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“Going back to work today,” he clarified. “Did it go okay?”
We weren’t even officially together, and he was reaching out to check in on me. My free hand flew to the center of my chest, and I swore I could feel the warmth radiating from there. Swallowing past the thickness in my throat, I said, “It was alright. Not easy, but I’m determined, so it’ll be fine in the end.”
“I would have expected nothing less. I’m proud of you.”
My heart couldn’t take it. Landen, the man I’d thought was just a touch too serious for so long, was so sweet.
If he was like this and we hadn’t even shared a kiss, was it possible he could get even better?
SEVENTEEN
Iris
Five minutes.
If Landen was the kind of guy who was always on time, I had five minutes left before he’d be here. A thrill of excitement slithered along my spine.
It was Friday evening. Landen and I were going to be going on our first official date since admitting our attraction to one another. I couldn’t wait.
But since I had some time and one thing nagging at me, I figured I could use these few minutes wisely before he arrived.
Without another moment of delay, I picked up my phone, found the name I was looking for, and tapped on the screen. Two rings later, Flora answered, “Hello?”
“Hi, Flora.”
“Hey, Iris. How’s it going?”
So much had happened since she was last in SteelRidge, it was hard to believe it was only a week ago when she and Eleni had come to visit with me.
“It’s been alright,” I lied. I had no intention of telling her any of the sordid details about my nightmarish week. “How’s everything going there?”
“Pretty good. I had a busy week with work ever since I got back here, so I’m in a bit of disbelief that it’s already Friday.”
Well, at least one of us wasn’t dealing with nonsense when it came to work. I didn’t doubt Flora had moments that were trying, but it didn’t seem that she’d experienced anything like that this week. Not only had mine started horribly, but it also hadn’t gotten much better.
There hadn’t been any new or major developments at work, thankfully. But the feelings of being ostracized grew with each day that passed. While nobody had come right out and said anything truly terrible to me, I could see the changes in so many of those I’d worked with for years.
It made things challenging. Because where I’d grown accustomed to my colleagues seeking me out as they worked on various projects, nobody did that over the course of the last five days. The interactions I’d had with anyone besides Steph or Kasey had all been initiated by me, and the discussions were always brief and completely related to whatever work-related topic was being addressed.
To say I was frustrated was an understatement. I could only hope that with time—and no additional missteps—everything would eventually return to normal.
“Funny. It felt like this week dragged along for me,” I shared. “Maybe that’s because I was so excited to get to today.”
“Oh? What’s going on?”
My lips twitched as butterflies took flight in my belly. “Remember Landen?”
She gasped. “The guy from the pub?”
“That’s him.”
“Are you seeing him tonight?”
“I am. He should be here any minute.”
Flora practically squealed with delight. “Oh, I’m so happy for you, Iris. I hope you have a wonderful time. This is so exciting.”
Laughter escaped. “Thanks, Flora. I’m looking forward to seeing him again. Believe it or not, though, that’s not the reason I called you.”
