Into Thin Air Read online

  I’ve been watching sports news and social media for any mention about him and Seattle, but there’s been nothing. Me, of all people, reading sports news. I have no clue. I’m watching Jenny’s Facebook and Instagram accounts too. She’s constantly gushing over him and making it sound like they’re really happy. But… no comments about moving to Seattle.

  I’m not proud about it, but I broke down and started watching YouTube videos of him. Games, interviews, commercials he’s made. I’ve seen recaps of his best goals. The more I watch, the more obvious it is that soccer’s his passion. It’s his life. On top of all that, he’s just as gorgeous as I remember, if not more.

  I think I’m becoming a cyber stalker.

  Well, my heart and soul aren’t in my job, that’s for sure. I stare at my computer, browsing the huge list of cases Stephanie has delegated to me. The other associates seem to have fewer cases. I can’t focus on each one like I want to. I might as well set up camp in the courthouse. I’m wishing I’d chosen another career. I only went to law school because my father told me I’d be good at it, with how I debated everything at home and in high school. It was impossible to win an argument with me. I was good at analyzing and connecting the dots. I still am—that’s why they call me the Tiger Lady at work. I find the loopholes.

  Almost every night after work I write like a maniac. Memories of Us is coming along better than I expected. As I write the chapters, I keep remembering little details, things that couldn’t have been mere coincidence. I mean, one of my Sam’s favorite things was sports. I watched him playing soccer with that boy at the resort. The real Sam plays soccer for a living. How could I dream something like that? I highly doubt we talked about it at the airport.

  I keep all this information inside. Gale thinks I’m losing my mind. Maybe I am. I feel lost in this world right now. I’m not the same person I was before the accident. The only thing I look forward to is writing this book. I think about it every second I’m awake. I carry a little notebook in my bag in case I remember something else.

  The other day I was going to visit my mom. When I stopped at a light, I realized I was nowhere near her apartment. I was too distracted with my thoughts and ideas for this book.

  The biggest reason I love writing it is that I get to relive every moment I spent together with Sam. It’s my happy place. He’s my happy place.

  I’m not sure how long I can live like this. I don’t think he’s coming here. I haven’t seen any notice anywhere about that. It’s got to be a sign to wake up and smell the coffee. But I don’t want to, now that I know he’s out there somewhere.

  ∞

  “Hey, Stella, I’m done with the files you needed regarding patent infringement. I highlighted a couple of things for you.” Christy hands them to me and laughs. “How do you keep your office so organized?”

  “It has to be, with my workload. They should use my office as the file room since it feels like most of them are in here.” I scan my office for an open space to put them. “Thanks for bringing these to me.”

  “No problem. Hey, what are you doing this Friday night? Do you want to go out for happy hour with some of us? It looks like you could use some fun.” She glances again at the many stacks of files crowding my office.

  “It depends on who some of us are.” I shift a few things around and squeeze the new files onto my desk. Then I drop my displaced stapler on top of them.

  “No worries. It’d only be Maura and me. Just come for one drink. You haven’t been out with us in a while. Why don’t you ask that sexy cousin of yours to meet us?” She winks at me.

  “Ya know what? I think I will, and I’ll ask Gale to come too—but I won’t tell him you asked me to.”

  She smiles so big that I need sunglasses for the reflection bouncing off her white teeth. “I’d owe you big time,” she says. “Have a good night.”

  Christy’s another lawyer here and one of the sweetest people I work with—unless she’s in the courtroom. Then watch out. We clicked instantly when she started about a year ago. Then Gale showed up at the office one time to drop something off for me. She went down to the lobby with me to pick it up, and I introduced them. She’s been smitten ever since. I think I need to work it for her. He deserves a good woman, and Christy’s one of them.

  I need to get a social life. It’s time to give myself a break from work and writing. I stay up way too late every night. The circles under my eyes are getting harder to conceal.

