Page 41 of Happily Ever Laughter

Now it feels like the gate to that path has been slammed shut right as I am tiptoeing toward it.

CHAPTER TWENTY

~ Felix ~

Everything was absolutely perfect. I quietly took notes during the show, listening to the bits where people laughed the hardest, and gauging their strongest reactions. I also jotted down snippets of the muttering I caught between the head of the TV station and Gretchen, knowing that Tanis would want to hear how much they loved her videos.

Sebastian, the station’s creative advisor, mentioned that he wanted the video artist’s contact info for the intro of a new home and garden show they were developing.

After everyone has finished congratulating each other, I turn around to locate Tanis so that I can introduce her, but she and her friends are gone.

“Dan – did you see where Tanis went?”

“They left about three minutes ago,” Oliver says quietly. “She was staring at the screen, looking a bit freaked out, then they took off in a hurry.”

Racing out to the street, I don’t see them anywhere. They aren’t at the bus stop. If they were on foot, they’d probably stick to the main street, but I can’t see them in either direction.

Walking back into the theater, I quickly leave Tanis a voicemail. “Hey, baby, are you all right? Please can you let me know what happened, or at least that you got home safely? Everyone’s totally thrilled with the show, and people are raving about your work. Please call me as soon as you can.”

Back inside, I quickly make the rounds, thanking everyone profusely for the opportunity and getting everyone’s contact info for future projects, but my mind is elsewhere.

By the time Dan drives us home, I have left two more messages and sent several texts. Usually Tanis is pretty quick about replying to a text, even if she is busy. This evening? Nothing.

It doesn’t make any sense. There’s no way she could’ve missed how much people enjoyed the show. I try to console myself with the thought that if there has been some sort of emergency, or if she is suddenly ill, at least her friends are with her.

Maybe it was some sort of nervous overreaction, and she needed to be alone?

But I can’t ignore the gnawing feeling in the pit in my stomach that I’ve done something wrong.

* * *

The next morning my messages aren't answered, or even read yet. I’m now seriously worried.

Borrowing the van, I grab some sandwiches from an incredible deli, and get to her office right at noon. I know that barging in on a woman at work might be crossing a line, but I’m going to go crazy if I don’t know what happened.

All I can think about is Tanis’ soft smile as she looks up at me, eyes sparkling. The way her soft skin feels under my palm. The way she laughs so easily, her sharp wit dazzling me every single day since I’ve met her.

I walk in the door of her office, and look around to see an open concept space with low walled cubicles spaced out in even rows. Everything is bland and beige, as if they can’t be bothered with trying to impress anyone. It’s easy to spot Tanis directly in the center. Her workspace is tidy, but clearly she’s overloaded.

She looks up at me in alarm, jumping up from her desk.

A man in an ill-fitting gray suit comes toward her, looking concerned. I guess I’m glad that she instantly has backup if some large, strange man walks into the office.

“It’s okay, Kevin,” she says to him. “I’ll be back in three minutes. Smoke break.”

I’m positive Tanis doesn’t smoke. It must be some sort of code. I drop the sandwiches on her desk as she marches outside, leaving me to follow behind her like a lost puppy.

Once we’re around the corner, Tanis turns to me with an expression on her face I’ve never seen before. She’s angry, but also…oh God, the realization is worse than an unexpected punch to the gut.

Those beautiful eyes look absolutely wounded. I’ve never seen anyone so upset, but she’s trying her best to hide it.

“Tanis, did I hurt you? Please, tell me what I’ve done and I’ll fix it. Whatever it is, I’m already sorry.”

She blinks hard, as if she’s trying not to tear up. “Felix, please. It’s a really frantic week here at work, and I have a meeting in a few minutes.”

“Okay. Then just tell me what’s wrong. Please.”

She shakes her head. “It’s not important.”

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