Getting His Attention

Getting His Attention

By Bill Sanderson

Copyright (c) 2011 William A. Sanderson

Smashwords Edition

Copyright Notices

Copyright (c) 2011, William A. Sanderson, all rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover photograph, Iced Rose, copyright (c) 2008 by Johann Dréo, used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. The cover may be copied, distributed, transmitted or modified under the same terms provided that the work is attributed to the copyright holder, Johann Dréo, and that any work resulting from the modification, alteration or transformation is licensed for use under the same or similar license.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Epilogue

Copyright Notices

About the Author

Other Books by Bill Sanderson

Chapter 1

Connie Pereira looked out the window of the 737 at the rugged mountains of the Coast Range. As they got closer to Vancouver, her heart began to beat faster. Would Terry notice her this time? Would he finally look at her like she was something more than an annoying girl cousin?

About halfway through the flight from Toronto, Connie contorted herself in the airplane’s washroom to change into her new sundress and high heeled sandals. Her parents would not have approved of her wearing something that showed that much skin. The red and gold print sundress had a halter top and showed her off to good effect. The neckline made it very clear that she was not a girl any more.

A couple of the men who hadn’t paid much attention to her before she changed were now looking with interest at her. While the attention was flattering, there was only one person she wanted that kind of interest from: Terry O’Connell.

The O’Connells and the Pereiras had known each other for years. They lived on the same street, went to the same church, attended the same schools and hung out a lot with each other. Her brother Ronaldo was married to his sister Aileen. Terry and her sister Sara had dated in high school, but she eventually married Terry’s best friend Darren. Constancia had been jealous of her big sister, but what normal high school guy was ever going to be interested in a twelve year old?

Connie had only seen Terry a few times since he graduated university, mostly at Christmas, weddings and baptisms, but every time she saw him she felt the same tingle all over. She’d gone out with several different boys in high school, but every time she’d thought about maybe kissing one of them, Terry’s face would appear before her.

The last time he’d been to visit, at Christmas, Connie dressed as nicely as she could, but Terry hadn’t seen past the braces on her teeth and spent most of the time with Sara and her family. She sighed. At least the braces were off.

The landing was smooth and before too long the aircraft was at the gate. Her excitement level rose as the plane emptied. Carrying her small tote and her camera bag, she walked slowly toward the baggage area on her unfamiliar heels. She stopped to freshen up and apply a small amount of lip gloss and mascara. She unfastened her thick braid to let it fall down to the middle of her back. Studying herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath and let it out. I can do this.

She continued walking, enjoying the feel of the familiar sway of her braid and the unfamiliar feel of the braid stroking bare shoulders.

Terry O’Connell was checking the arrivals screen. Connie’s flight had arrived and there was a sign over the baggage carousel where her bags would be picked up showing the same flight. A few people were also waiting for friends, loved ones or business associates.

He was annoyed. Magdalena Pereira had phoned him at the beginning of August to ask if he could help get Connie settled in Vancouver. He begged off, truthfully claiming that he was in the middle of a major project, several actually. A couple of days later, Sara had called reminding him that he owed her a favour and could he see that Connie got introduced to Vancouver properly? He said he’d think about it. Then his father had called to ask the same thing. His father reminded him that the Pereiras were family and that he was a major investor in Terry’s company. If nothing else, Terry could take at least a few afternoons off. He also threatened to have his sister Aileen and his mother call. He finally caved in and told his father to have Connie phone him with the details.

He tried to remember exactly what Connie looked like. The last time he’d seen her was at Christmas in the crowd of Pereiras and O’Connells. All four of the Pereira sisters looked similar, between five foot four and five foot six, slender women with golden brown skin and long black hair courtesy of their Sri Lankan heritage, and bright dark eyes and a certain vibrancy courtesy their Portuguese ancestors. At Christmas, Connie had braces, he thought, and Sara was six months pregnant with her second child but otherwise there wasn’t much difference physically between the four sisters.

He was happy that Sara had found a good man in his best friend Darren Michaelson. Their daughter Mary, his goddaughter, was a delight and he’d spent most of that evening catching up with Darren and Sara. He thought that Connie or maybe Gabriela had sat close to them but hadn’t said much.

