The Sweet Encounter (Completed)

Chapter Three - The Interview

           

The ongoing conversation amongst the customers and her employees all faded into the background as Brie watched the bronze hair Mr. Trey Bryson walk out of her shop. What just happened? Was that a compliment? A flirt? Hell, it's been so long since she's ever had some sort of interaction with the opposite sex that she couldn't recognize the difference anymore. Regardless, she had to get ready for her interview.

Brie returned to her office when Phyllis resumed to the front after a quick break after her incident. She brushed away any loose hair with her fingers and pulled down her pressed blouse. She took in a deep breath, closed her eyes and made her way back out to the shop. The journalist had arrived and Brie needed this distraction away from Mr. Bryson.

The interview was more laid back than she anticipated. Christy from The City Business Journal was a young vibrant journalist who made it feel like girl talk instead of an interview. Christy was a smart and beautiful girl with the perfect glowing tan skin that highlighted her wavy blonde hair. She wore red lipstick like she was born to own the color red. She was ambitious and hoped to make it onto TV one day, not as a news anchor, but into sportscast. As the baby growing up with only brothers, she was always dragged to football and basketball games, so her knowledge and passion grew. Brie somehow felt even closer to Christy after their brief meeting not even realizing that she probably spilled more about her personal life as a young teen on the verge of single parenthood.

All the while her photographer snapped photos of them tasting some of the shop's favorite desserts and several candid shots. Christy decided she wanted to take another shot for the cover. She noticed the bouquet of lilies from Jerry and thought it would be the perfect backdrop.

Brie stared at the lilies. Jerry knew her favorite flowers, and it was sweet of him to have them delivered. They texted to each other casually, but he honored her space. He was the first person she called when the franchise opportunity arisen. There was a time when she was truly happy with Jerry. She thought he was going to be the one, but somehow something was missing in their relationship. She used her busy schedule and her brother as an excuse to leave Jerry, and it devastated her when she broke off the engagement. She never forgave herself for hurting him, and Jerry didn't want to give up on their relationship. Thus, the bouquet of lilies and sentimental card.

Christy centered the bouquet on the table and placed Brie in front of the bouquet. "Perfect! Now why don't you place the apron across your right shoulder, and we'll start snapping away."

Brie was uncomfortable being in the spotlight and didn't know how to pose, but with Lacy's comical poses behind the cameraman, it was simple to release the laughter and loosen up. After several more bright flashes in her eyes, Christy was satisfied with the entire interview and photo ops. Brie boxed some of her favorite baked goods for the crew before they headed off.

As Christy pulled her long blonde locks to the side, she clasped her hands together and hugged Brie. "It was such a pleasure. Please, we'll have to get together for drinks. I feel like we've known each other forever." Christy and Brie exchanged business cards in hopes to continue their stories without the flashing cameras and surrounding customers.

"Thank you, Christy. This was a wonderful idea. When do you think the article will be out?" Brie was curious. She wanted to know if the paper would benefit her growth in sales.

"It should be within two weeks, Brie. It's going to be a great article. And gorgeous bouquet by the way! It's been so long since I've received flowers from a boyfriend."

"Actually, it's from an ex. A friend still. It's complicated. But that's a conversation for another day, without it being in the press. It's definitely not news worthy." To Brie, it was just one more heartache like millions of people in this world.

"Oh. Miss Brie Staples, single, successful and sexy as fuck. However could that story not be news?"

Brie blushed. Sexy as fuck? Her? This compliment was coming from a clone of Miss America. "I wouldn't go as far as that. Not even sexy. I actually never look like this. Lacy talked me into applying makeup for the article." A decision she was now beginning to regret.

Christy's left eyebrow arched and her devilish grin showcased a side Brie never knew. "Hm. Whatever makes you happy, Brie. But thanks, love. I will send you a personal copy when it's printed."

Christy's crew was already waiting for her in the vehicle outside the shop. With a quick peck on Brie's cheek, Christy scooted out the door with her high-heeled shoes clattering and echoing out the door.

******

Two weeks passed by and Trey couldn't get Brie off his mind. He could have easily walked down the block from his office and go into her shop. But what reason would he give? Did he even need to give a reason? It was a public restaurant for Christ's sake. She had a boyfriend, and he didn't want to be that type of person. Jerry. Trey didn't know what Jerry looked like, but he knew Jerry was a lucky bastard. He kept imagining her lips being kissed by Jerry, and his blood began to boil. She doesn't belong to you, Trey. He kept telling himself to get over it.

Stacy walked into his office without him realizing it. "Boss, you okay?" She looked down at his desk and noticed he was still on the first page of the financial report that she brought in over an hour ago. She knew something wasn't right. Since right out of college, Stacy has worked for Trey's father prior to working for Trey. She realized both their thought process were similar when they were in deep thought. Neither of them could multitask when something was bothering them.

He looked up and wondered how long he had been out of it. Stacy handed him today's mail. She had organized it with the priority on top and junk mail at the bottom. "Anything of importance that I should read first?" He began to flip each mail over once he skimmed through them. Something finally caught his interest.

On the front cover was Brie on The City's Business Journal, her smile showcasing those perfect pearly whites, and her eyes burned a dark desire deep within him. He also noticed how she purposely placed the lilies from Jerry in the background. No doubt to give him a personal nudge to encourage his pride. He tried not to let that bother him, instead he read the cover title for the story. 'Who's Got It Under 30? Brie Staples – The Sweet Encounter You Can't Miss'

He continued to flip through the pages to read the entire article. What he learned about her fascinated him. She persevered through multiple obstacles at a young age with the loss of her parents and raising her brother. Yet she was able to build a career out of her love for the culinary arts, and now she would be branching into the business segment with a positive financial outlook. After reading the article, he felt as if he won the lottery especially the last line.

"Brie Staples is currently single with no intent to pursue any personal relations at this current moment as her focus is to turn The Sweet Encounter into her sweetest relationship deal yet."

She was bold and receptive. A challenge he felt he needed after his previous encounters with lackluster women. There was something about her that was going to be worth the fight of his life. Thank God for the interview article. He got up from his desk, grabbed his jacket and briskly walked out of his office.

"Stace, cancel all my afternoon appointments. There's a matter I have to attend to." He didn't even stop to explain to Stacy what his intentions were. She dropped her jaws open with an unexpected expression. At this moment, he didn't even know how he was going to approach his afternoon, but he knew he had wasted two damn long weeks already.

***

Please check the tiny star below! I would truly appreciate it! Leave comments too.

Do you think Brie has forgotten about Trey already?

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