Page 66 of The Stranger

I miss everything about her.

I’ve always enjoyed working with Laura in the past, but when she arrived this morning with my coffee in hand, it felt wrong. I wanted my pintsize, sexy little spitfire back. She has single-handedly brought joy into my life and brightens my day just by being her sweet self. Although I’m quite partial to her sass, just quietly.

The nerves kick in as soon as I step off the elevator and onto her floor. I get several side-eyes and double-takes as I pass all my programmers who work in the partitioned office space. I rarely come down to this floor—hence why I initially thought it would be a great place for Delilah. Inretrospect, it was a huge mistake on my part.I panicked.It may not undo what has been done, but I’m willing to put in the work to right those wrongs.

When I reach the end of the corridor where Marcy’s office is located, the manager on this floor—and the person Delilah now works for—my anxiety rises. At the doorway, I roll my shoulders a few times, trying to shake off the nerves. It’s crazy how tied up in knots I am over this woman.

I step through the threshold of the doorway and instantly suck in a sharp breath when Delilah comes into view. My heart is racing in my chest as I watch her. She’s sitting behind her reception desk chewing on the end of a pen as her pretty blue eyes flicker between the notepad in front of her and the computer screen.

“Miss St. James.”

Her eyes slightly widen the moment they land on me. “Spencer,” she whispers, dropping the pen in her hand onto the desk.

I step further into the room. “I came to say hi.”

“You did?”

Yes, I’ve missed your sweet face.

“I wanted to check you were settling in alright.”

“Oh, right, yes,” she says, sitting up straighter in her chair. There’s that sass I love.

“Have you had a lunch break yet?”

“No. Umm … I was getting ready to leave for one now.” She opens the drawer of her desk and retrieves her handbag.

My lips turn up at the corners. She’s trying to run from me again, but it will not work this time. “Great.” I close the distance between us and hold my hand out to her. “I’ll join you.”

Her mouth parts, forming a cute little ‘O’. I know justhow pillowy those soft lips of hers feel when they’re pressed against mine. “I … umm, have plans.”

When she dips her face, I can tell she’s trying to think of an excuse. What she doesn’t realise is I’m going with her, despite what she says.

I shove my hands into the pockets of my trousers and wait. “What plans?”

Her gaze snaps back to mine. “I have to run some errands ... yes, errands.”

“That’s okay, I’ll tag along.”

“You will?”

“Uh-huh.”

Her lips thin as she slings her bag over her shoulder. “Well, I suppose I can run my errands tomorrow.”

When I attempt to reach for her hand, she snatches it back and crosses her arms over her chest.

I chuckle to myself as I shove my hand back into my pocket. I get to spend the next hour with her, so I’m good with that.

“So, how was your weekend?” I ask once we’re seated at our table.

“Fine,” she mumbles, picking up her menu and holding it up in front of her face.

“Delilah,” I say, using the tip of my finger to draw her menu down.

“What?”

“Can we have a conversation like adults?”