Black Widow (13 page)

“Um, I have no clue…” I finally answer as I put my hand to my chest like I can stop my pounding heart just from the simple touch.

She pulls the card from the bouquet holding it out to me. “Well, open the card!” she smiles big.

My feet finally start to move from where they’d begun to grow roots and I walk forward to grab the card from her. With trembling hands, I flip the envelope open to read:

I’ve missed running into you in the elevator this week. How about being my friend tonight for a few drinks after work? Meet me in the lobby at 6?

Kevin Foster

I can’t believe it. I’m being asked out. Like on a real date. I haven’t gone on a date since my first date with Nick…

Two long years I’ve waited for this night. Every class, every lecture, every paper I wrote with him on my mind, never thinking I would ever have a chance to get to know him outside of class yet here I am, nervously getting ready for my first date with Mr. Schafer, Nick…

I had no idea he felt the same way about me. It wasn’t until earlier today, at my graduation from University of San Francisco with my Law degree, that he found me, pulling me to the side and saying he’s waited two years for this and couldn’t wait one more day to take me out on a proper date.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven. All of those times we sat next to each other, going over law briefs, wishing his hand would move those few centimeters to touch mine and here he was hoping for the same thing the entire time. Tonight is our time to be boy and girl, man and woman and not teacher student.

I can’t wait.

The doorbell rings and I run to answer, not caring how anxious I look. The time has come where I can finally share my true feelings for him.

The door swings open and we stare at each other.

“Kamii,” he whispers through his gorgeous lips.

“Nick,” I breathlessly respond before his arms are wrapped around my body in our first of many wonderfully, intense kisses.

“So… who are they from?” Stefanie asks, breaking through my thoughts of a time when I thought life was simple and didn’t have a care in the world.

Shaking my head I answer, “I guess his name is Kevin. I met him in the elevator last week. He wants to meet for drinks tonight.”

“Are you serious? That’s awesome Kamii!” she jumps up, grabbing my shoulders in a small hug.

Her joyous attitude takes me out of my daydream funk and back to the realty that I’m actually being asked out.

“So you’ll go right? Tell me, is he cute?”

I smirk at her, “He’s gorgeous. Tall, dark hair, slight five o’clock shadow, strong jaw, bright green eyes… yeah, he caught my attention,” I pause, letting out a big sigh, “but I don’t know.”

“Oh Kamii, I hope you go. How can you turn down a man that buys you these amazing flowers?”

“I know. I’ll think about it. Right now I’m not sure if I can even carry them back to my office,” I laugh.

She helps me maneuver them over her desk and I walk nervously back to my office, with the thought of dropping them along the way the least of my worries.

Could I really go out with this guy?
I promised myself that I would try to be different, and Becca already told me she has other plans tonight, and it’s only Wednesday so the club is closed.

Oh man, am I really going to do this…?

I sit nervously in my chair, tugging on my lower lip, trying to focus on work but not doing it very well. What will I say to him? Will he expect anything? I can’t go home with him. Club rules. No sex outside of the club and I’m such a new member, I don’t want to mess up my chances until I try everything there is to offer.

Six o’clock finally comes around and I decide to go for it. Live a little. Enjoy this new life I’m trying to lead.

As the elevator doors open, I’m thankful when I see it’s empty. Riding down with him again would have been a little awkward.

Unconsciously, I start to tug on my bottom lip while staring down to the floor, completely lost in a bundle of nerves and thoughts. The elevator stops at the 5
th
floor and I don’t pay any attention to who gets on until I feel the heat of someone standing tall over me.

His hand reaches up, removing my fingers from my lip and tucking his finger under my chin, tilting it up to meet his eyes.

“Hi Kamii.”

Gorgeous green eyes meet mine as I watch my name slip off his lust filled lips. My mouth has lost all function as I stare at his eyes, then his lips, wondering what they would feel like pressed against my breast.
Oh jeez, I can’t think this way. Not with him.

“I’m Kevin,” he says deep and drawn out.

“Hi… hi, Kevin. I’m Kamii,” I nervously stutter.

He smirks, “Yeah, I know that. Are you planning on joining me for drinks tonight?”

“Yeah… I mean yes… I mean sure,” I look down feeling like a complete idiot.

He tilts my head up once more, “Great, let’s go.”

