After placing our order Tammy shared with me that she wasn’t very fond of the plan herself. She told me that she’d never liked those shopping centers, but if she found she needed one there were plenty in the commercial districts. Her daughter loved the little shops and the way the people working there made her feel important.
We chatted about that a little more and then enjoyed catching up on life over lunch. I gave her a treat I’d brought just for Carmen and told her to please call me and we could enjoy lunch again sometime. She promised she would and assured me that I had her support.
And that was how much of my day went for the next couple of days. I met at various times with the people on the Commission. I chatted with them. I talked about their families and their lives. Doug was a bowler and we discussed his league score. Eddie’s son had just opened an auto body shop and we talked about whether he’d be able to do some work I needed.
I knew each of them well enough to carry on various conversations. And they knew me well enough to not be surprised when I brought up the development. I was passionate about my shop and my town. Everyone who knew me knew that.
For those without a spouse or kids, I brought up the people and what they’d think. How they’d feel about the situation was important to those I was talking to. And each time I would get the same thing. They supported me. They wanted what was best for Biltmore Village.
When I had met with everyone I felt confident. I knew in my heart that I’d win the battle. I knew that Evan Monroe was going to be stopped. I didn’t know which of them had promised him they’d secure it. But I knew that whoever it was had lied. Because every person I talked to wanted the same thing I did. And that made me happy to hear.
I found myself singing, as I worked during the day, and looking forward to the community meeting that was coming up. I felt really good about the situation and even the news articles and interviews with Evan Monroe didn’t seem to bother me.
The only thing that had me slightly annoyed in life was the lack of Nick’s presence. I’d received a message the day of the art fair that said he was really busy with work and would be in touch soon. I found myself missing him. Even as I closed up shop on the day before the community meeting, I wished I could share it with him.
Then I remembered that we didn’t discuss real life. And that wasn’t going to change. Real life made us real. It made it weird that we didn’t meet. It made it probable that we would. And then something bad would happen and we’d lose the companionship we had. So I couldn’t share.
But I could miss his company. Life was going well, but I still felt lonely and needed that conversation to make it easier.
A little less lonely.
Isn’t that what we’d said? We made life seem a little less lonely for the other? Maybe that was why I was noticing his absence.
My gut tightened when I found myself wondering if maybe he’d found someone. Perhaps he was dating and had found the girl of his dreams that he was certain was a tease. It scared me to think about. Even without meeting him, I valued his presence in my life and I wouldn’t want to lose it.
I locked up the doors and headed home, determined I was going to stop anything bad from happening. Once I’d had a bath and relaxed, I would message him. It was just my way of making sure we still shared our little bond. And that he was okay. And hoping that he’d chat with me and things would feel okay.
*****
Chapter 6
I stared at the phone for a good ten minutes trying to tell myself that it was okay to contact him. He’d been busy with work, but maybe he had a few minutes. It was far too late in the day to be working, right?
Finally deciding to give it a go, I send the message.
Did you finally meet the woman of your dreams?
I had hoped joking with him would put him in the right frame of mind to chat. I wasn’t sure what went on in his world, but I wanted him to relax and enjoy our conversation.
Sadly she still refuses to meet me.
I had to smile at that reply. It was good to see that he was still being his typical flirty self.
Probably because you are ugly.
That’s what I hear. But she hasn’t really given me much of a chance. It’s hard to know that if you’ve never met.
Maybe there’s another reason.
I’m pretty sure she’s a man.
What? LOL
Well, I’m just saying.
Do you always go to extremes?
Usually. So how has life been?
Very busy. Not bad though. How about you?
Working a lot. Wishing I wasn’t.
You don’t like working?
Normally I do. Just not lately. It’s been more of a headache than I really wanted to deal with.
That doesn’t sound good. Care to talk about it?
We had never really discussed our personal lives, including our jobs, and I wasn’t sure if he wanted to. I decided to simply offer and let him make the choice.
There’s a woman. Ugh, don’t ask.
Stealing my lines? A woman, huh? Like the perfect kind?
Like the frustrating kind!!
Oh, how so?
She’s making business hell for me. Like pure and torturous hell.
That’s funny!
No, it’s not. It’s really not.
