Who needs a boyfriend with all you wonderful readers and reviewers? Not me!
It had been a very busy week for Tessa. She wasn't used to reading and editing manuscripts, discussing plots and characters with authors, meeting people half her age with stories in their hands and hope in their eyes. Added to that, she couldn't afford to let her frustration and the fact that the job was taking its toll on her show at work; she was still in probation and could be dismissed any day. All week, she hadn't touched her guitar, immersed herself in music and the company of friends or even simple gazed at the sky as her tea grew cold. She hadn't had any time for her. By the time she got home from work on Friday, she was irate enough to nearly snap the neck of the infant crying in his mother's arms in the elevator for causing that shrill, godawful racket. Which was why, when her phone rang, the first thing she said on picking up was, "I know I'm easily dispensable, but I refuse to accept any more manuscripts for the weekend; I already have two."
"I'm assuming you didn't check your caller id," said the voice of that one person who could calm her down at any given moment. He was right, she hadn't.
"Hello Will," she said with a sigh, running the fingers of her spare hand through her hair and tugging at a fistful, "I could do with one of your bear hugs now." Will's hugs were as good as well steeped, authentic Darjeeling tea.
"And I would willingly oblige, Tess, but there is a mild issue. I have your spare keys, but I can't exactly unlock the door with my phone in one hand and this box of donuts in the other."
With a delighted squeal, Tessa ran to the door and threw it open. True to his word, Will stood outside, holding his phone and a massive box of donuts. As soon as he had entered and placed the package on the dinner table, Tessa flung her arms around his neck, successfully dropping the entangled pair on the couch. She felt his body shake with laughter as he tightened his arms around her waist. The hug wasn't gentle, it was anything but. Her muscles ached because of how hard she was squeezing him and her waist throbbed under his appendages. No, it was not gentle; it was everything she needed, everything she would ever need.
Will's shirt was cold from the air conditioning of the bank and smelled faintly of his cologne, the air freshener of his car and starch. He smelt of the woody incense she had given him for his office, and faint sweat. He smelt of a long, weary day at work. He smelt of hope and comfort and fun and promises. He smelt of familiarity and home. He smelt of Will and Tessa willingly, readily, steadily lost herself in it.
The aroma of donuts that stilling clung to the fabric only made Tessa hug him tighter.
Chapters will be short guys, my exams are on. I promise you, I'm working on the story every spare moment I get in this notebook I'm using only for this. But exams…
This is, like, a third of the original chapter. I'll keep posting, but they'll be tiny (like this one)
I love you guys, and I'm really sorry. Forgive me?
