Chapter 4: ON TIME

When her alarm clock rang, Tory was prompt to get out of bed. She ate half a grapefruit and an egg white omelet. She then dressed in a pantsuit that accentuated her breasts but downplayed her 'everything else.'

Looking in her vanity mirror, she styled her hair then set it with hair spray, applied lipstick and a bit of eyeliner. She looked at her watch knowing that she had plenty of time to catch her 'regular bus'...and then chose to relax with a cup coffee instead.

Confidently, Tory slipped on charcoal pumps to match her suit and strolled down the street at a leisurely pace. She sat on the bench and actually waited for the bus to arrive. There would be no entertainment at her expense today!

When she stepped onto the bus, the first thing Tory did was to look for her favorite bus passenger and wasn't disappointed. He was in his usual seat.

She sat down next to him before paying her fare, pretending to search for change.

He turned slightly in his seat. "Good morning." His voice was deep with a pleasant low rumble. Her heart began to pound. He spoke first!

"Good morning. How are you today?" She said in a casual tone.

"I'm fine. May I put that money in for you?" He asked politely, holding out his hand for her change.

Her brow went up a notch. "Yes, thank you. I wouldn't want to fall on you again." She dropped the change into his hand her fingers brushing his palm slightly.

His full lips curved into a slow grin as he stood. "Totally my pleasure."

Tory's breath caught...that sounded like he was flirting...was he flirting with her? The man didn't even wait for the bus to slow or stop, he just stood and leaned, his muscles clear beneath his clothes, his ass worth two looks and Tory made sure that she looked twice.

When he sat back down, he reached between his feet to pat his duffel bag that was slid under the seat. He looked at her then. His eyes were golden brown and held her complete attention. They were heavily hooded bedroom eyes that made her want to swim in them...

"You didn't happen to eat at the Jewel of the Azores last night did you?"

Tory couldn't help but to gasp. "How did you know? I mean, I didn't think you saw me—I mean, I saw you at the bar."

He was nodding through all her flustered chatter. "Pardon me, I didn't introduce myself." He held out his hand and she placed hers within his, his thumb swept the back of her hand briefly and her nipples sprung to life.

"I'm Lee."

"I'm Victoria but most everyone calls me Tory."

He released her hand slowly. "Excuse me Tory, this is my stop." He reached above him and tugged the rope. She couldn't stop looking at the way his muscles flexed through the sleeves of his shirt. "On Wednesdays the restaurant has a dinner buffet. If you're adventurous you should come by."

Tory's heartbeat quickened with a jolt. It almost sounded like an invitation. Lee picked up his bag and gripped the pole as he stood.

"Maybe I'll see you." He called over his shoulder before disappearing out the door.

"Bye!" She called in return. Her eyes must have been as big as two saucers. She wanted to jump up and down and dance up the aisle! He had totally flirted!

The hoochie Mama sitting down from her was hating-on-her big time. Tory wanted to stand up and yell, 'that's right, bitch! He was flirting with me, not you!' She settled for just smiling widely in the girl's direction. The hoochie Mama rolled her eyes.

After work Tory headed for the restaurant. It was Wednesday; buffet night. Lee had told her she should stop by. The obvious invitation was not lost on her!

When she finally made it to the restaurant she was limping painfully in the pumps that she had put on that morning. That was it! She had to leave a pair of running shoes in her drawer at work, or by the front door so that she could grab them as she hurried out. Her feet had swollen and she had been forced to sit down twice in the eight blocks since stepping off the bus, although not just because her feet were sore but because she was also just plain out of breath. She chastised herself for being so out of shape that she couldn't walk a few blocks without an oxygen mask.

The hostess recognized her from the night before. Like the waitress that she'd had on her last visit, the hostess was very pretty and carried her extra weight as if it wasn't something that she needed to lose. In fact, the plumpness of her body actually enhanced her beauty. But Tory quickly thought, I am not Portuguese or Azorean or some other exotic beauty. I am just fat.

"Hello, welcome back. Table for one?" She asked with a pleasant smile.

Tory cocked her head and strained to see the bar. "No...I think I'll just sit at the bar."

"Okay. Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you." She smoothed the wrinkles from her suit. Her feet stopped hurting when she saw Lee eating at the bar, smiling shyly she headed to him.

The waitress she'd had yesterday greeted her enthusiastically.

"Hi. Welcome back." She was carrying a pitcher of iced tea. Happily, Tory returned the greeting. The waitress reached the bar before her and refilled Lee's empty glass. She then slathered a passionate kiss on the top of his head.

Tory stopped. Her smile froze on her lips and then disappeared all together. Lee brought his arm up around her waist and gave her a quick squeeze, his arm lingering there as they joked quietly.

Tory turned and hurried out of the restaurant, passing the hostess who watched her with curious alarm. Her face was hot and probably flaming red through her light brown complexion. She had misread everything! Jesus, she had almost made a fool out of herself.

Tory hurried back down the street the way she had just come. When she reached the bus stop her eyes were red from the tears that she had angrily brushed away.