Something Great (Sequel to Something Borrowed)

Chapter 32: Working My Way Back To You

I sighed heavily as I sat at my desk reviewing the pictures I’d taken earlier this week. They were mediocre. I was capable of capturing much better shots than that but my mind hadn’t been completely focused on my work. I couldn’t stop thinking about Brooke and what I’d found out at Mother’s last weekend. I felt so bad for her. I had no idea that Brooke was going through such a tough time. In my eyes, Brooke had always had the better life, even when we were kids. Brooke had always had a bright bubbly personality that earned her many friends while I had a sassy, apathetic and relaxed one that had made me a bit of a loner. She’d been a literal boy magnet since the day she’d hit puberty while I struggled to get dates throughout high school. And in our adult life she’d married well and had a beautiful family while I’d never been married and was left to raise a child all by myself. Anyone could easily argue that Brooke had the perfect lifestyle but seeing her on Saturday said otherwise. I guess I’d spent most of my life holding Brooke on a pedestal that I’d failed to realize that her life was anything but a bed of roses.

My thoughts were interrupted by my office phone ringing loudly. I hated that thing. It made the loudest noise whenever it rang.  I really needed to get a new phone. I sighed before reaching over and picking up the receiver. “Hello? Erin Shields speaking.” I spoke into the phone while glancing a picture of Jacob & and I that sat on my desk. “Hey Erin, there’s someone tall, dark and handsome here to see you.”  Lana, the secretary of the front office declared in a sing-song voice. Lana was young, lazy and ditzy and didn’t quite enjoy her job but she became very excited when it came to budding into the staff’s personal lives.

I smiled. That could only be one person- Jake. “Send him in.” I replied happily twisting the cord of the telephone around my finger. “Will do.” She replied before quickly hanging up the phone. I grinned like an idiot. I expected Jacob to be at work right now but maybe he was on lunch break. Either way it was super sweet of him to stop by. He must be suspecting I’m having a hard week. I quickly checked my refection in the mirror to make sure my hair and face was intact. So yes Jake and I live together and he’s seen me at the worst of times (like when I just get up in the morning or when I’m sick, sleep deprived or don’t have on any make-up) but that doesn’t mean I should give up trying to look my best for him. The door of my office was soon burst open by Lana who had a man in tow but this man was not the man I was looking for.

“Here she is.” Lana announces casually at Michael saunters into my office. He’s got some nerve coming here. “Oh, it’s just you.” I declared while staring at Michael. Lana frowned. “You mean this isn’t your dreamboat?” She asked. “Not even close.” I declared. I rolled my eyes. Lana knows what Jacob looks like. On the occasions that he does come to visit me at work she’s practically drooling over him.

“Wow, you surround yourself with some really good looking males. You’ve gotta hook a sister up someday.” Lana declared before sauntering out of my office closing the door behind her. I sighed heavily and I stared at Michael who stood in front of my desk with a small smile plastered on his face. What did he want?

Michael

It was funny yet not so funny running into Erin a week or so ago. Funny bumping into her as we always seem to see each other out in public and not so funny with her blowing up on me. I felt like such an ass. She always had a way of making me feel like an ass. It was pretty obvious that Erin didn’t feel the same way about me as I did about her but I couldn’t let that be. I had to clean up my act and show her that I loved her. Show her that I wanted her.  Something I should have done a while back. Time was running out. She was to be married in June and May had just gotten here. I had to woo her before it was too late.

“Hello Erin.” I spoke softly, shoving my hands in my pockets. Erin’s pretty face held an obviously annoyed expression on her face.  “Michael.” She replied coldly as she set her gaze on her computer screen. There was a weird silence between us. I looked around her office which was filled with the pictures she’d taken. Many of them were of Harry, a few of Brooke and her mother. There was about one or two of Erin and I as teens and to my disgust, a picture of Erin and her boyfriend, Jeremy. It just made me so angry knowing that she was with him and not me.

