Starting Over {COMPLETE but currently being edited}

{6}

Setting down the pen a couple of minutes later, Lucille smiles as she holds out her hand.

    "I would introduce you to Julian now, but I'm afraid he's out of the country at the moment. He'll be back by the time you start though," she smiles as she stands.

"Now I'm sure you'll be able to find your way out. I would walk down with you, but I have a meeting in a moment."

    "Of course," I rush, my head nodding as I stand and gather my bag from the floor.

    "It was so lovely to meet you, Emma."

    "Likewise, and thank you again," I say, a slight shiver in my voice.

    "Honestly, you don't need to thank me. Again, you'll need to thank Julian," she chuckles as she gestures for me to leave.

    "See you soon."

    "Yes Emma, see you soon," she smiles again as I leave, closing the door behind me. With a deep breath, I quietly squeak, my eyes pinching together as my feet do their own quick little dance. When I hear someone walk by, my eyes fly open and my cheeks flush as I see them smirk. With a clear of my throat, I straighten myself out and begin walking back towards the elevators. The idea that I have to walk past Max's office worries me, so I try to give the door a miss. I don't have much luck, however, because just when I think I've got away with it, I feel fingers wrap around my wrist and my feet walking in the opposite direction of the elevator.

    "What the... Max?" I yell in a whisper as he shushes me, his head leaning out to check that no one has heard or seen us before he closes his door behind me. Standing me in front of him, he looks at me, his gaze never faltering while his tongue swipes slowly across his bottom lip.

    "Why didn't you tell me?"

    "Tell you what?"

    "Tell me that you were coming in today. Emma, I..."

    "I didn't think I had to," I whisper, folding my arms in front of my chest and sighing. Why does it hurt so much to be so close to him? I should be walking away from him.

    "A heads up would have been nice," he starts. "But, can I at least ask how it went?"

Really? He wants to do this now.

    "It went well. Not that you need to know anymore. But, I've been offered a job."

    "You have?"

    "I have. I've just left Lucille, and she told me that Julian couldn't wait to hire me."

"Really?"

    "Is that so hard to believe? All thanks to you. You told them they'd be mad if they didn't hire me."

    "Well, yes. I did say that, but that was before..."

    "Julian thought I'd be a good fit at the firm, so when I start in a couple of weeks, I think you and I should steer clear of each other. I promised Lucille, that what happened between us, is now in the past. Now, if it's okay with you, I have an exam to study for and I won't pass it unless I study. Plus, being here so soon after everything that's happened is still difficult," I say, turning on my heel, avoiding our shoulders touching as I make my way to the door. My hand curls around the handle, but as the door opens, it's quickly slammed shut again.

"You can't just leave!"

"I think I can. Look, my fingers are curled around the handle, and I have all my belongings with me. I can't stay here. It hurts too much, Max." I reply with a sigh, pulling again at the door. He pushes against it, his jaw hardening while my gaze snaps up to him.