“Anyway, I didn’t come here to discuss this. I came to say thank you for last night.”
His eyes hold mine.
I twist my fingers in front of me. “So . . . thank you.” I shrug. “I really appreciate it and I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t found me.”
He sits back in his chair and picks up his pen again. “You’re welcome.” His eyes hold mine.
I shrug again; this is just awkward. I point to the door with my thumb. “I’m going to get going.”
“To the doctor.”
“Yes.”
I turn and head to the door.
“Kate,” he calls.
I turn back to him.
“What happened on the second day I met you?”
I stare at him.
“Forgive my rudeness, but I have no idea.”
I pause for a moment as I consider if I should elaborate. “I told you that you have the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. Not in a sleazy way . . . In a . . .” I shrug. “Observation kind of way.” His brow furrows. “And you’ve despised me ever since.”
He purses his lips as if thinking. “I don’t remember you saying that to me.”
“I know.” I force a smile and turn back toward the door.
“Hey,” he calls.
I turn back toward him again.
He puts his hands into his pockets. “Vulnerable Kate is quite endearing.”
We stare at each other as the air crackles between us.
“Yeah, well . . . she’s still high,” I whisper.
He smiles softly.
Leave.
Leave now.
I turn and walk from his office as confusion surrounds me.
What was that?
Just like Elliot told me to, I took the day off and went to see the doctor about last night. Turns out it was just a bad reaction, so scratch that medication off my ever-to-do-again list.
It’s late at night and I’m tired and have mostly mooched around all day, although that could have a lot to do with my damaged pride.
I can’t believe he saw me like that; to have anyone see me like that is a nightmare, but to have him . . . it’s unfathomable.
My Messenger pings and I see the name and smile; we’ve been chatting together all week, me and Edgar Moffatt. I hit open.
Hi Pinkie.
I smile and reply:
Hi Ed.
His reply bounces back.
What you doing?
I type:
In bed, winding down for the day, you?
I hit send.
Same, I’m exhausted. I had the worst night last night.
I reply:
Oh no, what happened?
I can see the dots as he types, then it stops. Then I see the dots again as he types, and it stops again. This must be a long message. I wait for him to finish.
I found one of my co-workers unconscious on the floor of her office. I called emergency but thankfully she was okay and I ended up escorting her home.
I stayed with her until her friend arrived but I couldn’t sleep all night for worrying about her.