They both enjoyed the dinner and each other, and it was a little awkward when he discovered that she was actually the cafe's owner not, as he had assumed, one of the wait staff. They had a good laugh about it and enjoyed the rest of the evening. When dinner was over, she gently told him she was a little too old for him and was really flattered that he had asked her out, but that she wasn’t the right woman for him. Now, in her forties, she still looked quite a bit younger than her age, and they were still really good friends.
Chase moved to the desk and found the number of the man he was supposed to show the apartment to later today. He picked up his phone and dialed the number.
“Hello, is this Rick? This is Chase Peters. Yeah, about the apartment. . . What’s that, you'll take it? That’s what I wanted to call you about. I’m sorry, but I just rented it to someone who looked at it yesterday,” he lied. “Look, I feel bad that I can't put you in there, but I’ll make it up to you. I have a friend that . . .” Listening, he nodded his head. “Okay, I understand. You had a backup plan. No problem. Well, I wish you the best of luck in your new place. Maybe next time?”
One problem solved. I hope Sophie doesn’t change her mind. Going to a file cabinet, he pulled out a lease agreement and turned to open the office safe. Inside hung a key box with sets of keys on numbered and labeled tags. He found the one for the newly rented studio and put the key in his pocket. He left the small office and locked the door.
Chase’s mind drifted back to Sophie. He had a ton of questions for her, starting with the dress. She’d gotten really nervous about it and confirmed that it was indeed a wedding dress. What had happened? Was she holding it for a friend or something else? Chase worried about the something else. He still didn’t understand why Sophie was in Berkeley and why she needed an apartment if her father lived here. If she had been planning on moving back here from New York then why didn’t she have more luggage? He was definitely missing a huge chunk of the puzzle. And he wanted to know, badly.
He reached his car but hesitated before starting it, sitting still even though the sunshine had now warmed the interior enough to be uncomfortable. Chase decided that asking about the dress or why she needed an apartment wouldn’t be a good idea. Maybe he should start with something simple like, ‘What are your plans for the evening? Or do you like Mexican food?’ Then maybe, ‘Do you have a portfolio or a resume with a photo? Something I can give my friend Jeanne?’
Dinner and a little small talk to get to know her better would be just the jumping off point. Chase wanted Sophie to feel comfortable around him. Maybe he could get her to open up and tell him more of her story. He was a bit rusty in the female department. He’d been too busy working himself to death to bother with dating, but something about Sophie inspired him to change his ways.
Nodding to himself, Chase started the car. He turned into the street and drove back to Sophie, thinking of her warm smile and green eyes.
A few minutes later, Chase pulled up at the curb across from the apartment building and got out of the car. He walked to the door of 1B and knocked.
The door opened, and there, framed in the sunlight, was a woman transformed. Sophie had changed out of the jeans and sneakers and now wore a sleeveless hyacinth blue sheath dress, with a slit in the left front, showing a trim left leg, and black 3-inch heels. The dress curved in all the right places. With her shoulder-length dark blonde hair, she was the most beautiful woman he had seen in years. He almost dropped the keys he was still holding.
He fumbled for a compliment. Instead, he managed to say, “You changed.” Real bright remark, Captain Obvious. Recovering, he said, “You look great!”
Chase inwardly winced at his overly enthusiastic reply.
Sophie beamed at him, saying, “I showered and decided to put on something new I bought for my…uh… for myself. I thought I’d go someplace nice this afternoon. Thanks for coming back. Do you have the lease?”
“I do, and I’ve entered the rental amount. If you will print your name, sign under it, and initial the line next to the rental amount and next to the yellow note we will officially be landlord and tenant,” he replied.
Was that a little too formal? Sophie’s presence unnerved him so much that couldn’t think straight. He wanted to strike the right balance. Chase didn’t want to scare her, but he wanted to leave their relationship open enough that he could be more than her landlord.
Sophie took the stapled paperwork from him, glanced through it quickly, and signed and initialed it where indicated. Years of script reading had taught her to read and understand in a hurry.
