Wait

*CLICK, CLICK, CLICK,CLICK* the sounds of high heels on the hardwood floor echo getting closer to the cubicle. Heather walks around and steps in slightly flustered, and a little winded. Her red hair is flowing down her soft shoulders, a few strands sticking to her damp forehead. She's wearing that charcoal blazer I bought her for her birthday last year, its fabric slightly rumpled from the meeting she just left. The moment she sees me, her face shifts into something softer.

She inhales when she sees me, her shoulders easing from their tense posture. "Hey, you," she says, her words still edged with residual business talk professionalism. She steps fully into the cubicle

The space feels smaller with both of us in it, more intimate. I watch as she smooths her hands down the front of her blazer, as if trying to press out the wrinkles. Her fingers linger near the buttons for a moment, making me notice the missed button on her blouse.

"Hey gorgeous I was just bringing you your laptop like you asked" I say with a smile, motioning to the laptop I put on her desk.

She exhales, a small laugh slipping out as she moves toward me, setting her planner down on the desk with deliberate care. "Thank you," she says, her fingers brushing against mine as she takes the laptop, and I don't miss how her thumb grazes over the back of my hand for just a second longer than necessary. The touch lingers between us.

She doesn't move away right away. Instead, she rests against the edge of the desk, angled toward me. "I missed you today," she says, voice quieter now, the professional veneer giving way to something more intimate. Her knee brushes against mine beneath the desk, a subtle connection that sends a spark through my body.

She hesitates, glancing at the sleek calendar on her desk. I can almost see the calculations running behind her green eyes—meetings, deadlines, the endless treadmill of corporate responsibility. But then she looks back at me, and something shifts in her face. The corner of her mouth quirks up in that familiar way, the one that always melts my insides.

"Busy," she admits, tapping her finger against the desk calendar. "But not too busy for you, will just have to be later." She scoots closer, her knee pressing more firmly against mine. "How about dinner tonight? and after that.... well you will see I guess." she says with a smile her hands running over my chest lightly

I smile and nod "sounds amazing to me" I say looking up into her eyes as we embrace in a kiss. After a few minutes I find myself back outside walking back home the afternoon light warm on my skin. Deciding to tell Heather about the cruise tonight after dinner around 15 minutes later I get home to the cool air conditioner