I handed him a towel to dry his hands. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” He dried his hands and set the towel on the counter next to my phone. Then he eyed the phone again. “I think I’ll just wait here and see if any interesting messages pop up from Dee.”
I playfully pushed Nick on the arm. “You can go now.” Why did it feel like I was flirting then? Was I crazy? Time to end these shenanigans. “I really do need to get to work. I may be up all night.”
“If you get overwhelmed, go sit by the fountain and close your eyes. Don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself. Trust me.”
For some odd reason, with all that had happened with me and Nick today, I did trust him.
It didn’t make sense considering how frustrating and emotional the day had been.
The drama with the roses.
Nick finding the locket.
Butting heads with Mason again.
The ridiculous date I had with Max.
The countless times I wanted to kill Nick during dinner.
And what happened to us while we were putting things in the dishwasher?
I’ve seen you come, and I’ve seen you go, and I can confidently say you don’t have a bad side.
I would be lying if I said my heart rate hadn’t picked up speed after he said that.
He’d denied flirting with me, but it sure felt like that was exactly what he was doing.
Nick packed up his things, along with Karma, said goodbye, and went home.
Back in my office, I sent a text to Dee.
Ruth: Nick is still alive. And before you ask, no, we didn’t kiss.
Dee: I guess that makes heavy petting a long shot.
Ruth: I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. But I’m curious how a man can frustrate me and intrigue me at the same time.
Dee: You mean turn you on?
Ruth: I didn’t say that.
Dee: You like him.
Ruth: Are you even listening to me? He frustrates me!
Dee: Have you ever met a man who didn’t frustrate you at one time or another?
Ruth: No.
Dee: Good, then that part cancels out and the only thing that is left is a man who intrigues you. Looks like you and Nick need to go out on a date.
Ruth: Tomorrow, you and I are going to do a video conference. I want to make sure you’re not hitting the crack pipe while you’re working. Now, on to more important things. Tomorrow is also the last chance I’m giving you to try things your way. Then I’ll have to take matters into my own hands. This will be date #3 and that is plenty to evaluate and determine if it’s a complete waste of time. Good luck. What’s his name and what does he do for a living?
Dee: This guy is a sure thing. His name is Edward and he is a very successful entrepreneur. He owns the Bathroom Remodel Warehouse right across the street from the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar. You know that big toilet-shaped glass building with all the palm trees around it?
Ruth: That’s his?
Dee: Yup. He’s worth millions and knows plenty about business. He’ll be able to appreciate your climb to the top and all the work you’re putting into it. He’s looking forward to lunch with you tomorrow. All he needs is the time and the place.
Ruth: Tell him to meet me at Sushi Ota in Mission Bay at noon. I’ve never been there, but Nick says it’s the best. Make sure you tell him it’s a casual place.
Dee: Got it. Talk to you tomorrow.
Ruth. Wait a minute! I almost forgot. Where’s the picture?
Dee: Hang on.
A minute later, Dee texted me a picture of Edward and I liked what I saw.
Ruth: Just like Barney, Max, and Nick, he’s good-looking.
Dee: HOT is more like it.
Ruth: Let’s hope this one has a personality.
Dee: But why are you including Nick as a comparison? You’ve never gone out with him and claim you have no interest in him.
Ruth: Forget about it.
Dee: I know why.
Ruth: I don’t want to hear it. Gotta run.
Dee: You like him.
Ruth. How could I like Nick? That man is impossible.
Dee: Yes, but with a little bit of work he’ll be easy.
Ruth: Pretend we’re talking and now I’m hanging up on you.
Dee: Ha! You can’t hang up on a text!
Ruth: Watch me!
I laughed and set my phone on the desk. I opened up my email and jerked my head back when I saw the insane amount of unread messages waiting for me. The only thing I could do was to start going through them one-by-one, replying, deleting, or saving for later.
Two hours later, I still hadn’t gotten through all of them.
My shoulders tensed up again just thinking about how much work I still had to do. The pleasurable wine buzz that I had gotten with Nick was long gone.
Nick.
What was the deal with that guy? And why was I thinking about him again? He was like one of those paintings in the museum that every time you looked at it, you saw something different.
I just couldn’t figure that man out.
There was much more to him than I could have ever imagined. I hadn’t even scratched the surface yet. He was a smart man, no doubt about that. But I had a feeling he got most of his knowledge from life experiences, and not a textbook or a school. He had this raw energy and confidence that usually came from street-smarts. That was the only way he could have known about me without knowing me so well.
As hard as it was for me to admit it, Dee was right when she said Nick hit the nail on the head about what I did for a living.
I did tear things apart.
Nick told me what he saw, but he was also clear that he wasn’t being judgmental, just stating the facts. How could I get mad at him for that?
You’re a workaholic. You get to choose exactly how you want to live your life and if that’s your preference, if that’s what makes you happy, more power to you. You’re happy, right?
If I would have answered him honestly, I would have told him no, I’m not happy.
Sometimes it does feel like life is passing me by.
Like I need to stick my hand out to grab it and slow it down.
That flight from Phoenix taught me something: I had all my eggs in one basket and that I didn’t want to die alone.
At least I was doing something about it, but I did have a lot of things going on.
My shoulders tensed up even more, just thinking about it.
If you get overwhelmed, go sit by the fountain, and close your eyes. Trust me.
I glanced out the open french doors toward the fountain and listened to the soothing sound of the water. Maybe that’s what I needed just then. I needed to get out of my comfort zone and do something I wouldn’t normally do.
I closed my laptop and stood, willing to finally give it a shot without Nick watching me.
Once outside, I sat on the bench in front of the fountain and closed my eyes.
Now, I just needed to remember Nick’s instructions.
Any sounds you notice around you, just let them be.
It was late, and there wasn’t much noise outside anyway.
I could hear the water, a few crickets, and that was about it.
Nick told me I needed to take a deep breath and let it out slowly as I continued to listen to the water. Then do it again three times, no hurry. I did just as he instructed, breathing in and out three times, as I focused on the water. Then I did it again. And again.
Then something magical happened a few minutes later as I sat there in silence.
My heart rate slowed.