Twist of Fate - Chapter 4: Coincidental Contact [an original novel]

Lizzy had just gotten off the phone with an overly concerned Mrs. McShaw who was checking in to make sure her daughter had heard about the latest grocery sale. She insisted that Lizzy couldn't live the rest of her life on fast food, on the sole basis that it was convenient. Little did she know, at that moment, her blonde-haired daughter had just purchased two large bagels with extra cheese.

When Lizzy made her way to the workroom she immediately set out to locate her target; a head of messy brown hair. "Good morning," she said, placing the offering on his desk.

Josh regarded at her lazily from behind his glasses, lowering his needle and thread. "And what is this for?"

"You know...stuff."

Lizzy clasped her hands together and gave him her best apologetic look. Her colleague smirked. "My wife won't be too happy about you wooing me with bagels."

"You just had to go make things weird."

According to Boss Lady Granger, the shoot was a whopping success. Sane Agency was happy with the photoset Flourish had contributed to. As a result, their boutique was abuzz with cheer and motivated energy. Lizzy was relieved. When the adrenaline of the day had plummeted, she found herself falling asleep the minute her head had hit the pillow that evening. If the ache in her muscles was any indication, her experience at the cove had taught her that she was not as fit as she used to be. It seemed that Chase had taken pity on her. The man wouldn't take no for an answer and helped to carry her load all the way to her car after the shoot was declared a wrap.

He was a strange guy. Lizzy still couldn't believe that he had wandered off during a big shoot like that just because something else had caught his attention. Both Stacey and the model (whose name Lizzy couldn't recall) had chewed him out for his delay. The shoot had gone relatively smoothly, and after seeing the exceptionally gorgeous shots he had taken, there was really no room for complaints as far as the experience went.

Well, except for her aching legs...

Lizzy made the decision that she would need to do something about her nonexistent fitness. After work, she found herself buying a comfy pair of sneakers. She was suddenly very aware of how restless she was; feeling as though the purchase awoke a kind of innate need to keep moving.

She had come to realize that she quite disliked staying in her apartment for longer than necessary. With her hair scooped into a high ponytail, she began seeking out new routes to stroll through. Going on walks offered her different sights and was an easier alternative than going to the gym. Plus, she wouldn't be left alone with her thoughts.

The sun was beating down mercilessly, unhindered by any clouds. When she entered the park, she made a beeline for where the fountain was. Water guzzled, pouring into the concrete basin below. Looking down at her reflection, Lizzy was pleased to see that there was some color to her complexion.

"Funny bumping into you here," a familiar voice drawled, just as Lizzy felt a presence looming beside her. She gazed down at his reflection in the pool.

"If I didn't know any better I would assume that you're stalking me," she said, tilting her head to look up at him.
Playing along, Chase assumed an offended expression, placing a hand on his chest. "Do I look like a stalker to you?"
She bit her bottom lip, not sure if she should answer or leave him to draw his own conclusions. He waited patiently, imploring her to continue with his dark eyes.

"I don't know... You seem to have a fondness for shades and baseball caps," she admitted.

His hand immediately reached for his denim blue cap. This time he really seemed a bit defensive. "Criticizing my fashion sense, are you?"

She inspected his outfit. He wore a white shirt that clung a bit too tightly to his form, and light blue jeans that contrasted with his cap. It wasn't bad at all, and if she had to be completely honest, he found a way to make the look work.

Still, she was not going to tell him that. Lizzy offered a casual shrug and discreetly began inching towards the nearest path. Surprisingly, he moved to follow her, matching her pace as he angled the camera up towards the canopies or down at the flower beds that they passed. She commented on how coincidental it was meeting him again, barely a week since the shoot. He told her that coincidences didn't exist. Seeing the opportunity for it, Lizzy came right out and asked one of the questions weighing on her mind.

"I wasn't really paying attention at the shoot, but do you wear shades when you're taking photos?"

He laughed, before revealing that it was one of the eccentricities he enjoyed explaining to people. "Honestly, I alternate. Sometimes I keep my shades on, but no, I take them off when I shoot seriously," he said. "Right now, this is my prescription glasses. I made sure it has a nice tint to it."

She hummed in response, soaking in this random information. She wasn't quite sure when she had invited him to walk with her. For the sake of being polite, she decided it would be rude to bring it up, and simply went along with it. The walk was peaceful until she noticed him turning his camera towards her.

Her eyes widened. "Hey! You better not have taken a photo," she gasped, quickly tucking stray strands of hair behind her ears.

"Candid photos are the best," he said. His eyes took on a mischievous look, and he whispered, almost conspiratorially, "Especially when it's of a beautiful lady."

