Read A Case of the Heart Online
Authors: Beth Shriver
Chapter Fifteen
The light from Michael’s office flooded the dim hall. Liz paused at the doorway, and he motioned her in while finishing a phone conversation. She sank into the chair, thankful for its embrace after a particularly difficult day. She concentrated on the lineup of photos on his desk that she’d seen a hundred times before.
He had a picture of his family and some of the trips he had taken. He loved to travel and had been to some great places. The photos chronicled interesting sites from all over the world, and his photography skills were impressive.
Liz noticed a new one of a smart-looking woman with a sweet face. She wondered if this was who he’d been seeing recently, which wasn’t a common occurrence for Michael. He didn’t take the time to date. She’d have to try to pump him for information. He got off the phone and noticed her looking at the picture.
“Is this Shelley?” She asked, nodding toward the photo.
He was silent for a moment and answered slowly. “Yes. How was court?”
She got the hint. “It went well. The family will hopefully do what needs to be done.”
He nodded. “Always the optimist with your clients. I’ve always liked that about you. I’m going to the café to have a cup of coffee. Care to join me?”
They had never done anything outside of the office, except for the occasional Christmas party, baby or wedding shower hosted in the office. She didn’t want to have a personal conversation but if it was all work what could a harmless cup of coffee do?
“Let me get some paperwork together, and I’ll meet you downstairs in five.”
He smiled and stood quickly. “I’ll get us a seat.”
Michael was always politically correct, did his taxes in January and never talked about anything other than work. So what could he possibly want to talk to her about? The promotion or the change of assigning caseloads?
She finished a few forms and put all the paperwork together for Norma. She dropped the file on her desk and went down to the coffee shop on the first floor.
The shop was quaint with Italian décor. Small café tables were scattered throughout the place. The tinkling of silverware filled the room, along with the low hum of voices.
It was busy this time of day, and she had trouble finding Michael at first. Then she spotted him. He sat forward gazing out a huge pane glass window with a forlorn look on his face.
He already had his coffee so she ordered a latte at the cash register. The dull misting noise of the espresso machine put her in a cheerful state. The cashier handed her a cup and she sipped her coffee feeling the comfort of the warm liquid. Liz walked over and sat down across from him at the little wooden table for two. Michael slowly turned his head to look at her.
“Are you okay?” As she set her purse and briefcase on the floor, she discovered her cell phone wasn’t clipped on her purse. She hoped it wasn’t lost, and tried to think back to the last time she’d used it.
He shook his head.
Maybe if he weren’t her boss it wouldn’t be so weird, but it was. Trying to change the subject, she made small talk for a while. She even got him laughing a little at some of her stupid jokes.
“Do you remember the year you catered the Christmas party?” He held his side and laughed. “The food was great except for the fact it gave us all food poisoning.” He laughed again.
Liz laughed too but didn’t think it was quite as funny as he did. “Yeah, I got plenty of flack for that and had to make a solemn oath not to ever be in charge of any party at the office ever again.”
Once he settled down she asked, “Are you going to tell me what’s bugging you?”
He let out a long breath. “Shelly and I broke up.”
“I’m sorry, Michael. What happened?”
“She got back together with an old boyfriend. She said I worked too much and didn’t spend enough time with her. But it’s all right. Maybe it’s for the best.”
“I’m sorry, but if she didn’t understand how important your job is to you, it would have been a constant problem.” Spoken like a true workaholic.
“Oh, there was already. No use dwelling on it. I guess I don’t have the time for a serious relationship, and I don’t know how to have a superficial one, so I guess I’m permanently single.”
That sounds lonely
. She set her cup down. How well that described her.
“It may seem that way right now, but I don’t think either of us wants to end up alone forever.” She heard her advice as if hearing it from a stranger.
Michael cocked his head. “That’s interesting coming from you.”
“It is, isn’t it?” She tapped her fingers on the table, wondering why she was giving this sort of counsel.
“Anyway, that’s not why I asked you to meet me here. There’s something I need to say to you.”
“Okay...” she said hesitantly. He was too serious. A little teasing was in order to lighten the mood. “Am I getting fired?”
That caught him off guard. “Of course not. This isn’t about work.”
“So we’re not talking about the promotion either then?”
