Unraveled (Love in Salem, book 2) (4 page)

The sexy smile on his face spoke volumes.  “Forgiven as long as you can forgive me.  What’s your name, beautiful?”

“Oh, uh, my name is Tayla Parker.  Well actually it’s Atayla, but most people drop the ‘ah’ from the beginning, so I just go with it.”  The blush on her cheeks was endearing.

“Atayla.”  She loved the way he drug out her name as though he was savoring it.  “I like it.  It’s alluring just like you are.”

Her natural reaction was for to become angry at him for his dishonest compliments.  There was nothing alluring about her.  She was dumpy, she knew it, and she didn’t want him to sing her false praises.  Then she remembered her vow for self-improvement.

Smiling amiably, she thanked him.  Though it felt wrong, she accepted his praises, and in time a warm feeling began to flow inside of her.  The more they talked, the more gratifying it became.

It had been so long since a man had focused his attention on her that she forgot how charming it was.  She honestly did like Aidan, but after Randall she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about his intentions.

Aidan’s manner was gentle though and it went a long way in alleviating her fears.  It turned out the guy was exceptionally charming and easy to talk to.  She never thought it possible, but she was actually enjoying a man’s company for the first time in years.

She didn’t know how long they stood there, but she did know she hadn’t laughed that much in a long time.  Six years to be exact since she had stopped laughing with Randall within the first year of their cohabitation. 

The chimes over the door jangled yet again drawing Aidan’s attention away from her.  He nodded his head at the interloper and told him to go on back and have a seat.  Sighing heavily, he regarded Atayla with regret.

“Duty calls.”  Looking over at Abby he continued, “Looks like Ed’s almost done with Abby.”

“It was nice meeting you again.”  Atayla laughed playfully.  “Especially now that you’re not inebriated and smashing me against a wall.”

Aidan rubbed the back of his neck, feeling contrite.  “I realize this is pretty forward of me, but will you let me take you out some time?  You know, like a date?”

Surprised pleasure washed across her faced.  “I’d like that.  Let me write down my number for you and you can call me to arrange something.”

By the time she had penned her cell phone number and said her goodbyes to Aidan, Ed and Abby were walking towards the counter.  Atayla waited while Abby paid her bill and flirted shamelessly with her favorite tattoo artist.

As they exited onto the street, they agreed to have lunch at the Bistro down the block.  She delighted in the sun shining down on her and the light breeze blowing against her skin.  It wasn’t common practice for her to have a Friday off work, but after finishing up her last case file early, Bill told her to take a three day weekend.

Atayla’s mind wandered back to her conversation with the exceedingly scrumptious Aidan and wondered when he would call.  Then she worried about the date itself.  What would they do?  She had so little experience dating she feared she would be horrible at it.

But then, what did she really know about Aidan?  Maybe to him this wasn’t a serious date but more a means to get laid?  Not that she would turn him down because, well, let’s face it, he was the only man in the last few years that elicited her sexual urges, but if all he wanted was sex she could admit to some disappointment.  Something about that man called to her, and if she were being honest with herself, she hoped to be spending a lot of time with him.  In and out of bed.

“So, how well do you know Aidan?”

Abby measured her friend’s curiosity before answering.  “Not real well to be honest.  He owns Skinz and his family own the building it’s housed in.  He seems like a nice guy, family oriented.   I know he plays in a band.  They’re pretty good.  I’ve seen them a few times.  I don’t know much about him personally though.”

Atayla nodded her head absently.  “He does seem nice.”

“What’s this all about?  I watched the two of you talk for a while.  Are you interested?” Abby arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

Laughing, Atayla said.

“Yes, actually, I am” She stopped walking and turned towards her friend.  “I think we are going to go out on a date.”

Priceless.  That was the only way to describe the look on Abby’s face.  That is until she smiled and laughed like the devil.

“Oh boy, this means I finally get to take you shopping!”

Chapter Three

By Wednesday the next week Atayla was over her head in the new case files.  It was like the flood gates had opened and a continuous influx of new clientele had been revolving through the office.  Most were family law cases as usual, but some were contractual and required more research hours.

She knew when six o’clock had arrived because Bill came bustling out of his office, briefcase in hand to head home.  He and the missus had had some marital problems of their own last year due to the hours he kept at work.

One of the efforts he made to salvage his marriage was always being home in time for supper.  Last fall he decided to hire on a second assistant, Mandi McMinn.  Because of this, he was able to focus mainly on strategy and court appearances versus doing research and referencing through the million plus tomes lining the bookshelves.

Now the dreaded bookshelves were solely she and Mandi’s baby.  A person could literally get lost in legal jargon when searching book by book.  It was enough to give her a case of the nerves.

She loved her job, honestly she did.  It had its downfalls just like every other job, but those moments were few and far between.  The whole office felt the impact when Bill lost a case, but luckily Atayla was extremely good at what she did and provided Bill with a means to win, so those losses were rare.

“Pack it up Tay, it’s time to go.” 

“Yeah, yeah.” She said teasingly.  “I feel like my piles of client folders are stacked so high they could collapse and bury me alive at any moment.  Trust me, my staying late tonight would be a good thing.  Besides, all I have to go home to is an empty apartment and an even emptier refrigerator.”

“Even so, you need to be able to walk away, so the stress doesn’t eat at you.  I know I’m living healthier now that I work normal hours. I feel it too.”

