The Build Up (8)

I stood next to him. His renderings were pretty good but not great. I bent over to get a closer look. I could feel his breath, a low whirling heat, on my neck and had to reposition myself as to not get lost in the feeling. It was warm and smelled familiar, like sweet peppermint from your grandma’s candy dish. Perfect teeth. Intoxicating eyes. And fresh breath? Well, that’s just not fair.

“These are pretty good,” I declared, trying to distract myself from everything about this man.

Porter smiled, a little. “I started with hand-drawn drafts, then REVIT.”

He moved the mouse around so I could get a 360° view, and then an interior view of the stadium. Everything was so detailed, down to the shape of the seats. His eyes caught mine, waiting for me to say something. I had to think of a question fast.

“I, uh, was just wondering. Why didn’t you open it up more on the left for more natural light? Instead of closing this off for this large scoreboard?”

He looked puzzled, leaned back, and scratched the stubble along his chiseled jawline. I wanted to take my index finger and trace along its ridges. Feel the roughness against my skin. Dammit. Focus, Ari. Focus!

“Oh, I didn’t really think about that. Maybe for our next design, we can try that. I’ll make a note of it.”

I smiled and moved back around to the other side of the desk. I had to sit down. The cologne, the peppermint-smelling breath, the stubble—I felt light-headed. Maybe I needed something to eat. I had nothing but cappuccino in my stomach. Did the dudes here even eat, or did they go to the gym on lunch breaks? The guys I’d passed in the hallway were ripped. Including Porter. Not that I’d noticed.

“Lunch?” asked Porter.

Was he reading my mind? “Huh?”

“I asked, would you like to go to lunch? My treat. There is a great sushi spot around the corner. It stays packed but I know a guy who can get me a reservation. Actually, it’s not that close. We’d have to drive. The body shop just brought my car to the garage. I’m sure you’re hungry by now.” Porter paused. Instantly, his face turned red. Dude, it’s okay. People think I’m always hungry. This time, I actually was starving.

“Sure. That’ll be great.” I smiled, assuring him he hadn’t committed a social faux pas. His eyes twinkled with so much delight that I didn’t have the heart to tell him I couldn’t stand sushi. I liked my fish fried with hot sauce.

“Okay, I’ll meet you in the lobby. Give me like five minutes.”

I got up and walked toward the door. I looked both ways down the hall in confusion.

I looked back and Porter smiled as he pointed a finger left. “The lobby’s that way, Ari.”

Maybe the day was looking up.



Chapter Four


Porter


Ari sat across from me in a half booth at Tomo. She shifted uncomfortably, which made me second-guess sitting here. She tapped her fingers on the table, the same way she did in the office.

“Nervous habit?” I asked as I opened my chopsticks to pick up some edamame. I was picking up on all her quirks.

“I guess you can say that.” She looked around the restaurant. It was crazy busy even though we’d arrived during the beginning of lunch. Ari looked down at the menu, her nose scrunched up, blinking a few times. She would be a terrible poker player. Her tells were obvious.

“Do you want to change tables? We can get an open table,” I said, concerned about her comfort.

“Oh no. I’m good. There is room,” she said with a slight smile.

“Do you like sushi?” Great, now it probably seemed like I was second-guessing the entire lunch. But I just wanted her to be happy, this woman I just met four hours ago.

“Oh no. This is fine. I love sushi.” She bit the corner of her lip. I laughed. She was cute even when caught in a lie.

I put my hand on my chin, smiling. “Anyone ever tell you that you have a terrible poker face?”

“So, sushi isn’t my favorite, but luckily, they have other stuff on the menu,” Ari confessed with a smile. “I didn’t want to offend you on my first day.”

“You wouldn’t have offended me by suggesting another spot. Remember, I’m treating you to lunch. But I’ll say, the udon noodles are amazing. That’s a safe bet.”

“Thanks for the suggestion.” She smiled widely at me, then with a chuckle asked, “How’d you know I was terrible at poker?”

I smirked. “Call it a hunch.” More like me noticing every movement, cataloging every detail, because I can’t get enough of looking at you.

The waitress walked over with a bowl of edamame, hips twisting with fury. She wore a long, jet-Black weave, a tight black minidress and fishnets with combat boots. She flashed a seductive smile at me, standing so close to me she obscured my view of Ari.

“I’m Tara. And what can I get you, sir?” she crooned.

Upon further inspection, her weave wasn’t that great. Not that I was a weave expert, but I had paid for my fair share of hair extensions for girlfriends over the years. “I’ll take the rainbow roll.”

Cheap Weave then turned toward Ari, not directly looking at her, and said, “And what will your...guest be having?”

Ari frowned, cocking her head to the side. I didn’t know what was going on, but I was picking up a very weird vibe.