Homeless Heart

Chapter 17

Phin

I'd show up in my street clothes so we could set up, and then I could sneak into the hotel restroom and put on the required uniform. Fortunately, I was able to get a shower at the shelter this morning, so I was freshly washed. I arrived around three thirty, so I wouldn't have to rush and would be able to talk to Elizabeth. Yep, I was a little overeager.

I'd spent most of the day sitting around Union Square amongst the pigeons and people watching. I realized my mood was anxious because I wanted to see her. She'd given me a job, she trusted me. I couldn't let her down. This sense of pride was how I felt when I worked for Duke, and it brought back emotions I wasn’t prepared to embrace at that moment. I needed to do a good job today and impress her so maybe she'd take me seriously when I asked her out. Somehow, I knew tonight could change my life, and I couldn't fuck it up.

I went around to the staff entrance at the back of the hotel. There were so many people coming and going, no one noticed me. I stopped and asked one of the staff where I should report for the event. He vaguely pointed toward the hallway. As I turned, I saw her—Elizabeth. She had on a tight pair of jeans, a red charity logo T-shirt and a pair of red Chuck Taylor's. I couldn't believe how hot she was in her non-work clothes. She looked busy and official despite her casual attire. I stood in the shadows and admired her ass in tight jeans. I wanted to get lost in her long soft hair that looked like sunshine. The spell was broken when she noticed me as she finished giving directions to a staff member while she juggled the phone on her ear. Giving her an apologetic smile, I strolled toward her, but she darted in the opposite direction before I reached her. I tried not to be disappointed because I knew she'd be busy today. Or was she avoiding me? Why would she be avoiding me?

I finally found her sitting in the middle of the ballroom at one of the round tables, looking intently at her laptop screen. "Hello, Elizabeth, you look very official with your headset on."

She hadn't seen me come up, so when I spoke, she accidentally flicked her headset off and knocked over her reusable water bottle. Elizabeth was the perfect balance of sexy and silly. Weirdly, I found her accident-prone nature appealing. I liked seeing my voice have that effect on her. Once close enough, I helped put them back on her head. I wanted to see if my touch would calm her down. Instead, she was visibly shaken by my proximity to her, but I couldn't move away. I stood over her and smiled.

She still didn't look up; instead, she adjusted her headset. "I know it's silly, but I have to wear it."

I squeezed her shoulder to reassure her I was joking. "No, I like it, you look cute and official. So, where do you want me?"

She finally looked up at me, and our eyes locked. Her blue eyes had me trapped, unable to notice anything else.

"Huh?"

I clarified the question, knowing it could have two meanings. "Where do you want me to help out?"

She smiled and tried to turn away as her face turned crimson. "Sorry, I am distracted, lots going on. Why don't you go over and stock the bar?" She handed me a clipboard with a list on it and pointed toward where I had come in. "The booze is back in the hallway. Let me know if you are missing anything, and I'll see what the hotel can do for us." I must confess I didn't like Elizabeth avoiding eye contact with me, and it was making me anxious. Something was wrong, but I was hoping it had nothing to do with me. She was busy, and this was her biggest event of the year. I had to assume she was acting professional and doing her job, leaving no time for chitchat or harmless flirting. Not everything is about you, Dunbar!

Wanting to make a good impression, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I brought in the booze, checked off the list, and loaded up the bar. I caught her checking on me when she thought I wasn't looking. I smiled at her, and she acknowledged me but quickly looked back at her laptop. Lizzie was so busted as she checked me out. I smiled while I finished restocking the rest of the bar. I stood back to gaze over what I had done; it looked amazing. I slowly walked toward her, trying to be quiet so as not to spook her again.

"All right, I am done with that, what else do you want me to do?" I stood there for a minute, and she just kept pretending to check her email. Finally, I kneeled so she could look me in the eye.

"Is everything okay? You seem out of sorts." I put my hand on her arm, she didn't tremble this time, and it forced her to turn at look at me. "Have you eaten? Do you want me to get you some food? I bet you haven't eaten all day."

"I haven't eaten since some toast at seven this morning. I'm usually too busy and nervous to eat. You know the rule, never eat before you go on a roller coaster." Her comparison made me laugh. Who would sign up for a job that made you feel like that every day? Elizabeth Baxter, that's who, she was the crusader for the invisible.

"I’m gonna run out and get you a sandwich. What do you want? Don't argue."

She smiled, trying to stifle an objection. I felt like I knew her well, and yet we'd spent so little time together. "Get me a turkey and avocado, and there's a place across the street that does sandwiches."

She reached for her bag. "Here's some money."

"No, it's okay. I can get you a sandwich."

She took the twenty dollars and pushed it in my pocket. "I won't let you buy me lunch today. Can we have lunch some other time? Deal?" She stuck her hand out for me to shake it.

"Sure, it's a date." I shook her hand firmly, not wanting to let her go. Our eyes and hands lingered, both of us unable to look away. Someone called out for her, breaking the spell.

I felt terrible for taking the money, but I wouldn’t get in a fight with her about it. She was under a lot of stress, and I didn't need to add to it. Knowing it would be a long day and the waitstaff wouldn't eat until later, I got us both a turkey and avocado sandwich, some chips, a big cookie, and a double espresso. I got her the cookie and coffee, knowing she had a sweet tooth and a caffeine addiction. As the afternoon wore on, she'd need a pick me up. When the guy at the counter asked if I wanted onions on the sandwiches, I politely declined knowing she probably wouldn't want to have onion breath. Secretly I'd hoped that maybe I'd get to kiss her later and I didn't want to her to be self-conscious.

I can't believe how good it felt to take care of Elizabeth just a little bit. She was unique and deserved to be treated that way every day. Someday, I hoped to be that kind of man.

I came back into the ballroom with a smile on my face, after a successful outing of getting food for Elizabeth. The ballroom looked amazing, and it was all coming together. The servers and staff were starting to arrive. I knew Elizabeth just needed to relax for just a second and have some food.

"Here you go. Now, eat up, or I will force feed you."

She looked at me, and I winked at her, letting her know that meant I'd enjoy it.

"Fine. Wow, thanks so much for the espresso, it'll take the edge off the beast."

"Yes, it's a double shot, and I got you a cookie for later. I know you have a sweet tooth. Eat the sandwich first; you need real food."

She looked up at me and smiled. "You're kind of bossy."