The Story of Her Life, page 5
“Oh please. I can hear you talking on the phone from across the wall. I know it’s not for Travis. So, what is it?” She leans back in her chair crossing her arms over her chest. One eyebrow is raised, and her head is cocked to the side and I giggle at the sight.
“So serious.” I say, setting my drink down and resting my elbows on the table. “Okay. But you can’t say anything.” A small voice in the back of my mind tells me to keep my mouth shut, but I don’t listen. Marie is my friend. Technically, she’s my only friend. I can trust her. “It’s about the robberies that have been taking place around the city. You know, the ones with no evidence?”
“Yeah. I’ve seen them talking about those on the news. But what about ‘em?”
“Don’t you think it’s a little weird that none of them were able to get video after having security systems installed?” I lift my brows and nod my head as if to tell her to think about it.
“So, you think they’re all connected somehow.” It’s not a question. She states it as a fact, like she understands why I want to dig into it more.
“Exactly!” I exclaim, a little louder than I mean to. “I don’t think your guy is coming tonight.” I point out.
“I don’t think so either. And I’m getting tired of sitting here. Let’s dance.” She suggests standing from her chair and grabbing me by the arm.
I giggle wildly, the giddy tipsy feeling of the alcohol evident in my laughter. I grab my clutch from the table and nearly trip over my own feet as I stand under the strength of her pulling on my arm. We move to the dance floor and push our way through tight miniskirts and leather tube tops, finding an open spot toward the center of the floor. We’re practically right underneath a giant disco ball which has caught all the neon lighting in the bar and reflected it in tiny prisms amongst the faces of every dancer.
The music is loud, pulsing through my body like an extra heartbeat, and it’s easy to find the rhythm. I begin swaying back and forth with my arms over my head, wild laughter spilling from my lips as I face Marie. Pretty sure I would never have done this without the assistance of liquid courage, I find myself having a great time and actually being glad that I agreed to come along tonight.
By the third song, my limbs are feeling incredibly loose. Marie has found a partner to dance with and has her arms thrown over his shoulders. He is a good-looking man, about six inches taller than her with wavy black hair that hangs nearly to his shoulders. He is wearing black jeans, a white button-up shirt and light leather jacket. He has his hands wrapped around her hips and resting just above her ass, his head tilted down in her direction like he’s ready to spill all his secrets so only she can hear.
I’m about to call it quits and give my feet a rest when I feel someone come up behind me and place their hands on my hips. I’m pulled back against a tall hard body and begin to sway again to the beat, moving along with whoever it is that has decided to dance with me. I reach my arms up and back to hold onto their shoulders, enjoying the moment. That is until I turn my head to the side and see Edward. I stumble away from him, whirling around quickly to face him and nearly falling in the process. He reaches out and catches me around my waist and saves me from hitting the floor. I place my hands on his chest and push away from him, my brows drawn together. He releases me and steps back, holding his hands in the air, palms facing me in surrender.
“What are you doing here?” I ask loud enough that he can hear me over the music.
“I came in for a few drinks with friends. Imagine my surprise when I looked over here and saw you dancing by yourself.”
I shake my head at him and walk away to find an empty table to sit down, ready to get off my feet. Preferably alone. As my luck would have it, he follows me and sits at the same table. “Are you following me?” I ask.
“No. I promise, it was just a coincidence.”
I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. I don’t know if I’m more upset that he tried to dance with me, or the fact that my buzz has started to wear off. “Then where are your friends?” I ask him, looking around as if I would recognize whoever he’s here with.
“They left already. I was getting ready to leave myself when I saw you on the dance floor. Can I get you a drink?”
“No, I think I’ve had enough already. I should probably just head home.”
“I can give you a ride.”
“I don’t think that would be wise.” Even in my drunken state, I know I do not want Edward taking me home. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling a little too exposed in front of him.
He cocks his head and chews on his lip when he sees my reaction to him. “Come on, Julie. I just want to make sure you get home okay.”
“I came in an Uber. I’m capable of getting another one to take me home.” I grab my clutch and retrieve my phone, pulling up the Uber app I order a ride. Pushing myself up from the table, I walk back to the dance floor to find Marie and let her know I’ll be leaving. But I can’t find her anywhere after several minutes of pushing through dancers. I send her a quick text instead letting her know that I am going to go home and will call her tomorrow before heading for the door.
I step out on the sidewalk and stop, regretting my decision to wear a sleeveless dress as my arms are suddenly cold. I rub my upper arms as goosebumps break out all over my body and I shiver in the cool night air. Checking my app, I see that the car, a red Prius, will be here in three minutes when I hear footsteps approaching behind me. I turn and see Edward coming out of the bar. “Please don’t, Edward.” I say, holding my hand up with my palm facing him. “I have a car coming, I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. At least let me stand with you while you wait. Make sure you get into the car okay.” He says, taking off his jacket and slinging it over my shoulders. “You look cold.”
“I am a little. I forgot my jacket when I left my apartment earlier.”
