and had been intrigued by anything with wires when we were growing up. As his little sister, I was in awe of his knowledge and picked up a lot of information. If Garrett was the go-to guy supporting websites and programs, then he was a very vital part of either a software company or networking firm. I was impressed, but tried not to let my interest show. I simply nodded, though I wanted to ask more.

  Arriving at my building thoroughly frozen, I invited Bree into the heated lobby. Alec’s luxury, crossover SUV pulled alongside us so we said our goodnights.

  Before I shut down my phone for the night, I changed all the random numbers to their corresponding names and smiled at the new group of friends. As I swiped the power-off screen, I thought about the 4535 number that I know identified as Garrett. Bree said he was just one of the guys, and a good one. Well, I knew all about being just one of the guys, and just happened to be looking for one of the good ones this time.

  Chapter Four

  After a weekend of unpacking and breaking down corrugated cardboard boxes, I was ready to get back to the office, but more importantly, to the Fresh Start.

  Pulling my car slowly into the lot through icy rain, I spied Cute Coffee Shop Guy backing into a spot. His environmentally friendly little electric car was hard to miss, though it barely made any noise. Relieved I got the timing right, I pumped my fist in the air before exiting my car. Today I would make contact.

  Opting to run into the café instead of fighting with an umbrella, I beat him inside. While shaking out my wet hair, fingering my bangs back in place, I was aware of him getting in line right behind me. Allowing him time to catch up at the service station, I took extra-long separating a lid from the stack. Willing my hands to stay steady, I was glad when his were soon next to mine, reaching for sugar. He had nice, normal hands. No hairy knuckles. I nodded with approval and prayed he didn’t notice.

  I took a deep breath for the confidence I promised myself I would display and looked him in the eyes, feigning surprise. “Oh, hi.” I wanted to sound upbeat and friendly.

  He grinned. “Morning. How’s your Monday going so far?”

  “Can’t complain.” I turned toward the window. “Even with the rain.” He nodded like he approved of my rhyme or agreed with the sentiment.

  “Well, hope that good mood stays for you.” He pulled back the plastic tab and took a sip before raising his cup as a goodbye wave.

  I waited for his car to silently pull away before leaving the shop to avoid seeming like I was chasing after him. During the drive to my office, I told myself the exchange was quick and meaningless and to stop looking into it so intensely, but I also felt proud for taking a positive step in the right direction. Back in Providence, I would never have struck up a conversation with a stranger, regardless of how cute he was. Apparently, finding my voice required moving to a new city. I was glad for the appearance and planned to continue its use.

  Against my better judgment and original plan, I told Bree about the morning’s encounter while at Salads, Salads, Salads. As I expected, she responded with giddiness and dissected the exchange.

  “You should drop something with your name on it. Do you have business cards yet?” She tapped her gelled nails on the distressed wood table. “Oh, I know! Pretend you’re on a phone call, making an appointment when he gets close. That way he’ll hear you give your name and number.”

  I now knew for sure not to ask her anymore about her friend, Garrett, because she was definitely a meddler. Still, I appreciated having someone to confide in and share the lunch break.

  “I’ll try. We kind-of already have a thing going, we talk a bit, and then he always says goodbye with a cup salute.” I thought she’d be pleased with my progress.

  Instead, she pointed her plastic spork. “You have until the end of the week to learn his name.”

  I pointed right back, but playfully. “Is that a dare?”

  “It’s an order.”

  I’ve never had a problem getting up and going on a Monday morning, but somehow Tuesdays were always challenging, and this dark and cloudy one was no exception. I was so late I had to skip coffee entirely and regretted the damn snooze button all day. I wondered about disabling the feature. On the way home, as tired as I was, a stop at the grocery store was necessary. I avoided a Cupid assault, but I lost the sugar battle in the candy aisle. I reasoned a little sugar would be okay since I hadn’t had any caffeine all day and bought a bag of the large candy hearts. In the parking lot, I broke open the package and allowed myself a small handful for the short ride home.

  Cutie Pie, Luv Ya, and Dream Girl melted in my mouth as I cruised along. At the stop light, I devoured a yellow BFF, a green Awe-Some, and a purple Be Mine. Using all my willpower, I reached around and dropped the bag behind me in the backseat to prevent polishing off the whole thing.

  While unpacking my groceries, I heated a meal for one and emptied the rest of the candy hearts into a container with a lid and placed it on the counter. I knew better than to leave them out in a dish or in the open bag. Temptation and I were very familiar with each other, so I planned to take the treats to the office to share. I caught up on my DVR shows and set the alarm to buzz earlier than a typical Wednesday.

  I dried my hair extra early and picked out a fun mint green scarf. I wound it around my neck three times and then adjusted and fluffed it about eleven more times. At the Fresh Start, I stepped in line right behind Cute Guy and rehearsed my introductions. I was ready. When the girl behind the counter announced, “next,” for my turn, I actually started introducing myself to her. I quickly started over and bee-lined it for a lid. “Hi.” I couldn’t just blurt out my name.

  “Hey there. Cute scarf.”