She handed it back to him, saying, “It’s official, then! I still love it.”
While waiting for Chase, she had been thinking. She didn’t really want to go back to New York City. She’d invited everyone here for her wedding, and the thought of facing everyone after she’d been so publicly dumped made her queasy. She couldn’t face them now, maybe never. She needed something new, a fresh start. Something different than her old life. Maybe coming home was just the thing for her. It would be a fresh start, yet familiar at the same time.
When Sophie opened the door and saw her young and handsome new landlord standing there, her heart rate sped up. She tried to push the fluttery feelings aside, because she knew she shouldn’t be interested in Chase. It was too soon, and she wasn’t ready for another relationship, but apparently her heart had other ideas. She liked Chase. Maybe too much for someone she’d just met.
Sophie was about to say goodbye when she found herself saying, “Would you mind dropping me off at the nearest market so I can get some groceries? Someplace I can walk back from?”
Why did I say that? He must have better things to do than drive me around. Chase’s face broke into a huge grin, and Sophie’s nerves disappeared.
“You're not imposing at all! I’d love to,” Chase said. “There’s a Safeway not far from here. I’ll take you and bring you back.”
“Great. Just let me put on some flats,” Sophie said lifting up one of her heels. “It’ll just take a second. Come in for a moment.”
“Sure,” he said. “Hey, do you like Mexican?”
Sophie had rounded the corner to the closet and came back to see he was still standing in the hallway. “What,” she asked, “do I like Mexicans?”
What kind of a question is that? She grabbed a pair of black flats and crossed the room to sit in the rocker, kicking off the heels. She avoided looking at Chase, wondering how to respond. “I guess so. Why?”
Sophie heard Chase shifting in place. When she looked up, he was scratching his head.
“No, I meant food. Do you like Mexican food?” Chase answered, looking slightly flustered and boyish.
He’s cute when he’s embarrassed. How could she fight his boyish charms? It probably wasn’t wise to even think about dating yet, but Chase had a way of making her forget that Rob had ever existed.
She smiled and stood, saying, “I love Mexican food. I haven't had any since I came back. Is there a good place around here?”
“There’s a place called Remy’s. It’s not fancy, but the food is good, and the people are great. We could walk over after getting your groceries?” He paused and looked down at his feet. “That is… if you feel like it.”
Sophie knew she should put a stop to this. Chase obviously was interested in her, and she’d cornered him into taking her grocery shopping. Dinner out would be too much. It wasn’t fair to him when she was still so hurt by Rob. Yet, that little voice in her head told her to throw caution to the wind. I want to talk to someone… be near someone… not sit in my room alone for the rest of the day. Chase is sweet and a gentleman.
“Dinner sounds great,” Sophie said. She feared it was the wrong choice, but what did she have to lose? She’d already had her heart broken.
Grabbing her purse from the kitchen counter, she said, “Let’s go!”
Chapter 10
Chase sat across from the most beautiful woman in the world and found himself wi
lling to tell her anything. Currently, he was telling her about his apartments, but it really didn’t matter what the conversation was about. He found that each minute he spent with Sophie he wanted more. She had a way of devoting her full attention to him whenever he spoke, like he was the only other person in the room. It made him feel special and valued. Her warm smile and perceptive questions drew him out. He’d always felt awkward around women as beautiful as Sophie, but as they talked over dinner, he saw that she was even more attractive inside.
Her outer beauty was a part of her, but more importantly, she tried to get to know him and bring him out of his shell. He had a million questions for her, but found himself answering all of her questions instead, and what was more amazing was that he felt comfortable doing it.
“So Katy said…Why don’t you take a look at the building down on Dwight? A customer of mine is thinking about selling it because it needs work and he wants to get out of the apartment business. You should take a look. You’re an architect after all. I bet you could swing the finance.”
“So you did,” Sophie said, “and here we are!”