He steps off of the elevator, grabbing my hand as he leads us through the elevator.

Once outside, I finally gather my bearings and come back to reality, “Um, thanks for the flowers, they’re beautiful.”

“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman,” he replies. His voice has a very small hint of a southern accent, which makes me smile as I think of some of the cowboy romances I’ve read about.

We walk in silence a few blocks to the bar, Rickhouse, and I laugh at the coincidence that he’s brought me here. I’ve never been here until Becca brought me the night that she first told me about the club.

He finds us a small, private table in the corner and orders us a bottle of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon that arrives fast as we get situated in our seats.

“So Kamii,” he pauses as he pours the wine and hands me a glass, “tell me, how was your night out with your
friends
last week?”

I almost choke on my wine at the thought of what I did with my
friends
. “Um, it was a fun night. How about you?”

“Very interesting. I enjoyed myself to say the least. I hope you did as well.”

Why does this conversation feel a little odd all of a sudden?

He smirks and quickly changes the subject, “So, tell me about yourself. What do you do on the 11
th
floor?”

“I’m an attorney for Whitman, Osborn and Steinhorn, just made partner actually.”

“Wow, impressive at your young age. You must be very good… I’m sure you’re good at all things…”

My face instantly flushes as I pick up my wine to take another drink. “And how about you. I’ve seen you going above the 11
th
floor a few times now but yet tonight you entered the elevator on a lower floor.”

“Ah, so you have been paying attention to me. I wonder just how much?”

“Excuse me?” I tilt my head to the side in question.

“Oh, I’m a CPA. I work for City Financial on the 15
th
floor and was dropping off paperwork to a client on the 5
th
floor as I left the building. I was lucky enough to run into you in the elevator again. I seem to be running into you a lot lately… in the elevator I mean.”

I smile, not sure what to say so I grab my glass and take another drink of wine.

“What else can you tell me about yourself? Where are your friends tonight?”

“Oh, um, they’re busy I guess. It’s Wednesday so it’s kind of odd to go out on a work night.”

“But yet you’re here with me,” he smiles.

“Well yes, I wanted to thank you personally for the flowers.”

“Yes, you’ve already done that.”

I smile as I pick up my glass, looking at the bar to try to think of what else I could possibly say. He’s sure not making this easy on me. Is this really how dating is now? More of an interview with weird questions?

“So do you live in the City?” I finally think of something to ask to break the silence between us.

He sits back, more relaxed as he answers, “I do. In Noe Valley. Just restored a place.”

Finally, something we can talk about. “Really? I’m thinking of doing the same thing. Was it an entire gut job or a just a little remodeling?”

“Complete gut,” he takes a sip of his wine. “A ton of work but I hired the right construction firm so it turned out exactly as I wanted.”

“Really, I’ve been looking at contractors. Who did you use?”

“Babcock Construction.”

“Hmm, I haven’t heard of them. So you would recommend them?”

“Sure you have. You know, Preston Babcock…” he says the name slowly, like if he pronounces every syllable it would have more meaning.

I scrunch my eyes, trying to think, “Um, no, I’m sorry I don’t.”

“Are you sure? You’ve never heard the name Preston Babcock or Babcock Construction?”

“Um, wait, is that the company that is re-doing that entire building complex on Van Ness, turning it into a high rise apartment building? I didn’t know he did smaller jobs?”

“Yes, he does
jobs
, he would
blow
away the smaller ones.”

Why is this guy annunciating the weirdest words? Is he trying to drop some kind of weird sexual innuendos with jobs and blow? Are men that immature?

I try to ignore them hoping that wasn’t his intention. “Well, thank you for the recommendation, I’ll have to look into him.”

“I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding him or getting
in
with him,” he smirks as he leans back taking a drink of his wine.

Well, this has been fun and all but if I had to choose between this or a night at the club I would chose the club anytime so I think I’m ready to go. I lean sideways to reach for my jacket on the back of my chair, “Well, this has been nice but I really must get going now. I appreciate the flowers. My office smells amazing thanks to you.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t stop me from wanting to leave, “It was my pleasure. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon, hopefully not just in the elevator.”

“Um, yes, well, thank you again. Have a nice night.”

“You too,” he pauses, “Kamii…”

The way he says my name sends chills up my spine. I have a feeling I might be taking the stairs from now on.