Cal awoke to weak morning light sifting in through his blinds.
He quickly looked to his right. As before, she was gone. The warmth that had been at his side was now cold. A dream. Very much like another that flickered just beyond his consciousness. The despair was acute, agonizing. His chest and stomach burned painfully. Why did he need this woman so much?
Wait a minute. Sitting up, he glanced around, the blanket falling away. Sparse white walls had been replaced by warm wood, leather furniture, art and books. He really was home. Peeking into the kitchen, he could see the remnants of take out on the island. Enough food for two.
Breath gushed out of him as he rubbed both hands over his face. She had been here. They'd spent most of the evening talking before starting to watch a movie. He didn't remember finishing it. He did remember her resting her head against his shoulder though. That had been nice. Promising. They weren't there but it seemed like they might actually be heading in the right direction.
His eyes fell to a note at the edge of the coffee table. He'd almost knocked it down when he'd pulled his feet off but he could now see Gillian's distinctly feminine cursive.
How about dinner at my place tonight? 7:00? I'll even cook.
Sorry about slipping out. Didn't want to awaken you.
G
Smiling, he reread it, just to be sure.
Lots to do before tonight. Antacid. Breakfast (maybe). Tea (certainly). Papers to finish reading. Grades to post. Daughter to call. Fridge to restock. At least this way he shouldn't have time to think about the nerves that had once again settled in his belly.
(BREAK)
"So you guys are talking again." Emily barely hid her excitement on the other end.
"A little."
"That is such awesome news dad!"
"Probably better not to get your hopes up though. Things are still…a little tense."
"Did you call her or did she call you?"
"You sure are nosy."
"Of course. I'm my father's daughter."
Cal grunted, barely suppressing a smile. "Actually she called me…after all the news coverage at the school. Guess she was pretty upset."
"That's good though, right? I mean the fact that she called you?"
"I'd like to think so."
"That whole incident was pretty scary. I can only imagine what she was thinking. Probably along the same lines as what I was thinking." Her voice softened and became a tiny bit distant. "It's amazing. For years all I wanted was for you just to settle down and teach."
"Really?" Cal wrinkled his nose.
She continued as if he hadn't spoken. "And then you actually give it a go and still get into trouble."
"What can I say? It's a talent. Enough of this rubbish already. When are you heading home?"
"Was that a deflection?"
"It was an 'I don't want to talk about L.A. any longer' shift of conversation. Besides I need to finish up a few things…"
"Before your date?"
"Um. I guess you could call it that."
"Okay dad." She smiled into the phone. "I'll let you off the hook but I expect a full report."
"Yeah, yeah."
She gave him her flight information, told him she loved him and was gone. Emily had her own life now and sometimes it was difficult for him to admit it. She was still his little girl as far as he was concerned.
There was still plenty of time to grab a shower and a shave.
He took a couple more Tums before heading upstairs.
(BREAK)
Gillian pulled the door open to find him standing there smiling somewhat tentatively. He held a bottle of merlot in one hand.
Her heart immediately began to race but she covered it with what was hopefully a relaxed grin. Unfortunately she could feel the sudden pinkening of her cheeks and inwardly cursed her fair complexion. "You're early."
The blush was adorable but he chose not to corner her on it. Instead, his eyes dropped to his watch. "Sorry 'bout that. Clocks must be fast." It was just a little lie but she saw it anyway. "Want me to, uh, go away and come back?" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder and started to take a step backward.
"Oh no you don't!" Gillian caught him by the arm and pulled him toward her. "You've been away long enough!"
Cal almost stumbled into her but caught himself. He looked down at her slender hand where she still clutched him. "All that exercise payin' off I see. Gonna have to watch myself. Don't wanna get an arse kickin'." They stood barely a foot apart.
"Well don't do anything that would merit it."
He kind of hoped he would. She was probably quite limber. God, he was such a dog. It really was amazing that she had feelings for him.
They stared at one another, breath a little rushed. He sometimes forgot that she was actually a few inches shorter than he was when she wasn't wearing heels. He liked it and wanted to pull her small form into a crushing embrace.
Instead he sidestepped into her entry. "Bloody cold luv."
"Not as bad as Denver though." She stepped past him to go into the kitchen. "Since you're here early, feel like doing some chopping?"
"Oi! Putting the guest to work are you?"
"Of course. There's a lot more satisfaction in eating food that you've helped prepare." Gillian adjusted one of the burners on the stove before crossing to the fridge to pull out salad items.
"Bet that's what you tell all the guys."
"Usually." Her smile was slightly coy and he felt warmth weed its way through him.
He cleared his throat. " Okay, what do you need from me?"
"That, Cal, is a loaded question."
"Alright. Let me rephrase. What dinner preparations can I safely undertake as your sous chef?"
(BREAK)
Cal was impressed.
Gillian had slow cooked a marinated roast most of the day and the result was meat so tender it practically melted in your mouth. That, combined with cheddar garlic smashed potatoes and salad with Jalapeno honey mustard dressing made him want to move in and marry her right on the spot.
She was smiling at him as she took a sip of wine. "I am very glad you enjoyed."
"There are no words. You keep this up and you may not get rid of me."
That was kind of the point. The words remained unspoken as she stood, glass in hand and moved toward the living room. "Now, I'd like to know all about your experiment in teaching."
Grimacing, he followed. "iPhones and pimples luv."
"Couldn't be that bad."
"It was actually worse." He dropped himself next to her, leaving a little space.
Raising her brows, her lips twisted to the side. The question on her face was obvious.
"Okay, it wasn't that bad. Has its merits. But as much as Emily would like to see me continue in that capacity, it's just…"
"Doesn't give you the thrill of facing off with someone in the cube." Her tone was strangely careful. She didn't want to give the impression that she was judging.
Cal went quiet for several moments. "I guess there it is."
"You never told me what happened when the campus went on lockdown."
He sighed, not really wanting to go into it but knowing that she would just bring it up at a later time. "Basically a family drama. Which I kind of got caught in. Worked out the best way it could though."
"That's rather cryptic."
With a shrug he finished his glass of wine before reaching to place it on her coffee table. The glass didn't quite make it, falling from his suddenly lax fingers.
Gillian watched, horrified, as the blood ran from his face.
Okay, y'all want some drama? If so, do you want major drama or minor drama? Or should I forget it and go all 'Happily Ever After' already? Let me know! Your thoughts will dictate where I go next. ;-)