Terrified but Too Timid to Change

Chapter Two

He had forgotten all about agreeing to this stupid meeting or business proposal or whatever it is. Nothing had interested him since the break-up. Didn't matter that it was the best thing for everyone, especially the kids. It still hurt and sucked and all he wanted to do was either write or play bass when the kids weren't around. And they aren't, it's their week with their mother. Working out didn't help and neither did tennis anymore. "Maybe this will help me forget about her," he thought to himself, as he climbed out of his car. He hadn't been to the office since the break-up and knew everyone was talking about it. He didn't want to deal with the stares and whispered comments. "Should be used to it by this point in my life," he muttered. He stomped up to the main doors and yanked them open. The receptionist jumped when he walked in. "Pete!" She exclaimed, "you're early." " I know, I thought I would just go get situated before the meeting started." He replied, trying desperately to remember her name. " Well I just escorted your appointment to the conference room so she can get set up." "Thanks," he mumbled as he stalked past. "Great another woman who probably wants to fangirl. That's really what I need right now" he grumped as he made his way to the room. He got to the doorway and looked in and froze.

"There will be time for that afterwards," the goddess before him uttered as she wrote on the white board. " Time for what afterwards," he asked. She whipped around and those blues eyes widen in shock at the sight of him standing in the door. " Those are the most gorgeous blue eyes I've ever seen in my life," he thought. "Crap, what do I say now?" Without thinking he repeated, "time for what afterwards?" She blushed and said "nothing important, just some personal stuff." She indicated the table and he moved over to it, keeping her in his sight as he did so. She was talking but he couldn't focus on the words. He purposely took the one seat that would have a straight view of her no matter where she went in the room. There were folders on the table and he picked on up to set her at ease. She smiled, "oh God that smile!" And turned back to board. He couldn't help checking her out. Her brunette hair looked so soft and thick. He could imagine running his hands through it. She flipped that hair over one shoulder and kept writing. The shirt she wore followed her curves perfectly. The skirt was just a tease, long enough to cover everything but a devilish slit that revealed just a touch more skin. He ran his eyes down her legs, taking in the defined calves and beautiful tattoos that graced her. He saw some curious scars but my god she was gorgeous. For the first time since the break-up, he couldn't remember to be sad. "Damn I'm glad I'm single now," he thought, "and I hope she is too!".

"Petey!" He heard from the doorway. He rolled his eyes as Gabe strolled in. "Where have you been, man? No one has seen or heard from you since the break-up. You writing again, or what?" He got uncomfortable, of course Gabe would bring up the break-up first thing. He really didn't want to talk about the break-up at all. "Just spending as much time as possible with the kids" he muttered, hoping it would distract Gabe. And it worked as Gabe immediately jumped into telling about his day. Gerard came shuffling in, lost in thought like always. "Most people don't attempt to pitch ideas to him anymore" he thought. "That's interesting." And then Amy walked in. "Oh Lord, please don't fight" he thought as she glared at Gabe. " I really should ask what's up between them but another time". Amy sat next to Gerard, who seemed shocked that he was in the real world. Lzzy walked in and sat next to Amy, and of course they immediately started talking and shooting dirty looks at Gabe.  "This is going to be awkward," he thought. But wait, Billie Joe just strolled in and the tension left the room as he asked "what's happening?". "Finally I can talk to her again!" He excitedly thought as he turned to the board. "I guess it's her turn to tell us" he smirked as he indicated her presence to everyone. How they missed her, he didn't want to know.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I'm very excited for you to hear about this business proposal that is sure to be a great investment for you. I will be laying out exactly what my idea is and I know that you will jump at this opportunity." the words rushed out of her perfect lips as he tried to pay attention to what she was saying. "That's good and all, darling. But can we have your name first?" Gabe snickered. He had never wanted to him as bad right now, especially as she blushed. "Of course. My name is Aurora and I am here to take over the music world and drop it to its knees."

Aurora. The name bounced gracefully off her lips and around his head. Aurora. Such a beautiful name. He knew he should have payed attention to what she said but he just couldn't. Her beauty was breathtaking and honestly, it didn't matter what she proposed. If agreeing and signing on would allow him to spend time with her, he was on board. She almost danced around the room as she talked and he wanted to dance with her. Her eyes, God those blue eyes, lite up the more excited she got as she talked about.....whatever it was she was said. He really probably should have been listening but he was too distracted. Maybe that's why Gabe and Billie Joe both looked at him funny when she was done. He agreed to, what was, pay forty percent of what was needed. It doesn't matter, it's all worth it if he can spend time with her. Not to mention, he was able to make her smile, genuinely smile and it took his breath completely away.

"But why didn't she give me her number when I asked for it. Just set a new meeting time and place. She seemed embarrassed," he wondered quietly. Oh well just had to wait until tomorrow when they met at lunch. Maybe her will remember to ask them.