The Second Time Around (Read 7,674 times)

[Kpatch]

I loved it when Philip said: “When we worked together at Titan, you were so hot. It drove me insane."

I was surprised Stephanie asked if Philip is okay with her first priority being her child, if he could handle that. It seemed a little presumptuous to ask him that after just one cup of coffee. But I guess she is dating for two now and doesn't want to start something she can't finish. Apprently Stephanie surprised herself also.

So sorry that this story is ending tomorrow already. Stephanie was among my second favorite pairings for Philip. LOL.

[unavitasegreta]

Jul 21, 2015 21:11:02 GMT -5 Kpatch said:

So sorry that this story is ending tomorrow already. Stephanie was among my second favorite pairings for Philip. LOL.

Ok, you convinced me.  I'll make it longer.  Just because you asked.  Totally not because I already had it written.  ;-)

[unavitasegreta]

Chapter Eight

Stephanie walked past her secretary, lifting her head to say hello as she passed by the woman’s desk. She looked behind herself and noticed that Maryanne and two other women were also watching her. “What?”

“Nothing,” her secretary smiled. “We’re just happy it’s Friday!”

Maryanne waved from across the room and made a thumbs up motion that left Stephanie confused.

She didn’t have a clue what they were all up to, but decided to let it go and headed into her office. Pushing the door open, Stephanie gasped at the state of her desk. It was covered in flowers. So was the rest of her office. At least three different arrangements were on her desk and two were on her bookshelf. Another two sat on the coffee table between her guest chairs. There were even two large potted plants on the floor.

“What in the …” Stephanie muttered, dropping her purse down and crossing behind her desk. She spotted a card sticking out of one of the arrangements and opened the envelope. “I’m okay with it,” she read. “What does that mean?” Putting the card down, she looked for any other clues about the flowers. Her conversation two days ago with Philip suddenly popped back into her mind.

“Ava is always going to be my first priority, you know. I’m both mom and dad now. You need to think about whether you’re okay with that.”

Picking the card back up, she looked down at it with a wide smile. Her phone started to ring. Scooting over to reach for the receiver, she kept looking at the card. “Yes?”

“I would have thought the flowers might put you in a better mood this morning…”

Stephanie frowned, then laughed when she realized that Philip was calling, “sorry, I thought you were my secretary. Not many people have this private number. Wait. How did you get it?”

“Interesting question.”

“You aren’t going to tell me, are you?”

“How do you like the flowers?” Philip deflected the question. “I couldn’t remember all your favorites, so I told the florist to put in one of everything they have.”

“Uhm,” Stephanie looked around her office, “I think they misunderstood you.”

“What do you mean?” Philip asked.

“Well…” She looked from her desk to the bookshelf to the coffee table. “I think they sent me one of every arrangement, not one of every flower.”

The line went silent, but Stephanie could hear what sounded like something dropping. “Philip?”

“Oh god, Stephanie, I’m sorry!”

Stephanie laughed, “it’s okay. I’ll find something to do with them so I have room to get my work done.”

“That bad?” Philip asked.

“It’s wonderful,” she insisted.

*

“Thank god,” Lucas sighed, sitting back in the booth.

“What the hell does that mean?” Philip scoffed, clutching a bottle of beer in his hand.

“I thought you were going to tell me you were getting back together with Chloe.”

Philip glared at his older brother. “Chloe and I are friends. That’s all we were ever meant to be and we’ve come to terms with that.”

“Chloe is not the kind of girl who has male friends,” Lucas challenged.

“Why are we discussing Chloe?” Philip asked. “This has nothing to do with her.”

Lucas sat up as the waitress brought their food out and put the plates down on the table. “So, Stephanie, huh? How’d you hook back up?”

“We haven’t hooked back up,” Philip corrected. “We haven’t even gone on a date yet. We had coffee, but she had to cut it short and go home to her daughter.”

“She has a kid?” Lucas asked. “Are you ready for something like that?”

“We haven’t been on a date yet,” Philip reminded him. “It’s not like we are getting married next week.”

“Well, you’re used to kids,” Lucas noted, deciding against mentioning Parker by name and risking ruining the night. “So, what are you doing for your second first date?”

“What?” Philip laughed.

“Your second first date,” Lucas repeated. “You already had a first date years ago. This is your second first date.”

“I don’t know,” Philip shrugged. “Dinner somewhere, I guess.”

“No, no, no,” Lucas shook his head. “You’ve got to make this memorable. Wow her. Woo her. This date sets the tone for any relationship you might have.”

“Stephanie isn’t like that,” Philip told him.

“All women are like that,” Lucas corrected. “And it’s New Year’s Eve. You can’t mess this up.”

“Great,” Philip sighed, realizing his brother was right, “so what do I do?”

[fluffysmom]

I enjoyed Philip and Lucas's conversation. Lucas was right about the date needing to be memorable.

