Come Back to Me

by Trilina Pucci

  I square my shoulders, ready for a fight. I can do this. My affirmation pep talk continues as I ride up to Mom and Richard’s floor, when I realize that everyone on the elevator with me is staring. I’ve been mumbling to myself out loud! I guess this night can only go up from here.

  As I approach the apartment door, I hear voices and laughter. Hold on a minute! I never thought to ask if others would be joining us for dinner. This has never happened! It has always been just us. In fact, sometimes I’ve wished for other guests to come and absorb some of the conversation; it might help avoid another “talk” about what direction my life was headed… but today, of all days?!

  How am I supposed to grill Mom and Richard about Cole with other people at the table? Talk about a game changer. Or… or maybe not, maybe I can use this to my advantage. My mother would abhor me making a scene. Maybe I can force her and Richard to tell the truth!

  I stand in the hall, mentally going over how I will make my threat. It can’t be aggressive, and I can’t be emotional. I need to be cool about it if they’re going to take me seriously. That’s when I hear the ding of the elevator, and I turn in the direction of the doors to see him. Cole Parker. Confident, handsome, sexy, and totally attentive to me. His smile lights up his gorgeous face as soon as he sees me. He seriously should teach a class about how to make an entrance.

  I can’t hide my surprise to see him. “What are you doing here?” OOPS. A bit more snarky than I meant it to sound, but I feel blindsided, like this is becoming a thing with us. He pops up in the most unexpected places (like my dreams), and now even dinner with my parents isn’t safe?

  “Nice to see you, too,” he smirks.

  Okay, Mia, one foot in front of the other. Move.

  His smile widens as we enter the apartment and I walk toward the voices in the living room.

  “Are you going to answer my question?” I ask as I walk away.

  “Well, Mia, I would think it’s obvious what I’m doing here. I’m having dinner with you and your family.”

  He’s walked into the room close behind me and I can’t deny it. I can barely focus when sex on a stick is around! I don’t know how to confront my parents now. Why didn’t my mother tell me Cole was coming to dinner?! A simple heads up would have been appreciated. I can’t let him see me ruffled, especially since he seems to enjoy it so much, so I say, “Great, the more the merrier.”

  “I’ve been looking forward to dinner with you all day.” He places his hand on the small of my back as we approach to greet everyone.

  “Mia! Cole!” My mother’s joy is obviously a direct result of seeing me with Richie Rich. “Hi, Mom.”

  Cole leans down to my ear as my mother approaches and whispers, “Play nice, baby.”

  The sound of his voice calling me baby sends a chill up my spine and makes me hot in other places. I look sideways to meet his gaze and in that instant know exactly what I would like to play nice with. I smile as my mother descends upon us, ugh! “Mia, you didn’t tell me you were arriving together.”

  “We got here at the same time, Mom.” I level my eyes at her. How could we arrive together when I wasn’t informed he was coming? I leave that part out.

  Cole moves his hand from my back to shake Richards’ hand, and kisses my mother’s hand, saying, “Lovely to see you again. I am reminded where Mia gets her beauty.”

  “Oh, stop! You flatter an old woman.”

  “Old woman? There is nothing old about you, you have aged to perfection,” Richard chimes in. My mother is so good at this. All my life I’ve been astounded at how easily she commands the center of attention, revels in it. I am the opposite, I despise having all eyes on me. Despite him ruining my plan for this evening, I only want one set of eyes on me. Sneaking a peek, I find that they are.

  As Mom kisses my cheek and pulls me close, I think two things. One, I love her in spite of all her crazy, and two, Cole thinks I’m pretty. Dumb, so dumb.

  I break away from the group to make my way around the room, saying hello to the friends my mother has invited. It’s a small group, but I don’t know a single person. I wish Alex was here, she would pull me into a group or at least commiserate with me.

  “Well, hello there young lady, that’s quite the long face for such a jovial occasion,” says a portly man, probably someone who works with Richard, at his firm.