“That’s only because you get more exercise with all those chores your wife gave you.  Plus you eat healthy now since take out is off the menu.”  Atayla shook her head.  “It’s
admirable that you made the effort to make your wife happy.  You know all too well most people nowadays don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves.”

“Well, she always was the best thing that ever happened to me.  She has had to make a few adjustments as well in order to make things work between us.  It’s an effort we both have to make every day.”  Bill said with a smile.  “How about I give my lovely wife a call and have her set out an extra plate tonight.  I know she would love to see you.  She asked about you over the weekend, wanted to know what you were up to.”

“No, I already called in an order to The Sandwich Shoppe.  Thanks for the offer though and tell Carla I may have some juicy gossip to spill over margaritas someday soon.”

“Oh, yeah?  And just what might that be?”

“A date with a handsome man.”  Atayla batted her eyelashes at Bill.  “Want to hear all the girly deets?”

This caused Bill to laugh.  “I think I’ll leave that for Carla, thank you very much.  Though I am glad to hear you’re expanding your social horizons.  Now go home.  I’ll see you in the morning.”

Atayla shut off her desk lamp and waited outside the doors while Bill locked up for the night.  He always walked her to her car after hours.  Salem was a charming city to live in, but it wasn’t a stranger to crime.  Especially crimes against anyone who was dumb enough to walk in a back alley by one’s self in the evening.

Saying their final goodnights, Atayla settled into her car and locked the doors.  She didn’t waste any time lingering in the small parking lot behind the law office.  The place gave her the creeps in the evening. The light was always obscured by the surrounding buildings, garbage was strewn about, and it smelled like unwashed bodies.

She pulled out of the alley and headed west towards The Sandwich Shoppe.  The restaurant’s name was deceiving.  Claire Daley, the owner, offered many delightful dishes for all times of the day and night.  It was one of Atayla’s favorite places to eat.

Claire had become a good friend of hers over the years she had been living in Salem.  She and Abby were as thick as thieves, which is how Atayla met her.  The girls all liked to meet up at least once a month for margaritas.  It was a night they all looked forward to gossip and laughter, shared their joys and frustrations. 

It was a way for them to keep in touch during their busy lives.  But the truth was their lives were so intertwined they did see each other nearly every day.

The ringing of her phone caught her attention as she pulled into a parking space in front of The Sandwich Shoppe.  After putting her car in park, she rummaged through her bag until she found her cell phone.  Racing to answer before her voice mail kicked in, she flipped it open without checking the caller ID.

“Hello?”

A whiskey rough voice chuckled in her ear.  “Atayla, did I call you at a bad time?  You sound a little harried.”

Aidan. 

“No!” She cleared her throat.  “I mean, no.  I was just getting ready to pick up some dinner and head home for the night.  My phone was buried in that bottomless pit I call a work bag, and I was trying to find it before it stopped ringing.”

Laughter again trilled in her ear.  “Women and their bags, never could understand that.”  Nervous tension filled the line for a few seconds.  “Listen, I, ah, I just finished up with my last client for the day.  How about you tell me where you are eating dinner, and I’ll meet you there.”

“Oh, uh, I called and ordered it to go.  I’m not actually staying to eat…” Her words trailed off.

“Okay, that’s fine.  It was worth a shot.  The truth is you have been on my mind a lot the last few days”
the last few months actually
“and I just really wanted to see you.  Maybe some other time?”

Goodness the man defined sweet.  How could a woman resist?  She could admit that she was just as anxious to see him also.  Atayla giggled nervously. 

“I’m at The Sandwich Shoppe, do you know where it is?  I can tell Claire to toss my food onto a plate when you get here.”

“Perfect.”  Relief evident in his voice.  “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Atayla hung up the phone, shaking her head.  Though surprised, this definitely brightened up her day.  A nice meal with a handsome man, what more could a girl ask for?  It was a bonus that they would be having their first meeting, date, whatever, here at her friend’s restaurant. 

It was a safe place, and she knew Claire would be keeping an eye on them.  She still didn’t know Aidan all that well and felt better knowing she wouldn’t be alone.  Silly really, since she was an adult and shouldn’t need the support of another just to get through a dinner date.

Atayla walked up the sidewalk with a little bounce in her step.  She had ten minutes to explain things to Claire and hope there was a table opening up that provided a bit of privacy.

Chapter Four

Aidan pulled up to the curb on his motorcycle.  He didn’t normally get to leave work early, but he got lucky when his last two clients of the day happened to call and reschedule.  The day had been pretty slow, only a couple of walk-ins and a few scheduled appointments.

Clint and Knox were currently the only two still hanging around the shop waiting for a couple more clients to arrive.  Thoughts of a gorgeous, buxom blonde had whirled through his mind all day.  He really didn’t want to hang around doing nothing if he could be spending quality time getting to know the inherently beautiful Atayla.

The guys understood, and pressured him to give her a call.  There was no reason for him the hang around with nothing to do when they were probably just close up early anyway.  It was beer and wings night at Pat’s Place, and they were no doubt going to take advantage of the opportunity at hand.

Walking into the restaurant, he scanned the tables for his newest female interest.  He was eager to get to know her.  After three months of dreaming about her, he was more than ready for the real woman.

As he scanned the room, he saw her sitting at a side table close to the counter.  He was hoping they could sit at a table towards the back of the room, but the place was pretty packed for a Wednesday evening.