I really like the image of Stephanie's office filled with flowers and plants. Philip's note was perfect.

[heroicmuse]

Lol at the florist's mistake. I loved Philip's conversation with Lucas though Lucas can shut up about Chloe. Very true to character though wonder if all this talk of her is a setup for a triangle.

[Kpatch]

It's a good thing Philip is rich. I think all those fresh flowers would break most people's piggybanks.

I loved his message. "I'm okay with it." Such a romantic.

It's nice to see Lucas supporting Philip. It's been such a long time since we've seen the brothers caring about one another. Thanks for the Chloe mention!

[villa281]

Loving the story.

[unavitasegreta]

Chapter Nine

Lucas’ eyes lit up, “you’re asking me for help being romantic?”

Philip glared at him, not speaking.

“I’m going to require an audible ‘yes’ from you in order to move forward.”

“I don’t need your help being romantic. I’m more than capable of it on my own,” Philip defended himself.

“Says the guy who sent a dozen flower arrangements when he actually intended to just send one boring jumble of mismatched flowers. Classic rookie move. You’re lucky the universe stepped in and saved your pathetic attempt.”

Philip glared at his big brother.

“So,” Lucas continued, “you think you’re good at this.” He crossed his arms and leaned back. “Wow me with your romantic second first date plans…”

“I can’t think this fast,” Philip defended. “I’ll come up with something.”

Lucas shook his head, exaggerating his disappointment. “Being romantic isn’t something you discover. If you’ve got it, you don’t have to think about it.”

Philip’s eyes narrowed. “You are so full of crap.”

Lucas shrugged, “too bad you’ll never know this great idea I’ve got. I didn’t even have to think about it, but it’s pretty great. She’ll wowed. Seriously impressed.”

“Nice try,” Philip replied.

“It’s so obvious.” He shook his head. “What a shame you’ll never come up with this. It’s ingenius.”

“Fine. You’re the romance guru. The genius. The dude. Whatever. Just tell me.”

“Isn’t Jeff Bridges ‘The Dude’?” Lucas frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that. It’s not very romantic. Makes me sound like a guy on a cowboy ranch, though some women do seem to be attracted to that kind of man…”

“Just tell me the damn idea!” Philip insisted.

Lucas smirked. “Take her to play pool.”

Philip was unimpressed. “Wow, so romantic, big brother,” he mocked.

“Oh, it will be romantic,” Lucas replied smugly, “when you rent out a pool hall, recreate the Cheatin’ Heart for the night, have a spread of wings and the like for dinner, and you make sure they’ve stocked whatever beer it was that she used to drink when you’d take her there.”

“That’s genius,” Philip mused.

“Told you,” Lucas replied. “Back when I was a serious mess and in need of a drink or two – or ten – I might have walked into that place once or twice and turned back around and left after seeing the two of you bent over the pool table.”

“She used to love that place,” Philip remembered. “We spent so many nights there playing pool and just having fun. Dancing to whatever crappy music was on the jukebox. That’s a genius idea. But, then I have to top it for the next date,” he realized.

“Nah,” Lucas waved his hand dismissively. “Wow them the first time and you’re set from them on out. You just gotta throw in little things like flowers waiting for her when she gets home, a note in her lunch, and the like to keep the romance alive.”

“How are you still single?” Philip mused.

“Because I’m attracted to crazy bitches,” Lucas answered.

“Been there, got the t-shirt,” Philip nodded. “Speaking of …”

“I won’t breathe a word about Stephanie to Mom,” Lucas promised.

[fluffysmom]

Terrific chapter unavitasegreta. Lucas's idea is absolutely perfect. I'm enjoying their conversation. LOL at Lucas not being married because he's attracted to crazy bitches.

[Kpatch]

I don't think Lucas is a good one to be giving romantic advice, but I do think the idea of recreating their first date when Philip bought out the Cheatin' Heart is a great one. Stephanie won't be expecting that.

"Been there, got the t-shirt." LOL! I can picture Philip and Lucas wearing matching t-shirts!

[heroicmuse]

You write Lucas so well. I really enjoyed this scene.

Now I'm looking forward to seeing what Philip actually does

[unavitasegreta]

Chapter Ten

“So, where are you taking me?” Stephanie asked, switching her cell phone to her other ear so that she could press the elevator button to take her down to the street level.

“It’s a surprise,” Philip told her.

“Well, where am I going?” she asked. “You still haven’t told me what train to take.”

“You don’t need to know,” Philip replied.

“Yes, I do…” Stephanie insisted.

“Do you see that silver BMW by the curb?” he asked.

Stephanie stepped out of her building. She instantly spotted the car in front of the building.

“That’s Jarod, by the way,” Philip continued. “See you soon.”

“But I haven’t even gone home yet to change clothes…” Stephanie heard a beep and looked at her phone. Philip had ended the call. She then looked up at Jarod.