  I smile apologetically, “I guess I’m not very good company.”

  “Nonsense! Is it that fella you’re with? He better be treating you right!”

  “Are you giving my girl a hard time, George?” Cole interrupts.

  Your girl? You wish… or I wish. Shut up, Mia!

  With a booming laugh, George pats Cole on the back and hiccups. He’s drunk. “Okay, I’ll leave the lovebirds to it, then.” George waddles away.

  I look at Cole. “Seriously?! Why would you do that?”

  “Do what?” he smiles.

  “Stop it, you know exactly what I mean. You insinuated that I’m your girlfriend.”

  “Who cares, he probably won’t even remember it tomorrow. The man is three sheets to the wind.”

  “Fine, it doesn’t matter, but you should know that I’m seeing someone. I just want to be honest before you get any more ideas.”

  Cole’s jaw flexes and his lips go pale and thin. Uh oh, someone isn’t happy. We stand staring at each other for what feels like an eternity, and then I’m startled by the dinner bell. Yes, an actual bell. My mother loves to do things dramatically!

  Cole follows me to the dinner table, seemingly unaffected by my news. His calm, cool facade fell into place as soon as the bell rang.

  He enters the dining room first and takes his seat. I look for my name on the place card, and he coughs and points at the chair next to him. I’m certain the look on my face is less than enthusiastic. I hate how much I want to sit next to him… As I sit, he lets out a small breath and says, “Way to injure a guy. Here I am, happy to share a meal with you.”

  “Well, I suppose it’s like dinner with anyone else. I use a fork, occasionally a knife. I chew, and I’m very good with a napkin.” Before I can help myself, I add a little wink.

  “I suddenly find myself jealous of a napkin.” His gaze is fixed on my mouth, he eyes slowly move up to meet my eyes, annndddd I’m wet. Jack has never had this effect on me. Not once.

  Despite my plan being blown, I’m having fun. Cole is charming. He makes conversation and engages the other guests effortlessly. Everyone is laughing, exchanging stories, enjoying the evening. I hear some funny stories about office mishaps from some of Richard’s partners, except for George. Apparently, he was feeling under the weather and had to leave before dinner. Poor George. Someone shares a funny memory about mom’s first attempt to cook dinner for Richard. This is the kind of light, easy company I haven’t had in a long time; well, since….

  “What’s wrong, love?” Cole leans over to me. “Nothing, I’m just spacing out.”

  As dessert comes to the table, I feel like drooling. Chocolate lava cake with vanilla bean ice cream. My mother serves me first, knowing it’s my favorite. I smile in appreciation, and once everyone is served I use my spoon to break the center and savor the warm, molten chocolate.

  “Mmmm”

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  “Mmhmm”

  “You have a little bit… right, here.” He uses his thumb to brush a spot of chocolate sauce from my lips.

  The heat from his thumb on my mouth spreads through my body and right to my center. Before I can help myself, the tip of my tongue licks the pad of his thumb. It happens so fast, but it’s as if we are suspended in time. I watch his eyes, suddenly nervous and yet not at all, and a low growl emerges from the back of his throat. He pulls away quickly, not wanting to call attention to us. All I can think of is that I want to suck on that thumb, just as a preview of what else I can do to him!

  “Sorry, don’t want to waste any,” I say with a whisper, avoiding eye contact.

  Cole leans in close
to my ear. “I want those beautiful lips and that tongue on my cock. Just looking at you makes me hard.”

  This makes me gasp. I want to say something clever and sexy, but I’m so shocked that I start choking, really choking. Cole pats me on the back and hands me my water. I take a few gulps before giving him the look of death.

  “Are you okay, Mia?” my mother asks.

  My face a solid crimson, I say, “Yes, sorry, went down the wrong pipe.” Cole smiles next to me. I sputter for air.

  “Once everyone turns their attention away from us, I say, ”thank you for almost killing me. Next time give a girl some warning if you are going to say something like that at the dinner table.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?”

