Right Here, Right Now

by Georgia Beers

  If I’d had a mic, I would have dropped it.

  Chapter Seven

  I found myself automatically looking for Alicia when I got to my office on Monday, and that put a little flutter in my stomach. It was the last day in March and I was crazy busy, but the first thing I did was look for her BMW in the lot. It wasn’t there, so I did my best to shrug it off, actually parked in my parking spot, and got to work with my clients who had waited to file their taxes long enough to put a panicked fear in their eyes.

  A few hours later, I had a short break and found myself glancing out the window to the sight of still no BMW. I wandered out into the reception area.

  “Stretching your legs?” Mary asked.

  I nodded, went out into the hall—the lingering scent of Chinese food was as obvious as if it had been visible—with Leo on my heels, and found myself stopping in front of the door to Just Wright. It was open and I could see Gisele and Pantone feeding themselves with chopsticks. Brandon was squinting at his computer screen. He barely gave me a glance, then went back to whatever it was he was scowling at. I turned to go, but Gisele looked up at exactly the same time Leo decided to run in and visit her, and then I was stuck.

  “Hey, Lacey,” Gisele said, her smile bright and kind, as always. She wore a vibrant yellow top, and her entire corner of the office seemed happy because of it. “What’s new? Tax season’s almost over. I bet you can’t wait.”

  “Home stretch,” I said with a nod, then made a show of looking around. “Hey, where’s Alicia? I haven’t seen her today.”

  “She and Justin are on a road trip to see a couple of new clients out toward Pittsburgh.”

  “Oh, wow,” I said, honestly impressed. “I didn’t know you guys worked with people that far away.”

  “We don’t normally,” Gisele explained. “But one guy is a friend of somebody Alicia knows well, and he’s got other businessmen friends, I guess, so she’s hitting a handful of them all at once. I don’t think she’s super optimistic about it, but—”

  “She’s crazy loyal,” Brandon piped up, startling me. His eyes never left his screen.

  “She is,” Gisele agreed. “So, if she says she’ll meet with somebody as a favor to a friend, she does it.”

  “I see.” I wasn’t surprised to hear that Alicia was loyal, but it was a nice tidbit to be told by others. “Okay, well, I was just wondering.”

  Gisele smiled at me, and it felt different than earlier, like it was more than just a simple smile.

  But I was also busy and a little wired from too much caffeine. “I’ll catch her when she gets back. Come on, Leo.”

  “Wednesday.”

  I glanced up at Gisele after I scooped Leo into my arms. “Sorry?”

  “She’ll be back in the office on Wednesday.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  “I’ll let her know you were looking for her.”

  I opened my mouth to tell her that wasn’t necessary, but then realized that I’d probably be placing even more of a spotlight on myself than I wanted. I mean, I wasn’t looking for her. Was I? I was just…curious about where she was. She was usually in the office, but today she wasn’t. So, I was curious. Being curious about where somebody is doesn’t mean you’re looking for them. Does it?

  Yeah. I was totally looking for her.

  I hurried back to my office, feeling a little silly. A little schoolgirlish. Also a little giddy, like a kid with a crush, but I did my best to shrug it off and focus on work.

  Which I managed to do for two solid days, but we were into April, and I began to smile, to feel lighter, happier, because I could actually see that there was an end in sight.

  Thank God.

  Leanne used to laugh at me when we were together, and she still does. One year, she actually made a list, from January through April 15, and jotted down dates and how I was feeling. Then the next year, she called it up on her laptop and the duplication of it was almost eerie. And sort of amusing. And a little bit embarrassing, if I’m honest.

  The fact that Alicia’s car was parked in my spot that morning brought a tiny smile to my face—which didn’t last long because I had to slam on my brakes to keep from getting sideswiped by Nascar Kyle, damn him. She was back, though, and something about that made things feel right again. I had no control over the way the corners of my mouth tugged back up a bit when I smelled the aroma of breakfast pizza in the hall.

