I smiled slightly to myself as I caught my reflection in the glass windows lining the halls of the third floor, walking to a meeting to review class schedules and studies with my department and Charles.
A full month since I had started working here and I felt so good about my work and heck, even myself. I was in a bubble that couldn't be popped, even my latest paper was up for an award and grant money that I could put to use here at the University.
I knew I wouldn't be feeling this good about the job if it hadn't been for Charles. He had really rolled out the red carpet for me and even though I was sure it was just because my brother asked him to make me feel welcome, I appreciated it. He had even gone as far as to change his lunch time to meet me on the quad and sit and eat with me.
But then again he had always been thoughtful about making sure I didn't feel left out, even as kids. It was one of the many things that had added to my hopeless crush on him, but upon entering high-school it was clear to me that him and I were in separate social groups.
He was kind, smart, athletic, and not to mention charmingly handsome with his auburn hair, tanned skin, gleaming grey eyes, and disarming dimples that he flashed with a killer smile. I was, well, "Clutzy Lutsy" a mess of curls who couldn't figure out conditioner, squinted because I didn't realize I needed glasses and could accidentally cause a natural disaster by simply standing up.
I stopped suddenly, I wasn't that girl anymore. I was a twenty-seven year old woman, successful in my career, living on my own, thriving in my new environment. Why had I convinced myself that he was still too good for me? he was kind and he treated me like I was worth something.
"Ugh" I scoffed as I pinched the bridge of my nose "he's your boss now, idiot" I whispered to myself. although it wasn't against the rules so long as we filled out an H.R. form. But whose to say he even feels that way about me.
No, I'll just let him lead, if he gives me a sign I mean more to him than the little sister of a friend, I'll take it a step further and ask him to dinner sometime.
I smiled widely as I stepped up to the door of the conference room and took a deep breath, "You're not that little girl anymore" I reminded myself and set another smile on my lips as I pushed the door open. I saw most of my department already there seated around the long oval table and Charles talking to a woman with her back turned to me, he was laughing at something she had said and her hand came up to play with her straight blonde hair.
As soon as I was a few steps into the room Charles eyes locked onto my form and he smiled at me, I returned the smile but it froze on my face as the blonde turned around.
"Abby! We were just talking about you" Charles smiled as he placed his hand on her back and they moved towards me 'You remember Jenny Warren from high-school? I think you guys were in the same class while I was graduating. She's just been hired on as my temp secretary while Mrs. Kylah is on leave for her Granddaughter's birth"
"You know, when Charlie here told me Abby Lutsy worked here I couldn't believe so many of us from Fall Point had ended up here." She smiled sweet as sugar as she placed her hand on his arm and my eyes seemed stuck to that spot. "What are the odds?!" she giggled
"Yes' I shook myself from my shock and smiled slightly at them as my stomach twisted into knots "What a surprise."