Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,3

him.”

“Were you on your phone?” Becca mothered me constantly, and I rolled my eyes.

“I was, but he was barely inside with that line. Why do you send me there on weekends?” I turned it on her, and she shook her head at me.

“So, what happened?” We walked to the table and sat down, opening the bag to eat while we talked.

“We talked, and he noticed a lot of things the other night. Boy was he paying attention. We got to know each other, and he asked for my number.” I bit into a pastry and moaned. “That’s good. He was buying them for his grandma, the woman at the play. He lives next door to her to take care of her. Isn’t that sweet?”

“Family man. I like that. What does he do for work?” She ripped a piece of eclair, shoving it into her mouth as she stared at me.

“He helps out podcasts. It’s a home job so he can help his family.” I grinned.

“If he calls, you’ll go out with him?” She asked, and I nodded. “Invite him to the party!”

“Let the man call first. He might be in his house, realizing that he didn’t find me to be all he expected. He was quite chatty, if that were the case, but it could happen.” I didn’t want that to be the case but believed in being true to myself. If someone didn’t like me, that was their choice. I was kind to people and found myself helping them more than I felt I should, but it was in my blood. It got me screwed over a few times, but I took it as a lesson.

“You’re a gem. What’s not to like?” Becca argued as I laughed.

We finished our breakfast, and she took a call from Mari. I took my laptop to the couch, surfing the net as I finished my coffee. I thought about the depth of Gray’s eyes and his hair that hung in waves around his face. He looked like he should be on a beach in California, searching for the best waves. I was the kind of guy to work on my hair before I left the house and jogged the city several times a week to keep in shape. I could see that Gray kept himself healthy as well, wondering what his favorite activity might be.

I pushed the thought away since he needed to call for anything to happen. I had a busy life at the theater and friends to spend time with. I was not going to be the guy to pine away over someone that didn’t want me.

I had enough ex-boyfriends in my past to know the rights and wrongs of relationships.

I stayed with Becca for a while, heading home to get some clean clothes before work. We both worked the theater that night, and while it was going to be slower, we always had a good crowd. I took a shower and fixed my hair before putting the clothes on. I headed out, choosing to walk since I only lived a block away from the theater.

Becca stood by the coffee cart, helping Kelly get ready for the evening crowd. The cart opened with the first matinee play, but every shift took care of stocking up. “Hi, did he call?” She grinned at me, and I rolled my eyes.

“It’s been half a day. Slow your roll.” She laughed, and Kelly shot me a smile.

“Is she trying to marry you off again?” Kelly asked, making me laugh.

“It would seem so,” I smirked, heading to the office to clock in. I was working will call before helping out backstage tonight. I had tomorrow off and worked to cover a shift Thursday, so my next day off wasn’t until Monday. Since I worked late Saturday, I’d have to miss a lot of the party and take it easy.

I worked backstage all night, only leaving when the cast went to the lobby. I stopped by the coffee cart, and Becca handed me a coffee with a smile. “How did it go?”

“They loved it.” I sipped the strong brew and rolled my head around my shoulders. “What’s going on when we close?”

“Keith mentioned eating somewhere. Want to go and then crash at my place?” She asked, and I nodded. It was the regular hang, but I liked it. I loved this place and the people that I worked with.

I woke up the following morning to the sound of my phone vibrating on the nightstand. I reached for