The Other Side of Someday (4 page)

“Enjoy your walk, Miss Morgan.” He tipped his hat and I nodded, crossing over to Palisades Park.

The weather in LA was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It could be barely fifty degrees in the morning, but by noon, the temperatures would be close to eighty. A slight breeze blew my hair, and the vibrant sunshine, combined with the smell of the salty sea air, infected me with a thrilling sense of adventure. I wanted to experience everything my new town had to offer and I couldn’t wait to explore, starting with the shopping in LA to replace the items I decided had no place in my new life, which was pretty much everything I owned. Goodwill was going to love me.

As I made my way south, retracing the same path I took yesterday, I would have been lying if I said I wasn’t searching for my nameless acquaintance. I wondered where he lived, what his day was like, whether he was thinking about me just as I was thinking of him.

“We don’t even know his name, Sport,” I commented as he marked his territory on a palm tree. He looked up at me, squinting while he relieved himself. “So we should probably stop thinking about him, although if you ever experienced shivers just from the proximity of a complete stranger, I’m sure it would be just as difficult for you.”

“I kind of like it that way, don’t you? Not knowing each other’s names?” a familiar voice said. I refused to believe he was actually near me, overhearing the conversation I was having with my dog. I was clearly delirious.

“Great. Now I’m hearing voices,” I mumbled, resisting the urge to turn around.

A sexy chuckle echoed behind me as I felt a tug on Sport’s leash.

“You’re really behind me, aren’t you?” I cringed.

“It would appear so.” His voice was light and amused. I could just picture him standing there, his arms crossed in front of his body, emphasizing what I could only imagine was a rather sculpted chest.

“And you overheard me say…”

“Something about a shiver, Dixie.”

I turned around slowly, my face growing red when I saw him standing behind me wearing a t-shirt and cargo shorts, Gidget at his side. It was almost exactly as I had pictured in my mind. Almost. The real thing was infinitely better.

“You should get your ears checked, Nosebleeder,” I retorted dismissively, avoiding his eyes.

“Nosebleeder?” He barked out a laugh.

“Since I don’t know your name, I need to call you
something
.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder. God, I hated this. I was trying to flirt with this gift to all females and gay men, but I had absolutely no idea how to even go about doing so. I was fairly certain all my inane attempts at flirting were just making him question my sanity.

“Well, if that’s what you’re going to call me, I should probably tell you my real name. I’m not sure I want to be known around town as Nosebleeder.”

“Suit yourself.” I shrugged. “I actually don’t mind being called Dixie. Your move, Nosebleeder.” I winked at him. Winking was good flirting, right? I had no idea. I just prayed my attempt at a wink came off as sexy and not as if I had an uncontrollable twitch.

“Sebby,” he announced, holding his hand out toward me. “Technically, it’s Sebastian, but everyone calls me Sebby.”

“Baylee,” I replied, taking his hand. It was strong and warm, his fingers wrapping around mine surprisingly pleasant. “Everyone just calls me Baylee.” A nervous laugh escaped, followed by an unexpected snort.
I can’t believe I just snorted
, I thought, cringing.

“It’s nice to put a name with the face,” he said, keeping my hand enclosed in his, ignoring my goofy snort. To make matters worse, a slight fluttering in my stomach caused me to giggle like a pre-teen at a boy band concert, obviously too dumbstruck to string two words together.

“Likewise.” Finally finding my voice, I tore my hand from his before I could no longer let go. All I could think about as I stared at him were his lips and how perfect they would feel pressed against mine. Our kiss would be simple, but more fulfilling than any kiss I’d ever experienced. There would be some sort of emotion behind it. His kiss would make me feel something…something I hadn’t felt before but had fantasized about more than I cared to admit.

His kiss would be magic.

“I was hoping I’d run into you again,” Sebby admitted, lowering himself onto a nearby bench. I followed his lead. Our dogs curled up in front of us, happy to watch the morning joggers pass by. I was just happy to be close to Sebby. Screw watching the morning joggers. “I walk Gidget in this area the same time every morning when I’m in town.”

“I wanted to stay in bed, but Sport would not let that happen. I don’t think he’s adjusted to California time just yet.”

