as we look down
from ourelevated view
the skies darken and rain ceases the flames
it’s not a pedestal we perch upon
but a graveside dug for two
Chapter 10
Stone
What happened in Dasher Valley didn’t stay in Dasher Valley.
It followed me to Juniper Grove. Into my house. Tucked itself under the bedsheets with me. Invaded my dreams like the boogeyman.
For the past week, I’ve stared rapturously at Lucy while in staff meetings. I’ve had to seize my own hands when they’ve wanted to hold her as I’ve spoken alone with her in my office. I’ve bitten my tongue to refrain from flirting shamelessly with her.
Not to mention I’ve caught her checking me out time and time again. I’ve caught her licking her lips when we’ve made eye contact across the gym. Heck, we’ve even had Jeanie, my secretary, make vague comments about how me and Lucy can’t keep our attention off of each other.
People are noticing.
And weirdly enough, they’re shipping us.
Not accusing me of nepotism.
So yeah. I’m done tiptoeing around Lucy.
I have a plan to rectify the situation, but I will only go through with it if she agrees. I’ll be forthcoming with her, and while I fully expect her to shoot this down, at least I can say I tried. Maybe after she tells me no, I can let these insufferable feelings go and go find another woman to play around with. One who’s not my employee.
One I haven’t grown to care about—at least in an I-enjoy-her-company-and-don’t-want-to-see-her-sad type capacity. Because outside of the lingering stares and stolen moments across rooms, she still sports that same melancholic expression. Like the world has taken away her favorite toy and smashed it to pieces.
Maybe…Just maybe…This insane idea of mine will bring some joy back into her life.
I square my shoulders and knock on her door. She hollers at me to come in, so I do, immediately going to stand beside her desk.
“I’ve got an idea.”
Lucy groans and rolls her eyes as she stops typing on her computer. While we’ve stifled our desires since we’ve been back—and I say ours because she’s been as stealthy as a slow runner attempting to steal second base—when we are alone like this together, she keeps me at arms length, treating me like I’m her annoying male best friend.
Which I’ve acted like on all accounts to be honest.
I had so much fun with her back in Dasher Valley, and well, though our fake dating time ticked to an end, I wish it would have lasted a little longer. I didn’t even get to kiss herin front of my family.
So naturally, I’m making it happen.
“What’s your grand vision this time? Please don’t adjust my Halloween Bash event plan again…”
I laugh at the worried tone in her voice. “I’ve only changed parts of it once. Don’t be dramatic.”
She mumbles under her breath as she turns her attention back to whatever she was working on. Her curly red hair is up in a messy bun, but the moment I focus on it, I imagine it floating around her pale face at the bottom of a pool.
I shake the recurring nightmare from my head and remind myself she’s here in front of me, alive and breathing and fiery as ever.
“What if we started fake dating again?”
The typing sounds cease as she whips her head around to look at me. I’m leaning against her desk, the side of it uncomfortably jabbing into my backside, but I remain in this casual, laid-back pose with my arms crossed because, well, for the sake of sounding like a conceited meat-head, I know I look good like this.
