Page 3 of Love Triangle
“Okay, sounds good. What did you pick for me?” he asks as he moves over to the next table.
“Strawberry rhubarb.” I wait for his reaction as I set it down.
He cocks his head as he sits down in the pink vinyl chair, the ones I upholstered myself to match the tables perfectly. Took forever, too.
“I’ve never had rhubarb. I like trying new things though so this’ll be fun.” The smile he tosses me is authentic and I’m relieved to see it.
“It’s not for everyone, so if you don’t like it, I’ll get you something else. But I think if you do like it, it’ll be worth the experimenting.”
“I love experimenting.”
The look he gives me tells me he’s not just talking about food. My face goes red hot and, much to my embarrassment, a giggle bubbles out of me. I shake the silliness out of my head and hold my tray nice and high.
“Good to know. If you need anything else give me a holler,” my voice a little breathier than intended as I walk away.
Chapter Four – Cliff
Trig. It’s alwaysTrig. Ever since we were children, he’s been a pain in my ass. So of course, when I meet the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, he’s there to make a fool out of me.
By the time I finish my pie, the restaurant has begun to fill with curious patrons and I’m unable to speak with the owner, Crystal, for more than the moment it takes to pay my bill. I leave the shop and head north toward the museum, intent on working on the new Benitoite display.
“Hey! Cliff! Hold up!” a familiar voice calls from close behind me.
I increase my pace.Trig. Why can’t he leave me alone?
“Cliff! Just one sec, I promise.” Trig jogs next to me.
My eyebrows scrunch inward and my jaw clenches as I lock my gaze forward and increase my pace further. Trig continues to jog next to me, his sandy brown hair flopping into his eyes. He blows the strands out of the way and shakes his head, leaving a tangled mop on top.
“I just want to say sorry is all. That was super embarrassing for you, probably, since you don’t like disturbances and stuff. So, I just wanted to, I don’t know, apologize. Okay?”
His pale cheeks turn pink as he waits for my response. I only sigh heavily as we approach the museum doors. The apology is genuine. We’ve known each other long enough to understand more than a little about our reactions and intent. He never means to do anything wrong, but he always does, nonetheless. It’s impossible tohatehim for it because there is no malintent behind his misdeeds, and yet I can’t simply overlook all the trouble he causes. If I want to succeed in life I can’t let his mistakes constantly hold me back.
“Have a nice day, Trig,” is the best I can do as I walk into the museum, leaving him outside. It’s not quite forgiveness, but it’s not admonishment either. It will do.
When I get to my office I sit at my desk for a moment to make sure everything is where I left it and in the correct place. I need everything lined up exactly the same way every day or I just don’t feel…right. It’s not possible to explain the feeling to most people so I don’t bother trying to. They don’t need to know why; they just need to know that when things are right, I do my job and I do it well. When they see my work, they agree, and give me space to do what I need to. If I happen to have exactly three of every item lined up perfectly straight on my desk it doesn’t matter to them, as long as my department does better than any other museum’s geology department in the country. Which it does.
Once I’m sure everything is where it needs to be, I lean back in my seat and take a moment to arrange my thoughts so that I won’t be distracted when I get on the department floor. My thoughts of Trig get set away easily; I’ve had enough practice with him over the years. It takes me longer to deal with the stressful feeling of missing the café today, but that is soothed easier than it would have been due to the pie shop being there.The pie shop. My thoughts turn to Crystal.
Yes, she is quite beautiful, but there is something more there. Though I’m rationally aware that her calling me “sir” was simply politeness, I can’t help but imagine her using the word in alternate situations. She follows directions beautifully. How I’d love to see how far she’d let me guide her.
My mind wants to wander into all sorts of dangerous territory, but I shut down every attempt. I need a clear mind for work. When the thoughts have finally settled and I am sure I can focus, I check the clock and see I am exactly on time to return from break. Excellent.
Perhaps tomorrow I might take some pie home after my trip to the café.
Chapter Five – Trig
Argh!Cliff is so stubborn. I think he forgives me though. Maybe. At least he said something instead of ignoring me. That’s more than he does some of the time anyway.
Okay, now I’ve got to hurry my butt back to the school. It’s way on the south end of Main and I’m going to have to dodge the afternoon shoppers as I go. Pausing, I make sure my shoelace is tied before starting; I’ve learned my lesson after a few too many accidents.
As I jog, my mind wanders to Crystal. She’s so pretty. I’ve never seen hair and eyes combined like that on someone in person before. And thatass. Not trying to be crude but, WOW. I wonder if I can just skip the pie next time and have her sit on my face instead. I might suffocate, but it would be worth it.
Ah, dang, I’m getting turned on. That’s not good. Running through the busy sidewalk with an erection is likely frowned upon so I better stop this train of thought.
Slowing down, I try to think of something that isn’t sexy. Um, uh, Cliff. He was mad. So mad. That made me feel sad.
And when he gets mad his dark eyes get that fire in them and he breathes all heavy and he looks like he wants to wrap his hand around my neck and…this is actually not helping, oh my God.
