Maybe Someday
Just You Wait
“Wait so you just left?!” Becca asked shocked on the other line. “Annie he was practically begging you to stay!”
I couldn’t help roll my eyes at her dramatic statement.
“Calm down Becca, he was not!” I insisted, “Plus he’s your brother, shouldn’t you, I don’t know, be totally against setting him up with a friend?”
Becca sighed dramatically, “Not when said friend would be absolutely perfect for him!”
I almost dropped the phone in pure shock. Me? Perfect for James? James Neal, the chiseled hockey stud? I don’t think so.
“What? Rebecca Neal you have officially lost it!”
“You wait an see Annie Aldridge.” She stated confidently, and I could practically hear wheels churning in her mind.
“On no, no, no!” I knew what she was up to, “Becca you cannot turn this into one of your little plans! This isn’t-
I was interrupted by someone knocking on my door. Which is unusual since I wasn’t expecting anyone.
“God, who could that be. It better not be my landlord!” I was so not ready to face him today.
Rebecca giggled on the phone, “Oh it’s not your landlord trust me.” Before I could lecture her she hung up and I was left staring dumbfounded at my phone. I was going to kill her.
I walked down the hall towards my door and quietly as ever stretched up on my tip toes picking through the hole. Sure enough it was not my land lord. James Neal stood on the other side looking gorgeous as ever in jeans and a JN18 sweatshirt holding one hand behind his back as the other was shoved deep in his pocket.
I let out a deep breath and slid over checking my reflection in the mirror before pulling the door open. When he saw me he looked relieved and then a mega-watt smile graced his face.
“Hey, Annie.” He breathed out, I blushed in return. “You left so quickly last night I didn’t really get to thank you for what you did for me.” He pulled his arm from behind his pack producing pink and white Lilies.
My eyes went wide in surprise. Did he really buy me flowers? He held them out to me and I graciously excepted them, smiling like an idiot.
“Wow, these are beautiful, thank you James!” He smiled sweetly nodding as a faint blush appeared on his cheeks.
“So how did you know where I lived?” I asked curiously although I had a hunch.
“Rebecca told me.” He stated and smiled as I shook my head laughing.
“Of course she did.” I said rolling my eyes. I silence fell around and I looked down at the flowers to avoid his stare. “Would you like to come in?” I asked confidently, but totally nervous on the inside.
He nodded, “I’d love to, thanks.”
I pushed the door open wider and stepped aside. He walked in and I shut the door quietly and moved to the kitchen.
“I’m just going to put these in some water, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure, okay. A water would be great, thanks.” I nodded and watched as he made the short distance to the living room and took a seat on the couch.
My apartment was small, very small. Upon opening the door you were directly in my kitchen, a few strides from the living, and could see the second floor clearly, which was my bedroom. The third was my at-home studio. The floors were all connected by I black, iron winding staircase which I strung lights through. The wooden floors were old and creaky, but this place was home.
I grabbed a bottle water from the fridge and carried the vase of flowers over to James. I handed him his water and then placed the flowers by the window. I turned and sat down next to James, a comfortable ways away.
“Nice place.” He commented
I smiled, “Thanks! It’s small, but it’s home.” He nodded and looked around thoughtfully.
“How long have you been here?”
“Umm well I moved to pittsburgh about three years ago, but I’ve this place for about two.”
“Where are you from originally?” He asked completely interested.
“New York City, born and raised. I went to NYU for Business but dropped out after my sophomore year and decided to move here and be an artist.”
“Wow that’s-”
“Stupid, I know.” I cut him off knowing exactly what he was going to say, I’ve heard it a thousand times.
“No! No, not stupid, I was going to say Brave.” He caught my gaze and I peered at him trying to tell if he was being honest.
“Brave?”
“Yeah, I mean you quit everything you knew and moved to a completely foreign city to start a career without any money, or help. That’s very brave, I could never do it.”
I blushed a deep red, “Thanks. That means a lot.” I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes, “You’re one of few who supports my decision.”
It was true, all my friends from back home and family thought it was a horrible choice. In fact my parents cut me off, refusing to help me get on my feet here. But I wasn’t going to get into the dirty details of that with James right now.
“Well from what I’ve seen of your art, I’d say moving away from the negative people to focus on your art is the best decision you made. You are very talented Annie.”
“Thank you.” A comfortable silence filled the room as James wandered his eyes around the room. It gave me the perfect chance to collect my thoughts.
“So what do you think about your place? Have you had a chance to see all the rooms? Nothings too ‘girly’ is it?”
He chuckled at my worried expression.
“My place looks amazing Annie. I can’t even describe it. I never thought that place could look so good. I mean when I left it was empty and now, now I have a trophy room, a movie theatre and a totally awesome man cave! I can’t wait to have some of the guys over. God, they’ve been ribbing me so hard about the place.”
I smiled widely at his happiness. “I’m so glad you like it! That was what I was worried about most, taking it on, was that you wouldn’t like any of the designs.”
He shook his head, “Far from it, I don’t know how I lived so long with it like that.” I laughed.
“Yeah, it was pretty lonely in there James.” He nodded agreeably. Then briefly checked his watch. I cursed in my head, wanting him to stay.
“I’m sorry, but I have practice soon, I better head out.” I nodded and stood with him to walk him out.
“It was really nice talking with you James,” I said while opening the door, “Thanks again for my flowers, that was really sweet of you.”
“Yeah, you too. And it was my pleasure.” He stepped out and turned around, “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
My mouth popped open slightly stunned by his forwardness and the invitation
“I mean, I kind of owe you from last night.” He looked at me smiling and my heart melted and butterflies went rapid in my stomach.
“I’d love to!” I said matching his smile.
“Great! So I’ll pick you up at 7?” I nodded in agreement, and he swiftly pulled out his phone handing it to me, “I should probably get your number, just in case.” He said cutely.
I smirked and took his phone adding in my number, and then handing it back.
“I’ll see you later Annie.” He said and winked before retreating down the hall. I shut the door, counted to twenty and then let a a huge squeal and allowed my self a celebration dance.
falling in love with this story!!! update soon!!!!!!!!!! :D
5/20/14