“Well, it wasn’t quite that simple, but yes, here we are,” Chase said, smiling across the table at her. In the background, a group of Mariachis played a Spanish love song at the front of the restaurant. They finished just as he spoke, and the “here we are” part came out quite a lot louder than he intended. People nearby turned their heads. He smiled at her apologetically.
She looked at him and smiled back. The food and atmosphere had been up to expectations, and just what she needed to brighten her mood even further. They had been to Safeway, bought some essentials, and brought back four overflowing bags. Enough to get her through a couple of days with time to figure out her own transport for tomorrow.
“I think I’ll buy a car tomorrow,” she said, abruptly deciding that it was the right choice. “What do you recommend?”
“You’re serious, aren't you? Do you plan to stay here long? Aren’t you going back to New York? I know I said I thought my friend would have some work, if not a job for you, but you’ve invested so much time in your career in New York . . .” he trailed off.
Her face had gone distant for a second, and she turned her head. Is that what I want? My career is ME. Sophie had no real investment in New York. Her work was a gig by gig sort of career. She had a good enough reputation there and that generally guaranteed steady work, but… in her heart she just didn’t want to go back. She craved something new, fresh, and not weighed down by old, unwanted memories. I want to try this and take a risk at finding work in Berkeley. Besides, Dad will be home soon, and it will be good to spend some face-to-face time with him.
She turned back to Chase. “Yes, New York is safe. I know I’d get work there. I’ve done well, saved some money. I worked too hard the first four years and never had time to spend what I made. And I lived with a girlfriend for three years to save on rent. It was a crummy apartment in a so-so neighborhood but, livable. Your place is a palace compared to that. I suddenly feel that I want to try something new. In New York, I was a talent, like a piece of set dressing. I got lots of work, but nothing that would get me a lot of attention.”
Sophie sipped her wine, set it down, looking pensive. But only for a second before she continued on. For some reason, she felt she needed to justify herself to Chase.
“Not, mind you, that I want a lot of attention. Actors, by their nature, crave attention, but I’m more than an attention seeker. I want to work, and I really enjoy doing it. Anyone can read a script, walk a stage, and be someone else. Doing it well is work. It’s not hard if you know how, and it’s a lot of fun besides. But I’m proud of the work I do because I am good at it. It satisfies me. Do you know what I mean?” She stopped abruptly and stared at him.
He was looking at her intently.
“Of course, you do!” Sophie said to fill the silence. “I’m an idiot! You’re a successful designer and architect. You know exactly what a great feeling it is to have done something well. Look at your bed!”
He looked startled, and she wished she could keep her mouth shut, but it apparently had a mind of its own.
“Uh, I mean not everyone could design such a functional, easy-to-operate, beautiful thing and make money at it. You did.”
Chase was at a loss for words. He had known this woman exactly eight hours, and she had him enthralled. The Mariachis could have been playing a polka, which they sometimes did, and he would not have known it from a Strauss waltz. Her nervous chatter and personal insights were enchanting. He felt something click inside him. It was like a key turning in a lock, and he felt his heart open to her.
“Well, yes,” he said. “It’s an art form, the way I see architecture. Design, of course, is art. Form following function is all well and good, but sometimes form is in charge. It isn’t just what you are doing a design for, it’s the design. There is a balance. You must . . .” he suddenly realized that he was going on, and what he really wanted was to know more about her.
Next thing you know, you’ll be telling her exactly how successful that has made you, and I’m not interested in being one of those jerks who brags about himself. “Let’s say that I certainly see what you mean,” he finished.
Sophie nodded smiling at his change of topic. She could tell he was about to launch into a monolog about art, design, and balance, a conversation she would have a hard time following, but he’d stopped himself. I like this guy. He seems to know just when to stop talking about himself, and listen. That’s so rare in men.
She felt a yawn rise in her chest and glanced at her watch. It was past ten, and though the bar was still open, the restaurant was emptying. The Mariachis were almost done, packing up their instruments and readying to leave. The time had passed so quickly. She hadn’t realized it was that late.
