Until You Believe Me (4 page)

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Lunch? He was asking me for lunch. I immediately felt my heart speed up. My pulse raced slightly higher than normal. Do I call? Should I go with him? I decided to sit on it and wait a little while. I started looking at some papers that I had been putting off grading. Before I knew it my mind was on his skin, his smile. How his heat seemed to radiate through and up my arm.

"What the hell?" I said aloud as I picked up the phone.

"Yeah?" A gruff voice came from the other end of the line.

"Uh...I was actually looking for someone...I think I have the wrong...uh..Connor?" Again, the stupid stuttering.

"Madison? Hey, yeah it's Connor. Sorry, force of habit. Usually only my guys call me during business hours on weekdays. It is really great to hear from you."

"I just got in and saw your note. I unfortunately have a class from 12:30-2:00." I realized I was nervous and tense and gripping the phone so hard my fingertips and knuckles were starting to go numb on me.

"Two works for me if it works for you. I think I can scrounge something up here to hold me over until then." I could practically hear his smile through the receiver.

"You don't have to wait for me if you don't want." I suddenly felt like I was forcing him to rearrange his day in order to fit me in.

"No, I want to, believe me. Why don't you come by the front, by the parking lot and we'll leave from there. I'll drive, we'll go somewhere off the campus. Do you have to be back at anytime?"

"Not really, Friday is my easy day."

"Ok, its a date then. I'll see you in a little while. I've got to get out there and take care of some things. Until then Madison."

"Yes, see you then. Bye Connor."

I hung up the phone and let out a long and deep breath. It's a date?  Like date-date? I don't know about all that. I was contemplating calling him back to cancel but decided that would make me look even crazier than I already did.

The morning went by slowly. Getting through a stack of papers was damn near torturous. Too restless to sit in my office any longer I headed out to class a few minutes early.

As if my morning hadn't been long enough, two o'clock seemed a light at the end of an incredibly long and dull tunnel.

I practically sprinted out of the classroom at two o'clock and dropped by the office. I decided to just take my purse rather than the large totes I usually stored my wallet, small make up bag and various other trinkets that a woman cannot live without. I stuffed all of my stuff in my purse and got up.

"And where are we hurrying off to?" Ben dramatically said as he leaned against the doorframe of my office.

"Just lunch with a friend. I'll be back later." I tried to brush it off, hoping it would be enough to keep him off my back.

"Connor huh? So did you go home and watch Sleepless in Seattle when you got home?"

I pursed my lips at him. "Yes, and no I did not. I've got to go, I'm late. I'll update you later. Bye!" I called over my shoulder as I walked down the hallway to the stairwell.

As I approached the trailer I could see Connor standing by the curb playing with his phone. He lifted his gaze and broke into his boyish smile when he saw me walking up.

"I'm so glad you could come, or wanted to come."

"Of course I did, it's not very often I get to enjoy a meal off campus."

We walked to the parking lot and in the corner of the parking lot was a black SUV. Connor walked with me to the passenger side and opened up my door, taking my hand and waiting for me to get settled in the seat. I looked around and buckled my seatbelt as he walked around the truck. The car smelled of leather and cologne and had a deep gray interior. I didn't think I had ever been in a Land Rover before.

Connor got in and started the car. He smiled at me as he put the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot.

"I hope you don't mind, I made us some reservations at a local place I like."

"Not at all, I'm not very picky."

The drive there was short and quiet. I spent some time glancing around the luxurious inside and Connor navigated the vehicle.

We pulled up in front of a small restaurant.

"I've been coming to this place for years, I love working on this side of town, I go every time I'm over here." He said as he took my hand and helped me out, closing my door behind me.

Connor seemed to be always there, opening doors, taking my hand, I felt like he was running circles around me. He held the door to the restaurant open for me and I hesitantly walked in before him. The restaurant was still packed with a late lunch crowd. Even walking in we were met with a swarm of people waiting for a table. The hostess was about to take my name when she spotted Connor.

"Connor! How good to see you. Are you dining today?"

"Yes, Ginny, I am. There's two of us." He said motioning to me with his eyes.

This Ginny looked surprised one second and already had the look wiped off her face the next. "Right this way, if you would."

I followed the hostess around what appeared to be a nice restaurant. It was decorated in all hard wood flooring, and pale gray walls. The ceiling was covered in very modern looking hanging lamps.

"Here you go. Samantha will be over in a second Connor, it's good to see you." She patted him on the shoulder as we sat down.

Connor smiled across the table at me. "Have whatever you'd like, it's all good. I've been coming to this place for years now. My father introduced it to me."

I was engrossed in the menu when our waitress came up to the table. She immediately threw her arms around Connor's neck and gave him a hug.

"I'm so glad to see you. How's your father doing?"

"He's alright. Sam this is my friend Madison. She works over at the university that we've been hired to redesign."

This Sam character looked peeved that she was forced to acknowledge me at all. Or maybe that I was introduction worthy at all.

"It's nice to meet you. Can I start you guys off with anything to drink?"

Her eyes slightly narrowed at me as she waited for my order. "I'll just have a water with lemon please."

Her smile revisited her face when she turned her attention back to Connor.

"I'll have the same. Thanks."

I perused the menu for a few minutes and decided on a ravioli dish while Connor ordered crabcakes for appetizer and baked fish.

"So Madison, tell me about what you do at the university. I mean, I know you teach but that is all I know."

