Sharing Emma

8. Heard of That

|RYKER|

I sat in the corner of the cafe, my laptop open in front of me, lines of code filling the screen. I took a sip of my coffee and let out a contented sigh. This was my happy place - the hum of the coffee machine, the chatter of the customers, and the soft murmur of background music. It was the perfect environment to focus on my software development work.

I walked out of the meeting with Victor feeling like a million bucks. The presentation had gone well, my software proposal was sound, and I could see the excitement in his eyes as I spoke. I was pretty sure I had impressed the hell out of him. Victor even told me I could expect a call from him within 24 hours to discuss the next steps.

But now, it's been 36 hours, and still, no word from him. I tried to stay positive, but my thoughts were getting too pessimistic for their own good. Did I miss something in the presentation? Did I come across as too eager or not eager enough? Maybe my competition had a better proposal?

The longer the silence lingered, the more my anxiety started to creep in. I wanted this opportunity so badly, not just for the chance to prove myself, but also to show my dad that I was capable on my own. He never explicitly asked me to prove myself, but there was always an unspoken expectation that I would follow in his footsteps and take over the family business.

But I wanted more than just to be a carbon copy of my father. I wanted to create something unique, something that was mine. And this software proposal was my chance to do just that.

The need to prove myself was growing stronger and stronger every day. I couldn't let this opportunity slip away. I pulled out my phone and checked my email for the hundredth time, hoping to see an email from Victor. But there was nothing.

Taking a deep breath, I took a long sip of my coffee, hoping to shake off the negative thoughts that had been clouding my mind. I couldn't afford to let my doubts and fears consume me, not when so much was at stake. I had worked tirelessly on my software, pouring all my energy and passion into it, and the thought of it not being enough was almost too much to bear.

As I contemplated my next move, I sensed a presence near my table and looked up with a furrowed brow.

To my surprise, it was her.

The girl from yesterday who spoiled my shirt with her coffee.

As I was about to open my mouth to speak, she beat me to it. "I've been reflecting on what happened," she stated, her plump and pink lips moving like silk. "And I believe we got off on the wrong foot." Her expression revealed that she was genuinely concerned about it.

I scoffed, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms over my chest. "I don't recall us starting anything at all," I responded with a hint of humor in my tone. What? I was no longer in a rush like the last time we met, and I was in a good mood. I was absolutely capable of having a pleasant conversation without feeling the need to explode.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, and she tilted her head to the side. "I guess whatever you had to attend to last time must have gone well," she guessed, and I couldn't help but acknowledge her sharp intuition.

"More or less," I replied nonchalantly, shrugging my shoulders.

"So, you're no longer holding a grudge against me?" She eyed me playfully.

"I don't think I ever held a grudge against you. I barely know you," although I couldn't help but feel as if I should.

Before I could second-guess myself, I leaned forward, placing my hands on either side of my laptop. "Why don't you join me?" I offered, gesturing towards the empty seat across from me. "Maybe I should get to know you a little better before I decide if you're worth my time or not."

She seemed slightly taken aback by my unexpected invitation, but after a brief hesitation, she nodded and pulled out the chair across from me. I couldn't help but admire the way she moved, with grace and confidence.

As she settled in, I took a moment to study her features more closely. Up close, she was stunning. Her high cheekbones and bright green eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, made her even more captivating. And when she smiled, her small nose crinkled in a way that was both cute and charming.

I tried to keep my cool and act nonchalant as I asked, "So, what brings you here today?"

"I work here often," she replied, pulling out her own laptop. "And the coffee is pretty good too."

"I can definitely vouch for that."

"But honestly," she leaned forward, her eyes soft. "I came here today to apologize for last time. I'm not typically that clumsy, and I've been feeling dreadful about it. I didn't come here to work as much as I came to see if I could find you. I just had to get it off my chest."

Her honesty and sincerity were refreshing, and I found myself drawn to her. "Well, I appreciate the apology," I said, giving her a small smile. "And I have to admit, I'm glad you came back. I was hoping to run into you again."

She smiled back, her eyes sparkling. "Really? I was hoping the same thing."

We both laughed, and the tension that had been there between us dissipated. It was as if we had known each other for much longer than just a few minutes.

The more we talked, the more comfortable I became.

"Do you like comedy movies?" she asked after a while, putting her third cup of coffee aside.

"I love them," I replied with a grin. "There's nothing better than a good comedy to lift your spirits."

"Same here," she agreed. "Do you have a favorite?"

"Definitely. It's a classic, but I never get tired of watching 'The Final Destination'."

"Wait," she eyed me skeptically. "Isn't that a horror movie?"

I laughed. "Yes, it is. But it's so ridiculous that it becomes funny. You know, like when someone gets crushed by a falling piano or impaled by a flagpole. It's just so over-the-top that you can't help but laugh."

She raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if I'd call that a comedy."

"Well, maybe it's not a traditional comedy, but it definitely makes me laugh."

She smiled. "Fair enough. Have you seen any recent comedies that you liked?"

I thought for a moment. "Actually, I watched 'Game Night' recently and thought it was hilarious. It's about a group of friends who get together for a game night that turns into a real-life mystery."

"Oh, I've heard of that one," she said, nodding. "I haven't seen it yet, but it sounds like fun."

"It is," I agreed. "I highly recommend it. And speaking of games, do you like board games?"

Her eyes lit up at the mention of board games. "I love board games! Do you have a favorite?" she asked eagerly.

"Definitely. I'm a big fan of Settlers of Catan. It's a strategy game where you build and trade resources to create a civilization. It's pretty addictive."

"I've played that before," she said, her face lighting up with recognition. "It's a lot of fun, but I'm terrible at strategy games. I always end up losing."

"Well, I'm happy to teach you and give you some tips," I offered with a wink.

"Sounds like a challenge," she said, laughing. "I'm definitely up for it."

Just then, her phone rang, and she looked at me before answering. "I need to take this. I'll be back in a minute."

"Sure, take your time," I replied with a nod, giving her a reassuring smile.

As she walked away, I took the opportunity to check my phone.

No email from Victor.

I was lost in thought when she returned to the table, her expression slightly troubled. "Is everything okay?" I asked, concerned.

"Yeah, it's just work stuff," she replied with a sigh. "I have to go, unfortunately."

"Oh. Well, it was really nice meeting you," I said, feeling a strange twinge in my chest.

"Likewise," she replied, giving me a small smile. "Maybe we can do this again sometime?"

"I would like that," I said, feeling hopeful. "I would like that a lot."