A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"I can't tell you girls enough how much I'm enjoying my new job.", my mom tells me and Kate after breakfast. "Everyone in the department has been so welcoming and helpful." It's nice hearing how much she like her new job which she began two days ago. "Some of them are going to dinner tonight and have invited me to join them. Can you believe it?"
"Carla, that's great. Getting along with your co-workers is always a plus. Right Ana?" I nod and take the last sip of my coffee. "Our office would be boring if everyone just sat there and did their work although Olivia would probably be pleased.", Kate giggles. "Are you still having dinner with Mia tonight?"
"Yeah.", I answer. "She's going to want an update on Project Find Mia a Guy, but I have nothing. I don't know why I agreed to help her."
"Because you're a nice person who wants others to be happy.", my mom says. "Mia should be fine with being single. There's nothing wrong with it, a fact that I should have realized a long time ago. Instead, I made myself believe that I needed a man in my life." She points to her blouse and rolls her eyes. "I got coffee on my blouse so I'm going to change." Even though I've volunteered to take my mom to work, Christian has insisted that he's fine with her riding with him. They've dropped me off at the magazine the last two days on their way to GEH.
After my mom has gone to change, I hear a knock at the door. I turn place my cup in the sink and head to the door while Kate heads to her room. Opening the door, I feel my face flush at the sight of Christian.
"Good morning." He steps forward and pulls me into an embrace, tasting lips with his.
"It is now.", I blush. "My mom's changing but should be out here soon."
"That's fine. I'm a little early anyway. You look beautiful today.", he says with his eyes roaming my body which is clothed in a deep purple dress and black blazer.
"You tell me that everyday."
"And it's the truth everyday. So, um, tonight you and Mia are going out to dinner."
"Yes. It's just dinner. I'm not sure if she thinks we're going clubbing so she can meet a guy or what, but I'm not stepping foot in a club. What are you going to be doing tonight besides checking up on us?"
"I'm not going to be...", he stops. "Well, I might call or text a time or two to make sure you're ok, but I'm not going to be checking up on you. I'll probably just do some work, nothing exciting."
"Christian, you're here.", my mom sighs. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, but I got coffee on my blouse."
"It's fine Carla. As I told Ana, I'm a little early this morning." Kate comes back into the room with her heels in her hands. "Hi Kate."
"Hey Christian." She growls as she places her feet in the heels which hurt my feet just by looking at them. "I hate these shoes."
"Then why are you wearing them?", I ask.
"Because they're the only ones that go with this skirt." She waves her hands at the gray pencil skirt she's wearing. "I have some flats which might be ok, but heels are much better for this skirt."
"Shall we get going?", Christian asks my mom and me.
"Sure. Kate, I'll see you at the office."
"Ok. I'll be there as soon as I get these shoes on.", she murmurs.
"Olivia, you don't look well.", I say while she trudges into the office.
"Yeah you look like you've been hit by a truck which then backed up and hit you again.", Kate says.
"I would say something in response to that comment Kate, but I don't feel like thinking of one. I've just a little cold is all. I took some medicine which should knock it out of my system." She reaches into her purse and pulls put a tumbler of juice. "I've got some orange juice as well. It usually does the trick."
"I could run to the diner down the street and pick up some soup for you."
"Maybe later. Right now I need to get to my office so I can start getting ready for the article I'm doing on a restaurant opening tonight."
"What restaurant?", I ask.
"It's a new one downtown called Delish. A friend of a friend's sister is opening it and asked if I would do a small article on it."
"You could always get someone else to cover it if you don't feel like going tonight.", Kate suggests. "I would gladly do it, but tonight's my dad's birthday which I can't miss."
"I'll be better by tonight. In the meantime, I'd like to be not disturbed unless it's an absolute emergency."
"You got it.", I tell her as she goes to her office. I turn to Kate who has her eyes on her computer screen. "What did you end up getting your dad for his birthday?"
"After much searching, I ended up getting him two new shirts to wear for when he plays golf. It's always difficult shopping for him and my mom."
At two, I notice that Olivia hasn't emerged from her office. Kate said that she looked worse when she took her soup in to her at lunch. Olivia once again claimed that she would be ok and back to herself by tonight. I decide to go and check on her.
"Olivia.", I whisper after easing the door open. She slowly brings her head up from the desk and groans. "Olivia, you should go home." I'm not a doctor, but it's clear that she's not well and won't be better by tonight. "The day is almost over, and we can handle things here. Go home and get some rest."
"I can't. I have the opening tonight. I promised that we would run the article. I've never gone against my word." An idea comes to my mind as she sniffles.
"What if I covered the opening?" Even though Mia and I were going to dinner, I hope she'll understand that this is something I need to do. Olivia has been there for me more times than I can count so going to the restaurant opening is the least I could do.
"Ana, I appreciate your offer but no. You probably have plans with Christian tonight."
"Actually, I don't. I was going to dinner with his sister who I'm sure will understand that I can't go. Let me do this for you."
"Maybe we can compromise. Why don't you invite Christian's sister to the opening? There's going to be a lot of food."
"I could do that. Now, get your things together and head home."
"You're bossy.", she attempts to laugh but is stopped by a cough. "I'm going."
"Mia, thank you again for understanding about tonight.", I say after we're greeted at the front door of Delish. The place is already crowded with people.
