Strictly Professional

10: James

ELLE

Two days later, I was still constantly raking my mind in search for an explanation. Since I last saw him on Thursday, I desperately tried to understand why he acted like that. I wasn't even sure what he was staring at was the baby, but there was no one else near the spot he was so focused on. I knew that asking him about it would be completely pointless, so I didn't even try.

He was so different after that. He just sat there as I showed him the rest of the places I had found for him, nodding and giving me answers no longer than five words. He wasn't making suggestive comments. He wasn't flirting or eyeing me up and down. He was acting exactly how he should have when we first met, and I hated it.

After showing him two more places, I asked him to take me home which he did without protest. He was clearly in a bad mood and I saw no point in staying with him any further, so he quietly drove me home and told me we'll meet again soon before he faintly smiled, but I couldn't tell if it was forced this time.

What baffled me was how I kept checking my phone since yesterday night, expecting he'd be in contact with me in some form, but there was nothing. Not until Saturday morning, where the notification pulled me out of my thoughts while I still tried to find an explanation for everything, with zero success.

James

Are you free today? xx

Raising an eyebrow at Niall's text, I contemplated what I should answer him. I had no plans for the day. Bri was working, and I was aimlessly switching through channels with Rufus purring on my lap. Just the idea of meeting him again made me react in a completely unexpected way. The beat of my heart unexplainably increased, hands starting to slightly shake, my breathing more rapid than before. Why did I feel excitement over his text? This shouldn't be happening and the most rational thing to do was to tell him I was busy, or even better ignore his text completely.

But I couldn't do it. No matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, I wanted to see him again in a casual setup where I wouldn't have to worry about work. Just the idea that he wanted to see me too was enough to make me lose all self control and answer his text. But even if I 'd eventually accept his offer, I wasn't going to give in to him so easily. I forbid myself from doing that.

James

Why?

Instead of answering with another text, he decided to call. Seeing his name taking over the screen, my eyes widened in shock. I let it ring a few times, recollecting myself before I accepted the call and pressed the device to my ear.

"Were you too lazy to actually type?" Was the first thing I said to him, hearing him chuckle from the other end.

"Yes, actually. I prefer talking over the phone, or better yet, in person. So I'm asking you again. Are you free later?" He was back to the cocky and full of sarcasm person I had grown to know, which was weirdly a relief even though he could be extremely annoying at times.

"How much later are we talking?" I asked, avoiding to actually giving him a straight forward answer for as long as possible.

"Depends really. I've got a few hours of practice, but I should be done in time for dinner. Can you be in Stamford Bridge at six?"

"Where are you manners? You won't pick me up yourself?" I didn't really mind that he asked me to meet him instead of getting me himself, but I couldn't stop myself when an opportunity to mock him rose. He caught on to my derided tone and didn't even miss a beat to reply in a similar one.