“Why are you doing here Michael? Shouldn’t you be at work?” Erin asked finally looking at me. I sighed. “It’s my day off .We need to talk.” I replied firmly.  Erin sighed. “I can’t talk to you while I’m trying to work.” She replied.  Wow. She’s being really cruel right now. I scoffed. “Oh really. But if I was Justin you would’ve dropped everything you were doing and given me your full attention. Don’t give me that crap Erin.” I replied.  An angry expression flashed on her face. “I don’t have to talk to you Michael and if you wanna know the truth I really don’t want to!” Erin snapped. I sighed running a hand through my hair. “Please Erin, just hear me out. Let me take you out to lunch or at least take a walk with me.” I pleaded.

She stared at me long and hard. I bet she’s thinking of a thousand and one ways to kill me. She sighed heavily. “Fine but I haven’t got all day.”  She replied rising from her desk chair. I sighed a sigh of relief as I watched her straighten a few things on her desk and grab her purse. “I’m ready to go.” She announced dryly. There was this nice little café I’d spotted that seemed like a good place for us to talk and have lunch. It just so happened to be within walking distance from Erin’s job. I figured we’d go there.

The walk was very silent. There were no words between us and the only thing that could be heard was the bustle of traffic and the everyday activity that occurred on New York’s streets. Erin didn’t say anything to me. She wouldn’t even look at me. She just kept her gaze straight forward. I sure hope I work my charm and change her mind.

“We’re here. Short walk wasn’t it?” I announced hoping to start some conversation once we’d reached our destination. “Yeah.” Erin replied   nonchalantly before opening the door of the restaurant and walking in. She didn’t even let me do it for her. I’m the man. I’m supposed to open doors. I bet she lets that dick boyfriend of hers open doors for her. I sighed heavily as I followed her into the restaurant.  There weren’t many people there so it was very easy for us to get a table. Erin took a seat in front of me sitting her purse beside her chair. She folded her arms in front of her. She stared at me with sort of blank expression. I nervously cleared my throat.

“So, have you been doing okay?” I asked hoping to casually slip into the conversation. “If you consider being in the middle of a huge fall out with my baby sister being okay then yes, I’m just dandy.” She replied sarcastically. I sighed. That was another thing she was holding over my head. If I only I could keep my mouth shut.

“Look Erin, I’m sorry about all this.” I spoke. Erin sighed. “You said you wouldn’t tell and you did!” She shouted. Before I could reply a waiter came by and asked us about our drinks. Once we were finished ordering I resumed the conversation. “I know I did Erin and I’m sorry. I never meant to cause a riff between you and Brooke. She sighed heavily before taking a sip of her water. “That’s not the only thing you should be sorry for.” She replied. I guess I have to own up to my mistakes.

“I know I’ve been an ass. You we’re right about what you said that Saturday. I wish that nothing ever came between our friendship.”  I admitted. Erin just stared. “Ya know, sixteen years ago you said you didn’t want that one night to ruin our friendship and it did in more ways than one.” She declared softly. Wow. What a way to put it. Is this her way of saying our friendship is over? I don’t want that. Erin’s been my friend for too long to end it all now. I wanted to win Erin’s affections back more than anything but it would have to be a gradual process. I needed to mend our friendship first before making any romantic moves.

I sighed placing my hand over hers. Erin stared at it indifferently. What, now that she’s engaged I can’t touch her hand? “I know I’ve been a terrible friend Erin and I’m truly sorry I haven’t been there for you when you’ve needed me to. But I really value our friendship. I just want things to go back to the way they were before.  Can you please forgive me and let us be friends again?”  I pleaded. There’s a certain expression on Erin’s face that I can’t read into. I hope she’s think about this. She’s got to consider it. It’s the only way my plan will work.

She sighed deeply. “I'll think about it.” She replied simply before taking a sip of water. I let out a breath of relief. She’ll think about it. I smiled faintly. I guess that’s some progress. I just can’t wait to make her mine again.