When we checked out of the inn, Bea gave us a knowing look but her eyes lingered on me almost as if she was trying to tell me something that I was either too stupid or too tired to figure out.
Darius returned with our car and told us that there was nothing wrong with it. The mechanic had done a full check up on it but it was fine. He made a passing statement about fate wanting us to stop by their town and the more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed to me.
The car ride was terse and quiet, neither of wanted to speak or even knew what to say if we decided to. Nathan kept our hands intertwined throughout the entire ride and when he turned into my street, I almost didn’t let go.
He helped me take my box in despite my insistence that I could do it myself. By the time all my things were safely in the house, he paused at my doorway and stared at me for a full minute. I could tell there was something on the tip of his tongue and I willed him to say it but instead, he cleared his throat and walked out.
I thought about that single moment all night and while I got ready for work today. As Miles drove me to work that was what filled up my brain and as I walked into the familiar four walls I call my office, it was all I could think about.
“You’re back,” I was so lost in thought that I didn’t notice Marissa had walked into my office, “Welcome back, I thought you would spend at least one day at home before coming in.”
“I figured I had a long enough break,” I responded with a small smile, “How is everything going with the preparations? Please tell me that everything is ready.”
She nodded eagerly and quickly rushed over to my side with her tablet. She flipped through pictures of all the finished products and I have to give it to my workers, they did a great job.
“I sent this to you as an email a few days ago but then I remembered you wouldn’t be able to look at it,” she explained, “I know I don’t have your artistic eye but if you want to see them in person then I’m sure they can have everything brought out.”
“I’ll check them out later; I need to catch up on some emails first.” For some reason, I just wanted to be alone, “Have you seen Nathan?”
If she was surprised by my change in subject she didn’t let it show. “Last time I checked, he was doing some interviews with some of the sketch artists but I don’t know. Do you want me to call him?”
“No,” I said almost immediately then I cleared my throat so it wouldn’t be so obvious, “No, everything is fine I can assure you. How are you?”
She knew what I was asking about but instead of acknowledging she shrugged. “I’m fine, work has been a little hectic but everything is fine.”
“Did you take a few days off?” I asked and she shook her head. She made to leave but I stopped her, “Marissa, I asked you to take as long as you needed.”
“You weren’t here,” it wasn’t an accusation, it was a fact but it somehow felt like an accusation, “I figured it would be smart if one of us was here to answer the calls and messages. There were a lot of them actually including a very special hamper from Francine which I gave to Olivia when she came knocking.”
“Marissa,” I cut her off and she looked up at me, “You didn’t have to.”
“I know,” her response was short, “But it provided a very good distraction.”
“A distraction from what?”
Before she could respond, even though I doubted she would have, there was a knock on my door. She took it as her cue to leave and she grabbed her tablet in one hand and was out of the door before I could say a word.
I knew who was at my door before he even walked in. I scrambled to see if there was any unfinished work on my desk but I was coming up empty. Contrary to what I had told Marissa, I had already answered all my emails and the only reason I didn’t want to go and see the dresses right now was because I didn’t want to risk running into Nathan.
That plan however was now moot considering Nathan was currently in my office. He looked as unfazed as usual and I wondered if I was the only one overthinking this entire issue. I wondered if he also felt the maddening urge I did to lock my office door and kiss him like we weren’t currently supposed to be working professionals.
I have never felt like this in my entire life, not even when I was with Joseph and it is overwhelming as well as frustrating.
I stood to my feet and prepared to make a quick escape. I’m sure Marissa won’t mind if I tell her I want to see the dresses right now. I tried my best to ignore Nathan who I could feel was staring straight at me as I gathered my phone from my desk.
He stood immobile at my door watching me and just as I was about to side step him, his hand reached out to grab my wrist effectively stopping me in place.
“If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were avoiding me,” he drawled, “But then again, you’re Adira. You don’t run from people.”
I knew he was taunting me so I swallowed down whatever retort I had, “I’m simply going to see the finished products.”
His thumb was rubbing small circles across my wrist and I secretly cursed myself for not putting the blazer over my shirt before leaving my desk. I was about to pull my hand away from his grip when he dragged me close to him.
One minute I was standing on my own and the next, I was pinned against the door with Nathan’s body. My hand was still in his and his eyes never left mine as he leaned over to nuzzle his nose into my wrist before taking a large inhale.
“You smell good,” he said and I tried not to flush especially not when he pressed a soft kiss to my wrist, “Nice tattoo by the way.”
I didn’t realize he was holding onto my left hand where my little semi colon tattoo lay on my wrist. His eyes left mine briefly to glance over at it but within a second they were back on me.
