The Pic ✓

Sounds Like a Date

I overslept the next morning and was running late to all of my meetings. "Ana, I get it. I really do. Can you please push back all of my appointments?"

"Sure. What should I tell them?"

"Tell them that there was an issue with a vendor that's going to take up all of my time this morning. If it's a real emergency take a message and use your discretion before passing it along to me."

"Consider it done. You'll be in today though, right?"

"Of course. I'm just going to need some... quiet time? I don't know. Last night was... something." I say as I balance the portfolios and binders and my iPad and attempted to make it out of my door without dumping everything.

"Does this have something to do with Chris?"

"What? No, why would you think that?" I start stuttering, a clear sign that I was lying.

"Well, now I know it has something to do with Chris. What happened?"

"An... arrangement. I'm not sure what to call it exactly. But he's coming back into town tonight and we're meeting up to discuss it and... I don't know. This is the first time in the 35 years that I've known him that I've been anxious about seeing him."

"Do you just want to reschedule the meetings today entirely?"

I let out a long sigh. "Yeah. That's probably for the best."

"Umm... Someone's here to see you."

"Who?"

"... Chris..."

"He's here already? I thought he wasn't due back until this afternoon."

"I'm not sure but I'm looking at him right now."

"Great. I'll be right in. Do you want coffee?"

"Please and thank you."

"I owe you more than coffee for this." I inform her before hanging up. Shit! I thought I had more time to prepare for this conversation. And as the anxiety was killing me, I purposefully took my time getting to the office.

I pulled in a half hour later, coffee and donuts in hand. Chris met me at the door, grabbing the food so I wouldn't spill everything. "Thanks." I say awkwardly as he opens the door.

"No problem."

"I thought you weren't getting back until this afternoon."

"Megan and I decided to do the meeting on the flight back home. The others were willing to compromise on that."

I nod. "Let's go into my office." I tell him before taking Ana's cup to her. "Anyone calls, please just take a message."

"You got it boss." She mock salutes before I roll my eyes and shut my office door.

"Thank you so much for doing this." Chris says as soon as the door is shut, pulling me into a hug.

"You're welcome, I guess. I'm assuming your team is onboard?"

"Yeah, they like this idea more than I thought they would. Childhood friend, lives in the area, they couldn't have written it better themselves." He says with a roll of his eyes.

"We don't have to do this if you're not comfortable with it, Chris. If you'd rather use someone from your world, you're not going to hurt my feelings." In fact, it might save them. Not that I tell him that.

"No, no. This is the best way." I nod and turn towards the calendar on the wall behind my desk, my back to him. I feel the tears start to roll down my cheeks. I wipe the tears from my cheeks and do my best to compose myself.

"So, what do I need to do?" I ask, turning back to look at him, a fake smile on my face. I know he knows something is up but he chooses not to say anything.

"I'll make a post on Instagram about us and tag you. Other than that, we'll make a few appearances out." I nod again. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I told you I would help you out and I meant it Chris. I don't go back on my word." He nods and sits back in his chair.

"Do you want to come over for dinner and movies tonight? You can pick." He says, eyes hopeful. I knew he was trying to mend this awkwardness between us and I knew it needed to be done too.

I smile slightly and nod. "I'd love to. I can pick it up on my way after work?"

"Sounds like a date." He says nonchalantly before kissing my cheek and walking out of my office, leaving me in a stunned daze.