Claire sat at her desk, her fingers idly tracing the edges of a docunt she was supposed to review.
She had arrived at the office over two hours ago but she had been unable to get any work done.
Instead of focusing on work, her thoughts had been focused on Chris and even now, it was focused on him and everything about him.
His easy smile, the way he carried himself with quiet confidence, and the warmth he exuded when they spent ti together.
An involuntary smile appeared on her face when she thought about the stunt he had pulled just because he had wanted to eat lunch with her.
She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling as one question tugged at her insides.
Am I really ready for this? She wondered. Alex and Emma's words from both Wednesday night and earlier that morning echoing in her mind.
They had both encouraged her to give Chris a chance, but doubts still lingered. It wasn't that Chris wasn't appealing—he was. But her past experiences had left her guarded, unsure if she could open herself up again also coupled with the fact that she was older.
What should she do?
For what felt like the hundredth ti, she replayed the monts she and Chris had shared. His sincerity, his gentle teasing, the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the room—it all tugged at her defenses, pulling down every walls.
With a sigh, Claire picked up her phone. Her finger hovered over his contact, her nerves making her hesitate. What's the worst that could happen? She thought, taking a deep breath before hitting the call button.
Chris answered almost imdiately, his deep voice warm and familiar. "Hey, Claire."
"Hi," she began, trying to sound casual. "I, um, just wanted to let you know that Emma, Alex, Ivy, and her boyfriend are hanging out tomorrow."
"Oh! That's nice," Chris replied, amusent lacing his tone.
She sighed, her heart beating fast as she tried to gather the courage to ask what she wanted. Why would he even say just nice in the first place like he couldn't get the ssage.
Was he that dumb? She mused and then took a long deep breath to calm her mind before asking, "So, are you interested in going?"
"Depends," Chris said, his voice teasing. "You did say it's a couple's thing. So, are you inviting to go as a friend or as your plus one? Or as your boyfriend?"
Claire felt her cheeks flush, the question catching her off guard. Her mind raced, her usual composure slipping. But before she could think too much about it, she blurted out, "As a couple."
There was a brief pause on the other end. "A couple?" Chris repeated, his voice filled with surprise.
He had just said that to make her heart race. He had never thought she'd be that direct with him.
"Yes," Claire said quickly, her heart pounding. "I'm inviting you to go with as... my boyfriend."
There was silence again, followed by a low whistle from Chris. "Wow," he said, sounding genuinely astonished.
"What?" Claire asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
"I just didn't expect you to say that," he admitted, his tone lighter now.
"Well, I did," she said, trying to regain control of the situation. "So, are you coming or not?"
Instead of answering, Chris chuckled and then, to her shock, he hung up.
Claire stared at her phone, her mouth falling open. "What just happened? Did he just... hang up on ?" she muttered to herself in disbelief.
A mix of confusion, frustration, and regret bubbled up inside her as she thought about it.
How could he do that to her after she tells him she wants to go out with him as his girlfriend if he wasn't a jerk?
Why did I let Alex and Emma talk into this? She thought, sha and regret overwhelming her.
This is why I don't put myself out there—because n like Chris don't know how to act!
Fuming, she stord out of her office and called out to George, Alex's secretary. "Cancel all my appointnts for the next hour!" she needed ti to think.
George blinked, startled by her sudden outburst. "Yes, ma'am," he replied.
Claire marched back into her office, slamming the door behind her. She needed ti to process what had just happened.
She paced back and forth, muttering to herself about Chris's nerve and how she should've known better and not have ridiculed herself that way.
Fifteen minutes later, even as she was still fuming, the intercom buzzed and she frowned wondering who it was before going to take the call.
"Claire," George's voice ca through hesitantly.
"I told you not to disturb !" she snapped, her frustration still simring.
"I know, ma'am, but...soone's here to see you," George said carefully.
Claire pinched the bridge of her nose. "Who is it?"
"It's better if you co out and see for yourself," George replied, his tone oddly amused since he had been asked not to reveal the person's identity.
With a huff, Claire stord out of her office, ready to give George and the person that had insisted on seeing her a piece of her mind. But the sight that greeted her stopped her in her tracks.
There, in the middle of the office lobby, was Chris on one knee with a bouquet of flowers.
Claire's heart skipped a beat. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and surprise.
Didn't he hang up on her a while ago? What was he doing now?
Chris looked up at her, his expression serious yet playful. "I'm here to officially ask you to be my girlfriend, Claire Sterling."
"What?" Claire said, her confusion deepening.
He smiled, his brown eyes sparkling. "I don't want our future kids to think I was so weak that their mother had to ask out first. So, I'm here to set the record straight."
Despite herself, Claire let out a laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing as it all clicked in her head. "Is that why you hung up on ?"
"Absolutely," Chris said, his grin widening. "I had to make a proper effort, didn't I?"
Claire shook her head, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "You're impossible."
Chris stood, stepping closer to her. "So, what do you say? Will you be my girlfriend, Claire Sterling?"
Her heart swelled, a warm, unfamiliar feeling spreading through her chest. For the first ti in a long ti, she allowed herself to let go of her doubts and fears.
"Yes," she said softly, her lips curving into a smile. "I'll be your girlfriend."
Chris bead, his excitent lighting up the room. "You just made the happiest man alive."
Claire rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her grin. "You're such a drama king."
"Maybe," he admitted, "but I an it."
As they stood there, Claire realized that maybe, just maybe, taking a chance on Chris wasn't such a bad idea after all.
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