"There's no need to thank me. I wanted to hang out with you tonight, and that's what we're doing. This place looks cool." We begin admiring the vibrant colors throughout the restaurant. The bar is made of glass and has water inside of it.
"Good evening.", an woman smiles as she moves in front of us.
"Hi. I'm Ana Steele. I'm here for Olivia Murphy."
"Ana, of course. Olivia called and told me that you'd be taking her place. The poor thing sounded terrible on the phone. I'm Caroline Stewart , the very nervous owner of Delish."
"I'm sure you're going to have a great opening night. This is my friend Mia Grey. We were just talking about how much we like the decor."
"It's very modern and hip.", Mia says. "I like it."
"Thank you. My brother Will helped me with the decorating. He thought the bright colors would lure people in."
"I think he has a point."
"I'll be sure to tell him that. He loves being right. Why don't you have a seat at this table over here." She leads us to a table in the center of the front room. It's location allows us a better chance to see what's taking place around us. "With it being our opening night, we're offering meals which include samples of our signature dishes."
"Sounds good.", I say. "I'm going to go with that."
"Me too.", Mia adds.
"Ok. Would you like some wine or something from the bar?", Caroline asks.
"I'm going to have water and lemon."
"Same.", I reply.
"I'll give Will your orders and be back with your waters." She smiles and heads towards the kitchen.
"Listen Ana, about the whole helping find a guy thing..."
"Mia, I haven't thought of anyone yet. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I was about to say to forget it. I've been thinking that I put you in an awkward position. I let my desire to find love cloud my rational thinking. I've made the decision that love will happen when it happens."
"Good for you Mia. Speaking from experience with Christian, love happens when you least expect it.", I tell her while Caroline arrives back with our drinks. "Thank you."
"Will's working on your orders which will be ready soon."
"Is your brother Will the chef?", Mia asks.
"He is and one of the best, and I'm not just saying that because he's my brother. He started cooking when he was a kid. Since I was the older sister, I got the pleasure of being the taste tester. Over time, his talent increased. I'll be back a bit."
"It's sweet that brother and sister are working together. I don't think Christian or Elliot would ever want me working with them though."
"Your brothers love you.", I say before taking a drink of water.
"Of course they do. How could they not?", she giggles. "So..are you and Christian moving in together." I set my glass down and wonder where she's going with her question. "I may have overheard him tell Elliot that he hopes you move in."
"It's been mentioned but isn't happening any time soon." Despite telling myself that Christian and I aren't ready for to move in together, I keep wondering what it would be like.
"You don't sound very happy about that."
"I just..." Thankfully our food arrives just in time to take the heat off me. "This looks incredible."
"Ladies, how was your dinner?", Caroline asks after Mia and I have taken our last bites.
"Amazing.", I answer. "I enjoyed all of it." Caroline turns and smiles at a guy approaching our table. He's medium height with dark hair and appears to be in his early twenties. I simply smile at him, but Mia is drooling.
"I'd like to introduce you to the man responsible for your dinner. This is my brother Will Stewart."
"It's a pleasure to meet you.", he says, shaking my hand and then Mia's.
"You too.", she murmurs. "Our dinner was great. You're very talented."
"Thank you. It's always nice hearing that you've done a good job."
"Well you did." The two of them ignore me and Caroline and begin a conversation. Mia tells him how she loves the process of preparing meals. She also lets him in on desire to own her own catering business.
"Mia, I believe you can do anything if you put mind to it.", Will grins at her. "I should get back to the kitchen." He motions for Caroline to move closer so she can talk with her. Mia and I sit and watch as he whispers in her ear. Caroline looks at me and smiles before whispering back. "I'm sorry about that. With this being my sister's opening night, I was afraid of doing something that might not be good for business."
"But I agreed.", Caroline shrugs. "Will, go ahead."
"Mia, this might be kind of sudden, but would you like to have dinner one night?"
"I'd love to.", Mia blurts out. She reaches for a napkin and writes down her number. "Here. Call me and we can set up a night." Will stares at the napkin with a wide grin.
"I'll definitely call you. Have a good rest of the evening." Caroline and her brother wave goodbye as they leave.
"What do you think? Should I have given him my number?"
"I think it's ok. He seems like a nice guy."
"Yeah. Remember what you said about love happening when you least expect it? I had no idea when I came in here tonight that I would be meeting Will. It could be fate."
"Could be." Christian called when we were on the way to dinner, but he hasn't called since. I reach into my purse ands see a text from him.
*I'm going to refrain from my checking in on you guys, but I hope you and Mia have nice time. Call me later. I love you.* I scroll down and see another text from him.
*When I say that I love you, I mean that I love you more than words can describe. My mind is constantly on one thing, you. I may sound cheesy, but I don't care. I might go up on the roof and shout my love for you to the entire city.* Another text follows.
*Scratch the shouting from the roof idea. It's starting to rain. Be careful out there. Also, I'm almost positive that Mia heard a conversation between me and Elliot. She's sneaky. Don't let her put ideas in your head...unless you want those ideas in your head. I'm going to go now. Love you.*
"Christian?", Mia guesses as I nod and type my response to him.
*Dinner was incredible! We should come here one night. Mia told me about the conversation she heard. It's hard having ideas put in your head when they're already there. I'll call you when I get home. I love you too.*
"Are you ready?" I look up and Mia and then back down at my phone.
"Yeah. I think so."