Too Soon

LAYTON

When I got back to the office, I found Marissa in hers. She stood up when I entered, a radiant smile on her lips. “You’re late today. You’re never late.”

I held up the coffee and the pastries. “I brought you something.”

“Yeah?” She rounded her desk and took the box first, opening it. Letting out an excited sound, she set it down on her desk and threw her arms around me from the side so as not to knock over the coffees. “Oh, Layton! Thank you. I’ve been meaning to try these, but the line is always so long.”

“It’s a wait, all right. I hope they’re worth it,” I told her, putting the coffee down next to the box so I could hold her properly. “You’re definitely worth it.”

Pink tinged her cheeks as she slid her eyes to her open office door. The blinds of her windows were already down, presumably she simply hadn’t opened them yet—because they were usually open. Reaching behind me, I felt for the door and swung it closed. “We’re alone now.”

“Thank God,” she breathed just before I lowere