  The time on my phone says 5:05. I start to call Mom, but the office phone rings. I could ignore it and pretend I’ve left for the day, but what if it’s important? I huff and pick up the receiver. Then hold it between my chin and shoulder as I grab a notepad.

  “Stella Crimson. How can I help you?”

  “Hi, Stella. It’s Sam. Samuel Moore.”

  I jerk and almost drop the phone. Every hair on my body stands on end. Just when I think he’s out of my life for good, he appears somehow.

  “Hi, Sam.” Stay relaxed. Don’t give him a reason to think you’re happy to hear from him. Thankfully it’s not a video call. My face stings from my red cheeks. “Sorry. I mean Samuel.” I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. Did someone turn the heat on in my office?

  “Please, don’t ever call me Samuel. I far prefer the way you say Sam.”

  Oh, jeez. Stay professional. Don’t get sucked in by the sound of his voice.

  “Sam it is, then. What can I do for you? Do you need some legal advice?”

  The next fifteen minutes pass in a blur. My shaky hand rests the phone on the receiver and then I deflate in my chair. I’m disgusted by the amount of sweat pooling in the most inappropriate places.

  My mind is spinning with everything I’ve learned and what I just agreed to. Sam is most likely moving to Seattle. I’ve agreed to answer some legal questions he has about the offer and contract he received from Seattle University.

  What was I thinking when I said I’ll meet him at his hotel after happy hour on Friday? It’s one of my favorite hotels, located not too far from my apartment. And best of all, he’ll be alone. Then I offered to show him around Seattle.

  I drop my head in my hands. This can’t be good. It’s too tempting. Why am I torturing myself by creating all these fantasies in my head? He wants to see me for legal advice. Nothing else. Yes, that’s all it is. Business. I’m not going to overthink this. He said he’ll send me a couple of paragraphs that he doesn’t understand. Why we should meet to discuss some sentences is beyond me. I could just call him. But I’m not going to question it because I want to see him any chance I get.

  ∞

  Fifteen more minutes until happy hour. The hours have ticked by slower than a snail in sand this afternoon. I’ve hardly eaten all day due to my nerves and being in court all morning. Yogurt with pomegranate seeds mixed in is all I’ve had time for. I really should eat something else. I don’t need to get drunk off one drink.

  Christy’s probably as nervous as I am—she’s been in the bathroom fixing herself up for the last twenty minutes. Gale has agreed to meet us for happy hour tonight with some of his SU coworkers. He actually asked me if Christy would be there. I didn’t press why he was asking, but I’m glad he did. We’ll see how they act tonight.

  My plan is to sneak out around 6:45. I’m not sure yet what I’ll use as my reason to leave, but something will pop up.

  At 4:50, Christy and Maura show up at my desk. “Ready, ladies?” They grin enthusiastically. “Let’s go have some fun. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve left the office this early. Gale just texted me that they’re already at the bar.”

  Christy fluffs her light brown hair. I walk out from behind my desk and put my arm around her shoulder.

  “Stop worrying. You look beautiful. Doesn’t she, Maura?”

  “I already told her that a thousand times since we left the bathroom.” We all chuckle and walk toward the exit. This’ll be an interesting evening.

  A few minutes later we arrive at the large
outside tiki bar. I spot Gale immediately. He waves at us, a welcoming smile lighting up his face. I pull Christy along with me. I whisper to her, “Work it, girl. It’s now or never.” Maura laughs behind me.

  “Hey, Ellie,” he says as he hugs me.

  “Gale, you remember Christy and Maura.”

  He shakes Christy’s hand and holds eye contact with her for a little longer than a casual hello. Hearts float above her head. I giggle to myself. He moves on to greet Maura and then introduces his coworkers to us. I know most of them already. We order drinks and mingle. Several of them ask me about the explosion. I’m getting tired of talking about it. I check my phone several times to see if Sam has sent me a message. I’ll be devastated if he cancels.

  “Why do you keep checking your phone?” Gale asks from behind me.

  I give him a dirty look. “What the hell, Gale? Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “What’s going on?” He stands firmly, his posture stiff.

