Chapter 4: Getting Her Digits

Then

Sitting outside Jackson's Java is not my idea of a great Friday night. I would have loved to have gone in. Their Rocky Road flavored hot chocolate was my secret addiction. Unfortunately, I was stuck sitting in the driver's seat of the getaway car wondering how much longer I was going to have to wait. Caroline was inside talking to Damon. They had seen each other a few more times but it was just never going to work out. They didn't have much in common and I had the sneaking suspicion that it had taken the match making skills of a keg of beer to get them together in the first place. Caroline realized this and was planning on having "the talk" with Damon but he had beaten her to the punch when he said that they needed to talk and suggested they meet at the local coffee shop. Since the desire to end things was mutual, I didn't understand what was taking so long. Knowing Caroline, I had half expected her to get her coffee in a carry out cup just to speed up the process. Finally, I saw her coming towards the car and started the engine.

I pulled away from the curb as soon as she slid into the passenger seat. She was smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary so things obviously didn't turn ugly. "Seriously, Caroline, how long does it take to say good bye when you both already have your foot out the door? At least it's over. He was OK but I always felt like I was being dissected when you left me alone with him." Every time I had a conversation with the guy I felt like I had entered some type of mental challenge to the death. Don't get me wrong. Damon was an OK guy. He could hold his own in a conversation and was premium eye candy; but, perhaps that was part of the pDamonlem. He was one of those obviously handsome types and he knew it. It was almost embarrassing to watch the effect he had on the opposite sex…or the same sex for that matter. I was surprised no one had gotten injured while turning their heads to watch him walk by while they were still headed in the opposite direction.

"Oh, it wasn't as cut and dry as that. It seems that he wants to ask out one of my friends and didn't want me to be offended. He said that the last thing he wanted to do was cause pDamonlems between two good friends so he wanted to talk to me before doing anything." She had the goofiest grin on her face for someone who had just been told that the guy she had been hooking up with was interested in one of her friends.

"You have to admit: it was kind of nice of him to discuss it with you first. Did he give you any idea who she is?" I figured it must be one of our sorority sisters. That's typical. It wasn't unusual for college guys to try to get a collection of girls from the same Greek organization. It was like a sport. I was surprised there wasn't a hall of fame honoring those who dated the most sisters. Who knows? Maybe they did.

"Oh, he told me straight out who she is. I'm thinking that you can expect a call in the next day since I just gave him your phone number."

I almost wrecked. "You gave him my number? What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that it might be fun to see you squirm," she laughed. "Oh, come on. He's not so bad. He just wasn't right for me and that should not be surprising since he said that he thought you were, oh, what was the word he used? Intriguing! Yes, that's it. Intriguing."

"Sure. He pDamonably just has a thing for boobs and figured that since he was losing yours he would go after mine since they're the same size." Puh-leeze. There was no way I was interested in this guy. Was he intelligent? Yes. Good looking? Most definitely. But something about him screamed player and I was not about to be the next mark on his scorecard. "If he calls, I'll deal with it then. In the mean time, we're late meeting the girls."

When I got home the light on my machine was flashing. "Elena, hi, this is Damon. Hope you don't mind my calling. Caroline gave me your number. I was wondering if we could get together sometime for that classic movie marathon we talked about. If you want, you can call me back at..."

