You and I Together

by Melissa Toppen

  “She probably thinks I am the most unfriendly person in the world.” I whine, dropping my face into my hands trying to hide my embarrassment.

  “Actually.” He says, unbuckling his seat belt and crossing the short distance between us. “She thinks you are the best thing to ever happen to me. And you know what I think?” He asks, kneeling down so he is just inches from my face. “I think she's right.”

  Chapter Five

  “Are you sure about this?” I turn toward Bentley as he escorts me down the sidewalk towards the dance studio.

  “I'm sure.” He says, giving me a sweet smile. “Unless you're not sure.” He tacks on, raising his eyebrows at me.

  “I'm not.” I admit, quickly adding on. “But I am.” I laugh when he shakes his head at me, pulling me to a stop just feet from the front entrance of PW Dance Studio.

  “There's no pressure.” He says, tilting my chin upwards to meet his gaze.

  “I want you to meet her.” I interject. “I've just never introduced Patty to.....”

  “A boyfriend before.” Bentley laughs lightly, not missing the way I melt slightly over the fact that he just referred to himself as my boyfriend. Though, I must admit, boyfriend just doesn't seem like a fitting word for him. He needs a title with more flare and dramatics.

  “Well, yes.” I admit, feeling more nervous than I ever expected to. Truth is, I never intended to introduce Patty to anyone because I never intended on allowing a relationship to go this far.

  “It will be fine. I promise.” He says, kissing my forehead before turning towards the door and dragging me inside with him. The moment the door alarm chimes, Patty sticks her head out of the office, spotting Bentley before me.

  “Hello there.” She says, smiling widely. She opens her mouth to say more but then finally spots me hunkered behind Bentley.

  “Ms. Wade.” Bentley proceeds, without giving Patty a chance to even acknowledge my presence. “I am Bentley Reed. Anna's.....” He starts but I immediately cut in.

  “My boyfriend.” I have trouble meeting her gaze as I say the word. Bentley picks back up without missing a beat, pulling Patty's attention back to him.

  “It's very lovely to meet you.” He says, reaching for her hand which she offers up without hesitation. Leaning down, he places a soft kiss to the back before releasing it.

  Patty's face immediately blushes crimson and it's clear to see, that even through the twenty plus year age difference, she is not immune to the charms of Bentley Reed. In a strange way, that knowledge makes me feel just a tiny bit better.

  “So this is who you have been disappearing with?” She snaps out of her haze and pins her motherly eyes on me. “Did you think I didn't know?” She asks, catching the surprised reaction on my face.

  “I....” I start but she cuts me off, crossing the space to stand directly in front of me.

  “I know you Anna Blake. Maybe better than you know yourself.” She smiles sweetly. “I'm just offended it took so long for you to finally bring him around.” She turns her attention to Bentley and then back to me. “He's quite the looker.” She lowers her voice so only I can hear and raises her eyebrows up and down suggestively.

  I can't control the laugh that boils out of my throat and from the look on Bentley's face, he has a pretty good idea what is going on.

  “Come.” Patty says, turning towards Bentley. “I will buy you two lunch.”

  “You don't need to do that. Bentley has a flight to catch and my class starts in just over an hour.” I immediately interject.

  “One hour is plenty.” She shushes me before pinning her eyes on Bentley.

  “I think lunch sounds wonderful.” He says, nodding his head slightly, reminding me of a true gentleman from a previous era. I swear, no matter how much time I spend with this man, I still can't get a grasp on him. I am starting to wonder if I will ever truly understand him or if he will continue to show me layer after layer of who he is or who he can be.

  Pinning him with a death stare, it takes everything I have not to kick him in the shin as Patty excuses herself to get her purse. “I thought you had to get to New York.” I strain out in a hushed whisper.

  “I've got a little time.” His eyes dance back and forth between mine and I can tell that he is thoroughly enjoying putting me in this position. “Besides, it would have been rude to say no.” He winks, turning his attention to Patty as she re-enters the room.

