Third times the Charm...

Chapter 8 

Third times the charm

“Hello?” I answer in more of a question as I pick up the phone. It’s early, 7:30 am.

“Meet me at Starbucks, in say thirty minutes?” Penny’s voice sounds an octave higher, something is up.

“What’s up, you sound like something is happening.”

“I just finished a workout with Pete at the gym and I have some fun news.”

“Ok but, make it fourty-five. I’m just waking up,” I’m drowsy but, I can still make out the excitement in her tone. “Okay, I’ll see you in forty five minutes.”

 “Hey Lib over here.”

I see her sitting at the back. It’s busy and I have to weave my way through a huge line of Starbuckians  just to get to her. “I’ll just grab a coffee,” as I put my coat on the chair.

Setting my tall pike place coffee on the table I can tell by her behavior, she has great news. “What’s up?”

“We‘re going to the hockey game tomorrow night, Peter won 4 tickets. Canucks vs. the Kings! We thought we’d invite Pete’s friend Rick you know from the camping trip last year? Do you want to come? It will be fun.”

“I don’t know, I love hockey but,…. I hope you’re not you’re not just setting me up.”   

 “Setting you up?! It’s the Stanley cup play offs. It’s Free!!!” She sings with a smile with that smirk I love.

“Rick just came across as a little creepy,” trying not to sound like a bitch. “I really don’t feel he and I hit it off that well.”

“Oh come on…please!”

“OK, I’ll go with you but, this is not a date.” 

“Friends it is then, woo who, Go Canucks go!!!” Penny tips her head to the side, with a quick nod. We finish our coffee and dash off in our separate ways. I have my doubts about this evening. Penny would love nothing better than to have me hook up with Rick.  That is not going to happen.

 At the gallery, I’m eager to get started as soon as I walk in. Working on a new exibit is always exciting and today it’s “Everything Everyday”. An exposition of three basic themes: everyday actions, objects, and encounters. My job is to cataloge and organize the display, according to Mr. Bird. Mr. Bird is my second in command boss and he is in charge of organizing all artwork that comes into the gallery.

I keep busy through the day but, constantly I am distracted by thoughts of Jack’s kiss, his touch, I have to find him, again.

Like Flo-Jo, the day flies past,  peaking at the clock I realize I have 15 minutes left. Fifteen minutes then I head home to prepare for my evening with Rick Blesh. May I remind you this is not a date. Playoffs! How many people get to see those? Canucks and the Kings! I do have the hockey game to look forward to and with a sinking feeling, Rick. I clean up my desk, grab my bag and head out to catch the #51 bus home.

“Good night Mr. Bird. Good night Shelly. Have a nice week end, see you Monday.”

“Bye Libbie.” Shelly beats Mr. Bird to the punch. She is my partener in crime when it comes to Mr. Bird. He looks at her boobs too but, we are always not far away from each other just in case. Just in case he gets bored with just looking.

“Good evening Elizabeth.” Mr. Bird as always so, formal and always looking at my boobs. How annoying.

Crammed like sardines, I don’t have to do anything but, think and think I do…about Jack. Jack Darcy. His mouth was so soft and nice breath too. Dreamy. I need to find out his number and give him a call. I need to see him again. Another ten minutes and I’ll be at my stop. Yahoo it’s the weekend and I’m going to a playoff game.

My cell  phone rings, I pick it up my phone and it’s Penny. “Hi! I’m picking you up in 25 minutes. Will you be ready?”

“Yes, for sure.”

“Ok see then.”

I hurry home, get changed and wait for Penny and her matchmaking to take over my Friday night.  Well at least I get to see the Canucks play. He better not touch me!

There is a knock at the door and Penny walks in,“Ready?” Yes, I’m dressed in my boyfriend jeans and a loose baby blue cashmere sweater brown leather moccasins, Loose and comfortable.  I grab my brown suede jacket of the hook and we leave. We stop short of the car.

“What?” I ask, “Don’t like what I’m wearing?” I question.

“It isn’t the sexiest. Didn’t you like that white shirt I gave you?” She frowns at me.

“It’s so low cut, besides I’m comfortable. Penny it’s a hockey game.” I exclaim back.

“It’s alright, let’s just go!”

We find our seats in the stadium and settle in, first Pete, then Penny, then me, then Rick, how cozy. How totally uncomfortable.

“Penny I told you this isn’t a date.”

“Lib..actually we didn’t win the tickets, Rick bought them.”

“What?” I whisper.

“Sorry I just didn’t want to disappoint Peter.”

“Penny!

“Shhhh!” she puts her index finger to her lips “Don’t make a scene. This is not a date!”

 The end of an exciting first period and Vancouver is winning 2-1. I’m stoked. Rick puts his hand on my knee, let’s get a beer Libby. In shock I look at him.

“Uh ok,” I glance back at Penny. I mouth the words “this is not” a date we make our way through the crowd towards the concession stand. The lineup is about 1 mile long.” Oh my god,” I shout “we’ll never get a beer before the end of the game!”

