The Total Sum of Two

Chapter 13

Gregory hasn’t picked you up and isn’t in the parking garage.  When you arrive at the office, his door is shut and the lights are off.

Is he okay?  Should I have stopped off at his place to pick him up this morning?  You reach for your phone, then again, remember you still don’t have his number, the two of you got…distracted.

Around eleven o’clock, the receptionist arrives at your desk with a food bag in hand.  “Here’s your order.”

You look at her confused.  You haven't placed a food order.  “I didn’t order anything,” you attempt to tell her but she’s off in a dream world staring at Gregory’s office door.

“I wonder if he’s just not coming in today.”  You try to tell her that he doesn't work here and doesn't need to report his whereabouts but she still isn’t listening.  “He didn’t call in sick or anything.  I hope he’s okay.”  She sighs, shrugs and starts walking back to her desk.

“Mandy!” you yell. 

She stops mid-stride and turns with wide eyes.  “Oh my gosh, could you be any louder?!  Why are you yelling?  I was literally just standing at your desk!”  She taps her little foot and pretends to pout.  Remind me why she was hired?  You ask yourself.  Oh yeah.  The men hired her, she has big t**s and wears short skirts.

Trying not to explode her tiny little head you smile and simply say, “Where did this come from?"  Pointing to the food bag.

She throws her hands up in the air, “Well how should I know!  I didn’t order it, you did!  Jeez and they think I’m a dumb blonde.”

You bite your tongue and watch her wiggle away.  You can't help but respond, even if it is in your head.  You ARE a dumb blonde!  And I didn’t order this or I wouldn’t have asked you!  You big boobed, tiny assed little nitwit!

You exhale a breath, it wouldn’t do you any good to get mad at her.  She’d simply be even more confused and you’d hurt your own head trying to explain.

You look down at the large, plain brown paper bag.  Well, hopefully there’s a receipt inside.

Inside the bag are Tupperware packed goodies; a bottle of water and two cans of Diet Coke.  What in the world?

As you start unloading the fresh blueberry scones, the fruit and granola oatmeal; a letter falls out onto your desk.

The envelope bears the Lycan Construction label, your name scribbled on the front in strong, male handwriting.

Sam,

I missed waking you up multiple times last night to make love to you.  I missed your mussed up tousled look that means you actually got some rest.  I missed my arm falling asleep because your head is heavy, but mostly I missed you.  I didn’t realize I could miss someone’s quirks as much as I have yours in just the past twelve hours.

Since we weren’t able to eat together this morning, I had the company chef box up some of breakfast and send it over.  I hope it’s to your liking, she is an excellent cook!  I threw in the soda, much to the disgust of the health nut chef, so you’re welcome.

I had to leave in the middle of the night due to a company emergency.  I’m not sure when I’ll be able to return, hopefully in a few days.  Also…we got distracted...I wonder how that happened?  But please text me your number at my personal one (555) 867-5301.  You thought it’d be a 9 right?  Nope, but I can promise a good time if you call.

I miss you.

Greg

Wow.  Your heart is now beating faster, your eyes are beginning to mist (dumb contacts!), and you’re at a loss for words.  Is this a love letter?  You smirk, probably from a guys point of view. You laugh and on a whim hold it up to your nose.  It smells of pine and woods, just like Gregory.  Not even the food from the bag has erased his smell from the paper.  The smell is somehow bringing you comfort and you take a deep breath, ready to finish tackling your day.

Between meetings, phone calls, and getting the bills out on time; the day simply escapes you.  It’s now five o’clock and time to go home.  As you put the lid back on the scones, placing them and the water back into the bag, you realize you haven’t even thanked him!

Good Lord I’m the worst!  He sent me a love letter and food and I just…forgot!  I’ve been thinking about him all day, missing him – how could I not text him!  You give yourself a smack, grab your phone and the note from your bag.

Quickly adding in  his contact information you send off a text.

SAM:  Gregory thank you so much for the food.

SAM:  I’m sorry this is late, it’s been a crazy day.

SAM:  I really did love it! And the note!

SAM:  Please tell your chef that the scones were AMAZING!

SAM:  Thanks for the Coke’s too they were definitely needed.

SAM:  Oh yeah, this is Sam by the way.

GREGORY:  Yeah I figured that out.

GREGORY:  Glad you got my delivery I was worried.

GREGORY:  I now understand how you felt the other night.

GREGORY:  I’ll just say one thing.  DON’T EVER DO THAT AGAIN.

SAM:  Wow grumpy much?  I just said I was sorry plus I figured you were busy.  You said it was an emergency is everything okay?

GREGORY:  Yes I am grumpy I miss you

Your heart melts and you smile.

SAM:  Is everything okay at the company?

GREGORY:  Not yet but it will be.  I can’t explain right now sorry.

SAM:  That’s okay, as long as you’re safe and everything’s alright.

GREGORY:  I’m fine.  Not so sure about the men under me.

GREGORY:  Are you at home? Can we call?  I want to see you.

SAM:  Not at home yet.  Just leaving the office.  I’ll call you when I get there.

GREGORY:  Okay.

You gather up your belongings and head out to your car.  There’s a little bounce in your step that isn’t from your recovering ankle.

*** 

Five minutes after you walk in the door your phone rings.  Looking down you see a video call request from Gregory.  Eager to see his face also, you immediately accept and hold it up.

In the corner you can see yourself but his tired, smiling face fills the screen. 

