When Bexley's editor Eva Mellon tries to dig up secrets on an impromptu 'Office Romeo', whose oblivious 'Juliet' stands in the way of 'her forever' with fellow colleague Josh, she finds herself eerily attracted to the no-nonsense, intimidating (but...
As I walk out in the streets and the first snow falls over, I hug myself, feeling the comforting warmth of my sweater. The smell of freshly baked muffins hit me as I walked closer to Belle's Cafe. The sweet fragrance of cocoa made me crave hot chocolate. I waved at Belle on the counter and sat opposite my best friend and her girlfriend.
"Roms!" I said, and I found her charging at me with open arms.
As she hugged me, I found it hard to breathe. Wow. I missed this rib-breaking embrace of hers. I missed Roms badly.
"I missed you, Eva!" She said, and I hugged her back.
"I missed you too, Roms," I said, closing my eyes, getting accustomed to my dose of friendly serotonin.
"Hey, I am here too!" Rachel said, and I shot her a warm smile before hugging her.
"I am so glad you're back! Work's a menace without you!" Rachel said.
"I am glad to be back too!" I said, positioning myself on the chair; so I don't topple down.
"We'll have three hot chocolates!" I said as the waiter took our orders.
"Actually, make it four!" Roms said, and I looked at her puzzled.
"Four?" I looked at her quizzically; as the waiter walked away with a monotone 'thank you'.
"Am I late to the party?" The voice came from behind. I felt the warmth spread through me and the familiar tingle between my legs. I didn't have to turn around to see who it was.
"There you are, Willy Lily!" Roms said, and I did a 360° to take a look at my man.
"Will!" I said as he pulled me into a hug. His nose buried in my hair, and I fiddled with the fur of his coat.
"I didn't know you were coming," I said, lifting my chin up as his lips pressed against mine.
"We are still here!" Rachel said, and I chuckled.
"Of course, I could never forget that!" Will added with a wink.
What was that wink for?
"Here's your hot chocolate! Enjoy your drink!" The waiter arrived with our order.
"This is really good!" Roms said as she took a sip.
"And terribly hot-" She added, keeping the mug down.
"Don't burn your tongue!" Rachel said as she caressed Roms' back.
"These two are my fav couple!" I said, and Will coughed.
"Are you alright?" I asked, rubbing his back.
"Yup." He said, and I looked into his eyes. His fingers ran across the back of his head. He was hiding something.
"Umm, Will...Are you going to tell her?" Rachel asked, and Will's jaw clenched.
"Tell what?" I asked, taking turns to look at Will, Romilda, and Rachel.
"The Chair is reviewing my application. I have applied for one, being one of the Chairpersons and retaining my title as the CEO, but-" Will said when Roms interrupted.
"Grandpa's being an ass, and he is troubled by that shitty straight man supremacy psychology." She said,
"Thank you...I couldn't have said it better!" Will said, and I placed my hand over his thigh.
"Don't worry. The boomers will have no choice but to accept you!" I said, and his eyes softened.
"Of course! Bexley's won't be the same without him!" Rachel added, and here I thought I couldn't like her more!
"Thank you, secretary extraordinaire!" Will said, and my jaw hit the floor.
"Did you say, secretary? You are his secretary?" I asked, looking wide-eyed at her.
"Yeah. Miss Scotts is on maternity leave, so I am handling her position temporarily." She said, and Will shrugged.
"This calls for a toast!" Roms said, looking equally surprised.
"To friendship, love, and new aspirations!" Roms raised her coffee mug, and we joined.
Friendship, love, and new aspirations, here we come.
As I sipped the hot chocolate, I couldn't help but notice the uneasiness between Will and Rachel. Was something the matter? I wondered.
"Hey," Will said as our eyes met.
"Hey!" I said, grinning at him. It became a natural tendency to smile at him foolishly.
"I wanted to show you something!" He said, and I tried focusing on the words and the chocolate-laden lips.
He rolled his sleeves, and in black ink sat a tattoo of Bruno. I felt a tug at my heart.
"I thought you'd like to see it since the furball is in Seattle." He said, and I couldn't help but climb over him as he steadied the chair, and I pulled my arms around him.
"I love you!" I said, and he held me by my waist.
"I love you too." He said and tucked my hair behind my ear.
"Eva, we need to run to the Pharmacy for condoms." Will whispered in my ear.
"Why do you think so?" I asked, hiding the tipsy edge of my voice.
"It's show, not tell." He said, and I felt my breath getting hitched.
"We are still here; we can hear you wide and clear!" Roms said, clearing her throat.
"Like you ever let us forget that!" I said, and everyone burst into fits of laughter.
All that worried me now was tomorrow's about to be-headline. I prayed and snuggled in Will's arms, as I closed my eyes to let myself sink in the warmth. It was so good to be back home.
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