Page 17 of Let It Be Me
Riley: Yes, ma’am
I can’t ignore the tingly sensation that rolled through my body at Riley calling me ma’am.You have to, I tell myself. Putting my phone on the nightstand again, I head back into my bathroom to finish getting ready. I pull my hair up in a high ponytail and curl the tail part of my hair. To accessorize, I add a star-patterned bow and some ruby earrings. I keep my makeup light with a tinted moisturizer and somemascara. I complete the look by slathering my arms and chest with sunscreen before sliding my dress and shoes on. Taking a look at myself in the floor length mirror I have set up in the corner of my room, I survey myself from all angles and deem myself ready to be surrounded by the public.
I thoughtI timed myself perfectly. But I’m running late. Again. I preach the importance to my clients on being early, but sometimes time slips away from me. Luckily I find a parking spot by Kamryn’s office and walk in the direction of the block party. Pulling out my phone I send a text to one of my usual hookups. The need to use someone to get my mind off of Riley is stronger than ever. And I think I know just who to text.
Me: Any chance you’re free tonight?
Eric: Anytime after 6, I’m all yours.
Me: Great. I’ll swing by after the block party.
I love sex. Admitting that out loud to those who only sleep with their significant other garners me a lot of odd looks. But I didn’t have to worry about satisfaction with my ex. It was a mutually beneficial relationship.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when boisterous crowds tumble out of the nearest bar. Excited chatter and patriotic colors end up walking towards the block party while my feet carry me to our agency’s booth.
Patriotic pride surrounds me. As much as I don’t love going overboard, I can admit that holiday’s bring the best ofCincy together. Give me a hotdog with ketchup and that’s about all my spirit can withstand.
“Sarah!” I hear my voice boomed from the right side of the closed-off street.
Turning my head, I see Mason and Jeff standing near each other. I maneuver my way towards them. My heeled wedges cushion my steps as my dress swishes around my knees with every step. I pop my sunglasses on top of my head when I get closer to our tent area.
“You still haven’t paid up for the baseball series,” Mason greets as soon as I’m in earshot.
“As soon as you lock down my best friend, I’ll pay up.” I respond and pop a chip from a bowl into my mouth. I stop mid-chew when I see the look on his face. “Shut up! You’re gonna propose soon? When?” I don’t know how I didn’t see it coming.
Mason surveys the crowd walking by our tent and I realize I should do the same. Two of my four clients are here. With Riley’s enthusiasm I figured he would be the first here.
“In the fall. She’s preparing for Nina to come out so that’s when I’ll do it,” he tells me.
Nina graduated the same year Kam and I did. I didn’t have any classes with her so I only knew of her. But Kam did, seeing as they were both Fashion majors. I don’t know all of what happens in Kam’s line of work, but if she’s working with Nina then that means they’re working on something incredible. I’m one of the few people from college Kamryn kept in contact with from our class. After Liam died, the majority of our group blamed her and that sent her on a downward spiral. She did her best to push me away but I had my hooks in her. Kam couldn’t get rid of meif she tried. Me taking the job up here to be near my bestie was also a factor.
“You’re hiding something. What else?”
“I’m hopefully surprising her with a house. I’ve been looking for a while but nothing has fit. So fingers crossed something pops up in the next few months.”
“I’m happy for you both,” my voice drips with sincerity.
“Thanks, Callahan. Anyway, I’m gonna get to mingling and I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Later.” I wave him off and watch as the crowd swallows him whole as they welcome their former quarterback with open arms.
I see Jeff is engaged with his clients, so I pop my sunglasses back on and head out into the crowd. My senses pull me towards a candle booth with no other reason than I love the smell of them. I make a mental note to come back with my wallet and buy a few of the larger candles. My feet drag me further into the party. Music sounds from all around, friendly conversation takes place in large clusters, face painting stations are set up at every other booth, and I witness business collaborations happening right before my very eyes. This is what I love.
“Fancy running into you here,” a smooth voice that sends tingles down my spine greets me.
Riley.
“I was wondering where you were,” I muse, still not making eye contact with him, as I smile at a mom and her daughter painting butterflies on canvases.
I stiffen as our arms brush when he brings them up to cross them over his chest. “I knew you missed me,” he gloats.
“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s my job to know where my clients are.” I deadpan and resume walking through thecrowded street. I know Adam’s restaurant is here with a booth, but I don’t bother stopping by as it’s Dylan’s birthday and they’re out celebrating as a little family.
“I got an apartment in the city,” Riley tells me when he catches up to me.
“Good for you? Why are you telling me this?”
“Well, boss lady, as you know I don’t live in this city, and you have me attendingsoooomany events here, I took the liberty to find a place to crash instead of driving home exhausted.”
