No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

My breath hitched as our eyes locked.

He stared back at me, unflinching, without a hint of avoidance.

Every time, he was so open, so honest. In contrast, it was always me who felt jittery, as if being apart from him was somehow my fault. "Speak of the devil, Mr. Collins, Director Hudson and I were just talking about you," Grant, with his ever-wagging tongue, quipped. Ernest just hummed, standing there straight as an arrow, without further comment.

"Aren't you going to ask what we were saying about you?" Grant was the type who loved to wield his words like a double-edged sword. Ernest remained silent, and Grant rubbed his nose, "We said you've lost weight, and that you..."

Grant paused abruptly, then winked at me. "Director Hudson, let's keep it from him."

I couldn't help but chuckle internally, my lips curving up slightly.

Ernest happened to glance over just then, but I quickly averted my gaze.

If he didn't want me, I wasn't going to let him think I was desperate for him.

I had received a call from Shirley at lunch. I had been meaning to call her myself, worried she might be inconvenienced being with Lord.

"How are you doing? Everything alright?" I asked as soon as the call connected.

the bullet today," Shirley's

all while harboring resentment. It spoke volumes of

have something else to

were looking for. Do you want to meet them in person?" Shirley's news took me by

thought it would take at least a couple of weeks, not

I replied, "If it's convenient, I'd like to

you an address, just come over," Shirley said before

be appropriate. So, I went to find Grant, "Mr.

use it," Grant said, always so generous. "Thanks!"

me, "You mentioned

just a fender bender. The

then reached into his drawer, pulling out an invitation and handing it to me. Puzzled, I opened it, and understanding Grant's intent, I asked,

you

to go," I

raised an

smiled and said, "The collaboration between the Collins and Wagner

can you