Solving Us

by Susan Renee

  Mmmm...those arms.

  What is it about a guy’s arms?

  In a moment of morbid curiosity, I allow my eyes to roam up to his face as he approaches right where I’m sitting. I lean back and meet his eye instantly. His eyes are a piercing shade of blue that hypnotize me immediately.

  Close your mouth, Olivia!

  Close your mouth!

  My brain is trying to speak to me, but my body just isn’t listening. I continue to stare at him, his beautiful blue eyes, messy brown hair just long enough for me to run my fingers through. He is the epitome of attractive.

  My breath leaves my body as his eyes meet mine and hold my gaze for what feels like an inappropriate amount of time for two complete strangers to look at each other. I narrow my eyes just a bit as I look at him in that moment because I feel like, for the first time in a long time, I am the one in front of the camera, and he is studying me. Just me. Maybe I’m just imagining things, or I just want to feel pretty for a moment, but he holds my gaze and slows down his running pace as he approaches me.

  “Beautiful morning isn’t it?” he says to me clearly surveying me head to toe.

  “Uh, what?”

  He’s talking to me?

  Holy shit! Hot runner guy is talking to me!

  “I mean, um, yes it is a beautiful morning,” I stammer.

  Ugh! The one time I can make a good impression, and I stumble my words and feel so flustered. I’m not convinced he was talking about the morning weather though. I blush, and when I look back at him, he is smiling at me. He has a panty-dropping, megawatt, million-dollar smile that is obviously infectious because I can’t help but smile back. It’s like my lips are attached to strings, and I am being manipulated by some master puppeteer. He is stunning.

  “You live around here? I run this route all the time, but I’ve never seen you.”

  “Yeah um, I’m new. Well new-ish. Just moved here a couple weeks ago.”

  Hot runner guy smiles at me. “Ah. Well, welcome to Boston!”

  I return his smile as I sweep a wisp of hair that has fallen out of my ponytail away from my face.

  “Thanks.”

  “See ya around...I hope.” He whispers that last part, I hope, and maybe he thinks I didn’t hear him, but I so totally did! Whoa!

  As he picks up his pace again, he glances down at my camera and then back up at me. With his eyebrows raised and smirk on his face he continues on his run. My mouth still open in wonder, I watch him run past me further down the path. He turns around one more time to glance at me, and damn if I’m not still gawking at the fine specimen that has just run by. How embarrassing! I throw my head down and look at my toes while pretending to fix my camera lens. I still can’t help but smile to myself, though.

  He smiled at me.

  He talked to me.

  He hopes to see me around.

  Around his waist maybe...

  I take a deep breath to try to compose myself. I raise my hand to my cheek and feel the heat of my flushed face. I wonder who he was and why I hadn’t seen him on my morning runs before. I make a mental note to ask Abby about it when I see her again. She runs earlier in the morning than I do, since I don’t have a job yet; but if she tells me he’s an early morning runner, I may just find myself changing my routine.

  I spend the next hour down at the docks taking several shots of the incoming boats and goings on in and around the marina before I feel the urge to take a break. My energy level was jolted this morning thanks to the adrenaline rush I had experienced with the hot runner guy, but that doesn’t stop me from walking in to Starbucks for my favorite double chocolate chip Frappuccino.

  While I am sitting outside on the Starbucks patio, I toy around with the settings on my camera, taking a few shots of my Frappuccino and my blueberry yogurt muffin, for lack of any other photographic subjects. I don’t even look up when the patio door opens, nor do I pay any attention to the sound of a chair scraping along the pavement of the patio.

  “Do you always take pictures of your food?” a male voice asks me amusingly.

