Never Say Die- Chapter 4

 

Chapter 4

 

 

            When I woke up I saw that my phone was blinking on the nightstand and I had a new text message. I slid it open and hit the button to read it, surprised to find that he'd only sent it minutes before, talk about timing.

            “Good morning beautiful, join me for coffee? -R.”

            A smile instantly spread across my face and I texted him back, “See you in an hour?”

            Before I'd crossed the room to the bathroom my phone lit up with another text, “See you then.”

            I smiled to myself with excitement as I rushed to shower and then face the dilemma of what to wear. Just as I considered calling Flan up I decided that we were past the phase where I needed to look special every time he saw me so I settled for jeans and a t-shirt which said a lot for him because I would have loved to stroll in there in pajama pants and a tank top.

I hurried down the stairs barely slowing down to grab my purse and I was out the door, in my car and on my way.

            When I arrived he was waiting for me with a mocha, a pastry and a big smile at one of the tables in front of the shop which was shaded from the sun by a big blue umbrella that matched the blue in the striped awning and curtains. He leaned over to kiss my cheek as I sat down next to him and I felt the flush spread across my face. His kiss was so gentle and felt so right even if it was just on my cheek; it was hard to keep myself from getting lost in daydreams about his lips on mine.

            “Good morning.” He said, pulling me back to our breakfast date.

            “Morning.” I replied and took a sip of my coffee.

He reached again for my hand and we sat in comfortable silence while we ate our pastries, “This is really good.” I commented.

            “They're Marlene's favorite and the special of the day at the suggestion of moi.” He over-exaggerated the last word with an air of superiority that made me laugh.

            “I see I've found myself a brilliant man.” I replied without thinking, he looked at me for a moment and the flush spread across both of our faces. What did you just do? I screamed at myself, in the matter of a sentence I'd thrown us both into a non-existent relationship but he looked almost pleased with my reply.

            “It seems you have.” he responded with a grin right before I put the last piece in my mouth to shut myself up, a little sad that it was gone already.

            “So what are your plans today?” he asked leaning closer to me and taking a big sip of his drink.

            “I haven't decided yet, what are yours?”

            “Well, I actually have the entire day off and I'd like to spend it with you, whatever you want to do.”

I sat back in my chair and sipped thoughtfully on my drink, “Well, since it's nice out we could do something outside, what do you like to do?”

            “Normally on a day like this I'd go fishing but that's something you want to get up early for.” He stared thoughtfully into the sky for a moment.

            “What if we just went for a walk down at the waterfront? If we think of something else we can do that instead.” I suggested and he smiled at me, “That's a good idea, let’s do it.”

            “Would you mind following me to my house so I can leave my car there?” I asked and he shook his head, “Nope, I don't mind at all.”

            He helped me up and walked with me to my car, opened my door and closed it behind me once I was in before heading to his truck. When we got back to my house, he was at my door again to open and close it for me before helping me into his truck. I couldn't get over his perfect manners and loved that he was such a gentleman.

            When we got to the waterfront he found a parking space toward the middle and after taking my hand in his we started our walk. While we walked we talked about everything we could think of, music, movies, schools we'd been to, silly things that happened to us as kids and once again I felt like we were reaching into each other’s souls, trying to get as much information as we could so that we'd know each other completely.

            “So let me see if I have this straight.” I said as we walked back to the truck going over his family stories, “Your mom's name is Sara, she's an architect and graduated from Columbia where she met your dad, Bill who is the CEO of Davis Industries which manufactures high end luxury cars.” I stopped for his approval before continuing. “Your moms’ sister is Marlene and she has two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily who are four and five years old. She was married for eight years before her husband passed away from an enlarged heart, that's so sad.” I stopped suddenly thinking about what Marlene must have gone through and then to have to raise two little girls on her own.

            “Don't be sad, they're not anymore, they've made their peace with it, Chuck was a good guy and gave them everything in the world they could have ever wanted until the day he died. They knew how much he loved them and they're all glad that he's in a better place.” I nodded thinking that it was nice that they at least had all good memories of him before he'd passed.

            “So, my mom and dad live in New York City and are like the ultimate couple in the elite circles they run in. My older brother Todd is a lawyer for a very prestigious firm, he's five years older than me and does a lot of pro bono work for abused kids and orphans, helping them get into good foster homes where they'll be loved and cared for.

            “My sister Amelia is 2 years older than Todd and she's a choreographer at the NYC Ballet, she broke her leg about 4 years ago which keeps her from dancing professionally but she loves what she does and because of her they put on some amazing shows.” I could only stare at him in awe and wish that my family was as eclectic as his. My mother had been a duchess back in the fifteen hundreds so she was wealthy to be sure but beyond that there was no exciting family history on her side and in the story that I actually told him, she's just an everyday housewife who is lovingly devoted to her husband now that I lived on my own.