  “Ready?” She asks, waiting for Bentley's nod before snaking her arm with mine and leading us back out into the early afternoon heat.

  “So tell me Mr. Reed, how did you and Anna meet?” She asks, waiting for the crosswalk sign to signal it's safe to cross the street before forging ahead.

  “One of my friends works for him.” I ramble out quickly, not giving him a chance to answer.

  “A business owner. Now there's a man of my own heart.” She smiles sweetly in Bentley's direction and nudges my hip with hers. “So tell me.” She continues. “What exactly do you do?” She asks.

  I shoot him a look of desperation, only he seems completely unphased by my reaction. “I own a chain of clubs.” He says, meeting my eyes with a look that tells me not to worry. Only I am worried.

  “I used to love going to clubs.” She chimes in, automatically assuming that he means dance clubs. “When I was in my twenties, my goodness, I practically lived on Nelson.” She says, referring to a strip of dance clubs in downtown Chicago.

  “Well my friend Lauren works at his Chicago club. I visited her there a couple of times and that's where I met Bentley.” I continue with the lie, not giving him the opportunity to spill any beans about what kind of club he actually owns or that I work there too for that matter.

  “What's the name of your club dear?” She asks, becoming momentarily distracted by the hostess when we step inside a small little deli shop just two blocks from the studio.

  As the young woman leads us to a small table in the corner of the room, I turn towards Bentley and mouth the words, she can't know. Hoping that he understands my meaning behind them. Giving me a reassuring smile, he pulls my chair out for me and waits until I sit before taking the seat next to me, Patty already occupying the one across from me.

  “So Ms. Wade.” Bentley starts, as he pulls open the small paper menu.

  “Please. Call me Patty.” She smiles, tucking her shoulder length auburn hair behind her ears and picking up her own menu.

  “Patty.” He continues, giving her one of his dimple filled smiles. “Anna tells me that you have owned the dance studio for many years now.” He turns the conversation to her.

  Immediately she begins the story of how she came to own the studio and everything she has been able to accomplish over the years. It takes everything I have not to jump in Bentley's lap and lay kisses all over his face for his tactful change in subject. If there is one thing Patty can talk about for hours, it's dance.

  Lunch turns out a lot less painful than I had originally imagined. Bentley has such a way with people that he keeps Patty involved in the conversation and seems to really care about what she has to say. By the time we exit the restaurant just forty minutes later, Bentley and Patty are chatting back and forth like two people who have known each other for years.

  Bentley squeezes my hand and gives me a sweet smile as we head back towards the studio. There are so many things I want to say to him right now but I can't. Thank you for not spilling the beans to Patty. Thank you for going along with this whole lunch date when I know you are extremely busy. Thank you for being so incredible. But most of all, I want to tell him I love him. I don't know why, but the urge is so overwhelming, I have to physically fight it down. I know it's because I am feeling emotional over him leaving, or maybe I am just ready to bare my soul to him and just see what happens.

  When we finally make it back to the studio, Patty pulls Bentley into a hug. Telling him how nice it was to meet him and that she hopes he will come by for dinner sometime soon, before excusing herself back into the studio, le
aving me and Bentley on the sidewalk to say our goodbyes.

  “She's pretty amazing.” He smiles, tucking my hair behind my ear.

  “You're pretty amazing.” I match his smile, trying to swallow down the lump I feel working its way into my throat.

  “Thank you.” He says, catching my confused expression. “For letting me meet her. I know how much she means to you and what a big step that was for you.”

  “Well it certainly helps that you have a way with women. You practically had her eating out of the palm of your hand.” I roll my eyes with how ridiculous it sounds but knowing full well it's also the truth.

  “You sure you can't come back with me?” He asks, pulling me to his chest. “I can stop here tomorrow and pick you up on my way back from New York.” He speaks into my hair.

