This
isn't specifically their first meeting, but that was so short, I like
to use this scene instead. Teague inadvertently ran into Vivica when
opening the door at Dunkin' Donuts. To apologize, he bought her a cup
of coffee, but had to rush to get to work. He did, however, make sure
to drive slowly by the windows of the building so she could see the
name of the business on the side of his truck.
Teague
stopped at Taco Bell and picked himself up a late lunch. He ate in
the restaurant, going over this plans for Scott so that the plan
would be fresh in his mind when he went to the nursery. He was making
a list of necessary items when his phone rang.
"Wild
Gardens. Teague speaking. How may I help you?"
"So,
it is you," said the cheerful female voice on the other
end. "It's not every day a man buys a girl a cup of coffee and
runs off without a word. I had to beg Jenny to tell me your name, but
she wouldn't give me your number."
"It's
right on the side of the truck," he said with a laugh in his
voice.
"So
I noticed as you drove slowly by. You did that on purpose, you sly
devil. Peak a girl's interest and satisfy her curiosity at the same
time."
"Damn,
I'm good. I didn't know I was that slick."
"Sneaky,
you mean. So, hit any other women with doors in the past few hours?"
"No,
but I've been kissed by a beautiful, older woman."
"Ooh,
I'm jealous! Tell me who she is, I'll pay her a visit."
Teague
laughed, picturing this nameless, exotic beauty coming up against
Daisy.
"You
might give the old girl heart failure," he said. "Daisy's
spry, but I think you'd scare her half to death. Why don't you just
let me buy you dinner to make up for my infidelity?"
There
was a short pause. She sounded somewhat surprised when she answered,
though whether with him or herself, he couldn't tell. "You know,
I'd really like that, Teague."
"Great!
Are you free tonight?"
"You're
sure not shy. Do you always ask mysterious women out right after you
meet them?"
"Only
the ones I hit with the door. The others have to wait the standard
three weeks before I ask them out."
"Am
I setting myself up to get played?" She sounded concerned.
Wanting
to immediately kill that thought, Teague got very serious. The
laughter left his voice and he was very quiet before replying.
"I
promise, I'm not like that," he said solemnly. "I don't
even know your name."
Did
he hear a sniffle? Had he made the woman cry? Cursing himself
silently, he waited. She cleared her throat before replying.
"Vivica."
"That's
a beautiful name."
"Thank
you. So, is Teague your first name?"
"Yeah.
My mom's maiden name. Originally McTeague. Dad talked her out of
that, thank God."
She
giggled, then laughed louder. "Fine Irish name it is," she
said with a fairly decent brogue.
"Aye,
so it is, lassie. So, about dinner?"
"Talk
about persistent! Okay, what about dinner?"
"Where,
when?" Please let it be soon, he added as a silent
prayer.
"You
tell me."
"I
don't know your schedule."
"I
work from home. I'm very flexible."
That
statement could have been taken a variety of ways. Teague didn't let
his mind dwell on the subtler, more risque meanings, though his heart
jumped when she said that.
"Alright.
Would it be presumptuous of me to invite you out for tonight? That's
assuming that a beautiful, vivacious, resilient woman like you hasn't
already got plans."
"Beautiful,
vivacious and resilient? Baby, you aren't being presumptuous, but you
are pulling out all the vocab stops. If I had plans, I'd reschedule
because no other man I know can string those words together with any
intelligence."
"Damn,
I'm good."
His
voice dropped to a silky, dark chocolate range that made Vivica
shiver with anticipation. It was a voice designed to be seductive and
it worked. She hadn't any plans and the idea of going out with Teague
was incredibly appealing.
"I
believe I can reschedule," she said. "Move a few things
around and clear a window at, say, seven?"
"I
can do seven. You like seafood?"
"I
love swordfish," she countered.
"I
happen to know a place that serves the best swordfish in the county."
"Really?
Where?"
"That
would be telling. See, this way, I have to come pick you up."
"I
see. Handsome and sneaky."
"I'm
told it's a large part of my charm."
"Oh,
I thought your charm was simply your ability to run into women with
doors."
Teague
laughed happily, enjoying this conversation more than just about any
he'd ever had. He could tell that Vivica would keep him hopping, and
he looked forward to it eagerly. She gave him her address which he
wrote on a napkin, putting it in his wallet before he misplaced it.
"You
can find that alright?"
"I
grew up here, I can find damn near everywhere."
"Good.
I'd hate for you to get lost and be late."
"I'll
see you at seven on the dot. You don't mind riding in a pickup, do
you?"
"Why
would I?"
"Some
women don't like trucks."
Vivica
laughed. He could picture her tossing her magnificent mane of
chestnut colored hair.
"It's
got four wheels and it goes vroom. I don't care. My brothers
all drive trucks. As a matter of fact, I do too."
"Then
I guess that's a moot point."
"Don't
be so worried, Teague. You had me at 'oh, shit.'" She hung up
with a laugh.
©
2016 Dellani Oakes
