Chapter 16 One Track Mind

I looked down at the two spreadsheets I had printed off and began comparing the figures in the columns. The work didn't require much skill, just good eyesight, so I was able to let my mind wander as I compared and jotted the occasional note.

My thoughts were in no way subtle. They seemed to have a one-track mind these days and that trajectory always led straight to Pierce.

Despite our first admittedly rocky encounters, yesterday's lunch had been pleasant. More than pleasant if I were honest. When Pierce set out to be likeable, I didn't think anyone could be immune to his charms. I surely hadn't been and that still stunned me.

I didn't respond to charming people. They made me, if possible, even more uncomfortable than angry people, but Pierce had managed to pull it off somehow. He had been the perfect host but not an insincere one. He had asked me a ton of questions and had appeared extremely interested in my answers. When I talked, he had listened.

And I had talked a lot.

I still marveled at how many words I had managed to speak yesterday. My typical shyness had ebbed away as he had made me more comfortable. Of course, stuffing me full of delicious deli food and not accusing me of being a sex slave to my friends did tend to ease my anxiety.

I chuckled. It was something I found myself doing more often lately. It felt good.

Being able to laugh now at Pierce's preposterous allegations felt even better. I had believed him as he had half-explained his behavior. It certainly didn't excuse it but his apology had been contrite. After yesterday's lunch and our shared time together, I could no longer find a reason to hold any sort of grudge against him. I would leave that to the guys.

A strange sort of curiosity about Pierce was growing inside of me. He had not wanted to answer my second question at all but what he had said had made me wonder. His comment that he had tarred me with someone else's feather made me think he had been hurt by someone in the past.

The thought of anyone cheating on him seemed ludicrous. He seemed the type to have everything someone would want... barring the nasty occasional inclination to make outlandish comments, I corrected myself. I could see where that would be challenging to deal with on a daily basis.

A smile stretched my lips as I plugged along down the column, marking the unmatching numbers.

Pierce could be outrageous. He could be scary and arrogant and rude and obnoxious.

I frowned.

Why did that make me smile?

I stopped looking at the column and raised my head to glance out the window. My eyes watched two birds totter across the front porch railing. Their twig-like legs scurried across the white wood railing before they both sat perched side-by-side chattering. The looked comfortable together talking about everything and nothing.

Kind of like how Pierce and I had been, I reflected.

We had talked about nothing and everything. I had been reticent at first. Never one to open up, my tongue always seeming tangled within my mouth, I had found that once Pierce put me at ease with his sincere interest, words had flowed. The ease with which they came had grown as each minute passed.

It had been nice.

For the first time in my life, other than my friends and family, I had enjoyed a nice relaxing lunch date. And it had felt like a date. That had confused me before. Maybe even scared me a little.

It didn't now.

Leaving his office yesterday afternoon, I had actually found myself feeling disappointed. I wouldn't have minded spending more time with him and that more than anything was shocking to me. I usually, even with the guys, was ready to get home after a few solid hours of social interaction.

Overload is what I called it.

When my mind was stimulated by a lot of socializing and news, I needed to let my brain rest. I would have thought after attending the somewhat stressful meeting and then spending the time with Pierce I would have been in much need of that isolation to regroup. But it hadn't been like that. Not at all.

The realization was startling.

And intriguing.

What had been even more peculiar had been Pierce requesting my phone number and me readily giving it to him. I had had no hesitations about sharing my personal information. That was odd for me.

Granted I worked for him. He knew where I lived for goodness sake. He definitely already had access to all the ways to get in touch with me, but he hadn't taken that route this time. He had requested. I had appreciated that and been slightly flattered.

Though I did have to admit that him getting my number made me a bit nervous. Every time my phone dinged or rang, I jumped. Both my body and mind seemed to be anticipating his call.

It was embarrassing. I had never anticipated a person's call before like I was his. I didn't even know if he would ring me. But I knew my heart was hopeful. I wanted to spend more time with him.

I felt different with him. I was more relaxed while being on edge. I felt anticipation while my stomach fluttered with nerves. My heart had raced with delight while my mind registered a peace it had never experienced while spending time with someone.

I had felt both warm and cool, been calm and edgy, experienced confusion and order. Extremes. Opposites. Inverses. The entire experience was confounding and oddly addictive. I couldn't seem to help myself. I wanted to feel like that again.

The sudden ringing of my phone startled me and I glanced quickly at the caller ID. The digital screen announced Lucciano. It was Pierce.

My heart rate accelerating, I swiped the phone and pressed it to my ear.

"Hello," I answered tentatively, knowing who it was but not feeling brave enough to answer it that way outright.

"Jackson, it's Pierce."

"Um, hi!" I said feeling slightly foolish for my lame response.

