His at Night

Chapter 15

Monday morning came far too quickly. All through the weekend I did nothing but think of Harper. I have been floating on cloud nine and I refuse to come down. My mind continued to wander back to our kiss. The way it felt to hold her in my arms, and feel her wanting me just as much as I want her. That entire night just seems like a dream. How could it not be? All I intended to do was take her the cupcakes to make her day perfect. I ended up walking away with almost everything I have been wanting since that first night.

Letting my head roll to the side, I looked at my alarm clock as it flipped to 6:00am and my alarm went off. I have been awake for a while now, and just unwilling to get out of bed early.

Letting out a long sigh, I sat up and stretched out my arms. I knew this week at work was going to be busy. The deadlines get stricter the closer we get to our release date, and therefore everything becomes stressful.

Quickly showering and getting ready, I pulled on a pair of navy dress pants and a crisp white button down shirt. Slipping on my brown dress shoes, I grabbed my phone and keys, and got into my car.

I typically hated the morning traffic of the city. Everyone is always in such a rush, to just sit in the traffic jam. This morning was different. I had the radio playing, and with every song, I just thought about her.

The way she looked at me in disbelief when she saw me at the school. The way she couldn't help but look at my lips just before she kissed me. Especially how incredibly beautiful she looked at dinner. The water was calm all around us, and the evening sunlight brought out the copper and crimson that laid subtly in her hair. She was effortlessly beautiful in her dress that flowed with the breeze.

Before I knew it I was at work and riding the elevator up to the 22nd floor. Stepping out, I walked over to the receptionist counter and silently fist bumped Teddy while he was on the phone to say 'hi'. He was about to be a college freshman that was hired on a few months ago and we hit it off right away.

Unlocking the door to my office, I turned on the light and made my way to my desk. Just as I powered on my computer, there was a knock on my door.

"Hey, can I come in?" Elijah asked.

"Yeah, man."

"How was your weekend? I didn't hear from you at all." He said as he unbuttoned his jacket and sat in the chair across from me.

A slow smile pulled across my face as I entered my password on my computer.

"It was good." I said with a shrug.

"Just 'good'? What's with the smile?" He asked as he sat forward and looked at me skeptically.

I knew he was going to give me shit. I understand why, but he just doesn't understand what it's like when I'm with her.

"I uh...." I said hesitantly as I cleared my throat, "I saw Harper."

Letting his head fall forward in disbelief he sighed, "Dude!"

I tried to think of a way to defend it, but I just sat there speechless.

"What do you mean you 'saw her'?" He asked as he crossed his arms and sat back in his chair.

"She needed something on Friday, so I left a little early to make sure she got it." I said vaguely.

"What did she need?" Elijah asked.

"Stuff for work..." I said without looking away from my computer.

"She's a kindergarten teacher, right? What, did she run out of crayons?"

".....no." I said.

"Michael."

"She was having her end of the year party with her kids and she needed cupcakes." I finally said.

He just started laughing. "You left work early to go get cupcakes for a woman that is married, that you have a crazy crush on?"

I silently nodded, not really wanting to divulge anything else.

"So you dropped off the cupcakes, then what? That couldn't have taken too long." He said.

Rubbing my face I leaned onto my desk and looked at him, "I dropped off the cupcakes and I stayed."

"What are you doing dude?" he asked as he shook his head. "This isn't you."

I was quiet as I thought of what to say.

"You don't know how he treats her." I said with a pointed look.

He sighed as his look softened some. "Yeah, you're right. But let me be the devil's advocate here. You only know her side. You're biased to the situation. That doesn't mean that this guy isn't an ass, but I'm sure the story would come across a little different if you heard it from his side too."

I just sat there quiet as I thought about it, and damned it if he wasn't right.

"So you took her cupcakes, then what happened?" Elijah asked.

A smile started to spread across my face before I caught it and chewed the inside of my lip. Slowly looking back up, I softly said, "I kissed her."

"So that's why you're all giddy." he said with a chuckle.

"... Then I took her to dinner." I added.

He nodded as he pursed his lips.

"Just say it." I said as I watched him hold back everything he wanted to say.

"I know you. I know you well. You're my best friend, and the most incredible person I know..." He said before pausing, "You will make your decisions. But know, that situations like these never work out the way you think they will."

I shrugged, "I mean, we haven't even talked about anything."

"Exactly." He said. "But eventually you will, and unfortunately, the position you are in, is the one of the person who will be hurt the most."

"I think it's too early to come to any kind of conclusion." I said, even though I knew that he was right.

Standing from his seat, he slowly walked to the door.

"It's been a while since we have been able to just hang out." he said as he paused at the door. "Wanna get drinks Friday after work?"

"Yeah." I said nodding as I watched him walk out and across the hall to his office.

I sat there in silence as I thought about what he said. Several minutes passed before I started to feel the pain in my jaw from how hard I was clenching it. I don't want to lose her. I don't want her to be unhappy and treated the way that she is, when she could be with me, and be treated like a queen. My foot bounced rapidly as I leaned back in my chair lost in thought. The only thing that pulled me back was the sound of my phone vibrating on my desk. Sitting up, I picked it up and looked at it.

Harper: I miss you.

Three words. That's all it took for a wave of calm to rush over me. Smiling at the message, I replied.

Michael: I miss you too. When can I see you again?

Harper: I'm not sure. Jeremy will be gone Wednesday night, but Sam has already claimed it as 'girls night'.

Michael: She can have you at night, if I can steal you away for lunch.

I smiled at the wording. I was stealing her. Most people would criticize me, but I loved the sound of that. I'm gonna steal her.

Harper: That's perfect.

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I'm sorry this chapter is so short. This week has been crazy with the winter storm that came through Texas. I didn't want to miss an upload for you guys, so I hope this is ok. Full length chapters will be back on Friday!! ... And it's gonna be a GOOD one!