We arrive at the elevator and I have to get in to go up to level three. "This is me."
He lingers and then bites his bottom lip as if contemplating saying something. "Would you like to go out some time?"
I shrug casually as if super-hot anaesthetists ask me out every day. "Umm sure, why not?"
He smiles and I feel my stomach flutter. "Great."
I hunch my shoulders, I'm being so weird right now but I have no control over myself. "Great." I turn to get into the elevator.
"I need to give you my number."
I give a nervous giggle. "Oh right."
He digs in his pocket and pulls out a little brass case. He takes out a business card and passes it over. "Call me tonight."
I stare at the card in my hand. "Okay." I smile and then turn toward the elevator.
"Don't forget."
"I won't." Oh, he's really cute.
He points at me as he walks backward. "Because I'll come looking for you if you don't call me. I mean it. I'm into you, Eliza. You better call me."
I laugh at his over the top flirtyness. "Yes, okay, I promise." I turn and get into the elevator and he puts his hands into his suit pockets as he watches me.
"Goodbye, Eliza."
"Bye." The doors shut, and I scrunch up my face in excitement.
Oh my God. Eek! This is getting me back into the dating game with a bang.
He is gorgeous.
* * *
I sip my red wine as I stir the beef Bourguignon I'm making. The potatoes are mashed, and the carrots and string green beans are in the steamer. I rushed home from work because I wanted to get dinner cooked early so that I can call Samuel before Nathan gets home. It would be weird having him listen to the conversation.
I glance at the clock. It's 6:25 p. m. Nathe will be home in about twenty minutes.
Shit, I have to call now or not at all.
I look desperate ringing this early, I hold his card out and stare at it in my hand.
Samuel Phillips
Oh, well, here goes nothing. I drain my glass of red wine and refill it.
What do I say? Nothing…just let him do the talking. Don't appear too eager, I remind myself.
With shaky fingers, I dial his number.
It goes straight to voicemail.
Shit.
"Hi, you've reached Samuel Phillips. I'm either on the phone or unavailable. Please leave a message after the tone, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Have a nice day."
"Hi, Samuel… it's Eliza." I begin to pace. "I'll… I'll try again tomorrow." I hang up in a rush before I can make a fool of myself.
Oh, man, that was dreadful. What kind of sexy message was that? I get a vision of him listening to it, unimpressed.
I flop onto the couch and sip my wine.
Loser.
I'm so out of practice when it comes to dating, I have no idea what I'm doing here. I really need to up my game. There should be an up-to-date dating manual you can download on the internet with cool things to say and do.
I hear the key in the door before Nathan comes into view wearing a crisp gray suit and cream shirt, he looks every bit the smooth doctor he is. His sandy hair is longer on top with a bit of a curl, and his big blue eyes smile when he sees me. "There's my girl."
"Hi." I smile as I jump up to greet him. He leans down and kisses me on the cheek. "You didn't go to the gym?" I ask as I straighten his tie.
"No, got held up at work." He walks over to the oven and peers in through the door. "Not long till we get a home gym. Dinner smells fantastic." He pours himself a glass of wine. "My favorite."
"I thought I was your favorite." I tease.
"Apart from you, of course." He touches his glass against mine. "How was your day?"
I shrug. "Pretty good." I want to blurt out that I got asked on a date but I don't quite know what his reaction will be, so I decide against it. "Dinner is twenty minutes away if you want to take a shower?"
His ass rests on the kitchen counter, and he smiles as he sips his wine. His eyes linger on me.
I do a little jog on the spot. "Seventeen days until we go away. I've just got to get through two weeks at my new job first."
"Can't come soon enough. I need this vacation."
"Me, too." I pull myself up to sit on the counter beside him. "What are we going to do while we're there?"
"Everything."
"Like what?" I smile hopefully. "Tell me everything."
"Sleep in, eat delicious food, lie in the sun, shop… drink cocktails."
I tip my head back in excitement. "I just can't wait."
"Don't forget we've got my parents' party next weekend," he reminds me.
"Oh." I cringe.
"What?"
"I forgot to pick up the cake tin today. I meant to call in on the way home and I completely forgot."
"What do you need a cake tin for?"
"I'm making your dad's birthday cake on Saturday for his party."
"You are not going all the way there to cook all day Saturday. I'll buy a damn cake."
"I am. I offered. My cakes are his favorite, and besides, cooking for people I care about makes me happy."
He rolls his eyes as he drains his glass. "I'm taking a shower." He saunters down the hall.
My phone dances across the counter.
It's Samuel.
I peer down the hall after Nathan. Shit, hurry up and get in the shower. I don't want you to hear me. "Hello," I answer.
"Eliza, hi. It's Samuel."
I smile goofily. "Hi." My voice comes out like a high pitch screech, and I push my thumb into my eye socket. I clear my throat, determined to sound better.
I can see down the hall and into my bedroom and I watch as Nathan loosens his tie.
I'll keep an eye on him so I know if he can hear me.
"You called me. I'm impressed," he purrs.
"I said I would."
Nathan slides his jacket over his shoulders and begins to unbutton his shirt, I watch on.
"How was your day?" Samuel asks.
Nathan takes his shirt off, and I watch as every muscle in his back tenses.
"It… was good," I stammer, distracted. My eyes are locked on my best friend. "How was yours?"
"It was great after seeing you," Samuel says.
Nathan drops his pants and carefully hangs them on a hanger. I can see every muscle in his thick thighs. "Same." I frown.
Jeez.
"Where do you want to go on our first date?"
Nathan drops his black boxer briefs and then turns. I get a full frontal view. He's hung and rippled with muscles. His pubic hair is short and well-kept. Fucking hell, my stomach clenches. He walks back up the hall to the bathroom. When he glances up, our eyes lock.
The air leaves my lungs, but he doesn't flinch. It's as if he wants me to look.
He wants me to see why he thinks my vibrator is pathetic…
Holy mother of God. What kind of a dick is that?