Cold Feet

VIOLA

When life has a plan for you, it has a way of bringing you round to it’s plan sooner or later. That chance meeting that totally surprises or upsets you. That’s life’s way. We seldom see it or accept it for what it is but it sets the trajectory for our life that follows.

I have a meeting with Lara at her office. When I arrive she’s in a client meeting and I wait outside her office making small talk with her secretary.

When Lara opens her office door, I don’t see who her client is immediately. She’s looking back at her client as she talks to them and then she turns and sees me.

“V, sorry I’m running a bit late. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

I open my mouth to answer but then I see him. The first thought that runs through my mind is, Oh, Shit! Shit! Shit! No! WTF?” I can’t speak and simply nod as my eyes meet her client.

It’s him.

Rick.

He looks at me and seems about to say something. Lara is looking back at him and I quickly shake my head. He gets the message and says nothing. Lara realizes he is looking at me and introduces us.

“This is V, Viola. She runs our elopement services business I mentioned to you. V, this is Rick.”

“Um, hi,” I say as I hold out my hand. He takes my hand and shakes it firmly. “Pleased to meet you,” he says smiling.

“Likewise,” I add lamely.

“Okay, well call me when you’ve considered the options we’ve discussed and then we can move forward with bookings, and so on.”

“Great, thanks Lara,” Rick says. He throws me a quick glance and then greets us before leaving. I can feel his eyes on me as I enter Lara’s office. Despite my golden brown skin, I’m sure I must be glowing bright red.”

Lara doesn’t need to explain but she does. “He’s getting married to my best friend, Christine and he’s making all the arrangements. I think it’s so romantic. She’s said yes to marrying him but the whole wedding, even the date, is going to be a surprise.”

“Christine Jackson?” I ask.

Lara looks up quickly from her desk as if I’ve just dropped a bomb.

“Actually yes. Do you know her?” Lara asks.

I mean I know she’s famous in the industry but we’ve only

at me as if she’s trying to decide to believe me or not. Then she seems to brush aside her curiosity and sits down. “Anyway, how is our

apologize and tell her I’m not feeling too well and that maybe I’m coming down with something. My mind is stuck on Rick. He’s marrying Christine? WTF? How in God’s name did they meet? I feel hurt, lost, adrift, angry. My thoughts are also stuck on the fact that Lara is best friends with Christine. Doubts begin to creep into my mind. I’m sure Christine must know I’m working

with a look of concern. “Go home and get

will,”

can’t stop thinking about Rick. How can the world be so small? Where is the justice in this world, I wonder? I meet the most gorgeous man in the world and we almost get it on before he tells me how skewed his views of love, relationships and marriage are. Then, when I meet him again, he tells me he’s seeing someone. Why not me? Then in a matter of weeks he

if the universe keeps rubbing him in my face. You like him. You want to see him.

scratching getting more and more frustrated as I near my door. I’m so busy looking for

handbag. We all agree those things are magical with endless

stop digging. I know that voice. What is he doing here? I give up and straighten meeting his eyes. I hold up

dig in women’s

Then he fishes out my keys and holds both the keys and my bag out

“Thanks.”

step inside and he follows me but I block the

“I was hoping we could

nothing to talk about,”

Let’s just

and leave the door open as I turn away and drop my bag on the floor. I kick my shoes

the kettle

happy to get rid of my formal clothes and feel like I can breathe once I’ve got a pair of white shorts and tank top on. Then I return to the

he asks when

is temporary.

shrugs and his face

talk

the three seater opposite

you know I’m getting

“I do.”

tell you when I got engaged. I thought it would be the decent thing to

not an

don’t understand why. When I gave it some thought I asked myself the same question. I mean we’ve never actually dated so

wouldn’t have come,”