Miles drove well above the speed limit once he got on the interstate. He hated to risk the ticket, but he didn't want to lose time. Fifteen minutes into the drive, he called Ana's home number. No answer. He tried the cell number. The voicemail came on immediately, she must have the phone turned off. He drove even faster, starting to get worried.
Ana walked into the bookstore. Tonight's act was a string quartet playing classical music. She had hoped for something livelier. She ordered a glass of her usual, the Domaine Tempier Rose, thinking about the precious bottle left at home in her refrigerator. She sat at a table by herself. Books were spread around and she looked at the titles. "Home Winemaking," "How to grow grapes," "Grapes into Wine," "The Guide to Italian wines." It was like a curse! She was surrounded by wine books.
She looked at the next table. An illustrated volume of "Cinderella" sat there. Her mother's words echoed in her head 'Those Prince Charming types aren't always what they seem.' The string quartet launched into another somber slow piece, the third in a row. She couldn't take anymore of the depressing music, so she drank the wine and ambled around the store for a few minutes. She paused over a book of daily affirmations for those with lost loves. You did lose Greg, she reminded herself. But it wasn't Greg she was hurting over. Ana, you should have known better. Acting like some teenager with a crush!
When Miles finally pulled up to the address on the card, just after nine thirty, the parking lot was empty and the condo was dark. He double checked the number. This was it. And, he would recognize her yellow car. He tried the phone numbers again, still no answer. He banged on the steering wheel. What was she trying to pull! Making him drive an hour! After what he went through to get here, on a day like today, and she stood him up.
He stopped to consider his next move. The idea of spending another hour in the truck was not appealing. Then, he remembered Ana mentioned a bookstore that served wine by the glass. She might even be there, he thought. Anyway, he could relax with a glass of wine for a few minutes before starting the drive back. It was probably in the mall complex near the highway interchange.
As Miles drove, he became angrier. Ana knew he was going to be late, Jimmy had called. He drove to the mall and around for the bookstore. He spotted it - a busy late night bookstore café across the street - and headed over. He drove around, looking for both a parking space and a flashy yellow car. Sure enough, there it was. He was certain that was hers - there wouldn't be two of those in the same neighborhood. Miles considered that he was being petty. If she wanted to stand him up, that was her business. But, if that was the case, then why go to the bother, the written invitation? Why not just leave things as they stood after last weekend? No, she must have some other motive, maybe getting back at him for his blow up last Saturday.
Something inside of him was aching to see her, even if he was mad at her. He parked his truck and got out. He went into the huge store and started walking around. He was amused that he found himself almost immediately tailed by a threesome of high school aged girls. They followed him at a distance, trying to stifle their giggles.
Ana spotted a group of giggling young girls, following some man around. She got just a glimpse of the man as he rounded the corner, she could see that he was tall, but couldn't see his face. The schoolgirls reminded her how foolish she'd been about Miles. She needed a diversion, she decided. I'll find something funny to read. Maybe some Kinky Friedman, his books always made her laugh. She headed for the fiction section.
Miles started a slow exploration, working his way out from the door so he wouldn't miss Ana if she left. She wasn't at the check out, or sitting at the bar or a table. He smiled when he saw the pile of wine books on one table. He wondered if Ana had selected those to read. Once he reached the center of the huge store, he looked all around. Then saw her, a blue dress swaying and clinging to her body as she walked forward. He bit his lip as he watched her moving, she was both graceful and determined. He set toward her, walking quickly.
Ana found it annoying that the giggling girls seemed to be moving in the same direction. She decided to avoid them by looking at music first, afterward she would head back and look through the books. She made an abrupt turn around and ran straight into someone. As she started to apologize, she looked up. "You!" she gasped.
He didn't look surprised to see her. "I've got something to say to you. But not in here. Outside." Miles had been startled by her sudden turn, and moved back a little just in time. Otherwise he was afraid that his hands would end up somewhere awkward. Stay cool, Miles, he told himself. She may be beautiful, but she's just playing games with you.
She gave him an icy stare. What was he doing here? It didn't make any sense. "I'm not certain I want to hear anything you have to say,"
He took her wrist firmly, his other hand pressuring her back, guiding her toward the exit door.
"You damn well will listen."
I can just scream, she thought. The security people will help me. All I have to do is yell. But she didn't make a sound. She was angry at him, and decided to give him a piece of her mind. Outside would be better - the bookstore was too public, too crowded.
They reached the door and he opened it, keeping one hand on her arm. Ana wanted to pull her arm away, but she couldn't help feeling something of the sensation she'd felt when he touched her before. He started to walked into the parking lot, but changed his mind. He considered taking her to his truck, more private than standing outside, but he didn't want her to see the flowers and the other things. It just made him look more idiotic. He pulled her around the corner to the side and tried to maneuver between two of the many windows lining the store. He stood facing her, she with her back to the wall of the store.
"I don't know what your game is, Ms. Palmer," he started, "but...."
She interrupted. "Wait a minute. You, who have women falling at your feet, you're accusing me of playing some game? Where have you been? Why are you here now?"
"What do you mean where have I been? I've been on my way to your place for the past hour. And, I know for a fact that Jimmy called to tell you I was late."
Ana flushed. The phone call. It was an excuse, not a cancellation. She could see that Miles was getting angrier and she didn't know what to say to him. Try the truth. "He might have called, but he didn't speak to me. I didn't answer the phone. I thought it was you, calling me hours late to say you weren't coming. And, I didn't want you to think I was waiting for you. So, I left."
He was breathing slowly now, the anger fading. Miles started to feel uncomfortable. "Look, Ana, I'm sorry. The truth is, I didn't see your card until tonight - it got lost in a pile of mail somehow. And, to make matter worse, I had a poker party last night and really tied one on. I've been in bed all day. Jimmy dragged me out when he found the card, and insisted that I come late. I wanted to call and make an excuse, but he insisted that I go. And then, when you weren't there, I thought you were playing me for a fool, trying to get even for last Saturday, or something. I remembered that you mentioned a bookstore near your home. So, I came here, thinking I might find you and tell you I was onto you. " He looked at her. She could see that he was both tired and upset. Her own anger was replaced by a feeling of relief. He did want to see her, after all.
Miles was suddenly weary, drained after the confrontation. So, she was interested. But, what now? He looked at her, standing there, and he knew what he had to do. Forget common sense, he said to himself and leaned forward to kiss her.
Ana was longing to be kissed, but the quickness of Miles' move startled her. He pulled on her lips with his, then started to probe with his tongue. He kissed with an aggression she wasn't used to - and it made her feel powerless. Then, the kiss turned gentle and seductive, his tongue moving slowly and deliberately through her mouth. He ended the kiss by pressing again on her lips, then he took her hand and kissed the back of it as he had the other night. She could feel her heart racing, she was breathing hard, almost panting. He gently lowered her hand.
