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“Yesterday? When?”
“Oh, around one or so. Guess he needed some extra energy.”
Troy must have come here when he left the meeting. But why? He ditched one of our most important meetings to grab a latte? It didn’t make sense.
“Hmm. Okay, I’ll take the latte. Two, actually.”
“On it.”
I thought for a moment.
“Er… Connor…” I started.
“Yes?” he asked as he began pressing the ground espresso.
“How did Mr. Gunner seem yesterday?”
“Honestly, a little off. I hope everything’s okay. He was asking me a lot of questions about what I wanted to do after school. And then he left me a really generous tip. Which, by the way, can you please thank him for me?”
“Sure,” I replied with a nod.
I made my way to the other end of the counter to wait for the coffees and thought about what Connor said. I wondered what was going on with Troy. I hated that I still worried about him after everything.
Back in the office, I placed Troy’s new order on his desk and took my own coffee to my desk. I took a sip as I opened up my morning emails. It was delicious. A perfect blend of spice and sweetness, and a nice touch of warmth for this blustery day.
A few moments later, Troy arrived. I watched him as he settled in at his desk and looked at the insulated coffee cup in front of him, different from the clear cup with his usual iced Americano. I wondered if I should have just stuck with his usual order. He was so particular about it. He looked up and caught my gaze, then gave me a small smile before taking a sip and starting work on his computer.
Whew. Okay.Why the hell did I feel like I was walking on eggshells with him this morning? For weeks, I didn’t care if my attitude or distance affected him. I had been so hurt. Angry. Sad. Now, I suddenly cared about his stupid coffee order?
We spent the morning in the conference room on a few phone meetings. Kathy was there with us. She seemed to never leave us alone anymore, which had been somewhat of a comfort for me to have her as a buffer. But today, it was more of an annoyance. I wanted to ask him what was going on with him, as a professional. At least, that was what I told myself.
He did seem better today. Not as oblivious, but still not as into it as he usually was. I wondered if he was tiring of me being here. I understood. It was exhausting trying to pretend nothing had ever happened between us. It was like putting on a really good show as an actress, day in and day out. I hoped that eventually, it wouldn’t be an act anymore and I could just be his assistant.
Just before my lunch break, I reached under my desk for my lunch. I had been packing my own and eating in the breakroom ever since I had ended things with Troy. No one was ever in there, so I got to eat my lunch in peace and sit with my own thoughts. I did miss our lunches sometimes. Okay, all the time. I missed the champagne and brushing of the knees under the table, as we pretended to talk about business. It had been so exciting. Romantic even.
“Hey, girl,” said a woman’s voice.
I looked up and saw Erica standing at my desk. She looked casual chic in a pair of black skinny jeans and a crisp white blazer overtop a matching white tank top. Her hair was pulled back into a slick, low ponytail. I hadn’t seen her since our trip to the Bahamas.
“Oh! Hey, Erica,” I said.
“Whatcha doing?” she asked with a smile.
“Just grabbing my lunch.” I held up my lunchbox, and suddenly felt like a little kid in school.
She rolled her eyes. “Thatis not lunch. Come on.”
I looked at her questioningly.
“I’m taking you out for lunch.”
I looked at her in surprise. Behind her, Troy stared at her with the same surprise and a somewhat annoyed look in his eyes. It almost made me laugh. I realized she hadn’t come here to see her brother. She was here to see me. And I wasn’t sure he liked that.
“Okay,” I replied hesitantly as I stood from my seat, tearing my eyes from Troy, whose lips were now pressed into a thin line.
Erica clapped her hands excitedly.
“Hello, Erica,” said Troy, standing up from his desk and walking to his doorway.