Lizzy felt her cheeks warm. She berated herself for letting his teasing comment have such an effect on her. Noticing her rising awkwardness, he assured her that he was merely testing the lighting, even offering to let her check the gallery of his digital camera. How honest. Although she felt inclined to believe him, she humoured his idea and had a look. She was pleased to find that there were no unwarranted photos of her at all.

"When it comes to photography, I can't help myself. Like at the beach. When I see something beautiful or timeless I need capture it in that moment," he explained, his eyes lighting up as he spoke. Lizzy found it amusing that he was still trying to justify his antics at the cove. "No seriously, that little crab was a gem hiding in its shell. There one second, gone the next. Honestly, if it's not too forward of me to say, it reminds me of you in a bit."

"How flattering," Lizzy said flatly.

From her few interactions with the man, she gathered that Chase wasn't the kind of person who was all too worried about being straightforward in the first place. Still, she could also tell that despite his strange way with words, most of his comments were well-meaning.

As if sensing her train of thought, his tone lowered. "You see me as a flirt without a filter, don't you?" he asked carefully.
"I don't know you well enough to say otherwise," she admitted.

"Well then," he countered, recovering his apparent confident aura. "We could change that."

His suggestion caused Lizzy to quirk her eyebrow. Amused, she shook her head, revealing that she'd have to be on her way soon. Curiously, Chase asked if she was parked nearby. He intended to walk her back.

"I'm actually on my break, so I'll be heading back to the boutique soon. That means more walking."

"Even better! In that time, we can get a bit more in-depth about your feelings towards my taste in hats."
Lizzy found herself grinning. "You're a very persistent individual, aren't you?"

His eyes seemed to twinkle "Nobody's gotten anywhere in this world without a bit of persistence."

"You have a point there." She felt that she could agree with that. Her obstinacy and constant emails to Flourish is what caused Granger to give her a chance in the first place. "Unfortunately, I hope you know the only destination you'll be going to is to the boutique."

Her comment was intentional. Clearly, she wanted to set a boundary and test his reaction to it. If he was like any other overeager guy he'd have gotten the message; if he had any ulterior motives, she was sure to catch him out. However, Chase surprised her with his easygoing nature. A look of understanding descended on his features, yet still, he didn't seem to mind. Easily, he slipped into a new conversation topic until they reached the boutique.

"Before you go, what are your thoughts on bowler hats?" he asked her, his lips stretched into a wily grin.

She told him that hats were out of style for a reason. He countered that he would convince her otherwise, and for that he needed her number. Noticing her prolonged pause, he waved his hand, lightly shaking his head.

"No pressure, of course," he said. He was genuine.

Lizzy threw her hesitation out of the window, and because of that moment of intrigue, the carefree Chase soon became one of her most frequent contacts.

Lizzy cursed the heat under her breath. It was much too hot to convince herself that a stroll was a good idea, so she stayed indoors. Unfortunately, Wednesday morning came with bad news. The boutique's air-conditioning had malfunctioned. Josh blamed it on Murphy's Law.

She spent some of her breaks trying to clean up the mess that was her inbox. With Granger's permission, she had uploaded a sneak peek from the shoot on her blog. She had almost forgotten the thrill of receiving feedback after a post. However, the highlight of the week was when Tarryn popped into the boutique with two paper bags in her hand. Lunch!

It felt like an eternity since she had last seen her friend. Lizzy held her tightly in a hug for a solid three minutes. The two women moved to sit in a quieter area, fanning themselves with the complimentary serviettes.

"So, how have you been?" Tarryn asked breezily.

"I'm okay," Lizzy answered automatically. She hadn't really thought about it. It took a moment for her to carefully consider her feelings. "Better," she finally said, and she meant it.

"You seem that way," Tarryn said, her expression softening. "I'm glad."

Soon, the two moved on to speak about clothes and promotions and plans. Lizzy listened eagerly about the office shenanigans at Tarryn's work. In return, she shared news of the shoot and Granger's subsequent latest fascination with polka dots. Apparently, the Boss Lady thought it would look utterly stylish to incorporate into evening dresses. Lizzy was glad to find that she wasn't the only one who found the idea appalling.

"...When last have you been to the Richter's?" Tarryn asked just as she was about to leave.

The question, although innocent, sent a flutter of surprise through Lizzy's nerves. The blonde froze. She brought the Styrofoam cup to her lips, taking the last sip of her coffee. "It's been a while since I've seen Mrs. Richter or Sam. I haven't visited the house again..."

"Oh," was all the brunette said.

Lizzy felt she needed to explain herself. "I don't know, I suppose I just feel awkward about it. Does that make sense?"
"Don't over think things, Lizzy," she said, before bidding her friend goodbye with promises about organizing a proper meet up. It wouldn't hit Lizzy until much later that something about her friend's words— her smile — seemed forced.