crossing paths

Ellie finally came face to face with Elliot at work. It was as if she'd fallen into something. Awkwardness. She couldn't think of a thing to say without it coming out backwards. Perhaps it was best to act as if she couldn't stand him. Although, that wasn't completely true because well, she remembered.

His lips. His smooth skin. How it felt when they were so close, and she hated it to be true now. She missed him. She didn't want to. She really didn't. But would he notice?

She did her best to act as if he weren't there, but she couldn't help but notice.

"I had to cut back my hours," he told her as if she'd want to know. "You know, classes starting up and everything."

"Yeah, everything." She tried to say, but the words were caught in her throat. "Hows that going?"

"What?" He winced as if he was trying to get his act together, looking at sheets of paperwork on a clipboard.

"Dora?"

He just shook his head, no.

"Perhaps, you'd have some time to spare," he looked at her then. "Just coffee."

"Just coffee." She was so going to tell him, no, but she didn't.

"Yeah, just next door."

She could handle that. She hoped. It wouldn't mean going back to his place. Definitely off limits.