He runs his hand through his hair, a faraway look in his eyes, while looking up and down the sidewalk. Neither one of us say anything else as we wait together for my Uber to arrive. When it does, he holds the door open for me as I take his jacket off my shoulders and hold it out to him. He takes it from me, giving me a tightlipped smile. I nod my head and get into the car before he shuts the door. Looking out the window, I see him standing on the sidewalk, his hands in his front pockets, jacket held against his body in the bend of his arm. He stares after me as the car pulls away.
By the time the Uber pulls up to my apartment, my buzz is officially worn off. Looking at my cell phone, I see that it is almost midnight. I walk up the two flights of stairs and enter my apartment quietly so as not to disturb my neighbors. Once the door is deadbolted and the chain is in place, I retreat to my bedroom to change out of my dress into my fluffy pajamas. I walk back into the kitchen and chug down two glasses of water before deciding to go to bed.
After a night of tossing and turning, I decide it would be a good idea to stay in today and work on setting up more interviews for the story I hope to break soon. After changing out of my pajamas, I make a pot of coffee and boot up my laptop while sitting at the dining table. Pulling up the list from my work email, I decide to call five of the store managers and arrange a meeting for this coming Friday.
As I set my phone down after the last meeting is scheduled, it buzzes on the table. I pick it up and see a text from Marie.
Marie: Sorry about last night. I had to bail in a hurry.
Me: Everything ok?
Marie: Yeah. Just got a little too drunk. Bad decisions and all. Needed to sleep.
Me: Did this have anything to do with the hotty you were dancing with?
Marie: Maybe. I’ll see you @ work tomorrow.
It would seem that I was not the only one that felt the need to bail in a hurry last night. Still, I wonder what happened with Marie. These thoughts keep me company as I continue outlining the information I have so far on my story and planning my next plan of attack.
Chapter 5
Julie
I finish up my last interview for the robbery story around ten. I honestly don’t feel like I’m any closer to breaking this story now than I did after the interviews I conducted last Friday. I get back to the office after stopping off at a Club Coffee for a much needed caffeine boost. I step off the elevator and look around before walking through the maze of cubicles and taking a seat at my desk. Marie is not at her desk yet, so I assume that she is late coming in to work which is not like her. She has been distant all week and I’m beginning to worry about her.
In the week since our first official date, Devan and I have either seen or talked to each other every night. The text messages continue several times daily, and we talk on the phone or video chat on the nights that we are not able to get together. Even though I had not planned on joining the dating circuit, he is fun to be around and I can see myself spending more time with him in the future. Maybe even progressing into a relationship.
On the nights that we have gone out, he always walks me to my apartment door. He still refuses to come inside, which I understand. But he still ends the night with a hot, steamy kiss. There’s nothing better than Devan’s kisses. The way he holds me close, wrapping his arms around me, like I’m the only thing in the world that matters to him. Kissing Devan is like an out of body experience every time.
I smile and reach for my phone as a text notification comes in.
Devan: Coming by today with pics for Travis. Maybe we can grab lunch? *pizza emoji*
I check my calendar before replying just to make sure that I don’t have anything else to do.
Me: Would love to. See you when you get here.
An email notification comes in on my laptop while I am putting my phone back into my purse. It appears to be from an anonymous source about that crime ring in town. There has been an increase in robberies and the local police still have not been able to catch a break, but this source says he used to be part of the group and may have some information he wants to share with me.
As I read over his email thinking about how I’m going to respond and whether I should agree to meet with him, I see Devan step off the elevator. I’m not sure why he insists on coming here to sell his photos when I know he can get so much more with other papers and magazines in the city. I have told him that several times over the last week, but he insists on coming here first. He says he likes to keep an eye on me, and I must admit, I really like that he does.
He makes eye contact with me as soon as he steps off the elevator. I can feel the blush already burning my cheeks as I smile. He gives me a crooked smile, showing me that fabulous dimple and winks at me as he walks by and enters Travis’ office. I shake my head, still grinning like a lovesick teenager, as I turn my attention back to my email.
I lightly tap my fingers against the keyboard of my laptop, my head tilted to the side and lips pressed tightly together. I’m still debating over my reply to this ‘source’ when Devan walks out twenty minutes later. “You ready to go?” He asks me as he stops by my desk.
“Absolutely. Where are we going?” I ask him as I grab my purse and push the lid down on my laptop.
“How about Vito’s? I would really love a pizza. Let me stop by reception first and finish up my business here.”
I smile at him as he holds his arm out for me. “Sounds perfect.” We walk to the elevator, his hand resting on the small of my back. It feels slightly possessive, but protective too. I have never had anyone walk with me while touching my back before, I kind of like it.
We have a relatively short wait for a table considering Vito’s is a popular place around lunch time. “How’s work going today? Are you working on anything interesting?” He asks after we get our drinks and put in our pizza order.
“I’m a reporter, Devan. It’s always interesting.” I smirk at him hoping he catches my humor.
He smiles back and chuckles lightly, “I know, I know. But you know I’m going to ask anyway.”