I blushed a little at having to talk about myself. "Well I teach all of our sections of Intro to College English as well as two classes of American Literature. This is my third year as a full time professor and I was an adjunct professor for two years before that. I see pretty much all of the freshman at some point or another."

"I wasn't very good at English. I spent most of my time in woodshop and math."

"I tried to stay out of both. I love to read and write but when it comes to word problems I seem to lose all thought processes. They say most people are either English oriented or Math oriented. I believe it."

He smiled and chuckled in agreement. "Why did you want to teach college?"

"I wish I could say I wanted to make a difference or something profound. In reality I love the content. I love English and learning how to manipulate it. I don't care for hungover freshman who can't handle being away from mom and dad for the first time. They don't appreciate what language and words can do."

We continued to talk through lunch. Mostly me talking about my job at the university, how I got started and the promotion. I explained that a retirement was huge and I intended on trying for it.

After finishing our appetizer and both our meals the check came. Reaching for my wallet Connor's voice boomed.

"No ma'am. Don't bother. I have this. Put it away." Before I could argue he held up the leather bill case and our waitress came to pick it up.

"Ready to go?" He smiled a smaller but just as bright smile. We stood and walked towards the front, Connor waving or nodding at various people who spoke hello to him.

The drove back to campus was filled with discussion about what the university job entailed which nearly went over my head.

Pulling into the parking lot Connor found a spot and parked the SUV.

"You were quite the popular guy there huh?"

He grinned bashfully. "I told you, I've been going there awhile and my dad even longer."

"Everyone was asking after your dad, does he not work with you?"

I saw a look I couldn't read come over Connor's face. Before he could respond his phone rang from his jeans pocket. He gave me an apologetic look and answered.

"Yeah?...Oh hey...Um I wasn't planning on it...He is?...Ok...I'll be there...Give me a little bit...Thanks...Bye..." He ended the call.

"I'm sorry, I have to go take care of something important. Thank you for coming Madison. I will see you soon hopefully."

"Oh yeah, I mean, I understand. Thank you for the invitation and for lunch." I nervously reached for the car door and hopped out. I gave Connor a weak smile as I jumped out and closed the door. Connor drove his truck out of the parking lot a few seconds later and sped off into the street.

My lightheartedness I had been feeling all week, especially today was gone. Replaced with a heavy feeling of embarrassment or maybe it was nervousness. Rather than walking back to the office I walked to my car and decided to go home.

Chapter 6

The weekend passed by uneventfully and yet again it was Monday morning. Without fail I pulled into the parking lot and made the trek to the office. I felt my pulse speed up and a huge smile spread across my face as I saw the familiar envelope pinned to my door, I snatched it down and went into the office.

Madison,

Sorry about my abruptness. Something with the family had come up. I need a favor. Come see me when you can.

I'm sorry,

Connor

I suddenly felt worried that something was wrong, whatever was involved in the family situation from Friday. I had to get ready for class, but I would go over right after.

I noticed that again, my time spent doing what I had to was so slow with the prospect of getting to see Connor. Was this really me? I remembered feeling this way only one other time and that was a long time ago.

I practically raced from class to the familiar trailer in the front of campus. I walked right up to it, knocking softly.

"Come in." The familiar deep voice with a hint of southern gentleman in it.

I stepped in and had to consciously keep my frown hidden. He was not alone. Standing next to him, entirely too close was a petite redhead. She was dressed in a moderately short black pencil skirt and an extremely fitted light blue blouse tucked in. Who wears stilettos to a construction site?

I suddenly felt very self conscious. My tan wedged heels and capris with a much less fitted blouse seemed cheap and dirty next to this woman.

"Madison, I'm so glad to see you!" Connor got up from his seat and came over. I was shocked when he put his arms around me to hug me. I felt small, almost childlike wrapped in his strong arms and enormous frame. The softness of his T-shirt was intensified by the warmth that was radiating from him. When he pulled back I felt my knees start to buckle at the gorgeous white smile that was plastered on his face.

"I felt so bad all weekend, like I had blown you off. I was worried that you'd assume I was just trying to get away." He ran a hand through his hair and I realized that was his nervous energy. I stuttered, he tousled that gorgeous brown hair.

"Not at all. I was fine." Liar. That's exactly what you thought and you're full of shit.

I saw him visibly relax and the look of concern almost left his face. Everything he said or did he did with genuine concern or caring. You could read how genuine of a person he was from his face.

"I'm glad. I want you to meet somebody." He gestured to the hot redhead behind him.

Wife, girlfriend, fiance?

"This is Chantel, she is a interior designer that I like to use on jobs that it calls for. The university asked if I knew anyone who would do the inside part of the job and she's the best."

The breath that was caught in my throat finally escaped in a larger exhale.

"Nice to meet you Madison, Chantel Wilson." She shook my hand in a very firm and professional manner. Suddenly she was very cute, and no longer threatening.

"My pleasure. If you guys are busy I can stop by before I leave for the day," I said as I turned my attention away from Chantel and to Connor's beautiful green eyes.

"No, Chantel is here for you. The university is trusting the office to her and if they like what they see then they are putting her on the whole renovation. They recommended we polled some faculty to see what they are interested in for the administration building. So we're polling you. Chantel is going to take you over to the building, give you a tour and jot down some ideas. Now it's not completely finished but you'll be able to see what it's going to look like."