Page 7 of Mr. Big Stuff

“I got you, Tracey. I’ll call Salik in a minute. I know he meets with Mr. Berry today so it’s perfect. I’ll let you know asap. Hopefully by the end of the week.”

“You’re the best, Carina.”

“And so are you.”

An hour later, Mr. McCullough’s door opened up and he stuck his head into my office. Once again, I was mesmerized by how handsome he was in his dark grey suit and soft black leather lace ups. His dark brown skin was smooth and glowed with an inner light that made him appear youthful though I suspected he might have been in his mid to late thirties. His thick hair that glistened beneath the light, looked so soft that I wanted to play with the cloud of curls to see if I was right about its texture. His pillowy soft lips lifted into a grin that let me know my staring was longer than polite. I needed to cut that out or I’d be fired.

Clearing my throat with embarrassment, I asked him if he needed anything.Anything at all, damn.

“Nah. I’m fine.”

I wanted to tell him he sure was but didn’t. Of course, I didn’t.

“Good.”

I wasn’t sure where to go next when he didn’t walk away so I waited.

“You hungry?” he finally asked me.

“I can eat,” I told him.

“Cool. Give me a moment to grab my phone and keys. I want to introduce you to the owners of theEast End Gourmet Eaterynext door.”

He returned a couple minutes later while I grabbed my purse and followed him out the door. He locked the office door and led me down the street.

I had this off feeling of being on a first date but that wasn’t right. That awkwardness of not knowing what to say filled my body like a bag full of fluttering butterflies. He seemed okay not talking and while quiet was good for me usually, the silence felt different here. I wanted to fill in the space with anything to rid myself of the nerves I felt walking next to this Titan. I let him lead this though. Him being my boss dictated I take a chill pill and see who he was and what he expected in me first. The spring weather was perfect. The sun was hot enough to cut the chill from the morning air, and the breeze was just enough to remind you anyone of its presence. The eatery was technically around the corner the way the building was set up which allowed us a few minutes to enjoy the walk.

“You from Pittsburgh?”

“All my life.”

He smiled. “Same. Well, I went away to school but came right back.”

“Where did you go to school?”

“To Hampton.”

I nodded. “I wasn’t as lucky to get away. I was right here at Duquesne.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“No, but sometimes I wish I had left to get more experience with being somewhere else, but Duquesne gave me a full ride and I needed to make sure I didn’t place any extra burdens on my mother.”

He watched me as our steps started to sync up. I felt warm under his innocent gaze, but I was positive he had no idea the effect he had on me. But that’s all my body felt during our brief lunch after a quick introduction to the owners who I found out Mr. McCullough helped develop their business plan and connected them with all the resources they need to start up their eatery.

Our talk became personal when we talked about our parents. His mom and dad are divorced but happen to live at the same senior community which he said was hilarious.

“All they do is fuss at each other even though they live in separate apartments.”

I found this amusing. “Why did they divorce? I mean, I’m sorry. That might be too personal.”

He waved it off and took a sip of his papaya juice.

“It’s okay. My mom said she couldn’t take the tension anymore. All the arguing she claimed they did wear on her, but truthfully, I never saw them as arguing.”

“How did you see it?”

He shrugged his shoulders and appeared to be thinking of the right way to put his thoughts. I wouldn’t rush him. I enjoyed watching the way his expressions changed and what the shifts did to his face.

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