  I had a full schedule that day. Endless client meetings, which meant I’d be left with a ton of things to do after the last one, which meant I’d probably be in the office until well after nine. But still, it was April, light at the end of the tunnel and all that good stuff, and I was in a good mood. I pushed everything out of my head except my work.

  The day flew by. That was the other thing about it finally being April. Time seemed to speed up, the days zipped past. It was like a reward for making it through the first three months of the year, as if the Universe said, “See? You did it. Nice work. Here you go,” as it ripped the first two weeks of April right off the calendar.

  My last client left my office at 6:45 p.m. I’d sent Mary home as soon as she’d announced him, so it was only Leo and me left. It was when I was ready to sit down and get some paperwork done, while eating the turkey sandwich I’d made myself last night, that I had a crystal-clear vision of that sandwich still sitting on my kitchen counter.

  Where I’d left it this morning.

  I was hungry. I had no qualms about staying and working for another hour or two, but I hadn’t eaten since the Egg McMuffin I’d had for breakfast on my ride in, and my stomach was making sure I knew it. I was reaching a state of such immediate and desperate need for food that the thought of waiting twenty minutes for something to be delivered was out of the question, and twelve-hour-old breakfast pizza was actually sounding appealing. I knew somebody was still in the neighboring office, as the music had come back on, though at a reasonable level. “What do you think, Leo?”

  He lifted his head from his bed and focused his sweet brown eyes at me, then yawned, his pink tongue unfurling like the red carpet at the Oscars.

  “I mean, there are guys in that office. The chances of any pizza being left are probably slim, right?”

  Leo blinked.

  “Still. Worth a shot, don’t you think? I’m starving.” I stood up from my chair. Leo stayed put. “Plus, if there is any left, you get a bite of crust.” That got his attention, and not for the first time, I wondered about how much dogs really understand. More than we think, I’m sure of it. He fell into step behind me as we headed out into the hall and stopped in front of the bright red door. A peek through the window told me Alicia was at her desk, black-rimmed glasses on, squinting at her computer monitor. I raised my hand to knock just as she looked up, and the smile that split across her face was radiant, even from a distance.

  She’s happy to see me.

  Again with that thought. Seemed to be a recurring thing.

  Alicia gestured for me to come in, so I pushed the door open and Leo—apparently with a spurt of new energy—sprinted across the room to see her. She was lavishing attention on him as I followed his path in, and she looked up when I got close.

  “Hey.” Still smiling and looking gorgeous in an emerald green top with three-quarter-length sleeves. She stood up, walked toward me, and wrapped me in a warm, gentle hug. My reaction was slightly delayed, as she’d surprised me a bit, but then I closed my arms around her, the subtle peaches-and-cream scent filling my head, and let myself subtly sink into her. Just a bit. She pulled back but kept hold of my upper arms as she studied my face. “You look tired,” she said quietly.

  “That might be because I’m tired,” I replied, with a half grin. “And starving.”

  Her face lit up and she moved quickly toward the mini fridge. “I think we have some of that breakfast pizza left over. Would that help?”

  I was torn between sadness over the loss of her closeness and excited relief to have food to put in my mouth. “It would
help a lot. Thank you so much.” I didn’t tell her that was part of the reason I’d come over in the first place.

  “No problem.” She plopped a slice on a paper plate and tossed it into the microwave. Watching her was endlessly entertaining for me, and when she glanced back in my direction, I snapped my gaze to the wall, so as not to be caught staring.

  “You have more work?” she asked, bending to pet Leo, who was doing a little dance around her feet.

  “Yeah. Another hour or two.”

  “Same here.”

  “What are you working on? Stuff from your trip to Pittsburgh?”

  Alicia’s eyes caught mine. “Putting together a couple of proposals, yeah. How’d you know where I went?”

  Oops. I guess Gisele forgot to tell Alicia I stopped by. “I, um, came to see you on Monday. Gisele told me you were traveling.”

  “You came to see me on Monday? How come?” The mischievous half grin she shot my way told me she knew exactly why I’d stopped by, and that little sheen of cockiness excited me even as I tried to play it cool. I wanted to say, not because you kissed me. Nope. I certainly didn’t hope you’d do it again. Absolutely not. Instead, I said, “No reason,” with a shrug, causing her to chuckle. The sound was throaty. Sexy.

