I’m saved from the embarrassment of turning into a girl over him.
“How was your day?” a female voice asks from my doorway.
I look up to find Sophie there, her expression wide, her brown eyes dancing. As always, she’s dressed to the nines in a silky caramel-colored blouse, creamy dress pants, and nude heels. The city runs deep in her.
I plaster on a fake smile. “It was great. Everyone’s been welcoming and accommodating. The list of things that need to be addressed is already a long one.”
She leans against the doorframe and crosses her arms over her chest. “Yeah, with the growth and new projects, I’m glad I was able to talk Griffin into why we need our own attorney on staff.”
“I’ll be busy, but that’s okay, I love a challenge.”
She laughs. “That’s why I knew you’d be perfect for the job.”
“I saw you sent over the contracts for the river rezoning project. I’ve talked to Griffin. I’ll set up a time to discuss as soon as I’ve had a chance to review.”
“Great.” She tilts her head toward the hallway. “I’m on my way to grab Ryder. You want to head out with me?”
My heart starts a rapid pounding in my chest because I know full well my brother’s office is right next to Charlie’s. Before Saturday, I would have been all over the suggestion, but now, I’m nervous and unsure.
I make vague hand gesticulations over the surface of my city-issued, intuitional desk. “I have things to finish before I can take off.”
“Sounds good.” She straightens from the doorway. “I’m so excited we get to see each other all the time!”
Sophie is an only child with absent parents who roam around the globe like nomads searching for their next spiritual quest. Hailey and I have adopted her as one of our own, and I’m thankful she’ll be my sister-in-law. Not only does she make my brother happy, but she’s also cool as shit.
“Me too.” I give her a little wave. “Have a great night.”
“You too.” She takes her leave, and I’m once again alone.
I clear my head and return to compiling my list of things to do.
Another forty minutes pass before I’ve dumped everything out of my head, organized my schedule, and set my priorities for the following day.
I switch off my computer and gather my things, shutting off the light before making my way into the hall. My heels click on the beige-tiled floor as I walk the mostly empty corridors.
I hit the cross-section of hallways, craning my neck at the sound of a footfall.
I let out a gasp, freezing in my spot.
It’s Charlie, looking every inch the stern authority figure in his uniform.
When he’s standing in front of me, he stops.
We stare at each other.
My mouth is dry. My throat frozen.
Mentally, I grasp for the words I would have said to him at this time last week, and I find my mind is an utter blank.
He seems to be suffering from the same fate.
We hang in suspended silence.
He searches my face, while I search his.
The air between us feels thick and heavy, full of things unspoken.
I lick my parched lips, and that breaks the trance.