“No,” he mumbled as he sat back in his chair. “I’m trying to apologize. I’ve been playing the big brother role with you and Demas. I think he’s trouble, but it’s none of my business.”
She appreciated the apology, but his cautioning words only made her want to be with Alex even more, to prove to everyone he wasn’t who they thought he was. She ran out of patience just as Alex popped in out of nowhere and handed Liz her phone.
“Hey, you two, hope I’m not interrupting anything. Liz, I found your cell phone in my car. I thought I’d try and catch you before you left work.”
He pulled up an empty chair from the table next to them and sat down, oblivious. Michael leaned back in his chair, deflated. Liz on the other hand was never so happy to see Alex. Maybe if Michael spent a little time with him he would see past the rumors. Without even thinking about what she was about to do, she put her hand on Alex’s cheek pulling him toward her and kissing him on the other cheek.
“Thanks for bringing me my phone. I was wondering where I’d left it.” She stood up and grabbed her purse and briefcase. She looked at her watch. “I’m late, gotta go.”
Both men stared at her in shock as she smiled at one, then the other and left.
****
“Brenda, you have to come over here tonight.” Liz paced her kitchen trying to decide what she wanted to eat, or more so, if she wanted to cook.
“Okay. What now?”
“I’ll tell you when you get here.”
“I liked it when your life was like mine, boring.”
“Me too, Brenda.”
Liz charged her cell phone and checked messages. As expected, there was one from Alex.
“You can run, but you can’t hide. We need to talk. Oh, and tell Brenda hello.” Alex knew her too well if he knew she was seeking Brenda’s counsel, and that Liz would avoid him.
By the time Brenda got there, she had started a fire, ordered a pizza and slipped into her pajamas. This was definitely a girl’s night, and she was looking forward to it. They sat in front of the fire munching pizza, as Brenda filled Liz in on her new boyfriend. When Liz finished, Brenda started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“This is hilarious. You, the girl who hasn’t had a guy in over a year, and now look at you. A blind date and Alex, the guy you’ve always been sweet on.”
Liz sighed and set down her pizza. “I’m nervous about this, Brenda. I mean, what do Alex and I have in common?”
Brenda poured herself more soda and pulled a blanket around her legs. “Have you ever asked him? And how do you know you don’t have anything in common? All you two talk about is work.”
“We haven’t been lately.”
“That’s because you’re seeing him off duty.”
“He’s great to work with, and we have the same philosophy about work-related issues. But I don’t know what a relationship would be like beyond that.”
“You just can’t let yourself believe in anyone,” she said matter-of-factly.
Brenda had a point, but Liz didn’t know how to forget the past and be ready for a relationship again. She sighed.
Lord, If I’m supposed to get involved with someone, You’re going to have to drop him in my lap.
But first she would have to peel her hands off her knees.
Brenda tilted her head in thought. “And the blind date is yet to be seen, literally. What do you know about this guy?”
“Margie thinks the world of him. I’ve seen a picture. He’s good-looking, involved in his church, finishing his doctorate, sounds perfect.”
“So, Alex might have some competition after all.” Brenda wiggled her eyebrows.
“Oh, you’re impossible.” Liz grabbed the TV Guide and scanned the movie section. “
In the Heat of the Night
is on tonight with Sidney Poitier.”
Brenda’s eyes lit up. “I love that one.”
****
It was almost game time, and Liz had just gotten out of bed. The
African Queen
had come on after Sidney, so they watched a double feature. Then
Pillow Talk
started and they couldn’t pass that up. Brenda had been too tired to drive home so she’d slept in the guest room.
Liz opened the door to see Brenda lying on her back in a deep sleep. “Good morning. Did you dream of Sidney, Bogart, or Hudson?”
Brenda’s eyes squinted open and she sat up. “None of the above. Blake.”
“You’re very loyal to the guy you’ve dated for only a month.” Liz opened the blinds and sat down in the rocking chair, covering herself with a crocheted blanket. The room held a brass double bed, nightstand and dresser. A floral-print area rug covered the middle of the wood floor.
Brenda lay back down in the bed with a thud. The pillows and comforter puffed up and back down as the air went through them.
“You need some caffeine. I’m going to the kitchen to make coffee.”
Liz had just started the coffee brewing when the doorbell rang. She pushed up the sleeves of her Bugs Bunny sweatshirt, ran her fingers through her hair and walked to the door.