  “We've already discussed this.” I remind him, pulling back to look up at his face, wondering how in the hell I am going to get through even five minutes without looking into his incredible eyes. I miss him so much already and he hasn't even left yet.

  “I know. I know.” He tries not to let his frustration show through but I can still see it. “Call me if you change your mind.” He leans down, taking my lips gently with his. “I promise, I will make it worth your while if you do.” He breathes against my mouth, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me flush against his hard body.

  For a moment, I lose myself in his scent, in the feeling of him pressed firmly against me, in the sound of his voice floating around me. I don't want to let him go. Truth is, I'm scared too. I'm scared to discover how long we can go on living on opposite ends of the country. I'm scared that on one lonely night, he's going to revert back to his old ways, realizing that I am more trouble than I'm worth.

  What's worst of all, I'm scared of myself. I am scared that being away from him will cause me to forget the hold he has on my body, on my heart. And what if I am the one to mess this up? When he is with me, I can fight against the panic, against my gut instinct to state my independence. But when he's gone, I just don't know. I think the not knowing how long our goodbye is going to last is what is the most worrisome.

  “Stop.” Bentley pulls my eyes to his face. “Everything is going to be fine.” He promises, like he can sense my thoughts just by looking at me.

  “I know.” I say, giving him a smile that I hope doesn't look as weak as it feels.

  “I have to go.” He says, kissing the top of my head. “I'll call you soon.” He promises, laying another brief kiss to my lips before turning and walking away, disappearing inside the black car just feet from where I am standing.

  I want to stand and watch him leave, wave even though I can't see him through the dark tinted windows, but I know I can't. I can't fight my need to control this situation anymore than I can fight my bodies need to breathe. It's just part of me. What makes me function as a human being.

  Taking a deep breath, I push my way inside the studio, thankful that I have just a few short minutes before my dance class and hoping that it will offer a much needed distraction from the chaos currently going on inside of my head.

  “He seems wonderful Anna.” Patty breaks into my thoughts. I look up to see her studying me from the doorway of the office.

  “He is.” I say, smiling.

  “You know, not everything turns out badly.” She says, crossing the space towards me, stopping just inches from where I am standing. “I know that you have had your fair share of crap luck over the years but that doesn't mean that good things can't happen too.” She says, reaching out to pat the top of my arm.

  I smile weakly at her, not sure if I want to laugh, cry or scream. It guts me that she can read me so easily. That she knows, without me having to say one word to her, that I am scared. And she's right. I am. I am terrified. There is a reason that I have lived my life the way I have. A reason why I don't become involved in relationships or allow anyone to get too close. Because I know that it's only a matter of time before it's all ripped away.

  “I know.” I say, trying to act like it's nothing.

  “Well, I think he's perfect for you.” She says, tilting her head to meet my eyes. “Any man that looks at you the way he does, is okay in my book.” She smiles, turning to walk away.

  “What do you mean, looks at me the way he does?” I question, desperate to know what she saw that I clearly didn't.

  “I don't know the details of your relationship honey or how things have been with you two up to this point, but that man looks at you like you are the center of the universe. It's clear to see he cares for you deeply. And if I had to guess, I would say that you care for him as well.” She reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a light squeeze. “I just want you to be happy Anna. That's all I have ever wanted for you.”

  “I am happy.” I admit, realizing for the first time, I am not just saying what she wants to hear but I truly believe my own words.

  “Then so am I.” She winks, releasing my hand before turning and walking away, disappearing into the office before I have a chance to even move from my spot.

  Shaking my head, I grab my bag from the floor and quickly head down to the changing room, needing to get ready for my class that starts in just a couple of minutes. Before I even have a chance to close the door, my cell phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I can't help the wide smile that spreads across my face when I read the words displayed across the screen.

  I miss you already.

  Chapter Six

  “Can you believe how quickly the summer flew by?” Andrea pulls my attention from unpacking as she pushes her way inside the door, arms full of boxes.