            “Your family seems to be doing pretty well for themselves, how is it that you're surprised at how I live? Your parents have to make a fairly pretty penny doing what they do.” I commented, hoping I didn't sound rude.

            Rhys smiled, “My parents are very modest people, not flashy or showy with the things they have, my mothers’ decorating is modern and simple but elegant. I guess you could say they have a hint of wealth to them but it doesn't define who they are. They put a lot of money in savings and give just as much to charities, particularly for abused children and kids who want to dance. Their one indulgence is their house in Martha's Vineyard, it was something they always wanted and so a few years after I moved out they went ahead and bought one, also modestly decorated I might add.” He winked down at me.

I smiled back up at him, “I guess I just have a bit more showy taste than your mom does then.”

            He nodded, “With a Bugatti like that I'd say you definitely do.” he teased and we both laughed before continuing on quietly, hand in hand.

            By the time we got back to the truck I felt like we really had talked about everything we could possibly want to know about each other from favorite colors to least favorite foods. In a way I felt like we were trying to rush through the small talk and get down to just having a relationship but that was a pretty heavy thing for me to just assume.

            Once we were back in the truck he turned to me with a slightly worried look, “I hope this isn't going to sound weird or scare you off but I really feel like I've known you my whole life.” I felt exactly the same way and told him so. For some reason I didn't feel like I should hide my feelings from him like some people did, it seemed easier to just lay our cards on the table. He was pleased with my response and took my hand as we rode the rest of the way in silence, I found myself thinking that it was a good thing he drove an automatic so we could hold hands while he drove.

            “Why don't you let me make you dinner?” I suggested when he pulled up to my house, not wanting the day to be over yet.

            “That sounds like a great idea.” he said without hesitation and grinned as he got out to come around and open my door.

            He followed me inside and made himself comfortable on a barstool while I dug through the fridge to find something to make. I pulled out a couple steaks and the stuff I needed for mashed potatoes and a salad, threw the salad together, put it in the fridge and then led him out to the patio to cook.

            I heard a low whistle as he took in my outdoor kitchen, everything I needed was built into an island, the grill with 4 side burners, a rotisserie and a food warmer, a sink, mini fridge, dishwasher and a hidden garbage can. I had a wooden awning built over the patio to provide plenty of shade for those summer days when grilling would be nearly unbearable without it.

            “This right here is a man's kitchen.” he breathed almost like he didn't believe what he was seeing and I laughed, “Well actually it's a woman’s kitchen but I get your point.”

            “I hope that didn't sound offensive, it's just that this is....well this is some setup.”

            I smiled, “Well thank you and no offense taken.”

Just then I heard the front door open and close as Flan came home, “Saydie are you home?”

            “Out here!” I hollered back and she appeared at the back door. “It's getting kinda dark let's turn some lights on.” She said as she reached for a dimmer switch on the wall and pushed it, lighting up the entire patio with multi-colored Chinese lanterns. It was a perfect setting for an outdoor dinner and I realized that I didn't even mind that Rhys and I weren't alone anymore.

            “If you're going to eat with us you'd better go grab yourself a steak, the grill is almost ready.” I told her and she turned to Rhys, “Would you mind helping me with the dishes?”

            “Of course not.” He followed her into the house and they returned just a minute later with her steak, plates, glasses, napkins and silverware.

Rhys offered to set the table which gave Flan and I a minute to gossip.

            “So what did you guys do today?” She asked and I filled her in on our walk, the conversation and how we felt like we'd known each other our whole lives.

            “I'm a little worried Flan, it's almost like it's all going too fast to be normal but at the same time it just feels so right.”

She nodded, “It's not totally unheard of, look at Romeo & Juliet.”

            I laughed, “I'd rather not, I don't want us both dead at the end of this story.”

            She laughed too, “Good point but I get the feeling that you guys could have a happily ever after.” Flan had a strange way of knowing how things were going to work out and I'd never seen her proved wrong so I believed her but I still couldn't shake the feeling that things were going too fast. I hadn't even wanted to ever be any closer to a human than a friend but he was irresistible, I couldn't get enough of the time we spent together and that was exactly the problem. I decided then that I would enjoy the rest of the evening and then worry about this tomorrow.

            Rhys came back over to where we were standing, “Anything else I can help with?” I handed him the plate with the steaks with a smile and nodded toward the grill, “Go ahead and show me how much of a man's kitchen this is.” He grinned and looked like I'd just given him the best present ever as he opened the lid and threw the steaks on.

