Green Eyed Daydream #Wattys2016

Chapter 68

Carrie's POV

The flight to Chicago didn't feel long. I spent most of it watching a pretty bad Anne Hathaway movie, and reviewing my notes for the pitch. Much to my relief, Susan sat next to Lucas this time, and I didn't have to worry about making small talk with him.

As much as I'd like to say that it doesn't bother me, I keep thinking about that moment in the snack room, when Lucas seemed to confess to liking me, and I stupidly allowed my imagination to run wild. While the idea of kissing Lucas definitely crossed my mind in that moment, I really haven't thought about it since.

What's more pressing on my conscience right now is my awkward 'goodbye' with Tyler. Tyler, my boyfriend of nearly a year. Tyler, the man who loves me, and wants to live with me. I don't know what my glitch is lately, but I can't seem to shake it.

The truth is I feel guilty for the way I've been treating him, how distant I've been. I don't know what's wrong with me, or what it's going to take to help me snap out of it.

After we land, and share a cab to the hotel, I head straight to my room, and unpack.

I neatly place my black patent leather Louboutines on the carpeted floor of the closet, and take a moment to admire just how spectacular they are. Definitely the best birthday present I've ever gotten.

A knock on the door startles me. It's after midnight, and I'm definitely not up for reviewing the Powerpoint presentation with Susan again.

When I open the door, Lucas is there, his bright blue eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Hey," he says, and smiles at me, as though I was expecting him.

"Hey," I answer, in a neutral tone. "What's up?"

"I..er...I just wanted to come by and wish you luck with the pitch tomorrow...not that you need it," he says, and scratches the back of his neck, peering behind me into my room.

"Thanks," I answer, and don't budge from standing in the doorway. No way am I letting him in.

"So, you wanna hang for a little? We could go down to the bar, if you're too nervous to have me in your room that is."

I cross my arms, and glare at him. "What in the hell is that supposed to mean?"

He mimics my gesture, and gives me a crooked smile. "Oh, nothin. I'm just messing with you, Carrie. Jeez, lighten up."

Maybe I am overreacting, but something about this visit seems a little off to me. "What is it you really want, Lucas? I need to go to bed. We have an important meeting tomorrow."

"I know. I know. I just can't sleep, and thought you might keep me company. But hey, I get it," he says, and hangs his head. "You get some sleep, Carrie." Lucas sticks his hands into his pockets and begins to walk away.

I don't know why, but before I can even think it through, I grab the room key, and shut the door behind myself. "Wait up," I yell after him, and he turns around, smiling at me.

We take the elevator to the bar, and easily find two empty stools at the counter.

Against my advice, Lucas orders a vodka shot, and I ignore his insistence to join him, and order a Shirley Temple.

"You're adorable, you know that?" he tells me, leaning on his elbows. "I don't think I've seen an adult order a Shirley Temple in my life."

I roll my eyes at him. "Well, I happen to like the syrupy fizzy sweetness. Plus, I've always loved the maraschino cherry in it."

Lucas orders a whiskey sour, and I warn him that he should stop. A hangover before a big client meeting is a horrible idea. But he laughs it off, and calls me a 'grandma'.

My drink finished, I pop the cherry into my mouth, and snap the stem off.

"Here, let me see that," he says, and takes the cherry stem from my hand.

I watch as Lucas puts the stem into his mouth, and moves his jaw about. After a few seconds, he opens his mouth, and sticks the tip of his tongue out. On it, I see the cherry stem tied into a neat knot.

"Impressive," I comment.

Lucas puts the tied stem back into the glass. "What can I say? I'm orally skilled."

I roll my eyes, and wrinkle my nose. "Why do you have to be such a sleaze ball sometimes?"

"Why do you have to be so frigid?" he snaps back.

"I am not frigid. But I feel like everything you say is laced with some kind of sexual innuendo."

Lucas shifts in his chair, and leans closer to me. I can smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Maybe, it's because I can't stop fantasizing about you," he tells me in a low voice.

I don't know how....but next thing I know, Lucas cups my cheek, brings his face to mine, and I taste the whiskey on his lips. What's even more surprising, is that I am not pushing him away...but kissing him back. Slowly.

Wait. What? No....no, no, no. I pull away from him, even as I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. WTF is wrong with me?

I take out my phone, see Tyler's name flash on the screen, and I feel my entire body spasm.

What the hell have I just done?