Just One Chance : Chapter Two

Chapter Two.
Michael grabs a towel and runs it across his sweaty face. He tosses it on the floor, grabbing his water bottle and sitting on the edge of the weight bench again. He takes a drink of water and sets the bottle down, clicking to the next song on his iPod. He turns up his favorite work out song and starts pumping weights. He does his best not to let his mind wander, trying to focus on working out, but Katya's face the other night keeps popping into his mind. He frowns and tries not to think about her.
"Michael!!"
Michael jumps, sets down the weights and rips out his earbuds. He turns to look at Lily, the gym owner's daughter, who also happens to be completely hot. He notices her checking out his shirtless body, which for some reason bothers him. He grabs his gray t-shirt and pulls it on. "Yeah?"
She glances at her watch and back at his face. "I'm gonna open the gym now, if you want to leave. But you can stay and work out til someone gets here, I don't care."
Michael looks at the wall clock. "Oh okay, I didn't even realize what time it was. Thanks."
Lily looks bored and indifferent. Obviously she only wants to talk to him if he isn't fully clothed. "No problem. Same time tomorrow?"
"Yep. Be here a couple hours before you open."
"Kay. Sounds good." She turns and saunters to her office.
Katya's nickname rings in his ears. He shakes his head, trying to clear his mind of her. All of the sudden, all he can think about is her. He grabs his gym bag and waves at Lily as he jogs out the door. The warm summer sun hits his face as he pulls out his keys, walking to the only car in the parking lot, his black 1999 mustang. He was going to go home, shower, change and go to work.

I glance up from the morning mail to my ever gentle, loving mother. Grace. "Sorry, what'd you say?"
"Will you please run your father's phone over to him at work?"
"Oh.. sure.."
"Thank you."
"Sure thing." I grab the phone and jog out to my car -- my dark red '09 Lexus, and slide in. I take a deep breath. Perfect. Just what I need. Michael just so happens to work for my dad, who owns the law office in town. I start my car and pull out of our short paved driveway.
Ten minutes later, I'm parked outside the building, staring at the huge glass doors, knowing I've got to go in sometime. I shut off my car and step out, adjusting my purple cami over my black faded Aero jeans.
I swing open the door into the lobby as I tuck my key ring into my pocket. "Hey 'Liza!"
Eliza Small glances up from her computer and a smile covers her pleasant middle aged face. "Hey Hon. What brings you in today?"
"My dad forgot his phone, so I'm gonna just run it up to him."
"Sure thing, sweetie."
I take the elevator up to the top floor which is basically made up of my dad's office, a couple storage rooms and a bathroom. I step off onto the plush carpet and walk a couple steps to the enormous oak doors, raising my hand to knock.
"Come in." Dad's deep voice rumbles in my ears.
I open one heavy door and slip inside.

"Hey Babe! What're you doing here?" James Bennet stands and sets down his ball point pen in a sea of papers.
"You forgot your phone. That's kinda important, Dad." Katya's voice holds a note of teasing. James smiles and moves around his desk to give his only daughter a hug. "Thanks for bringing it, Kay." James moves back to sit behind his desk, setting his blackberry next to a stack of papers. "Hey, Michael's working on the third floor if you want to stop in and talk to him."

My heart speeds up at the sound of his name and I smile at Dad. "You're welcome. Oh okay, I might do that then. Love you!" I walk back to the elevator and press the button, shoving a hand through my hair. I tap my foot until the elevator doors finally open. The whole ride down to the third floor, I debate skipping dropping by his desk and bothering him, but then he'd know for sure that something was off-kilter.
At the third floor, my hands start sweating and I instinctively raise a hand to my head, checking the frizziness level of my curly auburn hair. I frantically leap out of the elevator as the doors start to close again and launch myself right into a tall muscular body.
"Whoa, slow down there girl!" I hear a smile in Michael's voice. I feel the heat rise to my cheeks as I laugh casually. "Sorry. Klutz moment."
"Whatcha doin here?" He drawls, tucking a piece of stray hair behind my ear.
"Uh, I brought dad his phone. He left it lay on the kitchen counter this morning when he left. So I thought I'd drop in on your floor and say hey."
Be cool. Be. cool!
"Ahh, well I'm glad! I'm so bored. I was just going to go get a coffee, since my important work is done for the day, and I'm about to fall asleep at my desk. Wanna come with me?"
I pull my phone out of my pocket and glance at the time. 8:47.
"To the Starbucks just down the street?"
Michael nods.
"Sure, I'll come." I shrug, but my heart's beating so loudly I swear he hears it. I force myself to calm down so that we can hang out just like we used to. By the time we reach my car, I feel just as casual as I used to around him. When he hops into the driver's seat of my Lexus, and I pile into the passenger seat, laughing at one of his lame jokes, everything seems blissfully perfect again.

xoxox**

Just One Chance : Chapter One

Chapter One.
I watch him talking to his guy friends. He high fives a couple and chest bumps the others. He smiles broadly and turns, jogging up to me.
"Hey chickadee."
I grin and stand up, wiping the invisible grass off my butt. I still love that childhood nickname. But only coming from him.
He slings his arm around me and looks down at me. "Wanna go grab some food?"
I glance up at my best friend Michael through my bangs. "Yes, please. And I know you're gonna buy cause you love me so much." I push out my pouty lip and then dissolve into giggles.
His deep laugh fills my ears and he shakes his head. "Wow Katya, I see how it is. You just like being my best friend so you can get free ice cream!"
I smirk. "Duh."
He gives me a fake sad face and I grab his shirt, laughing as he pushes me. "Kidding! Totally kidding!"

I stir my straw in my strawberry milkshake and glance at Michael from under my lashes. He's flirting with the waitress as he makes his order. A twinge of jealousy flares up in me, but only for a brief second before I shove it deep inside me. He makes his order and turns his attention back to me, flashing his perfect smile. I smile back and fiddle with my cup. "So, couldn't you be hanging out with your guy friends on a Friday night? I love hanging out with you, but I feel bad." Yes, that's my pathetic attempt at a conversation.
He quirks one eye brow. "What?"
I look down at my napkin, unsure of what else to do. "Like, you don't mind hanging out with me instead of them?"
He laughs quietly. "Katya, you've been my best friend since we were two. I can hang out with you without being anything more than friends, and without being gay, right?"
My heart sinks just a tiny bit but I smile. "Oh for sure! But your buddies don't think anything's going on with us, right?"
"Nahh. They know we're just friends." He shrugs and thanks the waitress with a wink as she brings his order. I fall silent, watching her leave, her tight jeans hugging her butt. Without even realizing it I make a face, and then glance at Michael. He's shoving fries in his mouth. Guys have it so easy. I stare at my shake again, lost in thought.
"Kay? Is something bothering you?" I look up at him. He can read me like a book. One of the sucky sides of being his best friend. I grin and laugh "Course not!" I'm lying of course -- pretending like nothing's bothering me.
But I just know it in my heart.
I'm falling in love with my best friend.

xoxox**