Sebby nodded as he stared out at the ocean in the distance.

“So…,” I said, breaking the stiff silence. “You must live around here then.”

“I do,” he replied. “Although, lately, I feel like I’ve been living everywhere but here.”

“Lots of traveling for work?”

“More or less.”

“Does it get tiring always being gone?”

When I was living in North Carolina, I barely ever left my hometown. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a job that took me across the country, maybe even around the world, on a regular basis.

“You’re just full of questions this morning, aren’t you?” he replied with a smirk. “Any reason for that?”

“I’m a naturally curious person…and we’ll just leave it at that,” I retorted, trying to exude a certain level of confidence. I couldn’t tell him the truth. That he intrigued me. That the way he smiled made my insides knot and tingle. That I barely knew him, but I wanted to.

“Well, then, to answer your question… Yes, it does get tiring. When I’m on the road for a long period of time, I start to miss home. But when I’m home for more than a month or so, I get restless and want to go. Work on a new project. Film in a new city. Expand my horizons.”

I met his eyes to see a refreshing level of excitement and enthusiasm. Passion exuded from every pore as he spoke of his travels. I couldn’t help but feel jealous that I never had that kind of reaction with regard to what I did. Yes, I loved running the local newspaper back home, but it wasn’t fulfilling for me. Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamt of writing a book, but I never had the audacity or encouragement to follow that dream. Will’s voice was always in the back of my mind, putting down anything to do with writing.

“
Nobody wants to waste their time reading a book when the movie’s always better
.”

“What’s your story, Baylee?” Sebby asked, breaking me out of my memories. “Why did you leave North Carolina?”

“I told you yesterday. I wanted a new life.”

“You don’t want to talk about why you
really
left home, do you?” His voice was almost quiet and hesitant.

I sighed. “It’s not that. I’m sure it’s nothing you haven’t heard before. Girl marries her high school sweetheart a few months after graduation, giving up her dreams to support him with his. Girl is happy for a while, then she realizes where the term ‘honeymoon phase’ comes from. Girl feels guilty when guy pushes to have a baby, but she isn’t ready for that. Girl actually begins to hate herself for depriving him of having a baby…until she walks in on him screwing her former friend on the kitchen island, slapping her with the truth that they had been sleeping together off and on for the past twelve years.” I glanced at Sebby to gauge his reaction.

Pity formed in his eyes. “Baylee, I’m—”

“It’s okay,” I interrupted. I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy. I just wanted to move on with my life. “At least I got a dog out of it.”

He studied me for a minute before breaking into a throaty laugh. “I’ll have to save my question about that for another day, I’m afraid.” He glanced at his watch. “Do you think maybe you’ll be available for me to run into tomorrow around the same time?” When he raised his eyebrows, my pulse raced at the prospect of seeing him again.

I wanted to shout “yes” at the top of my lungs, but I didn’t want to seem too eager. I had seen enough movies to know that playing hard to get made you seem more desirable. I probably shouldn’t have been taking dating advice from John Hughes’ films, but I was otherwise clueless about how to act. At least I’d never given my panties to a geek… Yet.

“I’ll have to check my calendar, but I think I’m free. I’ll pencil you in.”

“Great.” He beamed, that devilish smile of his widening to reveal a set of perfect teeth. “Looking forward to it, Baylee.” He retreated from me at a comfortable jog, Gidget keeping pace, and I gawked at the well-defined leg muscles as they disappeared from view.

“As am I, Nosebleeder,” I whimpered.

I fucking whimpered.

C
HAPTER
F
OUR

“Y
OU
MUST
BE
THE
new girl,” a voice with a subtle Midwestern accent said as I fumbled through my purse for my keys later that morning.

I snapped my head up and smiled warmly at a tall brunette who appeared to be in her mid-twenties. “That’s me,” I responded. “I’m Baylee.” I held my hand out to her and she shook it.

“Nice to meet you, Baylee. I’m Sophia.” Her nearly waist-length hair was a dark shade of brown, lightening in color toward the ends. She had a fair complexion with dark eyes that stood out on her face. She was dressed casually in a pair of skinny jeans and an oversized cowl-neck sweater, but still looked remarkably put together. Everyone in this city did.