“Oof I looked like that all day?  Why didn’t someone tell me?  Perhaps its just the phone, maybe if I hold it out a little further?”

Gregory’s smile disappears and he glares at you.  “Really?  Not even a hello?  Just straight to that? Stop it.”

You look confused, “Stop what?”

“Criticizing yourself.  I don’t like it and I’ve had a shitty day as it is.”

You think for a minute, “Oh s**t.  Did I say that out loud?”

He nods with a frown. 

You lick your lips and bite them in embarrassment.  “I thought that was in my head.  Sorry.”

His eyes are dilating and he’s staring intently.  

“What?  I said I was sorry, what’s wrong now?”

“RELEASE YOUR LIP.  Damn woman are you trying to make my day worse?  I already can’t be there with you and now you’re teasing me?  You’re going to be the death of me.”

You quickly release your lip, smile apologetically then grimacing and begin moving.

“Where are we going?”

“I just got home from work five minutes ago, I haven’t even changed yet.  Do you want to call back?”

“Why would I call back?  Prop me up against a pillow!”

You laugh, “No.”

“I’ve seen it all, tasted it all, and I am missing it all.  Woman, have mercy!”

“I am having mercy!  You just said that I can’t even bite my lip.  Now you want to see me change?”

“Yes.”

 “Are you actually woman?”

“What?!”

“You keep changing your mind, so I just thought I’d check.”  You wink at him, propping your phone up on your nightstand.

"Well, I'd be happy to prove my masculinity to you if I were there.  That's why we're chatting remember? Where did you go?”

“To the closet, you know, where my clothes are?”

You hear a growl over the phone.  “I can’t see you.”

“What did you want a strip tease? Perhaps this trip is just what you need.”

“No.  What I need is YOU!  Get back here where I can see you!”  You'd swear you also hear a muttered, "A strip tease? Perhaps I'll request that tomorrow night."

You laugh but stay where you are.  When you come back to collect the phone you’re in one of the t-shirts he forgot.  It’s not big and baggy like some people would find sexy or comfortable, but it smells like him and that’s all you want.

“Is that my t-shirt?”  He asks with certain peaked interest.

You look down.  “Yeah, it almost doesn’t fit me.  Sorry, if I stretch it out I’ll buy you a new one.  I just wanted something of yours to be close to.”

It’s quiet on the other end of the phone. You wander over to the couch and look back down to see why.  He’s staring at you in wonder, a half smile on his face.

You check your hair in the little screen, flattening down non-existent strays.

“Thank you,” he finally says.

You raise an eyebrow, “For?”

“Missing me as much as I miss you.  My shirt has never looked better.  I refuse to wear it from now on, it’s yours.”

You blush and give a half laugh.  ‘You’re being silly.”

“You promised remember?”

“Promised what?”

“To let me compliment you.”

You twist your lips, that was a compliment?  Wasn't he just teasing around?  

“Um, yeah, sure, okay,” you reply.

“I want you to switch the screen so you only see you.”

“What? EW! No!  I hate looking at myself, especially this close!”

“That.  That’s what I’m talking about.  Change it, please for me.”

You roll your eyes but don’t want him mad again.  You fiddle with buttons and finally switch the view.

“Okay,” you mumble, “it’s done.”

“Screenshot and send it so I can see.”

You open your mouth to complain but he raises an eyebrow and you have admit that it would be pretty easy to lie about it.

“Sent.”

“And received.”  A smile lights up his face.  “There’s my woman.”

You laugh, “Did you just want a picture of me?  I could have totally sent a better one.”

“Nope, this is perfect.  I want to describe to you what I see.”  

He props his phone up and all you can see is his face, his chin propped up on his fists.

“Ready?” He asks and all you can do is nod.

“Alright.  Do you see those beautiful brown eyes with just a hint of green spark, encircled with a darker brown?  Those tell me everything, they give all your secrets away.  They tell me when you’re happy, playful, angry, crazy, 'hungry'" he wiggles his eyebrows.  "Or sad.  They are my window to an incredible soul.  Those dark circles underneath those, currently doubtful eyes?  Tell me you’ve had a hard day at work and you didn’t sleep well without me.  That makes me sad, but actually, really happy.  Those little curls that are springing out wily-nily?  No, don’t touch them!  Those mean at some time today you worked hard, hard enough to sweat a little and bring out your natural curl.  Hmm and my favorite.  That too tight shirt of mine?  It’s filled out with all the curves I wish I was there holding.  Those generous breasts that fill my hands, one slightly larger than the other.  I like it, it means I always have a choice.  And that round belly underneath is squishy like a pillow."  You raise your eyebrows about to be offended when he continues.  "I love how there is more to you than just bones and muscle.  There is softness and it shows, not just in your physical shape but in how you act and treat others.  I often feel hard, awkward.  Having that softness to hold somehow evens me out.  All of that right there together makes me smile.  Makes me wish I was there with you, but I’ll settle for this.  Hearing your voice, hearing you laugh and seeing your funny quirks, even if they do send all my blood running south.  (He laughs)

You're stunned.  You never thought of any of it that way, you just see a body in the mirror.

“You really see all that?  Not just that I look like a panda? Or that I don’t have a flat stomach?”

“When I look at you Sam, I see you, my mate.  The whole you, not just individual parts or sections but all of you as one; and all of you is what makes you beautiful in my eyes.”