“Math.” I laughed out loud, and then I couldn’t stop. Maybe it was the stress or just the fact that I’d been an idiot, but I laughed, he laughed, and I finally felt like some of the pressure in my chest had dissipated, like maybe the world wasn’t as gray as it once had been.
Hours later I was still thinking about all those times with Colby, the almost-kisses, the stares, the hugs, and it was killing me to be stuck at my desk. When had that ever happened in my entire life? I was a complete workaholic.
I grabbed a pencil and started twirling it between my fingers.
I literally had no idea what I was even working on. I had my laptop open, papers on my desk, and nothing, absolutely nothing in my brain but kissing Colby.
A knock sounded at my door, then Banks poked his head in. “How’s the focus coming along?”
I was tempted to flip him off, but instead I pointed at the door for him to leave. “I have a lot of work to do today.”
“Yes, but how much work have you actually done… friend?” His smile was all-knowing.
“Out!” I pointed at the door again.
He held up his hands and shut the door quietly.
I stared at my laptop and took a deep breath. I was a professional. I could do this, I could compartmentalize my work life and my home life.
Home life.
Huh, months ago I would have laughed at the possibility, even though I’d always wanted it.
Now I had it.
What the hell was I even doing at work right now?
When I could be home?
When I could pick up Ben from school? Or make horrible cupcakes? How did parents even do this regularly without getting stressed out?
Wine?
Working out?
Yoga?
I groaned and pinched my nose, then grabbed my phone and stared too hard at the screen, finally deciding to send a text.
Me:
How did the cupcakes go over?
Colby:
A kid cried, so yeah super well thanks for asking!
Me:
Oh God, because they tasted so bad?
Colby:
I prefer to think of the glass as half full, clearly they were so good he wanted more. Thus the tears.
Me:
I like it.