I turn without a backward glance, fleeing his office.
So much for things returning to normal,I think as I return to my desk, trying to focus on work and not the sensation of my boss’s eyes on my back.
FOUR
Hudson
Fuck.All I want to do is drag her back in here, throw her down on my couch, and fuck her until she scratches my back and screams my name so loudly that people on the street can hear her.
Instead, I’m stuck working, staring at my girl through the glass of my office and willing her to turn and look at me. I need to see her face to figure out what she’s thinking.
Did she enjoy our lunch date?
Can I count that as our first date? No, right? She should probably know it was a date for it to count.
I try to get back to work, but it’s impossible. Something has shifted between us today. I think I might have made some progress with Hazel.
Biting back a curse, I grab my phone and call Carter.
He answers on the second ring. “Do I need to bail you out? Did things go that badly with your girl?”
“No, I’m at work. I, uh, had lunch with Hazel.”
“You asked her out? Congrats, man!”
“No, I ordered food and ate with her.”
Carter groans. “For fuck’s sake, Hudson.”
I picture him shaking his head at me.
I sag in my chair. “It’s something. I think it went well.”
“Youthink?”
“Well, it started off badly, but then, yeah, it was nice.”
“Great. Go ask her out.”
“I can’t. She could leave or?—”
“You have to stop doing this, Hudson,” Carter interrupts. “Just go for it before you drive yourself crazy fighting this. The worst she can say is no. And if she does, at least you’ll know where you stand. You can move on and?—”
“There is no moving on from Hazel!” I snap. “She’s it for me. If she says no, I’ll snap and do something crazy, like kidnap her or beg her to love me.”
Carter lets out a deep breath. “Well, then, maybe you should work on that plan.”
“Kidnapping?”
He laughs. “Sure, or the begging part.”
“You’re no help,” I groan.
Hazel stands, and I track her movements as she goes to the break room to drop off her coffee cup. It’s almost five, and everyone is preparing to leave for the day. I know Hazel will be gathering her things too.
I need to make a decision. Should I push forward with the progress we made today, or should I stay the course and hope that one day she wakes up and realizes she’s meant to be mine?
No. I can’t wait any longer. I can’t keep wishing and hoping. It’s time for me to take action.
