Page 38 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
I was torn. Part of me yearned for Antonio's warmth and kindness, while another part screamed caution.
One evening, as I pondered my next move, my phone buzzed.
"Hey,"Antonio texted."How's your week going?"
"Busy,"I replied."Still thinking."
"I understand,"he responded."No rush. But can I see you soon? Maybe coffee?"
I shook my head. I wasn’t ready for another intimate encounter. I was already so close to stopping him in the stairway and confessing everything to him.
"How about next week?"I suggested buying time.
"Sounds good,"Antonio agreed."I'll plan something."
As I settled into bed that night, guilt gnawed at me. But what choice did I have? My job—everything—hung in the balance. Everyone at work was already waiting for the groundbreaking story, and I had yet to write anything.
***
The next morning, my unit head summoned me to his office. I was surprised he’d remained quiet for this long. I took a deep breath before entering.
"Kendra, we need to discuss your progress," he said, his expression stern.
I didn’t bother to sit. I just clasped my hands in front of me, trying to look confident.
"What's the status of the Michaelson story?" he asked.
"I'm... still gathering information, sir."
Thompson’s eyes narrowed. "Kendra, we can't wait forever. We need something concrete soon."
“I'm working on it, sir. I can’t rush it.”
He nodded, relaxing into his seat. “I agree with you. But make sure no one else gets that news out there before we do. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. You may leave.”
As I turned to leave, I searched for Antonio's contact and sent him a quick text:
"I’m done thinking. I’ll be your girlfriend."
Chapter Sixteen
Antonio
I sat through the board meeting, half-listening to the presentation on the market expansion strategy for our newest wine, Terra Nova. As Emily’s presentation unfolded on the screen, the room’s atmosphere shifted from anticipatory silence to electric enthusiasm.
The marketing team’s murmurs of agreement and nods of approval filled the space, but my attention began to drift beyond the slides, lost in thoughts until my phone’s discreet buzz refocused me.
I glanced at the screen. The message was from Kendra. It was unlike her to text me in the middle of a workday… heck, she’d never even texted me on her own before. I picked up my phone and opened it immediately, my eyes locking onto Kendra’s message:
“I’m done thinking. I’ll be your girlfriend.”
My gaze lingered on the words, which seemed to sear into my mind. A slow, unstoppable grin spread across my face. My chest swelled with excitement, and my fingers twitched with the urge to respond.
For a fleeting moment, I was lost in the words on my screen, the meeting fading into the background. The soft murmur of voices, the rustle of papers, and the occasional nod from the executives blurred together.
