***
Chase tried to catch Ashley’s expression as she approached her desk Monday morning and picked up the smooth worry stone he’d left for her. She seemed pleased but also conflicted. She looked around the room, and when her eyes reached him he smiled casually, a smile that said good morning, and nothing else.
Part of him wanted to tell her. To admit it was him. But he squashed that crazy idea and decided to wait and at least see how their non-date went tonight. He’d stick with his plan, even if it was a bad one.
The newsletter was almost ready for publication, and meeting that deadline also meant approaching the end of their department. They didn’t have two weeks left. They’d be lucky if they made it through the end of the week.
He saw it in Ashley’s face as she worked on the newsletter layout, moving things around and adding the advertisement pages where there was room. Gordon and Brian chatted at her desk as she worked, batting around ideas for future articles. She just smiled and nodded, occasionally glancing at Chase as if to ask for help. She couldn’t tell them, and it was killing her.
Mr. Davidson pulled Chase in his office for most of the afternoon to discuss assistant duties. Another sign the end was coming. He wasn’t trying to be secretive about it anymore.
“What’s with you and Mr. D?” Flynn asked as they were packing up at the end of the day.
Chase shrugged. “Just some memos about safety regulations and the medical insurance changes coming.” It was partly true.
Flynn waved him off before he could elaborate. “Medical insurance memos. Calm down there, Chase. Your exciting news is going to give me a heart attack.”
Ashley walked up, fiddling with the strap of her purse. “What exciting news?”
Flynn gave them both an appraising glance. “Oh, Chase was just telling me about the plans he has for you two tonight. Sounds romantic.”
“You told him about our date?” Ashley asked, her mouth dropping open.
Flynn bobbed on his toes, shoving his finger in Ashley’s face. “Oh, ho. Wow, I am amazing. I didn’t think that would work. What’s going on, Rocky? You finally couldn’t resist Chase’s boyish good looks?”
Chase steered her away before she could give an answer and make the situation worse. “You called it a date,” he hissed. “In front of Flynn.”
“So this is my fault?” She clicked on her name to sign herself out and then moved aside so he could do the same. “Sorry. From now on I’ll refer to it as our buddy dinner plans.” She turned around and hollered. “They’re buddy dinner plans, Flynn. Spread the word.”
“What are you doing?”
The few people staying late leaned around their desks and stared, and yet Ashley just stood there, grinning at Chase. “Who cares? We won’t be here in a couple days. Excuse me, I won’t be here. By the way, do you know who’s been leaving little gifts at my desk? Look at this worry stone.” She pulled the blue lapis stone out of her pocket and rubbed her thumb over it. “This is, by far, my favorite gift yet.”
Chase stared down at it as she dropped it in his hand, afraid to look at her. This was his moment. The stone felt heavy and cold against his skin. “That is a cool gift.”
