He shrugs. “You could repay me by coming to Amy’s launch party tonight?” He smiles crookedly, in what I think is an attempt to look cute.
He holds up his hands as I start to shake my head. “Separately, of course. She said you should bring Emily.”
Leaning back in my chair, I hold my coffee up to my nose, let the warmth of the cup seep into my palms. “I don’t think it would be a good idea. A little...”Awkward, I want to say. “Risky.”
He sighs, sounding less disappointed and more resigned.
“Wesley, youknowwe can’t be seen together outside of work.”
“It’s not like we’ll be seen together. We’ll just be in thesame place.”
Stepping out of my shoes, I scrunch my toes into the carpet beneath my desk to ground myself. “Why do you want me to go so badly?”
“Because I...” He stops. Closes his mouth. He shoves his hands in his pockets, his shoulders move like he’s trying to find the right fit in an ill-fitting jacket. “Because I like spending time with you,” he says quietly.
“Well, you can spend time with me. After. Why don’t you leave early so you can help your sister. And I’ll see you tonight after the party or tomorrow at the softball game.”
His eyes widen and he rubs his stomach. “If we don’t win I’m gonna blow chunks.”
“That’s disgusting,” I say. But I can’t keep a straight face anymore when he goes cross-eyed.
His feet shuffle as he makes his way to the door. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? It would mean a lot to my sister and...to me.”
I want to give him the answer he wants. “Just call me after.”
He nods, his mouth turning into a crooked frown. “If you change your mind, you know where I’ll be.”
The door closes softly behind him and I take a sip of my coffee but it tastes dull...like nothing. My eyes wander away from my work, to the door.
This internship will be over soon. We couldn’t still work together here but if he was willing to take a job at a different agency—he’d have great experience and references. They’d be silly not to see his talent. Or maybe if I...left.
Once I think it the idea takes full form, like it’s been in the back of my mind—or maybe my heart—for a long time. I’ve been staying out of some sick sense of loyalty to Richard but for what? I could leave and Wesley could stay and then we could...maybe?
I’m on my feet before I’ve really thought about it. The door is open and I rush down the hallway. He’s just past the Pit as I arrive on the other side. “Chambers,” I yell.
Everyone stops, including him. He slowly turns, his eyes wide and confused. A murmuredooohhhhhhrises up from the Pit as I stalk around it. Richard watches me from an open office doorway, glowering, but I ignore him. He is inconsequential, he just doesn’t know it yet. Wesley meets me in the middle, fiddling with the strap of his messenger bag.
“Is something wrong, Ms. Blunt?” His voice is quiet and respectful.
“I just wanted to let you know...” With a quick glance at the Pit, I keep the stern expression on my face. “I will be attending the event tonight, after all.”
“Really?” His smile is too big for the conversation we’re supposed to be having in front of colleagues.
I take a step back. Without noticing, we’ve stood too close together, in each other’s orbit. “Yes.”
“Okay.” He takes a step back as well. “I’ll...make the proper arrangements.”
He winks so only I can see.
The hallways are quiet and most of the other offices are dark by the time my phone interrupts my work again. Without checking the time, I know I’ve worked too late and it’s probably Wesley wondering where I am. Pulling open the drawer, I answer without turning away from the screen, shutting down the computer with my free hand.
“I’m sorry. I’m leaving right now.”
“Princess, it’s your mom,” Dad says. “She’s in the hospital.”
I stand fast enough that the computer chair hits the wall behind me. “What?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to panic you.”
