Luke Logan

Chapter 7

Mom met me at the door. Gave me a hug and immediately started fixing  my hair. 

Dad also gave me a big hug and asked if I was ok. Good ol dad. He really gets me.  

As suspected, mom had planned one of her blind dates. Some guy named Barry... Larry... something like that . I forget. Lord knows I already had enough on my mind, especially where men were concerned, or rather a particular tall, arrogant, sexy, handsome man. 

I could not get Cousin IT’s face out of my mind, especially that look of disappointment and sadness when I said I had a dinner date. The more I thought about it, the sadder I felt.

As  Blarry kept moving his mouth, I kept thinking about Cousin IT’s mouth. So inviting. His smile. He really does have a sexy smile. The way his whole face lights up when he smiles … how his eyes seem to glisten and radiate joy. The kind of smile that makes you believe that all is well in the word. His dimples, they add an innocence and sincerity to his smile that  is pure and almost childlike.

Damn it! There he goes again taking over my thoughts. I must admit, this time I’m actually pleased. I needed something to save me from  Blarry and mom’s stories about a younger me. 

Dad finally rescues me. 

He knows me too well. I love my dad.

He asked again if I was ok and I told him about my car. He promised to drive me home and to make sure my car gets towed and taken care of. 

He gives me another big hug and apologises for mom. He went on to explain her side about how much she loves me and means well because she just wants me to have what they have.

Once again I zoned out. Can’t seem to get him off my mind. How I felt when our hands touched, the surge of exhilaration that went through my body.

Even when mom  brought out the baby pictures, I wasn’t bothered. I wondered if he was ok, what he was doing tonight, what was he doing at the market…  Still haunted by how sad he was when I said I had  a dinner date. 

I hold the hand he touched and bring it to my cheek. It makes me feel closer to him. As much as I hate to admit it, I wish he was touching my cheek right now. I imagine how I would lean onto his warm touch and let the electric, pulsating waves radiating from his touch take over and fill me. I wish he was here instead of Blarry, better yet, that we were having dinner together, alone, instead of me being slowly tortured by Blarry the actuary.

Is it bad of me to want to see him again?

Why can’t I wait to see him? 

I wish I had taken him up on his offer to help with my car, then would see him again. 

I was really mean to him, I  couldn’t help it. He does that to me and I don’t know why.

Is it strange that I want to hear his voice? 

“Earth to Alexandra” I heard mom say from a distance, rudely yanking me from my thoughts of him, my thoughts of us.

“Will you help serve the dessert?” she said, gesturing for me to come into the kitchen.

“Sure mom.” I sighed.

“So honey, what do you think about Ben?” 

Who? I asked

“Ben! Really Alexandra.” She whisper-shouted.

“Oh Ben... he’s ok ma.” I replied, trying my best to sound enthusiastic

“really Alexandra, he’s a great man. He’s an actuary, on the fast track to making partner. He comes from a wonderful family. His mom tells me he’s looking to settle down and is already talking about having kids. Plus you guys make such a cute couple.” She kept going.

“Yeah ma, what more could a girl ask for. He sounds just perfect for me.” I said with zero excitement 

“I hear that sarcasm young lady. All I want is for you to be happy my angel. I just don’t want you waking up 10 years from now, alone. No husband, no kids, not even a proper pet.” 

“I happen to have pets ma.” 

“Fish aren’t considered pets Alexandra.”  She scolded

“Normal people actually consider them pets. Most people actually love them.” I said in a rebellious tone. I love my fishies, I have even named them.  

“Alexandra, just give Ben a chance. At least try please.” She pleaded

“You’ve been in your own world all evening. You barely acknowledged his existence. Please try. Please try for me?” she repeated while giving me the classic puppy dog eyes. Yip… The reason I have fish for pets.

I must admit, she was right. I’m pretty sure I’ve been calling this poor man  some or other variation of Barry and Larry all night ...poor guy, he never even corrected me. 

Finally the night was over, no more Blarry, no more embarrassing stories about me, no more. I can finally take off these heels and just be myself.  

So looking forward to climbing into my warm bed, cuddling with my pillow and drifting off into lala land. 

“Honey, Your dad told me about your car trouble so I’ve made up your bed for you.” I heard mom say from the kitchen. “We can finally spend some quality girl time together and you can tell me all about what you thought about Ben”

Noooooooo I  can’t spend the night. I screamed to myself in a panic.

“Sorry mom, I’ve already called a cab. Need to be at work first thing tomorrow. We have an important event tomorrow afternoon that I need to make sure we are ready for.” I lied while gabbing my purse, coat and heels, preparing for an escape.

You liar! You don’t even have any plans for tomorrow. Shame on you for lying to your mom. My subconscious yelled at me. I had to. I can just picture it, she would probably arrange for Blarry to come over and spend the day with the family tomorrow. I am  really not up to that.  

I quickly hug her and kiss dad goodbye before darting out the door to ‘wait for my cab’. One would swear I was a sprinter in high school the way I dashed out of the house. 

I made my way to the gate,  as I started requesting an Uber, I noticed that a car very similar to Cousin IT’s car was parked outside.