Chapter 3

As the morning went by, Eric quickly wrapped up his work and drove downtown to the Bricks restaurant with the hopes that he would find Sandra. As he walked in through the door he quickly spotted her. Thank goodness he breathed under his breath as he beamed a smile at her. Sandra smiled back remembering him from yesterday. Such a gentleman she thought to herself as she walked up to him to hand him the menu. Be right back she said as she went back to attend to another customer who had requested Summer pine. Eric felt sweat on his brows not because of the weather but because he had been ruminating on how he was going to approach Sandra about his intention.

As she walked back to him with a smile on her face, she proceeded to ask him what he was having for a drink that today and he responded saying anything you would want me to have. As she proceeded to go get his drink he held her hands and whispered I want you. She immediately scurried away, confused and a little bit shaken. I will get him the drink he had yesterday she thought to herself as she poured out his drink. He smelt so good, his touch was warm…confused, she shook the thought out of her head as she handed his drink to him. As she turned to leave, he filtered softly what time do you get off he asked. Taken aback she paused a few minutes and said 4 pm. I will be waiting outside at 4. I would like to have a few words with you.

Confused and fear-stricken Sandra hurried back to duty wondering what he would want to discuss with her. He was in his early 40s and she was just 20 fresh out of college. Surely he was maybe going to offer her a job. So many ideas ran through her mind and she decided to let them go. Eric paid his bill and decided to drive to the gold course not too far from the restaurant for a few hours before he would return to Sandra at 4. Sandra was very different from all the ladies Eric had been with previously. She was a shy girl, laid-back and not sophisticated like the ladies he was used to. He could not place his fingers on what attracted him to her besides her blue eyes. Yes, her eyes were beautiful but Erick knew there was more to her and he was ready to unravel her qualities.

As he drove to the golf course, he opened up the top roof of his Cadillac to let in the fresh breeze of the summer afternoon. He pushed the button on his radio and the music of Celine Dion filtered In "my heart will go on "he sang as he drove through the gates of the golf course. His first mission had been accomplished. He felt proud of himself, he hoped the rest of the day would go as planned.

Time seems to pass by slowly at times when you have something in view. Eric chatted with some gentlemen at the golf course, played a round of the game, and glanced at his watch. He braved himself off and hurried off to meet Sandra.

Sandra had a very sloppy afternoon, she dropped two of the drinks meant for the customers. I will take it off your pay ranted George as he could not understand the loss of concentration she had. Jessica was one of his best staff, committed and dedicated to her job. Most of the customers liked her as she always wore a smile on her face. She could not stop thinking about what he would want from her. He never asked for his name and they had never met before yesterday. She was way younger than him and the thought of having a relationship will drift into her mind can't she will ward it off? She had never had a relationship with an older man. She will not want a relationship with an older man. As time went by, her fears were heightened. Must I ask George to knock off earlier so I can run away before he gets here? Can I get off work and run right around the building and hide away from him? She eventually decided she would face her fears.

As she stepped out of the restaurant she saw Eric. His Cadillac was parked right across the street in front of the entrance of the restaurant. There was no going back. She was going to proceed as if she did not seen him after all, she did not know what car he drove. As she walked a few steps away from the entrance, Eric called out her name. She turned pretending she never saw him. He beckoned to her to come and she walked across the street towards him. As she leaned on his door on the driver's side, he motioned to her to get in and she hesitated for a few seconds before getting in.

"What would you prefer?" he blurted out, glancing at her long, lean thighs. She had changed from her office work clothes and wore a brown pleated skirt that hung on her mid-thigh and a flowery printed vest and white sneakers. He would be crossing boundaries and lowering his chances of having a meaningful conversation with her if he proceeded to touch her. He did not want to lower his chances of getting through to her. "Can we drive around town while we talk or would you prefer we sit in at a restaurant and have a few drinks?" he asked. Driving around town would make her tenser. The space between them was too close, she could smell his cologne and hear his heartbeat. She knew it was all in her head. She needed to breathe. She chose to have a few drinks at a small pub downtown. Something she was not accustomed to. Where are your morals she churned in her head as she beat herself with the reality that she barely knew him.