Come Alive (The Cityscape 2)
“No. I went for work. I knew it would hurt her, so I didn’t say anything until it was confirmed.”
“But now you realize that that was the wrong way to go about it.”
He flashed me a smile. “Of course. I should have been upfront.”
“Well, you know I can’t lie to her about seeing you.”
“I know. It’s okay.”
“So, what are you doing? Where are you working?”
“An accounting firm over on Monroe. I’m close enough that we can have lunch together.”
“I’d like that.”
“We should take a trip up to Notre Dame this weekend, visit a few of our old haunts.”
I gave him a sympathetic smile. “I can’t, Greg.”
“Right,” he said, nodding. “How’s married life? I got your e-mail. Sorry I couldn’t make the wedding.”
“Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to reach out.”
“Bill, right?”
“Yep. I’m excited for you to meet him.”
“Gretchen’s got this big work party coming up, we could all go.”
“That sounds fun,” I said, nodding.
“I’ll let you get back to work then.”
“It’s so great to see you,” I whispered as we embraced again.
He handed me his card. “Anytime you want to grab lunch, dinner, drinks, whatever. Just let me know.”
I clasped it between my palms. “I will.”
With a kiss on the cheek, he was gone. Immediately, I ran back to my office to text Gretchen.
~
“Without experiencing a Chicago winter, you cannot call yourself a true Chicagoan.” I paused and stared at the screen as I thought. “What better way to appreciate our city than to endure a Chicago winter?”
I tore my gaze from the screen when I felt eyes on me.
“You have impressive powers of concentration.” David’s deep voice resounded through my office, almost as imposing as he himself.
I fluttered my eyelashes, waiting for him to fade away. When he didn’t, I asked, “How long have you been standing there?”
He smiled and peeled himself from the doorja
mb. “Not long.”
I glanced behind him quickly as he crossed the office. “What are you doing here?”
“I just had my follow-up interview.”
“Follow-up?”
“For Most Eligible.”
“I don’t know anything about it.”
“With Lisa. She e-mailed me some questions, but,” he paused, a faint smile forming on his face, “I thought it would be more convenient to stop by.”
“I nixed that idea, but I guess they’re doing it anyway.”
He leaned long arms on my desk and peered at me. “What’re you working on?”
“Editing an article. Fifty Things to do in Chicago This Winter. Serious stuff.”
“There’s enough serious stuff out there already,” he replied.
His eyes watched me pervasively; they somehow made contact with my skin, roving and probing. My attempt to avoid them was futile as I cleaned my desk off.
He checked his watch. “Done for the day?”
“I’m meeting Gretchen for dinner.”
“Where?”
“Just over the river.”
“That’s on my way. I’ll take you.”
“I was going to walk, actually. It’s a nice evening.”
His eyes narrowed. “By yourself? It’ll be dark soon.”
“That’s all right.”
“Not with me, it isn’t.”
I looked up at his definitive tone and couldn’t help the smile on my face. “David, I’m a big girl.”
“I’ll walk with you,” he said, ignoring my declaration. He pushed off the desk and waited with his eyebrows raised expectantly. “Can’t I go for a walk with my friend?”
I shook my head at him and made my way across the office. “Do you always get what you want?” I asked as I shrugged on my jacket.
“That is yet to be determined.”
I rolled my eyes but laughed.
“After you.” He motioned me through the door.
“David Dylan, I thought I recognized your voice.”
We turned, and David nodded at my boss, Beman, as he scurried to catch up with us.
“Mr. Beman,” I started. “I wasn’t aware of a follow-up piece on the Most Eligible feature.”
“It was a good idea Olivia, and Serena said you turned it down. Tsk, tsk.”
“Because I think it’s a waste of resources. It’s important to keep things fresh.”
“Most Eligible draws a large reader base. They become connected with the subjects, interested in knowing more about them. In a way,” he said, smiling playfully at David, “they’re local celebrities.”
“That may work for the website, but not the publication.”
“I will keep that in mind.” David held the glass door open for me. “Are you two off together?” Beman asked with a hint of amusement.