The Scheme

When she reached for the door handle, my stomach plummeted. Guilt ate at my insides. I took a step forward. “Let me make it up to you by buying you some dessert. I was a total ass, and I’m really sorry.”

I didn’t want us parting on bad terms given the way I’d behaved, but there was something else. I couldn’t put my finger on it. All I knew was I didn’t want her to go.

She pulled the door open and slid into the cab. It took all my energy to stay in my spot, when my first instinct was to go after her. “I’m sorry,” I called back again, hoping she heard the sincerity in my voice.

Her face showed no expression as she placed her hand on the car door. I was about to turn away, when she peered up at me through her lashes. “So are you going to just stand there, or buy me dessert?”

I gave her a small smile, approaching the cab. As she scooted over, I hopped in next to her. Hell, yes. I’d just redeemed myself, and the night.

***

KENDY

Why did I let him in the cab? Free dessert, maybe? Or maybe it was that he looked genuinely apologetic.

We ended up at Serendipity. I hadn’t been to the staple landmark since I’d move to New York, though it was on my checklist of things to do.

When he asked where I wanted to go, I told him I wanted to drink hot cocoa. I’d been thinking of my mama and, even though I was miles and miles away, I wanted a part of her with me tonight, especially since I was having such a shitty evening. There was a direct correlation between hot cocoa and home.

Brian held the door open and, as soon as I stepped into Serendipity, the scent of chocolate wafted through the air, already releasing my happy endorphins.

The cute waitress sat us down at a round wooden table for two at the very back. I pulled out the white wooden chair and plopped down on the seat. The high ceilings made me feel shorter than I already was. Charming colorful lights above us brightened the room.

Brian had said very little on our ride here. Maybe he was afraid I’d chew his head off, or maybe he didn’t want to interrupt my deep train of thought as I stared out the window.

“So, what’re you having?” he asked, finally breaking the awkward silence. He seemed apprehensive, careful even. I knew he’d seen the waterworks earlier. Maybe he was worried he’d break the dam open again?

“The famous frozen hot cocoa.” I pointed at the picture of the chocolate frozen drink topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Serendipity was known for their frozen hot chocolate. From looking it up on the internet, I knew the drink was served cold. The reference to ‘hot’ was because of the restaurant’s secret dry mix that one would put in regular hot cocoa made at home. I had no doubt, judging from how busy the place was at eleven in the evening, that there would be one big party in my mouth from drinking it. I couldn’t help my knees from bouncing from my anticipation.

“Is that it?” he asked, his face softening.

“Yes, thank you.” I smiled up at him, giving him the indication that nice-girl Kendall was out and he didn’t need to worry.

When the waitress approached our table and asked for our order, he turned toward her. “One frozen hot cocoa and a coffee please.”

I shot him a bemused look. “You’re going to order coffee at Serendipity? You can order coffee at McDonald’s.”

He shook his head and peered up at the waitress. “Coffee is fine.”

The short brunette waitress threw Brian a seductive smile, wrote down our orders, and took our menus. She lingered for a few seconds, leaning toward him before sashaying away, most likely hoping he was paying attention.

He seemed unaware, his eyes never straying from mine.

“You can have her if you want,” I said, gauging his reaction to see if he was interested. He gave none. “She’s into you; I can tell.”

He glanced back at the woman then shrugged. “I don’t know. She’s not my type.”

I frowned. Not the normal reaction I would’ve expected. I usually had a good gauge on guys. “What’s wrong with you? She’s attractive. Did you switch to the other side?”

“No, I’m good.” His eyes dropped to the table. “I’m not really looking for anything right now. I figure when it happens, it happens.” He reached for his glass of water. “I got loads of things going on at work. I’m way too busy for anything serious right now.” As soon as the word ‘work’ left his mouth, his shoulders sagged, as though he was fatigued by the thought. He rested back and took a sip of water.

Hmm. Interesting. I filed that away in the recesses of my brain. “You liking New York so far?” I asked.

“Yeah. So far, so good.” His fingertips tapped against his water glass. “I haven’t been out much lately.” I sensed wariness as his tone dropped.

“You’re not dating anybody?” I was, not discreetly, pressing him for more information.

He squinted, trying to see where my questions were leading. “No, I’ve been so involved with work it’s all I can think about. In Chicago, I was established. Here, it’s like I’m working from the ground up.”

“Being a workaholic is boring, Brian.” I groaned. “Borderline alcoholic sounds way better.”

He chuckled. “I came here for work.”

“I thought you came here to run away from a certain girl.” It slipped out before I could stop it. Damn me and my inability to be tactful. “Sorry.” I grimaced.

He just laughed, not an ounce of sadness in his eyes, which made me feel a tinge better. “I always wanted to be in New York. I landed in Chicago by default, but . . . I would’ve stayed for the right girl.”

I bit my cheek, not knowing what to say to that. I couldn’t exactly tell him the truth—that Beth was having her happily ever after with Kent. Still, my insides were swooning at his words, and instantly, I felt a little bad for him.

“It wasn’t meant to be.” He shrugged, seeming unaffected, yet I sensed a tiny ounce of disappointment.

I sat straighter. “You know what? You’ll find a girl that’s just perfect for you. I know.” I added, “But you have to be a little more aggressive, or other guys are going to snatch up what you have your sights on.” I knew firsthand—if you had your sights on something, you had to take control and take action.

“You’re giving me girl advice?” He pointed to himself and let out a carefree laugh, as though it was absurd for me to even suggest I could help him out with his dating life.

“Yes, I am.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder and leaned into the table. “I know a thing or two about the opposite sex.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” He rested his elbows on the table, his eyes holding interest.

Before I could continue, the waitress placed his coffee in front of him. Her eyes flickered to his chest, his face, and then back at me. I gave her a sweet smile, and she flushed pink. I wondered if she thought we were together. If we were together, I wouldn’t be smiling if she was checking out my man. I would have scooted closer, practically sitting on Brian’s lap.

She set the cup of frozen chocolate in front of me. My mouth watered at the fluffy cloud of whipped cream on top, sprinkled with flakes of chocolate shavings.

When she left, I widened my eyes at the concoction of heaven as the aroma of sweet chocolate filled my nose. I rubbed my hands together like a small child about to open a toy. “I’m like super excited.”

“Yeah, I can tell. And all for a cup of cocoa.” I caught him eyeing my cup like he wanted to take a sip.

No way, buddy. Not before I get a taste.

“I love hot cocoa; it’s a long story.” I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, the scent bringing me back to my kitchen table, sitting by Mama while our old school Nat King Cole music played in the background.

I pictured her by the stove, and the yellow, faded, flowery wallpaper a stark contrast to her red apron. My breathing slowed as calmness washed over me.