Page 26 of Lily, Unwritten

I was such a sucker for romance. These always made me smile. I’d love to be someone’s rush-hour crush! There were a couple more badly worded entries, then I noticed a longer message towards the bottom of the page. It stood out from all of the others.

The scent of you close

So near, yet so far

A complex memory, a ghost

I envy the darkened coffee

As it slips beyond your lips

The memory of those kisses

still burns within my skin

I read it for a second time with my mouth agape. That was not normal rush-hour crush quality, it was beautiful.

I blew a long, slow breath out. Lucky person to have that written about them. Imagine passing by an old flame like that and never knowing. So close but so far.

I smiled as I read through the other pages; the coffee buzz soaked into me along with the warm feeling from those words. I decided to keep hold of the paper for times when I needed an emotional lift, so stashed it in my desk drawer as I turned my mind to the day ahead.

By the time we got to mid-afternoon, I was convinced that it didn’t matter which firm represented the other side. Paperwork was just paperwork. I’d have nothing to do with Luke; I kept repeating that to myself. I might have to speak to a secretary over there every now and then, but that would be the height of my involvement. I was purely here to support Peter and Anna and deal with invoices and all the dull detail. I was absolutely sure… One hundred percent.

“Lily!” Anna screeched across the room, breaking me out of a trance. She hadn’t even mentioned the fact I’d got there early for no reason. “Isn’t this where you used to work?”

Fantastic…

“Yes, new partner now, though, a lot of new staff probably. Why?”

“Just wondered. No reason.” She studied her long, deep red nails. “Can I have more coffee please?”

Everyone who worked here could make their own coffee, except for Anna. I stood in the kitchen and messaged Zack while I waited for the coffee machine to kick in. At least she’d said please this time.

Hey you. Good day? xx

Great day. How about you? Miss you x

You’ll see me soon silly. It’s an OK day x

Want to go out for dinner? You can tell me why it’s only OK? x

Sounds great. Want to pick me up from here when you’re done? x

It’s a date date x

I smiled at our little, private joke; it felt old now, but so us. Coffee made, I plastered on a smile and got on with the work. Anna seemed almost bearable for the rest of the afternoon, and although it was strange at times, seeing his name on this paperwork, there was nothing particularly ‘Luke’ about it, it could’ve been from anywhere.

I rushed out of the door when Zack messaged to say he was outside. He looked especially sexy today in a dark blue suit. He thought his hair needed a cut, but to me, it was perfect. As he scooped me into a hug, I kissed him and took the excuse to run my fingers through it.

“See, you missed me too, I knew it.” Zack smiled as he spoke and grabbed hold of my hand.

“Ugh, some things don’t change,” Anna’s snidey voice rang out as she approached us. “How’s the job going?”

I zoned out as they talked about something corporate that I wasn’t interested in. Zack’s fingers stroked mine in reassurance as I leant my head against him. I was just in a lovely daydream about where we should go to eat when I felt Zack bristle next to me.

“Did Lily not tell you?” Anna asked in an innocent voice, always the actress.

“No,” said Zack as he let go of my hand. I saw Anna smirk at the movement.

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