Free Interview with Love by Lisa Y. Watson

replied. “I’m not going to interview him. Besides, there’s nothing between us.”
    â€œWhose fault is that?”
    â€œTechnically? I’d say both of ours.”
    â€œAll the more reason to go to remedy the situation, and what better way to do that than over a good meal and a glass of wine, or beer, or…”
    Sienna sighed, loudly. “Will you be serious?”
    â€œYou thought I wasn’t? Call that fine man back right now and accept his dinner invitation.”
    â€œNo way. I just put my foot in my mouth and trust me I’ve got to let some time go by before I talk to him after that embarrassing moment. Rule number eight: After intense embarrassment, twenty-four hours must elapse before seeing the person again.”
    â€œDo you make this stuff up on the fly?”
    â€œMaybe,” Sienna hedged.
    â€œSienna,” Vivian said, patiently. “You do realize that half the chaos in your life you bring on yourself. Seriously, stop analyzing it to death and go execute.”
    â€œFine,” Sienna said, with mock annoyance. She got up and walked back to her office. She shut the door and went to her desk to sit down. Reaching into her pocket, Sienna retrieved his business card. She stared at it. “No, I can’t call now. He just left. It would look funny if I call so soon,” she rationalized aloud. Sienna put the card back and took a deep breath. I’ll call him later.
    The day got away from her. Sienna was non-stop busy until she left at seven o’clock that evening. Dinner was a carry-out Kosmic Karma pizza from Mellow Mushroom. As Sienna drove down Glenwood Avenue her thoughts turned to her social life. Aside from work she didn’t really have much of a life outside of the office. Most of her time over the last few years had been spent growing her business. Its success had been her number one priority. Now Lambert Insights was doing well and business was steadily growing. Maybe it was time to live a little?
    Later that night Sienna, in her pajamas, paced across her bedroom floor. She popped another frozen Crème Puff into her mouth. “Now is a perfect time to call, right?” she said, between bites. She glanced at the clock. It was quarter to nine. The card he’d given her was on the nightstand near the phone. “He said he would be taking out his goddaughter, Angella. He’d still be out. Wouldn’t he? Perfect!” She decided to call his house and leave a message so that she wouldn’t have to actually speak to him.
    Decision made, Sienna crossed the room and sat on the edge of her bed. She sat the plastic container on her nightstand, ate another puff for good measure, and then picked up her cordless phone. She dialed Vaughn’s home number. She hung up before the first ring.
    â€œWhat if he answers? What then?” Sienna pondered.
    Vivian’s voice sounded in her head. Then you talk to him. Now stop debating it and just do it. “Okay, okay,” Sienna said, aloud. She tried again. Her foot tapped against the carpeted floor anxiously. Her dessert laden stomach churned loudly. After the fourth ring, his answering machine picked up. Sienna heard his voice in her ear followed by a beep.
    â€œHi Vaughn, this is Sienna. I uh, wanted to let you know that I decided to accept your dinner invitation. Give me a call to let me know what day and time is convenient for you.” She left her home and cell phone numbers before hanging up the phone. Sienna fell back against the bed. Her heart fluttered against her chest. “I said yes.” She took a deep breath. There was no going back now. She’d left a message, one that he would be checking before the night ended.
    â€œ Nothing major, just a casual dinner date between two people trying to get to know each other better .” Images of her last day dream drifted into her thoughts. He looked incredible in a dark suit. She had on a dress that complimented