I have something similar going on. This guy I have to be around is creating a big problem. He thinks he can make all of the decisions and he can’t. It’s frustrating.
Yeah, I understand. She’s trying to make it where I can’t do my job. I’ve never had to deal with someone as stubborn and frustrating as she is. I wish she’d just go away and let me do what I need to do.
Is she new?
Yes. I’ve never worked with her before.
Is she hot?
What? LOL
I’m just saying, maybe you think she’s causing problems because you find her attractive and unattainable.
Is that how you view me Lexi? As a man who would be offended because he can’t have someone and so he automatically hates her? Or are we back to me being ugly?
No! I just mean that sometimes we get intimidated by those we find attractive but would never be with.
Well that is not the case. I assure you.
So she’s a dog.
No. She’s attractive. Actually if she weren’t bat shit crazy, she’d be really pretty.
So now she’s bat shit crazy?
Yes. Very much so. She is so different from me that it’s almost scary. She could be a supermodel and I could never even date her for one day. We’d end up fighting. Sometimes opposites do not attract.
Very true. But maybe you should ask her out. Perhaps you’d feel less intimidated.
I’m not intimidated. I’m irritated. There’s a difference. And she’d never go. And I’d be grateful for that fact. We don’t have to work together for long. I’ll just hold out until it’s over.
Well that’s one tactic Nick. Or you could just try to befriend her.
I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have any friends. How about your man? Is he attractive?
He would be if he weren’t an obnoxious prick.
Well that’s keeping it tame. Maybe you are intimidated?
No. I’m disgusted. He thinks because he’s good looking that I should just swoon and agree with whatever he says.
And you don’t believe that to be true?
Hell no. He’s wrong and I know it. I won’t tell him that he’s right.
So date him. Maybe that will work.
Are you telling me to date the obnoxious asshole that makes me miserable? Is this your way of getting rid of me through means of torture?
No. I’m just sharing your own advice.
Point taken.
I wonder if you’d think I was attractive…
You wonder? So you debate your own looks?
No. Yes. I just wonder if we met what we’d think of each other.
Well, do you look like a troll?
No. I don’t think so. But women must.
Honestly, I think attraction is only partially how you look. Some of it is what kind of person you are.
Naturally. But you have to be physically attracted as well.
You do. I just think that a lot of people would be physically attracted to someone more easily if they’d already become attracted to their personality and the person they were. It’s different if you meet prior to having gotten to know them. Then it’s almost all physical in the beginning. But if you already think someone it beautiful or sexy, then seeing them only reinforces that.
I would agree with that.
Most would. It’s just common sense.
I would also agree that you think I’m sexy.
I’ve never seen you.
It doesn’t matter. You think I’m sexy based on who I am. So if you saw me that would make me sexier.
You are incorrigible.
But I’m honest.
You are something.
If it makes you feel any better, I think you are sexy.
Do you now?
Ever since I imagined you naked.
Nick!
Sorry. I can’t help it.
The better question is whether we’d actually get along in the real world. I mean it’s easy to be what someone else wants when typing.
So you think I’m pretending? I’m offended.
I’m sorry! That’s not what I meant. I just mean that…I mean do you think we would?
Well, we love the same show. We have the same sense of humor. We both find the other sexy. We have slightly different tastes in food, but that’s to be expected. I don’t think you like sports. I don’t really like baths. But overall I think we would enjoy each other’s company.
How can you not like baths?
I have no desire to sit in a basin full of germs Lexi.
That’s disturbing.
But factual.
Now I don’t like baths.
Sorry. So what kind of music do you like?
Mostly country, you?
Oh. That’s not necessarily a good answer. I’m more into current hits.
Yes, because the lyrical value of the top 40 is so much better than country.
No. But the sound doesn’t make my ears bleed.
Rude!
Sorry. Didn’t realize you were in the business.
I’m not. But still…
Okay, so maybe we wouldn’t get along?
No. I think we would. But, I’d have to take over the stereo.
Okay. But I get to make dinner.
Deal. Maybe. What would you make?
It’d be a surprise.
Are you always this chatty and humorous?
I try sometimes. But people like crazy lady make it difficult.
And me?