  “You are very sure of yourself.” I narrow my eyes at him.

  “That I am,” he smiles back.

  “Well, I’m not down to be another conquest for you. Like I said, I’m seeing someone.”

  “No, you aren’t” Excuuusseee me?!

  “Uh, yes I am. His name is Jack. You can ask my parents. They met him the other day.” Cole rolls his eyes.

  “Tell John it’s over,” he says with a dismissive wave.

  Shaking my head, I respond dryly, “His name is Jack. And wait, what?” Cole rubs his hand down the side of his face and for a moment loses that put together, aloof persona.

  Turning toward me, he says, “Ahh, tell Jim I said he is no longer required.” Is this guy kidding? He has some pair!

  “You have some serious nerve!” My voice rises slightly, sounding less convincing than I intended.

  “How so? Nerve as in I know exactly what and who I want, and give zero fucks about what Jake thinks? If he were paying attention to you like he should be, you wouldn’t be trying to convince yourself so much, I would be able to tell you’re taken.”

  “Shhhh, people will hear.”

  “If I’m guilty of people hearing that I desire the exclusive company of the most beautiful woman in the room, then so be it. Are you telling me you don’t desire my company?”

  I sit staring at my plate. I know the answer, but once I say it I can’t undo it.

  “Your silence is my answer.” He leans in, “Tell Jerry to watch his back, because he certainly isn’t going to steal my girl.” With that he stands and begins to thank my mother for dinner. I watch as he makes the rounds, saying goodbye, shaking hands. The way he embraces my mother and Richard gets my attention. It’s so familiar—familial, even.

  “How long have you known each other?” I say without thought. “I don’t have any memory of Cole’s relationship with the family, I don’t recall his name ever being mentioned. Is his friendship just business?” I don’t realize that I have dropped an atom bomb until the silence wakes me from my own thoughts. Clearly, the mere mention of a relationship between my family and Cole has garnered a pretty sizable silence. I look around at their eyes darting to each other, until I realize everyone’s eyes are fixed on Cole. As if he realizes at the same time, he smiles casually and says, “feels like forever, maybe we should run away together and make it official,” ending with a wink. My mom laughs nervously and Richard follows. I want to push further, but I am caught in his gaze and the embarrassment of most of the guests. Cole leans in, taking the opportunity of distraction to say, “Come home with me.” “Yes,” is all I hear myself whisper, before I can even process the thought. “I mean, No! No way, buddy. Nice try, but I don’t think Jake would like that idea.” I respond as smugly as I can.

  “It’s Jack,” Cole smiles. “Your boyfriend’s name is Jack.”

  Aw fuck!

  With that, Cole leans in and kisses my cheek. “See you soon, baby,” and he strolls out. I don’t even have the dignity to skip checking out his ass! Ugh, I’m in trouble.

  The next morning, as I lie in bed, my thoughts drift to last night. His words, his face, his everything made one hell of an impact on me. I keep thinking about how he made me feel so desired and giddy. For the life of me I cannot remember the last time I felt that light-headed with womanly power! I think I officially have a crush on someone I am not currently dating. It figures that I would go from not dating anyone to a love triangle…

  The buzz of my phone brings me back to reality. I slide the bar without looking at who it is. “Hello?”

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  “Jake? Ha! I mean Jack!”

  “Very funny!” Thank goodness, he thinks I’m joking.

  “How was last night?” Magical, sexy, completely insane…

  “Uneventful.”

  “That’s good! I know how much you were dreading it, so I guess uneventful is good.”

  You have no idea.

  “Coffee in 20?”

  “Yes. Can I meet you downstairs?”

  “Perfect. See you then.”

  We hang up and I’m hoping my resolve to put Cole out of my mind lasts, but in the deepest part of me I know that’s impossible, because he’s already in my thoughts. I’ve met attractive men and had chemistry before, but with Cole it’s different. There is something intimate and familiar between us, like he sees right through me. It’s unnerving, and insanely hot.

