Waiting Read online

  I motioned for her to enter as I let my legs down and wrapped up the phone conversation.

  "You know you need to take my advice. I'll take you out to celebrate after your presentation if you work on it and blow our clients away on Monday." Julie took a seat across from me with a smile. "I've got someone in the office Ted, see you Monday." I hung up before he could argue more about why his presentation was already a 'masterpiece'.

  The only reason I gave him this account was to motivate him to put his creative mind to work. Some of his ideas were brilliant, when shoved in the right direction. I swear the man was more interested in bedding women, then making money to buy a house to bed them in his own. Fresh out of college and he’s still living at home.

  "Hey Jules, what's up?"

  She was a glowing seven months pregnant and loved every minute of it.

  "It's my birthday today," she reminded me for the umpteenth time. "We're going to catch a bite to eat with some friends and no buts." She stood and emphasized the butt's while pointing to her own then giggled. "I've got plenty of butt's."

  "I already told you I would. I just have to go home and change into something more comfortable then I'll meet you out. Where do you want to go?"

  Having dinner with her and her husband was almost a weekly ritual but since we were adding in a few more friends, who I didn't care to ask about since I figured I'd just slip out early while she was occupied with them, it felt like a jeans and tennis shoe kind of night.

  "You look fine and it's going to be an early dinner so we can just ride together and meet up with everyone there."

  I glanced down at the clock on my computer which read five thirty. Great, she'd stayed late on her own birthday.

  "Alright fine."

  I grabbed my purse and we both made our way to the bathroom to freshen up. She wasn't usually this demanding, but since it was her birthday, I'd let it slide.

  When we got to the bathroom I did a once over to make sure I hadn't stained my outfit or something. I was wearing a white cotton button up blouse with a cream colored knit skirt that clung to just below my knees and matching cream heels. You could see the pearl necklace I wore every day through the top three buttons that weren't hooked. The necklace that I’d been given on my eighteenth birthday from my mom. My real mom had it and the woman I call mom gave it to me. I guess the woman I call mom is my real mom-not the other way around.

  My hair was in waves down to my shoulders. I ran a brush through before pulling it up into a pony tail then re-layered my makeup that had worn off during the day. Julie did the same in the mirror next to me before we took off toward the elevators to grab a cab.

  We were the same height, me taller now since I was wearing heels, but her hair was brown and shoulder length, and wore thick black glasses that made her look like a sexy nerd. She also got out more so had some color to her, whereas my skin would always be white. I tanned every once in a while whenever I made it to the gym, but that was only a few times a month, if that.

  "Princess died." My thoughts turned to my pet goldfish who'd lived much longer than I thought possible.

  "Again?" We smiled at each other. "You say that all the time and then when you get home she's alive." She rolled her eyes.

  "No, she's really dead this time. I stared at her upside down floating body the entire time I brushed my teeth this morning." That always did confuse me, coming home to find her swimming happily though she'd been a floater when I'd left for work. "I didn't flush her though, too afraid she's got a couple more lives in her. I swear she should've been born a cat."

  The first time she died was right after my Grandmother's funeral. I started crying and called Julie, but when I got home she was swimming around, happy as can be. By the third time I found her floating I just shrugged, went to work, then came back to find her swimming again. Out of all the goldfish I could've won at the fair that day, I got the one with nine lives.

  "So where are we going?" I asked before stepping out onto the curb and hailing a taxi for us.

  "The Hilton. Bruce has some friends that work there so we thought we'd try it out."

  I didn't know there was even a restaurant in the hotel. That just proved how much I go out.

  We got into the cab and she gave the address to the driver before we got settled.

  "I suck as a friend and didn't get you a present." She just smiled and rolled her eyes. "But as your boss, I'm giving you all next week off. Paid."

  "Well since I have such crappy friends I'm glad I have a kick-ass boss."

  I smiled at her before looking back out the window. We had at least fifteen minutes, maybe twenty with all the traffic, before we got there.

  She was my closest friend, hell maybe even my only friend since starting out in the real world. I saw some old friends every once in a while but no one I'd go out of my way to hang out with. No one that I still thought about. No one I'd compared every guy to since graduation.

  "Ugh, I'm so bloated today. Only six more weeks before this little rascal makes their debut."

  Julie and Bruce decided against knowing the sex of the baby until the delivery day. There's no way I wouldn't be able to know before the big day.

  "You look great. Glowing. Bruce can never keep his hands off you."

  "Now we just need to find someone that you're interested in." She winked at me when I rolled my eyes. "We need to get you over this guy that's got you all twisted."

  What?

  "What guy?"

  I got twitchy and re-crossed my legs. I'd never told anyone just how much I liked Parker or about that fateful night.

  "Relax!" she laughed. "I was just poking. Trying to figure out if there was a guy, obviously there was, but you don't want to talk about it. I get it." I visibly shed my tension and smiled back at her. "He's not worth a minute of your time and I'm going to help you get over him," she assured me with a confidence that almost convinced me.

  "There's no one. I'm just picky and don't really have the time to go out and meet new people." I quickly rambled off excuses I'd been telling myself for years. She bought it about as much as I did.

