Getting ready for work Monday morning took twice as long as usual. Kayla was determined to look absolutely amazing. "Wow!" whistled Terry, "New dress?" "Huh? No, I've had this for ages, I just don't wear it often," she lied. She bought the dress yesterday specifically because the green color complimented her long auburn hair. "Well, you look beautiful," he said as he kissed her forehead.
Her stomach was full of butterflies during the drive to work, and it only got worse as she walked toward her office. She hadn't heard from Sean since Friday night and wondered if she had made too much of the conversation. Perhaps she took it the wrong way, she was just overthinking as usual. Off in her own world, replaying the entire exchange, she looked up just in time to turn the corner and almost walked right into Sean. He caught her by the arm. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I don't know where my head is today," she said. "No worries, I'm a little on edge today too," he said with a smile, that slightly crooked smile that always made her heart melt. "Looks like we're neighbors," he continued, pointing to the side-by-side offices with their names on the doors. The butterflies in Kayla's stomach turned into a knot. How was she going to get any work done with him so close by? Hearing his deep, sexy voice, smelling his intoxicating scent, knowing he's so close and she cuoldn't touch him. She looked up at him, remembering how his lips felt on hers, the passionate way he kissed, the way his tongue..."Snap out of it, Kayla!" she silently scoled herself. "I guess we better get to it then." She smiled as she walked into her office and shut the door. She was calling Daliah before she even sat down. "Oh, wow. How are you going to get any work done?" Daliah mused. "I honestly don't know! I can't look at him without remembering everything, the good and the bad." Kayla sighed.
The next few days got easier. Kayla and Sean remained professional and friendly, so she thought maybe everything would be ok and they could work together, be friends and let the past be the past. That all changed when they were both working late one night. They were the only 2 people left on the floor when "Text message from Sean" popped up on her phone. She opened it a little quicker than she should have. "You look beautiful today." Sean said, "Well, you look beautiful every day." She'd be lying if she said she didn't want this, but it was trouble, nonetheless. "You're playing with fire, Sean," Kayla replied. "I can't help it," Sean said. "Being this close to you every day and not being able to touch you is driving me crazy." Kayla steadied herself. "I feel the same, but we have to think about Marcie and Terry. It's not fair for them to get hurt just because you and I have unfinished business." Unfinished business was putting it mildly. All those years ago, they had plans, plans for a future together. Putting aside the physical attraction and crazy chemistry, and they still had a deep connection, but it wasn't enough. She pushed too hard, he broke her heart, and then she broke his. It was a hot, crazy, dangerous affair, and then it was over, leaving her feeling so empty and broken. It didn't matter whose fault it was; they were both in the wrong, and they hurt each other badly. Even six months after it ended, when Sean came back to her, she was still so afraid of being hurt again that she refused him. She took comfort in Terry because he was safe; she knew he would never hurt her, but it was always Sean she wanted. Always. And now he was back and saying all these things, and she didn't know how to feel. Kayla looked up from her phone to see Sean standing in her office doorway. Suddenly, very aware of the tears streaming down her face, she hastily wiped them away. "Don't cry, darling," Sean said, walking toward her, but she could see tears in his eyes too. She stood up from her desk and walked toward him. When they were close enough to touch, Sean grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in so quickly that she barely had time to process what was happening. He looked into her eyes and then kissed her deeply. The room was spinning; she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was just as she remembered; her entire body tingled. After a few minutes, the kiss slowed and softened. He had one hand on her waist, the other on her cheek as his lips trailed down her neck. She couldn't help but let out a little moan as his beard tickled her skin. They melted into each other's arms and stayed there for a while, just holding on, neither wanting to let go.
"What are we gonna do about this?" Sean asked over text later that night. Kayla couldn't keep the smile off her face on the drive home, but when she saw Terry's car in their driveway, the guilt set in. "I don't know, Sean. I don't want to hurt Terry; he's a good person, and he loves me so much. What about Marcie? Are you guys happy? Do you want to risk your relationship for something that didn't work out once already?" Sean felt the same about Marcie as Kayla did about Terry; she's safe, and she'd never hurt him. They both have loving people in their lives, but they're still so drawn to each other, and after that kiss, they both wanted more.
Seeing each other every day wasn't helping the situation. Kayla found herself hanging around the breakroom until Sean arrived. Sean was finding endless excuses to go to Kayla's office. They were able to sneak a couple more kisses in the office when no one was around. The texts were getting more flirty, but on top of that, they spoke about the mistakes they had made. "I knew you had a lot going on in your life back then, Sean. I shouldn't have pressured you to move forward with our relationship when I knew you weren't ready." "Maybe so, Kayla, but I didn't handle it well. Just telling you that I needed space, and then cutting off communication wasn't fair. I didn't know what to do with the feelings I had for you then, the feelings I still have now."
The connection and chemistry between them was palpable and growing stronger every day. Daliah voiced her concerns about the situation. "You're going to get yourselves in trouble. You have to either commit to being together and end things with Terry and Marcie or end things with each other. I know you've only kissed so far, but it's only a matter of time before it goes further." Daliah was right about that.