Itap my pen against my wooden desk.
Hayden didn’t come in to work today.
I found out about her absence by formal email instead of the text she usually sends when she’ll be out of the office for the day.
It has to be because she still thinks I want to marry her. I heard her loud and clear when she kept repeating that she didn’t say yes to me, but I didn’t say anything because of how unsure her voice sounded. It was almost as if she wanted to say yes but something was stopping her. So, I let it ride.
That’s what I get for not communicating my thoughts properly as my mother always tried to teach me.
The door opens, and Ren walks in.
“Two days in a row. I feel pretty special right now,” I jest, lightening my own mood. Who else will do it for me?
“You’re always my special person, Darcy-kun.” Ren sits on the edge of my desk, ruffling a stack of papers. A warning snarl ripples from my throat. He laughs and relocates to the perfectly comfortableseat in front of the desk. My desk is…my space. I don’t like people behind it, on it, or even touching it. It’s organized down to the grouping of pen color and tip styles. There are some things in life a person can control, and I choose to control everything I possibly can. It lessens the sting when uncontrollable things arise.
“I wanted to check on you in person, and I was on my way to a meeting.”
“You have a meeting in my neighborhood?”
Ren smiles, all teeth. “Nope. This was completely out of my way.”
A warmth stirs in my chest, and I am grateful for this one person in my life who cares.Sheesh, Darcy. Get out of your heart and back into your head.
“That was unnecessary.”
He shrugs and slumps into the chair, legs splayed.
“How are you after last night? Did anything happen with Hayden on the ride home?” He lowers his voice when he mentions her name. He had stayed back and caught a ride with his father.
I, however, go red with embarrassment at the mention of her name. I can’t believe I actually asked my campaign manager tomarryme. And then I reiterated over and over that I was serious. That I don’t joke.
Which I don’t, and she knows that, hence the embarrassing situation.
“No. I let her off the hook.” Not the best choice of words, but my pride is in jeopardy after the way she so adamantly turned me down last night. I’ve never thought of myself much as a ladies’man, but I also know I have my name, wealth, and much more to offer a woman.
“So that’s how it went down, huh?” Ren snorts. “Whatever you say, my friend.”
Ren Sato, the man who reads me like an open book with a sixteen-point font.
“Gosh, this reminds me of when Anna May turned you down as her date to the school dance. You were brooding for weeks.”
Is it bad that the memory still stings a bit? Like a week-old burn. I don’t like rejection.
“You’re too prideful for your own good, but it’s okay. I still love you, Darcy-kun.”
“Just leave if all you’re going to do is rehash old memories and taunt me.” I run my hands through my hair, then check my watch. “I’ve actually got a meeting to attend in about ten minutes.”
“Okay, my wounded puppy. Go lick your wounds before your meeting. Let’s have a drink tomorrow night.”
“My Fridays don’t look like your Fridays, Ren,” I say, picking up my agenda for the day. I can tell Hayden was not the one to type it out by the way the bullet points are regular, round points instead of a different design. Every day, she uses something new. A sun, a star, an arrow. But never the classic dot. I miss her schedules.
“I just happen to know you have tomorrow evening free.” Ren bows his head. "Hayden told me yesterday." Then he is out the door.
Do I have tomorrow evening free?
Checking my calendar, I realize I do.
What did Hayden Bennett do to make this magic happen?