  "Whatever. We're going to have fun tonight and I'm not going to stop hounding you until you get laid!" The cab driver swerved in traffic at her bold statement, effectively making me blush, then laugh once she did. "Sorry," she whispered. "But it's true," she ended more loudly.

  She made small talk until we pulled up in front of the hotel then pushed me through the mass of people surrounding multiple bulletins that I couldn't read over all the heads. Once in the elevator she pushed the top button, exciting me since I loved views and looking out at the buildings and bright lights. The most important part about being at the top of a tall building was being able to see the stars more clearly. They were beautiful.

  As soon as we stepped out I realized the trap I'd unknowingly stepped into. There was a huge banner hung with blue letters and silver glitter accentuating them that read: Welcome Class of 2001!

  "Holy..."

  She just giggled and tugged on my arm over to the name tag booth.

  "Don't be mad at me," she pleaded. "But it's my birthday and this is what I wanted to do."

  I couldn't technically be mad at her since I'd told her earlier that week that she could pick anything and I'd go along with her. My fault.

  "Fine. But this is your Christmas present too."

  I pasted a smile on my face after patting the sticker on my blouse.

  We bee lined to the bar and grabbed drinks before joining Bruce and his group of friends. He'd graduated the year before us but he knew a lot of people in our class.

  Our old clique showed up, from Ashley the prom queen, to Leslie the book nerd. It was actually fun catching up with everybody and I found myself forgetting my nerves almost immediately.

  I’d gotten the pamphlet in the mail inviting me to come to the reunion, but hadn’t thought twice about coming. There was no use. Nobody I really wanted to see would be here.

  Brian Collins sho
wed up looking just as good as the last time I'd seen him, and we ended up talking most of the night. He told me stories about everyone since he kept in touch, and made me laugh until I had to excuse myself to the bathroom before I peed my pants. Ok, so maybe I'd get Julie a Christmas present after all.

  The line to the bathroom was as long as usual but I busied myself talking with the other ladies until it was finally my turn. I was almost hopping on one foot before I slammed the door and squatted, locking the stall for privacy. When I came out Julie was standing near the sink waiting for me.

  "So, how’s it going?" She was smiling ear to ear in excitement. "You and Bri seem to be hitting it off, huh?" She nudged me as I grabbed some paper towels to dry my hands then took my purse from her.

  "Oh, he's great. I actually found myself missing some of these people. It's been great catching up with everyone." I was buzzed and had no problem admitting the truth, though I'd probably regret it later.

  "But..." she prompted, knowing something was lingering on my tongue.

  "But nothing. I'm just having fun. Thank you for dragging me out."

  I wrapped her in a side hug as we rejoined our group where Brian eagerly handed me another drink. I thanked him and he started off like I'd never left. After a few more laughs from reminiscing he seemed to get bolder and wrapped his arm around my shoulders and whispered in my ear.

  "Wana go up to the very top? There's seating up there and we can get some air."

  More along the lines of thinking about the cool spring air and view, I nodded in agreement.

  I told Julie where I'd be before following him up the two flights of stairs then out into the fresh, cool air. As soon as it hit my face I closed my eyes in silent joy. I leaned against the gate surrounding the ledge and just sat there for a minute enjoying the view.

  When I turned back to face him he caught me off guard, leaning in and placing a quick kiss on my lips. I froze as soon as he made contact, and waited for something other than shock to replace my feelings. The kiss wasn't bad but it wasn't anything special. He pulled away after only a few seconds.

  "Sorry. I've been wanting to do that since I saw you walk in tonight," he admitted with no shame or regret. "Feel free to say something. Anything."

  We both nervously chuckled.

  "Sorry. I just wasn't expecting that I guess."

  This time he leaned down slowly, giving me time to reject him before his soft lips met mine again. I didn't resist him, hoping against all hope that I might actually like it. His tongue parted my lips and I gently stroked mine against his. Nothing. I pulled back slowly, trying not to reveal as much.

  "I am soo glad I decided to come tonight. Oh, are you cold?" he asked when I shivered.

  Instead of answering honestly I settled for nodding as he took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around me.

  Now that he mentioned it, it did seem a little cooler, almost drastically cooler as a new wind chill blew across my neck making my eyes water. For early May, it felt like late February.

  "Thank you. For the coat," I added, not wanting to encourage him to kiss me again.

  He smiled while rubbing his hands up and down my arms to warm me faster. Or maybe it was to warm him.

  "Why don't we go back inside? It got cold pretty fast," I stated the obvious with a smile while trying to walk around him, hoping he'd follow.

  He smiled before grabbing my hand through his too long for me coat sleeve.

  We'd taken a few steps before a tall, shadowy figure emerged from the darkness walking straight toward us. At first glance he looked a little familiar. When I glanced back again it looked like he could be a family member or somehow related to my dream man. The one and only man consuming my thoughts for the last ten years.

  This man had dark brown hair with the same jawline and physique of the man I’d pined after for years. Instead of the intense purple and black eyes, his were a muddy black. He was also a few inches taller, if memory served right. And thinner.

