Knock! Knock! Knock! "Hey, Kim, do you have a second?" It was Lily, Kim's P.A.
Kim looked up from her computer "Of course, come in. What's up?"
"I was going through the proposal document you asked me to review. I noticed a few inconsistencies in the data for section three. It seems like some of the figures don't match up with the report we got from last quarter. Should I go ahead and fix them?"
Kim sighs, pushing her chair back slightly "Good catch. I thought something felt off. Yeah, go ahead and make the adjustments. Double-check the figures with the latest sales data, please, just to be sure."
"Got it! I'll send it back to you once it's updated." Lily replied smiling politely.
"Thanks, Lily. Let me know if you need anything else."
"Will do! I'll make sure to get it back to you as soon as I can." Lily answered and with that she headed for the door.
"Great, thanks."
Kim had been so occupied with work lately…it literally felt like she was loosing her mind. Amidst all that was running through her mind, she made an effort to push any thoughts of Ryan to the back of her mind, focusing entirely on her job as a digital marketer. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to him, something she wasn't quite ready to face yet. And then, as if fate had a hand in it, Friday arrived with a twist she couldn't have predicted.
Kimberly sat at her desk, preparing for the meeting with a major real estate company that her agency had been collaborating with for weeks. They were discussing a potential partnership to market their properties digitally, and Kimberly had been tasked with making the presentation. She had been to dozens of such meetings before, but this one was different. There was an electric buzz in the air that made her skin tingle, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why.
It wasn't until she walked into the conference room that she saw the reason behind the strange tension. There, sitting at the long table with the other board members, was Ryan.
Kimberly's breath caught in her throat. He was dressed in a crisp suit, his hair neatly styled, looking every bit the professional businessman. He smiled when he saw her, a look of recognition passing across his face, and she could feel her pulse quicken. Of course, he'd be here. She had no idea why she thought she could escape running into him. She forced a smile, trying to hide the sudden flutter of nerves in her chest.
As Kimberly set her materials down and began her presentation, she could feel Ryan's eyes on her, studying her every move. She tried to focus on the numbers and the strategy, explaining how her company's digital marketing techniques could boost their brand. But with Ryan's gaze fixed on her, it was hard to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach that made her heart beat faster.
She kept her composure, her voice steady and clear as she outlined the campaign's potential. Ryan was seated at the table, listening intently, his gaze never wavering from her. She knew he was pleased to see her again, and despite herself, it bothered her. He wasn't surprised, though—he knew she worked in digital marketing, but she wasn't sure if he had any idea she worked for this particular company. It was both reassuring and unsettling that he hadn't seemed shocked to see her.
The meeting went on without any major hitches, and by the end of it, Kimberly could breathe again. But as the other board members got up to leave, Ryan stayed seated, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that she couldn't ignore.
She quickly packed up her materials, hoping to slip out unnoticed, but as she made her way toward the door, she heard his voice behind her.
"Kimberly," Ryan called out, his tone warm but firm.
Her stomach did a little flip as she turned, forcing a smile. "Hey, Ryan. I didn't expect to see you here."
Ryan stood and took a few steps closer, his expression friendly but knowing. "You didn't think I'd be a part of the partnership, did you? I'm actually working with them on this project. And, well... you did a great job with the presentation."
Kimberly nodded, grateful for the compliment, but her mind was racing. She needed to get away from him, fast. "Thanks, Ryan. I appreciate it," she said quickly, already heading toward the exit.
But Ryan was quicker. He reached her side just as she was about to walk out. "I know you're probably in a rush," he said, his voice low, "but how about we grab a bite to eat? I'd love to catch up after the meeting. You know, since the last time we saw each other was... a bit awkward."
Kimberly hesitated, her heart pounding. She hadn't expected this. She wasn't ready to spend time with him—she wasn't sure she was ready to face whatever this connection was. But as she looked into his eyes, there was something about the way he looked at her that made her want to say yes.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "I... I really have to get back to the office."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying her excuse. "Come on, Kim. It'll only be a quick lunch. And I promise I won't bite."
Kimberly didn't have the heart to keep lying. She was already feeling too guilty for trying to avoid him. And, if she were being honest with herself, a part of her did want to spend more time with him—just to understand this thing between them, if there even was one.
Finally, she sighed, relenting. "Fine," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "But just a quick lunch."
Ryan's face lit up in a smile that made her heart skip. "Great! There's this small cafe around the corner. Let me just grab my things, and we can go."
Kimberly nodded and made her way out of the building, her mind running through a thousand thoughts. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to be feeling anything for him. But she was, and it terrified her.
Kimberly walked briskly behind Ryan as they left the office building, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn't planned on spending time with him after the meeting—she hadn't planned on spending time with anyone really. But there was something about Ryan that made it difficult to say no, even though every part of her wanted to.
Ryan led the way to a small café just around the corner. The place was quaint, with exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and shelves lined with potted plants. The scent of fresh coffee mixed with a hint of cinnamon filled the air. It was quiet and cozy, the kind of spot that made you want to linger for hours.
