𝑺 𝑬 𝑹 𝑬 𝑵 𝑰 𝑻 𝒀 (18+)

thirteen.

                              S E R E N I T Y
                                         
                                          ♥

Slow burns were my favorite type of romance stories. I absolutely loved the agonizing wait of wanting my two favorite characters to get together and the banter that ensued when they didn't. It was the tension, the knowledge as the reader that both of these people wanted nothing more than to rip each other's clothes off but were stopped by their lack of willingness to cross the line. That is until a heated argument pushed the both of them to their limit and they divulged in their undeniable attraction for one another. Those books always had me on the edge of my seat, desperately wanting to trade places with the main character.

Jane Houston had always been able to make me feel that way with her books. She was a talented author and the reputation her name had proved that time and time again. I had so much admiration for her, so when she called me on a random Wednesday afternoon you could have imagined the shock that I felt. I answered the phone in disbelief and she giggled on the other end. "Good morning Serenity, I know this is a random call but I've been thinking a lot about your writer's block and I may have some advice."

At that very moment she had my full attention, "hi, it's nice to hear from you! Any advice you have for me I will be more than willing to listen." In the year 2015, she published three books back to back that were all heavily praised; I would've been an idiot not to take her advice. "Great, how about we meet for lunch tomorrow, say around twelve-thirty? I'm sure Noah would make an exception." So she also called him Noah, was she a good friend of his? Or did she just not care for formalities?

"I'll make it work, what restaurant did you have in mind?" I asked, ready to scribble the name on a piece of paper. "You pick. I gotta go, a client just walked in, see you tomorrow Serenity."

"Bye Jane," I hung up the phone in excitement and chewed on the end of my pen. Noah would just have to understand that this was an opportunity only an idiot would miss out on. I decided to rip off the bandage early and request an extra hour off on my lunch break when I ran into Alex in the hallway. The collision had made him drop a few papers and he sighed in response. "Ah, Alex I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." I handed him a page and offered him my most sincere smile.

"No, it was my fault, I'm in my head. How are you Rin?"

"I'm okay, but you look a little disheveled. Did the meeting go well?" He tilted his head, his eyes scanning my face. "How about we discuss it over dinner tonight? I'll pick you up at eight-thirty?" A faint blush appeared on his cheeks making me smile. "It's a date, I'll see you tonight Alex." I tenderly rested my hand on his shoulder before walking past him to Mr. Harrington's office. I knocked twice before entering and put on my best poker face.

"I'm very busy Serenity, what is it?" He expressed with annoyance, "relax, this will only take a minute." I sat on the edge of the chair in front of his desk and crossed my leg. His gaze lingered on my exposed thigh for a moment before he lifted his head to look at me.

"Okay?"

"Thanks to you, Jane Houston gave me a call and she wanted to have lunch tomorrow to discuss my writer's block. Could you please give me an extra hour for my lunch? I can't pass this up." He dropped his pen and relaxed in his seat, staring at me inquisitively. The silence felt like it lasted for hours, the only sound in the room being the ticking of the clock on the wall. I stared back at him, fiddling with my fingers as a way to calm my nerves.

"I think that's a wonderful opportunity for you, I'll have Andrew cover your usual duties."

"Thank you, I'll let you get back to it now." I smiled and prepared to take my leave when he stopped me, "before you go take these files and archive them. They contain all the information on Mr. Archibald and I's deal for the board." I nodded and took the documents from his hand, our fingers accidentally touching. I quickly apologized and watched as a faint grin formed on his lips.