  Instead of thanking him and saying my name which would have been totally natural and not at all weird at that moment, I said, “Thanks, you too.” He wasn’t even wearing a scarf. I’m not sure if that made my response better or worse.

  His eyes squinted, crinkling his forehead, and he chuckled.

  I pointed to my cup. “Guess I need this even more than I thought.”

  He responded with a bigger, genuine laugh and wished me a good day, raising his cup again as he left.

  Bree cracked up later when I relayed the story. “I know you’re trying, but you have only forty-eight hours to introduce yourself. How long can it take to say your name? Well, your nickname at least.” She laughed at her own joke.

  I promised her I would seal the deal the next day and changed the subject.

  “So, Alec seems super nice.”

  “Yes, he is, isn’t he? Good looking and successful too. He’s the real deal. Did I tell you I think this might be the weekend? We’re going skiing and staying at a bed and breakfast in Vermont. We both have Monday off for Martin Luther King Day.”

  “I totally forgot about the holiday since I don’t technically have the day off. We have some team-leader building thing at the Marriott.” I rolled my eyes like I was dreading the event, but I was secretly looking forward to participating. I didn’t want my nerdy side to show too soon and added sarcastically, “I’m sure it will be as fun as skiing.”

  “That’s the perks of being in your position,” she teased. “So, I don’t know about the rest of the group, but I assume no one will be getting together.”

  “No worries, I was thinking of getting up
early Saturday morning and furniture shopping anyway. I’ve seen tons of advertisements for Valentine Day sales already. If I’m lucky maybe you’ll have somewhere to sit next time you come by.” Back at my office, I was about to reach into the bottom drawer of my desk where I’d stashed the container of candy hearts when my phone’s ping saved me from a possible sugar binge.

  I tapped in my passcode and discovered the names of my new friends interacting. I felt excited and told myself to jump right into the conversation, but I was intimidated by their quick, witty comebacks. Panicking, I hovered my thumbs over the screen, ready to reply.

  Bree—sorry guys, me and BF skiing this weekend

  Ethan—We have wedding coordinator meeting

  Maggie—And flowers and cake tasting

  Josh—I’ll go if u don’t want to

  Alec—that’s so cliché gay Josh

  Josh—it’s my new tagline

  Clare—getting Abbie a new phone from this century then looking at apartments. Lease up soon

  Garrett—you win for most boring plans

  Me—u have better plans, Garrett?

  Garrett—of course! 80th birthday bash for grandpa back home

  Bree—that’s cute

  Garrett—I win cute award?

  Clare—LOL, you wish!

  Me—have a great weekend everyone

  When the text bubbles disappeared, I breathed a sigh of relief for successfully chiming in. As a reward, I picked out five candy hearts. The first was blank, and I almost threw the heart in my trash can, but I figured maybe it was intentional like a free space in a board game. There were two yellow Love Ya’s, a Miss You, and a TTYL. When had the company updated the messages to text speak? I spilled out a few more onto my desk and got a green, Only You and a blue which was turned on its backside. The flip side revealed Secret Admirer. Huh. I’m kind-of being a secret admirer to Cute Coffee Shop Guy. To determine if the saying was a fluke or a reoccurrence, I’d have to stock up on bags of these large candy hearts.

  The sun was shining as I woke up on time Thursday morning. This would be the day to find out his name. Arriving at the Fresh Start early, I was prepared to have a showdown at the service station. The homey smell of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls helped relax me in time to spy Cute Coffee Shop Guy’s entrance. I strode toward him when an ear-piercing horn pealed. His eyes widened as he patted his pockets for what I guessed were his keys.

  “Not again, sorry that’s me. The alarm must have a short, this happened all day yesterday too.” He dashed out to his car as he apologized to those he passed along the way.

  Later I told Bree how not sharing my name wasn’t my fault this time.

  She glared, her eyes barely visible through a thick layer of mascara. “Tomorrow.”

  Friday finally arrived with a blanket of snow. Decked out in my heaviest down coat, boots, and a hat, I started off slowly down the road. My phone pinged from inside my purse that sat on the passenger’s seat, but I would never look at it while driving. Navigating the slippery roads was difficult enough. I was used to driving through slushy snow in Providence, but I was unprepared for the icy side roads of Hartford. I now understood why people shelled out the big money for four-wheel drive. At least the weather would give me something to talk about with Coffee Shop Guy.

  He was already adding his sugar, so I skipped the ordering line and walked right over. I planned to introduce myself, explain that I’d recently moved to town, and ask if he knew a good place to get an ice scraper. I opened my mouth to speak when a tall guy I’d never seen before walked in front of me.

  He headed toward Cute Guy and loudly called out, “Connor?”

  In response, Cute Guy turned.

  The tall guy clapped him on the back. “Hey, man, been a long time. Good to see you.”

  Cute Guy’s mouth dropped open, and then softened to a smile. He shook Tall Guy’s hand. “Where’ve you been hiding yourself, Jason?”

  “Living in Boston now. I came into town over the weekend to see the parents, actually help them pack the house to move. Downsizing, you know? Looks like you never left.”

  He shook his head. “Tried, but it’s all good. You sticking around?”

  “No, just picking up coffee for the movers. Tough day for them with the storm.” Jason picked up a cardboard container holding four large cups and smiled as he walked past me.

