o... when's our rain check?* She read it again, and then one more time, just to make sure it was re

mart, and completely out of her league. But now, here he was, tex

rker Jessie asked from across the desk,

ng out of her trance. "Huh?

"I was asking if you wanted to grab lunch later, bu

it face-down on her desk. "I'm not *drooling*," sh

w, intrigued. "Someone?

e was her closest friend at work, and there was n

Ethan? Marketing hottie Ethan? The guy you

e no one else could hear. "It's not like that.

Oh, it's definitely a big d

play it cool. "It's nothing. He just..

check? That means he wants to see you

rably. "Yeah, but I spilled coffee all over hi

sk for rain checks if they're just be

part of her-the part that had been invisible to Ethan for so long-was hes

ny longer, her phone buzzed ag

I scare you o

eaned over, trying to catch a glimpse

ghts scrambled. Was she supposed to respond now? Should she play it cool or show excitement?

nsure of what to type. After a deep b

iguring out my lunch break

ss herself, her stomach doing flips. Jes

grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Mark m

es," Lena said, trying to stay

t couldn't help but hope that may

-

focus on her tasks, but every time she looked at the clock, the minutes seemed to drag on endlessly. What was she even

rabbed her things, taking extra care to make sure she didn't have any food stai

e by the window. He looked even more handsome than usual in the golden glow of

Lena's stomach did another somersault. *Just

as she approached. "G

thless for her liking. She slid into the seat ac

asked, taking a

sighed. "It felt like i

e chuckled. "Marketing

less awkward. They chatted about work for a few minutes, swapping stories about difficult clients and o

is chair. "I have to ask-how's my coffee-spilling

e in her hands. "Please don't r

n't worry about it. It made my morning way more int

smiling despite herself. "I sti

ng with amusement. "Besides, if it weren't for the

f herself that morning, they wouldn't be sitting here, sharing this moment

a bit more at ease. "So, I guess I s

"I don't mind.

ed at her-something warm and genuine. She had always thought Ethan was out of her league, but right now, sitti

ghing more than she had in a long time, and Ethan seemed to enjoy it too. She w

han glanced at his watch. "I should probably he

ent. She didn't want the evening to end, bu

ing up with him. "But this was

Anytime. We sho

ords. She nodded, trying to

t spread across her face. Maybe it had only been coffee, but it felt like the start

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