Love on the Line Read online

  “Yeah, I thought I’d go check out the hot air balloons at the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic, then head down to the 10 Barrel Brewing Company for the beer wars.”

  “Really?” She, too, had thought of checking out the balloon classic, and since she loved beer…

  “What about you? Any plans?”

  How much do I tell him? What if he wants to meet up? Could I?

  “AJ? Do you always have a habit of going off into your own little world from time to time?”

  She knew he was teasing by the laughter that followed. “Is that your way of asking if I’m an airhead?”

  “I would never!” he feigned outrage, causing her to giggle.

  Giggles, really? Get a grip!

  “Well, if you must know—”

  “And I must,” he smoothly interjected.

  “I was also thinking of going to the balloon classic.”

  “And since you prefer beer to wine…”

  “Oh my God, are you a mind reader?”

  Mathias chuckled. “No. Just following logical thinking. The engineer in me.” He paused, and before she could say anything more, he asked, “Amelia Jane, I’m going to take a leap and ask if you think it’s too soon to plan to meet one another on Saturday?”

  She remained silent as she let the whisper of her name from him float through the air. She couldn’t even stammer a response. Her mind suddenly flooded with yeses and nos, with pros and cons, with a host of scenarios playing out in her head.

  “We could continue to talk with one another, get to know more about each other little by little every day leading up to Saturday. Because what I’ve heard so far has me wanting to know more.”

  “Really?” she squeaked out, surprised he seemed to feel the same way she did. And surprised at herself for feeling this way so quickly. “You want to spend your Sunday evening talking to a stranger?”

  “Yes. Really.”

  AJ grinned from ear to ear, ridiculously pleased and nervously hopeful. “Okay.”

  “Okay.”

  “So, now what?”

  “Now, we get to know more about each other. So how long before you get over this road bump?”

  “Wow, right to it. Um, I’m not sure. My agency has been great, but I seem to be lacking my drive.”

  “And you need a confidence booster. Or you’re reevaluating whether to stay in the profession. Or you’re recovering from a pulled hammy while doing the splits during practice out on the ice.”

  More laughter. “What is it with you and this ice girl fantasy?”

  “Well, they’re terrific dancers in tremendous shape. They’re usually gorgeous and wear those sexy little outfits. What’s not to like?”

  “So it’s all about appearances, is it?” she asked teasingly.

  “Absolutely,” he returned, his sarcasm evident. “Isn’t that what we’ve learned from social media these days?”

  “So you’ll be thrilled when I tell you I look just like Miley Cyrus. Because that’s the look I’ve been going for these days. She’s all the rage, don’cha know, what with being such a marvelous judge on TV and all. Not to mention her eye-fetching attire and sassy attitude.”

  “Then you’ll be happy to hear I like sassy. And I look exactly like Chris Hemsworth. And even though Miley preferred Liam, let’s just say maturity has its advantages.”

  “And let me just say I actually prefer older guys, and due to my diligence at staying in shape, twerking on the ice is a sight to behold.”

  Matthew’s deep laughter washed over AJ, infusing her with joy and comfort. It’d been much too long since she felt this at ease, and with a complete stranger no less.

  “Oh, AJ, you are a joy.”

  “I know, right?” She couldn’t help the giggles that escaped her. Followed by a snort. But only a little one. “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry.” But she proceeded to continue her laughter, followed by more snorting.

  “You’re on a roll. I’m glad I could be so entertaining.”

  “I haven’t had this much fun in, well, in some time.” As she began to calm down, she extracted herself from the couch and made her way into the kitchen for something to drink.

  He must have heard her noises as he asked, “Is it time for cocktails?”

  “No, just needed some water.” After taking her drink, she said, “So, Mathias, you obviously don’t think much of social media, yet here you are using this chat service. Care to explain?”

  “It’s not that I don’t think much of social media. I think it’s all in how it’s used. The saying is true that it’s a curse and a blessing. While it may bring people closer together, making the world seem smaller, there are definite dangers. Too many have become dependent on the different platforms, their lives are immersed in it. There’s not enough human interaction these days. And not everything is portrayed truthfully, so people need to do their research. They need to distinguish between truth and false truths. People just need to be smarter about it, and children and teens definitely need guidance and monitoring.”

  “That’s quite the soapbox.” AJ teased.

  Mathias chuckled. “Yeah, I can really get going on a subject.”

  “Well, I happen to agree with everything you just said. And I admit, when social media came along, I was a junkie. I was able to reconnect with faraway relatives as well as school friends no longer in the area. Now there’s a plethora of sites that can make it all overwhelming, but I love being able to not only follow celebrities and authors, also news channels and charity sites. I can be entertained by dancing dogs one minute and motivated by a yoga practitioner the next. In the past I was checking my phone every thirty minutes it seemed. Now I’ve learned to control my obsession by limiting the sites I engage in while dedicating no more than an hour of my day to them. Otherwise, I could easily spend hours upon hours at it.” She ended with a chuckle.