  I was beaming like an idiot. I almost wanted to thank him.

  “Better get going, it was good to see you, man.”

  “Same. Good luck with packing, Jason.”

  Connor! Cute Coffee Shop Guy’s name was Connor, and I was just standing there in the middle of the Fresh Start with my mouth hanging open while he walked out the door for the weekend. After finally buying my coffee, I sat in the car while the windshield defrosted and the interior warmed, and I checked the text from earlier.

  Bree—Fresh snow! Calling in “sick.” I need name report, no excuses!

  I was thrilled to type my response.

  Me—Connor!!!!

  She immediately replied.

  Bree—No way. Ok, next week—actual conversation and get his number

  Me—U don’t let up!

  Bree—U can thank me when you ask me to be a bridesmaid

  Me—Ha. Have fun skiing, er—being sick

  Snow continued to fall all day, and I was glad I remembered to bring a sandwich for lunch and happily ate at my desk while reading my favorite author’s latest on my tablet. I allowed myself six candy hearts as dessert. When the Secret Admirer heart showed up in pink, I saved it in a side pouch of my bag, thinking I’d see how many I could collect before I was no longer Connor’s secret admirer.

  Driving home took three times longer than usual, and I was relieved to finally flop on my couch and order in Thai. Halfway through my pad siew and a true crime documentary, I heard my phone ping. Assuming Bree was reporting news about the possible proposal, I grappled for the remote and paused my show. Shock replaced anxiety when I saw Garrett’s name on my screen. Only Garrett’s, not in a group message. My heart raced, and my fingers shook as I tried to tap the correct keys in response.

  Garrett—U never said what your weekend plans are

  Me—Guess not. Too boring, furniture shopping

  Garrett—Yup.

  Me—R U at your parents?

  Garrett—Yes. Drive took forever with snow

  Me—K to ask where u r?

  Garrett—Western MA. Where are you from?

  Me—RI

  Garrett—so what brought u to Hartford?

  Me—job, u?

  Garrett—went to UConn, internship led to job yada yada

  Me—got it

  Garrett—is Andi short for something?

  Me—Andressa, but everyone calls me Andi

  Garrett—It’s a beautiful name, u should embrace it. I’m opposite—won’t answer to Gary, only full name

  Me—okay Garrett-not-Gary

  Garrett—well, nice chatting, Andressa. Have to stop hiding from the family and let Mom nag me

  Me—good luck!

  Garrett—thx. Talk again?

  Me—sure, yes

  What. Just. Happened? I stared at the blank screen on my phone as if the glass could somehow explain the Friday night text-conversation with a guy I’d never met. Was I losing my mind? I scrolled back through the conversation again to be sure the flirty exchange really happened. I was practically stalking a guy I’d barely said ten words to in person, and now my heart was racing from a string of texts with a virtual stranger. Yes, I was losing my mind. Sure, I wanted a change and was ready to meet new friends and hopefully find a nice guy, but this was not what I imagined. This, this was nuts.

  And what was all that about letting him call me Andressa? I did let him, didn’t I? I didn’t tell him not to, or even try to correct him. Why didn’t I? I never let anyone call me that. Should I?

  I hit the play button on my remote, but was too distracted and I lost track of the show’s plot. My dinn
er went cold as my mind wandered. After the credits rolled, I prepared for bed still thinking about Garrett. I hoped he received a good report on me from one of the friends I met at Jake’s Bar and didn’t normally text strangers. I told myself it still beat on-line dating and powered off everything in my apartment, but it took some time for my mind to follow suit.

  Chapter Five

  Connor was already securing a lid when I entered the Fresh Start on Tuesday. Thanks to the telltale bell announcing my arrival, he looked toward the door and saw me.

  And he smiled.

  I gave him a low wave and took my place in line. I sucked in my cheeks to suppress a goofy grin. We’d made progress, and I considered the exchange of acknowledgement normal for this stage. I hoped Bree would approve when I related the events at lunch.

  I decided to keep the interaction with Garrett to myself for a while. I feared telling her and also liked having this secret to myself, or between him and me. I had no reason to worry about her finding out that day, because all she wanted was to talk about the fact that Alec did not “put a ring on it” over the weekend.

  She droned on about all the times she thought he might actually propose while I took off my coat and stashed my bag under my desk. As my computer booted up, I turned my attention to logging in and hoped she’d get the hint I was ready to work.

  “Meet me for lunch, and I’ll tell you the whole story.” She left my doorway she’d been slouching against.

  I was now smack in the middle of tax season with no lack of work in sight. The morning flew by, and as lunchtime approached, I tried to complete as much as possible, but ran out of steam. Rummaging through my large hobo-style bag for a few candy hearts, I reasoned a little sugar couldn’t hurt. I took my coffee black, so the treat was a trade-off. I ripped open a fresh bag of large hearts and arranged For Sure, True Love, and Cutie Pie on my desk, then reached in for two more. I smirked at seeing Go For It and Secret Admirer.

  While I crunched on the candy, I saw my phone vibrate on my desk. I picked it up right away, and I entered my passcode with curiosity.