****
Alex saw her gasp and smiled at her through the side window. She slowly opened the door.
“Did I wake you?”
She pushed her hair back and let him in. “No. If you had come five minutes earlier you would have.”
He chuckled as he stepped inside. To his surprise, Brenda came shuffling out yawning. Sleep lines still formed on her rosy cheeks. She pushed some big blond strands of hair out of her face and gave Alex a lazy smile. He and Brenda had always gotten along well. She was a good friend to Liz, and Alex could tell Brenda liked Liz spending time with him.
“Good morning, Alex.”
“Morning. Well almost afternoon. Haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been?”
“Good. Still slapping those babies’ bottoms.”
He smiled. “Sounds like a good job to me.”
Brenda nodded. “Want some coffee?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled. “I’d love some.”
He followed Liz into the kitchen. “Nice PJs.”
“Thanks. I love flannel.” She tugged at her pants. “Sorry I’m slow getting around. I didn’t realize how late I slept.”
“Did you two go out on the town last night?”
Brenda hopped up on the counter, swinging her legs. “No. We watched TCM for six hours straight.”
“Chick flicks?” he asked with a sarcastic tone.
“Humphrey, Hudson and Poitier,” Liz answered.
He glanced up in astonishment. “You didn’t see
In the Heat of the Night
did you?”
“As a matter of fact we did,” Brenda confirmed, giving Liz a direct stare.
“That’s a great movie.” Alex sat down, put his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair.
Brenda walked over to Liz and whispered smugly, “Nothing in common, huh?”
Liz sighed, and then poured a smidge of cream and one teaspoon of sugar into his coffee.
Brenda laughed. “Just how he likes it, huh?”
Alex grinned. He was enjoying Brenda’s observations. “Do you think I can’t hear you?”
Brenda and Liz sat down at the table with him, ignoring his comment.
“You know what we need?” Brenda asked. “Donuts.” She turned to him. “You’re a cop, you like donuts, right?”
Alex shook his head in disgust.
“Jelly-filled. That’s his favorite,” Liz stated, not taking her eyes off his.
Brenda smiled calculatingly. “I’m on my way. What kind do you want, Liz? Oh, that’s right, you like jelly-filled too.” Brenda beamed and walked out of the room.
Alex gave Liz a serious stare then leaned forward. “So, what was that all about last night in the coffee shop?”
She sighed and put her face in her hands. “I don’t really know.”
He knew she did it out of impulse, but the kiss was nice. Even if it was only for a split second, which technically could mean that it was a thank-you kiss among friends, but he hoped not. Alex made a point not to move a facial muscle, to appear as though his features were etched in stone, and waited.
She glimpsed at him and continued. “Michael was trying to tell me something.”
He remained still, no movement, not even a blink. Only his lips moved when he asked. “Can you expand on that?”
Liz sighed again and pulled her head up. “Didn’t you two talk after I left?”
He and Michael were so shocked they hadn’t, but maybe they should have had a heart to heart, or a Liz bashing, one of the two. “No, we didn’t quite know what to say to one another.”
She grimaced and continued. “Oh. Well, I was consoling him after a break-up with his girlfriend.”
Alex stared at her, not knowing what to do with these growing feelings he had. “How nice of you. So why the kiss?”
She sighed a third time. He could tell she was getting frustrated.
“I had the feeling I was going to get some unwanted advice.”
“And you made sure it didn’t happen by kissing me and leaving?”
“Yes.”
“What if I hadn’t shown up when I did?”
Liz shrugged. “I would have thought of something else, improvised.”
He shook his head, looking down at the table. “You’re so good with your client relationships, but not so good with guy relationships.” That was harsh but needed to be said. One minute he thought she felt something for him and the next he wasn’t so sure.
“Maybe that’s because clients are easier to deal with,” she said a bit sarcastically.
“Well, I guess I won’t pour out
my
heart then,” he retorted.
She gave him a blank stare.
“What?” Why did he bother putting his heart out there to a woman who couldn’t, or wouldn’t receive it?
“At Bible study, the speaker talked about what you just said, so did Brenda. Hearing it three times in one week must mean something.”
He sat up in his seat. “That’s a coincidence.”
Maybe you’ll listen after the fourth time.
Liz rolled the coffee cup between her hands. “Or a God sequence.”