"I know I didn't wait the correct amount of time before calling you. I just wanted to make sure that you are okay. You got out of there so fast. If I did anything that offended or hurt you, please let me know, I'll never do it again, whatever it was. I had a great time, I just hope I haven't ruined it for you."
She was still speaking in a quiet reflective voice.
"That wasn't it. I'm fine. I'm better than fine, No nothing is ruined."
"Listen, I'm not a game player. I just had the best date of my life with the most perfect woman. And if something is wrong and I can fix it, please let me. If I can't fix it, tell me that also, and I won't ask you out again. And we'll go back to what we were before." It would drive him nuts to do that. He would have to leave the state or country. And leave the continent or planet if that ever became available. It would be too hard to share a world with her and not be with her.
"No, please don't do that. I just need some time to process this. I'll call you tomorrow. I promise."
He had trouble sleeping that night. One thing he learned over the past few months was that he was strong enough to survive anything. Meeting a woman like Jessica and losing her would be one of the hardest things to take, but he could do it. And he may only have to leave North America.
He tossed and turned, and got into work early because it was better than just laying there. He closed the door to his office, and drew the blinds. He knew he wouldn't be able to not look in her direction. Not to see her there and to wonder if she was ever going to call him, and what she would say.
It was almost lunch time when a knock came to his door.
"Come in" Lucas called out
The administrative assistant brought a bag. "Your lunch is here."
"My lunch" he questioned. "I didn't order lunch."
"Oh, it said it was for you. It was authorized by a J. Hill."
"Oh, thank you very much Tammy. I appreciate it."
Lucas, opened the bag and pulled out a gyro. It looked excellent. There was no note. He wasn't sure what it meant. What was the next step, to call her? Women are by far the most confusing creatures.
He walked over to his window and pulled the blinds up. He immediately saw her, she waved and spun back to her desk. His phone rang.
"Hi" she said.
"Hi, yourself" he responded.
"Do you care to have lunch with me?"
"I can do that."
"Grab you sandwich and I'll pick you up downstairs."
Her car was there waiting for him as he walked out of his building. He opened the door and got in.
After clicking his seatbelt he turned to her and asked, "Where are we heading?"
"A place that I know where we can talk."
"Is it far?"
"Sorry, it's about half an hour. Sorry. I can turn back if this is a bad time."
"No, just give me a minute. My mind isn't into work today." Lucas picked up his cell phone and called his boss.
"Randy, something has come up. I need to take the rest of the afternoon off. I should be in, in the morning. I'll keep you posted."
Randy knew that Luke had been putting in more than enough time to cover the difference. So there wasn't a problem. He then called his assistant to cancel all of his afternoon appointments.
Luke turned to Jessica and said "All taken care of."
"Great I hope you are not too mad at me. I will explain everything, just ride with me for a little bit. I've been so anxious all morning. First I wasn't sure if you were in, then if you were in if you would talk to me. The lunch thing was pretty corny I guess. But I thought you would like it."
"I do. It's great. About the blinds. I am so confused right now that I knew I would spend the entire day staring out the window wondering what you were doing. Plus it seemed like you needed your space so I was giving it to you."
"Oh. I'm so glad you came."
"Where are we going?" Luke asked.
"Well the company has this retreat that employees can come to. It's very pretty and secluded, my, uh, boss gave me authority to use it today. It's a beautiful spot. I've been there before, and there is one view that makes me feel so comfortable. I'm very grateful that they let me use it. It'll be a private place to talk."
"Secluded? Is this where you kill me, and no one finds my body?" Luke asked.
"No, there is another company place for that." She fired back with a smile.
"You're just using me as an excuse to play hooky at the company hotspot." Luke retorted and was rewarded with her laugh. He figured why be uncomfortable. He would be himself, and tease and cajole her into liking him. Maybe he could palm her a "C" note, he wasn't above buying her affections, he joked to himself. He was already this crazy about her.
He passed on that idea.
"Seriously, it's very nice that your company would do that for you," he commented.
"Well, they know that I have worked hard for them throughout my tenure. And I'll more than make up the time."
She was gorgeous. Her profile was that of a Greek goddess. Her face was a little tensed in concentration at the crazy driving around her.