Worth the Wait: Love Awaits, #1

For Steph- Thanks for putting up with all my messages asking if something sounded right!

Chapter One

Alisa stumbled and nearly dropped the box she was carrying as she neared the landing to the second floor. Come on girl, she muttered to herself. You cannot drop this box. It was her only fragile box containing what few dishes she owned and the last one that needed to be brought up. She regained her grip and got one more step before Coldplay’s Us Against the World sang out from her pocket. Alisa balanced the box on the faded gray carpeted step and retrieved the phone out of her back jean pocket.

Babe where are you? You promised you would help today, she complained immediately as she answered the phone, skipping over the hello.

Lis, I got called into work. Not much I could do about it.

Yeah right she thought. "Matt, you could have at least called or hell, answered when I called and texted you earlier."

Matt sighed heavily into the phone. Not all of us are as attached to our phones as you are Alisa.

I know that, she grumbled. Can you come by when you are done? I really want you to see my new place. Plus I miss you.

Doubt it, it’s slammed here. I should really get back to work. I’ll try and call later. Matt hung up before she could tell him she loved him. She realized as she picked back up the box that he didn’t say he missed her too.

It has been a week since she’s seen him. Normally she wouldn’t stress over it. They were both adults with demanding jobs but she and Matt had been dating for over six months now. He could at least act like he missed her.

Alisa balanced the box on her hip and opened the door to her new apartment. It was nothing fancy, just a one bedroom/one bath but it was all hers! Sure beat living with her brother Declan. She loved her older brother but it was time to be on her own. The sounds of whining greeted her as she entered her sparse apartment.

I’m coming boy, Alisa called out. She added the box to the few on the floor and opened the bathroom door. She nearly got knocked down as her Australian shepherd, Curry, tore out of the room. "At least you missed me," she muttered.

Curry sped through the small apartment, checking each room for anything new before noisily lapping up water from his bowl. Alisa looked around her new place. She really needed to go shopping to spruce up the place. And buy more furniture, she thought as she peered at the two lonely armchairs in her living room. Those, her bedroom furniture and a TV stand were her only furnishing.

Declan owned everything else. Not that she would’ve taken the scratched up tables or worn couch anyways. She at least had a small full set of dishware and more importantly a Keurig machine. Declan practically fought her for it. He finally caved when she threatened to get the receipt to prove she bought it.

Alisa resigned herself to cleaning and unpacking her meager belongings. It was only eleven in the morning, so maybe she could knock out most of it and still have time to go out. If Matt was still too busy with work, she would call her best friend Angie and they would hang out.

Curry whined and nudged her leg. Alisa glanced at the microwave. Two o’clock. Poor boy probably needed to go out. She grabbed his leash and took him for a quick walk around the small apartment complex. Once she returned with Curry, she took a look around. She was almost done unpacking except for her clothes and books. Sad really when she thought about it. Twenty-four years old and not much to show for it.

It wasn’t like Declan was going to let her redecorate his place. Not that he’s a real pain or anything but when it came down to it, it was his place. When she had graduated a year and a half ago, she couldn’t afford her own place. Their parents lived outside Raleigh and she had gotten a job in the city and didn’t want to commute. Declan had moved there a year before and had a spare room and offered it to her. So she was very grateful for it. Plus it helped her save money too.

Alisa finished unpacking the last box of books that would go in the living room and sent Angie a text. Angie was all for meeting up for drinks when she was done with work. Problem was that was still two hours away. Alisa hadn’t heard again from Matt. I’ll see if he’s done yet she thought. She scrolled through the numbers on her phone till she found his work number. She pressed it and waited for it to ring.

First Trust Bank, how can I direct your call? a chipper voice answered.

Hi, Matt in IT please.

Please hold. Alisa waited through the bank’s infomercials while she was transferred but was surprised when the receptionist came back on. I’m sorry, he’s not in today. Would you like his voicemail or perhaps someone else in IT can assist you.

No that’s ok, Alisa replied deflated. She hung up and stared at the phone. Matt said he got called into work, yet he isn’t there. He must be working from home then she realized belatedly. An idea struck her. She would leave early to meet Angie and swing in to surprise Matt for a glass of wine. Alisa turned and looked into her kitchen. No wine. Guess that is another stop I’ll have to make she mused.

Alisa dried her coppery red hair with the blow dryer while she mentally planned her outfit. It had to be good. She wanted Matt to realize that he missed her as much as she was missing him. She had the perfect outfit planned. Her shimmery gold tank and her new white linen pants she picked up at Macy’s last week while shopping with her friend from work should do the trick. She laid the clothes on her bed and flipped open a box of shoes. Her Badgley Mischka gold heels would finish the outfit off great she realized.

She left her hair down, only applying a dab of mascara for make-up and decided she was ready. It was a short drive to the Wine Cabinet to pick up some red wine, and then headed to Matt’s apartment. Alisa took the elevator up to the fourth floor and walked down to his door. After a quick wardrobe check to make sure everything was just right, she knocked on the door.

