Page 34 of She Likes It, Hey Micah
Me: I’ll see you in the morning. This is our chance to make something great!
Fischer: Goodnight, Micah. Sweet dreams.
Oh. I’ve never gotten a goodnight text from a guy before. And even though we’re not dating, I still find myself smiling at my phone. It’s a nice reminder that I’m not crazy for wanting a little effort from a guy. Just knowing that someone is thinking of me means there’s hope for the male gender. If a guy who avoids emotion at all costs can bring a smile to my face with a text, surely there’s someone out there who could love me.
***
October 18
When I get to the office the next morning, Grant is already there, and he and Lila are laughing together in her office. It’s been a while since I heard Lila laugh, and I can’t help but grin as I settle at my desk.
Fischer, on the other hand, has the biggest scowl I’ve ever seen, which could explain why it takes me a second to see him in his corner; I was too focused on the happiness coming from my boss’s office.
“Whoa,” I say, cocking my head to the side as if that might lessen his glare. “Are you okay?”
That’s a stupid question. He looks exhausted, and he grimaces when Grant lets out a loud guffaw. “Fine,” he mumbles.
“So those dark circles under your eyes are a good thing?” I’m tempted to give him Lila’s coffee so he can have something to wake him up, but I don’t actually know how he responds to caffeine. Probably not a good idea to mess with him on an important day like today. Besides, Lila without coffee can be a bit of a nightmare.
He sighs, softening as he gets to his feet and brings his chair over next to me. “I fell asleep late,” he admits. He points to the daisies sitting on my desk. “New date?”
“Actually, my dad sent me those. It’s his quarterly attempt to convince me to move to Diamond Springs where he lives.” Not that he ever tries that hard. My dad isn’t really an emotional guy, and though I’m his baby, he knows how much I love being around my Briggs siblings. They’re my only tie to my mom.
“Why don’t you?” Fischer asks.
“Because there are a lot of reasons for me to live here. I love my dad to death, but I like it here.”
Up close, he looks even more tired than he did across the room, to the point where I can’t stop myself from reaching up and touching the delicate skin beneath his eyes. Closing his eyes, he lets out his breath slowly.
“Does that bother you?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “You never bother me.”
“Well, that I can’t believe. I bother everyone.”
“Micah.” His long fingers wrap around my wrist, holding my hand close to his face. “You don’t bother the people who matter. Trust me.”
“Price!”
We both jump at Grant’s voice, and Fischer puts some distance between us before looking across the hall toward Lila’s open door. “Yes, Grant?”
“Get What’s-his-name on the phone. I want to make sure everything is ready.”
“Will do.” But Fischer doesn’t reach for his phone. He just sits there for a moment, his hands tucked together in his lap, and it’s almost like he’s counting the seconds. “Everything is confirmed,” he calls eventually. “Anything else you need before we leave?”
“Coffee,” Lila says, using her impatient voice. “If only my silly assistant would show up on time for once instead of frolicking through a field of make-believe daisies.”
I was already halfway out of my seat, her coffee in hand, but I sink back down, feeling dizzy. A ball of discomfort starts building in my gut, the kind that I can’t will away with some kind of positive thought. I guess it’s nice to know what she really thinks of me? No, it’s not nice. It hurts more than I thought it would. Would she have said that if she knew I was here?
Fischer grabs the coffee out of my hand, looking murderous as he starts to rise.
I grab his arm. “Don’t,” I beg, my voice a mere whisper. “You’ll only make it worse if you say something to her.” He’s absolutely ready to argue, so I press my fingers to his cheek, hoping that’s enough to steady him. “Please, Fischer.” I don’t know him well enough to know what he might do.
Goodness, his eyes look extra dark today. Maybe it’s because he’s tired, or maybe it’s because everything is looking pretty dark right now, but I’m getting lost in those eyes that are watching me with so much empathy and concern.
I know Fischer doesn’t date coworkers, but is he dating someone right now? I can’t imagine anyone getting this kind of look and ever letting him go. This is the kind of look heroes give to the women they save. The kind of look villains give to their origin story lovers. The kind of look that pierces my very soul because it’s like I can feel every thought sinking into me.
Suddenly Fischer is on his feet, coffee in hand, and he disappears into Lila’s office without a word. Literally. He says nothing, even though Lila and Grant both mutter something to him. I’m too overwhelmed with disappointment and confusion that when he comes back out that I have nothing to say either.