Connie spotted Terry waiting near the carousel. He looked even more handsome than he had at Christmas. He was just short of six feet with the black Irish features that always reminded people of a young Pierce Brosnan and made her heart skip a beat. Dressed today in designer jeans and a form fitting brick red golf shirt he was everything she had imagined on the plane.

Terry checked his watch and tapped his foot with annoyance, wondering again why he’d agreed to escort a high school kid around town. He had a lot of work coming down the pipe and the sooner he got Connie settled the better.

He looked up and scanned the crowd again. A pretty young Indian woman in a red and gold sundress caught his eye. On second thought, she was more than just pretty; she looked like she could be one of those magnificent Bollywood actresses that you occasionally saw here in Vancouver for promotional tours. Then she smiled at him and walked straight toward him.

Connie? Terry felt his world tilt on its axis and was suddenly very unsure of himself.

Terry! Connie leaned in to give Terry a sisterly hug and kiss on the cheek. Okay, that’s done. Don’t let him know you’re nervous. She’d seen his eyes widen as she walked up to him, so she knew that she’d accomplished at least part of her mission.

Terry stiffened in surprise. This is little Connie? Holy cow. Then he relaxed and returned her hug. He appeared to be trying to find something to say, then asked, How was the flight?

Long. There was a guy staring at me almost the whole way from Toronto. Connie drifted over to the carousel to wait for her two large suitcases to appear. She spotted the man who had been admiring her on the plane. He looked knowingly again at her and then noticed Terry, shrugged and turned his attention to another good looking woman who had come in view.

I hope he wasn’t bothering you. Terry unconsciously lagged behind to get a better view of her narrow shoulders, womanly hips and slim legs as she moved toward the carousel. The swaying braid was drawing his attention to things that he shouldn't be noticing. He started to feel warm.

Not really. It was kind of exciting, actually. Mom and Dad never let their baby be a grown up girl, so I decided to do something different. She looked to Terry for his reaction.

Well, I don’t blame him for looking. That dress is very pretty on you. Terry was trying to sound like a big brother. Connie smiled her appreciation. His cell phone rang. O’Connell.

Hey, boss. Jenna Price was on the other end of the phone.

What’s up? I told you not to call unless it’s urgent. Connie was looking at him curiously with her big dark eyes.

Jack Peters called and said that he wasn’t happy with the studio layout. There isn’t enough room to do the fight scene properly.

I’m in the middle of something. Can’t Wes handle it? Terry sounded very annoyed.

It’s Jack Peters, Terry. He’s upset. Jenna sounded earnest.

So?

He’s the biggest name director in town this year. If he isn’t happy, then he will let the producer know and then we lose the contract for the CGI work.

No we wouldn’t, we're the only ones who can give him the look he wants and Allan knows it. Hasn’t Wes talked it over with him?

Peters wants to talk to the boss, not some second banana. Terry could picture Jenna rolling her eyes. Even though it’s really Wes that will handle all of the changes, if any.

Where do I need to be? And how soon? Terry let out an exaggerated sigh.

I’m texting the address now. He’s expecting you to be there in ten minutes.

"That’s not physically possible. Maybe we could borrow a teleporter from the Star Trek set? I’m at the airport picking up a friend. Terry said. Call and let him know that I’m on my way from the airport. I should be there in about forty-five minutes. Sooner if the traffic is kind to me, but don’t tell him that. And don’t give him my cell number."

Okay, boss. Understood. Good luck.

Terry muttered something under his breath as he closed the phone. Connie had retrieved her two suitcases and was standing there looking expectantly at him.

I'm sorry, Connie. We’ll have to make a detour. One of the films we’re working on has had a bit of a problem and the director won’t deal with the location manager, only the boss. Terry sighed. What time does registration close at the residence?

I’m not sure. I can look it up when we get to the car. It sounds like you’re in a bit of a hurry.

Terry took one of the large suitcases and fastened her carry-on bag to the tote strap. Connie took the other bag and followed along to the parking lot. In response to his door opener, the trunk of a new BMW Alpina opened. He arranged the luggage in the trunk and waved Connie to the passenger door.