“You've had a pretty full Sunday,” Chase said. He hesitated for a second and then said in a rush of words, “I have to visit a client in Sausalito tomorrow morning. Would you like to go? I’d love the company, and we could have lunch there, by the marina. Do you like pizza?”
Sophie smiled inwardly at Chase’s hopeful expression. He looked like a puppy eager to go out for a walk. And what was more surprising was how eager she felt to go out with him again. She wondered if it was too soon to be feeling that way. She should have been on her honeymoon not having dinner with Chase. But she wasn’t in Hawaii. Instead, she was discussing her life in Berkeley with Chase. Sophie held in her sigh of frustration. What should I do? How much time needs to pass after being dumped before I’m supposed to be ready to move on?
Sophie didn’t know the answer to either of those questions and the irritation must have been showing on her face. Chase’s hopeful expression began to wilt, concern replacing the bright sparkle of his eyes.
She hated for his face to lose its glow and hastily exclaimed, “I’d love to! When are we going?”
Chase’s lips curved upward, and the warmth of his resulting smile reassured Sophie that she’d made the right decision.
“My client expects me to be there around 10:30, and it will take us about forty to forty-five minutes. We could come back by way of the Golden Gate Bridge in the late afternoon if the weather cooperates. I love the view of the Bay when I’m driving across.”
Sophie nodded in agreement. She liked the view, too. It had been a while since she’d seen it, and it would be good to be reminded of all the things she loved about the Bay area if she was planning on staying.
“Why don’t we have breakfast at Cupid’s tomorrow, say around 8? I need to contact a few people who start their day early, but after I finish up in Sausalito, I can clear my schedule. I may have to take some calls, but if that’s okay . . .”
“That’s fine. Can I meet you at Cupid’s? I’d like the walk, and maybe a little longer one, over by the campus.”
“Sure,” he said. “Let’s plan on it. Now, let me take you home. I caught you trying not to yawn.”
Caught, Sophie blush
ed. She really was tired. The past couple of days had been a roller coaster of emotions, all highs and lows. Sophie looked over her shoulder to where Chase stood waiting to pull out her chair once she stood; the act of a true gentleman. Her stomach swirled with the sweet dance of butterfly wings. Chase was definitely responsible for the high points.
Ten minutes later, after parking at the curb in front of her new apartment, Chase hopped out and hurried to open the passenger door for her. As she got out and brushed past him, he put his hand on her shoulder. Oh no, I’m not ready for a good night kiss, no matter how I feel about him.
He looked down at her, placed his other hand on her other shoulder. Instead of kissing her, he stepped aside so she could turn toward the front walk. Slowly, as if asking permission, he slipped his arm around her waist and walked her to the door. He raised a hand and touched Sophie’s cheek. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Goodnight, Sophie.”
His words were a whisper, and before Sophie could worry that a kiss was about to follow, he turned and went to his car. Tension unknotted in Sophie's shoulders, and she was touched by his sweet gesture. Chase seemed to know that she was fragile at the moment, and the crack in her heart caused by Rob’s betrayal healed just a bit more.
“Good night, Chase,” she called after him and to herself she whispered, “Maybe it’s not too soon if the guy is as sweet as Chase.”
She turned, unlocked her door, and went inside.
Chapter 11
Monday morning began with a foggy day in Berkeley. Sophie glanced at her phone, now fully charged, and saw that it promised to be a partly sunny day after the fog and low clouds blew away. Following a brisk walk over to Ellsworth and down to Bancroft, she turned right to parallel the campus. Her father would be back today, and she would call him tonight to apologize, though he had been very clear he blamed Rob, not her. Gazing across Bancroft to the University, she put thoughts of Rob out of her head and continued her walk around a few blocks until she found herself in front of Cupid’s Café. She was a little early to meet Chase, but a cup of coffee before breakfast would be welcome, as would a chance to chat with Katy.
Waffles & Weddings (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 1) Page 4
