Since the restrooms are right around the corner from her office, we head in that direction. When we’re only a few feet away, Delaney turns the corner and almost runs into us.
“Oh!” She jumps, almost dropping the phone she’s holding in her hand. I notice her hands are shaking. “S-sorry.” Her eyes dart back and forth between Leah and me.
“No worries. Harrison was about to send me into the bathroom to make sure you weren’t sick in there or something. You okay?” Leah asks. She must notice that Delaney is paler than normal.
“Me? Oh, yeah. I was checking to see if you were in your office.” Delaney glances at me and then looks away just as quickly. “I-I have to get back to my desk to do a few things, but is it okay if I stop back later? I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”
“Sure,” Leah answers. “Anytime.”
Delaney’s phone rings, and she takes a quick peek at it. I swear she grows even paler.
“Excuse me. I’ve got to take this.” She scans the immediate area, frowns, and walks into the restroom. “Hello?” Her voice fades as the door closes behind her.
I’m assuming Leah sees concern on my face. “Don’t stand out here and wait for her, Harrison. It’ll look weird. Go back to your office. If she’s not back in five minutes, text me, and I’ll go in and check on her.”
I think about it for a few seconds, and then, against my better judgment, I agree, thank her, and return to my desk. I sit and read two emails, then look up, and to my relief, Delaney is back at her desk.
My phone dings. I glance down to see I have a text message from her.
Delaney
Thank you for the smoothie. XO
I hesitate, dying to ask if she’s all right. But I don’t want to be overbearing. I think she’d tell me if something was going on with her mom, so I’m just going to give her a little space and not press her.
You’re welcome.
Half an hour later, Henry and I are heading out for our meeting. I stop at Delaney’s desk, and we make plans for me to pick up Italian on my way back. Since she’ll already be home, I’ll meet her there.
I know we don’t show physical affection in the shared office areas, but I haven’t had time alone with her today. So, I take a quick look around the office and, since no one’s around, I give her a kiss on the cheek.
“I love you, Bets.” Her mouth turns up at the corners.
“I love you, too.”
Four hours later, I pull back onto our property, eager to see Delaney and to get some of this delicious food in my hollow stomach. I’m late—it’s well after five—and when I texted Delaney to let her know, she never answered. Maybe she laid down for a nap after work. I hope so; an afternoon nap is always nice.
I’m so distracted by the smell of the food that I almost miss it. Delaney’s car is across from the office. She should have been gone an hour ago. I slow, pull into a space, and kill the engine, then I hop out of the car and jog over to the building.
My heart races. What if shewereill, and she’s passed out in there? Jesus. Once inside, I take the stairs to our floor two at a time. Once I’m up there, I find the lights still on, but Delaney nowhere in sight. My breathing picks up.
I’m just about to call her name when she walks out of my office, rubbing her hand over her eyes and holding a brown catalog envelope.
“Delaney—”
Her ensuing shriek pierces the air, and she drops the envelope and her phone.
“Jesus, Harrison! You nearly made me faint!”
I run a hand through my hair, willing my heart rate to slow to normal and forcing myself to control my breathing.
“You’re supposed to be home. I saw your car,” I explain.
She glances down at her watch, and her eyes bulge. “Shoot, I’m sorry. It’s later than I thought.”
“What are you doing here? What’s in the envelope?” I don’t miss the wince on her face at my frazzled tone.
“I’m working.” She holds up the envelope. “I almost got all the clients that I had filed into the invoice system. I was trying to finish it, but I ran out of oomph. I’ve got an appointment tomorrow morning and won’t be in until after lunch—Henry gave the okay—but I figured I could finish while I wait for my doctor.”
