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sure. “Bailey? Are you ok sweetheart?” Oh no.
“Sorry. Um, I really want to go to lunch with you, but I think you may be missing a piece of important information about me.”
He doesn’t remove his hands from me but he does lean back a bit in order to see me clearer. “What’s wrong? Are you a lesbian? You don’t seem like you would be into that sort of thing, then again, I didn’t think you would have George Straight on your iPod either.” This broke any tension that might have been in the room. I laugh so hard I might spit; I hope I don’t but it’s very possible. If I were a snorter that would happen too, but I’m not. Thank God .
“That’s what you think is an important piece of information?” I manage to get out while trying to control my laughter. Oh God, everything about this guy makes me crazy happy.
“Hell yeah, that’s really important!” He’s smiling.
“No, I can assure you, I am not a lesbian.” I take a deep breath and let the words flow from my mouth, even though I desperately don’t want to. “I do, however, have a boyfriend.” Silence. The happy smile on his beautiful face is gone, and it’s my fault.  Well, that ruined the light atmosphere. Now you could cut the tension or discomfort or whatever this is choking me, with a butter knife. I feel like my heart just stopped beating. I just met this guy, why does the hurt look in his eyes make me want to cry?
After a minute, he clears his throat while walking closer to the door. I immediately miss his closeness.
“I did not know that,” he states matter-of-factly with a small sad smile. “You would think that would have been something Kali would tell me. Apparently not. I apologize if I crossed a line Bailey. My offer for lunch still stands anytime, as friends of course, if you’re interested.” He’s bending over my desk writing something on a post-it. “Here’s my email and phone number, you can reach me on either one anytime. Have a good morning Bailey.” He turns and walks out the door without looking back and without saying another word. I definitely noticed the fact that he called me by my full name. I don’t like that, at all. I don’t have time to catch my breath and snap out of the hurt I am feeling before Drea comes  in.
“Bailey Jean Hayes! What was Talon McAllister doing in your office with his hands all over you? I have been freaking out over here!” she shrieks with her eyes about to bug out of her face. Her hands are flailing around and I pray that the whole office did not just hear her outburst.
“His hands were not all over me Drea. You’re exaggerating a little, don’t ya think?” I say calmly, because quite frankly, I feel like all of my energy has been zapped out of me.
“Um no. I don’t think. How do you know him? And why was he here? What am I missing Bay?” She’s badgering me with twenty questions because she hates Hollister. She hates herself even more for being the one who introduced me to him. So to see me with another man who happened to be holding me and cradling my face I have no doubt she was freaking out with hope.
“I’m friends with his sister and met him Saturday night. I’m still not sure why he was here this morning and no, you are not missing anything.”
“Then why do you look so sad?” She’s calmed down and she looks very concerned. This is why I love her. She knows me inside out and doesn’t judge.
“He asked if he could take me to lunch today and I told him I have a boyfriend. He left.” It is ridiculous that I feel so upset by this. I have a boyfriend and I love him. Right?
“You like him,” she states soundly.
“I can’t,” I whisper as I beg the tears in my eyes to stay at bay.
“But you do.”
“He makes me laugh, a lot. He makes my heart skip and my stomach flip. He invades my thoughts, even when I’m sleeping. His touch sets my skin on fire and he makes me forget all of the negative.”
“Wow,” Drea responds in a breathless whisper.
“I know.”