Screenplay of the Heart Book Two

CHAPTER 31

It was past seven in the evening, and Nate was just finishing up a conference call with his London team about a glitch in a media project. As he stood to collect his coat, the door swung open, and in sauntered Laurel, every bit the glamorous figure she was known to be. With a flirtatious smile that seemed to light up the dimming office, she glided across the room.

"Ready to go, Nathaniel?" she asked, her voice smooth and enticing.

Nate expected her to take a seat but instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in for a kiss. Nate stepped back, avoiding her lips and gently removing her arms. "Laurel, stop. You're in my office, and people might see," he said, his voice firm, clearly setting boundaries.

After Nate pushed Laurel away in his office, he couldn't help but reflect on how tangled things had gotten between them. Ever since they first slept together, Laurel hadn't been shy about her feelings. She was all over him, sticking to him like glue. He blamed himself for starting things, giving in on a night when he just wasn't thinking straight.

He'd tried to fix things, telling Laurel he was sorry for taking advantage of the situation and making it clear it shouldn't have happened. But Laurel waved off his concerns, eager to keep things going and often showing just how much she wanted him.

Despite his efforts to keep her at bay, her persistence eventually wore him down. He gave in but made it crystal clear: what they had was limited to the bedroom, nothing more. Laurel said she was okay with that, but Nate had a nagging feeling she was holding out hope for something more, something he knew he couldn't offer.

Ignoring his protests, Laurel ran her fingers lightly down his arm. "Oh, come on now, Nathaniel. Most of them are already out. It's just Francis outside," she murmured, her tone laced with temptation.

Nate donned his coat with a swift, practiced motion. Lauren, undeterred, followed him. "What are you still doing here? I thought you went home," he asked, his tone flat, making it clear he was not in the mood. 

Laurel met his gaze with a seductive smile. "Well, I wanted to invite you to dinner," she proposed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Nate sighed, the day's fatigue pressing down on him. "Not tonight, I'm tired and all I want now is to rest."

Undaunted, Lauren adjusted his tie with a flirtatious touch, pressing slightly against him. "Then let's keep it simple at your place," she suggested with a wink. "I'll cook, and... we can have dessert after..." Her voice trailed off suggestively, her lips pursed in a seductive pout.

"Come on, Nathaniel. You know I don't take no for an answer," she insisted.

Nate sighed with resignation, too weary to continue a fruitless argument with Laurel. He acquiesced, deciding it would be simpler to agree. "Fine, we'll go to the restaurant close by," he muttered, hoping a public setting might curb her insistent behavior.

Throughout dinner, Laurel chattered nonstop, weaving through topics Nate found utterly uninteresting. He focused on his meal, nodding occasionally but not truly engaging. Her excitement peaked when she mentioned her parents planning to visit soon. "They really want to see you again, Nate. It's been so long!" Her words tumbled out in a rush, her enthusiasm undimmed by his clear disinterest.

"And you should really take some time off when they come," Laurel pressed on, hardly pausing for breath. "We could all go somewhere nice, really relax together."

Nate looked up from his plate, irritation flickering in his eyes. "Why would I take a leave of absence for that? We can simply meet up for dinner," he replied, his tone flat.

Disappointment flashed across Laurel's face, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "Because they want to spend quality time with both of us," she insisted.