  I freeze and can feel my eyes widen at the voice that has just spoken obviously to me. I don’t remember anyone else sitting on the patio when I came out here, and certainly nobody else with a camera. I lift my head and make eye contact with the man speaking to me. It’s him! Hot Runner Guy, except he isn’t running, of course. In fact, he isn’t all sweaty and panting either. He is fully dressed in business attire, which somehow makes him even hotter than when I saw him this morning. His black suit pants and stark blue dress shirt combination give him a bold air of confidence. The blue of his shirt brings out his deep blue eyes. In the heat of the morning, he had rolled the cuffs of his shirt sleeves about half way up showing off those beautiful forearms I admired so much earlier. He has his newly purchased cup of coffee with him and is standing right next to me, but I can’t bring myself to think of coherent words!

  Think Liv, think! I swallow hard and stare at him.

  “Mind if I sit with you?” he asks me.

  I finally remember to close my mouth this time, so I’m not gawking at him and his very hot body, that I’m sure many girls take advantage of. I did, however, notice that there was no ring on his finger…so at least I’m pretty sure that there isn’t just one girl who is winning his affection. I fantasize for a second that I am the girl he dreams about, being held in his arms, tasting his lips.

  His lips.

  “Sure, yeah I guess,” I reply back to him, praying that he didn’t just notice my wandering fantasy. “Sorry, no, I don’t usually take pictures of my food.” I chuckle softly as he slides the chair across from me out a little further so he can sit down. “I’m more of a people-person when it comes to pictures, maybe animals from time to time or landscapes. I was just playing with a few settings on my camera while passing the time.”

  “Ah, I see. So you’re a photographer by trade? I noticed you snapping pictures this morning while I was running.” He sits back in the chair across from me holding his coffee and makes direct eye contact with me while he speaks. His gaze is intense with his head cocked to the side, almost like he is trying to figure me all out in one conversation. “I’m sorry I didn’t stop to say more to you this morning, but I had a quick conference call and didn’t want to be too late. I swear, I’m not a stalker, but if I’m being honest, I saw you come in here as I was leaving for work so I followed you.”

  I raise one eyebrow and half smile at him. “You followed me? Sounds pretty stalker-ish to me,” I tease.

  “Ooh touché,” he says nodding at me and wincing slightly. “I’m sorry you just… piqued my curiosity this morning…I guess. So, when I saw you again I figured it was fate or something telling me I should talk to you. My name is Finn.” He smiles at me shyly, which catches me off guard. For someone who appeared so confident a moment ago, he seems almost nervous now. I can see the pink rising in his cheeks; he is blushing. How cute!

  He followed me? He noticed me? Am I on some episode of Candid Camera or something? I look around quickly for a camera just in case.

  “Nice to meet you; I’m Liv. Olivia,” I stammer. “I mean most people call me Liv.” I smile at Finn and hold his gaze until I just can’t do it anymore. His stare is intimidating yet makes me feel those little flutters in my tummy that I haven’t felt in a long time. What are those? Nerves? I take a deep breath and relax enough to continue our conversation. “To answer your question, yes, I’m a photographer by trade. I graduated from college with a focus in photography.”

  “Where did you go to school?” he asks me.

  “Rhode Island School of Design.”

  Finn nods. “Impressive. Did you just graduate?”

  “No. 2012, actually. I spent two years working for the newspaper in my hometown before moving here to Boston to live with a friend of mine.”

  “A boyfriend?” he interrupts quietly.

  Frowning at that thought I reply, “Uh, no, my college roommate actually. Abby is her name. Sh
e’s an interior designer with the Stark Firm in the city.

  Finn’s eyebrows shoot up “Stark Firm. Also impressive, and what do you do? Do you work for the Boston Herald now?”

  “No. I actually just moved here a couple weeks ago. Now that I’m all unpacked and settled, I’m actually looking for work in my field. I am not exactly sure what that means yet, but I’m starting to research a few job opportunities. I like being behind my camera. It’s a passion I’ve had since high school and one that really brings me joy. It’s almost like…therapy for me.”

  I don’t know why I feel the need to explain everything to him. I’m nervous sitting here talking to him, but he seems to have this knack for making me feel comfortable, so I try not to think about it too much.