  “I know what you mean. I was the same for a while also. But setting limits, even for adults, is a good thing. It’s crazy how it’s taken over many lives. I was waiting in my physician’s reception area just a few weeks ago, and out of a dozen people there, I was the only one whose nose was not glued to their phone. They even had a sign posted on their desk, giving the office’s Wifi guest passcode. That alone tells you something.”

  “Yeah, it’s so they don’t feel bad making you wait so long because they know you’re going to be entertained.”

  “There is that.” He laughed. “So, enough of the soapbox. And you never did answer me about meeting next Saturday.”

  “Um, yeah, well, you never did answer me about why you think you need to talk to strangers,” she replied quietly, unsure if she really wanted to know the answer to her question.

  I mean, is he just socially awkward? He speaks with confidence and seems fun. Does he think he’s unattractive, hoping someone will like him without judging first on looks? That is the premise for this type of service.

  “Fair enough. I, uh,” he hesitated before blowing out an audible breath. “I was challenged by some friends to sign up for this. Much like your friends, mine won’t stop trying to fix me up with someone. After enough grumbling, this grown man finally gave in to peer pressure, telling them I’d do this, but on my own terms, and that seemed to appease them. I guess I had to feel like I still had some control. You know?”

  “Actually, I don’t,” AJ laughed. “Or at least not at first. I mean, when my friend signed me up for this, barely blurting out the details right before handing me the phone, I just froze. But then…”

  “Yes?” Mathias prompted.

  “I could’ve just hung up, but your voice…” She trailed off again.

  “My voice?”

  “This might sound ridiculous, but your voice is captivating, and, uh, I guess I wanted to keep talking to you. And now that I have, I like talking to you.”

  “And I like talking to you, too. Amelia Jane.”

  She sighed, causing him to chuckle. “So, about Saturday?”

  “How about…” Sh
e started hesitantly, unsure if she could really do this. Deciding, what the heck, she continued with, “We talk a little each night and then decide on Friday? I mean, I could totally piss you off about some random topic, like how Microsoft trumps Apple, and then you’d lose all interest.”

  “Doubtful, even if I believe the conglomerate Google tops them all.”

  “Google,” AJ scoffed. “How cliché.”

  They both erupted with laughter.

  ****

  Monday morning arrived with AJ waking early and feeling refreshed after having had the best night of sleep in months. Years, maybe, if she really thought back on her time with Brad. But she didn’t want to think back on that time and spoil her fantastic mood, so she quickly pushed those thoughts aside.

  What she did want to think back on was her conversation with Mathias last night. They had talked for nearly two hours, the discussion revolving mostly around their traveling adventures. Well, her adventures were limited compared to what he had experienced, but that was something she was determined to change. While most of the Heritage sites they had visited were located in the western part of the US, he had been to the Statue of Liberty and she had been to the Florida Everglades.

  “So did you swim with the crocodiles and alligators?” Mathias had teased.

  “Heck, no! I remained safely aboard the airboat, thank you very much. I did see plenty, though. And I even saw a Florida Panther!” she said excitedly. “Well, from afar with the aid of binoculars, but still, it was pretty awesome.”

  “I bet. So what prompted you to go the Everglades? Besides wanting to eventually see it because it’s a Heritage site.”

  “I have a cousin who works there for the National Parks Service, and she invited me down about four years ago. It’s an amazing ecosystem, really cool to visit. I couldn’t imagine people once making it their home. Some still live on the outskirts.”

  “People deal with what they know and adapt to their surroundings. It’s like that anywhere, I suppose. But nowadays, if you can’t adapt, I guess you could move.”

  “If one had the means,” AJ quickly interjected. “Some people are stuck, or at least they think they are. They don’t know anything else, and the idea of change seems impossible.”

  The line remained quiet a beat before Mathias softly spoke again. “You aren’t speaking personally, are you, AJ?”

  Once again she hesitated before continuing. “Not really. I mean, I’ve done well with my career and I’m financially sound.”

  “But you feel as if you’re stuck?”

  “Not really stuck … maybe hovering, unsure which direction to take. I loved my career—still love my career—but, I, uh, I’ve been unsettled lately.”

  “Trying to recharge?”

  “Yeah, you could say that. I’m trying to find me again, and figure out what’s going to make me happy. Sounds pathetic, huh?”

  “Not at all. Everyone goes through periods where they need to reevaluate their life, their goals. Life is anything but static, AJ.”

  “I’m learning that the hard way,” she mumbled quietly.

  But not quietly enough when Mathias asked, “Does this have to do with a relationship gone bad?”

  AJ sighed, not really wanting to get into that just yet, if ever. So once again she tried to cheerfully glaze over the subject. “Yep, but we aren’t going to get into that right now because you’re going to tell me all about your next planned adventure.”

  Mathias chuckled. “I am, am I?”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Well, okey-dokey.”

  He went on to tell AJ besides Glacier Bay near Juneau, Alaska, and Waterton Glacier, at the Montana-Canada border, the only other western site he had not visited yet were the Hawaiian Volcanoes. His trip was booked in November.

  “You’re going to Hawaii in November? How lucky!”

  “Yeah, I usually take a trip about every three months. Breaks up the monotony of life.” He chuckled.

