Running To You Read online

  I couldn’t wait to talk to Cooper and ask for his stylist expertise, but he wasn’t picking up. Wrapping up my final appointment, I had missed Dr. Brooks’ text:

  Dinner reservations 6:30 at Sambuca’s in my name, are you still able to make it?

  I responded: “Certainly, see you there.”

  What are the odds? Of all the restaurants in Dallas, he picks a place in my neighborhood and one that Cooper and I just discovered. Am I being stalked?

  Returning home, I have just enough time to get ready for my dinner, but what a challenge, what to wear. I pull out my favorite dinner dress, but it’s mostly brown and really doesn’t enhance my non-existent boobs! I need Cooper, where the heck is he? Trying to wrangle my hair unsuccessfully, I finally decide just to pull it back when I hear “Oh, no you don’t, let that hair down, girl.”

  “Cooper, where have you been, I need you! I have a dinner meeting with Dr. Brooks and I am begging! You gotta do me a favor and please style me!”

  “Hey girl, I’ve got your back and you are going to look drilling-hot tonight” and suddenly, he pulls together a sexy outfit in about 2.2 seconds.

  “Coop, what is drilling-hot?” I am stunned at his new terminology all of a sudden.

  “Well, I could revise it and say f-able, but you don’t like that word, so I came up with drilling-hot”

  NOTE TO SELF: Pick up some style catalogs so that I can pull together outfits, because Cooper may not always be around to bail me out of fashion prison!

  Arriving at the restaurant, I leave my Jeep with the valet. I mentioned to the hostess that I was meeting Dr. Brooks and she led me to a table where a petite, blonde, very attractive young woman was sitting. I notice she is wearing a beautifully, large wedding ring!

  Shit, he’s married! Even more perfect, I get to have dinner with the WIFE!!

  A sudden blush devours my whole body; I can feel the heat burn. The blonde is giving me a questioning look. Trying to find my voice, “Hello, I am Alex Morrison, I am meeting Dr. Brooks.”

  “Oh, hi Alex, it’s very nice to meet you. I am Zoe. Grayson is running late and should be here shortly.”

  As we women begin to immediately size each other up, because that is what women do to each other, I realize she is really pretty, with long, blonde hair and speaks with a soft, southern accent. She looks to be just a few years older than me. I could see how she and Dr. Brooks make an attractive-looking couple.

  “I was out of the office last week attending a conference and updating my continuing education credits for my nursing license. I am sorry that I didn’t get a chance to meet you on Friday. I understand that the procedures went really well today and everyone was very happy with your product.” Oh dear, just lovely, not only is she married to him, she works with him. So she is his nurse as well. That’s really not uncommon, especially when just starting a practice.

  “Yes, I am sorry that I missed meeting Dr. Brooks’ entire team. Today, the cases went well, actually, really well, and the operating room team seemed to be pleased.”

  We were about to dive into painful small talk, when Dr. Brooks finally appeared.

  “Good evening ladies, I am so very sorry for keeping you both. My meeting with the foundation ran later than I had intended, but encouraging. I am assuming you both met and have been getting to know each other?”

  Why would I want to get to know his wife? Is he a twisted-bedroom kind of guy? My alter ego gets in control and reminds me to get my mind out of the bedroom, but how can I with this sexy man sitting so close to me!

  “Alex, I don’t like to drag business out, so I will get right to it. I felt that the case went well today and I can easily see how my patients and practice could benefit, as well as the OR Team's time. The problem is always funding. With that being said, the hospital is limited on budget right now. They can’t make any large purchases, which is why I have gone to the hospital foundation committee to see what options we may have in their favor. As luck would have it, they don’t have excessive funds left over at the moment. However, their fundraising gala will be in September, so we aren’t a long way off. We just need to plan quickly and be accessible to them. Just so you know, you will be competing with other product requests by physicians that may carry more clout than I. So you will need to surround them with attention and bring in your best proposal. It would be to your benefit to join the committee and assist with some of the fundraising. Are you okay with the plan in motion?”

