Happy to be of Service//RedCrackle

Chapter Eight- Unexpected Surprise (Edited)

Gray POV

"Hey, Carmen, can I catch you for lunch?" I asked into the phone.

Loud clamoring came from the other end.

"Carmen?"

"Hey, Gray! Sorry it's so loud, I'm at the airport right now."

My heart sputtered. "Airport? You're leaving?"

More loud noise "... back to California."

I flinched. "Still can't hear you."

"Hold on a sec..." There was suddenly silence. "Here we go. Is that better?"

"Yeah. You're going back to California?" I asked hesitantly, not really knowing if I wanted her to answer that.

"No, I'm staying here. But I'm trying to get Zack and Ivy on their plane. Look, Gray, now's really not a great time. Can I call you back in an hour or so?" Carmen sounded flustered.

I flushed. "Of course. Sorry."

"No no, you're fine. Love you, bye."

"Uh, bye," I said, even though she had already hung up. Wait, love you? I blinked at the screen. Had I heard correctly? Did Carmen really just say...

The words wouldn't even repeat themselves in my head, so I whispered them aloud. "Love you." I blushed, my mouth feeling weird saying them with Carmen in mind.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I DID love her.

But... had Carmen just been distracted and on autopilot?

Or had she decided to take a risk and lower her walls for me?

Carmen POV

"Well, would you look at that. I beat you, for once."

Gray winked and sat across from me. "Crikey, mate, you're right!" He laughed. "This is quite the new development, eh?"

"You know what else is a new development? This." I slid a rectangular slip of paper across the table to him. "You work tonight, so I'll be there, too."

He raised an eyebrow and picked the paper up. His eyes widened slightly as he read over it. "You bought a ticket to tonights opera? But, Carmen, I can't watch it with you, remember? You said so yourself just now, I'm working in the lights backstage."

I gave a tiny smile. "Exactly."

It took him a second to realize what I meant. "You... want to see me in action."

I nodded. "And when it's over, I have a surprise for you."

Gray's eyes twinkled at that.

"Looking forward t-"

He was interrupted by a waitress who looked a few years younger than me. "What can I get for you two loves?" she inquired coyly.

Gray's look slid to me at the girls words. I just winked and gave a flirty smile. He coughed.

I turned to the waitress, biting back a laugh. "The bacon salad and water, please."

She scribbled down the order on her pad.

"I'll get sandwich four, and water, too. Thanks," Gray said, rolling up his sleeves nervously.

"Be right out." The girl clicked her pen and left.

"Could you... do that again?" Gray asked quietly after she was gone.

I looked to him, confused. "Do what?"

He tugged the collar of his shirt, face red. "Smile like that. Like you did just now."

I raised an eyebrow at him, cocking my head.

He coughed again, his voice lowering. "It was just really pretty."

A laugh bubbled out of my mouth. "It was, huh? We'll see. Maybe tonight, when the shows over." I held out my hand under the table, and Gray took it. I smoother my thumb over his knuckles.

He blushed again and smiled brightly.

Later that night, about 6:30, I stood in front of the full length mirror in my hotel room.

And I looked good.

Instead of opting to wear one of my red and gold dresses, I had gone out and bought a black knee-high skirt with golden trim, (It had pockets-score!) a red turtleneck sweater, and black flats. Usually I went with heels, but, hey.

There's a first for everything.

Paired with black and gold triangular earrings, I looked cute, but not in a too standout-ish way. And instead of putting my hair up like I normally did when dressed up, the curly auburn waves were swept into a pin behind my ear. Nothing more.

It felt nice to wear more casual clothes over 30 karat gold to an event like this.

I snapped a picture of myself in the mirror and sent it to Ivy.

Me: How do I look?

Ivy: CUTE!!

I smiled.

Me: Thanks

I tucked my phone away. The opera didn't start for another hour, which gave me enough time to get a good seat if I left now. Grabbing my bag, I flicked off the lights and left.