  Finn’s eyes are warm and hopeful as he looks back at me with a slow sweet smile rounding his face. His teeth are perfect, and the way he looks into my eyes makes me blush every time. “Rhode Island School of Design, eh? That’s something to be proud of. Have you heard of The Kellan Agency? It’s a marketing and design firm that provides services for many of the largest companies in Boston.” He talks about the Kellan Agency with swelled pride, and I most certainly have heard of it. It is one of, if not the, best marketing firm in Boston. He must work there.

  There are those flutters in my tummy again.

  Don’t get your hopes up Olivia; he’s just being a nice guy.

  “Yeah I’ve definitely heard of The Kellan Agency. It was one of the more popular firms among my peers looking for internships before graduation. I would kill for a job there, but I’ll have to work my way up to that company. Mr. Kellan would never take someone with so little experience.”

  Finn studies my face for a minute, and I can’t figure out what it is he’s thinking, but I swear I see his lip twitch up just for a second.

  “Why didn’t you apply for an internship?” He raises an eyebrow.

  How did he know I didn’t apply?

  “Oh, um, well, I wasn’t quite sure at the time that moving from my hometown was what I wanted, so I stayed with my parents for a couple years and worked there instead. I knew that I had made the wrong choice, though,” I inhale steadily before continuing. “Once you go away to college and enjoy the freedom of the real world, going back home is a bit pathetic. Not that I don’t love my parents and love the peacefulness of being at home, but…” I rub my hand nonchalantly on my neck and look past Finn for a second before continuing my thoughts. I don’t know why I do it, but as I speak I instinctively rub my fading scars on the right side of my neck. “Sometimes being at home just digs up a past that you don’t want to live in anymore.” I raise my head to look at him again. “I’m ready to move on and be on my own.”

  Finn takes a sip of his coffee and lowers his cup as he watches me talk. I don’t miss the fact that he is watching my hand as I rub my neck. I forget that I clipped my hair up earlier at the docks. He must notice my scars when I’m talking because his eyes widen momentarily, and his lips separate like he is going to ask me something. I slowly lower my hand back to my lap trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. I tilt my head to the right in an effort to cover up my scars with my shoulder. I hear him take a deep breath before he speaks again, appearing more relaxed than he is probably letting on.

  Please don’t ask me what happened to me.

  Please, please, please...just not today.

  My body tenses as I wait for him to speak.

  “I admire your tenacity, Olivia” The way Finn says my name makes my insides melt like softened butter. Nodding his head at me, he confidently says, “It takes a pretty strong person to want to fly the nest and do the grown-up thing on your own without a definite plan. I like it.”

  Thank you, God!

  I feel my shoulders relax, and I sit back in my chair. “So what about you, Finn? What is it you do besides run?” I ask smiling at him. We both chuckle nervously. I wipe my mouth with my napkin just in case I had drooled thinking about him without his shirt on.

  When would I get to see that again?

  Could I please see that again?

  Finn blushes but gives me that megawatt smile again that reaches all the way to his eyes. “I’ve taken over the family business, which means I can get pretty swamped with clients, business meetings, conference calls, important decisions...a lot of wining and dining executives and new clients. You know…”

  “A business man, huh? Sounds exciting,” I say.

  “It has its moments, and I really enjoy the people I work with, so I don’t experience really bad days very often. Today, for example.” His eyes roam over the parts of me that he can see. “So far, today has been...pretty great.”

  “And what kind of family business do you run, Finn?” I ask tearing off a piece of my muffin and popping it into my mouth.

  In an act I can only describe as surprisingly tender, Finn reaches across the table with a napkin and wipes the corner of my mouth.

  Oh my God, did he just do that?

  Did I drool?

  Oh my GOD how embarrassing…and…hot!

  I can feel the warmth shoot through my entire body at his touch.

  “A...crumb,” he says quietly discarding the napkin.

  I smile shyly. I can feel the heat rising in my face and gaze down at my hands for a second, twisting my ring around on my finger. It’s my favorite silver ring that has the word LOVE engraved on the top and a tiny paw print engraved on the inside. I wear it always on my right pinky finger. It is sort of my pinky promise to myself to never forget what happened to me and the hero who saved my life. I never take it off. Not for seven years. When I look back at Finn, he is admiring me from across the table while taking another sip of his coffee.

