Ch 5
It was the first morning in a long time Mark woke up happy. He was looking forward to the ride with Lisa to Providence, Rhode Island for the Smackdown taping and to their first match together. He called Glen's room letting him know that Lisa would be coming with them and they would all meet in the lobby for breakfast in about 20 minutes. Mark hung up feeling a rush of nervousness he wasn't used to as he grabbed his bags heading towards her room. He lightly knocked hoping she wouldn't get upset he didn't call first.
Lisa opened the door partly on the second knock surprised to see him. She couldn't deny that she was happy to see him but his timing was terrible.
"Good morning," Mark gave her his best smile. "I was in the neighborhood thought I stop by to see if you would like to have breakfast before we hit the road."
"Good morning, that would be nice if you don't mind waiting a few minutes while I finish getting ready," Lisa's cheeks turned red as she opened the door wide revealing she was still in her robe.
"If you want I can come back in a few minutes," Mark stuttered over his words feeling embarrassed for not calling her first.
"Its ok," Lisa motioned for him to come in. She shut the door behind him feeling the butterflies returning. "I'll be right back, make yourself comfortable." She gave him a quick smile as she went into the bedroom.
Mark sat down hitting himself lightly in the forehead with the palm of his hand not believing he had caused this awkward situation between them. How hard was it to pick up a phone and call you idiot, he thought turning on the TV.
Lisa heard the low chatter of the TV as she pulled on her black Capri pants. She ruffled through her bag grabbing the light pink tank top. She looked at the mirror seeing black circles under her eyes from not sleeping much during the night. She had spent the night tossing and turning not able to fall asleep with thoughts of her boyfriend and his outburst on her mind. Lisa had called her boyfriend as soon as she woke up. He didn't even remember calling her the night before. He was back to his sweet self telling her how much he missed her and would see her in a few days. Lisa sighed not wanting to think about her boyfriend. She went back to packing her bag when she caught a glimpse of Mark sitting on the sofa in the other room. He had also been on her mind all night; she had never met anyone like Mark. She got along with him so well from the very start. She knew it was more that, it was also all the warm feelings she felt when they were together. God he is handsome, she thought watching him run his hand through his hair. I could spend hours watching him and never get tired, she thought smiling. Lisa reminded herself to keep her emotions under control as she went back to getting ready.
"Ready to go," she dragged her bag out of the bedroom.
"Please let me take that for you," Mark reached for her bag.
"Thank you," she checked the room once more to make sure she didn't leave anything behind. When they got downstairs Glen was waiting for them at a table reading the newspaper. Lisa was happy to see he had already ordered coffee for all them. She definitely needed the caffeine this morning to keep her awake. She felt relaxed with the two men listening to them talk about work. After breakfast was finished, Lisa excused herself for a moment. As she walked away Glen gave Mark a huge smile.
"You're unusually happy this morning. What's the deal between you and Lisa?" Glen asked.
"Nothing just trying to get to know her better. We are just friends," Mark said avoiding Glen's eyes.
"You can't bullshit me I've known you way too many years," Glen laughed. "You think I didn't notice the stolen glances between the two of you during breakfast or the happy smile on your face when you walked in with her."
"She has a boyfriend," Mark blurted out surprising Glen.
"Don't give up because of that. Its not like she is married and she seems interested in you," Glen said watching his best friend shake his head no. "Mark, I'm telling you she is attracted to you too. I can see it in the body language."
"Since when did you become an expert in romance? I have to respect her relationship with the loser, whoever he is," Mark sighed thinking back to the hurt he saw in Lisa's eyes last night when she was on the phone.
"Loser? Strong name for someone you don't know. You jealous?"
"You should have heard the way he yelled at her last night, like she was trash. She doesn't deserve to be treated like that," Mark said knowing he could confide in Glen.
"He is here?"
"No, he called her last night sounds like a real son of a bitch," Mark angrily said.
"Who are you talking about?" Lisa rejoined them seeing the anger in Mark's eyes.
"We were talking about Vince and how tough it can be to work for him sometimes," Glen covered for his friend. Mark breathed a sigh of relief not wanting Lisa to know they were talking about her boyfriend. "You guys ready to go?" Mark and Lisa both nodded yes.
They left the restaurant waiting for the valet to bring the truck around. Glen silently observed the way Mark protectively watched over Lisa. If she moved too far he would move closer to her. There is definitely chemistry between them, Glen thought as Mark accidentally brushed Lisa's hand picking up her bag. They both seemed to jump as if electricity had hit their bodies. The smile they shared made Glen want to find a way to make them closer. An idea popped into his mind. He thought about it for a minute then decided to go through with his plan to get them closer. He didn't care she had a boyfriend all he cared about was Mark finding the right woman and he believed it was Lisa.
While Mark was loading up the bags, Glen opened the front passenger door pretending to put his coffee in the cup holder spilling it all over the front passenger seat.
"Oh shit," Glen exclaimed.
"What's wrong?" Lisa and Mark asked in unison.
"Sorry guys, you both have to ride in the back. I spilled my coffee. I wouldn't want either one of you to have wet pants," he tried not to laugh as he wiped up the coffee. Mark was speechless for a minute feeling something wasn't right about the spill Glen was rarely ever clumsy. Mark shrugged it off opening the door for Lisa to get in. Glen quietly congratulated himself on his little plan while climbing in the driver's seat.
"You two get comfortable in two hours we will be there," Glen looked in the rearview mirror winking at Mark. Mark knew instantly the coffee spill was no accident. Glen wanted Lisa and Mark to sit together. Mark just shook his head planning to talk to Glen later. He looked over at Lisa staring out the window wondering what she was thinking about. She felt his stare turning to smile at him. He noticed the circles under her eyes were getting darker.
"How much sleep did you get?" he asked.
"I tossed and turned feels like I didn't sleep at all," Lisa tried not to yawn.
"Is something bothering you?" Glen glanced back at her.
"I just have to get used to sleeping in a different bed night after night," Lisa said feeling herself getting sleepier as they hit the interstate.
"It'll take you awhile but you'll get used to it," Mark put his arm around the back of the seat feeling her ponytail lightly brush against his arm.
"Sounds like there are a lot of things I have to get used," she said trying to fight the sleep overtaking her.
"Hey it's ok to take a nap. Glen and I don't mind," Mark said after watching her rub her eyes off and on.
"He's right you'll need your rest for tonight. You can even use Mark as a pillow if you don't mind his lumpiness," Glen looked in the rearview mirror again seeing Mark tense up at his last comment. Lisa gave Mark a shy look seeing the tension on his face. Glen playfully swerved the truck making Lisa lean into Mark.
"Sorry about that, damn squirrel," Glen laughed as Mark rolled his eyes not believing what Glen was up to.
"You can lean on me if you like unless you prefer the door more," Mark softly said. Lisa looked into his eyes seeing a kindness that warmed her soul completely.
"Definitely would prefer you more," Lisa smiled moving closer to him. She slowly rested her head on his shoulder feeling incredible sensations creep through her body. Mark felt his heart start to race quickly as she nestled close to him. She closed her eyes feeling very comfortable against him. Mark couldn't resist running his fingers through her soft hair. He looked down seeing she had fallen asleep.
"You can thank me later," Glen grinned happy at the sight he saw in the rearview mirror.
"You're helping me get into a world of trouble," Mark sighed running his fingers along her neck.
"A little trouble never hurt anyone and if anyone can handle trouble I know you can. Just relax and enjoy the ride," Glen said turning up the radio. Mark planned to enjoy every minute with Lisa. He held her closer trying to forget the fact she belonged to someone else.
