Free Unexpected Chances by A. M. Willard

smile on his face.
    “Carter, I’m not sure why you felt it necessary to come and see me. Angela is handling your account, and will forward either myself or your office the preliminary papers.”
    “I know that. My reasoning has nothing to do with work,” he says, as he cocks his head up towards the ceiling and places his index finger on his chin. Glancing back over towards me he continues, “You could say, this trip is for pleasure and not business.”
    Laughing, “Pleasure my ass, Mr. Northwood.”
    I push the file drawer a little harder than necessary as I proceed, “You need to know real quickly, I do not mix business and pleasure together. I’m not sure what you have in mind, but you need to turn right back around and leave,” I say, as I direct my hands towards the door.
    “Normally I don’t mix them together, either. I’ve been burned in the past from that. But I have to say something about you makes me want to break every rule in the book.”
    “Let me mail you a hard copy edition of my rules. I live by them, and the last time I checked you weren’t in it.”
    “Rules are meant to be broken, and pages can be rewritten.”
    “Mine aren’t,” I say, as I place my right hand onto my hip and stare him down.
    “The least you could do is join me for dinner. I did come all this way.”
    “Dinner?” I question, raising an eyebrow in his direction.
    “Yes Tabitha, would you care to join me for dinner tonight. If you’d feel better, I can meet you say around seven this evening. You name the place, my treat.”
    “Dang right it’s your treat. I’ll email you the address. Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do. You can excuse yourself; I’m pretty sure you know where the door is.”
    “I’m looking forward to it, and I’ll show myself out.”
    Carter turns to leave, and I can’t help but to get mesmerized by his stature. The few times I’ve been able to observe him, he’s always sure of himself.
    I double over and place both hands onto my knees; I try to find my Zen. I need to center myself, and prepare for what I’m sure to be an eventful night.
    Now I just need to think of where to go.
    Needing a public place with lots of light and people.
     
     
    ****
    Carter
    Never being the bright one and knowing when to stand down. I woke this morning with what I thought to be a brilliant idea. I called Kelly my assistant, and told her to clear my schedule until otherwise notified. Prepping her for the questions that will follow from my absence.
    “Sir, what do I tell the wicked witch?”
    “Tell her I had an emergency meeting with a new builder. She doesn’t have a clue what we do anyway. Just make sure you stress the importance behind my departure. I’m not looking forward to a million calls from her.”
     
    Bag packed; I head off to jump on another plane. As I board, all I can do is shake my head. “How does this woman have me jumping on a plane every time I turn around?” I ask myself, as I place my briefcase in the overhead compartment.
    Finding a spot near her office, I park the rental and take a deep breath.
    Why am I here?
    What am I going to tell her?
    I can’t imagine she’d be thrilled to hear that I can’t stop thinking about her. Most women would, but not Tabitha.
    She’s a pistol that if you don’t learn how to point and shoot properly. The backfire could be hazardous to your health or life.
    With a smile plastered across my face, I swing the door open.
    I can hear the speakers playing “Lips of an Angel” causing me to smile even more. If I had to describe her lips, that’s how I would describe them.
    By the look on her face, she was expecting someone else. I let it slide as I’m pretty sure she thought I was the guy from the bar.
    She’s trying to stand her ground with me, what Tabitha hasn’t figured out yet is, I can read people quite well.
    Playing it simple, I ask her for dinner and leave. Now I have to wait to see if she emails me.
    In and out is what I just did,