Connie sat down on the butter soft cream leather seat and artfully arranged her skirts, deliberately stretching her slender legs out in front of her. She took a folder from her handbag and sat it on her lap. Terry paused to watch the show then shook his head to clear it.

So what is the emergency? Connie asked.

It probably isn't an emergency at all. The director of the film took a look at the blue-screen stage we’ve set up and decided that it isn’t big enough for the fight choreography to work properly. Terry answered as he pulled out of the parking space.

Does this happen a lot? Connie asked. She knew his company did computer generated imaging work for the film industry and had gotten an Emmy for one of the science fiction shows that filmed in Vancouver.

Too often. The producers want to keep costs down and the directors want the perfect scene. Sometimes that means conflicts between them. I just wish they’d settle things with each other rather than call me in to referee. Terry looked annoyed.

Connie flipped open her registration folder. It says that early registration is during office hours this week. That’s 8:30 to 4:30.

Terry nodded. You're a few days ahead of the pack then. Well, I hope this doesn’t take too long. If it does, you’ll have to stay over at my place tonight and we can get you settled tomorrow.

As long as you don’t tell Mom and Dad, it will be fine. If they found out I stayed at your place without a chaperone present they’d expect us to be married within the week. Connie turned her best smile at Terry.

They would, wouldn’t they? Sara was always worried about her hair and lipstick when I dropped her off, even though I never got a kiss from her. Terry smiled back.

Not even one? That seems odd. She used to get these odd smiles when I asked about her dates. Connie’s brief flare of jealousy subsided.

Nope, not one, not ever. Now, Darren, he got a lot of kisses. It was sometimes embarrassing. We’d always go on double dates with him and one of Sara’s friends. They sat in the back together. But she wasn’t allowed to go out with him officially because he wasn’t a good Christian boy. As far as I know, all he ever got from her was kisses until he started going to church with us toward the end of Grade 12.

He wouldn’t have gotten much more than that afterward, either.

Not that I ever heard about, anyway. Sara had him wrapped around her finger pretty tightly.

She still does. But she has some competition for Darren from Mary. She’s such a sweetheart. So is little Andrew. Connie smiled. Terry’s expression softened when he was reminded of his two year old goddaughter.

Terry paused while he paid attention to his driving. They continued in silence for a few minutes.

So what are you taking at UBC? Terry asked after the traffic let up enough to allow him to relax a bit.

Fine Arts. I won’t have to decide on a concentration until the end of next year, but I’m sure it will be photography with some courses in digital arts. Connie crossed her legs and shifted so she could see Terry’s face better. Terry caught the movement and took as long a look at her smooth slender legs as he could without losing control of the car.

Why here? Why not somewhere closer to home? Ryerson has a great program. So does OCAD. Terry asked.

Connie thought, Because you're here, of course. Aloud she replied, I got a full scholarship with residence based on my marks and my portfolio. Dad was so proud of me that he relaxed enough to let me come out here, even though I don’t have any family here to watch out for me. Except for you, sort of.

Terry tried to remember that he was supposed to be annoyed with Jorge Pereira. I promised your Mom that I’d do my best to look out for you. And my Dad, and Sara. Even my Mom and my brother Jim and your sister Ronnie called. I never spoke with your Dad. But I’m sure I’ll hear from him soon. Terry grinned sheepishly. Not that I think you need much help. You seem to have things under control.

They continued in companionable silence, interrupted occasionally by Terry pointing out landmarks and telling brief stories about them.

In one of the silences, while waiting for a light to change, Terry took another long sideways look at Connie. I really am going to have to look out for her if she is going to insist on dressing like that. All the single men on campus will be hitting on her, and some of the married ones, too, if I remember correctly about some of the professors.

Connie was watching Terry admiring her legs again, but this time she decided to call him on it. It’s a pretty view, isn’t it?

Startled, Terry immediately looked out the window at the mountains in the distance and made agreeable noises while a blush rose from his collar.

Connie relaxed back into her seat with a stretch that almost caused Terry to run off the road. That was very interesting. He’s not looking at me like a little sister, is he? Her heart soared at the thought. She smiled smugly to herself and then transformed it into a smile for Terry.

Terry caught the smile on Connie’s face and smiled