Grand Opening
My excitement was oozing out of my pores. Reid’s place was nice, but I felt contained. Francesca was so close, yet so far away. It was a mere three hours until her launch party, and it was almost more than my heart could take. I was on official outpatient status for the next three months. After that, I would be evaluated and they would decide where to go from there. I was ecstatic to know that I accomplished so much, did something I never thought possible. I was proud of myself, a word I never thought I would use to describe me. When the doctor signed my release papers, I got so emotional that I almost felt tears in my eyes. Definitely not something I ever expected. Ever.
So here I was, sitting on Reid’s couch, bouncing my leg and drumming my fingers on the side. I needed to see her. My body hurt from being away so long. I’d been vague in my last few letters, not wanting her to know I was being released so close to her party, but now that it was here, I couldn’t wait any longer.
“Reid!” I yelled, jumping to my feet and pacing.
“Cade…it’s almost time, buddy.” His voice was slow and his words deliberate. I was beginning to think he was annoyed with me.
“I need to go now. She’ll be there setting up and ready to greet early goers, and I’m one of them. Please take me to her office, now.” I kept my voice stern. I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to see her, to gaze into her loving brown eyes, feel her silky tresses through my fingers, and her soft, luscious lips against mine. “Now, Reid. I’m getting dressed,” I said, bounding up his stairs and to the spare room I was using.
Cason had brought over the necessities, plus a few other things I desperately needed that he had to get from Mom. I rummaged through the closet, pulling the penguin suit from its bag, and threw it on. I was in a rush, not caring how I looked at that moment. Reid stood at the door, shaking his head as he laughed at me.
“Let’s go. You got what you need?” he asked, raising his brows.
“Of course,” I smiled, patting my pockets. “Come on!” I exclaimed excitedly.
The drive was too long. I fidgeted with everything from the hem of my jacket to his dash. The building Reid stopped at was massive. It was about two blocks from the courthouse, and looked to house multiple law offices. The window in the middle held a large sign, lit from behind, that her name graced. My heart quickened, knowing she was beyond the doors to my right. I hadn’t seen pictures from the outside, only the interior, so I took a second to take it all in. The sidewalk was lined with flowers, but only around her doors. Only Francesca would decorate the outside of her office, too. The doors were large, double doors with bells tied to the top. The window was clear, besides the sign, with one of those short curtain things at the top of it. It look amazing, so nice, and so Francesca.
“You ok?” Reid asked from the driver’s seat.
Turning, I saw him watching me curiously. “Yeah, just taking a mental picture. You coming in with me?”
Shaking his head, he said, “Nah, not right now. I think I’ll wait until the party actually starts,” he chuckled.
“Ok, I’ll see you in there,” I said, climbing out of the car. I walked slowly to the doors, my stomach suddenly overcome with a fury of nervous butterflies. I clenched my fists three times, counted to ten, and pushed the door open. Vanilla wafted through the air, attacking my nostrils before I even fully stepped inside. Leisurely chairs adorned the area to my left with a coffee table housing magazines in the middle. A taller table was directly behind them, a coffee maker and glass cups adorning the top. A large desk was to the right, a computer and office supplies cluttering the top. Bookshelves lined the walls, full of folders, books, and various knickknacks decorating certain points on the shelves. No one was around, the office was eerily quiet. The door in the back contained a faceplate saying “Francesca Taymon, Attorney at Law.” The door was open, but no one was inside. I stepped further in the room, my eyes taking everything in when the bell behind me jarred me from my thoughts.
“Can I help you?” a deep voice asked.
I turned, seeing a man a few years younger than I staring at me. His eyes were scanning me, his brows raised in question. I stood taller, saying, “I’m looking for Francesca.”
“She’s not here yet. May I ask who you are?” he looked quizzical, like his mind was trying to place me.
“I’m Cade Kelling. She represented me a few months ago,” I said proudly.
He grinned, nodding. “I know who you are. Go wait for her in her office, if you want. She’ll be thrilled to see you,” he said, pointing in the direction he wanted me to go.
I turned, then glanced at him, “Hey, don’t tell her I’m here, please. I want to surprise her,” I explained.
He smiled widely, his eyes dancing with joy agreement. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I slid in her office, taking in the professionalism of it all, but still seeing hints of her personality decorating the room. I eased my body into her chair, spinning it to face the window. I didn’t want her to see me when she came in the building. I waited for what felt like forever, daydreaming about her voice, her gaze, her lips, until finally I heard the bell ding and her melodic, soothing words filling my head.
“Hey, Zander! Thank you so much for coming early. I have to get this stuff ready and organized in my office before people start arriving,” she told him.
Her shoe clicked on the floor as she walked across to her door, and when I knew they were close, I turned the chair around to face her. Eyes wide, mouth open, and in shock, she said, “Cade.”
All I could do was grin back.
Mangled Hearts Page 36
