Time After Time ✔️

Chapter 5

The week following the visit from Chris I had a meeting in the office. I hated going in to the office unless I absolutely had to. That was the whole point in making my own company, I got to work from home as much as possible. But we were having a meeting with a new marketing consultant. 

I'm greeted by one of the junior programers, Lizzie who was probably my closest friend. "Good morning Lizzie, tell me there is coffee?"

Lizzie laughed, "yes yes. There's some waiting for you." She grabbed her arm, making her stop, "where did the necklace come from? It's beautiful! Are you dating someone and didn't tell me?"

I brushed her hand away from the necklace, "of course I'm not. It was a belated birthday present from a friend."

She nodded, "oh. I see. Did Chris come into town recently? Was that from him?"

I shrugged, "yeah. So?"

She laughed, shaking her head, "because men don't buy women jewelry like that unless they have feelings for them."

"What? That's not true. We're just friends. We have been for a long time. There's never been anything romantic." Lizzie knew I was friends with Chris but didn't know the extent of our relationship, like the friends with benefits part. I saw her roll her eyes, "you know what, it's too early in the morning for your annoyances. I can still fire you."

Lizzie laughed, "you wouldn't. So I guess since nothing is going on then you should definitely check out the marketing consultant. Hot with two t's."

I shook my head, laughing, "shut up and go away." I walked into the meeting room to see Lizzie had coffee waiting for me as a tall blond gentleman stood up, offering me his hand.

"Eric Paulson, you must be Mrs. Baxter?"

I smiled, looking up into the dark blue eyes, "Ms. Baxter. But please, call me Nikki."

"My mistake."

I watched him smirk as he sat down and I wondered if he did it on purpose to see if I was married or not. I shook the thoughts away as we began the meeting. I got caught up a few times on the dimples that appeared every so often when he talked. At the end of the meeting I stood up to shake his hand again before turning out of the office.

"Ms. Baxter, Nikki?"

I turned back to him, "yeah?" I watched him for a minute, looking nervous.

"I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me sometime?"

I thought briefly about Chris and my weird relationship with him. I never know when he was coming or going, I knew I couldn't hold off my life on the off chance he would give me another chance. I nodded, "sure. I'd like that. You have my number."

Eric smiled, "great. I'll call you."

I saw Lizzie smirking at me as I walked past her desk.

"How'd it go?"

I shrugged, leaning over her desk, "dinner."

Lizzie squealed, "alright!"

I felt my face turn red, "shut up. I'm going home. Call me if you need anything." Lizzie nodded, winking as I shook my head, leaving the office. 

*************************************

A few days I was getting ready for the date with Eric, standing in the middle of my room. I couldn't pick out what to wear. I finally decided on a dusty pink wrap dress that was short with a low neckline. I took one more look in the mirror as I slipped on flats when I heard my phone ding. I sat on the edge of the bed, smiling when I saw Chris's name. >Hey. What are you doing?<
I stood up, taking a picture of myself in the mirror and sent it to him. >I have a first date. How do I look?<
>Omg Nik. You look amazing. I'm jealous lol<
I laughed. >Thank you. And good. 😛<
>Be safe and text me when you get home?<
>Of course.<

I met Eric at a local restaurant downtown. I felt my breath hitch when I saw him in a dark blue button down and jeans. He kissed my cheek as he pulled out my chair for me.

"Wow, you look amazing Nikki."

I noticed him blush, making me smile, "thank you. You look okay too." I saw him laugh, and relax a bit.

"Well thanks. I'll take it. So, Nikki. Are you from here?"

I nodded, "yeah. Just on the other side of the river. But I settled here in the city. You?"

He paused while we ordered drinks. "I'm from St. Louis. You go to school here?"

"No." I shook my head, "I went to the University of California at Irving."

"Wow. Close to LA right? Ever meet anyone famous."

I laughed, blushing, "I may know a famous person or two. I don't really talk about it for their privacy though. Maybe you'll find out eventually."

He smirked, "woman of mystery. Okay. I like it. I already know you're a strong, independent woman, being a female in a male dominated field."

I chuckled, "that's why I make a habit of hiring more female coders as opposed to male. No one took me seriously as an early 20 something when I first started."

He nodded, "I think that's really great." 

"Thanks." I found talking to him easy. Easier than I've had recently on dates. I let him walk me back to my apartment at the end of the date.

"Can I kiss you goodnight?"

I nodded, "I was hoping you would." He chuckled as he leaned in, kissing me softly. I could tell he was surprised when I kept him a little longer, slipping my tongue to find his. I felt him move his hands to my back as he pulled me closer to him.

He smirked when he pulled away, "not quite what I was thinking. But no complaints. I guess that means I can see you again?"

I laughed, "you can. Goodnight." I kissed him softly on the cheek before entering my apartment. I just laid in bed in pajamas when I got a message from Chris. >Are you home yet?<
I laughed. >I just got into bed. Are you my keeper?<
>I could be. Did you have a good time?<
>Yes. I'm looking forward to Boston in a few weeks. I miss you.<
>Yes, you're going to see him again? I'm looking forward to it too. So is Scott. And I miss you.<
>Let's not talk about my personal life Chris. Goodnight.<
>Goodnight Nik.<

**Flashback**


I knocked on Chris's front door in LA for a visit about a year after we met and am greeted by someone I don't know. "You must be Scott, Chris's brother?"

He smiled, hugging her, "you must be Nikki. My brother hasn't shut up about your visit."

I laughed, shrugging, "well he can't get enough of me."

"I can't." He laughed as she launched into his arms, "how long has it been?"

I shrugged when he put me down, "a few months. How's it going?"

He smiled, "better now. I have a meeting I didn't know about until this morning. But Scott will be here. Okay?"

I nodded, "totally fine Chris. Go."

"Thanks." He kissed her on the cheek before leaving her alone with Scott.

Scott shooed her into the living room, "so what is with you and my brother?"

I hesitated, "I don't know what you mean? We're friends."

He nodded, "yeah. I know. That's what he says. He said he asked you out, or tried to and you said you only wanted to be friends."

I shrugged, "that's right. And?"

He shook his head, "I don't know. For one you're definitely one of the few women I've met that have turned down my brother. For two he certainly doesn't keep them around as friends afterwards."

I sighed, "I'm not sure what you're implying. Would you like to be more explicit?"

Scott laughed, "oh I see it now. You're fiesty. I was implying that he has feelings for you."

I shook my head, shrugging, "I doubt it. He never asked me out again."

"Right. Let's go get lunch?"

I nodded, "sure."

***********************************

When we returned from lunch we heard the piano. We walked into the living room to see Chris playing. I knew he knew how, but I had never heard him before.

Chris looked up, smirking at them when they came in. He motioned to the bench beside him for Nikki to sit. "I just learned this song." 

He started to play it again and I recognized it the second time, making me laugh.

He watched her reaction, "time after time, we come back here to each other." He lowered his voice, leaning over to her, "it's our song now."

"I hate this song."

Chris stopped playing, "what?! How can you hate this song?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. It's been overplayed."

He huffed, "it's a classic! If I have to hear you talk about your classic English literature, then you have to listen to me sing this song to you."

I nodded, laughing, "as you wish."

He shook his head, going back to playing and singing. 

After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching through windows
You're wondering if I'm okay
Secrets stolen from deep inside
The drum beats out of time
If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time

I rested my head on his shoulder as I saw a little grin from Scott, shaking his head.