I raced to the car with my son’s lunchbox in tow. This was the third time he had left it sitting on the breakfast table. I was already going to be late for a meeting at work. My secretary Kit dutifully reminded me this was the meeting I had been begging for months to have with the "big guy" from the executive office. Oh well, it couldn’t be helped. Thankfully the school wasn’t too far but it was completely out of my way. If I rushed, I just might make the meeting on time. 

I reviewed this morning’s conversation in my head. I had asked my son Bo if he put his lunchbox inside his bag. His answer was a convincing "yes" complete with a sweet smile that suddenly whisked me away to reminiscing about bringing him home from the hospital as a baby and amazed at how fast he had grown. 

All the years of single motherhood spent worrying and feeling guilt drifted away as I knew I had done a good job. Sadness, as well as pride, swelled my heart and I stayed within that haze until the bus beeped its horn, signaling school. Bo quickly raced out the door and took a seat near the front. As I waved out the window, an instinctual knot pulled at me and directed me straight into the kitchen. There sat his lunchbox.

Luckily there was a parking space close by the school office where I pulled in. I turned off the ignition and headed for the building, lunchbox in tow. A light breeze caught my curls and they casually swayed. I stopped for a moment, noticing a rather pleasant aroma filling my lungs. Somehow the air smelled sweeter here. The sunshine peaked out from behind a fluffy white cloud and shone down, comforting me with its warmth.

For a moment it seemed time stood still as I inhaled the fresh scent, allowing it to fill my whole being. After a few moments my mind altered back to reality and the fact that I was missing precious moments of the meeting by daydreaming. As I was reaching for the door, it swung open and nearly knocked me to the ground.

"I am so sorry, please forgive me," responded a man who appeared to be in as big of a hurry as me. "I wasn’t watching as I came to the door," he added. 

I relaxed my furrowed brows and attempted a smile.

"It’s alright, no harm done," I replied. 

It was then the mysterious fragrance surrounded us. Again things grew hazy, as if looking through an unfocused lens. Our eyes met and we froze, each forgetting the terrible rush we were in. My eyes roamed his gentle features and his sparkling blue eyes. My breath caught in my throat while my heart pounded fiercely. I stood straighter, hoping to exude confidence.

"You must be on your way to work?" I prompted. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I attempted conversation, feeling more like a schoolgirl with a crush.

"Yes.  I have a client waiting and of all days.  Aro, my daughter, decides to leave her costume on the stairs. They are practicing for the upcoming play and she phoned me to bring it," he explained, smoothing his hand atop his dark hair. 

I laughed for a moment and instantly turned red, warmth spread across the bridge of my nose and deepened on my cheeks.

"What’s so funny?" he asked with a charming smile.

"Oh, it’s just that I am here for somewhat of the same reason. My son Bo forgot his lunch, again, and I have a meeting that started ten minutes ago," I rambled quickly. 

When Cupid Strikes - 2