  “Nothing.” I twirl a paper umbrella between my fingers. “So, what do you think of Christy? Do you like her?” I nudge his elbow with mine, almost spilling his beer.

  He wags his finger at me and smirks. “Don’t try to change the subject. What’s up?”

  “Fine,” I huff. “I need to leave soon because I have a quick telephone conference. I told someone I’d review something for them and give my comments tonight because they need it right away. I’m going to do it from my apartment.” I don’t like lying to him, but it’s sort of the truth.

  His eyes squint with suspicion. “On a Friday night?”

  I shrug, then move to the side to let a waitress with a full tray get through. “It’s not that late. I’m lucky it’s this early in the evening. It’s with someone on the west coast this time. It’s earlier than I usually get out of the office.”

  “We were talking about going to get a bite to eat. Maura can’t go. But Christy can. My coworkers want to stay for a while. Why don’t you come with us after your meeting?”

  Thank you, Gale. You’ve created a perfect excuse for me.

  “No way am I going to dinner with you two. Why can’t you admit that you like her? You’re thirty years old, and she has a crush on you. I have no desire to be a third wheel tonight.”

  “Are you sure? I’m just happy you’re here. You haven’t gone out in a while. You’re hiding at work and then at your place. What are you doing all the time?”

  “Do you have to ask? I’m working.”

  “As I said, hiding behind your job.”

  I rest my hand on his arm. “Listen, I know you’re concerned. Can you please give me some time and space to get over everything? You can’t expect me to forget it, like it never happened. And I’m not talking about the explosion. That’s the last I’m going to say about it.”

  His lips purse. “Okay. I’m not going to respond to that loaded comment. I’m sorry. I’ll back off. But only for a little while longer. Then I’m going to have to do some kind of intervention. I don’t know what, but I’ll figure something out.”

  “It better be good and with a lot of white chocolate.”

  “You and your white chocolate. It’s so disgusting.”

  “Maybe for you.” I push him for fun. “You better behave with Christy, unless she doesn’t want you to behave.” We laugh. “Let me say goodbye to everyone.”

  Chapter 26

  Sam

  I pace back and forth in front of the hotel and keep checking my phone to see if Ellie’s sent any messages. A couple of hours ago, she sent me one confirming our plans. The text was purely professional, just like when I spoke with her on the phone. It’s a big reminder that this is a business meeting and nothing else. Granted, I don’t need legal advice. It was only an excuse.

  My phone dings. She’ll be twenty minutes late, and she’ll meet me in the lobby. This is going to be a long twenty minutes.

  I walk inside and find a quiet corner with a view of the entrance. Maybe she won’t see me right away because I’m wearing a baseball cap again. What will happen once she walks through those doors? Am I ready to find out? How will I keep my hands to myself or not slip and call her Ellie? She’ll think I forgot her name or I’m thinking of another woman.

  My entire body freezes when she walks quickly through the door. My hopeful future just turned to she is my future. I stand up and take off my baseball cap and shove it in the back pocket of my jeans. She’s more beautiful than she was in my dream. Her hair is pulled to one side; her tight curls flow forward over her shoulder. I try not to focus on her shirt, but it’s that same pale green color her dress was when we went to dinner. It matches those stunning, smiling green eyes that her black glasses can’t hide.

  “Hi, Sam. I’m so sorry I’m late. Just as I was about to leave the bar, someone accidentally dumped their beer down the front of my suit. I was soaked. My apartment is close by, so I ran home to change. I don’t usually dress like this for business meetings, but I didn’t want to smell like beer.”

  “I’m sorry. We could’ve rescheduled for tomorrow.”

  “No way. I’ve been looking forward to showing you around. I read through the email you sent. I’m not sure why you need my help. But I hope you’re happy with whatever offer you received. Of course, I don’t know what your current package looks like.”

  My eyebrows rise. She covers her mouth but there’s a twinkle in her eye.