  “Absolutely, Dr. Brooks, I would be happy to. I couldn’t ask for more. As you put a plan together, I have a back up already going to the drawing board. Our organization is small, a start-up. But we do need beta facilities to help us with product feedback and provide referrals. We are also looking for a Medical Director who can perform a lecture series as leader of our faculty. For their activity and extra time, we often are able to get them teaching packages with a reduced or no-cost option. However, let me be completely honest, this does require a great deal of time on your part and a relationship with our organization that goes both ways. If you are open to discussing what I am proposing, I will call my boss right now and get that ball rolling?” Of course, I would love to spend more time with Dr. Delicious, but not if he is married to the Texas Cutie!

  As he indicates, I call Drew and ask for a meeting to be set up ASAP with Phillip, our CEO and the board. He is to notify me when it is all set up.

  Dr. Brooks signals the server to take our orders. Before I can really dive into some small talk, Zoe asks me if I am married. Wow, she doesn’t wait long. She wants to know if I am going to be chasing her husband since we are going to be spending so much time together.

  “No, I am not married. Between working and finishing my MBA, I have not had the time or luck in the love department. I am lucky in friendship, however, as my life-long friend, Cooper Roberts, decided to make the relocation from Chicago to Dallas with me and we are roommates.” Before I could finish, I saw the two of them glance at each other, so I decided to go for it.

  “So how long have you two been married?” And with a jolt, Dr. Brooks drops his glass hard on the table and clears his throat as if he is choking. Zoe comes to his rescue in between her giggling.

  “Oh, too funny, WE are NOT married. Not to each other anyway. Grayson is my older brother and he is not married! I just married recently and have lived in the Dallas area since going to school here. That is why Grayson decided to start his practice here when he left the military, but I am his nurse for the time being.”

  I could feel the redness burn my face again or was it the wine? No, it was both embarrassment and satisfaction in knowing that he wasn’t married!

  As our dinner entrees arrived, the musical entertainment was taking the stage. Tonight, they introduced a local jazz artist that was beautiful and had a lovely voice. The three of us begin to engage in generic small talk about the Texas climate, my relocation, and the local happenings.

  “Dr. Brooks, I am curious how you came to pick this establishment. Is it a favorite of yours?"

  “Please call me Grayson, after all, we are going to be spending a great deal of time together. To answer your question, I live in the area. I happened to be here this past weekend and saw you with your date. You seemed to be enjoying yourself dancing on the patio.”

  I could not contain my cough. I choked on my wine, giggling at the same time, and all eyes were on me. “Grayson, yes I did enjoy myself. I was dancing with Cooper, my roommate. Just so you know, he wasn’t my date, Cooper is gay. We have been lifetime friends and many people mistake us for a couple.” He and Zoe glanced at each other and then enjoyed a grin. After all, I had just thought the same about them.

  Zoe asked Grayson for a dance. “Hey bro, spin me around the dance floor to my favorite song!” They took off as the jazz artist was doing a different, but very velvety rendition of Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon. Wow, both of them could dance very well. I enjoyed watching them show off. They looked comfortable doing it, as if they had danced
together many times. As they were enjoying themselves, Drew phoned me back to let me know that the CEO, some board members, and venture capitalist guys would like to have a dinner meeting on Thursday with Grayson and I should set up the venue. Game on.

  Finally, returning to the table, Zoe made an apology of leaving me alone so long while they enjoyed themselves on the dance floor. “We love to dance together. Grayson gave me away at my wedding, since our Dad had passed on. We took dance lessons so that he could do the father/brother dance with me at the reception. We both fell in love with dancing and love live music.”

  “Well, I don’t dance well, but Cooper makes it fun, whatever you call what we are doing.”

  To lock the business deal down before time got away, “Grayson, can you possibly join my boss and a few other business colleagues for a dinner meeting on Thursday for a discussion and planning of the beta site proposal?”