“Mrs. McInnis,” he greeted, opening the car door.

“Thanks,” Stephanie replied as she got into the backseat, putting her handbag on the seat next to her. She hoped that she was dressed appropriately for the night. Even if she wasn’t, there was no time to change. Philip would have to make do with her cream-colored twill pants suit. It was a little too old for her age, but she tried to tow the company line and that meant wearing the label.

“So where are we going?” Stephanie asked as Jarod turned onto the interstate.

Jarod looked at her in the reflection in the rearview mirror. Stephanie could tell that he was smirking at her. No response came.

“I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask,” she mumbled.

Not too much time passed and the car turned off the interstate and took an exit that she was unfamiliar with. The area wasn’t too well lit, but the street was lined with nightclubs, restaurants, and liquor stores.

Sitting up in her seat, Stephanie watched as they continued down the street. The car didn’t stop at any of the places, but continued on to a sole building at the end of the block.

Jared stopped the car and came around to open Stephanie’s car door.

Grabbing her handbag, Stephanie got out of the car and looked around. “Where are we?”

“The door is that way,” Jarod pointed.

“Thanks,” Stephanie replied, walking towards the darkened doorway. It was lit only by a neon sign that advertised a local beer company. She reached for the metal doorknob and twisted it, hoping that she not going to regret it.

With a gasp, Stephanie stopped in the doorway and it swung shut, bumping into the back of her.

“This … I … oh my God,” she stuttered, taking in the scene before her.

There was a wooden bar lined with stools, a jukebox playing old country songs, and a pool table.

Standing behind the bar with a wide grin on his face was Philip, flanked by a large plate full of wings and a bucket of beer. Stepping closer, Stephanie realized that it was the dark ale from the microbrewery in Salem.

She continued to look around the room in awe. “I can’t believe this…”

“You up for a few games?” Philip nodded towards the pool table, clearly elated by her shock.

“Oh yeah,” Stephanie replied, looking back at him.

Philip crossed his arms and leaned against the bar. “I hope your skills haven’t gotten rusty. I’d hate to sweep the floor with you.”

“I may not have played in a while, but I can still kick your ass and you know it.”

“I hope you can back up those claims,” Philip insisted.

“Oh, I can,” Stephanie assured him. “I didn’t make it to the top of my game without knowing how to knock cocky men down a peg or two.”

“All this talk, but no action…”

Stephanie stepped forward, only the bar separating them. She dropped her purse onto a stool and got up onto another one, kneeling on it so that she could learn across the bar and catch Philip by surprise when she pulled him into a searing kiss.

“How’s that for action?” Stephanie asked when they finally broke apart to catch their breaths.

“Not bad,” Philip shrugged, “but I can top it.”

Slipping his arm around her back, he pulled her across the bar so that she was sitting on it. He then wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips against hers.

Stephanie smiled at him when he finally released her. “You make me forget that I’m not twenty-five anymore,” she panted.

“Good,” Philip replied. “Are you hungry?”

“I’m starving,” Stephanie answered, sliding off the bar. She straightened her suit, “I think I’m over dressed.”

“Feel free to take off whatever amount of clothes you’d like …”

“Nice try,” she replied, shrugging out of her jacket. “Oooh, wings!” She put her jacket over her purse, admiring the spread Philip had put out. “I can’t believe you did all this!”

“You approve?” he asked.

“God yes,” she replied, looking around. She had no clue how Philip could have pulled this off. Though the shape of the room was different, the layout was reminiscent of the Cheatin’ Heart. Even the music playing in the background was what they’d listened to all those years ago.

“I’m glad you like it,” Philip stated.

Stephanie turned to look at him. “This may be the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me,” she admitted.

Philip slipped his arms around Stephanie’s waist and pulled her close to him.

Stephanie wound her arms around Philip’s neck, “should we eat first or play a few rounds?”

“I think the third option sounds best,” he noted.

“Third option?” she asked.

“The one where we make out like horny teenagers until we get so hungry we hear our stomachs growl. Then we break for food.”

“You can delay the inevitable, but I will be wiping the floor with you at some point tonight.”

Philip slid his hand behind her neck. “Well, then I’m going to just have to enjoy myself until then…”

“I suppose I can make the sacrifice,” Stephanie joked before kissing him.

[heroicmuse]

Nice scene. Philip sure knows how to pull off a surprise. So sweet and romantic.

Are there previews to make the weekend shorter unavitasegreta?

[villa281]

Reading this made me so nostalgic. I think I am going to go watch Phililp and Stephanie's date at the Cheating Heart on youtube right now.

[Kpatch]

The banter was fabulous! So were the descriptives. I loved it. I guess they are officially back together now. So is this the date before the new year's eve date?

Recreating the Cheatin' Heart date was brilliant, but I refuse to give Lucas the credit.