  “Hashtag first-world-problems,” AJ joked, causing Mathias to laugh. “So before or after Thanksgiving?”

  “Um, well, during.”

  “During? You don’t spend the holiday with family?”

  Mathias remained quiet and AJ thought she’d have to coerce more out of him. But he resumed, his words making her sad.

  “If I had family, I’d spend it with them.” And just as AJ was poised to say something to express her sorrow, Mathias quickly continued. “And don’t feel sorry for me, AJ. I’ve spent some holidays with friends in the past, but I’ve come to realize I like spending them on my own, usually traveling.”

  “Okay,” she replied softly.

  “Just okay? You aren’t going to grill me for more?”

  “Nope. Guess we both have some issues we’d rather not talk about right now. If you want to say more, I’m here to listen. And if not, I understand.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it having an issue, but thank you. It’s just a fact of my life and I’ve come to terms with that. I really am a happy guy.”

  “Okay.”

  Mathias chuckled. “You really aren’t like a lot of women I know. Most would be trying hard to console me, or prying me to tell them my woes.”

  AJ snorted. “Well, I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You should. I’m going to enjoy getting to know more about you, Amelia Jane.”

  After a few more stories were exchanged, they had called it a night, rather reluctantly it seemed. They made plans for Mathias to call AJ Monday evening when he was free, considering AJ’s schedule was a bit loose lately.

  Thinking about that made her realize she had to get her crap together, or risk losing a promising future with the company. She wouldn’t sacrifice all the hard work she’d put in because of the actions of a no-good selfish prick.

  Yeah, she could look back now and see what a lazy bottom-feeder Brad had been. Too bad it took such an awful incident for her to see the real him.

  On the other hand, AJ could admit she was glad it happened before their relationship progressed any further, like into marriage.

  Sheesh, what a nightmare that would’ve been.

  Sure, she still hurt, although the sting lessened as each day went by, and her ego bruised, but it was past time to stop letting the jerk’s actions continue to influence her. This was her life and she’d take charge of it.

  “Okay, pep talk complete, now let’s make something great happen today.”

  ****

  AJ decided to go for a run, knowing the fresh air and activity would do her good. Other than going back and forth to work, she’d been cooped up at home for weeks, barely getting out to grab what meager groceries she had on hand. After splashing cold water on her face, she changed into running gear and swept her hair up into a hasty knot. She then tucked her phone and key into a pocket and set out.

  The end of August had been beautifully pleasant with clear mornings turning into the best days. Plenty of sunshine and temps in the eighties. Perfect. Trying not to berate herself for wasting time, she focused on moving forward, which included enjoying the last remnants of summer. Heck, even much of autumn in Boise was perfect in her opinion, with crisp, cool mornings and plenty of blue skies. There definitely was no shortage of activities to take advantage of in the area, and AJ planned to get out of her funk and do just that.

  Living a short distance from Camel’s Back Park, she decided to head there and run the trails. With light traffic at 7:00 AM, she didn’t have much to contend with, and once she made it to the park, she wasn’t surprised to see others out as well. An older couple walked hand-in-hand while a well-mannered dog kept pace at their side. AJ also saw a group of young men and women running in a pack, headed in the same direction she’d thought to take. From the looks of their blue and orange outfits, she’d have to guess they were athletes from the University.

  As they got about half a mile ahead of her, AJ followed, and although her pace was slower, the movement felt wonderful. She se
ttled into a nice rhythm with easy breathing and a welcomed burn in her muscles. It had been nearly a year since she last engaged in this type of physical activity, and even though it felt liberating, she knew not to push herself and end up paying for it later. After about thirty minutes, she drew closer to a rise and decided to slow it down to a walk once she crested the hill. With plenty of ground still to cover, walking would provide the needed exercise without the regret of overdoing it. And, with nothing but time on her hands for the day, she didn’t need to rush. She planned to work on a project from home today and head into work tomorrow.

  AJ carried on with a brisk pace, analyzing her situation and automatically cataloguing her plans. Whether the spark came from her own common sense about moving on, or the fact that her spontaneous yet delightful conversation with Mathias last night lifted her spirits, she knew it was time. Time to put Brad and the awful experience behind her. Time to regain confidence in her judgement and abilities. Time to take charge of her happiness.

  Her career had always brought her happiness, and her relationship with her girlfriends was her lifeline, even if they were going a bit overboard lately with this whole “get back in the game” business.

  But the more AJ thought about it, the more she could say she wasn’t upset at them anymore. Her talk with Mathias had been an unexpected surprise that even now put a smile on her face. She had something to look forward to this evening, and that feeling hadn’t been a part of her life in a long time. Their conversation had been easy and never lagged with awkward pauses while either one of them thought of something to say. It just seemed to flow naturally and comfortably.

  Now, had they been face-to-face, would it have been as easy? Hard to say.

  AJ had already half made up her mind she would meet with him at the Balloon Festival Saturday. It was a public event with plenty of people around, so what could go wrong? Well, she wasn’t fooling herself into believing something crazy couldn’t occur, but her gut instinct told her this could be something good. At the very least, she’d gain a new friend. And at the most, a new boyfriend.