“Well, there is one story that I’m hoping to catch a break on. Maybe it’ll be enough to get me noticed and open up some doors for me elsewhere.” I tell him.
“Are you thinking of leaving Metropolitan Weekly?” He asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, yeah. I never thought I would be the kind of writer I’m expected to be for Travis. I want real stories, real reporting. Investigative journalism is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
“And you think this story is what will get you there?”
“I do.” I sit back and smile, placing my hands on the table. “Think about it. These robberies, they are too easy and there hasn’t been any evidence. For the amount they are saying was taken, and the frequency of robberies taking place, it just doesn’t make sense. How have they not been able to get anything yet? How has no one been arrested, or evidence turned in?” I proceed to tell him about the burglaries and how I do not think the information about them has been adding up so far.
“Oh.” He says as he puts his elbows up on the table and leans closer. He gives me his full attention, which I appreciate.
“Well, right before you came in today, I got an email from someone claiming to have been part of this group that is burglarizing parts of the city. He claims that he has a history with this group. He says that he is ready to turn on them and give me some information.”
I had been making calls and meeting with business owners over the last few weeks at some of the places that were robbed, hoping to get more information from them than what was in the other papers. I gave several of them my contact information in hopes that they would decide to share something more or remember something they may have forgotten previously.
“Wow. That’s interesting. Are you sure you can trust him? I mean, why would he want to turn on them by giving you information instead of just going to the police?” I admit, I had the same question myself which is why I had not replied to the email yet before coming to lunch with Devan.
“I don’t know, that’s what I’m hoping to find out. I haven’t replied to him yet because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to meet up with him or not.”
“Well, just be careful if you do, and make sure you meet him somewhere public.”
I narrow my eyes at him and reply, “I know. I wasn’t born yesterday, Devan.”
Devan holds his hands up as if to surrender and sits back in his seat. “I didn’t say you were, I just wanted to make sure you were being careful.”
“I will be. Like I said, I haven’t even decided if I want to meet him yet. I’m just gathering information right now, so we’ll see what he has to offer before I make any decisions.”
He concedes and appears to relax in his seat as the waitress returns with our pizza. “So, what else has been going on, angel?” He asks, setting his pizza down and wiping his hands on a paper napkin. “Do you have any plans this weekend?”
“Aside from trying to get a break on this story, nothing else has been going on. And no, I don’t have any plans this weekend.” I answer him with a grin. I take another bite of my pizza, savoring the sweet tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. I set the slice on my plate, wipe my hands on a paper napkin and take a drink of my sparkling lemonade. “Did you have something in mind?”
“How do you feel about hiking?” He asks me with a crooked smile.
I narrow my eyes slightly and pull my bottom lip between my teeth, teasing him with my glare. “You could probably out hike me to be honest. I spend most of my days sitting behind a desk at work, so I don’t get much time to exercise. Would your idea require any specialized training or gear?”
He chuckles lightly, sending a quiver up my spine at the sound. “No, angel. No special gear required. And I promise it isn’t that kind of a hike. I have a few photos I need to take around Runyon Canyon Park and thought it would make for a nice picnic lunch if you came along with me.”
“That sounds fabulous.” Not to mention, I would get to see Devan work. I started following him on Instagram after we had our first date, and his pictures are amazing. Most photographers that you follow on Instagram have staged or studio pictures with animals or people as their subjects. However, the best work I have seen of Devan’s are natural and outdoors. He uses the natural elements and daylight to his advantage, getting some of the most serene shots I have ever seen.
“Perfect. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice weather, perfect for a hike.” He smiles and picks his pizza back up to finish eating.
I pick my pizza slice up to take another bite when my phone buzzes on the table next to my plate. “Sorry. I should have put it in my purse.” I say as I wipe my hands off before reaching for my phone. I frown as I look at the screen.
“It’s not a problem.” He pauses and gives me a concerned glance when he notices my expression. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just a text from Marie. She just got to work. I guess she wanted me to know she was okay. She was running late today, which isn’t like her, so I had sent her at text before you showed up for lunch to make sure she was okay.”
“The two of you must be close.”
“Yeah, kind of.” I say, putting my phone into my purse and setting it back on the seat next to me. “She’s my only friend in the city. She took me under her wing when I first started working at the paper.”
“It’s good to have a friend like that. For me, it was Matt. I met him when I first moved here to LA. He’s a construction worker and owns his own company doing remodels and flipping houses. He did the work on my house when I first bought it and we hit it off. We’ve been best friends ever since and that was...” He rubs his chin as if in deep thought. “Five years ago, now?” He states the last part as a question. “So, Marie works with you at the paper?”
“Yeah. She’s my cubicle neighbor. She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure. Listens to imaginary music all day that plays in her head, has bright pink hair, wears bright colored clothing.” I finish the crust of my pizza and wash it down with the last of my sparkling lemonade. When I look up, I see Devan staring at me with wide eyes and a smile on his face. “What?” I ask, picking up my napkin and wiping it over my mouth. “Do I have pizza sauce on my face?”