  What is he thinking?

  I know he’s thinking something.

  “I’m in the photography business,” he finally says. “That’s why I noticed you this morning...you taking pictures.”

  “Ah.” I nod my head in understanding, but he’s holding my gaze. Our eyes haven’t left one another, and my body is starting to feel like it’s in a trance, like Finn is sitting across from me playing his music, and I’m the snake being charmed out of the basket as he beckons me.

  “I’m sorry, Olivia, I haven’t done this sort of thing in a while, but I’m...intrigued by you. You seem like a great girl with a very down to earth personality. I think getting to know you more could be great.” Finn glances down at his watch quickly. “I would love to keep you company here this morning, but I have a meeting I need to get to.”

  “Oh, yeah, sure, that’s okay. I totally understand. You’re probably super busy with calls and meetings and…businessy stuff.” I smirk at him. I don’t expect him to stick around, though I would have no objections if that were what he chose to do.

  “No,” Finn corrects me. “What I mean is I would really like to take you out…if you would be interested. You’re new to the area, right? And what I’ve learned about you today is that you’re not living with a boyfriend, you have a passion for photography, and you sometimes take pictures of your food.” He smirks and then chuckles when I look at him embarrassed.

  Sheepishly chuckling and nodding in agreement I reply, “Correct on all counts, I guess.”

  “Kidding,” he says. “I remember you said you were more of a people or animal person, and I think I know just the place to take you. Do you like being out on the water?”

  Whoa! Hot runner guy just asked me out?

  Hell yeah I’m interested!

  But water...does that mean swimsuit?

  I gulp down the knot of panic in my throat at the thought of having to wear a swimsuit. “Yeah, I love the water. I haven’t gotten to get out much since I’ve moved here, so that would be great, except umm, I’m not the best swimmer.” I lie. I’m actually a great swimmer. I had to be growing up on the river and doing a lot of white water rafting, but he doesn’t need to know that, yet. I’ll say anything to not have to wear a bathing suit.

  “It’s okay.”
He shakes his head. “We won’t be getting in...well unless we fall in or something, but don’t worry, I’ll save you if that happens.” He winks at me and chuckles shaking his head at the cheesy line he just delivered. I snicker back at him but try to help his ego a little.

  “I think that sounds amazing,” I say, smiling excitedly, but not too excitedly. I don’t want to seem desperate after all.

  “Great! It’s supposed to be warmer than this tomorrow, so dress casually, and be sure to pack your camera.” Finn reaches across the table and grabs my iPhone that is lying on the table next to me. He swipes his finger across and starts pressing his fingers around my screen. I have no idea what he is doing, but I don’t speak up and ask either. “Here you go. Now you have my number. Text me later with your address, and I’ll pick you up tomorrow around noon if that’s okay?”

  I look down at my phone when he hands it back and see that he added himself as a contact into my phone. A laugh escapes me when I see that his contact reads

  FINN from STARBUCKS

  “Thank you, umm, Finn from Starbucks. I can’t wait! And...thank you...for asking me, I mean. It was really nice meeting you.”

  Finn puts his hand out in an effort to shake mine. “It was a pleasure to finally meet you, girl who takes pictures of food,” he says with a warm smile.

  Ahh, that panty-melting smile.

  When I grab his hand in a return handshake, I gasp softly and try to hide it in my deep breath. The flutters are back in my stomach as I focus on the softness of his skin and the heat of his hands. I am blushing; I can feel it.

  “I’ll wait to hear from you later with your address.” He looks down at our hands wound together and then tugs forward on my arm as he lowers himself enticingly close to my ear and whispers, “You’re beautiful when you blush, Olivia.” He straightens up and smiles at me again. “Until tomorrow,” he whispers and walks away, leaving me almost panting for breaths as I watch the hot runner guy, Finn, walk away.