As they entered, a soft bell jingled above the door, and the barista behind the counter greeted them with a smile. Ryan walked up to the counter, but Kimberly hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. She wasn't used to being in this kind of intimate setting with someone she barely knew.
Ryan turned around and flashed her a reassuring smile. "What's your go-to drink? I promise I won't judge," he said with a playful glint in his eyes.
Kimberly blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Uh… just a cappuccino, I guess." She smiled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck.
Ryan nodded, turning back to the counter to order. When he returned with their drinks, he led her to a small table by the window, where the sunlight streamed through, casting soft, warm light on the table.
"Here, it's perfect," Ryan said as he gestured to the chair across from him.
Kimberly sat down, setting her cup carefully in front of her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. The awkwardness she had anticipated wasn't as present as she thought it would be. Ryan's easygoing nature made it seem like they had been friends for ages, even though they'd only just met a few weeks ago. But the connection she felt with him, despite her best efforts to push it away, was undeniable.
Ryan took a sip of his own drink and then looked at her with genuine curiosity. "So, tell me more about your job. I think you mentioned that you've been working on some pretty exciting projects lately?"
Kimberly nodded, grateful for the shift in focus. Talking about her work was something she was comfortable with, and it gave her a safe space to stay grounded. "Yeah, I've been handling a few digital marketing campaigns for high-profile clients. It's challenging, but I love it. The data analysis, finding out what works for each brand—it's... satisfying."
Ryan's eyes lit up as she spoke, clearly interested in what she had to say. "That sounds really interesting. You must have to be really creative with your strategies. What's the most rewarding part of it for you?"
Kimberly thought for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window, where the sun was slowly beginning to dip lower in the sky. "I think it's seeing the results. You know, when you put so much time and effort into a campaign, and you can actually see the impact it's having—how it's helping the brand grow. That's the real payoff for me."
Ryan nodded, clearly impressed. "I can see that. You're clearly passionate about what you do. It's refreshing to hear someone talk about their work with that kind of enthusiasm."
Kimberly smiled at the compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It was hard not to be drawn to his genuine interest. But as much as she appreciated it, she couldn't let her guard down.
"So, what about you?" Kimberly asked, leaning forward a little. "What do you do exactly? I mean, I know you work with the real estate company, but... I don't really know much else about you."
Ryan chuckled, taking another sip of his drink. "Well, I've been working in real estate for a while now. I started out in property management and eventually got into the business side of things, handling partnerships and client relationships. I guess you could say I'm the 'fixer' when it comes to bringing people together."
"That's interesting," Kimberly said, nodding. "I can see how you'd be good at that. You have this... calm confidence about you."
Ryan's eyes softened as he smiled. "Thanks, Kim. I try. But you know, it's not all about the business side of things. I like to make sure I'm working with people I can trust—people who are good at what they do. And you, Kimberly... you seem like you're really good at what you do."
Kimberly felt a blush creep up her neck at his words. She looked down at her cappuccino, suddenly feeling exposed. She wasn't used to this kind of attention from someone she hardly knew. The way Ryan looked at her, the way he took in everything she said—it made her feel special, and for a moment, she allowed herself to bask in the feeling.
They spent the next few minutes talking about their lives outside of work. Kimberly was surprised by how easy it was to talk to him, despite her initial reluctance. She learned that Ryan had a love for hiking and nature, and that he had a habit of getting lost in bookstores on the weekends. He even mentioned that he liked to cook, something that instantly made him more endearing in her eyes.
"I'm actually terrible at cooking," Kimberly admitted with a laugh. "I can't even boil an egg without setting off the smoke alarm."
Ryan laughed, shaking his head. "Well, that's a new one. But hey, maybe I could teach you a few things someday."
Kimberly felt a flutter in her chest at his words. She didn't want to think too much about it, but the thought of spending time with him outside of work was... nice. Too nice. She quickly pushed the thought away.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and soon they were talking about their favorite books and movies. Ryan told her he had a soft spot for classic films, while Kimberly confessed that she was a sucker for romantic comedies.
"Hey, we should go see a movie sometime," Ryan suggested casually, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Kimberly froze for a split second. She hadn't expected him to suggest something like that. She quickly recovered, forcing a smile. "Maybe... I'll think about it."
Ryan's smile didn't waver, though there was a glint of something—hope, maybe?—in his eyes. "Take your time. I'm in no rush."
As their lunch wound down, Kimberly realized that she wasn't ready for this moment to end, but at the same time, she wasn't sure if she could let herself go any further. She had already let down her walls a little, and that made her nervous. What if this led to something she wasn't prepared for?
When they stood up to leave, Ryan walked her to the door of the café. "It was nice catching up," he said, his tone sincere.
Kimberly smiled, still trying to process everything that had just happened. "Yeah, it was."
As they parted ways, she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time she'd see Ryan. Despite her best efforts to distance herself, he was making his way into her life, whether she was ready or not. And for the first time in a long time, she wasn't sure if she wanted to run away from it.