Page 83 of Reclaiming Love

Only the fact of him leaving work for good, would give her cause to celebrate.

Still, this was a small victory as far as victories went. She picked up her cell and called Noah, something she’d been doing ever since he’d come to see her a few days ago. They had decided not to meet in the coffee shop just yet. He was busy going through the interview process and she had the uncertainty of the Matt situation at work to deal with.

“He’s been suspended,” she told Noah, smiling as she did so.

“That explains it,” replied Noah easily, a lightness in his voice.

“Why’s that?” she asked, suddenly curious.

“Because he’s coming for an interview this afternoon. Instead of scheduling one after work, or outside of work hours.”

“Does he know you’re interviewing him?” To be a witness to his reaction when that happened would be priceless.

“He’ll find out soon enough. How are you?” There was a familiarity in his words, in the way he spoke, reminding her how far they’d come in their getting-to-know-each-other stage. It was still too early to call it a relationship. Even that day when he’d been around, listening to her confession, touching her face with his hands, holding and comforting her, they hadn’t kissed or spoken of things. There was too much detritus strewn all around them still.

“I’m feeling surprisingly light and upbeat.” She answered, feeling exactly that.

“Light and upbeat is good.” They’d spoken a couple of times since their last meeting, and each time they were together talking was so natural and effortless it was a perfect reminder of where they’d been before the shit had hit the fan.

“Melissa?” She leaned into his words. He sounded so close, the way he spoke, low-toned, just to her.

“Hmm,” she said, trying to imagine if he was smiling, guessing at the expression on his face.

“I miss you.” Those three words made her heart pitter-patter.

I miss you, she wanted to say. “Do you want to meet up tonight? Or are you—”

Busy,she was going to say.

“Yeah. Let’s meet up.” He sounded eager, more eager than she’d ever heard him of late.

“I’d like to hear how your interview goes.” She giggled.

He groaned. “I’ll meet you there around six?”

“See you at six,” she said. And heard his voice in her head for a long time after their conversation had ended.

---