Irresistible

Epilogue part two

I was walking out my office building, after finishing my shift, when I noticed him.

Chris was sat on the edge of the fountain that was basically the smokers lounge for anyone that worked in our building. He was alone and had a cigarette between his lips, while typing something on his phone. I hadn't even known he'd been back or even where he'd been all this time.

A part of me was scared to see him again, but there was also another part of me that wanted to approach him. Things were at its worst when we last saw each other, the beginning of the downfall, and now everything was different. I felt like a completely different person, having grown up in a lot of ways since he'd last seen me. I knew I'd always regret it if I didn't at least say something to him. I didn't want there to be hard feelings and, while I couldn't control that, I still wanted to try and maybe make amends if he was willing to.

I'm lucky that he didn't get me fired or something.

So maybe he doesn't completely hate me, I thought as I slowly made my way over to him.

He looked up before I could say something and our eyes locked. Panic spread through my body but I willed myself to keep going. "Hey," I said once I'd reached him.

"Hi," he said, blowing smoke out of his mouth and looking up at me. "How've you, uh, been?"

"Good," I nodded. "Can I sit?"

"You going to smoke?"

I shook my head. "Just wanted to talk to you." He didn't say anything so I took it as an okay and sat down beside him. I folded my hands together and looked at him, awkwardly. "How've you been? Where do you stay now?"

"I'm over in Birmingham," he answered. "It's good. I'm good."

"That's good," I said, still feeling a little awkward but less scared. He had a guard up, I could tell, but I didn't blame him. "You came to visit then? When did you get here?"

"I came for a meeting. I think I got here, like, two days ago. The meeting is today but I'll be here for a week or so."

"Still got your old place?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said. "A friend stays there when I'm not. So, it works out."

I nodded, looking down at my lap. It was silent for a while so I said the only thing that I could think at this point, sitting next to him. "I'm sorry."

He looked at me and frowned. "What? Sorry for what?"

"Everything," I said to him. "I know I apologized months ago but I still am sorry, Chris. I'm sorry that I made work so unbearable for you that you had to leave town."

"No," he shook his head quickly, interrupting me. He looked utterly confused. "I didn't leave because of you. I got a promotion, but it was in Birmingham. I get three times what I'm paid for here." I stared at him blankly and he broke out laughing at my reaction. "You thought I skipped town because of you?" He was practically in stitches from laughing so hard and I couldn't help but smile a little, feeling so stupid.

"Shut up," I tutted. "What was I supposed to think? It happened shortly after we broke up and you just up and left."

"It was a bit after that, yes. But it wasn't you. I know I was avoiding you but the moving had nothing to do with it."

I nodded my head, pursing my lips. "I spent all these months thinking I made you hate London enough to just leave."

Chris cocked his head to the side and smirked at me. "How important do you think you are, Calder?"

"Don't be a tit, Christopher." And oh, we were teasing each other. I guess he wasn't as angry as I thought.

He laughed and shook his head, throwing his cigarette down on the ground and stubbing it with his shoe. "Are you...did...you. Uhm," he stuttered and then looked up at me, awkwardly. "Are you and Harry okay?"