The following week felt like a strange kind of limbo. Kasie couldn't shake the tension that lingered in the air between her and Jake. She tried to act normal, tried to keep things as they had been before the conversation in her office, but every look, every passing exchange, seemed loaded with unspoken words.
The project was moving ahead smoothly, but Kasie found it harder and harder to focus. Her mind kept drifting to Jake—how he'd looked at her, how he'd spoken so openly about what had been simmering beneath the surface. The things they hadn't said were louder than anything they had actually discussed.
the way he ran his hand through his hair when he was thinking, the way his lips curved into a small smile when he caught her eye. It was maddening.
She needed a distraction. Get focused, Kasie, she told herself, tapping her pencil on her notebook as she reread the project schedule.
But it was no use. Whenever she looked up from her manuscript, she'd see Jake, standing in the other part of the room, chatting easily with one of the professionals around. The sight of him made her heart race, even if she didn't want to admit it.
Kasie pushed her chair back, standing up abruptly. I'm getting coffee," she mumbled to herself, picking up her jacket from her chair in the back.
"Coffee sounds good, Jake said, stepping into her path before she could leave the office.
Kasie froze. Of course, he would want to come with her. In today's world, of course, it was unrealistic to find a moment of serenity, was it not?
She gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Yeah, I'm just going to grab a quick cup. You don't have to—"
"I know. I just need a break," interjected Jake with nonchalant shrug. "Besides, I don't mind keeping you company. You seem a little... distracted today."
Kasie couldn't help but laugh dryly. "Is it that obvious?"
Jake raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure you're trying to hide it."
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I guess I'm just trying to get through this week. One day at a time."
Jake smiled, his usual easygoing grin that made Kasie's heart do a little flip. "Sounds like a plan."
They walked to the nearby café together, the silence between them comfortable yet charged with the knowledge of everything that had passed between them in the last week. Kasie wanted to say something, to break the tension, but every time she thought about opening her mouth, the words felt stuck.
When they arrived, Kasie ordered her usual coffee—a simple black roast—and Jake followed suit. They got their drinks and sat in a corner near the window.
The café was abuzz, with the murmur of chat and the tap of glass cups, a background to the space between them which was filled with quiet. Kasie took a sip of her coffee, her fingers wrapped around the warm mug as she looked out the window.
"I've been thinking," Jake said suddenly, breaking the silence. His tone was informal but Kasie could sense that there was a more profound concern at work.
"About?" she asked, glancing at him.
Jake paused for a second, hovering with his fingers against the side of his mug while contemplating. "About how things have been... between us."
Kasie's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes.
She set her cup down, trying to look casual, even though her pulse had just picked up. "Jake, we talked about this already."
"I know," he said, looking at her earnestly. "I just... No, I'm not going to keep dancing around it, you see. I don't need things to feel strange, but I also don't need us to act like nothing has changed.
Kasie felt her chest tighten. She wasn't sure how to respond, so she just took another sip of her coffee to buy herself a few extra seconds.
"You don't have to say anything, Jake continued, his voice softer this time. "I just... I want to be honest. I don't think we can just continue to play deaf to the context that exists between us.
Kasie's throat went dry. She could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air, pressing down on her. She wasn't ready for this. She didn't know what she was supposed to say.
"Jake," she started, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't know what to say. I don't want to make things complicated. We have a job to do."
Jake's eyes softened as he met her gaze. "I get it. I'm not asking for anything. I just don't want you to feel hte need to put on a front, get ya know?
Kasie exhaled, looking at her mug of coffee. "It's not that I'm pretending," she said quietly. "I just... I don't know if I am prepared to come to grips with this.
Jake nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I know. We'll take it slow. I'm not rushing anything."
They sat in silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. Kasie could not help but sigh at the ease in his language. Maybe things didn't have to be so complicated. Perhaps they did not have to work out all the details right now.
"I'm glad we're on the same page, she finally said, her voice a little stronger now.
"Me too, Jake replied with a smile that was both easy and reassuring. "We'll figure it out."
The rest of the week passed in a blur. Kasie and Jake worked together harmoniously and both of their professional relationships increased with every passing hour. The work was progressing and the client was pleased with their pace. There was no time to focus on anything else—no time to dwell on the personal feelings that neither of them was ready to confront fully.
But Kasie couldn't deny the pull. Each time Jake talked to her, each time he saw her, it was as if a shock ran through her. She was really trying not to notice it, to pretend it didn't exist, but it was becoming more difficult to ignore.
On Friday afternoon, as Kasie was wrapping up her tasks for the week, she looked up to find Jake standing in the doorway of her office once again. His casual smile was there, but there was something in his eyes that made her stomach flip.
"Hey," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "You heading out soon?"
"Yeah," she replied, gathering her things. "Just finishing up."
"Good," Jake said, walking into the room. "I was thinking... we've been working nonstop. Want to grab a drink tonight? Just to unwind a little?"
Kasie blinked, surprised by the offer. A drink. With him. Outside of work.
She paused for a second, with a pounding in her chest. She couldn't resist the feeling, the need to have more time with him. But she also wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
However, she did not have to be prepared, after all. Maybe it was time to just let go.
"Sure," Kasie said, her voice steady now. "Why not?"
Jake's grin widened. "Great. I'll pick you up at seven?"
Kasie nodded, her heart doing a little flip. "Sounds perfect."