“It’s okay if you’re not. That was pretty full on.”
My eyes started to prickle.Why was I getting emotional?Everything was fine. I didn’t need him tending to me like I was an invalid.
The prickle didn’t stop.
“I’m good.” I tried a breezy laugh but didn’t quite pull it off. “Honestly. ’Scuse me.”
I slid past him and out the door.
Outside, it was warm and sunny. I started walking down the street, no idea where I was going, but I had to go somewhere. I slipped on my sunglasses to shield my eyes from the glare. It must have been almost midday, so it was no wonder I was starving.
I heard fast footsteps behind me and instinctively clutched my bag. But when I turned, it was him.
“Sorry, I… ah.” Chesty had been running. “I wanted to check. See if you were okay.”
I looked up at him. He was really tall, well over six foot.
“I’m fine, thanks. Seriously.” The stinging behind my eyeshad waned a little, and I almost sounded convincing. “You heard what the paramedic said.”
And everythingelse.
Best not to think of it.
“Of course.” He ran a hand through his hair. His forearm was tanned and strong—not the type we got in an office. Nobody chained to Outlook had arms like that.
“I just wondered if you might”—he gestured toward the Fox & Filter with his head—“maybe we grab a bite? It’s almost lunchtime.”
“Ah, thanks, I’m really not hungry.”
“Are you sure?” His mouth twitched. “They do a great breath mint panini. I thought that might appeal to you.”
Against my better judgment, I laughed. “Ah yes, the famous Southwark Mouthwash Melt.”
“Listerine shots on the side?” He grinned.
Oh, what the hell.
It was only lunch.
I’d already survived a medical emergency and been diagnosed with anxiety by my phone, so surely there was no harm in having lunch with my lift mattress.
Just another Monday—right?
Chapter 5
Andrea
The Fox& Filterwas bustling. Thank God there were no faces I recognized from work. Having lunch with a hot gym instructor would be circulated in a Teams chat by lunchtime—especially since Gerald thought I’d gone home.
My phone pinged.
James:ANDY! Aren’t you dying to know what itis?
I set the phone on the table and looked at the man across from me. “Sorry—work friend.”
Chesty smiled. I still didn’t know his name. I’d cried on him and used him as emergency cushioning, but names had apparently been too intimate.
“Water?” He was already raising a hand to get the waiter’s attention.