  “Sorry. That didn’t come out right,” she giggles, then clears her throat. “That was very rude of me. I’m sorry. You’re here for business purposes.”

  “Let’s start this evening over. Business mode isn’t going to work for me tonight. I turned it off as soon as you came through the doors. I’m wearing jeans, not a suit. It’s Friday night, and I am not here solely for one reason. I’m counting on you to convince me to move to Seattle. Let’s relax and have some fun.”

  Her smile brightens. “If you put it that way, let’s get out of here and find a nice restaurant or café where we can sit outside. Or do you want to stay here?”

  “Let’s go somewhere else.”

  “Okay. We can discuss your email then or at some point before you leave tonight. I’d hate for us to sit inside when the weather is so perfect. You’re used to nice weather in LA, but every day is different here. It’s unusually warm for this time of year too. I need to take advantage.”

  “I’ll follow you wherever you go.” Literally. Like a lovesick puppy.

  Chapter 27

  Ellie

  He was wearing a suit when we first met, then we were in bathing suits most of the time. Then he was in a suit again and now jeans. He looks perfect in everything. His fitted gray T-shirt turns his gleaming eyes to a dusty blue. His jet-black hair has grown out a little since the accident. I can’t decide which hairstyle I like best. For the beach, his long, wavy hair gave him a surfer look. The shorter hair he’s sporting now makes him appear more mature and professional.

  Sam follows me out the door. My mind is on him, so I don’t immediately see the trio of silver candle lanterns in front of me. I swerve to avoid them and misjudge how close he is behind me. I bend forward to avoid a collision and lose my balance. He wraps his arm around my waist to steady me and pulls me close to him, close enough that I can feel his chest hammering against my back. His nose gently traces behind my ear as if he’s smelling my hair. I shiver in delight.

  Can he smell my pheromones? They’re certainly in overdrive with him standing so close to me. My heart is screaming to his, asking if he recognizes the sound or rhythm of its beats. My breathing becomes labored. Is my body reacting this way because of my memories of him, or am I attracted to him for real? I don’t want to pretend he’s something that he’s not.

  I don’t know how long we stand like that, but I finally step away, trying to look as if nothing happened. I turn around with a smile on my face. “Your bruise is finally gone. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

  He decreases the distance between us again and says, “May
be I wouldn’t be standing here with you right now if it were. I’m glad I’m here.”

  Me too. I didn’t know how much until he was standing in front of me. They say eyes are the windows to your soul, and that’s true for Sam’s. It’s not just his eye color that mesmerizes me; they reflect the mood he’s in. His eyes narrow from smiling while they study every line of my face as if making a blueprint. Is he in battle with himself too? But what about Jenny?

  Someone across the street honks the horn, startling us both. “Let’s go,” I murmur. He nods. I turn around, and he puts his hand on my lower back as we walk down the sidewalk. My brain demands that I move away, but my body says no.

  Now that we’re outside in the fresh air, the mood changes to something more relaxed and fun. “Why don’t we walk to the Waterfront? There are a lot of restaurants to choose from. One of my favorites is Aqua by El Gaucho. Do you like seafood?”

  “Sure. Want to go there?” He puts his baseball cap back on. Internally, I sigh. That’s so not helpful right now. He wore one the last time I saw him. But he looks even hotter tonight. My self-control is already about to snap, and the evening just started.

  I wave my hand. “Let’s see where we end up. Aqua probably doesn’t have tables available without reservations on a Friday night. Let’s walk around and figure out what we’re in the mood for.” I crave him, but I guess food will have to do.

  “I could introduce you to our famous cream-cheese hot dogs. Also known as the Seattle Dog. Have you heard about them? Then again, maybe I shouldn’t. If you don’t like them, you might not move here.” I nudge his elbow with mine. “If you like beer, Seattle’s known for good draft beer too.”

  “Hot dogs and beer, what’s not to like? Someone mentioned the hot dogs, but I haven’t tried them yet.” He nudges me back. “Please tell me you like beer.”