Falling

30 | Mari

I was so nervous.

The program meeting was close to and end, and within the next hour I'd be reunited with an old friend. Unknowingly.

I was scared of how she'd react. Scared to see a face I hadn't seen in over 5 years. I didn't know what I'd say to her if she recognized me. I was hoping that whatever was about to take place went smoothly without any mishaps.

"Okay everyone, thank you for coming. I will see you on Wednesday." Dante said as he ended his presentation for this week's Monday program. I looked over to him to find his eyes already on me. He smirked at me and turned to gather his things.

I hadn't talked to him since yesterday besides the occasional flirty text he sent that may or may not have made my heart flutter. Whatever was happening between us was getting harder to deny and resist. I couldn't just back away now, not after I spent the night at his place in a less than appropriate position.

"You ready? She'll be here in 30." He asked as he came up to my side with his laptop in his right hand.

I smiled and shook my head and then stepped away from the table leaving the room.

"Do you think you can handle being in the same elevator as me Amelia? Wouldn't want you to jump my bones like yesterday." I blushed hard at Dantes words as we stepped into the elevator and once the doors closed I punched his arm.

"Shut up." I said and moved so I was away from him giving him the cold shoulder.

"You wound me," he said dramatically while walking so he was in front of me again. I couldn't help the smile that grew on my lips as he approached me with his goofy lopsided smirk. The elevator was about to reach his floor but that didn't stop him from smashing his lips to mine for a kiss.

His hands tangled in my hair as I responded to his lips, returning the feverish kiss. Before it could go anywhere else the elevator dinged and I pushed him back straightening out my hair.

"Doesn't help, still look fucked." He winked and smacked my ass as he stepped into the main lobby. I blushed even harder patting my hair down and following him to his office.

When he opened the door letting me in I didn't miss his smirk and I rolled my eyes at his face, continuing in his office and sitting on the couch by the window.

"What's with you and window views?" He asked as he approached the seat behind his desk.

"I'm not sure, I guess I'm just a people watcher." I said while turning to face the door as his assistant knocked.

Rebecca opened the door sticking her head in to say "Mr Brown, Mari Sesay is here to see you now." She smiled and opened the door wide for the woman behind her to enter.

I immediately stood and my heart rate spiked as I watched the petite yet beautiful woman walk through the door. She had her hair in long braids now but her smile was still just as bright as she thanked Rebecca and turned to face Dante.

Dante stood and approached Mari at the door. "Miss Sesay, I appreciate you stopping by. Please have a seat." He said politely and offered her a smile as he lead her to the open chair in front of his desk. She had yet to look over to me, so I took that as my chance to quietly sit back down on the couch to wait. Dante and I hadn't really talked about what was going to happen in this meeting. I didn't know where I fit.

"I have to say Mr Brown, it is a surprise you'd call a meeting like this over such an article." Mari said straightening up and leaning back in her chair crossing her slim dark legs over one another. She was wearing a gorgeous red dress and looked like a powerful young woman. It made my heart burst, the last time I saw her was in such horrible circumstances.