“I’ve been wondering who lives across from me.”

“Oh,” she exhaled, her smile growing wider. “This isn’t my condo. I do live in the building, but house-sit for the person who lives here. Clean up the place, cook, run any errands he needs.”

“Wow. He sounds kind of high maintenance and lazy,” I joked

“Nah,” she replied, laughing. “I don’t mind. It’s an easy job and pays more than what I was making as an assistant to some big studio exec downtown. Plus, it gives me the flexibility to go on auditions.”

“Are you trying to land a role, too?”

“Yeah. You?”

“No. It just seems like everyone I’ve met so far is connected to the entertainment industry in one way or another.”

“You get a lot of that here.”

“Duly noted.” Turning from her, I unlocked my door and glanced over my shoulder. “It was nice to meet you, Sophia.” I smiled politely. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” Opening the door, I started into my condo.

“Hey, Baylee!” she called out just as I was about to shut the door.

“Yes?” I popped back into the hallway.

“I know we just met and you barely know me, but if you don’t have any plans tonight, I’m having a few people over. Nothing big, just a few friends I’ve made in the building. Most everyone here is older. There’s not a lot of people our age. We do game nights once a week. It’ll be a good chance for you to meet more people who live here.”

“I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“You wouldn’t,” she answered, her eyes bright. “I moved out here on a whim and didn’t know another soul. I know how it can be.”

“How did you know I’m new to town?” I asked.

She smiled a genuine smile. “That accent. If you’re not new to LA, I’ll eat my hat. Come over tonight,” she pushed. “It’ll be fun. Promise.”

“I don’t know…” It wasn’t that I didn’t want to meet new people. I had just spent the last ten years of my life catering to someone else’s needs. I wanted some “me” time. Time I could curl up on the couch, eat pizza, and do whatever I wanted…including fantasize about Sebby and our planned meeting the following morning.

Sophia narrowed her gaze at me, scowling in a light-hearted manner.

“Fine,” I huffed, then smiled. “I’ll think about it.” I winked.

“Good!” She beamed. “Seven o’clock. Unit 6B. Be there, or I’ll drag you out. I
do
know where you live.”

~~~~~~~~~~

A
LITTLE
AFTER
SEVEN
, I did a final check of my makeup in the full-length mirror, then set out for Sophia’s condo on the sixth floor. I had no idea what I was in for or if I’d even have anything in common with her and her friends. Sure, she seemed nice enough when I met her earlier today, but she didn’t appear to be the type of person with whom I would typically spend time. She was beautiful and confident, and I could only imagine her group of friends consisted of more beautiful and confident women who were all hoping to make a name for themselves in the movie industry. I couldn’t let that dissuade me, though. It wouldn’t have gotten in my mother’s way. This was the start of a new life, a new adventure. This was my chance to discover who I really was. So, with a bottle of Pinot Noir in hand, which the clerk at a wine store down the street assured me was rather tasty, I casually knocked on her door.

“Baylee!” Sophia exclaimed in a rambunctious voice as she pulled the door open. “You made it! I wasn’t sure if you were going to come or not, but I’m so glad you did!” She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me as if we were old friends seeing each other for the first time in years.

“Thanks for inviting me.” I weakly returned her embrace. The faint scent of alcohol made its way to my nose, and I had a feeling her warm greeting was most likely due to the booze, not my presence.

“Anytime!” She released me, pulling me through the foyer and into her condo. “It’s always fun to have fresh meat join in. Spices things up a bit.” She winked.

“Umm, what exactly did you mean by ‘game night’?” I raised my eyebrows.

She inhaled quickly. “Gosh, not
that
, although I’m pretty sure the way it came out, it could be taken the wrong way. Come. I want you to meet everyone.”

She dragged me toward the living area overlooking the darkened Pacific Ocean. It was a smaller floor plan than my condo, probably about a quarter of the size. It still boasted floor-to-ceiling windows on the focus wall, but the kitchen and living room were substantially smaller. What it lacked in space, though, it made up for in comfort. The condo appeared cozy, framed photos of Sophia and people I assumed to be her friends and family covering nearly every surface. It made me feel homesick, but not for North Carolina. I was homesick for the life I wished I had. The life I was now looking for.