Page 9 of Knocked Up by Mr. Grump Lawyer

I heard a scraping sound, like a chair was getting dragged or being set aside. Then the sound of footsteps followed.

“Who’s there?” I asked, a bit disconcerted. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or scared. There was no answer. I tried to get up.

I felt strong hands helping me, gripping me firmly by the waist, and supporting me. I smelled the familiar perfume, and my heart began to race.

“Are you alright?” It was Robert’s voice. I couldn’t believe he was still here — of all people to stay behind.

“Yes, thanks,” I muttered, suddenly conscious of how we held each other and how he turned my knees to jelly. I felt like if he let go, I would fall back down again instantly.

My eyes were adjusting to the darkness, but I could barely see his face. He was just a silhouette in front of me. His hands were still on my waist, transferring heat through the thin fabric of my blouse, causing my blood to rush.

I looked up and met his eyes. I could now see his eyes.

He was seriously looking at me, sort of trying to reach into my soul. I was entranced.

Our close proximity in the dark was playing tricks on my brain and heart. I yearned to touch my lips to his. I felt magnetized to him.

He pulled me closer and began to lean toward me. I waited, my heart pounding like crazy against my chest.

Then the lights turned on again. Shocked at our position and how we’d somehow felt mesmerized by each other, we pulled away.

I looked around and felt glad that there was no one else around.

There was a mischievous glint in his eye that was now pretty apparent in the light. And was that a smug look on his face, mixed with a slight grin he seemed to be holding back?

Narrowing my eyes at him, I began to feel suspicious. “Now, wait a minute…” I said, a wild thought occurring to me. “Did you…?”

He waited for me to go on.

“Did you do that on purpose?” I demanded. “Is this a prank of yours?”

“What?” he asked, looking at me in disbelief. Then a look of irritation crossed his handsome face. “Oh, you’re unbelievable! Here I am trying to make peace with you, and now you’re accusing me?”

“Make peace? Why?” I wanted to know, placing my hands on my waist.

“Because I misjudged you,” he said, his voice suddenly turning soft.

I was speechless. It was certainly not something that I expected him to say. But before I could respond, my phone rang. It was Raven, so I turned around and answered it.

“Kayla! Where have you been?” she asked. She sounded so near.

“Sorry, I had to finish something in the office, but I’m on my way down now…”

“Wait! Don’t go yet!” she said in a panicked tone. “I’m almost there!”

“What? Where?” I asked. I had already reached the reception area and was unaware that Robert had followed me there.

To my bewilderment, Raven appeared from beside the elevator, looking sweaty and tired. “Fuck, Kayla… I had to take… the stairs…” She was panting.

“Well, why didn’t you just call and wait for me in the lobby?” I said, giving her a pitiful look. “The power went out.”

“I know,” she said. Then her eyes suddenly shifted to something behind me. “Oh, hi, there.”

I turned around and saw Robert looking as unblemished and as unruffled as ever. But he was smiling at Raven. “Hi, Kayla’s friend. I’m Robert.”

Raven threw me a meaningfulwho-is-this-hottielook before smiling back at Robert and introducing herself.

I grabbed Raven and almost dragged her into the elevator. “Let’s go now. I’m hungry!”

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