Drunk In Love (Crushing Hard Series Book 3)

Dear Diary:04/06/2019

Tuesday

I woke up with laryngitis today. My voice was practically gone, and all I could manage were rasps and croaks.

At work, every person who greeted me would stop, notice my voice, and offer a sympathetic "Oh no, you've lost your voice?" I barely paid attention. Every time the door opened, my heart would skip a beat, waiting for Scott to walk through. Lately, he’d become my favorite person—he had been there for me during a really dark time. Because of that, I had formed an unhealthy attachment to him. I couldn’t help but glance up every few seconds, unable to concentrate on my work.

The phone rang, and I picked it up.

“Hello?” I croaked.

“He’s coming in late, you know,” Aisha’s voice chimed from the other end. I glanced through the glass of her office to see her smiling at me.

“Who’s coming late?” I rasped back.

She just smiled knowingly.

And, true to her word, Scott did come in late—right after lunch. I was by the copier when I felt that familiar flutter in my stomach. My cheeks heated as I willed him to notice me. He was greeting everyone, slinging his bag off his shoulder and setting up his computer. When his eyes landed on my empty desk, I saw him frown slightly. Even while talking to Sam, his gaze darted around, searching. Then, finally, his face brightened when he spotted me. He smiled and waved.

I suddenly felt awkward and flustered now that he was here. It didn’t help that I was rushing back and forth, making copies for the legal team. Not the best day to be wearing heels. At one point, I was dashing past his desk when he finally spoke to me for the first time that day.

“You know you’re not moving any faster than if you’d just walk. All you’re doing is making noise with those heels,” he teased, breaking the silence.

Like a snake under a trance, I veered toward him. I pointed at my throat, signaling that I’d lost my voice.

“Your voice is gone?” he asked, concerned.

I nodded.

“Say something. I want to hear what you sound like,” he said with a mischievous smile.

I shook my head, glaring at him. Weirdo.

“Come on, please,” he pleaded, still smiling.

“Fine, what do you want me to say?” I rasped hoarsely.

He winced. “Wow, it’s bad. Okay, I’m sorry.” He stood up and moved closer, touching my throat gently. His touch sent a jolt through me, like a spark of electricity. My knees felt weak, and my pulse quickened.

“You know, Thandi, my mom has this home remedy for laryngitis. I’ll give you my number, and I’ll WhatsApp it to you later,” he said, his hand dropping but his eyes still locked on mine.

I nodded, trying to play it cool even though my heart was racing. I reminded myself that it was just a number for a remedy. Nothing more. Sam, sitting across the Scott, glanced up at us every few seconds, but I ignored him.

Scott scribbled his number on a scrap of paper and placed it in my hand, careful not to touch me. I closed my fist around it, feeling like something had shifted between us. His blue eyes were intense, like he wanted to say something more, and I stood there, mesmerized by the unspoken tension between us.

Then, Richard came over, interrupting the moment. I excused myself and returned to my desk, realizing as I sat down that I’d completely forgotten about the photocopies I was supposed to make. I laughed to myself and went back to the copier, noticing Scott’s eyes on me the whole time as Richard continued talking to him. He didn’t realize I could see him watching me.

My body tingled from head to toe, and I blushed. Cailin was waiting for me by the printer.

“Hey, did Rich say anything about me just now?” she whispered, looking uneasy.

I shook my head, confused.

“He’s messing with my head. We keep trying to break up, but we end up hooking up instead. He says I should see other people, but then he tells me he wants me. I don’t know what to do,” she confided, her voice filled with frustration.

I widened my eyes, feeling both sympathy and disbelief at how Richard was treating her. She was only 22, and he was in his 30s. He should know better. I let her vent for a while before she finally told me that Natasha thought I was faking my illness. I couldn’t believe it.

Now, I’m at home at my mom’s, feeling a little guilty. I was so focused on Scott today that I didn’t even think of Kevin once. There was a moment when I forgot about him entirely. I should be mourning the end of my  relationship, nor getting distracted by Scott.

Scott and I have been texting, and honestly, it feels weird and wonderful at the same time. Every time I check my phone, there’s a quick response from him.

I told him what Natasha said, and even mentioned that I think she’s in love with him. He laughed it off and said he only sees her as a friend. I teased him about his choice of friends, and now I’m wondering how he has so much time to text me when he has a fiancée at home. But that’s none of my business, right?

By the way, he never even mentioned that laryngitis remedy, the whole reason he gave me his number in the first place.

If he wanted my number, he could’ve just asked.

Anyway, I’ve got to go.

Goodnight.