Delete. There was no need to listen to the number because I had no intention of calling.

~~~~~TVD~~~~~TVD~~~~~TVD~~~~~

Now

Monday had been busy which was typical after hosting a big event. There was plenty of paperwork and phone calls as I followed up to make sure everything that had been rented was returned. Plus, as soon as one event was over, there was another one to take its place and I had been working steadily on the big wedding for the coming weekend. I had gotten my start doing weddings and, though I was not exclusively a wedding planner any longer, I still enjoyed working with the bride and groom to make it their day. Despite what was portrayed on TV, most brides were not bridezillas. Before I left for the day, I called my assistant into my office.

"April, I just want to thank you for all that you did Saturday night. I made a lot of contacts at the reception and I think the association with Williamson Consultants is going to bring in some substantial business. We should have plenty of opportunities in the next year that will hopefully lead to long term working relationships."

"I think so too. Everyone seemed really impressed. The jazz combo was a nice touch by the way. I heard many favorable comments about the music. It added sophistication to the entertainment without being over the top."

"I thought it might be nice to actually be able to have a conversation at a party instead of having to scream over the noise of a DJ. In the right setting it works but it just wasn't appropriate for the crowd on Saturday. April, I just wanted to let you know that I might be calling on you to work with some of the events we will be doing through the Williamson account. There will just be times that I won't be able to be in two places at once and I know that you are more than capable." Of course, I would still be keeping my finger on the pulse of the operations but it was true that April would do a fine job. She was several years younger than me but just as dedicated to her job. April followed instructions to a tee but could also be trusted to make smart, tasteful decisions when needed. Saturday had been a little test to see how she would do in a high volume situation and she had passed with flying colors. I knew I would have to rely on her more and now that Damon had entered the picture I hoped I would be able to pick and chose when I would have to encounter him face to face. April presented the perfect safety screen for limiting my exchanges with him.

I headed out to meet Jenna for a quick game of tennis before going home and crashing for the night. Monday had passed and it appeared I had avoided any contact from Damon.

As I walked into the apartment, the phone was ringing. I decided to let the machine get it. I knew that most people had moved on to voicemail but I still cherished my answering machine. For one thing, it afforded me the luxury of being able to leisurely walk in the door and put my things away without worrying that the ringing phone was actually an important call since I could hear the message as it came in. The other, and much more important, advantage was that it allowed me to screen my calls.

"Elena, this is Damon. I wanted to talk to you about scheduling you to handle an event. I know that I could've called your office but this is kind of a..."

I lunged for the phone. "Yes, why didn't you call me at my office? But first, how did you get my home number? It's unlisted to protect me from people like you." He might be the VP of Marketing for my most important client but he was also my ex-boyfriend. I didn't usually pass out my home number to people who I would just as soon stay buried in my past.

"And good evening to you, little miss sunshine. Still screening your calls I see. I guess I should be flattered that I made the grade for you to pick up."

"Don't be. Damon, why don't you just have your secretary call my secretary with all the details and my assistant or I will get back to you? And, again I ask, how did you get my home number?"

"So, you want my people to call your people?" he chuckled. "That would be fine except that this is actually not for Williamson and I don't think Ric wants me to make my secretary plan my personal life. Oh, and I got your number from Jenna. I didn't think you would see it as an act of aggression. Obviously, I was mistaken."

I made a mental note to nail Jenna with a tennis ball the next time we played. The little sneak hadn't even warned me about giving him my number. So, she wanted to play it that way did she? I'd have to make sure I found a way to pay her back. I was sure I could come up with an idea involving her and a certain CEO that I knew.

"Elena? Are you still there?"

"Yes. I was just contemplating a way to congratulate Jenna. I had no idea that she had a new job as an operator for 4-1-1. So, you want to personally host something?" I'd play along. I would be more than happy to schedule something, do the planning and then send April to see it through.

"I want to host a wine tasting party at my home. There are a number of former clients whose recommendations were instrumental in my promotion. I would like to do something to say thank you. And don't even think about planning it and sending your little assistant to do the dirty work so that you don't have to face me."

I gasped. After ten years how could he still read me like that?

"What makes you think I would do that?"

"First of all, don't play innocent. That little gasp I heard gave you away. That is, unless you have company and the gasp was of a totally different nature." I could tell by his voice that he was smirking. "Of course, I seriously doubt that since I know the difference in the sounds of your various gasps." I was ready to launch into a defensive tirade. "And you can wipe that self righteous look off of your face. You know it's true. That's just it. I know you entirely too well to let you get by with the little things you can usually pull off with most people." He chuckled again. The jerk was enjoying this. He always did love that he could read me like a book. I think it made him feel in control. "Besides, I think this could turn into a lucrative evening for you. I want to serve wines from a local winery and the owner will be at the party. I happen to know that his hospitality coordinator is moving out of state and he is thinking about contracting an event planner instead of hiring a new staff member." I was silent. "Well, well, it appears that someone is suddenly not so quick to push me off on their little helper."

"Stop doing that. You're creeping me out."

"Doing what? Calling you out? Elena, I've never enjoyed busting anybody's chops as much as I've always enjoyed busting yours. It's one of my favorite hobbies and I've missed it. I'm looking forward to making it a regular past time again." Oh my gosh. He had every intention of holding me to that friendship agreement that we had made.

"Tell you what, send me a list of possible dates and I'll check my schedule. I have it on my laptop but since I just walked through the door it's not on yet. But you knew that didn't you?"

"Yep." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I don't have to send you a list. I want to do it on the 20th of next month. If you aren't available on that day then we'll discuss other options. Don't worry. I won't take my business elsewhere." I could tell that he was enjoying this entirely too much.

"I'll let you know something tomorrow."

"Thanks. And, Elena, don't bother having your secretary call my secretary with the verification. I'll just call back." With that he hung up and I threw my phone down on my bed. I wondered how much trouble it would be to have my number changed.

AN: Here's a great big thank you to you folks who have followed/favorited/reviewed this story! I know it's a little angsty right now and Elena is being a bit grumpy. She has her reasons. I'd love to have your feedback so click that "review" button! :)