            I went in to grab the salad and put it in the outdoor fridge before relaxing in a lounge chair for a few minutes. I watched carefully as he manned the grill with an ease like he belonged there, then I took a look at other aspects of my life and pictured him there, having him know what I was and what I really did, having him meet my family, living with him, walking down an aisle toward him as he stood at the other end, everything about him radiating that this was the happiest day of his life and feeling it echoed in my own heart...

            I came back to the present with a start and a small gasp, I glanced around but neither of them seemed to have noticed my distraction. He had his back to me, concentrating on the steaks and Flan was busy mashing the potatoes. I relaxed a little but was still disturbed to find that the images in my head couldn't just be pushed aside, they lingered running through my head like a movie I couldn't stop, the image of Rhys at the other end of that aisle standing out the most prominently. I could feel in my heart that I wanted all of these things, But I barely know him I thought to myself, then realized that honestly, yes I did. I knew almost everything about him that I could possibly know from him pouring his heart and life story out to me; combined with the fact that my own heart told me who he was. He was mine.

            I needed some time alone, I had to get away and think, this was all happening too fast for my comfort and I needed to be absolutely sure of myself and my feelings before letting it go any further.

 

            Dinner went well, the steaks were perfect and Rhys looked very proud of them as he served them up. When we had finished we sat around talking like old friends, laughing about college experiences they'd had, the most amusing stories seemed to involve the Greek houses on campus during pledge time which didn't surprise me one bit.

            Around midnight Rhys glanced at his watch and realized that he had to get going, after thanking us for a wonderful meal I walked him out to the truck where he left me again with a kiss on the cheek and a burning desire for his lips on mine.

            Slightly disappointed I sighed and went back in to help Flan clean up from dinner, I washed and she dried as we revisited the subject of my concerns for my relationship with Rhys. I told her about the non-demon related things I'd imagined in my head and how I felt about it, mentioning the wedding but not focusing on its prominence.

            “I can see him in every aspect of my life and I want it all but it just seems like too much too soon, It's been less than 2 weeks, I shouldn't be daydreaming about marrying a guy I just met.”

            “Maybe it's a sign.” She countered, “Sometimes people are just meant to be, maybe the two of you are destined to be together and you don't need months or years to realize it.”

            I laughed, “You would see it that way wouldn't you? I still think I'm going to take a little time to myself and see how I feel then.”

            “That's probably a good idea, just because the relationship may be ready for you that doesn't mean that you're going to be ready for it.”

            “You know Flan, sometimes I think you're my own personal Yoda, sent to show me the ways of the force.”

            She threw her head back and laughed at my Star Wars reference, “Thank you my young padawan.” We bowed to each other and dissolved into fits of giggles before putting the dishes away and finally heading to bed.

 

            The next morning I woke up to another text from him, “Good morning beautiful, I wish I could see you today but I have back to back classes and work, stop by later if you have time. -Rhys” Taking some time for myself was going to be easier than I thought, I should have figured that he would get busy again and felt a little ashamed of myself for freaking out so much about all the time together.

            Suddenly facing the day alone felt a bit lonely but I was sure that there were plenty of things I could find to keep me busy. After breakfast I vacuumed and dusted the house, washed and vacuumed my car, checked and responded to e-mails, called my mother which took up an hour at least, and tried to do some reading but that was hopeless. Rhys did text me through the day to see what I was up to and I was glad that I had honest answers, we even chatted our way through one of his classes via e-mail.

            “I can't wait to see you again, somehow it feels a little off not to be with you.” He wrote.

            “You're not the only one who feels that way.” I replied,

            “I know it hasn't been that long but I've never had the kind of connection with another girl that I have with you, everything just feels so right and I'm totally comfortable telling you that. Is that weird?”

            I smiled, “No, not weird, it's funny when you tell me things like that though because it's like you know exactly what I'm thinking or feeling myself.”

            “Have you felt like this is all happening way faster than normal?”

            “Wow, you have no idea, or maybe you do LOL. That makes me glad that I'm not the only one concerned about it.”

            “Considering that I just got out of a relationship, no matter how short lived it was, this is all happening really fast to me but then I figure it happens for a reason you know?”

            “Yeah I know, that’s along the lines of what Flan told me, she suggested that it was a sign but just because a relationship is ready for us doesn't mean we're ready for it...not to say I'm not ready for it.”

            “I was ready for it the first time I laid eyes on you. I just don't want you to feel like you'd be the rebound girl or anything though. She's not even in the picture anymore, I feel like my life revolves around you now.”

            Those words nearly took my breath away; they were everything I'd wanted to know and then some. I had to take a minute to compose myself before typing out my response.

