Forgive for Joy's Sake (Part 20)
Three days later, I was packed and loading my suitcase, garment bag, and carry-on into a car service. This would be my first time traveling to LA. I arrive at LAX at 8:00 p.m. and Wes would be picking me up. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. This would be the first time we would be able to focus solely on us. Was the chemistry between us real or just something we both had built up in our minds and would fizzle when we tried to create a real spark?
It was Friday evening and we had nothing planned until the benefit on Saturday evening. I texted him as soon as I landed and made my way to pick up my luggage. I texted him again to let him know I made it outside where he could pick me up. Ten minutes later, he pulled up in a silver luxury pickup truck. He got out and gave me a hug and a lingering kiss, before grabbing my bags and putting them in the truck. He opened my door and helped me climb in.
Once he got in, he smiled at me. “Up for a quick tour then a bite to eat?”
“I am.”
“Good, let’s go.” He pulled out of the pickup lane and headed out of the airport.
He drove me around and hit some of the top sights, like the Hollywood sign and the Chinese Theatre. Somewhere during the tour, the Sandman sprinkled his sleeping dust on me, and I started to yawn. “Do you mind if we grab something quick to eat and head in? I think the three hour time difference is catching up to me.”
“Fair enough. I know this great place where we could grab a great roast beef sandwich. Are you game?” After I agreed, Wes placed a call and ordered our sandwiches. When he asked if I want fries and a shake to go with, I thought of my new dress and declined.
“Lemonade, if they have it,” I replied.
We picked up the food, then drove to his condo building. I carried the food while he carried my bags up to his condo.
“This is a nice place,” I told Wes, looking around the airy but minimally decorated condo.
“Thanks. My company provides my living space while I’m on a project. This is my current home away from home.” He sat my bags down by the door and hung my garment bag in the entry closet. Grabbing the food from me he said, “Come on, let’s get some food in you.”
He led me to the living room and set up two tray tables side-by-side in front of the couch. He laid out the food and drinks and we sat and talked as we ate.
“So, if this is home away from home, where is home?” I asked him, since I’d assumed LA was his home.
“Well, that’s yet to be determined. I have been moving from project to project in various cities, so I haven’t placed a stake in the ground yet.” He looked over at me and said, “Something tells me that will be changing soon.”
We finished eating and he grabbed up the containers. “Let me clean up and then I’ll show you the room.”
I kicked off my shoes and stretched out on the couch and said, “Sounds good.” That was the last thing I remembered until I woke up the next morning still on the couch covered with a warm blanket.
“Good morning sleepy head.” Wes came out from what I assumed was the bedroom already dressed.
I sat up and stretched. “Hey, why didn’t you wake me up?” Waking up on the couch is not how I exactly pictured our first night together going.
“Who says I didn’t try Ms. ‘Leave me alone Wes, I’m tired.’” He chuckled at the memory.
“Sorry about that.” I smiled sheepishly.
“Don’t apologize. I’m just glad you said my name and not some other dudes. Now that would be a reason to apologize.” He walked over to the kitchen and turned on the coffeemaker.
“Ha, I imagine that would have been awkward, Steve.” I stood up and walked over to the kitchen counter.
“Can you point me to the bathroom, Steve? I would like to take a shower and brush my teeth. It would be nice for breakfast to be ready when I’m done if you don’t mind, Steve?”
“Full of jokes, huh? Alright, two can play that game. The bathroom is through the door that I came out of in the corner to your left, Cookie. I already put your bags in the room, Cookie.”
“Wow, Cookie, huh? I give you a respectable name like Steve, and you give me Cookie. Well, whatever you call me I still want breakfast when I’m done.” I followed his instructions and found the ensuite bathroom. Walking past the rumpled king size bed on the way to the bathroom, I tried not to imagine what could have happened had I not passed out on the couch.
When I saw the deep soaking tub and the large walk in shower, I walked out and stuck my head out the bedroom door. “Steve, that is quite the bathroom. I’m going to be a while cause I’m going to soak in the tube. Hold starting to prepare breakfast for about an hour.” I turned on my heels and smiled. I was about to pamper myself.
A little over an hour later, I emerged feeling like a woman who had just left the spa. Wes was in the kitchen just finishing up some cheesy omelets and turkey bacon.
“Coffee?” he asked me.
“Yes please.” He poured me a cup and sat cream and sugar in front of me. “I hope you don’t mind but there has been a change of plans. My partner and his wife have flown in for the banquet tonight. After finding out that I was bringing a date, his wife thought it would be a good idea if we met for lunch later today. Do you mind?”
“No, I don’t mind. There isn’t any backstory I need to know about, is there?” I was wondering why the wife wanted to meet me and I admittedly had trust issues. I didn’t want to walk into any hornet’s nest.
“Backstory like what? Andrew, Sandra, and I go way back to college days and they are like family. We have been business partners for ten years now and I think they are just being nosy.”
“Wait, the company you work for is your company?” I sat back in my chair. It dawned on me that I really didn’t know Wes like I thought I did.
“I thought you knew,” he said, sitting a plate of food in front of me.
“No, I didn’t.” I wonder what else I didn’t know. I think he must have saw the wheels in my head turning, so he walked around to the side of the counter I was sitting on and swiveled me around on my counter stool. “We still know more than most couples do about each other and we will take the time to fill in the blanks on the things that changed in the years away from each other. Don’t get in your head and over think this. Let’s ride the heart space on this one. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” I said, hoping it was an agreement I could keep. He leaned down and his lips met mine’s as his hand stroked the back of my neck. Wait, what was my name again? Cookie? No, wait that’s not it. Well, let’s say things went a little fuzzy.
He pulled away and swiveled me back around. “Eat before the food gets cold. Otherwise things may go a little differently than planned today.”
I wanted to swivel back and say, “Well, I’m all for changing plans.” If only I was that brave.
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