  “I see.” The microwave beeped and she removed the plate. “Dinner is served,” she said with a flourish as she held it out to me.

  “You’re saving me,” I said as I took the plate, picked up the pizza, and took a bite that was too hot. I didn’t care that I’d scorched the roof of my mouth. I was that hungry.

  Alicia watched me eat for a few beats, her expression a mix of amusement and something I couldn’t quite identify.

  “I don’t want to interrupt you anymore,” I said, around a bite. “Thank you so much, though.” I held up the half slice left in my hand. “I feel a million times better.”

  “I’m glad. And you’re welcome.” She stepped close to me, and for a split second, I was sure she was going to kiss me again. My head, of course, was shrieking no because I had a glob of half-masticated pizza stuffed in my face, but I didn’t have to worry. Alicia squeezed my shoulder and then moved past me back to her desk. I called Leo and we went back to our own space, wondering why that whole exchange was both awesome and weird at the same time.

  Working after that proved to be more difficult than usual. I had trouble focusing, keeping my mind on the returns in front of me instead of on the intriguing redhead I knew was working next door. She’d either turned the music down or turned it off completely, because the subtly beating bassline had disappeared, leaving me in an almost eerie silence as I worked. I have always enjoyed silence like that. No disruptions. No distractions. Just me and the numbers, the information. Facts.

  That night, however, the numbers didn’t comfort me. I was preoccupied by sunset red hair and ocean blue eyes and I found myself staring out the window on more than one occasion. When the rap on my door came, I was almost relieved to have an actual excuse not to focus.

  “Come in,” I called, just as the door opened and Alicia peeked her head in. Her green shirt, her presence in general, seemed to brighten up my entire office, as if she’d suddenly turned on a set of multicolored Christmas lights and strung them around.

  “Hey. I’m gonna go out and grab something to eat. Come with me?”

  “On a Wednesday?” I asked.

  Alicia blinked at me. “Yes?” she said hesitantly. “Are you not allowed to eat on Wednesdays?”

  “It’s just…” I realized how lame I was about to sound, but said it anyway. “The middle of the week.”

  “Yes, it is,” she said, with an undertone of amusement. “That’s where Wednesday falls.” Our gazes held for a beat before she said again, “Come with me?”

  God, it was tempting. So tempting. The idea of sitting in a dimly lit restaurant with a good meal, a drink in my hand to loosen me up and a beautiful woman sitting next to me? Ridiculously tempting…

  But there was work. And Leo. I had so much to do.

  I wish I could. I’ve got way too much to get through here.

  That’s what I should have said.

  “Okay. Just let me finish up this one thing,” is what I actually said, and almost couldn’t believe my own ears.

  Her face softened into what I could only identify as happiness. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.” And just like that, she was gone, leaving me to wonder what had just happened.

  * * *

  “Okay, can we just take a moment and admire the beauty of this cheeseburger?” Alicia was sitting across from me in a booth at Burger Bar and gestured to her meal with her hand, like she was a spokesmodel on QVC and trying to entice me to buy it.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “Mine might be more beautiful.”

  Alicia wrinkled her nose. “Um, no. Yours has that giant ring of onion. Deal breaker.”

  “Deal breaker?” I feigned horror. “On what planet? All burgers should have onions. I’m pretty sure it’s a rule.”

  “No way.”

  “Well, you’re just silly, then.”

  We sat there for a beat, each of us with goofy grins, each of us holding a burger dripping with greasy, cheesy, ketchup-y goodness. Then, by unspoken agreement, we each took a bite at the same time.

  “Oh, my God,” Alicia said, holding a hand in front of her mouth. “That’s, like, a mouthgasm.”

  I choked on my laugh, stunned that she’d said the O word, sort of, but also finding it hilarious (and a little bit of turn-on, if I was being completely honest).

  “If I ate here as often as I want to, I’d weigh five hundred pounds,” she added, her eyes twinkling.

  I nodded my agreement, my mouth still too full to form words.

