Page 26 of Jump Start

As I approached the area near my desk, Harry stepped out of his office, followed by Chris and Thomas. They all seemed to be in good spirits, smiling and shaking hands. They hadn’t seen me yet, so I used that to my advantage to rush backto my desk and look busy.

“Thank you, gentleman, I will be in touch.”

As they walked further from Harry’s office, I noticed Chris looking around the room, and our eyes connected.

“Harps!” he announced a little too loudly for the quiet office and bounded over to me.

“Hey, Chris!” I stood up as he walked over, planted a kiss on my cheek, and gave me a quick hug.

When we broke apart, Thomas walked into my space and pulled me in for a side hug. I felt magnetised to him instantly.

“Harper,” he said, his voice low and emotionless.

As Chris and Thomas politely engaged in small talk with myself and Meredith, I could barely listen. Had I dreamt yesterday? Was this man the same one I had spent the entire day with? I began to spiral.

“Harper, would you like to grab a coffee? Chris has another meeting, and I’m not invited to that one,” Thomas asked after letting go of me.

“Ah, sure,” I answered, trying to sound casual.

As I followed him and Chris out of the building, I felt my muscles relax slightly in the comfort that Meredith hadn’t asked to come. My plan was to grill Thomas over coffee.

We parted ways with Chris, and I led us to my favourite coffee shop not far from the office. We walked in silence, and my determination to find out what was going on was subdued by the feeling of his hand holding mine. I stayed silent.

“So, how are you?” Thomas asked as we waited for our coffee.

“I’m good. And you? Why didn’t you mention you were coming into the office today?” I asked, trying not to sound paranoid.

We lined up behind the counter, and he paused to answer but then it was his turn to put his coffee order in.

“Two oat flat whites, please,” he said to the attendant, holding up two fingers. I caught myself staring at them, remembering where they had been yesterday.

“I was going to mention it, but the day sort of got away from us, wouldn’t you agree?” he asked with a wink. I laughed. Whenever he tried to do something cool, he just ended up looking like a dork.

We sat down on an old, brown leather couch in the corner, rolling together as the cushions slanted to the middle.

“Things did indeed happen,” I agreed but then stayed silent.

Thomas placed his hand on my thigh as we waited for our coffees. “I really enjoyed yesterday, but I want you to know, that’s not why I asked you out to my house, Harper.” His eyes searched mine as he spoke. I could tell he was genuine, and I smiled and looked down at his hand, which was squeezing me now.

“I know that. I initiated it, remember?” I leant my head on his shoulder, still waiting for him to say something like “GOTCHA” or “this was all a joke” but he didn’t, he kissed the side of my head and leant against me a little heavier.

***

Thomas

This was it, my time to not be a coward. The server brought over our takeaway coffees and placed them on the table in front of us. Harper’s head was leaning on my shoulder, and no matter which way I tried, I couldn’t reach the cups. I chose the contact over the coffee.

“Harper?” I asked, looking down at her golden hair on my shoulder.

“Mm?” She sleepily raised her head and looked up at me. I cupped my hand over her head again and she leant back down.

“Come to the race with me this weekend?”

She quickly shot up and smiled. “Mmm?” she replied with a smirk on her face.

“On one condition,” I said raising a finger in the air. She turned to face me on the couch.

“And what’s that, Thomas?”

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