            “It had never occurred to me that I might be a rebound, the feelings were so strong, it seems ridiculous to even consider now.”

            “Well I'm glad you didn't consider it because it was never possible.”

            “Just out of curiosity does your ex know that you're seeing someone else already?”

            “Um....no I think I've hurt her feelings enough without rubbing that in.”
            “I guess that's reasonable.”

            “I'm not hiding you though Saydie, never think that, she'll find out eventually I just don't see the need to rub it in her face this soon.”

            “I know you're not, if you were we'd probably spend all of our time holed up at my house or yours, not that it would be a bad thing ;)”

            “Ha ha, I wouldn't mind shacking up with you at your place for a while, it would be a nice escape from the life with roommates and Flan doesn't count because she's just too easy to be around.”

            “Well there's always a spare room or couch if you need to get away.” I didn't want to be too forward with my response just in case.

            “I couldn't sleep in your room? Darn.” So much for not wanting to be too forward, I thought as a blush came to my cheeks.

            “I wasn't going to assume that you wanted to but it's good information to know. You're awfully bold behind a computer screen though.”

            “LOL, I guess it does make it easier to be open and honest.” Boy was that the truth too.

            “Yes, I suppose it does.”

            “My class is almost over are you going to stop by Marlene's later?”

            “Probably not tonight, I'm going to help Flan with some stuff.” No matter how open and honest he'd been I was still keeping my resolve to take some time to myself.

            “Alright, I'll call you later. I miss you Saydie.”
            “I miss you too, talk to you later.”

            I closed my computer, thinking about our conversation, did I really need to worry about it? Couldn't I just go with it? The answer to the second was there before I was even done asking myself the question. NO.

            The next week went on the same way; e-mails while he was in class, text messages throughout the day and one night I finally caved and went in to see him at work. His face lit up when I walked through the door, he finished with his customer and came to sit at my table sliding a cup of hot cider in front of me which I was thankful for because I really didn't want a mocha so late at night.

            He kissed my cheek as usual and took my hand, “I missed you.”

            I looked him in the eyes with a smile, “I missed you too.”

I had been worried that things would be a little weird after all the feelings we had shared in our e-mails but everything felt the same as it had before if not better because I knew so much more now.

            We talked for a few minutes about football practice, what I'd been doing all evening, which was hanging out with Flan, and an upcoming game he had to play in that he made me promise I'd come to and bring Flan along. I gave in at the suggestion of bringing her with me; it would be more bearable than sitting by myself in a stadium full of strangers.

            He managed to talk me into hanging around while he helped customers so he'd come and sit with me or talk to me while he wiped tables, things were really slowing down and eventually I was the only customer left, although I'm not sure I counted as a customer since he wouldn't let me pay for my drink. We continued our conversation after he locked the door and turned off the neon “Open” sign in the front window.

            I helped him wash dishes and put them away as we talked about new movies coming out that we might like to go see. We wiped down the machines, swept the floors and I sat patiently while he counted the money for the bank deposit. When he was finally all done we walked across the street to the bank and put the money in the deposit slot.

            “Well that's convenient.” I commented on the nearness of the bank and he smiled, “Yeah it's nice not having to go across town to the other one.”

            “You must be a pretty good nephew for Marlene to trust you with all this.”

            “Of course I am, how else do you think I got the job?” he laughed and I joined him. As we approached my car he suddenly looked very serious.

            “Marlene has a catering job tomorrow and I'm going to babysit her kids, I'd really like it if you came and kept me company.” I started to decline but something in his eyes just wouldn't let me say no. Instead I pulled out my phone, created a reminder alarm with the address and promised that I would stop by.

            I knew what was coming next and this time I was prepared for it but didn't turn my head quite fast enough and he still got mostly cheek. He pulled back to look at me as if he was considering kissing me again but when he pulled me back to him he rested his chin on top of my head as he wrapped his arms around me,

            “You deserve so much Saydie.” I had no idea what he meant and had no intention of asking him to elaborate, I just stood there feeling warm and safe in his arms before he let go all too soon and helped me into my car.

            With a final promise that I would stop by Marlene's house the next day and an assurance that she wouldn't have a problem with me being around her kids, I drove home wishing more than anything that he was coming with me.

            As I climbed into bed later my phone lit up and caught my eye, another text message. “I hope this gets to you before you fall asleep. Thanks for coming by, I really missed you. Sleep Well.”

            I smiled and typed in my response- “I'm glad I did, I missed you too. Goodnight, sweet dreams.” I laid down and waited for the phone to light up again and when it did I wondered if I'd ever wipe the smile off my face again.

            “See you there.” was his response and as I drifted off to sleep and began to dream, there he was waiting just for me.