Heart for The Lonely Souls

Chapter 5: The Welcome Party (Part 1)

A few days have passed since Brennan joined our team.

Although our first interaction ended on an awkward note, we manage to have a somewhat civil coworking relationship. He has been shadowing me with my client meetings and completed his tasks on time. So far, all I can say is, Brennan is a diligent employee. He is studious, hard working, and passionate at his craft; moreover, he's attractive and sociable to boot, and it doesn't take long for him to get close to our coworkers.

With all of these traits, Brennan Ryan is pretty much perfect. It's hard to deny that he's the total opposite of me, like night and day. How fitting.

I shake the thoughts away. It's too early for me to be self loathing again. I place down my tablet pen to do some stretching on my desk and my eyes wander until it stops at Amani's back.

Amani is preoccupied with a big project that is currently in its final stage, so he has been spending more time in front of his tablet monitor than usual. He would usually take at least a coffee break at the pantry between hours in the afternoon to destress and rest his eyes, but he's not able to do that as of lately. Amani puts down his tablet pen, leaning his stiff body to his chair and massaging the bridge of his nose while a sigh escapes his mouth.

That's when Brennan comes in, with two mugs of hot coffee in both hands, and puts one mug on Amani's table. Amani notices this and turns to meet Brennan, his face is showing his usual friendly smile.

"Hi, Brennan. This is..."

"Oh, I just got back from the pantry to make myself a fresh cup of joe, and I thought you would appreciate a cup as well," Brennan says.

Hearing that, Amani can't help but smile as well. He takes the freshly brewed cup of coffee in his hand, sipping it slowly to savor the taste as he lets out a blissful sigh. He looks back at Brennan. "Thanks, man. I really need the caffeine boost."

"Don't mention it! I should go back to my desk now. Good luck on your project, Amani."

"You too."

After excusing himself, Brennan goes back to his desk with his coffee and continues working on the task I've assigned him to do. I glance at him for a second before returning my attention to my work. I wonder if being attentive is also a part of his personality. Just the other day when a coworker was feeling unwell, Brennan offered to go to the pharmacy to get some medicine for them since he was about to go buy lunch anyway. I don't know much, but from what I've heard from the others in passing, Brennan is pretty laid-back and easy to talk with. He has even started to hang out with the Weekend Trio, and Kayden especially has taken quite a liking to Brennan, acting as if they have been friends forever. Even Dolores so far has expressed high hopes for him.

He's kind, that's for sure, and he has been sharing that kindness with me as well... weirdly enough.

I've noticed that Brennan doesn't approach me like he did with the others. I thought he would be walking on eggshells around me after our less than desirable first meeting, but it didn't happen at all. Instead, he's polite and respectful with me. Brennan doesn't try to force himself into my space and keep a mindful distance between us. Our conversations are normal, mostly about work stuff, and no sign of hostility. Everything about our interaction has been surprisingly normal, as if he's prioritizing my comfort.

... There's no way that's the case.

He has no reason to care about me anyway. We're just coworkers, not even close acquaintances.

I'm not sure why, but I feel kinda restless whenever Brennan is around and I can't put my finger on it—like a lump in my throat. It might just be my imagination though.