The glare of the computer screens were now giving me a headache. Thirty-five more minutes until I was off. Somehow the time went from moving like room temperature syrup to stone cold molasses. I caught myself mindlessly navigating between web tabs, and programming windows. It's was 6:32 now. Which meant just twenty-eight more minutes. Just, right? Attempting to refocus was now pointless and damn near impossible. I straightened my keyboard and mouse pad and organized the pens and pencils. Left to right, 3 lead pencils, blue ballpoint pen, black, and then red. I readjusted the small desk lamp to make sure it was back in place, corner to corner. Like a puzzle piece. I hesitantly looked at the clock, and much to my own relief was not disappointed. It read 6:58, I stood up from my chair and swiftly closed all of the open tabs on my monitor, slid my arms into my jacket and slung by backpack over my shoulder. Immediately Summer Walker's Smartwater was blasting through my headphones. Being six feet tall, majority legs only made it that much easier to get out of the building swiftly. What didn't though was colliding with the operations director on the way out.
"Oh Angela.. I'm so sorry. I — I didn't see you."
She chuckled and looked up at me. "You're not that tall you know Brooks?" I smiled, it was a running joke we had. At 5'3 mostly everybody in the office was taller than her, and at my height almost everybody was shorter than me.
"I guess you might be right, or maybe I'll just have to look down more often."
She playfully gasped as if offended and acted as if she was jotting notes down in her leather planner.
"Because I can tell you're in a rush, I'll make sure we have a discussion about this tomorrow."
This time I laughed and as I was backing up towards the door responded, "I'll look forward to it Ang, but for now have a great evening."
As I turned the corner after the door I looked at the time on my watch 7:07. Shit. I had to be at Bennett's in less than 13 minutes to pick up Mel, and here I was ... 17 minutes away. I figured I'd text her, didn't want an unnecessary argument.
To Mel 💕: baby I'm on the way but I got a little held back, should be there in 20.
From Mel 💕 : Okay babe, let me know when you're outside 😘
I tossed my backpack in the rear seat and slid into the driver and made my way to Bennett's, the privately owned French bakery and coffee shop Mel was part owner and full time manager at. Usually we'd meet at home, but her Benz truck had been making a weird ticking noise and was in for repairs so racing after work has been the norm for the past 3 days.
I used the 17 minute car ride to try and decompress. Work had been stressful, and lately felt more demanding than rewarding.
I pulled up to the curb and texted Mel,
To Mel 💕: I'm outside.
From Mel 💕: Okay I'm coming, let me lock up.
I watched through the glass windows as she came out from the stock room. Her long dark hair swaying with every swift but smooth movement. She was slim, yet full in all of the right places. Her small 5'4 frame made her subtle curves that much more noticeable. I watched as she cut the lights and then locked the front door. Her walk was purposeful. She walked like she owned the place which in this particular instance she did.. but even when she didn't, there was very little that could be done to convince those who were blessed with her presence otherwise.
I got out of the car and opened her door, she paused right before her door and looked up at me. Her hand at my jaw, thumb caressing my cheekbone. She gently pulled me down and pressed her full soft lips against mine. The scent of freshly ground coffee along with the faintness of her perfume immediately flooded my nostrils. She smiled against my lips in the midst of our kiss and whispered "hey baby", I repeated her words back in response. She was no longer standing on her tip-toes and our gazes met. She said nothing, but the look in her eyes was enough to ignite a thousand fires, all within me.
