Page 44 of Anchored Love
Everly
Everyday I Arrive At Work With Good Intentions And A Great Attitude … Then Idiots Happen
I staredat the clock willing it to move. The clock ticked, but for me time seemed like it was standing still. It was Friday, and the week had been dragging by. Every second that passed by seemed like it lasted an hour.
No matter what I tried, I failed to focus. Every time I looked at my computer screen or any of the paperwork scattered on my desk waiting for me, the letters and characters seemed to blur together becoming a jumbled mess.
What I wanted to do was call out sick, go home, open up some wine, and chill on the couch with Mooch, all the while eating junk while watching cheesy movies.
Heartbreak. It was eating me up from the inside out. I didn’t expect letting Mason go to hurt so damn bad, but it did hurt, festering inside and making me miserable without him.
Sleep wouldn’t come at night because I missed him and his warmth laying next to me. Since we’d been back from our trip, I’d done everything I could to avoid crossing his path. A chicken shit was what I was. Afraid that if he cornered me I’d confess my feelings for him and ruin both our careers.
He’d probably despise me if that happened. Mason had worked hard, and I didn’t want to be the one who screwed things up for him.
I knew he was in the running for a promotion. The vice president of the company had some health issues and would be stepping down. They were looking to fill the position by hiring within the company and doing it soon.
I couldn’t afford to be selfish and blow this for him.
And yet, I kept glancing toward his office door wondering so many things—was he thinking about me too? Did he miss me too? Did the week we shared mean as much to him as it did me? Would we ever get our timing right? Would we ever pursue something more? Did he have regrets? Was he lost to me forever?
All these thoughts were making me crazy, spinning their webs. I lost track of the amount of times I picked up my phone and stared at our last text conversation. Temptation dangled in front of me.Just pick up the phone and call him.He invited me to dinner, and I shot him down. I didn’t have a choice, or did I?Do something,I mentally slapped myself.Put yourself out of this misery.
I glanced at the clock again. Finally lunchtime. Relief flooded me, some reprieve.
Samantha and I were meeting up. She had been gone this morning; she had a gyno appointment and something about getting her IUD removed. Somehow the strings poked her man’s dick every time they had sex, and needless to say it was painful.
I grabbed my purse and hurried toward the elevator, praying Mason wouldn’t be going out for his break. I’d managed to time my comings and goings perfectly all week. I stepped inside and pressed the button for the lobby, letting out a deep breath I’d been holding the moment the door closed. Home free, this time.
* * *
“So what didthe doctor do about your little problem?” I questioned Samantha, downing my soda then scooping up the best salsa ever onto my chip. Samantha ordered ahead thankfully, so we’d have time to eat and chat. There was much to go over.
“Well, apparently, sometimes the strings are too long and can cause irritation. She snipped them, and hopefully next time Greg and I get it on I won’t scratch him.” She crunched then chewed.
“That’s good. No man wants a scratchy dick.”
“Duh. Sex had gotten so awkward; I was losing my mind with what it could be. I mean, I adore him, but if there wasn’t an easy fix, I don’t know we would last much longer.” She waved a hand, dismissing the importance of what she had just said. “Anything exciting happen at work today?"
“Um, does it ever?” I laughed, letting go of the sex talk.
The server brought our food. We were sharing chicken fajitas for two, but honestly they gave us so much food it would feed four people easily. All the more to drown my sorrows in. Nothing like good Mexican food to calm the soul.
She shrugged and started building her fajita, the smells wafting over to me. “I don’t know. I just thought maybe you’d ran into Mason or something.”
“Don’t you start on me.” Samantha had been riding my ass all week for turning Mason down for dinner. I glared, taking a bite of my food.
“What?” She mocked innocence, eyes wide. Something wasn’t right.
“Come on; out with it. I know you. You did something. What was it?” I narrowed my gaze on her, swallowing. She better not have ruined our lunch.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Right…” I trailed off and glanced out the window, contemplating what it could be.
She changed the subject. “So how far along is Kelsey anyway?”
“She’s still in her first trimester. It’s still early, but Jess is already wanting to start planning her baby shower.”
