“I’ve been swamped all week.” She was still catching her breath.
Alex stood up, holding the files in his hands. He glanced at them and hoped her getting them in order wasn’t what had kept her at work so late. They were a mess.
His eyes roamed over her as they always did when he saw her. She looked fantastic. The gray skirt suit she wore made her blonde highlights seem brighter and it brought out the sparkle in her big dark eyes. Eyes that were entirely too frightened still. He frowned knowing he’d been the cause.
He held on to the files while she opened her trunk, and noticed her hands trembled when he handed them to her. “You alright?”
She nodded but didn’t say a word. He handed her the rest of the files. When she closed the trunk, she finally glanced at him. Alex noticed her eyes glimmered. Had he really scared her that bad?
“Are you crying?”
She shook her head and let out a laugh. “You just scared the hell out of me, that’s all.”
Alex looked around at the empty parking lot and pressed his lips together. “Well, it is pretty dangerous you being out here so late and all alone. You really-”
“No it’s not that, I work late all the time. It’s just that… well,… nothing. I’ve just been a mess lately.” She leaned against her car and tilted her head slightly. “So, why are you here?”
Alex stared at her, wondering why she was so jumpy. Was that idiot still harassing her? Then he thought about her question. “I wanted to talk to you.”
He hadn’t been able to wait until tomorrow. There was always the possibility she’d show up with Luke and ruin the whole bonfire idea. He knew it was a risk. But the last weeks had been the most agonizing weeks of his life. So, he decided he’d take his chances.
Her expression was unreadable, and she didn’t say anything for few moments. “About what, Alex?” She finally asked.
“I know you’re with someone now.” His own words were hurt. “But I thought maybe you could hear me out.” For once, she didn’t avoid his eyes. She stared right at him. “Can we go somewhere and talk? I’ll buy you a drink. It’s the least I can do after scaring the hell outta you.” He smiled and thought he saw corner of her lip lift a little. “Might help calm the nerves?”
To his surprise she agreed and rather quickly. “But just one. And we’ll have to take two cars. I can’t leave mine here.”
“I can bring you back, and we’ll pick it up later.”
Valerie shook her head. “There’s nothing around here. We’d have to drive all the way back.”
“Or we can drop off your car at your place.”
The expression she made at that was a strange one. She seemed almost alarmed. “No,” she said firmly and walked around to get in her car. “Just follow me. I know a good place we can talk.”
Alex followed her and thought about the uncompromising attitude she had when it came to dropping off her car. Was there someone there that wouldn’t be pleased seeing her get in his car? He rolled his neck and tried cracking it, something that always helped calm him even if only a little. He didn’t want to blow it tonight with his temper, so he took a deep breath before getting out of his truck.
The place Valerie chose was a trendy pizza and brewery place. Alex smiled as they walked in. He knew she would pick a place with food.
They slid into a booth in the corner. Since it was Friday night, it was already packed, and there a Padre game was on the big screen. Some of the people watching the game were pretty loud. Not exactly the atmosphere he’d hoped for, but it would have to do.
“As much as I scared you, I thought you’d want a place where you can get a shot.”
“Oh, they serve shots here.” She grinned.
The waitress came over and looked at Alex, but he gave Valerie the go ahead with a gesture. She never disappointed when it came to ordering food.
“We’ll have the large meat lover’s, deep dish. A large order of wings, extra ranch, and I’ll have schooner of Amber Bach and shot of patron.”
The server turned to Alex and took his drink order. He ordered the same, minus the shot. He needed a clear head tonight.
When the waitress was gone Valerie pulled her phone out of her purse looked through it for a moment, then put it back in her purse. That alone made Alex edgy. Was she checking for calls from her boyfriend?
“So, let’s have it.” She said, and again looked him straight in the eye. “What made you show up at my work and wait ‘til I got out? You’ve never done that before. I’m curious now.”
Alex drew a blank when he tried to remember all the stuff he’d rehearsed in the car while he waited for her. But he was glad he had her full attention. He was about to start when the waitress brought over their drinks. They thanked her and she quickly walked away.
Valerie took the shot. His train of thought went off course again, when she sucked the lime wedge and licked her lips. “I needed that.” Her hoarse voice didn’t help either.
Alex shifted in his seat, trying to accommodate his expanding crotch. It annoyed him how effortlessly anything she did could arouse him. He was a big boy now, who long ago learned to control carnal urges, yet with Valerie all that self-control seemed to fly out the window.
“Valerie,” He finally managed. “I don’t know how serious you are about this guy you’re seeing, but I want you to know I can’t stop thinking about you.”