The Drive to Work
797 Words
I woke up early. I had no idea what time Chris was going to pick me up. I was not about to grab my phone and text him last night after margaritas and him possibly seeing my list. I decided the safe route was just wake up early and be ready.
Chris sent me a text around 6:45 and said he would be there in 20 minutes. Luckily, I had already had coffee and was watching the morning news when I heard him pull into the parking spot outside. I grabbed my laptop bag and purse and headed out to the car. I had an anxious feeling in the pit in my stomach. I was still thinking about the dang list, and wondering if he had seen it.
Chris was waiting by the passenger door. He grabbed my laptop bag from me and opened the passenger side door for me.
"Such a gentleman," I said to Chris.
"My mother raised me right," Chris responded.
Chris put my laptop in the trunk and got in the car.
" Speaking of your mom, how is your Krystal? I haven't seen her for a few weeks," I asked.
"She is good. Still seeing that guy." he replied, annoyed.
"Maybe some day you'll warm up to him. He is good to your mom."
"I'll admit he is, but he still annoys the hell out of me," Chris said.
Chris's mom was dating a guy named Tony. She was single for years and finally met someone last year. Tony worked for a pizza place. He won her heart with persistence and her love of chef salads. He put his number on the containers everytime she ordered until she finally gave in and called him. He was one of those guys who are bald on top but are still growing their hair in the back out. You know in complete denial that they are losing their hair. Super laid back though. Not a worry in the world. Chris, like any boy with a single mom, had high expectations for her suitor. His father passed away when he was in high school. I'm not even sure how. He never talked about it. Regardless, Tony wasn't who he expected his mom would date.
'I could stay awake just to hear you dreaming..' Started playing on the radio. I reached for the controls to change the station. Although I love Aerosmith, this is the most overplayed song ever. As I reached, Chris reached too. Our hands touched. We both quickly pulled back. I could feel myself blushing. That was awkward.
"Go ahead, but I get veto rights," Chris joked.
"You shouldn't, you have terrible taste in music, but I know the car rules," I said as I reached for the controls again.
At least he lightened the mood a little. We drove to my car at the Mexican restaurant, listening to a morning talk show. Neither of us said anything else, that awkward silence, or maybe we just weren't awake yet.
He pulled up to the left of my car. Before he could attempt to get out and open my car door, I jumped out. He told me he was headed straight to the office and he would bring my laptop bag to my office for me. He made sure my car started and he pulled out and headed to the office. I took a detour to Tim Horton's and got coffee and donuts for the office.
When I got to the office, Karen was already there. It was 15 minutes until 8 and she liked to open the doors a little early in case we had any early clients. She saw me with my hands full carrying the donuts and coffee across the street, so she opened the door for me.
"Good morning," she said with a huge grin on her face.
"Good morning. I brought coffee and donuts for everyone. Is that why you are in such a good mood? You saw the coffee?" I asked.
"Yeah, yeah that's it," she said sarcastically.
I just gave her a strange look.
"Can you take these donuts into the break room?" I asked Karen.
"Of course!" she giggled, grabbed the coffee and donuts and walked towards the break room.
I headed for my office. I noticed Chris's door was closed. My laptop bag was on my desk. I suddenly realized why Karen was so giggly. She probably saw Chris carrying my laptop. They had probably already started some rumor of a scandal at the office. I'll get to the bottom of it before the end of the day.
Chris wasn't too awkward on the drive in. Maybe he didn't see the list and I am just paranoid. Other than the hand touch, it was pretty normal.
- Writer
