There was a knock on her office door, “Um...excuse me, do you think I could talk to you for a minute?”
Sandy’s back was to her door but she knew that voice anywhere. There was a time when she craved the sound. Now…it left her feeling…nothing.
She turned around with a blank expression on her face.
“Sure. What can I help you with Mr. Jones?”
He came inside and closed the door. Why he did that when her office was a glass fishbowl was beyond her.
“Why so formal?”
He was still as handsome as ever, Sandy sighed, “What can I help you with Joshua?”
“I just wanted to see you and to tell you that…I miss you…I miss us.”
“What? Are you serious? I haven’t talked to you in months. And, if I remember correctly the last time we spoke you said some really awful things to me. Didn’t I hang up on you?”
He threw up those well-manicured hands, “I know. I know. I was hurt, angry, and jealous! I didn’t know what I was doing or saying at the time. But, I’ve had some time to think about everything. I know I was an asshole to you. You have to understand, I wasn’t ready to settle down…then. But, being without you these past few months have made me realize…how important you are to me. I want you back.”
Sandy’s mouth nearly fell open. How long had she waited for Joshua to utter those exact words. Now he’s ready? Now? Now that she has moved on he’s ready for a real relationship.
“Joshua, not only is this not the place or the time, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
“Fine. Let me come over to your place tonight to talk…”
Sandy gave him an incredulous look that made him re-think those plans, “That’s not a good idea.”
“Okay…okay. How about we go out to dinner then? I’ll take you to your favorite restaurant and we’ll just talk.”
“It’s too late for all of this! Joshua, we dated for years and you probably can’t even tell me what my favorite restaurant is.”
Underneath all of that smooth caramel skin, Sandy could still see him blush. She was right. Her wants and needs were never a priority to him. Unfortunately, it was too late.
“Joshua, there was a time when I would have given anything to be with you. I put up with a lot while we were together.”
Joshua started to advance toward Sandy but she put her hands up to stop him.
“Josh, please let me finish. We spent years trying to figure ‘us’ out. Me hoping that one day you would realize what we could have together. So much has happened in the past few months that have really put things into perspective. I can’t go back with you. I’m finally in a happy place.”
“Franklin might make you happy now Sandy but I know you. I know you deep down to your soul. Has he even committed to you? What if he goes back to his ex?”
Joshua had been looking for just the right button to push and he could see in her eyes that he’d found the right one.
“My relationship with Franklin is none of your concern. And, if you care for me the way you say you do…you’ll let me go. You’ll let me be happy.”
Joshua held Sandy’s gaze not knowing what to say or do. He never thought in a million years that she wouldn’t always be there if he was ever ready to settle down.
He took the extra few steps to close the gap between them and slowly lowered his head to kiss her on the lips. Sandy turned her head in time for him to only connect with her cheek.
He cleared his throat, “I needed to know for sure.” He turned, and walked toward the door but stood there for a moment.
Joshua spoke softly, “If things don’t work out with you and Franklin, don’t forget about me.”
And with those words, Joshua walked out of her office.
A weight that Sandy hadn’t known she’d been carrying was lifted. She knew with 100% certainty that she was over him. She also knew with even more certainty that she was in love with Franklin.
*****
Franklin was sitting at his desk going over the latest sales figures. He’d re-read the same numbers three times. His normal laser focus was on the blitz. And, it had everything to do with a Ms. Sandra Catchings.
He couldn’t seem to get her off of his mind. It was only a few short hours ago that they’d last seen each other. She’d flattened her entire body against his as she hungrily searched his lips for one last good bye kiss before leaving his house.
She had a mind of her own and was not afraid to tell you what was on it. Sandy was a spitfire to say the least and definitely the reason he couldn’t seem to wipe that goofy smile off of his face. She set his whole body aflame just by being in the same room with her; which was surprising considering she couldn’t be further from what he thought was his type.
As incredible as the sex was between them she had a gift of making him feel…honest and whole. Sometimes they’d spend hours just talking about nothing and everything. She and his ex were as different as night and day. He and April would sometimes have very uncomfortable silences. Franklin knew it was mostly his fault for not being able to open up to her. All water under the bridge now.
Sandy didn’t need him but she wanted him and had no problem