“Don’t fret babe just wait over there and I’ll be your knight in shining armor and fight to get you a drink” he winks. Rick turns and finds his place in the cue I walk over to a table and wait for Rick my knight in shining armor, the thought makes me fell slightly nauseated. 

  “Enjoying the game Miss Whyte?” I twist around and there he is with his liquifying smile. My legs instantly feel like rubber.

 “Jack, Hi. Yes, yes I am.” Jack smiles at me with that so, delicious mouth. Dreamy! He reaches out to grab my hand and pulls me forward, placing his hand behind my back. Surprised my heart stops, I look up and our noses are 2 inches apart. I melt.

 “There is gentleman is behind you with a handful of drinks.”

“Oh!” Surprised I turn to look and just then, he kisses my cheek and as I turn back he kisses  the other one.  I feel a warm glow start on my cheeks and suddenly I feel shy.  He loosens his grip, I turn back to him and he’s looking directly into my eyes. Letting me go he grasps my hands and holds them between us.

 “I didn’t know you liked hockey!” I say nervously.

 Leaning towards my ear,   “There is a lot about me you don’t know” his voice is filled with eager seduction. Leaning back wearing a sinful grin, I feel like we are in a libidinous dance. “I never got your number”, his eyes are staring into mine.

 “No you left in such a hurry.” I state quizzically.

 “Sorry I….”

“Libby your beer.  See the lineup was no problem I know people here.” We both turn in  unison to see Rick standing there holding 2 beers glaring at me and Jack.  I look back down and realize jack is still holding my hands. Pulling away, I take one and quickly introduce him to Jack. Rick puts his arm around me, as if to show Jack he owns  me. I can vaguely see the steam coming out of his ears, he’s so mad. Shit.

Then he turns to me. “We better go back as not to miss the 2^nd period,”and with that he pulls me away and we leave. He doesn’t say anything to Jack, we just turn and leave.

“Bye Jack. Oh, I like your watch by the way,” I call out but, instantly I’m engulfed in the crowd.   I feel so, cheated. It was wonderful running into him like that, it just sent a thrill through me. We deak in and out,  through the maze of people to make our way back to our seats . I bump someone and spill a little  beer at the bottom of  my shirt.

 “Shit! Rick I’ll catch up with you I need to go to the bathroom to fix this.”

“OK What ever! I’ll see you back there.” he’s still mad.  Then without hesitation I turn  back  to find that hot man. He’s gone, lost in a crowd of people.  I stand on my tip toes and scan the room. No  where, damn it! I start to walk into the bathroom.

“Hey there,” Jack  is beside  me, “Looking for some one?” Disapointment gets bumped out by, that thrill again.  “Hand me your Phone”.

 ”What?”

“Hand me your phone.” He demands.

 “Why?” frowning I pass him my I Phone.

“This is my number baby and now I have yours. It’s a Tag Heuer, Formula One, Chronograph, by the way.” He pulls my chin to his and kisses me again, on the lips. Shit, I’m a puddle. “Enjoy the game,” he winks. And as quick as I find him, he’s gone.

What the hell was he talking about? A Tag who or what? Formula One? Weird. I manage to get to my seat. Penny says are you ok? Yes fine. What’s the score? I feel flushed. My phone buzzes.

 6048554554“Your mouth is sweet!” 

Oh god it’s from him!6047951099 “That’s very textual. So is yours.” I text back in shock.

6048554554 “Textual?”

6047951099 “Text flirting.”

6048554554“Textual, I like that.  I’m going to a wine tasting  after the game  it’s a something I’m involved with, would you like to join me? I mean that in a textual way of course.” Shock.  

I turn away from Rick so he can’t see what I’m doing. Wow, a shiver runs through me. I can feel Penny looking over my shoulder as well. I try harded to be discrete.

6047951099 “ I would love to. I don’t know if that’s possible I’m here with friends, I can’t just leave them.” I try to look like I’m intently watching the  hockey game.

6048554554“ If you can’t make then you can’t make it.”

6047951099“After the game it will take me 25 min. to get home, I’ll meet you after that.”

6048554554“ I’ll pick you up.”

6047951099“ No I’ll meet you.”

6048554554“Where do I pick you up?”

6047951099“I’ll meet you.”

6048554554“Where do I pick you up, Elizabeth?”

6047951099“ I live in Kitsilano.”

6048554554“ Where?”
6047951099“The Cedar Grove.”

6048554554“Where?”

6047951099“ 213476 4^th ave. “  About ten minutes go by a text 

6048554554“Don’t bring your boyfriend baby.”    

6047951099“He’s not my boyfriend.”    

6048554554“Good to know.

 I am on the kiss cam and Steve grabs me and kisses me. My mouth flies open. I try and pull away but, he’s hanging on tight.

“Rick!” I glance around nervously.

“Nice, we were on the kiss cam.” He points up to the big megotron hanging from the rafters.

Another text from Jack.

 6048554554“Does he know he’s not your boyfriend? Don’t do that again!” Oh my god how embarrassing is that?