Mia had her forehead on her desk, exhausted from the day's work and from the internal struggle that she had been dealing with throughout the whole day.
She let out a groan of frustration, and when she lifted her head, she was shocked to see Andrew staring back at her, smirking.
"What are you looking at?" Mia asked, a little too accusatory, pouting at Andrew.
Andrew laughed and walked closer toward her until he was right in front of her, less than an arm's reach away. He was so close to her that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. He bent down so that they were face to face. Mia's breath hitched.
She had no idea what was happening; she wasn't even sure if this was a dream or reality.
Andrew moved to come closer toward Mia, and she felt her eyes flutter closed. The next thing she knew, she felt a finger on her forehead lift something off.
Her eyes flew open to see Andrew holding a small sticky note that must have stuck on her forehead when she laid it on the desk. She turned beet red.
"Nice accessory," he teased, holding the sticky note up for her to see.
Mia swatted at his hand, completely embarrassed and unable to look him in the eye. "Thanks for the fashion advice."
Andrew chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Anytime."
There was a charged silence between them, the air thick with unspoken words. Mia found herself staring into Andrew's eyes, noticing how the late afternoon light softened his features, making him look almost... tender.
"Seriously, Mia," he said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone, "you've been working yourself to the bone. You need a break."
Mia sighed, the weight of the day's stress evident in her posture. "I know. It's just... there's so much to think about."
Andrew nodded, his expression understanding. "Well, how about a distraction? A change of scenery might do you some good. How about a quick cup of coffee?"
Mia hesitated, looking at the stack of papers on her desk. "I don't know, Andrew. I have so much to do."
Andrew gently took her hand, pulling her to her feet. "Come on, just a quick break. I promise, the work will still be here when you get back."
The touch of his hand sent a jolt through her, but Mia found herself agreeing. "Fine, but just a quick one."
As they walked out of the office, the tension from the day began to melt away. They found a cozy café around the corner, the kind with overstuffed armchairs and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Andrew ordered for both of them, and the realization dawned on her that he had known her coffee order for over four years now.
This stirred something inside her, a mix of surprise and something else she couldn't quite name.
They settled into a corner booth, the soft hum of conversation and the rich aroma of coffee creating a bubble of calm around them.
"So," Andrew said, leaning back and looking at her with that infuriatingly charming smile, "tell me about this novel of yours."
Mia felt a blush creep up her neck. "It's just a passion project. I don't even know if it's any good."
Andrew leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Come on, Mia. I've read your articles. If your novel is even half as good, it'll be amazing."
She couldn't help but smile at his confidence in her. "It's just... it's different, you know? Fiction is so personal. It's like putting a piece of my soul out there for everyone to see."
Andrew nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. But that's also what makes it worth it. The best stories are the ones that come from the heart."
They sipped their coffee in companionable silence, the easy rapport between them growing with each passing minute. Mia found herself relaxing, the anxiety of her decisions easing a bit.
"You know," Andrew said suddenly, breaking the silence, "I've always admired your dedication. But I think you're allowed to be a little selfish sometimes. Pursue what makes you happy."
Mia looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "Thanks, Andrew. That means a lot."
Andrew leaned back, studying her. "You've always been the one with the plan. The one who knows exactly where she's going. It's okay to not have all the answers right now."
Mia sighed, the weight of his words sinking in. "It's just hard, you know? I've always felt like I had to prove something, to be perfect."
"Nobody's perfect, Mia. Not even you." Andrew said kindly.
Mia pretended to make a shocked face, "You don't think I'm perfect? Really?!" She teased.
Andrew laughed at this, "I honestly used to think you were, back in our university days. Which is why I was too intimidated to even have a longer conversation with you." A serious expression on his face, his smile now gone as he looked at her, staring so intently into her eyes that she felt a bit unnerved. "But the more I got to know you, the more I saw that you had cracks in that armor you so bravely put on. And those cracks let the light in. And how you shone, Mia."
Mia was unsure how to respond. Her heart was beating so strongly, she could have sworn it had moved up to her throat.
Andrew's mouth slowly creeped into a soft smile that melted Mia's heart. He cleared his throat and went on without pressuring her to speak, "All I'm saying is those imperfections are what make each of us who we are," he said gently. "And you don't have to prove anything to anyone. Not to the paper, not to me, and definitely not to yourself."
She smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the coffee. "That… that means a lot to me, Andrew. Thank you." She said, almost in a whisper.
After a quick beat of silence, Mia added, "Wow who knew you were actually a good friend, Andrew." She teased, attempting to cut through the tension she was feeling and to make the situation lighter.
Andrew chuckled and shook his head, "I've always been here, Mia. Just waiting for you to see me."
Andrew had said it in a joking tone, but his words cut straight to Mia, making her think perhaps he might have meant it another way.
They finished their coffee and headed back to the office, the tension of the day replaced by a newfound sense of clarity. Mia realized that maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to balance her passions.
As they walked back, Andrew brushed his shoulder against hers, a small, almost accidental touch that sent a thrill through her. She glanced at him, and for a moment, their eyes met, the connection between them sparking like electricity.
Back at her desk, Mia felt a strange sense of calm. The decisions she faced still loomed large, but for the first time, she felt like she could handle them.
She glanced over at Andrew, who was already back at his own desk, immersed in his work.
Maybe this was the beginning of something new, something that could change everything. And as she returned to her remaining tasks, the lingering warmth of their conversation stayed with her, shining like a ray of hope in the uncertainty.
By the time the office began to quiet down, Mia felt no closer to a decision.
She knew she couldn't let this go on forever; a choice had to be made, and soon. She glanced once more at the closed laptop, knowing that both deadlines weren't far off. Her heart ached with the pressure, and her mind was a battlefield of both doubt and hope.
She could only hope that, when the moment came, she'd have the courage to choose the right path.