I stared at the paper in front of me wishing I could actually think about the words as I swallowed my a bite of what felt like a bland lunch. I leaned back in my seat with a sigh as I closed my eyes and turned my face towards the sun and let my body relax.
I didn't do much relaxing these days, two weeks into Jennifer working as Charles' secretary and I already found myself avoiding his office as much as I could now, as the head of the department it could be considered foolish, childish even to avoid them both by sending people from my department to deliver any report he needed. But really, I just didn't want to watch her fawn all over him and flirt while he...while he accepted it,
The thought made me open my eyes as that same twisted feeling in my stomach appeared. Why did it upset me so much? I had accepted so long ago that He and I would never be together in that way. I wasn't just his best friend's little sister, I was also the joke of the school, hell, the town we went to, and now to add to that list I worked for him. So why did it feel like someone ripped my heart out to think about him with someone else?
"Abby!" His voice jerked me from my thoughts and I looked up to see him practically running across the quad waving an thick envelope in the air and a grin spread across his face. "Abby it's here" He barely stopped in front of me as I stood and steadied him by grabbing his forearms as he latched onto mine. "The nomination results" he panted out "they're here" his smile beaming widely as I took the envelope with shaky hands and began to rip it open
"Dear, Dr. Lutsy" I rushed out as I started to read the letter aloud "We are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen as our sole winner and we would be honored to invite you to accept this award at our gala!" I was basically shouting at the end as I laughed and threw my arms around Charles' neck, pure joy taking over my body as he spun me around with his warm and solid arms squeezed around my waist "I won, Charles! I actually won!" I laughed as I leaned back in his hold to look at him.
His eyes were glowing and his smile brought out his deep dimples as he looked at me "I didn't doubt it for a second. I knew you had it in the bag, Abby. You're wonderful, you can do anything"
We stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before I became aware of the eyes on us from students and staff members all around the quad, I cleared my throat as I straightened the skirt of my dress and stepped out of his hold. "Yes, well" I looked back down at the envelope again as an awkward air hung around us now "Thank you, Dean Morrison" I laughed slightly but with no humor as I looked at him "For all of your support, this will be a huge win for the University and My department."
It was like I had knocked all the wind from his sails and his smile looked forced as he nodded and scratched the back of his neck "Of course, Doctor. Just let me know of the dates for the gala and I will make sure your department covers your absence accordingly." He nodded again as if more to himself than to me and he turned to walk away.
"Charles" His name left my lips before my brain had time to process the thought of it and he turned to look back at me "You, well you, helped me a lot with this paper, going over everyday at lunch with him" I chuckled "I'm sure I bored you to death with it"
He smiled softly as he stepped closer to me again "Never, I love how passionate you are about your work."
My heart started beating even faster at his words. he loved how passionate I am?! in what way? like an older brother is proud of you? or maybe like a boss is happy to see he has a good staff? ugh, my brain hurt as my confusion about him thickened. "I'm allowed to bring as many people as I want with me to the gala and since you helped me so much I thought maybe you should come to the dinner with me." I spoke solely down to the envelope I was now wrinkling in my hands as nerves sent my stomach into another frenzy.
"Dinner?" I heard him question "Like a...dinner date?" he cleared his throat awkwardly as my head shot up to look at him in horror "Like a date?" he finished as his face gave away no emotion.
"Oh my gosh, no!" I hurried to comfort him as I realized that the idea of going on a date with me made him so uncomfortable, gosh, he probably didn't know how to let me down without hurting my feelings "Of course not, you're not only James' best friend but also my boss, I wouldn't even presume to ask you out in the manner, I just meant as a colleague." I didn't even realized I had grabbed his hands in mine as he shook my hands off of his as he took a step back.
"Of course, just get me the dates and I'll be happy to accompany you" He spoke as he turned away and even though I knew he could never like me the same way, he almost seemed...disappointed?