It seemed like forever till she heard the deadbolt click and the door opened. But it wasn’t Matt. Standing before her was a tall bob-cut blonde wearing what Alisa assumed was one of Matt’s dress shirts and nothing else. Literally nothing else. Alisa could see the girl’s breasts through the shirt! Anna. The name clicked in her mind. Matt had introduced her to Alisa a few months ago at some work thing. They both stared at each other in shock. Seconds later Matt with his light brown hair completely disheveled, strolled out from the hallway that lead to his bedroom in only a pair of boxers.

How much is it? he called to Anna as he flipped through his wallet.

He thought she was the delivery guy. Alisa realized too late that the wine bottle was slipping from her grasp. It crashed on to the wood floor and shattered. Anna shrieked as it splashed on her.

Matt finally glanced up and froze. Alisa turned and ran for the elevator. She heard him curse then call after her. She jabbed the elevator button and was thankful it opened immediately. She saw him come out into the hallway, careful not to step on any of the glass from the wine bottle.

Alisa just wait a minute.

NO, her voice thick with the tears she was holding back. Leave me alone, she demanded as she pushed the door close button till they closed. The shock wore off quick and she realized her pants and feet were soaked.

Crap! My new pants, she cried out as she looked down at her now red, quickly turning pink and white linen pants. She could not believe what just happened upstairs but her wet pants were proof she didn’t imagine it. No wonder Matt bailed on her today. He was busy having sex with that tramp Anna. That bastard! Here she was pining over him and missing him while he was off getting off!

Alisa ran to her small SUV and cried. Her phone rang moments after she got in. She figured it was Matt but it was Angie.

Forget drinks at the bar, Alisa sobbed. "I need a whole bottle and ice cream."

Oh no, what happened?

Matt. It came out as one big sob.

What did he do? Angie’s voice was rich with concern. Alisa could hear her getting settled back at her desk. She must’ve been on her way out but stopped so she could give Alisa her full attention.

I’ll explain when you get to my place. Oh and pick up some wine. I broke the one I bought.

What? Oh never mind, just tell me when I get there. You going to be ok till I do?

Yeah. I think so.

Chapter Two

Alisa managed to get home with minimal crying spurts. She dragged herself up the stairs to her apartment. Once inside, she collapsed into one of the armchairs. Curry must have sensed her dismay, instead of begging to go out; he came over and laid his head on her lap.

That bastard, she told Curry as she rubbed his white and rust colored fur. She just wished Angie would hurry up with that wine. Alisa wanted to forget what happened. She couldn’t even find the energy to change out of her ruined pants.

She knew Angie would be able to help her. Alisa first met Angie during freshman year of college. They bonded instantly over dealing with a tough professor. Angie was there for Alisa just over a year ago when the guy Alisa had been dating, cheated on her. At least that time it wasn’t thrown in her face like with Matt.

Knocking on the door broke Alisa out of her trance; Curry beat her to the door, tail wagging crazily. It’s me and I have alcohol! Angie chimed from the other side of the door.

About time, remarked Alisa as she opened the door. Angie looked immaculate as always. She had on a sleek chestnut brown dress with a burnt orange jacket over top. Even her purse matched perfectly. It looked great against her olive skin. Her long silky brown hair framed her face perfectly.

Well I had to stop and get- She cut herself off as she looked Alisa over. Her maple eyes went wide.  Oh my god Alisa! What happened?

I need wine before I whine, Alisa attempted to smile but failed. She went straight to the kitchen to retrieve the glasses.

I got this hun, Angie told her, taking the glasses from Alisa. You go change out of those clothes.

Alisa did as she was told, just throwing on a pair of yoga pants and a tee shirt. She knew Angie wouldn’t care what she wore and had to admit that it felt good getting out of those ruined pants. She quickly rinsed off her feet in the tub to get the wine off and joined Angie in the living room.

You really need to get some furniture ASAP girl, Angie said, handing her a glass of white wine.

Thanks. And I know but I have bigger problems than my lack of furniture.

Spill! Angie instructed as she kicked off her brown heels and curled her feet under her in the opposite armchair. Alisa did. She gave Angie a detailed retelling of the afternoon’s events. Angie grunted and cursed throughout the story. By the time Alisa was done, tears were once again streaming down her face.

Sweetie, that bastard is not worth your tears. Angie insisted, looking around for some tissues. Not finding any, she ran into the bathroom for some toilet paper. After handing it to Alisa, she added you’ll find someone else who will treat you better.

I won’t, Alisa sobbed. I’m done with men!

You don’t mean that, Angie soothed, just give it some time.

No way. You know this is not the first time I have been cheated on Ang, but it certainly will be the last. As they say third time’s the charm!

What do you mean third time? I know about Brian’s sorry ass and now Matt but who am I missing? Alisa filled her in about Jake, a guy she had dated the beginning of her freshman year, a few months before meeting Angie, that cheated on her several times. Alisa assumed she had told Angie about him but guess not.

Not every man is a douche though Alisa. I’m not saying you need to go out tomorrow and find yourself another man, but you can’t give up entirely either.

I’m over it Angie. Now where’s that ice cream? Alisa knew Angie was right in a sense. When she dated in high school, she never had this problem. But considering her track record lately, she was giving up.

Angie laughed and went to retrieve the Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream for her friend. She knew her friend was hurting and who could blame her. For now she would just distract Alisa and give her the comfort she needed and would tackle the no more guy thing later. They spent the rest of the time chatting about other things like work to get