  “Thanks for coming with me.” She glanced around the dining room, which was pretty much empty besides us and three teenage boys two aisles over. Two of them were watching something on a phone while the third used his straw to blow spitballs at them.

  “Thanks for dragging me,” I said, turning back to Alicia and taking a sip of my Diet Coke.

  “Yeah, what is that?”

  “What’s what?” I asked.

  Her furrowed brow told me she’d been wondering about this for a while now. “Why do you always need to be dragged? You never just say yes. You have to be…” She popped a French fry into her mouth and looked up at the ceiling as if the word she was looking for was written up there. “Coaxed.”

  “Hmm,” I said, around a bite.

  “How come? Is it me? Or is it you?”

  Well, if that isn’t a loaded question…

  “It’s me,” I said. And you, I thought. “I’ve never been great at spontaneity. Even as a kid.”

  “How come?” Alicia’s expression was enthralled, like I was telling her something she’d been waiting to hear for years.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know.” Not a total lie, but not the whole truth. But I wasn’t about to say because I’m boring or because I’ve gotten too used to being alone, both of which were true. “I guess I just…need the right incentive.” That was the truth, and as soon as the words came out of my mouth, I wanted to snatch them out of the air and stuff them back in.

  Alicia didn’t pry, much to my surprise. Instead, she studied me with those intense blue eyes, one corner of her mouth tugged up the whole time. “See, now I’ll have to make it my goal to provide worthy incentives in the future.” She ducked her head a bit and raised an eyebrow at me before taking a large bite of her burger.

  In that moment, I was pretty sure that allowing Alicia Wright to drag me to dinner with her after eight o’clock on a weekday was the smartest decision I’d ever made.

  * * *

  Thursday blew by in a blur of clients, numbers, thumping bass through the wall, and the smell of I-don’t-know-what kind of food coming from next door, but by Friday, I was beyond exhausted. Almost to the end or not, I was dangling by one hand at the end of my rope. The fifteenth was less than two weeks away, but I had to
pep-talk myself regularly. I could do this. I. Could. Do. This.

  When Leo and I pushed through the stairwell door into the second-floor hallway Friday morning, I was nearly beaned by a flying red rubber ball, like the ones we used to play dodgeball with in gym class at school. Thank God I have quick reflexes and managed to tip my head to the right just in time. The ball hit the door behind me and bounced to the floor, where Leo decided it was time to join in the fun.

  Brandon and Pantone were in the hall, standing about fifty yards apart, Brandon near me, Pantone down past the door to Just Wright. Gisele was in front of Pantone, her knees bent slightly as if she were ready to spring. Justin mimicked her stance in front of Brandon, and I put together that they were two teams competing against each other in some form of soccer they’d made up. Of course, Leo had other plans and pushed the ball with his nose right down to Gisele, who was laughing so hard at his antics that she let him pass her. When he dribbled past Pantone, who was also doubled over with laughter, Justin threw his arms up in victory.

  “Goooooooaaaaaaaaaal!”

  He ran around, arms up like Rocky, and high-fived Brandon. Gisele swooped up Leo and gave him a kiss on his nose, then raised his little front paw up like a champion. It was a big, very loud celebration in the hallway at barely 9:00 a.m., and imagine my surprise when I felt myself chuckling lightly, despite my tiredness. I shook my head and turned into my office, knowing Leo would either follow me or Gisele would bring him in.

  “Good morning,” Mary said, chewing, in her hand some sort of empanada-looking thing with what seemed to be sausage spilling out of it.

  “Hey,” I said, and went straight to the coffee.

  “How late did you stay last night?”

  As if on cue, a yawn cranked my mouth wide open. “Midnight,” I told her, though in actuality, it had been closer to 1:00 a.m.

  “Did you sleep?”

  “A little.” That was the truth. I’d worked after dinner with Alicia, and I’d allowed myself to drink coffee too late into the night, forgetting to switch to the decaf Mary’d bought for me. By the time I lay down in my bed, I was wired. Sleep came sometime after three, and my alarm went off at six thirty.