Even if he could concentrate on something or someone else, the class seemed designed to draw him back to Katie. The trainer again asked him to assist the students during each practice session, and Katie had a question about every topic, stopping him each time. Carson was sure it was an act. Her questions were far too simple for a woman of her intelligence.
The class ended a little before 4 p.m. Most of the attendees, at least the ones who had driven from other offices to the class, smiled to one another and spoke of heading straight home instead of going back to their offices. After all, they said, there’d hardly be any time to get anything done, and what couldn’t wait until tomorrow? State employees. He shook his head and started gathering his things, failing to notice Katie standing by his arm until she tapped it. He spun his head in surprise. No one snuck up on him – ever. Christ, I’m really out of practice.
“I know I’ve been bugging you all day,” she said in a tone that clearly indicated she wanted him to disagree, “but could you walk me back to the parking garage? I don’t want to end up stuck here overnight, wandering the hallways like some lost ghost.”
“Ya know, you’re awfully pushy, Miss Katherine-everyone-calls-me-Katie.”
She pouted slightly. “I prefer the term ‘endearing.’”
“I don’t doubt it. C’mon, it’s near my office anyway.” They headed off, once again making small talk about the class and work as he led her through the nondescript hallways. Katie chatted away as they walked, and Carson was a little surprised by his active responses. While he could be quite loquacious if he wished, he tended to be monosyllabic at work, discouraging any sort of friendly banter. But this woman drew him out almost effortlessly, and he found himself volunteering all kinds of information and even asking about her.
Finally, they reached his small, plain cubicle where he tossed his notebook carelessly on his desk. “OK, from here just go to the end of the hall and make a right. The exit to the parking garage is right in front of you.”
“Thank you so much. I never would have gotten back here without you.” Carson saw her face change; she seemed to be considering something. “Would you mind if I dropped my notebook and stuff in here while I hit the ladies’ room? It’s a bit of a drive home.” She was already putting her things on the corner of his desk as she said it, leaving him little leeway in his answer. He would not deny such a request, of course, but she seemed very good at making him do things.
“You are piling up the favors.” He tried to sound crotchety and difficult, but the words came across – at least to his ears – as playful.
She raised her eyebrows playfully. “Well, then I guess I’ll owe you more than a cafeteria lunch.” She darted out of his office like an overly-caffeinated sprite, leaving him standing and staring at where she had been. He shook his head again and sat at his desk, logging onto his system. He had just opened his first unread email when she popped back in.
“That was quick,” he said, rising once again.
“I didn’t want to keep you waiting,” she told him as she gathered her things.
“Your consideration for my well-being knows no bounds. However shall I repay you?”
Picking up her books, she tilted her head and offered her most fetching smile. “Use your imagination. See ya.” She pivoted on her heel and left.
“Bye,” he said, mostly to the back of a red head. Carson couldn’t help but check out her taut, well-formed backside as she left his office, but it was only a reflex. Perhaps he was wrong about Katie being interested in him. Maybe he’d misread the signs. Maybe she wanted him to ask her out, and he’d missed his window. But now that she was gone, he already missed her. Or maybe he missed the attention she had showered on him. Regardless, he was relieved she hadn’t asked him out – was it relief? – because he’d be forced to turn her down.
He shook his head and sat. Anyway, that’s that. I’ll probably talk to her on the phone for business, and nothing else. He looked at his screen and tried to ignore the portrait of her that had taken center-stage in his brain, but to no avail. He decided to go get some water and take a quick walk to clear his head. As he stood, he saw a piece of paper on the desk. It had not been there a minute ago.
He grabbed it. Katie must have failed to pick it up when she retrieved her books. It was a yellow sticky note, the kind people left on documents and clipboards as reminders. He was about to throw it away, but decided he should at least find out what was on it first.
He opened the sheet and saw a phone number. It wasn’t the number to the Sussex County Office building. Below it were four simple words:
Call me sometime. Katie.
***
Katie pulled out of the garage into the early rush-hour traffic with a smirk. Leaving that little note was much more like the Katie she used to be – the Katie that existed before Brendan came into the picture.
She banished any thought of her ex from her mind. He was far, far away and she’d made it perfectly clear she did not welcome any contact with him. It had taken some time, but she’d made her decision and