I wasn't sure how I knew it but I knew my answer had made him smile. I could just hear it in his tone as he once again started to speak.

"Are you free to talk for a second? I'm not interrupting anything?"

I glanced around my home and down at my feet where a sleeping Cissero snored. I shook my head as I answered, "No. Nothing."

I wanted to sigh at my second uninspired response. It was a funny feeling to have. Singular replies were my specialty. I had never cared before in trying harder to communicate, but Pierce made me want to put forth effort. Only his questions weren't requiring scintillating responses.

"I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me Friday," he asked in a bit of a rush.

It was the least Pierce-like he had ever sounded and I would have loved to have seen his face. That thought was immediately followed by regret. I wasn't free on Friday. Archer was getting married Saturday. My entire weekend was pretty much tied up.

Disappointed I replied, "Sorry but I already have plans Friday night."

Nothing except for the vacuum sound of an engaged phone line traveled to my ear.

After a slight hesitation Pierce spoke again.

"If you're busy we can maybe get together on Saturday."

I scrunched my nose up in mild frustration. I was free pretty much all the time. Except for the occasional outing with one of the guys or all of them I was free. Now here I sat with Pierce not only asking me out for one day but now a second and I had to say no to both.

"I'm s... sorry," I finally answered. "I can't Saturday either. I have to..."

I was getting ready to explain about Archer and Percy's wedding and the plans I had made because of it but before I could Pierce cut across me, interrupting my flow of words.

"If you don't want to just say it, Jackson. I'm a big boy and it won't affect your job."

I floundered at the assumption he was making. If he had just given me a chance to explain I would. I open my mouth to try again but the sudden click and the deafening muffled silence that resulted told me had had disengaged our call.

Surprised by the unexpectedness of the call and the speed with which it had taken place, not to mention what had happened in between baffled me. It frustrated me a bit as well. Pierce hadn't given me a chance to talk. His automatic inclination to jump to erroneous conclusions puzzled me even more? It made me a bit angry, too.

Pierce was complex. I didn't know if that quality would end up being a good thing or bad. Right now, at this moment, I had no choice but to admit it wasn't pointing in his favor.

Even if he had baggage from his past that affected him now, I knew I couldn't continue to take the brunt of that person's wrong doings. Pierce may be changed by what happened to him but I couldn't allow myself to be punished for the other person's sins. I hoped Pierce figured things out soon. My stomach sank at the thought that he might never be able to.

It had taken me twenty-six years to feel even a spark of interest in someone. To me, Pierce wasn't just someone. I knew not just anyone would do. I thought back to yesterday and that tidal wave of feelings I had experienced by spending time with him. I wanted to hold onto that a little longer. I hoped Pierce could find a way inside himself to let me.

My computer monitor flashed an incoming email down in the bottom right corner of my screen. I immediately caught sight of Mr. Jones's email address. I moved my mouse and clicked.

Jackson, due to time sensitive issues, management has moved the deadline for project D2114-20 up to Tuesday 11:00 a.m.

I frowned at the message. It was simply impossible. I immediately replied back feeling my stomach lurch. My instinct was to always meet a deadline regardless of how impossible it seemed. But this weekend made it impossible. Archer's wedding had to be my priority. Knowing I was doing the only thing I could, didn't make sending the email any easier. I began to type.

I cannot promise to have the complete project finished by this new deadline. I will gladly strive for Thursday at the same time, considering the previous allocated deadline was for the following Monday. This newest deadline simply does not give me enough time to assure complete accuracy or the thoroughness this information requires.

I hit send and started drumming my thumb nervously on my desk. I knew if we didn't get this resolved in the next couple of emails, I would have to call Mr. Jones and explain the situation. I hoped it didn't come to that. I wasn't the rebellious type. Saying no was not easy. Doing it by email had already been difficult. Verbally, I knew would be tougher.

Ten minutes later I received a reply.

Please clarify why you are unable to meet the new deadline.

I frowned. Hadn't I already explained? I reread the previous emails. I shrugged and began to type.

My best friend is getting married this weekend. I am not only in the wedding but have other duties. I will be busy all-day Friday and Saturday and part of Sunday. I absolutely cannot cancel any of these plans. I will be able to give my attention back to the project once my wedding duties have been fulfilled.

I quickly clicked send and then bent down to rub at Cissero who was still lazily sleeping at my feet. Petting his sleek short coat, I let the soothing repetitive motion calm my unease. He opened his soulful liquid brown eye and peaked up at me. I blew him a kiss. He blinked and then shut his eyes once again, going back to sleep.

I glanced back at my monitor and saw a new email appear. I swiftly clicked on the message and read.

That is acceptable. We will leave the original deadline in effect. Have a good time.

Jackson stared at the message and reread the short missive in bewilderment.

That had been... odd.