  The morning goes by quickly as Jack and I look at some of the apartments Alex and I set aside to check out. I figure I can do the preliminary filtering and bring her back to see anything great. I’ve been having a good time with Jack, with the exception of an awkward exchange in the third apartment we stop to see. The agent asks if we have any kids, and I gush out a hearty “NO!”. Then, just adding insult to injury, I subconsciously follow with, “We’re mostly friends, nothing serious. We haven’t even slept together.” WHAT? Really, Mia?

  Jack’s face is definitely saying, “WTF?”

  Admittedly, the entire time I hear myself talking, I’m saying internally, “STOP TALKING NOW!” But the damage is done. He stays quiet while we look around and as we leave, I ask if he wants to grab some lunch, and he answers, “Sure, friend.”

  The quiet is awful. Neither of us speaking, we eat in awkward silence. I need to say something, anything.

  “The last place was nice, dontcha think? Maybe I should take Alex back there? The agent said they have an immediate move in available.”

  “Sure.”

  “I mean, it was the smallest of the places, but it had a nice homey feel…”

  “Yeah, sure.” Oh, so he’s gonna make this easy… A part of me is irritated that he has decided to behave like a child. I made it clear from the beginning I didn’t want anything serious. He has no cause to act so scorned. That irritated part of me decided to speak…

  “I’m sorry, Jack. I didn’t mean to upset you or hurt your feelings. I’m not sure why you’re so upset, though. We ARE friends. We haven’t decided what this is and we certainly are not entertaining the idea of children.”

  “Yes, Mia, I realize we aren’t, because as you so diligently told a complete stranger, we aren’t even sleeping together.”

  I’m a bit put off by the anger in his voice. He’s really pissed off. I feel bad, because I didn’t want to hurt him, but that’s why it’s best to be honest. I don’t want to lead him on and play games. Jack doesn’t deserve that. He has been a constant support since the break-in. I handled this poorly, blurting out such a personal detail in the wrong time and place. My nerves got the best of me today. “Jack, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make that public. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “I’m not hurt, Mia. I don’t care who you tell. Just make sure you get the facts right.”

  “What facts are those, exactly?”

  “ I’m only in the friend zone because you are a cock tease.” I hope I’m not hearing this right!

  “Fuck you, Jack. I’ve been thankful for your attention and affection, I admit it, but I’ve never done anything to lead you on. This has been an extremely tough time for me, and you think because you’re nice to me and I don’t want to put out for you, that makes me a cock tease?!” I stand from the table, throwing my napkin down.
“I’ve never teased anything of yours, Jack. I’ve never had any interest.”

  With that I leave, and make it to the street before letting out a shriek of frustration. I’m so damn mad right now, I can barely see straight. If he thinks I’m keeping him around after that little conversation, he has another think coming!

  Jack comes barreling out the door toward me. Oh, hell no, there is zero chance of me sticking around! I start walking down the street as Jack catches up to me, “Wait, stop…Mia! Just stop, dammit!”

  “No! You stop!” I say, swinging around fast. “You have no right to ever speak to me like that. No right!!” My voice is loud and I couldn’t care less.

  “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I was being a dick. I was hurt that you acted like you would rather jump out the window than be tied to me,” He looks down to the ground and continues, “I know I’m not even in your league, but I’m crazy about you. I can tell that you don’t see me that way at times and I’m just hoping you will give me a chance to be the guy you deserve. Please forgive me, I can’t believe what a douchebag I was being! Please say you’ll forgive me”.

  While I appreciate his apology, I’m not that girl. Never have been. “Thank you for apologizing, but I don’t work that way. Zero to sixty or sixty to zero, I need a minute away from you.” As a cab pulls up, I motion to it and open the door, then look back at Jack.

  “I don’t want to hurt you and I don’t want to be some emotional punching bag. I’ll call you in a couple of days, once I think on this for a bit.”