Lineage

Chapter 8

Theo

    I walk into the main lobby of Bancroft Maritime and as usual, my gaze automatically goes to the reference desk where Lauren Randolph sits. To my great disappointment, she isn't there. I take the elevator up to the top floor and my grandfather's office. I'm trying to figure out how to lift his cell phone long enough to plant the tracking device for Tay. I'm the last one left to get it done. Colton planted the one in Steve's phone last night after Tatum showed him how when he dropped her off. The girls took care of Grandmother's phone this morning while she was getting ready for the day, but granddad had an early meeting.

    "Hello, Mr. Bancroft.", Pam, grandfather's secretary smiled in greeting.

    "Hello, Mrs. Randolph," I flash my perfect smile.

    "Theo! How many times do I have to tell you to call me Pam" she shakes her head. "I'm not a stuffy society matron!

    I giggle at that. "Ditto! You know it's just Theo".

    "Your grandfather is on a call, but he's waiting for you. Go on in." she tells me.

     I  nod and breeze into his office. The opportunity to get my hands on the cell presents itself right away. There it is lying on one end of the desk right next to a coffee mug. Hopefully, there's still some coffee left. I  perch on the side of the desk "accidentally" bumping the coffee mug. I jump up and immediately start trying to clean up the mess. I grab the cell phone and take it to the restroom to wipe it down. Perfect, I am able to install the device under the guise of cleaning it up. I go back to the desk and mop up the rest of the coffee while grandfather finishes up his call.

    "Good morning, Theo." he smiles. "How is my favorite grandson?"

    "Your only grandson is doing just fine other than being a clutz. Sorry for the mess," I exclaim.

    "No big deal! I have some files for you to go through. He gestures to the side table and a stack of folders. "Have Lauren pull the analytics for them. You'll need that information as well."

    "Yes sir", I say as I retrieve the files. "I'll get right to work."

    I head back down to the lobby happy that I'll see Lauren after all. We're the same age and have known each other our whole lives. Pam, Lauren's mother is indispensable to the company. She is, in my grandfather's words the best secretary he's ever had. Grandmother adores her because she is efficient, but mostly because she doesn't have designs on her husband. Lauren, like me is enrolled in work-based learning and both of us spend most of our Wednesdays at the office.

The elevator doors open and there she is sitting at her desk looking like a goddess. She always wears business suits with short skirts that show off her legs. I'm a leg man and those legs of hers go on for miles. She has misty green eyes and the richest, chestnut hair I've ever seen. She looks like a sea siren straight out of the movies. She looks upand smiles as I walk toward her desk.

    "Hello, Mr. Bancroft," she greets me.

    "Hello, Ms. Randolph. How is your day?" 

    "Wonderful, how about you?" she replies.

    "It's great! Hey, I need the analytics for January through June of last year."

    "I'll get that right away", she nods.

    "Can you bring that to the conference room when you get it together?" I inquire.

    "Sure thing", she smiles.

    "Thank you."

     I'm not sure why I asked her to bring it to me. Normally, I'd just wait while she put together whatever I needed. It gave me time to admire her. I sit down at the head of the conference table and fire off a text to the group chat between Colton, the twins, and me letting them know I'd taken care of Grandpa's phone.  I start perusing the files grandfather gave me.

I hear the clicking of her heels coming down the hall and look up as she sashays into the room.

    "Here you are", she hands me the file and our hands briefly touch.

It intrigues me to see just a slight blush form on her exquisite face.

     "Thank you."

    "Is there anything else I can do for you?", she questions.

    "Have dinner with me tonight?" I blurt out. "Seven at the Oak Steakhouse?"

    She seems surprised, but responds eagerly,  "That would be nice!"

    "Great! We have even dressed the part", I say as I gesture to our business attire.

    She chuckles, "We sure are. Let me know if there is anything else you need."

    I watch her hips sway as she walks out of the boardroom. I take a deep breath to steady my pulse before I dive back into analyzing the information in the files. Two hours later, my report is typed out and emailed to grandfather. I'm just waiting for a reply. I go into the break room to grab a bottle of water. I look down at my phone as I round the corner and run smack into Lauren. I have to reach out and steady her to keep her from falling.

    "I'm so sorry, are you ok?" I ask as I lead her to a seat.

    "I am fine, you just startled me is all." she reassures me. "I will sit here and have a bottle of water with you though."

    "Of course. "

     I  walk over and grab two bottles out of the refrigerator. We spend the next fifteen minutes talking and enjoying each other's company.

    "I better get back to my desk, or people will think I'm slacking", she says as she stands up. "Thanks for hanging out with me."

    "Thanks for hanging out with me!" I counter. "I'll meet you in the lobby around 6:30?"

    "Perfect", she says.

     Again, I watch those hips swish side to side as she leaves. I head back to Grandfather's office and we spend the rest of the time discussing my findings. Promptly at 6:30, I stroll into the lobby, but she isn't there. I look around for a moment and then hear her heels clicking again. I turn to see her walking towards me. She's done something simple yet lovely to her hair, and she has applied a little more makeup if I am not mistaken. She looks stunning.

    "Ready?", she inquires as she stopped at her desk to grab her purse.

    "Very much so", I tell her holding out my arm for her as we walk to my Land Rover in the parking garage.

     I open the door for her and then round to the driver's side. It is a short drive to the restaurant from the Bancroft offices, but traffic at this time of day can be brutal. Luckily, it isn't too bad, and we make good time. We're a little early, but it shouldn't be a problem. We get out of the Land Rover and I hand the valet the keys. Once again, I offer my arm and lead the way inside. The maître'd explains the menu just after we are settled at our table. After ordering we sit back in conversation while we wait to be served.

    We don't attend the same high school, but Bancroft's are always the talk of the town. She knows about Tay and Colton, she knows about Tay's run-in with Leslie, and about Dane Rutledge. We talk about all kinds of things during our meal. It feels to me like we are connecting on a deeper level. On the drive to her house after our meal, we stop for ice cream and end up laughing like little kids when it melts too fast and drips everywhere before we finish it. As we pull into her driveway she looks over and smiles.

    "I had such a lovely time!" she exclaims. "I hope we can do it again sometime."

    "Soon!" I tell her. "I had a great time with you. Can I text you later?" I ask, always the gentlemen.

    "Yes!" she agrees and texts her number to my phone.

    "I have a rule about first dates that I really want to break right now", I tell her.

    "What rule would that be" she questions.

    "No kissing on a first date", I grumble.

    "That is totally a stupid rule", she says as she leans over and grabs me by the tie. 

    She pulls me over until our lips meet and the kiss has both our heads reeling. She gathers her things and opens the door before I can react.

    "Wait!" I say when I get my wits about me again. "Let me walk you to the door."

    She smiles and waits for me to help her out of the car. I hold her hand all the way to the door where I indulge in one more first-date kiss.