  I smiled politely before stepping around him then stopped when his hand shot out to grab the hand Brian was still holding onto.

  "Hey buddy, is there a problem?" Brian asked while standing taller. His six feet had nothing on this mysterious man.

  "No problem. You were just leaving."

  That voice. It was enticing and Brian let go of me immediately, eyeing me, silently telling me to go on ahead.

  "As soon as she's safely inside, I'll follow suit," Brian bravely responded, crossing his arms over his chest.

  The man merely threw back his head in laughter before seeming to give a flick of his wrist that sent Brian flying back against the outside wall, crumbling a layer off before his head lolled to the side and he fell unconscious.

  Fear swept over me and I hesitated too long before my feet found their momentum to run toward the sealed metal door in a mad dash.

  Brian was just tossed to the side as if he were a wadded up piece of paper. How on Earth could this be real?

  THREE

  A scream was ripped from my throat when arms encircled me from behind the same time a hand was thrust over my mouth, effectively drowning out any noise from me. I kicked and threw my head back in an attempt to get free but my attacker held firm, and actually chuckled at my feeble attempts.

  "Calm down! I'm not going to hurt you unless I have to."

  Well now, that's reassuring!

  I picked up my struggle and wriggled, scratched and fought, but he didn't move an inch. His skin was harder than anything; my nails didn't leave any scratch marks. My gaze fell back on Brian when I began to cry in defeat.

  "He should be here soon, if he's not already. My brother's been very hard to keep track of over the last few years but I do know that he's been deliberately driving me away from you. And now I know why."

  What? Why? His brother? In a last ditch effort to get out of this alive I went still, stopped struggling altogether in hopes that he'd loosen his grip and give me a breath of hope that this wouldn't be how my life ended.

  "Good. You're going to play along until you think you can escape. I can deal with that," he assured me before letting me go and taking a step back after turning me to face him. He had a faint English accent that got more and more pronounced as he spoke.

  He put himself between me and the door, smiling wickedly since he knew what I planned on doing. Gesturing to the seat behind me, he slowly sat. I did the same, my heart almost pounding out of my chest, my tears streaming down my cheeks while I remained silent.

  "Let me introduce myself. My name is Francis and I'll be taking care of you tonight." He winked at his apparent joke before continuing. I sat at the edge of my seat, anxious to keep him talking and away from me. "My brother and I have been in a quarrel for some years now and it's time to end it. I hope he can find it in his heart to show himself tonight, but if he doesn't show in the next five minutes I'll be taking you home with me where you'll be harder to protect."

  He spoke loudly as if his brother was listening on the other side of the rooftop, making me crane my neck to see if anyone else was actually up here.

  Come on Piper, come up with something, and fast. Anything.

  "My name is Piper and I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I have children and I'd like to get back to them."

  I stood slowly, gauging his reaction, a wicked grin growing on his face as he gestured for me to sit back down, which I obligingly did. So much for plan A.

  "Lovely to meet you, Piper. You don't have any children, barely even practiced if my senses are correct, so let's just have a nice little chat for a few more minutes until Parker shows up."

  Parker.

  I stopped breathing at the mention of his name, lamely trying to cover my shock with a cough.

  "P-P-Parker Smith?" I asked in a low tone. He nodded and the grin on his face remained. "I haven't seen him in over ten years, and before that I only knew him for a few months in high school. I really think you have the wrong person." There I go again, ineffectiv
ely trying to sway him into letting me go. I glanced back at Brian to see he was still knocked out. And bleeding. There was blood dripping over his forehead. "I need to call an ambulance. Brian might be really hurt."

  I didn't comment on how he'd gotten hurt since I'd clearly missed what really happened. There's no way Francis flung him across the rooftop twenty feet with the strength of a bulldozer.

  "Brian's fine. His heartbeat is steady," he assured me in a conversationalist tone. "And you might not have seen Parker in years, but I'll bet my right nut that he's seen you. He probably watched that tosser kiss you and barely managed to stop from revealing himself to knock him out before he sensed me here." He looked around as if expecting him to step from the shadows as he'd done. "Really, I can sense you brother. You might as well come out now unless it's a bloody fight you want. Piper here would probably be less scared and less effected if she left here un-bruised and untouched. But hey, it’s up to you."

  This man was crazy.

  "Francis, are you a doctor? Do you really know that Brian's fine, because he looks anything but." I tried to make my tone calm and level, accepting that this man was a lunatic.

  "Oh, I love how you same my name. Rolls off your tongue just lovely." He stood and started looking around again after winking suggestively at me. I shivered, and this time it wasn't from the cold. The man was good looking, but scary as hell. "Those pearls you wear everyday are sexy as hell, too."

  Holy hell. How did he know I wore pearls every day? Just how long has this freak been watching me?

  "It's cold out here. Why don't we go inside and warm up?"

  Again I stood, but this time he moved so fast I couldn't follow the movement when he suddenly stood directly in front of me. Nose to nose.

  "If you stand up again I will knock you out and chain you up in my quarters without you any the wiser. I'll lose Parker's trail and he won't be able to find you. Or help you."