  “Let me help you.” I laugh, crossing the room and relieving her of one of the boxes. Turning, I set it on the floor next to her bed. “And I thought you said summer sucked. You should be thrilled it's over.” I turn back towards her, my hands going to my hips.

  “Things may have turned around towards the end.” She shimmys into the room wearing a mischievous smile.

  “Did it now?” I ask, having only had time to fill her in on the Bentley situation before she had to rush off the phone to catch her flight. Other than that, I have only spoken to her once since my trip to visit her just a few short weeks ago, so I am a bit behind on what's been happening with her.

  “Hey babe. Where do you want these?” I hear, just moments before catching sight of a man walking into our room.

  “Just drop them on the bed.” She says, turning towards me, a bright smile lighting up her face. I give her a questioning look and then turn my attention to her new friend just as he turns to face me.

  “Anna, this is Collin. Collin, Anna.” She says, gesturing between the two of us.

  “Hi.” I say, reaching across the space to shake his hand when he extends it to me. He gives me a smile and brushes his long bangs away from his forehead, giving me a glimpse of his baby blues.

  He's a good looking guy, perfect for Andrea. She loves the frat/jock type and this one definitely fits the bill. I would guess him just over six feet, maybe a little taller. His shoulders are broad and his arms have nice definition to them. If I had to guess, I would say he is most likely a football player or maybe lacrosse. He's dressed casually in black cargo shorts and a gray t-shirt, his shaggy blonde hair and lopsided grin completing the look of your everyday college fraternity guy.

  “Nice to meet you Anna.” He says, releasing my hand and taking a step back. “I've heard a lot about you.” He says, draping his arm across Andrea's shoulder.

  “Funny. I haven't heard a thing about you.” I say, cocking my head to the side as I turn my gaze on Andrea.

  “Collin's family are members at the club. We met a couple of weeks ago on the golf course. He's a student here.” She squeaks. “Isn't that amazing?” She smiles up at her new boy toy like a love sick teenager.

  “Amazing.” I repeat, trying not to sound too unenthusiastic about the whole thing. It's just, I know Andrea and for her, bringing home boys is like bringing home stray dogs. She loves th
em until she realizes that there is actual work involved. Probably why she hasn't had a relationship lasting more than a couple of months in her entire life.

  “Anyways, so his room won't be ready until Thursday so he's gonna stay here for the next couple of nights. Is that okay?” She pouts out her lips in a pretty please smile. I dart my eyes to Collin who gives me a flirtatious grin, causing an uncomfortable tingle to climb up my spine. Turning my attention back to Andrea, I suddenly want nothing more than to escape the confines of this tiny room and Collin's stare.

  “Yeah. Yeah whatever.” I play it off like it's no big deal. “I have some things to take care of anyways.” I lie, grabbing my purse and phone off of my night stand.

  “But you haven't unpacked yet.” She whines, gesturing to my bed that is currently piled with bags and boxes.

  “I'll get to it later. I promised Patty I would stop by the studio this afternoon.” Another lie. I swear, I feel like I lie so much anymore, I don't know when I am telling the truth or just trying to cover it up.

  “Okay. Well, I will see you later then?” She asks. “Maybe we can grab dinner tomorrow or something.”

  “Yeah. That sounds good. I'm free Thursday if that works for you.” Purposely picking that day since hopefully Collin will be busy moving into his dorm and I can have some alone time with her to see what exactly is going on with the two of them.

  “Okay. Love you.” She sings, just as I step out into the hallway and close the door behind me. What is it with Andrea and her ability to pick the biggest scum bags? Two minutes with that man and I can already tell that he will probably have slept with half of the girls on campus by the end of the year.

  Shaking my head, I make my way outside. Having taken today off to get settled back into my dorm, I really didn't intend on having any free time. Deciding to run some errands, I hop into my old beat up Cavalier and head in the direction of the club to pick up my paycheck.