Office Crush

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I walk into the conference room for a scheduled late-day meeting, my colleagues already gathered in their seats. I move to my open spot and sit, adjusting my blouse as I prepare to delve into the presentation prepared. My boss explains how I, Cynthia, have a proposal for everyone today, and quote, “they’d better listen up, because you’d all be lucky to have a quarter of her work ethic”. I smile embarrassed, as my work goes noticed. I worked hard to get to this place, spending many a late night at the office, pouring over my documents and computer screen.

I feel a light touch on my shoulder, “Go get ‘em, Cynth”, Chris smiles, always encouraging of me. I grin back, ignoring the senseless butterflies I get whenever this particular coworker of mine is within my vicinity. Focusing my mind back to my work, I begin, ready to share the insight I’ve compiled.

After the presentation, my colleagues close out their day, heading home to their lives and families. I move to my office once again, eager to complete a project I’ve been wanting to get ahead on.

It’s an eerie feeling, being in an office building alone, late in the evening. I’m definitely used to it. It’s certainly a quiet atmosphere to get things done, however, I would be lying if I said the dull feeling of loneliness never crept in.IbelieveIamtheonlyonewhostaysthislate,whichI’mnotsureisagoodthing,orabadthing.O​ hwell. Time to get to work.

An hour in, I hear a gentle knocking at my door. Surprised that anyone else is in the building, I respond, “Come in.”

It’s Chris, his light brown curls tousled around his face, loosely outlining his framed jaw line and one dimple on his right cheek. He is wearing a light brown sweater, his chinos cuffed around his ankles, and looks adorably tired from a long day’s work. He’s a kind, very good-looking man, and for the past 6 months we’ve worked together I hate to admit I’ve thought of him moments longer than I should. Workplace romances are obviously strictly against policy, and quite frankly, I never break the rules. But…the way his lips move…

“I’m sorry to bother you,” he interrupts my train of thought, “But I have, ah, quite desperately come to ask for your assistance, Cynthia.”

“Oh, it’s no bother”, I laugh, “I’m grateful for any distraction from work right now.” My face blushes, and I suddenly become hyper conscious of my beat red appearance.

“The printer… it’s out of ink. And these fools around here never showed me where the refills are. I was wondering if you knew?” He charmingly pleads.

“Of course,” I stand a little too quickly, suddenly realizing my skirt is hiked a little too high from sitting for so long, and I pull it down. I notice Chris look at my legs, and as I see him, he averts his eyes away embarrassedly.

“Um, yes” he charmingly smiles, “You’re my lifesaver.”We travel down the hall together to the supply closet. ​Why is my heart-beating like this? Cool it, Cynthia, you’re

a grown woman.

I open the door and we both go inside. The walk-in supply closet, smaller than I remembered it being, is cluttered with various materials and boxes. I bend down to trifle through a box labeled with a red marker, “Printer”. As I find the elusive ink cartridges, I stand, and turn around to face Chris.

He is standing near the closed door, gazing at me with his big brown eyes and heavy lashes. ​Damn, he looks so adorable under this light.

I catch my breath.“Here you are.” I shyly hand him the cartridges, as he takes a step forward.

“Thank you”, he humbly grins. Our hands brush together for a second, and they pause, for a brief moment, alone in this small space.

We look at each other, and he slowly turns to leave… but hesitates.

“I want to tell you that you did so well today, not that you need me to. Every time you speak, you blow away everyone in the room.. I really admire your intellect, Cynthia.”

“Oh, thank you.” I respond, flattered by his kindness.

He hesitates one more moment before continuing on. ​What does he want to say?​ I wonder. “I see you. Here, working late, every night. Your motivation is incredible. I think that… every part of you is truly incredible.”

My face is as red as the markers labeled across the boxes around us.He takes one slow step closer to me in this small space, catching his breath.

“Forgive me, if I am intruding. But we have worked together the past 6 months and everyday I find myself quite frankly. unable to stop thinking about you. And feel free to tell me, to shove it and I will certainly do just that, and never show my face here again and..” He trails off, nervously.

“Chris.” I interrupt him, smiling. “It… has been difficult to stop thinking about you as well, I must admit.”

It feels like I’m in a dream. Opening up and revealing my secret directly to the man I have feelings for? The two of us alone in a utility room at work?

I take a step towards him, and gently place my hand on his, shocking even myself at my forwardness.

He gazes sweetly at me, and slowly leans in, our energies acting like a magnet. Our lips get close to each other, carefully, kindly, vulnerably…the butterflies in my chest feeling like they’re going to explode.

Our lips meet, and we move cautiously and romantically into a deep kiss. His hands gently cradle my body as I feel the muscles on his arms wrap around me. H​ as he always been this fit?

Eventually we break apart, breathing heavily in the dim light. T​ his escalated.​ We hear footsteps, coming down the hallways, most likely of the janitor.

“Would you like to go for a drink?” He laughs.

“I think that’s a good idea.” I grin back, suddenly blissfully aware that there is going to be more in my life now than just late nights at the office. And I’m ready for it.