Page 68 of Doughn't Let Me Go

He sighs heavily, head hanging low, shoulders pulled in tight.

His hand comes up in that familiar movement of his as he pinches the bridge of his nose. The muscles flex in his forearm, the sleeves of his sky-blue shirt rolled up.

Why does he always have to roll the sleeves? Doesn’t he know how much more attractive that makes him? Doesn’t he know it’s killing me?

“I don’t mean to be snappy,” he finally says quietly. “I’m just tired is all, a little stressed.”

I watch him rub and pinch, like he’s trying to soothe away his irritation.

“Anything I can do to help?”

Too personal.

I ignore the voice in my head.

Porter sighs again, but it’s not an irritated sound this time. It’s almost…happy? Relieved? “No. You already do enough, Doris.”

Doris.

I inwardly groan.

I hate that we’re in this situation, hate that it’s constantly awkward between us. I hate that he fights to not call me by the name I prefer because it sounds too much like a caress.

“Are you doing anything special today?”

Panic zings through me.Does he know today is my birthday?

No. That’s dumb. He can’t possibly know.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about that.”

The corners of his mouth pull down just a fraction, but he catches himself before he can let them droop too far. “What’s up?”

He says it so casually one might think there’s nothing wrong.

But I’m not that stupid.

I ignore it anyway.

“I’d like to take some of my personal hours tonight, if you don’t mind.”

“Hot date?”

I bristle at his sharp tone. “That’s none of your business.”

“You’re right.”

No apology, justYou’re right.

“You can have your time, Doris. It’s not like I have a very active social life right now. I’ll be home.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

He stands, and I look away, not wanting to watch his navy suit pants cling to his thighs.

“Busy day?” I ask him.

“Nothing too wild, a meeting with a guy from a few towns over. We’re gonna talk apps and business. He’s looking to switch security companies, and he’d be a good fish to hook.” A grin tugs at his lips. “No offense.”

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