Page 31 of Return on Love

The hesitation before he replies, his not looking me straight in the eyes and fiddling with his pen, is enough for me to understand what’s happening. But I won’t let up till he answers, so I continue looking at him, waiting for him to tell me the truth.

“Um. I won’t put it like that,” he finally speaks up. “I’ll see what I can do. By the way, Nora was looking for you.”

Nora! I saw her with Ryan earlier in the morning when I came to office. For some weird reason, I felt a twinge of jealousy. She’s pretty, and nice, and funny and intelligent. I like her. I really do. But…

“Are Nora and Ryan close?” I ask Gabriel just before I turn to leave. I don’t know why, but I have to know.

“Close? What do you mean? Did she tell you anything?” Gabriel asks, his brows furrowed.

“No. Is there anything to tell?” I cross-examine him.

“Not that I know of. Do you?”

I shrug. “Nah. I was just curious.”

I’m somewhat relieved that at least Nora doesn’t have a crush on Ryan. Gabriel would definitely know, given their close friendship. But he is genuinely astonished at the suggestion. I don’t think he’s faking it. Now that I know Ryan is not ‘with’ Jen’s mother, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had made a move on her. Thankfully, she’s spared. A smile comes upon my face and I really don’t want to think why.

I call up Nora. She says she’ll be over in ten minutes. It’s good that she didn’t come immediately because right then I see Ryan going to the tiny cafeteria. I sprint in the direction. The sneakers are just so good. I wish I could wear them to work every day. But I need to focus.

“Hey,” I say.

Ryan almost jumps up and spills a bit of coffee. “I’m sorry. You took me a little by surprise.” He takes a tissue and wipes off the few drops from his T-shirt. “You were saying?” That’s when I realize I’ve been staring at his torso for a little too long.

“Um. Yeah.” He takes a step forward to throw the tissue in the bin. He’s standing barely inches from me. So close that I can almost feel the heat from his body. As he extends his arm, it almost brushes my hand. I feel an irresistible urge to touch that hand. And I do. It’s weird because just as he throws the tissue, I hold his hand. It’s the first time since that day that we’ve had any physical contact, though I’ve often thought about it. To be honest, I’ve thought about much more than holding his hand.

I realize the foolishness and immediately release it and take a step back. I look up to see his face. He’s transfixed, as if he’s met a ghost or has seen Medusa or maybe touched a slug. Well, I do that to him, don’t I? And now, I’ve raised the level of creepiness by holding his hands as he’s throwing waste into the bin. My God! I need to get a hold of myself.

“So,” I say, and he finally moves a little and takes a step back, so the distance between us increases even more. I understand. Even I’d do the same if some creep that I hate tries to make any kind of physical contact with me.“I’m still waiting for the last two-quarter financials,” I finally spit out.

“Yeah. Gabriel told me.”

I give him a questioning look. He knows, but he still won’t give it to me?

“So, when’ll I get them?”

“This evening. I’ll email them to you. You came here for coffee?”

“Yeah. I’ll pour myself some.” He leaves, and I stand there, my breathing a little uneven, as I pour some coffee and make my way back to my office.

Nora is already waiting for me. She has devised some new strategies with the help of the marketing expert from my firm. The expert recommended an ad agency, and she plans to use them once the funds flow in. She takes me through the email blasts, the videos, game trailers and teasers she plans to do in the next few weeks until the release of the game. My coffee’s long finished by the time she ends. She really plans things.

“I’ve got in touch with some gamers to give initial feedback on the new game. They’re all excited about it,” she says.

“Why don’t you share a basic concept with them? See what they say. It’ll help create a buzz.”

“Great idea,” Nora squeaks. “I’ll run it by Ryan. Y’know what Eva? You have superb ideas. You should be in a place like this rather than a PE firm. Oh my, it’s almost time for lunch. C’mon, let’s eat.”

Just as we’re exiting, we see Ryan and Gabriel. “Lunch?” screams Nora. Gabriel nods and takes his leave from Ryan. “Ryan, c’mon. Join us,” Nora screams again.

Ryan usually gets his own meal. Last couple of days, he’s been getting extra to feed the rest of us a little as well. It was a welcome relief from pizza, which, honestly, I’m pretty bored with eating by now. He’s an excellent cook. I already knew that after I visited his home, but he’s made a lot of my favorite things. He even made chicken pie, which was the most delicious one ever. Thankfully, he never got red meat because I can’t really stand that.

“I’ve got grilled salmon from home,” he says and gives me a slanted look. “Why don’t you get your sandwiches up here and we can all share?”

I agree enthusiastically. I love, nay adore, the salmon he cooks. My mouth is already watering by the time we get our sandwiches and fit inside the tiny cafeteria to eat.

I attack the salmon. “Wow. This is good,” I say and offer him my chicken sandwich. He smiles and takes it.

“This is good. If you don’t mind, let’s swap. You can have the salmon, and I can eat this chicken sandwich.”

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