Reed: Will you be late again? If you want I could pick us up some takeaway here to warm up when I get home, since there are about a million more options here.
I’m torn between being offended on my village’s behalf—although he’s not wrong—and touched that he’s thinking about feeding me again.
I’m not used to all this attention, and I can already feel it’s going to be dangerously addictive.
That doesn’t stop me replying with,
Jerry: I shouldn’t be too late, hopefully, but takeaway sounds good. You pick. There’s nothing I don’t eat.
There’s a pause before he replies, like maybe he’s been thinking too hard.
Reed: Nothing? Good to know;)
I stare at the message for a good few seconds, debating whether I’m reading it right. I’ve got to be. Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve been on the receiving end of blatant flirting, but notthatlong.
Still can’t come up with a perfect reply though, and I end up taking too long and panic-texting.
Jerry:Great. I’ll see you later
I regret everything as soon as I hit Send. Christ, it’ll be a miracle if I ever have sex again.
Unsurprisingly, Reed doesn’t reply to that, and I look forward to a day of constantly checking my phone and hoping I can redeem myself later.
REED
The Sheffield officeis similar enough to my last one that I feel almost at home when I walk in. The faces that fill the space are different than I’m used to, but not all of them are unfamiliar, and they all seem pretty friendly so far.
My desk is in the corner, so I have my back to the wall and look out onto the rest of the team. It’s such a prime spot I’m surprised someone hasn’t snapped it up before now. It means I can check my phone without fear of anyone seeing me. Not that phones are banned or anything—it’s not school—but I don’t want to be known as the new guy who’s always on his phone.
And I’m not. I just like to check my messages now and again.
Like now, for example, I’m hiding behind my monitor, reading back over my text exchange with Jerry from yesterday.
His response to my obvious innuendo still makes me smile. I wish I could’ve teased him in person, but he was at the farm longer than he expected and I ended up eating takeout on my own. Which, not gonna lie, was a little disappointing. But that’s the life of being a vet out here.
I left his portion in the fridge again with another note, and sure enough, one was waiting for me when I got up this morning. It’s sitting in my wallet with the first one. I’m not sure whyI’ve kept them, nor why they make me smile so much, but I’ve decided not to analyse things too closely.
I feel lighter than I have in months, and I’m not about to go poking around to see why that might be in case I jinx it.
Another reason I’m sat looking at my phone is because I’m expecting a text from Paul any time now. My best friend’s coming to this office for a meeting this afternoon, and I’ve promised him lunch first.
His name flashes on my screen as I’m about to set it on my desk.
Paul: I’m downstairs at reception.
Paul:Chatting to Mel. Seems you’ve made quite the impression already.
Reed: Ok. On my way.
Reed: And be nice to Mel, she likes me and I don’t want that to change!
She’s the one who told me about the little café I’m taking Paul to, and she’s also the fount of all knowledge when it comes to office gossip apparently. I want to stay on her good side.
The café isabout a five-minute walk and thank god because it’scoldtoday.
“Is it just me,” Paul grumbles, hands shoved into his coat pockets. “Or is it about ten degrees colder up here.”
“Up here? Where exactly do you think we are?”