  “Yes, I believe I can work that into my schedule.” Grayson agreed to the dinner meeting. After which, we continued to make small talk for a few more minutes. Zoe excused herself to go home to her new husband, leaving Grayson and I alone. The atmosphere quickly became electric between the two of us. I could feel some kind of connectivity. This crazy current runs through me when we are together. I wanted to get to know him more, now that I knew he wasn’t married. “How long has Zoe lived in Dallas?” I was trying to figure out how long they had resided here and what brought them here, and from where?

  “She moved here eight years ago to attend the nursing program at TWU, which is one of the best in the country. Subsequently, she met Brent, her husband, whose family is also from the area. I joined them here two years ago.”

  “Do you have any family here in the area?” he asked, as he refilled our wine. A move, which indicates he is not ready to leave just yet.

  “No, my family is in Chicago. I just have Cooper here with me. Speaking of Chicago, are you really a Bears fan?” If so, that just scored him double points!

  “Yes, I spent some of my younger years in Chicago and I enjoy the Bears. Maybe we can catch a game sometime?” spoken with a sheepish grin. Wow, that comment just indicated he wanted to see me socially again! Pausing, just studying my face, “How old are you, Alexandra?” I wonder why he wants to know, maybe it is the same reason I want to know. How much older than me he may be?

  “I am 26, and you?”

  “I got 10 on you,” he spoke rather abruptly, all the while just looking at me with wanting eyes. Suddenly, our table was quiet, overcome with silence. It was as if the world had stopped in mid-motion, the rest of the restaurant a blur. The air thick with tension.

  He twisted the wine bottle nervously, not making eye contact. After a few minutes more, he looked up, “Alexandra, do you live around here?”

  “I do. Cooper and I share an apartment at the Manchester’s. We found the brownstone facade beautiful and we are in love with having a dual-master floor plan. And you?”

  “I also live in the Manchester’s,” and I find that his eyes are on me, going up and down my body, giving me goose bumps. The sapphire color of his eyes sparkles as if they are filled with deep blue glitter, full of intensity. Catching me in his trance. Several times, he smiled at me and his bright whites lit up the room. It was mesmerizing. I didn’t even notice the noise of our surroundings or the music of the band. I was lost in him and found it difficult to breath.

  What are the odds, we’re neighbors! Before I can settle in to my thoughts, Grayson sees my reaction. “Alexandra, I have a full clinic day tomorrow, so I will walk you out. If it is alright with you, could we have the dinner meeting here on Thursday, or is the venue already set up?” His behavior was abrupt and almost dismissing.

  “Of course Grayson, I am to pick the venue and your choice is perfect. We should verify accommodations with the maitre d' on the way out.” As I stood, Grayson offered his arm and walked me to the front, so that we could finalize a dinner meeting for Thursday. Reaching the restaurant lobby, he acted as though he wanted to kiss me. I waited, but instead, he sweetly touched the side of my face with his finger before taking his hand away. We said our goodbyes and a sense of sadness came over me; our wonderful dinner had come to an end. However, I was hoping that a new relationship was building.

  Chapter 2

  Back at home, Coop wanted to know all the details of my evening out. He kept me up way too late doing the 20/20 on Grayson. By the time I got in to bed, all I could think about was that Thursday couldn’t get here quick enough. Lying in my bed, I had sensual thoughts about a relationship with him. My body stirred. My mind is adrift in a fantasy about him. I wanted to kiss those full, red lips. I wanted to know what it felt like to have his arms wrapped around me. I could picture myself happy with him. It was way off base to think those thoughts and that scared me, but I could not get the chemistry between us off my mind.

  I decided to start my morning off with an early run to beat the heat, clear my head and process last night’s information. Exiting the gates, I noticed shoulders ahead of me that looked vaguely familiar. My suspicions were correct, delicious Dr. Brooks was out for a morning run. God he is sexy from the back, I could stare at that view of him all day. As to not be seen in my running attire, that clearly shows my lack of boobs, I decide to go a different route. That ended my glorious view of Dr. Brooks.

