Page 32 of Instinct & New Identity

“You look like you have just discovered the solution to all the world’s problems,” she laughed.

“Tomorrow.Movienight.Webegin your initiation intoStarWars,”Iinformed her, leaving no room for argument.

“I’d love that.”Shesmiled back at me. “Aslong as you don’t mind ifIask a bunch of questions as we watch.”

“Deal.”Itossed a cheeky grin at her.Shecould ask me as many questions as she wanted.Mysister used to do that all the time growing up, soIwas used to it.Thedifference was that it was annoying when my sister did it.Ihad a feeling it wouldn’t bother me at all ifCatdid it.

13

CAT

We had officially been inGeorgiafor a week now, andVinceandIhad been having our couch chats, asIcalled them, andIloved them.Asidefrom one night when he said he was busy and wouldn’t be home until late, this had become a nightly ritual for us.

WhenValwasn’t working, she joined us for dinner but then left to go to her room withHarryonceVinceandIsettled on the couch.Itgave us time together to really get to know each other better, andIloved it.Itcould just be me, butIfelt like this friendship was becoming more than just pen pals.Therewere times when we sat on the couch together and he looked at me in a way thatIswear he wanted to kiss me, but then pulled back.Icouldn’t help but wonder ifIwas imagining the whole thing, or if he was just too afraid to take the next step.Ormaybe he was waiting until he was sureIwanted the same thing.

I also loved working out of the office.RuthieandIgot lunch together most days, even if it was just takeout.SeveraltimesElliehad joined us too, andIfoundIreally enjoyed hanging out with them.Valalso stopped by to have lunch with me when she worked the late shift.Butmy favorite part of working in the office so far was watching the interesting dynamic betweenRuthieandJack.

It was clear he was interested in her.Heflirted with her incessantly, but either she wasn’t interested or she was really oblivious when it came to his advances.Ihadn’t had much experience with guys myself, but evenIcould tell he wanted a chance with her.

I thought back to some of the conversations with them and it made me laugh.

Jack walked in with a small box of chocolates and handed them toRuthie.

“What’s this?”Shelooked at it like it was poisoned.

“Chocolate,”Jackresponded. “They’refor you.”

“Why?”Ruthielooked at him like if she accepted, she in turn owed him a million dollars and her first-born child.

“Most women like it when a man offers them chocolate.”Jacksmirked like he was enjoying this back-and-forth with her.

“I’m not most women, andI’mdefinitely not interested in whatever you’re offering.”Shescowled back at him.

“Harsh, butI’mgoing to ignore that comment for now,”Jacksaid.

“Oh gee, how magnanimous of you.”Ruthierolled her eyes again, then turned back to face her computer.

“Go to dinner with me, andI’llshow you how magnanimousIcan be,” he said back.

“No,”Ruthiesaid politely but without looking up. “Youkeep your magnanimous in your pants and go back to work.”

Jack just laughed and headed back up to his office upstairs.

Those two cracked me up.

I was about to leave the office becauseIwanted to go back toVince’splace a little early soIcould cook him a special dinner.Hehad done so much forValand me, and he wouldn’t even let us give him money for rent, utilities, or groceries.So,IdecidedIwas going to cookpastelón, aPuertoRicanspecialty that my parents used to make us all the time.

Just asIwas packing up,Isaw a beautiful blonde woman walk into the front office and head toRuthie.

“CanIhelp you?”Ruthieasked her, looking a bit confused.

“Umm, yes.IsVinceFletcherhere?” she asked, and my ears perked up.

“Do you have an appointment?BecauseIdon’t see he has any appointments on the schedule,”Ruthiesaid politely, but also making a point to this woman that you couldn’t just walk in here.

I took a better look at her, and she was gorgeous.Skinny, beautiful face with only a small amount of makeup on because she didn’t need it and long blonde hair that fell to her chest.Shehad on a tight black pencil skirt and a red blouse that had enough of the top buttons undone thatIcould see half her cleavage from my side office.Wantingto hear what this woman said,Istarted to make my way towardRuthie’sdesk.

“Umm, no,Idon’t, butVinceandIare dating, soIdon’t think he would have a problem with me wanting to see him,” she said, all smiles and cheerful, and my heart stopped.

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