Prologue

I was helping him. He asked me for advice on traveling, and I couldn’t say  no. So here I am…my body across the desk from him. He looked at the computer  and said to me, “Hmmm, these look cool.”  

“What is? Show me.”  

“Well, look for yourself.”  

“Turn the computer around.” He didn’t turn it, but motioned for me to lean  over.  

I sigh in fake annoyance and lean over the desk to peek at his screen. It showed a  website that held a list of architectural tours in Rome, Italy.  

“Oh you should try to look at architecture, but like on your own. I feel like that would be so cool. Less money and more privacy.” I suggested and looked  back up at him. 

Our faces are in front of each other, just inches away, from our lips meeting. I  don’t think this should happen, but I feel like I am living in my own romantic  comedy for once. Do I let it slip from my grasp? Or do I try?  

“Oh-uhm, I’m sorry,” our colleague came through the door at the most  impeccable time. Both of our bodies shoot straight up in our chairs, reverting to  our original positions. His face is red and flushed. My cheeks were burning as  the fear, adrenaline, and lust went through me. There was a moment where he talked with our other colleague, but I couldn’t comprehend the words that they were saying. I spiraled.  

“Jude? … Jude?” He asked me with concern the second time looking into my  eyes.  

I snap back into place, “Yep!”  

“Why are you so skittish?” He asked.  

I look at him and try to get out of my head, but it’s a little too powerful  upstairs with those thoughts leaping 1000 miles per hour. This is my co-worker.  This is a man who I know has a little too much of an ego, but can make you feel  like it’s just the two of you in a bubble when there are multiple people around.  Even when we see each other in the halls; the staring glances, the body language,  the eye contact, the concern and comfort shown? Be so for real, right now.  “Are you serious?” I burst out without even realizing and have my eyes wide open in acknowledging  that I am no longer thinking in my head.  He sits in his desk chair, silent. Silent? 

“What’s going on here?” I ask and honestly so much weight lifted off me. 

Still silent. This handsome asshole needs to say something soon…and fast.  

“You … and me. What’s going on?” I asked more firmly, pointing between us.  

“Well, we are two colleagues that happen to have the same class periods off  and happen to be friends and happen to like being in each other’s company.”  

“And…?”  I edge for a little more information, barely holding myself together.

“And... I want to take you out. That’s what’s going on.”  

“Why?” I asked with a smirk.   

“Why?” He responded with a raised eyebrow. 

“Why.” I challenge him. I wanna hear from him what’s been happening.   

“Because Jude, I can’t help but having this feeling when you’re near. This human touch you have, the care that reaches out of you to anyone you meet. You  have helped me learn things about myself since we have started working together. Thank you, and I want to know more of you. A lot more of you, actually.” He says with a breath huffing out of his thick chest.  

I was a bit stunned. I didn’t know if I would get a confession from him like  this. Thought he would be too shy for that.  

“I would like to know more of you too.” I say with our eyes meeting and giving a curious but flirtatious gaze. 

“So I take it you and I are going out sometime this week?” He asked slightly, giggling. 

“Um yeah, it’s about time.” I tell him and we both laugh in unison. 

We wanted each other, I just had to be the honest one to start it off.