  Finishing my run, I find my way back to the front gate. Still entranced in the music playing through my iPod, I feel a hand grabbing my arm. I go into complete defense training mode and give a hard kick to my would-be attacker!

  Uh-oh, I’m toast! I turn around to find that it is Grayson grabbing my arm and I just kicked the breath out of him, he’s all doubled over!

  “Grayson, I am so sorry! I was not expecting,” he cut me off.

  “Alexandra, you just shortened my life-span and put an end to any children I would want to have! Good grief, are you trying to kill me? I was only going to say hello and ask you if you would like to join me for dinner tonight. Now, I think I may need to be a patient, I feel like I am dying!” By this point, he is literally rolling on the ground.

  “Grayson, I am so sorry! You caught me by surprise. I was in my own little world!”

  “I called your name, but you didn’t respond, I guess the volume was up too high in your ears!” Pausing for a moment, “This week is the last week for Creya, the jazz artist, to play at Sambuca’s, and I wanted you to join me for dinner and dancing if you, and now me, are up to it!”

  He didn’t wait until I responded yes, “What is your apartment number? Our reservations are for 7:30 tonight.”

  Reservations, what reservations, they aren’t open yet and we almost closed them down last night. He must have gone back in after we left or phoned them after I walked away. I am so loving this charming man!

  “Alexandra, hello, Earth to Alexandra. Your apartment number? I will be there by 7 if that is okay?” Helping him to his feet, I gave him my apartment number and quickly headed home. So self-aware that my running clothes do not enhance, my non-enhanced, breasts in a good way. However, Cooper, always shedding the fun light, says I have the tallest, tight-ass and nothing shows it better than my workout gear. He should know. He picked them out. Leave it to Coop to point out perfection rather than flaws, oddly something you don’t see often with models.

  I spent the rest of the morning trying to wrap up some reports and paperwork. I received a text from Grayson:

  Looking forward to dinner. Can’t wait to see u, GB

  My response: Me too! C’ya soon!

  As the day progressed however, I couldn’t focus on what I was doing. My thoughts were constantly grabbing stars in my daydreams, thinking of my date with Grayson. Music always gets me going, so I put on my iPod to play. I found a favorite, World Stand Still by The Tenors. I love this song! Listening to it, I realized that my world felt idle when I was dreaming about Grayson. A noise brought me out of my thoughts and I could hear Coop headed my way, “Hey daydreamer, I think you have Graysonitis re
ally bad! What do you say, let’s get you dressed for your date Alex, now move it...and just so you know, that hair is coming down!”

  As usual, Cooper styled me and actually fixed my hair. He persuaded me to cut a few sexy layers throughout my hair. Surprisingly, he gives quite an excellent trim. He had the layers flowing softly to the tiny curves of my breast and the volume pumped up. While we were playing dress up, he told me that he had a great time hanging out with his new friend, Mark and that he had about a dozen go-sees this week for modeling. Of which, he had a great opportunity with a new campaign for a new menswear line. So here’s to hoping it comes through for him. He talked about several of the stylist that he had been meeting at the preview shoots and they enjoyed showing the latest fashion trends, which he wanted to share with me.

  Screeching in the mirror, “Coop, this skirt is too tight and a bit short, I can’t wear this.” It was a cream pencil skirt. He matched it with a tan, sleeveless top and heels of course.

  “You can and you must. He needs to see that tall-tight-ass darling! Quit hiding it under flowing clothes!”

  “Trust me, he saw it. He was watching us dance Friday night at Sambuca’s. He also saw it in scrubs, and he saw it this morning when I was running!”

  “You don’t have time to change, Alex. He is going to be here any minute, wear the damn skirt!”

  I had just a few seconds to finish my make-up and slip on my heels before I heard the bell. Opening the door for Grayson, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Doc was so sexy in dark-washed metro-sexual jeans and a sapphire-blue Robert Graham dress shirt, without the tie. YUMMO! His hair had that glossy, messy curl to it, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep my hands out of it throughout the entire night.

  “Come in Grayson, I want you to meet Cooper.”